New Zealand v Ireland-First Test Predictions

[geysir]

; O'Connell, Horan, Hayes, Wallace and a few others had no business being out on a rugby pitch for the last 20 mins. Their long season has taken its toll

Why were there hardly any substitutions made in the last 1/4?

[Real ale Madrid]

I thought this was a cracking game - for our lads to put in that sort of defensive effort at the end of a long season deserves a lot of credit. O'Sullivan is moulding a team that is capable of getting past our quarter-final hoodoo at the world cup. I thought we gifted them a few scores which cost us the game, but a tremendous effort and just fasinating to watch.

I wonder what team Henry will put out next week? I was under the impression he was keeping Carter, Gear et al for Argentina?

[joeSoap]

Why were there hardly any substitutions made in the last 1/4?

Because most of our subs wouldn't make the Romanian National Team, let alone feature in a test against the All Blacks in New Zealand.

[pete]

O'Sullivan is building for the World Cup is suppose so he won't pick players than not ready for that yet. Still far too many international journey men in the squad & 1 or 2 injuries would kill the whole team - i suspect O'Sullivan knows that but no choice but to gamble.

Bring subs on with 3 minutes left was bad decision as he badly needed fresh legs in last 15 minutes even if less quality.

Ireland A looked disorganised which won't do much for Bradleys future aspirations. Wallace looked completely out of his depth & the head butt was ludicrous from a so called professional.

[Soko]

I thought Trimble was outstanding. A lesser player could have shipped a couple of tries going back like that.

[Schumi]

O'Sullivan should have brought Rob Kearney& Ian Dowling down under for the experience instead of bringing 3 nearly retired players.

I think Kearney is better served getting international game time in America rather than 10 mins in New Zealand tbh.

[Soko]

I think Kearney is better served getting international game time in America rather than 10 mins in New Zealand tbh.

Without a shadow of a doubt


I can see Trimble moving to first centre and Kearney taking the wing in my head. It wont happen but it would make us more dangerous

[Real ale Madrid]

[QUOTE=pete]
Ireland A looked disorganised which won't do much for Bradleys future aspirations. QUOTE]

Disorganised? Very harsh. I thought it was a decent perfomance - they showed like their first team counterparts that they are willing to take the game to poeple and i thought they played some great rugby against a very strong Maori team. New Zealands strength and depth is frightening. For a country with a paltry pick in comparison we gave them two great games. For once we are fully utilising our resources available and not off playing games in Tonga or sending the first team to America or Canada.

[pete]

I thought Ireland A far too loose & while running rugby good to a point some insane long passes under Irelands own posts & wasn't as if 2 man overlap available either.