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International Test Matches
[EOYT] Ireland v Australia 16/11/13
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 606604" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>Right. I'm surprised. That game didn't go quite as I suspected. Conrad Smith predicted the margin almost exactly correct <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p><p></p><p>I thought Ireland would have the edge in the scrums, but the scrums in general were a real mess, and overall Australia probably had the better of this set piece. The lineouts were pretty even - I think each team only lost one throw each. Australia's dominance at the breakdown was one of the keys to their success - they did get penalized quite a bit in this area, but they did manage to turn a lot of ball over (and slow down the rest of the ball).</p><p></p><p>Genia looked a bit sharper this week, but still made a couple of errors, but Cooper was pretty good. Sexton looked fine while he was on, but the backline seemed to lose some sharpness once Madigan came on. The Aussie midfield was pretty quiet with ball in hand, but did get through a pile of work on defense (<a href="http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/match/180661.html" target="_blank">scrum.com </a>have Toomua leading the tackle count for Australia). I was very impressed with Luke Marshall for Ireland - he made a couple of errors but looked the most dangerous back on the park with ball in hand, making a couple of great line breaks. In contrast I though O'Driscoll was pretty quiet - he was running pretty laterally at times looking for gaps, but Australia's midfield defense was more than up for it. Cummins had another strong game for Australia - I wasn't convinced he was really up to test standard, but he has been more than adequate in recent weeks! Bowe and McFadden had a few good runs, but I thought Kearney was rather quiet at the back. He was completely outshone by Folau who looked very dangerous with ball in hand (and in the air!).</p><p></p><p>Overall a very good performance by Australia. They didn't actually make as many chances as they have been in recent weeks, but they were far more clinical in taking their chances, which is a great sign for them!</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Lol. I know it is not worth debating with you as you find anyone disagreeing with you aggressive and 'nitpicking', but Australia weren't really that much better in the backs. I would say they had the edge (which is no surprise), but I don't think they were substantially superior. They were certainly far more clinical, but <a href="http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/match/180661.html" target="_blank">Ireland's backs are recorded as making three times as many clean breaks</a> as Australia's. Ireland just made a pile of unforced errors. Ireland's defense out wide was truly pathetic at times - that certainly isn't Australia's fault though, and they did a great job of exploiting it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 606604, member: 24910"] Right. I'm surprised. That game didn't go quite as I suspected. Conrad Smith predicted the margin almost exactly correct :D I thought Ireland would have the edge in the scrums, but the scrums in general were a real mess, and overall Australia probably had the better of this set piece. The lineouts were pretty even - I think each team only lost one throw each. Australia's dominance at the breakdown was one of the keys to their success - they did get penalized quite a bit in this area, but they did manage to turn a lot of ball over (and slow down the rest of the ball). Genia looked a bit sharper this week, but still made a couple of errors, but Cooper was pretty good. Sexton looked fine while he was on, but the backline seemed to lose some sharpness once Madigan came on. The Aussie midfield was pretty quiet with ball in hand, but did get through a pile of work on defense ([URL="http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/match/180661.html"]scrum.com [/URL]have Toomua leading the tackle count for Australia). I was very impressed with Luke Marshall for Ireland - he made a couple of errors but looked the most dangerous back on the park with ball in hand, making a couple of great line breaks. In contrast I though O'Driscoll was pretty quiet - he was running pretty laterally at times looking for gaps, but Australia's midfield defense was more than up for it. Cummins had another strong game for Australia - I wasn't convinced he was really up to test standard, but he has been more than adequate in recent weeks! Bowe and McFadden had a few good runs, but I thought Kearney was rather quiet at the back. He was completely outshone by Folau who looked very dangerous with ball in hand (and in the air!). Overall a very good performance by Australia. They didn't actually make as many chances as they have been in recent weeks, but they were far more clinical in taking their chances, which is a great sign for them! Lol. I know it is not worth debating with you as you find anyone disagreeing with you aggressive and 'nitpicking', but Australia weren't really that much better in the backs. I would say they had the edge (which is no surprise), but I don't think they were substantially superior. They were certainly far more clinical, but [URL="http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/match/180661.html"]Ireland's backs are recorded as making three times as many clean breaks[/URL] as Australia's. Ireland just made a pile of unforced errors. Ireland's defense out wide was truly pathetic at times - that certainly isn't Australia's fault though, and they did a great job of exploiting it. [/QUOTE]
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[EOYT] Ireland v Australia 16/11/13
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