Paddy Wallace and Declan Kidney

borna7 · 14-10-2010 12:15AM #1

What does everyone think about Kidney insisiting Wallace gets game time for Ulster at ten. It really worries me that Kidney may be considerig playing him here. Wallace has consistently shown he lacks the ability to control a game from ten.

What are the reasons for this then?

Can only think of two possible.

1/Does not want to waste a 3rd specialist out half in World cup squad.

Can't see this as a legitimate reason. Given the number of backs likely to be taken who can play in multiple positions can't see why taking 3 specialist tens is a problem. Particularly when versatile backs like Bowe, Fitz and Earls will be there. Not sure what the position is in replacing players if injured but would hate to have to rely on Wallace playing at ten

2/Wants Wallace to cover ten from the bench

Sexton or Rog only really cover fly half if on bench. Can see some sence in this but hugely risky. Out half is a key position and if he went down injured in first ten minutes would be a disaster if Wallace came on to play here rather than Sexton or Rog depending who had started.

Any thought? Guess we'll get a big clue in side selected for Samoa and whether Wallace or Keatley get the call, although how a game against Samoa will let Deccie know how Wallace would handle having to come off the bench after 20 mins against a NZ, France, Oz etc I have no idea

thebaz · 14-10-2010 12:48AM

if true - terrible decision - Wallace is a good International centre - but international quality 10 he is not

Podge_irl · 14-10-2010 01:06AM

thebaz wrote: »

if true - terrible decision - Wallace is a good International centre - but international quality 10 he is not

I'm not sure you need an international quality 10 as backup though, it's not as if ROG was ever subbed much in his day. It depends on what you want on your bench really.

ALH-06 · 14-10-2010 03:01AM

But who else would you have as backup to Sexton and ROG? I still don't think Keatley or O'Connor are ready for international standard.

Wallace has plenty of experience at this level, and so would be preferable in the unlikely emergency scenario wherein both the above incumbents are unavailable.

thomond2006 · 14-10-2010 06:25AM

Assuming no flyhalf gets injured, you don't really need 3 specialists. Just rotate ROG and Sexton for the pool stages, it's only 4 games. Allows you to have a player in Wallace who is another option at 12 and can cover 10 and 15 in an emergency.

Makes sense to me.

JustinDee · 14-10-2010 07:04AM

thebaz wrote: »

if true - terrible decision - Wallace is a good International centre - but international quality 10 he is not

Not so terrible in fact.
There is no "international quality" pivot behind O'Gara and Sexton.
So as third back up for the position, a capable player with plenty of international experience is a far better third option than somebody with none.
If one of the three gets injured, a replacement would be called up.
Its the logical choice to use Wallace.
Excellent squad management in my humble opinion. The RWC is not a development competition. Its the pinnacle of the sport and you prepare your best squad for it.

GavMan · 14-10-2010 09:14AM

I'd imagine its reason 2.

Wallace covering 10/12 on the bench and not bringing a 3rd specialist 10 to the RWC

murphym7 · 14-10-2010 10:13AM

When and where is this reported? I would find it very strange that Declan Kidney would be insisting on any player doing anything at a province level. I would like to see where this was reported.

thehighground · 14-10-2010 10:43AM

murphym7 wrote: »

When and where is this reported? I would find it very strange that Declan Kidney would be insisting on any player doing anything at a province level. I would like to see where this was reported.

It was reported before the Connacht v Ulster game that Paddy was playing at 10 at the request of the Ireland Management team.

If the Ireland Management can insist that internationally contracted players are rested, substituted at certain times, etc. I can't see why they wouldn't ask for them to be tried in different positions.

theKramer · 14-10-2010 01:26PM

thehighground wrote: »

If the Ireland Management can insist that internationally contracted players are rested, substituted at certain times, etc. I can't see why they wouldn't ask for them to be tried in different positions.

Also, as is rumoured, if the IRFU gave Ulster the major handout for the Saffa players they bought in during the summer, Im sure they can ask Ulster for a few favours back.....

outwest · 14-10-2010 01:46PM

only one way to see what will happen to wallace. my quess is that wallace be sub 10/12. in this era of international rugby u cant have 2 specialist 10 in a 22 man squad. plaers need to flexible.

kidney will have to make a huge call that will piss off at either munster or leinster supporters.

padser · 14-10-2010 01:51PM

murphym7 wrote: »

When and where is this reported? I would find it very strange that Declan Kidney would be insisting on any player doing anything at a province level. I would like to see where this was reported.

It was reported in the Irish times - I don't have time but I'm sure Bing can find it.

murphym7 · 15-10-2010 06:31AM

padser wrote: »

It was reported in the Irish times - I don't have time but I'm sure Bing can find it.

Thanks for that - I still think its odd though. I also think that the Irish management setup should not be meddling at that level.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 15-10-2010 07:46AM

murphym7 wrote: »

Thanks for that - I still think its odd though. I also think that the Irish management setup should not be meddling at that level.

Wallace is a better center than out-half. If the Ulster management got to make a choice they would play 2-3 other people at 10 rather than Wallace. Kidney wants Wallace to get an occasional game at 10 so has to order it from on high.

It makes sense.

anonymous_joe · 15-10-2010 10:48AM

Wallace is the best 12 in Ireland. Thus, as his way, Kidney wants him to play as a ten.

Jemo · 15-10-2010 11:40AM

Great idea I think, Wallace isn't as bad a ten as a lot of people make out, but to cover 10 on the bench is certainly something he is highly capable of.
The problem doesn't lie with Wallace, it lies with both ROG and Sexton being specialists who don't move position with ease. Hes a decent kicker and is excellent in open games. In the majority of occasions where he is brought on it will be in the late stages of the game if at all where his creativity and individual skills could be of great use.
Having said that, if ROG or Sexton were injured for more than one game then I would have Keatley come in so that Wallace wouldn't have to start at 10 in tight games.

Podge_irl · 15-10-2010 01:12PM

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Wallace is the best 12 in Ireland. Thus, as his way, Kidney wants him to play as a ten.

Wallace is never going to start at 10 in any important match for Ireland, but it's important that he's able to step in there if needed.

thehighground · 15-10-2010 03:03PM

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Wallace is the best 12 in Ireland. Thus, as his way, Kidney wants him to play as a ten.

Come off it - he wanted him played at 10 for one game! Its not as if he was asking Schmidt to drop Sexton to give Cian Healy a go at outhalf

Ulster didn't suffer much dropping iHumphs or O'Connor to the bench. In fact, I'd say there were a fair few Ulster fans delighted!

irishbucsfan · 15-10-2010 03:30PM

People are reading into it all way too much. Kidney was just ensuring Wallace has recent familiarity with the 10 position. Kidney is just making sure he'll be safe with only 2 10s in the squad with Wallace to cover.

daveharnett · 15-10-2010 08:39PM

thehighground wrote: »

Its not as if he was asking Schmidt to drop Sexton to give Cian Healy a go at outhalf

He should though. That'd be class!

part time punk · 15-10-2010 10:12PM

My tuppence worth is that Wallace should start at 12, if not he should be on the bench as cover for 10 and 12. The subs bench is too important these days that you can't have too many specialists there. Now if only we could be more French like - am I imaging it or do they always seem to have great players that can play both 9 and 10, Michalak etc...

anonymous_joe · 15-10-2010 10:41PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

Wallace is never going to start at 10 in any important match for Ireland, but it's important that he's able to step in there if needed.

thehighground wrote: »

Come off it - he wanted him played at 10 for one game! Its not as if he was asking Schmidt to drop Sexton to give Cian Healy a go at outhalf

Ulster didn't suffer much dropping iHumphs or O'Connor to the bench. In fact, I'd say there were a fair few Ulster fans delighted!

Ah yeah, I know lads.

Paddy Wallace and Declan Kidney

Comments