Match Thread: Ireland v Wales [2.30pm 29/08/15 Aviva Stadium] Guinness Series

penybont exile

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I'd be interested to hear from our pennybont exile about his expectations for the match, hope he checks in pre-kickoff.

Checking in .......

This is still the phoney war as far as I'm concerned. Saying that I'm looking forward to the game. Taking my six year old daughter for her first experience of international rugby.

Expecting solid performances from both teams. Will be looking to see how Francis goes in his first outing. Also Tipuric who I think may have a big part to play in the tournament. For me it's performance over result - though a win would be nice ....... Six year old girls are fickle so that might get her off the fence.

As an ex fly-half I'm also looking forward to seeing the continued evolution of our halfbacks who I think are really looking good and are a match for their opponents tomorrow.

stephen_n

I'd imagine given the strength of your group, Tipuric might start two of the matches, would be hard to imagine warburton starting except against England and Oz.

penybont exile

stephen_n wrote: »

I'd imagine given the strength of your group, Tipuric might start two of the matches, would be hard to imagine warburton starting except against England and Oz.

Tipuric IMO has a big role to play against England & Australia off the bench.

Especially against England .... If we get parity in the set piece we have the players to beat them on the ground.

stephen_n

penybont exile wrote: »

Tipuric IMO has a big role to play against England & Australia off the bench.

Especially against England .... If we get parity in the set piece we have the players to beat them on the ground.

As much as I agree with you, I'm not sure Gatland would, barring injury I'd assume Warburton will play the 80 in both of those games. England are vulnerable on the ground though and maybe Gatland will try exploit that.

Hermy

Stupid question perhaps but the one-sidedness of the first Wales match got me thinking. Just suppose Ireland completely dominate the first half today would it ever happen that they would change their tactics for the second half to allow the other side have the ball, thus getting in some defensive practice? Or are attacking manoeuvres always the priority?

Wang King

I don't think that would happen in an international match to be honest. You've guys playing for places on the squad and they want to impress, can't see them easing up in attack at all, that's what the training ground is for. But its an interesting thought though.

aimee1

Hermy wrote: »

Stupid question perhaps but the one-sidedness of the first Wales match got me thinking. Just suppose Ireland completely dominate the first half today would it ever happen that they would change their tactics for the second half to allow the other side have the ball, thus getting in some defensive practice? Or are attacking manoeuvres always the priority?

Declan kidney tried that in cardiff 2013

stephen_n

Hermy wrote: »

Stupid question perhaps but the one-sidedness of the first Wales match got me thinking. Just suppose Ireland completely dominate the first half today would it ever happen that they would change their tactics for the second half to allow the other side have the ball, thus getting in some defensive practice? Or are attacking manoeuvres always the priority?

Defense and attack are not really separate, how we defened and how we manage the ball are closely linked, changing the tactics to let them attack us wouldn't help our defense, it would just show us what happens if we fail to execute the gameplan. Plus what happened in Wales will have no bearing on today, as the welsh team is immeasurably better than the team we faced in Cardiff.

Hermy

Hermy wrote: »

Stupid question perhaps but the one-sidedness of the first Wales match got me thinking. Just suppose Ireland completely dominate the first half today would it ever happen that they would change their tactics for the second half to allow the other side have the ball, thus getting in some defensive practice? Or are attacking manoeuvres always the priority?

If we dominate the first half, in the second half we'll look to completely punch their lights out and put down a big marker before the WC.

Hermy

Wang King wrote: »

...You've guys playing for places on the squad and they want to impress...

I forgot about that!:eek:

Not that I expect a one-sided affair today - just wondering about how a coach best utilises the warm up matches if they happen to be a bit one-sided.

Manuel

Anyone know if tickets can be purchased at the ground, including child tkts?
Thanks!

penybont exile

Manuel wrote: »

Anyone know if tickets can be purchased at the ground, including child tkts?
Thanks!

You can buy tickets online from ticketmaster who have a facility whereby they will email you them immediately so you can print out at home.

twinytwo

I hope the ref clamps down on Lydiates bs knee tackles and we wont have a repeat of the 6 nations.

twinytwo

twinytwo wrote: »

I hope the ref clamps down on Lydiates bs knee tackles and we wont have a repeat of the 6 nations.

Thought Hibbard went for the same against Heaslip two weeks ago. Looked cynical to me in anycase but ref didn't look at it.

Is it just in my mind or are Wales generally a more cynical team? Loads of cheap shots come to mind, Williams on Jackson another example. Thought Falatau destroying Jean De Villiars knee was again a clear out almost designed to injure.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

George North becomes the youngest ever player to reach 50 international caps aged 23 and 5ish months.

Assuming he manages to avoid any more head injuries he's probably the player most likely to eventually catch up to Richie McCaw's record?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

George North becomes the youngest ever player to reach 50 international caps aged 23 and 5ish months.

Assuming he manages to avoid any more head injuries he's probably the player most likely to eventually catch up to Richie McCaw's record?

I'd be shocked if he does to be honest I could see those concussions having serious consequences outside of rugby never mind playing

Celly Smunt

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Thought Hibbard went for the same against Heaslip two weeks ago. Looked cynical to me in anycase but ref didn't look at it.

Is it just in my mind or are Wales generally a more cynical team? Loads of cheap shots come to mind, Williams on Jackson another example. Thought Falatau destroying Jean De Villiars knee was again a clear out almost designed to injure.

Gatland.

Anybody have any recommendations of where to watch this today in town (dublin)?, getting a bit tired of my usual.

Teferi

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

George North becomes the youngest ever player to reach 50 international caps aged 23 and 5ish months.

Assuming he manages to avoid any more head injuries he's probably the player most likely to eventually catch up to Richie McCaw's record?

I'm not putting the mockers on him and I wish him the absolute best in his career but there is simply no way that George North won't be forcibly retired due to repeated concussions.

total former

twinytwo wrote: »

I hope the ref clamps down on Lydiates bs knee tackles and we wont have a repeat of the 6 nations.

Assuming the tackle isn't late, what can the ref do about it?

(I think you're thinking of Lydiate's tackle on Murray, wasn't that for Ospreys? That was a bit late alright)

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Madelyn Unimportant Scumbag wrote: »

I'd be shocked if he does to be honest I could see those concussions having serious consequences outside of rugby never mind playing

Teferi wrote: »

I'm not putting the mockers on him and I wish him the absolute best in his career but there is simply no way that George North won't be forcibly retired due to repeated concussions.

Yeah, I have to agree. It's a shame really because he could have wracked up a serious number of caps, potentially 10 more years of playing. As you say though it's highly unlikely he won't get another knock at some point.

Stheno

Manuel wrote: »

Anyone know if tickets can be purchased at the ground, including child tkts?
Thanks!

At the Scotland game you could buy tickets on the day in the ballsbridge hotel, maybe give them a ring to check

twinytwo

total former wrote: »

Assuming the tackle isn't late, what can the ref do about it?

(I think you're thinking of Lydiate's tackle on Murray, wasn't that for Ospreys? That was a bit late alright)

watch this years 6 nations game against wales again.. lydiate drives his shoulder through the knee of 4/5 different irish players during the game.. in so called "tackles".

total former

twinytwo wrote: »

watch this years 6 nations game against wales again.. lydiate drives his shoulder through the knee of 4/5 different irish players during the game.. in so called "tackles".

I know the tactic, but is it against the rules? ie how can the ref crack down on it?

.ak

Yeah, since when is targeting players legs against the rules? Your generally told to go low in the tackle, only the most athletic it strongest players can tackle high.

Buer

total former wrote: »

I know the tactic, but is it against the rules? ie how can the ref crack down on it?

I don't know the specific tackles that twinytwo is referring to but I have noticed for a number of Lydiate's chop tackles, there is no effort to wrap. It's not so noticeable as they're to the legs rather than high hits/shoulder charges. However, as he's launching himself like a missile at someone's joints, it should be watched out for.

irishbucsfan

They're in the process of making it entirely illegal (it's already illegal in other sports like the NFL because it's very dangerous).

However what Lydiate does is on the borderline of legality, the majority of the time he's entirely legal. An Argentine player was sinbinned for a chop tackle against Ireland on our summer tour last year after Schmidt highlighted the legality/danger of those tackles before the game. Lydiate mostly wraps though making the tackle legal, although he gets away with a lot of them where he doesn't.

irishbucsfan

As an aside I really hope we see Lydiate start to play again like he did in 2012. If he can get back to that level he's one of the best defensive players in the world.

Half not looking forward to this. Should be a great game, but filled with dread we lose someone to injury.

Wang King

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Half not looking forward to this. Should be a great game, but filled with dread we lose someone to injury.

I'd say an injury is almost a certainty

connachta

Deleted User wrote: »

Half not looking forward to this. Should be a great game, but filled with dread we lose someone to injury.

Agree. Especially McGrath Heaslip SOB Murray Sexton and Henshaw, the 6 essential players IMO (McGrath because of Healy uncertainty)

Knine

My little daughter is todays Mascot. Lets hope she does not do a runner :-O

She lives with a life threatening disorder & she told me she can't wait to meet "The Hunks"

Zzippy

connachta wrote: »

Agree. Especially McGrath Heaslip SOB Murray Sexton and Henshaw, the 6 essential players IMO (McGrath because of Healy uncertainty)

POC?

efb

Knine wrote: »

My little daughter is todays Mascot. Lets hope she does not do a runner :-O

She lives with a life threatening disorder & she told me she can't wait to meet "The Hunks"

Cool best of luck to her!

CIARAN_BOYLE

I've a spare ticket if anyone wants to pm me

I know it's late but if you are short feel free

Peregrine

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I've a spare ticket if anyone wants to pm me

I know it's late but if you are short feel free

Why, is it a restricted view seat? :pac:


Edit: That sounded a lot funnier in my head.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Peregrine wrote: »

Why, is it a restricted view seat? :pac:

I found someone for it. mean short a seat lol

connachta

Zzippy wrote: »

POC?

I knew someone would notice this absence, but tbf I think the gap between him and his subsitutes is a bit smaller than for the 6 guys I quoted

Peregrine

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I found someone for it. mean short a seat lol

Ah, fair play. I was only trying to be a smart arse

Zzippy

connachta wrote: »

I knew someone would notice this absence, but tbf I think the gap between him and his subsitutes is a bit smaller than for the 6 guys I quoted

Debatable, but the gap between him as a leader and pretty much anyone else is huge. We really need him fit and playing for the big games.

Korat

I feel guilty that I don't want Nathan White to do well today.

Marty Moore could be back by the time we meet the serious teams. I'd really prefer him coming on in the 60th minute v [insert SH team or France here]

.ak

connachta wrote: »

Agree. Especially McGrath Heaslip SOB Murray Sexton and Henshaw, the 6 essential players IMO (McGrath because of Healy uncertainty)

Double edged sword I suppose; they need the game time.

The Lost Sheep

Korat wrote: »

I feel guilty that I don't want Nathan White to do well today.

Marty Moore could be back by the time we meet the serious teams. I'd really prefer him coming on in the 60th minute v [insert SH team or France here]

That's ridiculous though. Marty Moore may be back able to play but that doesn't mean he will be up to playing against "serious teams" without any game time in lead up. Nathan White doing well is better today for everyone

smiley_face

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

George North becomes the youngest ever player to reach 50 international caps aged 23 and 5ish months.

Assuming he manages to avoid any more head injuries he's probably the player most likely to eventually catch up to Richie McCaw's record?

I could see him transitioning to the outside centre over the next few years and then inside centre when Roberts retires, that is hopefully if he can continue with good health.

connachta

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

That's ridiculous though. Marty Moore may be back able to play but that doesn't mean he will be up to playing against "serious teams" without any game time in lead up. Nathan White doing well is better today for everyone

Except Connacht:rolleyes:

irishbucsfan

Nathan White is a solid option for us. The only reason I could see someone caring too much about Moore v. White would be the whole nationality issue. White has much more experience and certainly was the preferred option for Leinster.

Korat

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Nathan White is a solid option for us. The only reason I could see someone caring too much about Moore v. White would be the whole nationality issue. White has much more experience and certainly was the preferred option for Leinster.

I'm sorry? ..what?

Regardless of heritage a fit Martin Moore is better than Nathan White.

Tox56

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Nathan White is a solid option for us. The only reason I could see someone caring too much about Moore v. White would be the whole nationality issue. White has much more experience and certainly was the preferred option for Leinster.

Preferred over Moore? If so that has no real relevance given Moore's age at the time

total former

Yeah, Moore being 21 is somewhat relevant...

Moore is more proven at test level, even if only by virtue of White being ineligible, but he is the more proven player.

Still, White is a good player, no concerns if he gets the nod.

irishbucsfan

Korat wrote: »

I'm sorry? ..what?

Regardless of heritage a fit Martin Moore is better than Nathan White.

Based on what exactly?

irishbucsfan

total former wrote: »

Yeah, Moore being 21 is somewhat relevant...

Yeah of course that's relevant, but what's also relevant is that Leinster wanted to keep White the season he left, which was also the season Moore kicked on in the Irish setup. I don't think it's particularly hard to believe that had Leinster convinced White to stay (or Connacht not offered 3 years) then he would have continued to be selected ahead of Moore.