Ireland v South Africa

[Sam Owen]

Thanks Eze, I'll try.

I googled the end score but sounds like a good game. Not surprised though all the others between the two have been good to watch.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

JdV has an incredible running game in him and Aplon is an amazing backplayer. I just hope Mvovo can get a chance in stead of Habana or Basson against Wales or Scotland.

 

[shtove]

I was so cheesed off with the first 60 mins, I didn't bother watching the last 20. Worst performance from Ireland in ... well, maybe not years, but a long time. And now I have to go back and watch the end, with that half empty stadium and the miserable rain and Ruan Pienaar's monobrow. Why don't the saffers bring their fecking cheerleaders?

 

[Shaggy]

Bugger ... I thought Ireland were going to snatch the victory from the jaws of defeat

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Shaggy, were you the BBC commentator today? I heard him say the exact same thing

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Well done South Africa. It wasn't pretty and you can play much better but you still thoroughly deserved the win. The margin should have been much bigger in your favour.

Dear God, that was a pathetic Ireland performance. Somebody told me they won a lineout on their own throw - I call bullshit!

Starting with the negative:
1. Rory Best confirmed my worst fears and proved he's no longer up to it. I can't recall a worse showing in the lineout by anyone including my old 14B's team.
2. Tony Buckley reverted to the Tony Buckle of recent past in the scrum. When a loosehead comes on for him and shores things up it says something.
3. Cian Healy's hands. The less said the better.
4. Was Donnacha O'Callaghan playing? The tight 5 was a powderpuff unit.
5. I've been saying for 12+ months that David Wallace is showing a serious decline in his play. He's not good enough to put in 80 minutes for Ireland any more (but is an excellent impact sub option).
6. Even though Ireland have no decent scrumhalves, I thought Eoin Reddan was the least bad option. I was wrong. Stringer the start v NZ (shudder)
7. What happened Sexton?
8. Gordon D'arcy. See my comments for David Wallace.
9. Rob Kearney's total inability to beat the first man.
10. All the f'n handling errors.
11. Why wasn't Sean Cronin brought on?

And the good:
1. Ferris, Fitzgerald and Buckley (in open play) were good.
2. O'Gara added some much needed attacking impetus.
3. Tom Court solidified the scrum.
4. The full time whistle.

Changes must be made ahead of the game v NZ. I'd put in Cronin, Cullen, O'Brien and Stringer for Best (RIP your Ireland career), O'Callaghan, Wallace and Reddan. Bringing in O'Gara for Sexton is also possible.

 

[Shaggy]

Shaggy, were you the BBC commentator today? I heard him say the exact same thing

Well that depends ... what else did he say ... and am I likely to receive a cheque from the BBC

... I just reversed what i was mumbling last week when the AB's lost (they snatched defeat from the jaws of Victory)

... nah, I just FUBARed my picks in the picking comp ... I think I had Ireland by 3, and I er ... backed Wales

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Who backs Wales against Australia? Come on man

 

[Amobokoboko]

I saw some bits of the game, but Both teams were playing well. Really close game.
I'm already looking forward to next weekend.

 

[Sker]

Good game guys, you almost had us at the end there. Tommy Bowe's try was pure class.

I'm really, really worried. In my opinion our backline haven't improved since the tri-nations. We had one move which resulted in a try, the rest of the time our backs was useless: not passing/not going for the gaps.

It's like everyone on the field is selfish, comon guys, PASS A LITTLE.

I'd have Lambie start next test, M.Steyn is an overrated fool who can't get a backline firing, all he is good for is his kicking. Lambie got the backline going and played really well. I'd have CJ start ahead of the Beast too (pity about Steenkamp) and Francois Steyn as fullback, Aplon at 11. (We need a huge boot at the back, Aplon doesn't have one)

 

[coonor]

Ireland lost this game because the tight 5 were so dreadful. the lineout was woeful, when will Ireland learn that the set piece is a crucial part of the game. We need more possession and better ball security. Sexton didn't have a good enough platform to play off. Ireland tackled well and I think BOD, Heaslip and Ferris put in some good hits. Irelands were lakced control. twice SA put the ball high and no-one on the Irish team even challenged for, they just let it bounce. That shows how amatuer they really were today. Best must go he is useless. Buckley was ok in the loose but failled in the set piece, Ross must be given a chance. Healy needs to calm down he was ok in the scrum but he can make stupid errors. Mick O'driscoll and O'callaghan did nothing. Heaslip, Ferris and wallace put in decent perfromances consiering they had to clean up all the mistakes made by the tight 5. Reddan didn't control the game well enough he failled to involve any forward ball carriers. Sexton did well but ths game did not suit him. Both Fitzgerald and Bowe looked dangerous when they had the ball. BOD was soild in defence. Was D'arcy even playing? Kearney didn't really get into the game. Court was great, he came on and not only transfomed the scrum but hit every ruck. Stringer was briliant he provided go forward ball. O'Gara showed he is still a great player, the game suited him he controlled it well.

 

[Shaggy]

Who backs Wales against Australia? Come on man

I did it on the basis that Oz have struggled to put two consecutive wins together for such a long time, and their forwards still have issues in the scrum, they are weak in defense at 10, I didn't think anyone else would pick Wales (well I just about got that right anyway) ... and my psychic Octopus said so

... Anyway Ireland (and Welsh) fans, for once, I feel your pain

 

[munstermuffin]

Well here is a first - If I was predicting a squad vs NZ this is what I'd select (not been bias to Munster)

1. Healy (although he lucky there no real competition or else he'd be out)
2. Cronin (Varley deserves shot too but Cronin is ahead in pecking order)
3. Court (Was never a huge fan but well he is solid all over in areas we need)
4. Cullen (Get him a game next week if he needs games)
5. DOC/Micko (DOC was poor today but has been in form where Micko was OK today and in form)
6. Ferris (Lucky to keep spot as he came alive for last patch)
7. O'Brien ( As Kidney said last year with 10 battle we know 1 is experienced so lets test the other - O'Brien has good form so let him show his worth)
8. Heaslip
9. Stringer (Showed easily today he is well ahead of Reddan)
10.ROG (He deserves it after today but Sexton/Stringer is something that could be a hidden gem for us because Reddan simply shovelled **** out today)
11.Luke Fitz
12.BOD (I know Wallace will get this if D'Arcy dropped but lets think positive and use our BEST attacking option)
13.Earls (BOD isn't fast enough for 13 as he has been worn down but still excellent option for 12 and with his off-loads could unleash Earls and pace at 13)
14.Bowe
15.Kearney (Was very poor for large parts of today and lucky to be included)

16. Varley
17. Buckley
18. Micko/DOC
19. Leamy
20. Reddan
21. Sexton
22. Johne Murphy (I know people will laugh at this but he is versatile, in form, excellent try-scoring rate and is good enough)

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

@ Sker: Kirchner is kak, Basson is still a rookie, Habana was kak and JdV was not 100% fit. That leaves only Aplon who played his 6th test match. No worries man.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I'd have Lambie start next test, M.Steyn is an overrated fool who can't get a backline firing, all he is good for is his kicking. Lambie got the backline going and played really well. I'd have CJ start ahead of the Beast too (pity about Steenkamp) and Francois Steyn as fullback, Aplon at 11. (We need a huge boot at the back, Aplon doesn't have one)

Lambie played well but should be at 13 next to JdV. Aplon as a winger I would love to see, but put him on the other side (in stead of Basson) and give Mvovo a chance at 11. Francois Steyn at fullback will give us a boost next week

 

[munstermuffin]

Aplon did have an awkward kicking style but how can South Africa fans be a critic of Steyn at 10. He played well and his kicking is a massive asset

 

[Rangerrrrrr]

I can't remember such a woeful and sloppy Ireland performance in gods knows how long. And yet still they were a centimetre or so away from a draw.

South Africa just played like a Northern Hemisphere team from the 'old age' total domination up front, at set peice and at the tackle but man what an absolutely dreadful backline they have on attack. You wouldn't even think they had a backline coach from that performance.

Very interesting seeing the contrasting play styles now between England and SA. One team has adapted and moved fowards and is playing exciting rugby, the other has regressed back into safe old habits. Thats gonna be a great game to watch, and for the first time I'll be backing England seeing as they are playing far far better and exciting Rugby.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

South Africa looked beatable. Bodes well for Wales next week. But then O'Gara looks like a more defensively solid and attacking-minded than Sexton, so perhaps that game should be written off.

 

[coonor]

I never thought i'd say it but Flannery SOS!!!!!

 

[Peat]

Irish set-piece was poor but the backs were little better, more dropped balls than year 6 at a beach volleyball match. Kearney, D'Arcy and Reddan would all be lucky to keep their places for next match and Sexton and BOD couldn't complain if dropped.

Make that diabolically lucky in Reddan's case.

Ferris and Heaslip had good games mind. Wally however, needs replacing with the younger model. Bring on the SOB.

SA, what a pack. Juan Smith, what a player. No wonder they didn't really want to know they had a back line.