Re: The Rugby Thread

**Parouisa** Sat Mar 10, 2012 10:01 pm

The Puke wrote:The glaring weakness in Kearney's game was there for all to see again today. The man is unable to offload once he is tackled. He is a fine player in great form but it is a huge drawback to his game

hard to offload properly when you're 30 metres ahead of your team mates

**The Puke** Sat Mar 10, 2012 10:24 pm

Parouisa wrote:
The Puke wrote:The glaring weakness in Kearney's game was there for all to see again today. The man is unable to offload once he is tackled. He is a fine player in great form but it is a huge drawback to his game

hard to offload properly when you're 30 metres ahead of your team mates

So every time he is tackled he is 30 yards in front of his teammates Rolling Eyes

**Parouisa** Sat Mar 10, 2012 10:28 pm

No but a lot of the time he is isolated cos of the excellence of his breaks. Must have a look at that glaring error in his game though cos I never noticed it before or heard it referred to. I have noticed a couple of others though - also backs - who cough up a lot of turnovers when going into contact with the ball with full support around them. Trimble, Darcy and Earls particularly dodgy.

**ormond lad** Sat Mar 10, 2012 10:31 pm

Parouisa wrote:No but a lot of the time he is isolated cos of the excellence of his breaks. Must have a look at that glaring error in his game though cos I never noticed it before or heard it referred to. I have noticed a couple of others though - also backs - who cough up a lot of turnovers when going into contact with the ball with full support around them. Trimble, Darcy and Earls particularly dodgy.

Those 3 mainly lost possession when taking ball into contact against forwards where they were losing out due to sheer power as they would be down 20+ kg in many cases against any forward

**North Side Gael** Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:07 am

Think Trimble yet again proved why kidney is choosing him, got a tough try, put body on the line and kept busy. He is shaping up rightly as is the wholw team. Ryan and O mahony where brilliant coming in, although i still think there could be room for big Dan Tuohy in the replcements.

**Parouisa** Mon Mar 12, 2012 10:48 am

Ireland conceded 11 penalties against France and it was a major topic of debate the next day. On Saturday we conceded 14 and there isn't a word about it - probably cos we won. It is a real problem and needs to be sorted.

**Boxtyeater** Sat Mar 17, 2012 10:42 pm

I know it's been a week since there was a post on this thread, indicative of the fact the this egg-chasing lark is just not for us.
I recorded and watched this latest episode/debacle and found it mortifying.

We're stone fooking useless at it. "The golden generation" of egg-chasers have bridged 1, yes, 1 solitary Grand Slam in 60 years. In the meantime our Celtic brethren, the Welsh, bereft of European fiscal assistance, a minnow parish of The Empire, have managed 3 slams in 8 years...

**Parouisa** Sat Mar 17, 2012 11:14 pm

Disgusted with that performance. Back to the Martin Johnson era where the English bullied us off the park. Nice one Ferris.

Our scrum was a fooking disaster. Whatever chance we had when Ross was on (and Feek has changed scrum performance at HT - look at HC final) it was gone when Court came on. No offence to the lad but he ain't near good enough. Tony Buckley - who isn't good enough for Munster won 15 caps - it really shows the critical lack of depth in the Irish front row. Hayes was an honest man too but not the best scrummager ever. The way the game is going this is disastrous for Ireland.

Others too were woeful - Darcy was shocking - as he has been for about 3 years now. Sean O'B is a shadow of last year's player as is Heaslip (though hopefully not in Leinster blue). Trimble was poor again. Both himself and Earls turned over ball one after the other in the 8th minute - Trimble caused at least two more. In fairness Earls made a couple of excellent breaks the few times he got ball in hand.

And what the fook do we box kick for?? Reddan did it poorly v Scotland and again today - O'Leary was a million times worse. He has become the most disimproved player I have ever seen on a rugby pitch. His form is shocking and if some French team is looking for him I'd take the money if I was him - before they wake up.

A day to forget - embarrassing. You wonder if Kidney has anything left to give.

**Boxtyeater** Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:15 am

It is with regret I note the death of Merv "The Swerve" Davies..(Thursday). He was, many years ago, privileged to enjoy a multiplicity of scoops in the company of a Boxty touring party in the aftermath of a 9-8 Welsh victory in the Arms Park.

Here's Merv with what may rightfully be called "A Golden Era" of stuff to follow..

**Thomas Clarke** Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:20 am

Plenty of truth in Parouisa's post, but Boxty articulates what Parouisa fails to say.

The Welsh gather grand slams on a regular basis, as do the French. England's days of being Ireland's whipping boys are at and end, and I fear considerable thumpings at their hands in the years to come.

Lucky Scotland are even more pathetic and woeful than us because, with the progress italy are making, there are very few sides left that you fancy playing in world rugby.

**Parouisa** Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:40 am

Wales had nothing 4 years ago and have found unbelievably big backs/centres. In recent years we have always had problems in the front row - always propping it up. Rugby has become a big mans game all over the pitch. We have good young guys coming through - maybe (potentially) as good as North or Warburton. But they need to get a look in. The scrum though is a longer term problem and we need to put a system in place to bring through young talent. Our U20s always suffer to Anglo brute force - though it doesn't always follow through to senior.

I think we have young talent in abundance but need to look at front row talent especially.

ps England were a right mess three months ago. Their Premiership is poor enough. Nothing to suggest they are on the long term up at all. Italy should have beaten them.

**Boxtyeater** Sun Mar 18, 2012 1:20 am

We're beat internationally in loads of areas. Without BOD we're useless in midfield. His creative running lines and tackling abilities are ir-relpaceable. Darcy is banjaxed. We haven't a scrum-half worthy of the name...Contrast what that arrogant **** Phillips brings to Wales.

This is the fundamental position. Orchestrator, sniper.....Look at the Welsh 9...No Terry Holmes nor no Gareth Edwards, but Phillips, for all his arrogance, is a top class player..Strong, fast hands, inventive.
We have the direct opposite, slow, small and cumbersome plodders.

I'll review "the pack" at a later stage...

**North Side Gael** Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:35 am

Parouisa wrote:Disgusted with that performance. Back to the Martin Johnson era where the English bullied us off the park. Nice one Ferris.

Our scrum was a fooking disaster. Whatever chance we had when Ross was on (and Feek has changed scrum performance at HT - look at HC final) it was gone when Court came on. No offence to the lad but he ain't near good enough. Tony Buckley - who isn't good enough for Munster won 15 caps - it really shows the critical lack of depth in the Irish front row. Hayes was an honest man too but not the best scrummager ever. The way the game is going this is disastrous for Ireland.

Others too were woeful - Darcy was shocking - as he has been for about 3 years now. Sean O'B is a shadow of last year's player as is Heaslip (though hopefully not in Leinster blue). Trimble was poor again. Both himself and Earls turned over ball one after the other in the 8th minute - Trimble caused at least two more. In fairness Earls made a couple of excellent breaks the few times he got ball in hand.

And what the fook do we box kick for?? Reddan did it poorly v Scotland and again today - O'Leary was a million times worse. He has become the most disimproved player I have ever seen on a rugby pitch. His form is shocking and if some French team is looking for him I'd take the money if I was him - before they wake up.

A day to forget - embarrassing. You wonder if Kidney has anything left to give.

Tom Court is one of thee best scrumagers in the Rabo league as is Trimble on the wing, you always have anti ulster sentiment, give it up lad, one bad day at the office is hardly the end of rhe world, nothing to play for yesterday, got our second best result in paris in 30 years during this campaign so i hardly think its were on a downward spiral - inconsistency is not a bad team!

**RMDrive** Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:46 am

Bye bye ROG?

Ronan O'Gara ‏ @Ronan_OGara
Breaking news guys.. wanted to leave it until after six nations. Just been confirmed moving to Toulon on a two year deal!

**The Puke** Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:46 am

RMDrive wrote:Bye bye ROG?

Ronan O'Gara ‏ @Ronan_OGara
Breaking news guys.. wanted to leave it until after six nations. Just been confirmed moving to Toulon on a two year deal!

Bogus, he would be given up on a huge tax break when he retires if this is the case.

It must be remembered that this was Ireland's 4th game in as many weeks and we completely ran out of steam second half yesterday in what was a scrappy second half. While we have some excellent players we are also lacking depth in the squad and balance in the team. Wouldn't be overly hard on the management but I think a lot of Irish rugby fans could do with having a reevaluation as to where our players are at in terms of ability and where the standing of this Irish team should be.

Fair enough if NSG has been impressed with Court in the Rabo league but the fact is that he came to professional rugby late and is nothing more than a stop gap player at international level where he is out of his depth and has been shown before. He is quite rightly our third best prop but that doesn't mean he is up to this level. Same with D'Arcy he is still the best option at 12 that we have but that does not mean he is up to this standard any more. Out scrum halves are either off form or not good enough while we have some fine backrowers the backrow as a unit lacks balance with the lack out of out and out openside.

England result aside it has been a decent enough Six Nations from Ireland but last night will make it look worse than what it was

**ormond lad** Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:04 pm

North Side Gael wrote:
Tom Court is one of thee best scrumagers in the Rabo league as is Trimble on the wing, you always have anti ulster sentiment, give it up lad, one bad day at the office is hardly the end of rhe world, nothing to play for yesterday, got our second best result in paris in 30 years during this campaign so i hardly think its were on a downward spiral - inconsistency is not a bad team!

Tom Court, one of the best scrummagers. Rolling Eyes

He is an adequate loosehead and poor tighthead.
22 man squads at international level are the ruin of us, we need 23 man squads as soon as possible

**Thomas Clarke** Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:39 pm

ormond lad wrote:22 man squads at international level are the ruin of us, we need 23 man squads as soon as possible

A 23 man squad? What would you fill it with? Too many average players on the first 15, never mind looking for 8 subs Rolling Eyes

**ormond lad** Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:42 pm

Thomas Clarke wrote:
ormond lad wrote:22 man squads at international level are the ruin of us, we need 23 man squads as soon as possible

A 23 man squad? What would you fill it with? Too many average players on the first 15, never mind looking for 8 subs

Grow up.
2 props on the bench will really help ireland

**Thomas Clarke** Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:55 pm

Did you watch yesterday's mauling? Or the France game? Or the last 2 Welsh matches?

This week, on another Irish forum, I saw people trying to predict the Lions 15 for next year. The general consensus was that Ireland would have anywhere from 5 to 8 starters. You'd think that, by this stage, they'd have caught themselves on, but appears that not all have.

**OMAR** Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:01 pm

O' Leary was shocking - The 5 metre scrum being the nail in whatever slim hope Ireland had. It was always a definite seven points. In fact he might have been better even if he handed the ball to the winger for a free try. The touchline conversion being very missable.

Also far from convinced on Earls - Whilst he had 2/3 great runs he had no concept of what to do with the ball once he ran out of grass. Bowe was on his shoulder twice and he may as well have been supping pints in the Squealing Pig for all Earls knew.

**ormond lad** Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:04 pm

Thomas Clarke wrote:Did you watch yesterday's mauling? Or the France game? Or the last 2 Welsh matches?

This week, on another Irish forum, I saw people trying to predict the Lions 15 for next year. The general consensus was that Ireland would have anywhere from 5 to 8 starters. You'd think that, by this stage, they'd have caught themselves on, but appears that not all have.

The coach is a problem as you can look at the provinces and in many cases the same players play completly different(and worse) in the green of ireland

Looking at players individually we are so much better than our performances have showing.

**ormond lad** Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:05 pm

OMAR wrote:O' Leary was shocking - The 5 metre scrum being the nail in whatever slim hope Ireland had. It was always a definite seven points. In fact he might have been better even if he handed the ball to the winger for a free try. The touchline conversion being very missable.

Also far from convinced on Earls - Whilst he had 2/3 great runs he had no concept of what to do with the ball once he ran out of grass. Bowe was on his shoulder twice and he may as well have been supping pints in the Squealing Pig for all Earls knew.

O Leary was poor, kidney really seems to prefer him for unknown reasons. He shouldnt have been near the irish set up.

Earls is ok at centre, prob would be better off on the wing or even full back

**Parouisa** Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:18 pm

Earls would be mashed at FB - like Luke Fitzgerald.

I have no anti ~~South African~~ Ulster bias - I think Best and Ferris have been two of the shining lights all season when there haven't been many. Court is not up to it. Saying he does it in the Rabo???? Thats like saying Gary Twigg should be going to Euro 2012 cos he bangs them in for Rovers - mind you he is Scottish but you see the point. Trimble had one decent game IMO v Scotland. I also think O'Leary is crap (Munster), Darcy is terrible (Leinster) and O'Brien and Heaslip (Leinster) have been poor this season.

Maybe Connacht are the only team I am not biased against .... Wink

**ormond lad** Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:28 pm

Parouisa wrote:Earls would be mashed at FB - like Luke Fitzgerald.

I have no anti ~~South African~~ Ulster bias - I think Best and Ferris have been two of the shining lights all season when there haven't been many. Court is not up to it. Saying he does it in the Rabo???? Thats like saying Gary Twigg should be going to Euro 2012 cos he bangs them in for Rovers - mind you he is Scottish but you see the point. Trimble had one decent game IMO v Scotland. I also think O'Leary is crap (Munster), Darcy is terrible (Leinster) and O'Brien and Heaslip (Leinster) have been poor this season.

Maybe Connacht are the only team I am not biased against ....

Earls isnt too bad at full back, he isnt a centre and is a very good wing and an alright full back.
Court is fine at loosehead but no good at tightheead
22 man squads and only 1 prop on the bench really kills us and seems to affect us more than most other countrys

**Parouisa** Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:38 pm

Well OL we also need props to put on the bench. We don't have any. I think Feek is a very good scrum coach but he can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. IRFU are gonna have to do something and quick - and not by the route they are going.

ps Wouldn't let Earls near the 15 jersey - unless he was playing GAA for Limerick.

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