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OneRedArmy
21/09/2007, 7:36 AM
Go ahead and please name the alternatives, 1-8
1.Horan
2. Flannery
3. Hayes
4. O' Callaghan
5. O' Connell
6. Easterby
7. Wallace
8. Leamy
Amongst the current squad (as said above some good alternatives left behind)
4. O'Kelly
6. Quinlan
7. Best
8. Ferris
I'd love to see that back row play together.
Over the post
21/09/2007, 8:28 AM
Amongst the current squad (as said above some good alternatives left behind)
4. O'Kelly
6. Quinlan
7. Best
8. Ferris
I'd love to see that back row play together.
There may be a case for O'Kelly's inclusion with Donnacha coming off the bench in the second half, and maybe Best for Easterby but Wallace is they only specialist 7 we have and Leamy is the best 8 we have by a country mile.
Again the problem is that EOS hasn't given many of the alternatives enough test minutes so it'd be a bit of a gamble playing them. I really think both the forwards listed above and backs such as Duffy, Murphy, Carney, Wallace should have lined out against Namibia and Georgia or at least have been given a good 20-30 mins to make their case. We've got to play our first XV for what are going to be two very bruising encounters against France and Argentina, and even if we do qualify, we're going to be knackered for the quarterfinals.
joeSoap
21/09/2007, 8:37 AM
It's a nice morning in Paris, some sunshine, but rain is promised for later....I think the more that falls the better. Michalak certainly won't like it. I think the key to this game is getting at him, Chabal and Poitrenaud. O'Connell already knows Chabal personally and Michalak and Poitrenaud don't like it at all under pressure. Thats why I would have loved to see Neil Best play this game.
On a funny sidenote. Did anyone see Eddie O'Sullivans live interview on Setanta last night after the Welsh game? Apparently Daire O'Briain went split screen live with Ian Paisley wishing O'Sullivan all the best but O'Sullivan thought it was 'GIFT GRUB' type skit and was laughing his khaks off all through it....brilliant for Norn Iron relations!!:D:D
OneRedArmy
21/09/2007, 9:33 AM
Again the problem is that EOS hasn't given many of the alternatives enough test minutes so it'd be a bit of a gamble playing them. I really think both the forwards listed above and backs such as Duffy, Murphy, Carney, Wallace should have lined out against Namibia and Georgia or at least have been given a good 20-30 mins to make their case. We've got to play our first XV for what are going to be two very bruising encounters against France and Argentina, and even if we do qualify, we're going to be knackered for the quarterfinals.Hard to disagree with that.
Playing the "first" XV in both games was an awful mistake.
We will be the only team to have played our "best" 15, 4 games in a row. That only compunds itself as we may continue, madness
Student Mullet
21/09/2007, 12:42 PM
If we hadn't played our first 15 we wouldn't know how s**t they are.
shakermaker1982
21/09/2007, 12:52 PM
Can we do it? How I'd love it if we pulled off a famous victory and knocked the hosts out of the world cup. I can see Chabal getting a few hits early on - let's pray its Munster-Sale all over again.
beautifulrock
21/09/2007, 1:00 PM
Can we do it? How I'd love it if we pulled off a famous victory and knocked the hosts out of the world cup. I can see Chabal getting a few hits early on - let's pray its Munster-Sale all over again.
Its almost what is required, we need to lay down a few markers and few come bigger than the caveman. It certainly worked for Munster against Sale, a re run of him going backward would set the scene nicely.
shakermaker1982
21/09/2007, 1:05 PM
Who whacked him back that time? It was a monster hit Was it O'Connell or Wallace? I remember watching it and thinking "wow - Munster are going to tear into em tonight". Like tonight Chabal got the big build up in that HC game. Brilliant news he's in the second row. We should do some damage at the line out.
Torn-Ado
21/09/2007, 1:08 PM
Can I say, I heard some of the rumours that are, supposedly, upsetting the camp.
I'm reluctant to post them as some of them are fairly ridiculous.
shakermaker1982
21/09/2007, 1:14 PM
Can I say, I heard some of the rumours that are, supposedly, upsetting the camp.
I'm reluctant to post them as some of them are fairly ridiculous.
Your not wrong there, Stringer and O'Gara have been wronged.
I can believe that Flannery/Best fell out on the training ground but the rest are personal attacks which is a sneaky way of trying to unsettle the team before a huge game.
Torn-Ado
21/09/2007, 1:19 PM
Ah feck it. This is the chatter going around from what I've heard elsewhere.
Pinch of salt people. I hope so anyways:
The team are p issed off with O'Sullivan en masse for being too conservative and there is dissention in the ranks about players not being given time on the pitch. Apparently they have been for while
O'Gara & Stringer have not spoken for a few yrs
O'Driscoll is running the show out there now and insisted that Reddin be started and should have been in the team for the past 12 months
O'Gara was caught in bed with his wifes sister and not for the first time She was taking him to the cleaners but JP McManus has stepped in to stop it going public and is looking after her financially - no mention of Rog's gambling debts
O'Sullivan hates Geordan Murphy period and was forced to bring him
Trimble is in ahead of GM because of Ulster representation with Best out
Hickie had to declare his retirement pre world cup due to some venture post world cup
More anon
Drico had a go at the munster forwards, Stringer and Hickie in the dressing room after the match Saturday.
This was after he did his usual interviews and after Paulie had tried to rally the troops and it didn't go down well, particularly his scathing attack on Hickie.
Leinster Munster divide is evident
Drico insisted on redden being picked ahead of Eddies choice Boss - what are they paying Eddie to do if BOD if picking the team?
Hickie and Quinlan not speaking - Quinlans fiancé is an ex of Hickies Wallace is on painkillers to play but has told EOS he's not right and can't sidestep - Eddie doesn't want to know Leamy was diagnosed by Liam Hennessy as a borderline diabetic but Eddie won't let him either take medicine as you have to declare before the world cup or rest.
O Gara is in charge of the dress code when they're going out but lost the plot on Sunday night when some players slagged him over the Newbridge cufflinks he had given to the squad. (They all have to donate a present to the squad). That ended up with O gara refusing to go out and going back to the hotel.
Mal and Donnacha had a blazing row in training yesterday - not the usual training dustup. Quinlan and Easterby also had a few pops at each other.
Before the Georgia game the 2nd 15 beat the starting 15, 32-20 in a 40 minute game O Donovan not happy as EOS has got extra 4 years but he hasn't
27/08 I think O'Sullivan has messed up the preparation so much that he has little option but to play his strongest team from the first game. With no reserves worth talking about they may be battered & bruised even if they make it through to the quarter finals..
Unfortunately looks like I was correct...
Risteard
21/09/2007, 1:57 PM
Ah feck it. This is the chatter going around from what I've heard elsewhere.
Pinch of salt people. I hope so anyways:
he team are p issed off with O'Sullivan en masse for being too conservative and there is dissention in the ranks about players not being given time on the pitch. Apparently they have been for while
O'Gara & Stringer have not spoken for a few yrs
O'Driscoll is running the show out there now and insisted that Reddin be started and should have been in the team for the past 12 months
O'Gara was caught in bed with his wifes sister and not for the first time She was taking him to the cleaners but JP McManus has stepped in to stop it going public and is looking after her financially - no mention of Rog's gambling debts
O'Sullivan hates Geordan Murphy period and was forced to bring him
Trimble is in ahead of GM because of Ulster representation with Best out
Hickie had to declare his retirement pre world cup due to some venture post world cup
More anon
Drico had a go at the munster forwards, Stringer and Hickie in the dressing room after the match Saturday.
This was after he did his usual interviews and after Paulie had tried to rally the troops and it didn't go down well, particularly his scathing attack on Hickie.
Leinster Munster divide is evident
Drico insisted on redden being picked ahead of Eddies choice Boss - what are they paying Eddie to do if BOD if picking the team?
Hickie and Quinlan not speaking - Quinlans fiancé is an ex of Hickies Wallace is on painkillers to play but has told EOS he's not right and can't sidestep - Eddie doesn't want to know Leamy was diagnosed by Liam Hennessy as a borderline diabetic but Eddie won't let him either take medicine as you have to declare before the world cup or rest.
O Gara is in charge of the dress code when they're going out but lost the plot on Sunday night when some players slagged him over the Newbridge cufflinks he had given to the squad. (They all have to donate a present to the squad). That ended up with O gara refusing to go out and going back to the hotel.
Mal and Donnacha had a blazing row in training yesterday - not the usual training dustup. Quinlan and Easterby also had a few pops at each other.
Before the Georgia game the 2nd 15 beat the starting 15, 32-20 in a 40 minute game O Donovan not happy as EOS has got extra 4 years but he hasn't
I don't know what the procedure is with posting those type of rumours but no salt would be necessary.
I don't think anyone could believe all of that in fairness.
OneRedArmy
21/09/2007, 2:01 PM
Half of it sounds like normal workplace stuff to be honest.
When you work so closely with people for so long a period I'd be surprised if they all don't have people they can't stand.
As for training ground bust-ups, it happens to every rugby team, professional or otherwise!!!
passinginterest
21/09/2007, 2:01 PM
I don't know what the procedure is with posting those type of rumours but no salt would be necessary.
I don't think anyone could believe all of that in fairness.
I think the majority of it sounds plausible to be honest. We're like the Dutch football team, complete meltdown when we hit a major tournament.
Having said that if this team isn't fired up by all the trash flying around at the moment they never will be. What odds on a red card or two being flashed in the early stages of the match?
Hope it's a cracker and this team proves to everyone that they can be great.
gilberto_eire
21/09/2007, 2:58 PM
anyone backing us at 4/1??..... im thinking of it!!. france at 1/7 is a bit much in fairness...they robbed us last time we met and the yr before we gave them 3/4 tries in the 1st half and nearly caught them in the 2nd!!
Torn-Ado
21/09/2007, 3:23 PM
anyone backing us at 4/1??..... im thinking of it!!. france at 1/7 is a bit much in fairness...they robbed us last time we met and the yr before we gave them 3/4 tries in the 1st half and nearly caught them in the 2nd!!
I'm going to go for a quintessential Irish defeat.
French try in the last minute.
:(
Aberdonian Stu
21/09/2007, 3:30 PM
All I will say is:
In BOD we trust.
beautifulrock
21/09/2007, 3:42 PM
:
In BOD we trust.
and all the rest must pay ;)
O Gara is in charge of the dress code when they're going out but lost the plot on Sunday night when some players slagged him over the Newbridge cufflinks he had given to the squad. (They all have to donate a present to the squad). That ended up with O gara refusing to go out and going back to the hotel.
I must for a rumour thats fairly funny. Has he insisted on a certain brand on TV in his room too? :D
bennocelt
21/09/2007, 5:40 PM
anyone backing us at 4/1??..... im thinking of it!!. france at 1/7 is a bit much in fairness...they robbed us last time we met and the yr before we gave them 3/4 tries in the 1st half and nearly caught them in the 2nd!!
nope, i was going to back 3 tries or more, but in the end went for Chabal the animal to score a try at 4/1
Did any of ye guys see TV3 news showing John Delaney in Dublin airport on his way to the game..............makes my blood boil....................surely there are enough Cup games here to keep the head of the FAI busy at home....................
anyway I will be cheering the team who are proud of their flag and anthem;)
gustavo
21/09/2007, 5:52 PM
I think we will either win heroically or get hammered , cant see us just losing by a few points, hopefully its the former
3 points down, 16 minutes gone. Not a bad start, but I don't think I;ve ever felt this sick about a sporting occassion.
Superhoops
21/09/2007, 7:39 PM
30 minutes gone, we are in real trouble.
O'Gara and O'Connell are brutal. Only Flannery and Easterby playing well for us.
First time I've properly noticed how much of a joke it is to pretend that we sing 'Ireland's Call' with the same passion as the French sing their national anthem, shameful for any Irishman to be honest
Superhoops
21/09/2007, 8:37 PM
Jesus, O'Connell is some ********. How the f**k did he think he was going to get away with that kind of stupidity in front of Chris White. Sin Bin fully deserved. F**k all use sitting on the sideline. He should be dropped for the last game.
Well, that's pretty much that for another four years.
That's pretty much it for another 40 years more like. Nothing to replace the current crop.
Our defence was good until it did not matter any more. Showed nothing in attack & team still does not any sharpness.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. IMO O'Sullivan is to blame as he has no bench let alone a squad. 4 more years of O'Sullivan :(
Almost no chance of scoring 4 tries against Argentina & keep them outside 7 points.
Hibs4Ever
21/09/2007, 9:09 PM
On a slightly plus side (if there is one)
Thought Reddan had very good game tonight, Flannery too.
Bad as we are lately we'd be COMPLETELY screwed without O'Driscoll
shakermaker1982
21/09/2007, 9:12 PM
Disappointed big time. I thought the ref was too trigger happy with the whistle but other than Flannery (good game on the whole) I thought the rest were average at best. What has happened to our 2nd row? O'Gara looks like he's thinking about cards and D'Arcy has disappeared. Oh well - the French played a smart game but are no real great shakes. New Zealand, Oz and South Africa are a good bit infront. Gonna be a long weekend for me out in Paris next week !!!!
shakermaker1982
21/09/2007, 9:13 PM
I forgot to say Reddan impressed me considering the high pressure nature of the game.
expected and predicted but still sickening. Im tired and emotional so ill try to refrain from saying anymore except to Soko - ignore my pm, was informed that it wasnt true and wires were crossed.
O'Sullivan should be shot.
Soper
21/09/2007, 10:01 PM
Why were the substitutions made so late?
Hibs4Ever
21/09/2007, 10:05 PM
expected and predicted but still sickening. Im tired and emotional so ill try to refrain from saying anymore except to Soko - ignore my pm, was informed that it wasnt true and wires were crossed.
O'Sullivan should be shot.
Have noticed a lot of this from people during the World Cup
Did people feel this way BEFORE the worlld cup?
I think he's a great manager
SkStu
21/09/2007, 10:08 PM
fair point Hibs. But ive been complaining about the performances of the irish team since the 6-nations and i predicted that we wouldnt get out of the group based on O'Sullivans selection policy, lack of strength in depth and the inexperience of our reserves which was shown up in the pre-WC games.
The writing has been on the wall since the french game in the 6-nations if you ask me.
No idea whether it's been said in the thread yet, but I think the poor preparation and saving the first squad for the big games have bitten back. The players look to have had the basic on-pitch skills and thought processes trained out of them. The best preparation is to play rugby not be in the gym or sit on the bench.
And when it came to needing to switch on those inherent skills when it mattered, it has stuttered and spluttered to nowhere.
That Irish side, unlike the football side, is better than they are showing, but it's not something that can be just switched on. Them switching it on when it matters seems to be the prevalent misguided hope of recovery throughout the campaign.
I also think far too much attention and kudos has been attached since the England victory.
highlight100
21/09/2007, 11:52 PM
The jinx of TV 3 strikes again!
Having probably spent as much as 3 months together the squad must be glad for all this to end now. It must be frustrating for some squad members to train every day & know they still won't play a single minute in the WC.
O'Sullivan for Lions coach. :rolleyes: LOL
If Samoa can beat England today might make up for Ireland disappointment a bit...
gustavo
22/09/2007, 1:50 PM
Great game there , Tonga nearly snatching it in the end ! Played with great pride and enthusiasm
Great game there , Tonga nearly snatching it in the end ! Played with great pride and enthusiasm
Brilliant 2nd half. Best game so far. Good to see them get a bonus point but only a bounce of the ball away from at least a draw & chance of conversion to win.
Another far too frequent sight of the horrible side to South Africa. Far too arrogant and complacent until Steyn, Habana and Smit came in. Some great rugby when Pietersen broke out and they stretched the Tongans, but then couldn't help but revert back to the rubbish of the first 58 minutes. Played perfectly for Tonga except for those twenty minutes in the second half.
It's that kind of performance which will always be South Africa's downfall.
Trimble was terrible, shocking call on O' Sullivans part
Reddan was as good as he could be, good call
O' Callaghan won't be playing for Munster, let alone Ireland this time next year
O' Connell - just not good enough
Flannery - superb. A farce how he couldn't get in ahead of a mediocre Rory Best
It was also pretty embarrassing to see Frankie Sheehan trotted out. Well, well past it
shakermaker1982
22/09/2007, 5:04 PM
two very entertaining games today. Take a bow Tonga and Samoa, how I wish you had won today. Bravery, guts and flair.
Hibs4Ever
22/09/2007, 5:56 PM
two very entertaining games today. Take a bow Tonga and Samoa, how I wish you had won today. Bravery, guts and flair.
I can actually see Tonga coming out of that group ahead of England
joeSoap
22/09/2007, 7:27 PM
I can actually see Tonga coming out of that group ahead of EnglandNot a chance
Hibs4Ever
22/09/2007, 8:01 PM
Not a chance
We'll see. They both beat Samoa, and England got hammered by S. Africa, Tonga only lost by 5 points
Why do you think there's "not a chance"?
Torn-Ado
22/09/2007, 10:37 PM
Argentina horsed Namibia by 60 points tonight.
My God, Ireland are an extremely poor side.
CollegeTillIDie
23/09/2007, 8:14 AM
Torn-ado
Sad but true. What the mystery is with the Ireland rugby team , as opposed to the Republic of Ireland football team , is that earlier this year they looked semi-useful .
How can a team who only lost by an unfortunate bounce of a ball to France be so sh1t when it really matters? Oh and I believe GM is being hung out to dry for missing that tackle that cost us the 6 Nations Championship this year.
I think the curse of TV3 might be a factor but also '' Ireland's Call''. I think the team plays better when the Soldiers Song is played TOO..... think about it folks!
P.S. Someone should ask Cieran Fitzgerald's famous question to the boys in Green '' Where's your fcuking pride?''
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