Ireland v Waltzing Matilda, test 1 build up thread.

flatty

So, it's the "irish" barbarians against the waltzing matildas.
What time does it start?

Ireland to win by 10+

21 - 10 I reckon, maybe a higher scoring game but dat gap will be about right.

turnikett1

I just can't see the Wallabies only scoring 1 try. It's not in their nature. They need to score tries in order to maintain their bodily functions and not die.

PTH2009

Be really nice to win this series after the one we should of won down in South Africa in 2016 (hard to believe it's 2 years already)

There's something unlikable about Austraila, much prefer the All Blacks. I think the SH teams just hate losing

Skyfloater

Is anyone worried by Jack Mcgrath's relatively subdued performances this season? Is he carrying a knock, or his head's just not there?

I'm far less confident after seeing our XV. We could well lose this first test.

Buer

Skyfloater wrote: »

Is anyone worried by Jack Mcgrath's relatively subdued performances this season? Is he carrying a knock, or his head's just not there?

I would imagine he's mentally fatigued. He has been incredibly durable and hasn't had a period where he has sat out for a month or two like almost every other top Irish player in recent years.

Since the season he made his test debut (2013/14), he has 148 appearances. That's a crazy number of appearances for a top player in Ireland over a prolonged period. His minutes won't be huge because a good chunk of those are sub appearances but it still means he has been on the go pretty much non-stop for 5 years now with no let up. Even if his body isn't falling apart, a couple of months off from the game might do him some good at this point.

He won't be getting that any time soon, though.

Burkie1203

Buer wrote: »

I would imagine he's mentally fatigued. He has been incredibly durable and hasn't had a period where he has sat out for a month or two like almost every other top Irish player in recent years.

Since the season he made his test debut (2013/14), he has 148 appearances. That's a crazy number of appearances for a top player in Ireland over a prolonged period. His minutes won't be huge because a good chunk of those are sub appearances but it still means he has been on the go pretty much non-stop for 5 years now with no let up. Even if his body isn't falling apart, a couple of months off from the game might do him some good at this point.

He won't be getting that any time soon, though.

I reckon we won't see many of the guys on tour play for their province until end of September. They have a 3 month break between games after this tour. And no summer tour next year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYXrn5yUQNA

Schmidt's first game in charge. How bad is our defensive shape.

steves2

gotta love the honey badger, I almost didn't mind him getting tries against us.

arsebiscuits1

Deleted User wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYXrn5yUQNA

Schmidt's first game in charge. How bad is our defensive shape.

I'd forgotten just how hideous the Puma gear was

Peregrine

[Deleted User] wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYXrn5yUQNA

Schmidt's first game in charge. How bad is our defensive shape.

PJ, that match and the one against NZ the week after were both called off. If you look closer, you can see that this footage is clearly fake.

thebaz

what time is kickoff . (Irish time) ??

cheers

thebaz

thebaz wrote: »

what time is kickoff . (Irish time) ??

cheers

11am

P.Walnuts

Anyone know of pubs in Dublin 7 or 8 that might showing it?

P.Walnuts

P.Walnuts wrote: »

Anyone know of pubs in Dublin 7 or 8 that might showing it?

The Back Page.

stephen_n

Or take a wander over as far as Parnell Street, the Woolshed will be showing it I'm sure.

stephen_n

stephen_n wrote: »

Or take a wander over as far as Parnell Street, the Woolshed will be showing it I'm sure.

Will probably have a good away crowd. That would be a brilliant place to watch the match, they do copious unhealthy food also which helps!

Skyfloater

Skyfloater wrote: »

Is anyone worried by Jack Mcgrath's relatively subdued performances this season? Is he carrying a knock, or his head's just not there?

I think McGrath is playing well this season and if he was starting I'd have no worries at all.

Cian Healy was world class when he broke through and he's close to being that again. He's ferocious and the improved conditioning and dropping of weight has brought him back close to his best. It's no slight for McGrath to be behind Healy, I'd say if the Lions were playing a test tomorrow there is a good chance that Healy would start.

CJay1

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I think McGrath is playing well this season and if he was starting I'd have no worries at all.

Cian Healy was world class when he broke through and he's close to being that again. He's ferocious and the improved conditioning and dropping of weight has brought him back close to his best. It's no slight for McGrath to be behind Healy, I'd say if the Lions were playing a test tomorrow there is a good chance that Healy would start.

Mako is surely ahead of him

stephen_n

CJay1 wrote: »

Mako is surely ahead of him

Based on?

stephen_n

stephen_n wrote: »

Based on?

Well Mako was the first choice LH in the Lions tour less than 12 months ago and he's been excellent this season so I see no reason why he wouldn't still be first choice if there was a Lions test tomorrow.

PTH2009

Looking forward to game in the morning and it's on at a nice time compared to when we play them ABs down there

ionadnapokot

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Will probably have a good away crowd. That would be a brilliant place to watch the match, they do copious unhealthy food also which helps!

“Bundee” & Coke at 11am - Bonza!
http://boozeforbeginners.blogspot.com/2012/01/bundaberg-rum-bartenders-opinion-and.html?m=1

stephen_n

Jacob Important Jib wrote: »

Well Mako was the first choice LH in the Lions tour less than 12 months ago and he's been excellent this season so I see no reason why he wouldn't still be first choice if there was a Lions test tomorrow.

Well based on Healy’s performances I’m not so sure form from 12 months ago is that valid. Certainly in the games against England and Saracens, Healy very much outplayed Mako.

Squidgy Black

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Will probably have a good away crowd. That would be a brilliant place to watch the match, they do copious unhealthy food also which helps!

The Aussies love the woolshed, would be a good crowd and atmosphere as well.

Wings are decent too.

Clegg

stephen_n wrote: »

Well based on Healy’s performances I’m not so sure form from 12 months ago is that valid. Certainly in the games against England and Saracens, Healy very much outplayed Mako.

Stephen Jones doesn't like this post.

CJay1

CJay1 wrote: »

Mako is surely ahead of him

Personally I think Healy is a better player, certainly in the big games. Healy has scored some critical tries this season and is having a big impact on play for Leinster and Ireland. I'm hopelessly biased but I've never thought Mako was World class and I think Healy at his best is very much World class.

Clegg

Clegg wrote: »

Stephen Jones doesn't like this post.

Good.

Hermy

Former Former wrote: »

I prefer the original, no one can beat Rod Stewart

You do know it was written by Waits and only covered by Stewart some 16 years after it's original release.

clsmooth

What Vunipola gives you, much like Furlong, is lovely hands

pickarooney

clsmooth wrote: »

What Vunipola gives you, much like Furlong, is lovely hands

If I wanted lovely hands I'd pick George Costanza.

BonnieSituation

pickarooney wrote: »

If I wanted lovely hands I'd pick George Costanza.

That's top notch out of left field obscure posting.

* doffs hat *

ionadnapokot

https://www.google.ie/amp/www.the42.ie/analysis-ireland-david-pocock-breakdown-3108736-Nov2016/%3famp=1

Read this old piece on Pocock by MK again this morn. JVdF ruck numbers are impressive. Big job for Nordi and John Ryan ro rival those numbers from their teammates.
It will be interesting to see who Ireland use as their primary ruckers. Henderson and POM? James Ryan probably. For everything!

DellyBelly

I presume this is on Sky? Are highlights been shown on rte or tg4 later in the day?

Exclamation Marc

DellyBelly wrote: »

I presume this is on Sky? Are highlights been shown on rte or tg4 later in the day?

Yep Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.

Think RTEs only broadcast of it is live commentary on 2FM.

DellyBelly

Thanks for that. Looks like the radio for me

bilston

I think we will lose today...sorry for the negativity but I fancy Australia will have us at the breakdown today.

irishbucsfan

bilston wrote: »

I think we will lose today...sorry for the negativity but I fancy Australia will have us at the breakdown today.

Have your weetabix and come back to us

Gonad

As good as we have been the last few years hope we are not over hyping ourselves

Last minute drop goal against a terrible France

Last minute intercept against Wales

Beat a really declining England side

No doubt we can win once off big games but can we beat the best teams in the world away from home in consecutive weeks like will be needed at World Cup .

Peregrine

bilston wrote: »

I think we will lose today...sorry for the negativity but I fancy Australia will have us at the breakdown today.

The breakdown is what I'm really worried about. We can't really compete at theirs but I think we'll have a few players tasked to keep Hooper & Pocock off ours.

I hope.

irishbucsfan

Peregrine wrote: »

The breakdown is what I'm really worried about. We can't really compete at theirs but I think we'll have a few players tasked to keep Hooper & Pocock off ours.

I hope.

Jordi Murphy will compete.

He might not win turnovers but he'll certainly slow it down.

wp_rathead

Peregrine wrote: »

The breakdown is what I'm really worried about. We can't really compete at theirs but I think we'll have a few players tasked to keep Hooper & Pocock off ours.

I hope.

We could have done with Beirne in this matchday squad for the breakdown battle, but I understand why he's not in it

sydthebeat

Gonad wrote: »

As good as we have been the last few years hope we are not over hyping ourselves

Last minute drop goal against a terrible France

Last minute intercept against Wales

Beat a really declining England side

No doubt we can win once off big games but can we beat the best teams in the world away from home in consecutive weeks like will be needed at World Cup .

W didn't need a last minute intercept to beat Wales.

Dunno where this myth has originated from?

Bridge93

Yeah Wales scored a try just before the intercept to make it respectable. They hadn't been within 3 of Ireland for 40 minutes

BBDBB

Needs a “Men at Work - Down Under” montage

kuang1

Cheika's a scruffy bastard...antithesis of a hipster.

kuang1

James Ryan bleeding already!

wadacrack

Heaslip looking significantly slimmer since retirement. Nearly didn't recognize him

BBDBB

wadacrack wrote: »

Heaslip looking significantly slimmer since retirement. Nearly didn't recognize him

He looks very comfortable stood there & knows his stuff, good direction for his new career