Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I'd like to report a murder.

Exactly

I'm not absolving refs of poor performances. It's the criticism from many people here of refs after most games that I take issue with.

Nigel owens view on the Kolbe and Lowe tries, he feels in both cases a try should have been awarded…

In Lowe's case it should have stood for the exact reason I suggested, that it was a extremely technical offence that the TMO should never have come in for unless it was clear and obvious (which it wasn't).

You came up with this word elite, you have made assumptions about what I can and can't do. Still waiting for what this word elite means.

In terms of criticism, saying Kleyn is better than Ryan was the last comment you made. That's just wrong. Is Ryan better than Etzebeth? no.

I have no issue with criticism but I will point out silly stuff

Our entire front row wouldn't start by the way, maybe in 23

Sheehan absolutely would start and it's at the point I'd say its fairly obvious. Obviously Marx at his peak would likely edge it but not the Marx today, still very good of course but Sheehan is the best hooker in the world at the minute. The only issue Sheehan has is he doesnt play for France/SA or England so is never going to get the love in he deserves unfortunately, other than that I doubt really see what other hookers have that he hasn't that would prevent him from being the best in the world at hooker? Probably the only flaw is he isnt a massive jackal threat but other than that I dont really see what he lacks.

It's not just Marx recently, Marx over the last few years while still very good is being judged largely on reputation more than anything. It would be nip and tuck Marx 2019-2020 v Sheehan today, it's not nip and tuck anymore. You can't find anything that would suggest otherwise in regards to Marx without going into the archives which proves my point. Again to reiterate, Marx is still a great player but if we are being fair and impartial Sheehan is the better player now and really has been the last 12-18 months.

True because even if you've been living under a rock you'd see that Sheehan is world class. The fact we have to even argue if he's the best in the world or not just show's he hasn't been getting the respect he deserves, if Marx or Marchand put in the same level performance even half the time that Sheehan does they would be considered the undisputed number 1 hooker in the world and it wouldnt even be argued.

England are a good example, I mean in 2022 Steward and Genge making World XV of the year…I mean ahead of Porter AND Keenan…KEENAN…I mean give me some of what their smoking please!

The issue with most countries is they talk up their own players to the point other countries start believing it as well, its probably the main reason our players don't get as much recognition. And then when Ireland succeed instead of admitting they are wrong they try change the storyline to suit their narrative, that's where the "greater than the sum of their parts" garbage coms into it…even though Irish players made up 1/3rd of the World XV team of the year!

Nigel Owens on the World Rugby Whistle Watch episode following the weekend’s matches says that Lowe’s try should have stood.
He also suggests they got the process wrong for the Kolbe try, had the ref asked the proper question; is the foot in the touch? It would have been easier to get to the right decision.
No mention of the other incidents.
14 point swing.

To be fair, both Kelleher and Herring would start for a lot of teams in the top 10

Looking at Scotland/italy/Wales etc you would expect them to start, Bealham as well

Not sure he is out of form, he has been playing well but isn't as good as Sheehan, plus he gets limited minutes in the big games to shine.

Honestly watching him all season I didn't think he was out of form, just clearly the number 2 at Leinster and Ireland.

Herring is a great hooker and I highly rate him

What are people watching Just watch him ruck actually watch him ruck in the game last weekend dont pretend youve seen some monster cleanouts watch him

You're the one who suggested I go and get the ruck stats - now they don't suit your argument?

As others have already pointed out, Ireland's rucking was more effective than South Africa's last weekend - we had 99% ruck effectiveness to SA's 95%, and we had a far higher percentage of sub 3 second rucks.

You seem to think good rucking just consists of running in from a distance and smashing some guy, but that's not it at all.

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