Ireland v Argentina

[TRF_Cymro]

Aviva Stadium
28 November 2010
Kick Off 14:30​

 

[Conal]

if we play like we did against new zealand we should cut the pumas down

 

[lynam1104]

Agreed but out back line looks like it will be weakened by the loss of Fitz and Kearny(Kind of) we might also lose BOD, Bowe and D'Arcy.

 

[munstermuffin]

2 lad will be only absentees and well Kearney isn't a loss on current form

 

[ckell]

I don't think Ireland will reproduce the same performance as they did in the first 40 against NZ. I fear this may be a bit of an anti-climatic game.

 

[shtove]

if we play like we did against new zealand we should cut the pumas down

Like we did in the world cup?

Haven't seen the Arges so far, but expect nothing less than a tight game.

 

[GalwayCanuck5]

The problem is guys we won't be able to play like we did against NZ. The Pumas are going to slow the pace of this game down and play with with hugely physical tactics.

Don't expect Ireland to walk this one, even if they had their first choice back line Argentina would still be more than capable of winning.

 

[Melhor Time]

The problem is guys we won't be able to play like we did against NZ. The Pumas are going to slow the pace of this game down and play with with hugely physical tactics.

Don't expect Ireland to walk this one, even if they had their first choice back line Argentina would still be more than capable of winning.

Exactly - bang on the money.

Just look at France vs Argentina in the rain of Montpellier on saturday. Argentina controlled the speed throughout by slowing down every ruck with France on attack and were able to speed things up when in possession, esp in the last 25 minutes.

When have Ireland ever got a big win over Argentina? If we go back to Rugby World Cup 1999 as the starting point - which is what any analyst should do the record is as follows:

9 matches - 5 wins to Argentina, 4 wins to Ireland.

Points scored - Argentina 198, Ireland 184

Ireland have won all four played in Ireland, Argentina all three in Argentina. Ireland won RWC 2003 in Australia 16-15 and Argentina won RWC 1999 and 2007 both in France - 28-24 and 30-15.

Of the games in Ireland, the Irish won by scores of 16-9, 21-19 (O'Gara drop goal on fulltime. Irl scored no tries) and 17-3 (one try and on fulltime to Bowe)

In other words, I doubt Ireland will win by a big score. Little historical or contemporary evidence to support this. Argentina conceeded zero tries vs France and zero vs Italy.

For the record Argentina have their own list of missing first choice players (all based in France) who would be in the team to play Ireland. So, things are pretty square.

- Manuel Carizza (second row)
- Juan Leguizamon (Backrow)
- Alejandro Campos (Backrow)
- Rafael Carballo (wing)
- Juan Martin Hernandez (flyhalf)

 

[Jockstap]

So it looks like Kearney and Fitzgerald will be out for at least 6 weeks, Ireland has never had an easy game against Argentina so hopefully we'll field are strongest possible team, which after the last three games I feel is as follows

15. Geordan Murphy
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Gordon D'Arcy
11. Keith Earls
10. Jonathan Sexton
9. Eoin Reddan
8. Jamie Heaslip
7. Sean O'Brien
6. Stephen Ferris
5. Devin Toner
4. Donncha O'Callaghan
3. Tom Court
2. Sean Cronin
1. Cian Healy

16. Damien Varley
17. Tony Buckley
18. Mick O'Driscoll
19. Dennis Leamy
20. Peter Stringer
21. Ronan O'Gara
22. Andrew Trimble

 

[Peat]

Seen rumours Nigel Brady's been call up.

 

[Conal]

in the name of jesus i may love ulster very much but nigle brady???? why god why
has he ever been ulsters first choice hooker?

 

[Peat]

in the name of jesus i may love ulster very much but nigle brady???? why god why
has he ever been ulsters first choice hooker?

Nope. However, here follows Ireland's choice of hookers

Flannery - Injured
Best - Injured
Cronin - Fit
Fogarty senior - Injured
Fogarty junior - Injured
Varley - Couldn't do contact yesterday, might be fit in time
Flavin - Injured

So given you need back up in case Varley doesn't make it, the choice was one of the Ulster pair, Mike Sherry, Jason Harris-Wright, Brian Blaney at LI and whoever's Connacht's third choice hooker is.

Not a terribly difficult decision! As 6th or 7th choice international hookers go, he's not a bad one...

 

[coonor]

Lock Leo Cullen, prop Tony Buckley, full-back Geordan Murphy and hooker Damien Varley have been added to the squad, while back row John Muldoon and John Hayes have been released back to their provinces.
(from planet rugby)

Hopefully that means John Hayes is not in contention for sunday. Good to see Leo Cullen in and I think him and Toner should play second row with DOC on the bench. Damien Varley didn't do full contact but should be ok come sunday. Ferris and Wallace have also picked up knocks but they should be fit for selection however thats anouther reason why wallace should not be picked as he looked very tired against NZ.

 

[Jer Mac]

So it looks like Kearney and Fitzgerald will be out for at least 6 weeks, Ireland has never had an easy game against Argentina so hopefully we'll field are strongest possible team, which after the last three games I feel is as follows

15. Geordan Murphy
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Gordon D'Arcy
11. Keith Earls
10. Jonathan Sexton
9. Eoin Reddan
8. Jamie Heaslip
7. Sean O'Brien
6. Stephen Ferris
5. Devin Toner
4. Donncha O'Callaghan
3. Tom Court
2. Sean Cronin
1. Cian Healy

16. Damien Varley
17. Tony Buckley
18. Mick O'Driscoll
19. Dennis Leamy
20. Peter Stringer
21. Ronan O'Gara
22. Andrew Trimble

Bang on the money with this team but MOD will start i think.. I think people forget the Argies are a top side with some of the best tight and losse forwards in the world. They also play a destructive game, controlling the tempo from forward play. they have the potential to mangle our pack in the loose, the scrum and lineout.
The Blacks allowed us play because they knew we would tire and they would beat us anyway whereas these guys are going to infringe and slow in every ruck, every scrum and every lineout. This game will be far from fluent and we'll be lucky to see 2 tries not to mind 6-7 like the last game!

I saw them against France and they choked the life from the French who were lucky to win. Now France are miles in front of us. Ireland will underestimate these at their peril and our Fans must realise and be patient that this game is going to be won in the trenches.. Pretty rugby is gone. And the pack better man the hell up! Would have loved to see Ross given a go at some stage but clearly Court and Buckley are first choice props.. Like the last day i will be watching the Healy penalty count... hes like robocop with numbers killed in the bottom of the tv screen!!!!

 

[munstermuffin]

Good to see Cullen in but it a week late.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Agreed, Cullen has to be involved, top player and will fill the void left by O'Connell
I'd like to see Cullen/Toner, with MickO or DOC on the bench (think Kidney would go with DOC over MickO if he ever considered starting Cullen/Toner, though I think Mick is on better form)


Though it's definately a blow to lose Fitz (and to a lesser extent Kearney...) Earls (probably) getting a start is definately a good thing, and Murphy is on better form than Kearney

 

[Peat]

Can someone remind me of Rob Kearney's last good game in a green jersey? I suspect it was 2009. Blessing in disguise...

 

[lynam1104]

yes 2009 against the Bok's

 

[munstermuffin]

Ireland need to realize too that Argentina are in good form

 

[MunsterMan]

I'd like to see a DOC/Cullen combination. DOC's huge effort against the All Blacks has gone mostly uncredited, he wouldn't have looked out of place in that All Blacks team at all, serious fitness levels, tireless stuff and plenty of heart. Cullen on the other hand is more of a "POC type" player, get him in to call the lineout and provide leadership.

SOB at 7 is a good call, Wally doesn't seem to be able for the very very top level anymore based on the NZ game

I'd give Paddy Wallace a run at 12 too, although I liked Kidneys compromise of putting A centre at flyhalf and Sexton out in the backline when we wanted to spread it wide the last day, Sexton's passing ability is pretty much unrivaled in Ireland.

Geordan Fullback and Keith on the wing, or else Keith Fullback and Trimble on the wing, doesn't bother me too much, great options to have as cover