Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I think Ireland will be OK on Saturday. Not sure we’ll win, but we’ll be competitive. I think Farrell will pick Murray and use the template Munster did v the Bulls/Lions and kick everything in our half. RSA will do the same, I don’t see them cut loose in just their 3rd game with a new attack coach. They aren’t that type of team anyway. I think there’ll be a lot of stalemate to be honest. Important Crowley kicks his goals like he did in his last visit south.

Nothing wrong with any of them

It was back in 2019 they done a pre-World Cup review of all teams, they had a guy from SA on and laughed when he said that SA would win the WC. He was clear on how he seen SA get to the final etc. Even if they came up against Ireland.

Rassie seems to be obsessed with Ireland, probably because SA haven't beaten us since he took over.

The online following is a bit of a surprise but talked to a NZ fan, they said it was always like that except it was concentrated on the SH teams becuase of Rugby Championship and SUper Rugby. Now SA have moved their attention is fixed on the NH and Ireland seem to be the main target, Probably team we have beaten SA a few times and because the media pushs the Irish teams should win the URC each season.

When you see Murray Kinsella/Jackman etc all laughing about the reaction they get online now when they post anything and it's all Boks. I think Jackman was saying he posted something about DuPont and the SA fans had a go at him over that.

Crazy sh*t, but comes with having SA in the URC

Except in reality none of this was actually said.

Angry Afrikaner alert. For someone who appears to dislike Ireland and the Irish so much, you do seem to spend a lot of time engaging (and arguing) with Irish people. It’s all a bit puzzling.

It's bizarre. The absolute prevalence of misinformation/tongue in cheek comments from the SA camp and media has become absolutely accepted wisdom with next to no evidence to support it.

The Irish camp are the most bland and evasive set up in rugby. You rarely get something notable or interesting said by them let alone something inflammatory. The media is more bullish but not a fraction of what is being claimed.

ROG did a similar thing last year for the Champions Cup final. Lied through his teeth about Leinster disrespecting La Rochelle, despite Leinster players and management going to painstaking lengths to praise the opposition.

The opposition know they're going up against a quality side and will use whatever ammunition to fire themselves up. More and more they're making stuff up and winding themselves up to a fever pitch. And it has worked tbf.

Feel free to show us all this shouting and screaming that we were going to win the WC? or Europe or even the URC…. you should have no problem proving me wrong give how delusional we all are.

That would be madness.

Not Stockdale at 15 v France level of madness. But madness nonetheless.

I think it would be very surprising but I'll admit I wouldn't be overly disappointed to see it. I think JOB is an excellent, well rounded player but I don't hugely rate him as a full back and I think a team that kicks well can really go after him there.

Osborne was a full back by trade originally. He only has a couple of starts for Leinster there but has a good bit of back three experience overall and his boot is a weapon. I think he's probably a better fielder overall than JOB but there would obviously be serious concerns around positioning there.

To make your Test debut in a position you don't play for your club, away from home, In SA and at Loftus Versfeld! Against an opposition that is going to be kick heavy. It would be very unfair on Osborne.

However, I wouldn't have a problem with him starting at 12.