Life outside BR

FewFew

** MOD HAT ON **

First, after a suggestion, I changed the name of the thread. It's not a great name, so give me suggestions, but the point is we don't want the Blackout Rugby forum taking over from the Rugby Forum. Not that we can't talk about rugby here, but "Ireland Rugby" popping up will just drag non-BR players in and that'll lead to chaos.

Second point, try not to bash other forums or their mods. If you've a problem with the rugby forum then take it over to feedback or the rugby forum itself.

** MOD HAT OFF **

I still feel a bit off about the 09 win, as if Wales knew it was St. Paddy's Day and just let us away with it for some national pride or something :pac:

FewFew

Haven't been paying much attention of late, but I didn't realise we were in such a dire spot in relation to fullbacks. Kinda thought all the positions would have some hot shot youngster waiting in the wings, just dying for a shot.

corny

Fewcifur wrote: »

Haven't been paying much attention of late, but I didn't realise we were in such a dire spot in relation to fullbacks. Kinda thought all the positions would have some hot shot youngster waiting in the wings, just dying for a shot.

Even if they were Kidney wouldn't pick them.;)

One of our wings will play there i'd imagine and the Boks with their accurate kickers are going to give them a real test.

mar-z

corny wrote: »

Even if they were Kidney wouldn't pick them.;)

One of our wings will play there i'd imagine and the Boks with their accurate kickers are going to give them a real test.

I would say Earls, but does he count as a centre or a winger now? Didn't see the game but Bowe played there last night I think so that could have been a call from above for Ulster.

I would never say his future is there but how Madigan didn't get a call when he's been covering fullback is boggling. Keatley has covered there too and not in the squad.

Is it too soon for Felix Jones to come back into the side for the AI's?

eoferrall

Felix had a solid game last night, did everything well but nothing spectacular. Friend was watching Ulster game and bowe did well too it seems. so I would say Felix is in (one would assume) as the specialist FB as he came through the match no problems?

wonder is kidney discouraged from picking madigan? we'd be in a very porr place with sexton and madigan gone with the injuries also?

TheJims

Jones is a cert to get the first choice 15, watched both matches lastnight and i think trimble played himself into the 11 jersey for the AI's.

Id predict a back 3 of Trimble, Bowe, Jones.

perhaps first choice against the saffas will be

Healy(1), Best(2), Ross(3)
D.Ryan(4), O Connell(5)
Ferris(6), O Mahony(7), Heaslip(8)
Murray(9), Sexton(10)
Trimble(11), ???(12) O Driscoll(13), Bowe(14)
Jones(15)

Anyone think McFadden will get the 12 oooor will they try earls there... earls wouldnt work i dont think?

seanand

TheJims wrote: »

Jones is a cert to get the first choice 15, watched both matches lastnight and i think trimble played himself into the 11 jersey for the AI's.

Id predict a back 3 of Trimble, Bowe, Jones.

perhaps first choice against the saffas will be

Healy(1), Best(2), Ross(3)
D.Ryan(4), O Connell(5)
Ferris(6), O Mahony(7), Heaslip(8)
Murray(9), Sexton(10)
Trimble(11), ???(12) O Driscoll(13), Bowe(14)
Jones(15)

Anyone think McFadden will get the 12 oooor will they try earls there... earls wouldnt work i dont think?

heres my pick
healy (1), best (2), ross(3)
mccarthy(4), occonnell (5)
omahony (6) henry(7)
murray (9) sexton (10)
trimble(11) honestly were screwed at 12 but id pit drico there, earls (13), zebo(14)
and bowe (15)

struass court fitzpatrick ferris ryan reddan and jones will most likely be on the bench

TheJims

seanand wrote: »

heres my pick
struass court fitzpatrick ferris ryan reddan and jones will most likely be on the bench

Ill see your bench, and raise you Struass(16), Court(17), DOC(18), McCarthy(19), Reddan(20), ROG(21), Zebo(22)

Also you might wana include a No.8

mar-z

Don't like the bod-earls midfield all that much tbh. I thought McFadden had been playing well there but his versatility counts against I think as he's needed on the wing for Leinster with injuries.

I think Earls will be 12 unless it's thought Jones isn't ready then I think Earls will be fb.

I didn't think he deserved the call-up when he got it but I'd probably start Zebo as well, I think his general play is much improved this season.

seanand

TheJims wrote: »

Ill see your bench, and raise you Struass(16), Court(17), DOC(18), McCarthy(19), Reddan(20), ROG(21), Zebo(22)

Also you might wana include a No.8

lol i knew i was fogetting some ROG naw henry and omahony can both play there, and doc is **** now why 2 2nd rows? and court cant be used to cover tighthead thats why fitzpatrick will be called up

TheJims

seanand wrote: »

lol i knew i was fogetting some ROG naw henry and omahony can both play there, and doc is **** now why 2 2nd rows? and court cant be used to cover tighthead thats why fitzpatrick will be called up

for internationals theres always only 1 prop on the bench, n court can cover LH and TH.

Personally i think DOC has been playing very good this season compared to last, and i think it wud be enough to get a bench spot.

I see McCarthy as a lock who can cover in the backrow, as is D. Ryan, i think he started @6 for Ireland in a world cup warm up.

So if anything happens to a backrower, D.Ryan to go 6 and DOC going to Sec Row, or McCarthy coming on in the backrow and DOC to replace Ryan or POC after 65mins

Why i dont think Henry will feature is, Deccie prefers POM @ 7, and you cant really have a specialist 7 on the bench as he isnt versatile enough

eoferrall

23 man squads now so 2 props. no need for props to attempt both sides.

Hope felix is FB. Mcf had good game on wing tonight. but we all know who deccie will pick regardless of who is in form. we know (ignoring potential injuries) that about 13 of the 15 are effectively dead certs.

corny

eoferrall wrote: »

23 man squads now so 2 props. no need for props to attempt both sides.

Hope felix is FB. Mcf had good game on wing tonight. but we all know who deccie will pick regardless of who is in form. we know (ignoring potential injuries) that about 13 of the 15 are effectively dead certs.

Agreed. Not my personal picks but i'd wager the team will be (assuming no more injuries)

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. POC
6. Ferris
7. O' Mahony
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Zebo
12. Darcy
13. BOD
14. Bowe
15. Earls

eoferrall

corny wrote: »

Agreed. Not my personal picks but i'd wager the team will be (assuming no more injuries)

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. POC
6. Ferris
7. O' Mahony
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Zebo
12. Darcy
13. BOD
14. Bowe
15. Earls

I have a feeling felix might make it in, so earls at 11 and Felix at 15. but that is the only potential "surprise". most likely the team as posted.

(provided FJ gets called up to the squad!!)

Gelio

Does anyone else think we could see Strauss starting ahead of best in the future? By the 6 nations I wouldn't be overly surprised

eoferrall

definitely a real possibility, and not unwarranted. personally there is very little between them but strauss brings a little extra in terms of open field by way of turnovers etc. but Best brings other things to the party, and both good at lineouts and scrumaging so tight call. can only be good - both competing will bring out the best in them one hopes.

TheJims

Best is ruled out of the AI's.... Strauss could be the starting hooker for the entire series

mar-z

I know he's Irish qualified but I'm not sure I like Bent being brought straight into the squad. I know Ireland don't have many propping options which plays a part but surely he shouldn't make the squad quite this soon.

It also shows up Kidney's baffling record in calling players up. Someone like SOB had to wait forever while being one of the in form backrows in the country and who only finally get a call-up due to injuries but than we have someone like Murray's accelerated promotion or that of Bent. There seems to be no logic to it.

Best is out :eek:

Best ruled out is a blow but would be a much bigger blow if not for Strauss.

TheJims

yeah id much rather see how Bent can handle himself at rabo level then have him thrown straight into the NT setup.

As far as i know this guy has only played 11 or 12 matches for the Canes, nearly all off the bench and now hes been put in the irish training squad for the AIs?

madness

seanand

the level he was playing week in week out is just slighty below rabo level but above ail by a nice bit but ya i think its weird he got called straight connaught have a prop playing the whole time loughney i think his name is.

my question is to do with with what does hagan do now?

TheJims

he should of never leaving connacht! since his arrival in leinster he has always been 3rd choice.. with Ross and now Bent ahead of him this season, and White in Connacht.. i think he really has to look towards england for some gametime.

Gelio

Hopefully bent won't have to play and we won't have to worry about it. I am very excited to see how Strauss looks in an Ireland jersey though

seanand

ajeffares wrote: »

Hopefully bent won't have to play and we won't have to worry about it. I am very excited to see how Strauss looks in an Ireland jersey though

im sure hell look the same if it was a green sa jersey.
the interesting thing about it is he could be playing against his first cousin how cool is that

TheJims

SA are going thru an injury crisis at the mo in the hooker department.. I think their first 3 choice hookers are out injured, they've recalled Schalk Brits.. I wonder if they approached Strauss when they herd Ireland wanted him

ormond lad

mar-z wrote: »

I would say Earls, but does he count as a centre or a winger now? Didn't see the game but Bowe played there last night I think so that could have been a call from above for Ulster.

I would never say his future is there but how Madigan didn't get a call when he's been covering fullback is boggling. Keatley has covered there too and not in the squad.

Is it too soon for Felix Jones to come back into the side for the AI's?

Too soon for Felix. Earls see's himself as a centre and Penney has mainly played keith in the centre this season so i think he's a centre.

seanand wrote: »

heres my pick
healy (1), best (2), ross(3)
mccarthy(4), occonnell (5)
omahony (6) henry(7)
murray (9) sexton (10)
trimble(11) honestly were screwed at 12 but id pit drico there, earls (13), zebo(14)
and bowe (15)

struass court fitzpatrick ferris ryan reddan and jones will most likely be on the bench

Id have Ryan ahead of McCarthy and wouldnt have strauss anywhere near the 23. Dont think he should be near an irish squad.
who else would you have on the bench? who is your 10 cover?

TheJims wrote: »

Ill see your bench, and raise you Struass(16), Court(17), DOC(18), McCarthy(19), Reddan(20), ROG(21), Zebo(22)

Also you might wana include a No.8

You cant have DOC and McCarthy both on the bench. Both are 2nd rows predominantly though McC can cover 6.
Cant see Donnacha Ryan being dropped from the 23 for the big games.

TheJims wrote: »

for internationals theres always only 1 prop on the bench, n court can cover LH and TH.

Personally i think DOC has been playing very good this season compared to last, and i think it wud be enough to get a bench spot.

I see McCarthy as a lock who can cover in the backrow, as is D. Ryan, i think he started @6 for Ireland in a world cup warm up.

So if anything happens to a backrower, D.Ryan to go 6 and DOC going to Sec Row, or McCarthy coming on in the backrow and DOC to replace Ryan or POC after 65mins

Why i dont think Henry will feature is, Deccie prefers POM @ 7, and you cant really have a specialist 7 on the bench as he isnt versatile enough

You can have a specialist 7 on the bench if you have someone like Donnacha Ryan starting as he can cover 6. so if the 6 gets injured Donnacha Ryan moves to 6 and the sub 2nd row comes on in the row.
if the 7 gets injured the sub 7 comes on and if the 8 gets injured it depends on who is at 6/7 as they could cover. Like if peter o mahony is on the pitch he can cover all 3 backrow positions and someone like stephen ferris can at a push cover 2 and in extreme scanario all 3 back row positions

seanand wrote: »

im sure hell look the same if it was a green sa jersey.
the interesting thing about it is he could be playing against his first cousin how cool is that

Not cool at all. If he wanted to play on the same pitch in an international as his first cousin he should have stayed in south africa and kept on trying to make the springbok squad

eoferrall

ormond lad wrote: »

Too soon for Felix. Earls see's himself as a centre and Penney has mainly played keith in the centre this season so i think he's a centre.

But not soon enough to have bent come into the squad having never played with anyone on the squad and we've no idea how he'll go? Felix should be in, we know what he can do. if in training he's of form, fine don't start him. but our ONLY fit specialist FB is not even in the squad. and he is a good player.

ormond lad wrote: »

Id have Ryan ahead of McCarthy and wouldnt have strauss anywhere near the 23. Dont think he should be near an irish squad.
who else would you have on the bench? who is your 10 cover?

I'll address strauss below

ormond lad wrote: »

You cant have DOC and McCarthy both on the bench. Both are 2nd rows predominantly though McC can cover 6.
Cant see Donnacha Ryan being dropped from the 23 for the big games.

Yeah

ormond lad wrote: »

You can have a specialist 7 on the bench if you have someone like Donnacha Ryan starting as he can cover 6. so if the 6 gets injured Donnacha Ryan moves to 6 and the sub 2nd row comes on in the row.
if the 7 gets injured the sub 7 comes on and if the 8 gets injured it depends on who is at 6/7 as they could cover. Like if peter o mahony is on the pitch he can cover all 3 backrow positions and someone like stephen ferris can at a push cover 2 and in extreme scanario all 3 back row positions

POM can not cover 7. he is not a 7, he's a poor 8 too. can cover them at a push but would not like to see him get significant game time in either positions if I had a choice. he lacks control at the back of the scrum for 8 imo. also lacks the power to gain a few yards. look at heaslip (think was last match? i get confused) scrum going back he picks and goes to rescue the ball wrapped up by backrow but still gets ahead of the leinster pack for them to drive over, ball retained and lines then cleared. excellent simple play. POM can not do that imo.

ormond lad wrote: »

Not cool at all. If he wanted to play on the same pitch in an international as his first cousin he should have stayed in south africa and kept on trying to make the springbok squad

This is a tricky subject as I have said, whose to say he is not going to live here for a considerable time to come? he's come here dedicated himself to Leinster. Leinster have developed him to the player he is now. When he first arrived he was no where near the player he is now. Why shouldn't Ireland benefit from developing a player? is he any more irish than say Rob saunders? from scotland, moved as a kid to N.Ireland and qualified due to living here. no irish ancestry I believe? chris saverimutto... then the numerous players who qualified via granny rule. you think Boss grew up in NZ dreaming of the Irish jersey and not the AB one?

Maybe he feels far more affinity to irish rugby since they have given him far more and SA has not?

I have no problem with him playing if commiting to longterm future here. I would if he is like flutey or hape etc few matches and then buggers off to try something else

seanand

ormond lad wrote: »

Id have Ryan ahead of McCarthy and wouldnt have strauss anywhere near the 23. Dont think he should be near an irish squad.
who else would you have on the bench? who is your 10 cover?

i didnt put in the full bench because i was sure who was out or not and im not not but i think rog is out so it looks like paddy jackson is third choice ill adress struass below aswell

Not cool at all. If he wanted to play on the same pitch in an international as his first cousin he should have stayed in south africa and kept on trying to make the springbok squad

well his cousin is out i think and they couldnt play together as there both hookers aswell. i dont know why your getting so pissed off about if hes good enough why not as a nation we prob have player less "foreigners" than other countries but hes not the first yes you have boss and court but before that there was other guys.
hes committed himself to leinster and has now committed himself to being irish probably speaks more irish than myself.

actually i really dont like bent being called straight into the squad and pity he hasnt joined munster as then he could be ousting a foreigners position not an irish guys


i agree with eof and i except felix if he gets through this weekend to be called into the squad but you never know with kidney.

pom is a 6.5 if you ask me and i agree hes not an 8 and long term will not be playing there but he may not be an out and out 7 but is the best we have in the squad

TheJims

Deccie Kidney has just come out and said he expects either Earls, Bowe or ZEBO to cover fullback?? I have never even herd of Zebo near a 15 jersey, don't get me wrong he's brilliant under the high ball, and has a big boot but his defence really is questionable...

corny

TheJims wrote: »

Deccie Kidney has just come out and said he expects either Earls, Bowe or ZEBO to cover fullback?? I have never even herd of Zebo near a 15 jersey, don't get me wrong he's brilliant under the high ball, and has a big boot but his defence really is questionable...

I'd say Earls is needed in midfield more now with BOD's injury. I'd say Bowe is most likely at this stage.

seanand

TheJims wrote: »

Deccie Kidney has just come out and said he expects either Earls, Bowe or ZEBO to cover fullback?? I have never even herd of Zebo near a 15 jersey, don't get me wrong he's brilliant under the high ball, and has a big boot but his defence really is questionable...

ya but to be fair kearneys defense in questionable too tho but still id say it will be bowe playing there