QuoteNo Joesoap since the game? Someone give him a ring see if he's alright.
Originally Posted by Kingdom
Easterby retired now which would force EOS decision.
No Joesoap since the game? Someone give him a ring see if he's alright.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
I haven't had the energy to write anything since Saturday afternoon. That performance, or lack of, really hurt. I believe that O'Sullivan had a golden opportunity on Saturday to experiment. When Murphy went off, I believe that young Fitzgerald should have been put straight in at full back, and Paddy Wallace brought in for Shane Horgan. That way we would have had attacking options, and an opportunity for the young lad (Fitzgerald) to sample some really big game time in his future position.
Reddan should have been called ashore much earlier than he was. He was very indecisive, and you cannot have this at this level in your scrum half. ROG really suffered as a result. Leamy was a big loss-my feelings on Easterby are well known by now. Paul O'Connell was very error prone, and why Tony Buckley was kept bench warming for so long with Paddy Wallace and Stringer I'll never understand.
I didn't expect us to win this game on Saturday. I expected a proud performance, with a little variation. I got neither. O'Sullivan is at this stage as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Shaun Edwards has not yet signed a contract with Wales. I sincerely hope he is being pursued, hopefully with Heineke Meyer, Ian McGeechan, Eddie Jones or any other coach that is worth a go.
But I doubt it.
Last edited by joeSoap; 18/03/2008 at 2:27 PM.
Cullen and Jennings still haven't been picked now they're with Leinster so maybe EOS just doesn't rate them.
We're not arrogant, we're just better.
I have heard O'Sullivan in the past explain why he does not make substitutions. He takes about disrupting "units" e.g. half backs, back rows... This seems to explain why he waits so long to make freshen the forwards in particular when most Managers make changes between 50-60 minutes.
But surely logic would tell you that when a part of a unit is broken, or in need of replacement, you do it straight away to keep the unit performing the way it should. His half back 'unit' on Saturday didn't work because Reddan was too ponderous. Stringer would have made that 'unit' work. Flawed logic by the schoolteacher....again!!
I can only echo whats been said above.
But in particular, bringing Paddy Wallace on for 2 mins managed to insult both Wallace and every past Irish rugby player who has been capped. That was about Eddie's only achievement on Saturday.
The sad thing about Saturday was that the English (or at least those around me) didn't celebrate wildly. To a mann they identified that Ireland atrocious performance had more to do with the result than any kind of English resurgence (the excellent Cipriani aside). In fact many of them were disappointed that the magnitude of the win might be enough to keep Ashton in a job.
Interestingly, as someone mentioned Bob Casey above, I saw him deliver a few sublime offloads in the tackle for London Irish against Wasps on Sunday. Given we are the slowest test team in the world at recycling ball out of a ruck or indeed maul (joe, I disagree with on this, whether its Redden or Stringer at the back seems to make little difference to our ability to present and use quick ball) I would've thought these are exactly the skills we need in the side.
Cos they are forwards and are not from Munster. EOS prefers the 'over the hill' brigade. Paul O'Connell, get real FFS.
Honest! I am not a secret Tim nor a closet Sham - I really am a Seagull.
thats nonsense. heaslip was unlucky to be left out for the world cup but at the time the irish backrow was very competitive and he was the odd man out, unlucky but not one of EOS more questionable decisions.
if/when EOS does go is there really any stand out candidate available?
The 'over the hill' brigade comment is on the money, but the point about Munster is typical Irish parochialism (something that is actually not among Eddie's many faults).Cos they are forwards and are not from Munster. EOS prefers the 'over the hill' brigade. Paul O'Connell, get real FFS.
Its hard to fault O'Connell for his effort and his desire, but his lack of match practice showed, as much in terms of his decision-making whilst on the ball.
He'd still be my captain for the summer tour though.
When fit O'Connell is our best second row and would be one of the first names I'd put on the sheet, the problem is that he is clearly a long way from full fitness.
I respect him wanting to prove he is capable of playing at international level despite the problem but in the long run both he and Irish rugby might be better served if he took more time out to heal.
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I thought Edwards has signed? Doubt he'd change his mind at this stage anyway.Shaun Edwards has not yet signed a contract with Wales. I sincerely hope he is being pursued, hopefully with Heineke Meyer, Ian McGeechan, Eddie Jones or any other coach that is worth a go.
But I doubt it.
Jake White is the first name that comes to mind. No harm in approaching him anyway. Mike Ruddock is another option, I'd say he would take the job too.
O'Connell is one of Irelands best players. He was hardly going to tell O'Sullivan he was not ready as the manager picks the team.
Exactly the reasons why he should not have been playing this season. You cannot use 6 nations games against the likes of Wales and England to get match practice and regain fitness.
Despite his high tackle count, O'Connell found himself off the pace in both games, got isolated in possession too many times and gave away too many penalties. Overall he was a liability.
O'Sullivan picks the team and must take responsibility. Whether there was pressure from the players, the media or the blazers to pick O'Connell, I don't know but there is no doubt, Mick O'Driscoll, Malcolm O'Kelly, Leo Cullen or Bob Casey would have been more effective in these games than O'Connell. I would rather see players picked on form rather than on reputation.
I hope he regains his fitness and his sharpness but I doubt he will. I don't think we will ever again see the pre-World Cup Paul O'Connell. I hope I'm wrong.
Honest! I am not a secret Tim nor a closet Sham - I really am a Seagull.
I think Munster will benefit from poor form of Ireland as will fire them up in the ERC.
Depends how bad the injuries to Wallace and Leamy are. Does anyone know, have seen anything so they must not be too serious.
The papers were playing down Leamy's injury indicating he'd be available for the Q/F but that Wallace would miss the q/f
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Wallace would be a big blow - Wallace is an absolute monster!!!. Fingers crossed he can make it. I think Munster have the beating of Gloucester - assuming the forwards find some kind of form again.
That wasn't quite what I was trying to say, I meant that all parties should have thought better of it and got him to rest longer.
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Ireland aside, I watched the game on BBC because I can't stand Rhyl Nugent's affected accent on RTE. My God, it was as if it was an international between Ireland vs Cipriani. The commentator never stopped drooling about him and even had Austin Healy on the sideline watching his performance. In fact Healey was chatting away about Cipriani as Ireland scored a tryThere were close-ups of him every 10 seconds and the hyperole about him defied belief. He had a good game ok but.....way ott.
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
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