AI: Ireland v Fiji; Thomond Park, Sat 17 Nov 5.30, RTE/BBC2 NI [MOD WARNING POST 630]

tolosenc

Heaslip has a bit of the Richie McCaws about him, just doing whatever he wants at the breakdown.

liammur

Sinbad_NI wrote: »

Amazing what happens when you pick the best players available. Go Ireland.

On the basis of this, I think it's time to cull a few of the older lads. Driscoll/Darcy etc

Tox56

Same pattern as the first exhibition game in the Aviva that many of these players made their names in. Gilroy with the first try, L Marshall the best player on the pitch knocking people over for fun and Paddy J knocking over kicks from the sidelines.

Thanos

Fireball07 wrote: »

Fiji are bad

I think you are being nice there.......

bleg

Fiji are awful but you can only play what's in front of you. 9, 10, 12 axis all playing well. Gilroy for Trimble next week please.

leakyboots

keelanj69 wrote: »

Ive never seen the XV after Ireland before. What does it mean? (excuse possible dumb question)

It's not a full international because Aviva have it in their contract that all of Ireland's internationals must be in Landsdowne Road... this match wouldn't sell out so they moved it to Limerick and made it an A game. Awful snub to the Fijians (and our own players)

molloyjh

Through the middle my hole!

jamiedav2011

Fiji through the middle, despite your man coming from fecking Ennis or somewhere!

Lineout is absolutely shocking.

matthew8

This Fijian team is awful, we may as well play Madagascar. Fiji aren't worthy of playing us and England on this tour.

Heroditas

Ferris may need to start wearing Iain Henderson pyjamas if he wants his spot back in the team. His ball carrying has been excellent tonight.

mfceiling

kilns wrote: »

No matter how anyone plays good or bad today Kidney will pick the exact same team and subs as last week.

"Yeah well the lads played well last week but these lads are keen to put a mark down today and they've a point to prove"

^^ meaning - you'll have to break my arms and legs before i change anything with my first 15

leakyboots

matthew8 wrote: »

This Fijian team is awful, we may as well play Madagascar. Fiji aren't worthy of playing us and England on this tour.

Probably worth bearing in mind a lot of their France-based players aren't playing (paid off by the clubs to not play... disgrace). And their teammate died recently (what happened him actually?)

leakyboots

Great stuff by Cave!

Foxtrol

Kidney will give them some grilling at half time. They clearly aren't following his instructions, like England 2011 all over again.

goreyguy

ooooh cave!

irishbucsfan

Haha great try!

Classic Cave try as well

durkadurka

Beautiful outside centre try from cave.

molloyjh

We've been talking about plenty of these guys for a while. It's great to finally see them getting their scores out there today. Well done Cave.

Fiji are truly woeful though.

.ak

Cave is giving a great show on powerful/dynamic running for a centre.

Benny Cake

Ah here, these boys are absolutely cat....

dregin

Brilliant step from Cave. Will he nab Earls understudy spot @ 13??

tolosenc

Cave showing us what we lack by playing a winger at 13.

durkadurka

I predict Jackson on the bench next week if sexton is fit.

Swiwi

Not to dampen the enthusiasm but Fiji are giving the Irish backs an armchair ride. I don't think you can write off O'Driscoll et al based on the young 'uns cutting loose v a poor Fijian side. Nevertheless, encouraging that the opportunities are being taken.

Sinbad_NI

liammur wrote: »

On the basis of this, I think it's time to cull a few of the older lads. Driscoll/Darcy etc

Was time after the world cup... frustrating to see what could be if IRFU and Kidney weren't so conservative.

Tox56

Fiji are awful but a great pick up

mfceiling

durkadurka wrote: »

I predict Jackson on the bench next week if sexton is fit.

Well he put his hand up last week but we know what O'Gara is capable off...................nice one declan

molloyjh

Swiwi wrote: »

Not to dampen the enthusiasm but Fiji are giving the Irish backs an armchair ride. I don't think you can write off O'Driscoll et al based on the young 'uns cutting loose v a poor Fijian side. Nevertheless, encouraging that the opportunities are being taken.

Agreed, which most of us have mentioned at this stage. We're just happy to see the likes of Marshall and Cave getting into the green shirt and on the board.

leakyboots

Would really love to see Marshall start at 12 next week

Tomtom364

looking at the way this match is going... and then looking at the bench for ireland... this is going to a cruel cruel last 10/15 mins ifdeccie uses the bench.

molloyjh

Great from Gilroy.....pity Muldoon couldn't hold onto it. Fiji don't want to defend though.

durkadurka

The only problem is the Fiji are so shyte, that you can offer their crapness as an excuse for not selecting any of these guys next week.

mfceiling

Tomtom364 wrote: »

looking at the way this match is going... and then looking at the bench for ireland... this is going to a cruel cruel last 10/15 mins ifdeccie uses the bench.

Watch out for bent coming on after 79 mins...

Tox56

Fiji defence is crap but the passing is slick and the running lines are good. This was never going to tell us a huge amount about what they offer, but they couldn't have done much more

irishbucsfan

Our centres are tearing them to shreds. Really hope Marshall is given his chance next week.

flyswatter

leakyboots wrote: »

Would really love to see Marshall start at 12 next week

Agreed, D'Arcys past it and guys like Marshall are hungrier for the opportunity.

Tomtom364

mfceiling wrote: »

Watch out for bent coming on after 79 mins...

Well like we cant expect Ross to do the full 80! Come on like he needs that break.

wp_rathead

would love to have seen muldoon get over there

Sinbad_NI

Gilroy pure pace and skill... just what we already know. DK please take note.

bleg

Murray's service is pretty snappy...

irishbucsfan

bleg wrote: »

Murray's service is pretty snappy...

Yeah he's been very good considering how messy the breakdown has been.

Swiwi

I do find it sad the way Fijian have faded in world rugby. I first saw them play in RWC 1987, live v the ABs in pool play, and then in an excellent 1/4 final with France which they just about won. Too much lip service from both hemispheres and not enough cash etc. Compare with how good Samoa are at the moment.

Tomtom364

bleg wrote: »

Murray's service is pretty snappy...

He's having a fine game. Nice little break there aswell.

bleg

Bent on at half time please...

liammur

I hope I don't see ROG/Earls/Darcy/O Driscoll in a green jersey again.

Sinbad_NI

Swiwi wrote: »

I do find it sad the way Fijian have faded in world rugby. I first saw them play in RWC 1987, live v the ABs in pool play, and then in an excellent 1/4 final with France which they just about won. Too much lip service from both hemispheres and not enough cash etc. Compare with how good Samoa are at the moment.

How many of their 1st team are missing?

bleg

Ah here, tap and go.

irishbucsfan

Swiwi wrote: »

I do find it sad the way Fijian have faded in world rugby. I first saw them play in RWC 1987, live v the ABs in pool play, and then in an excellent 1/4 final with France which they just about won. Too much lip service from both hemispheres and not enough cash etc. Compare with how good Samoa are at the moment.

I think the political problems may well have a bit to do with it as well though, they seemed to decline just as the problems started.

flyswatter

Swiwi wrote: »

I do find it sad the way Fijian have faded in world rugby. I first saw them play in RWC 1987, live v the ABs in pool play, and then in an excellent 1/4 final with France which they just about won. Too much lip service from both hemispheres and not enough cash etc. Compare with how good Samoa are at the moment.

It's a disgrace they are being denied their best players, when you think of the size of Fiji.

Imagine the uproar if Irelands best players were bought off like that.

Sinbad_NI

liammur wrote: »

I hope I don't see ROG/Earls/Darcy/O Driscoll in a green jersey again.

Would settle for Darcy & ROG... BOD and Earls still have something to offer I think.