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Ireland
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- Ireland Fixtures
| Fixture | Details |
|---|---|
| All times are local | |
| International Match | |
| Saturday , June 8 | |
| USA vs Ireland | 01:30 |
| Saturday , June 15 | |
| Canada vs Ireland | 20:00 |
| More International Match fixtures | |
- Table
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wales | 5 | 8 |
| 2 | England | 5 | 8 |
| 3 | Scotland | 5 | 4 |
| 4 | Italy | 5 | 4 |
| 5 | Ireland | 5 | 3 |
| 6 | France | 5 | 3 |
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Comments
crunchfit says...
"Would anybody... the RWC?"
How was it detrimental? Ireland didn't lose any games because of Sexton, even if he was off form, and ROG was playing very well.
"Thanks for your response... 10 jersey."
What do you mean? Kidney has made it clear that he doesn't care who the media (or fans) thinks should play. He picks whoever he wants no matter how much the media writes about his choices. The RWC warm up matches made this pretty obvious.
"I thought... made hay with him¿"
Just wondering, but what do you base that on (Kidney caving into ROG's threats)? Kidney showed many times that he does not care about who the media thinks should play and ROG was in better form. So why wouldn't he pick the player who is playing well, especially a when it's Munsterman? Do you really think that ROG had to force / threaten / use the media to get into the squad in those circumstances? I doubt it. And when it came to Wales, strategically, they had us completely figured out. That is why we lost. You could have put Dan Carter on meth and steroids on for ROG and Ireland would still have lost, unfortunately.
Also, Sexton and ROG have both had periods when they were in favour with Kidney and periods when they were out and there were also periods where it wasn't clear who was favourite. It's nothing new. Look at the 2009, 2010 or 2011 6 Nations and look at the number of changes at 10. He has been switching them around since Sexton started representing Ireland so why would it suddenly unable to deal with the pressure? Sexton's whole national career, and his club career in one way or another, has been a competition with ROG. If anyone would be used to this kind of pressure, it would be those two.
Posted 19:58 03rd November 2011
Carpelone says...
@ Blametheref
Of course, I am sure it will be on transient basis. I think that it is reasonable to allow 1 or 2 years before all the pieces fall in their places in case they all would be unavailable. We are not just talking about some players, but legends, backbones to the B&I Lions. Especially BoB, who is influentian on the pitch even when injured (like in the HC final).
Posted 16:40 03rd November 2011
blametheref says...
@Carpelone
I thought that Kidney caved in to Rogs' threat and at the same time showed little faith in Sexton even after our big win against Australia, that decision was fatal to Ireland IMO in that Italy were for the taking anyway with or without ROG which left most people thinking that ROG would be fine against Wales. Wales had ROG totally figured and made hay with him...
But would Ireland struggle if all of the players you mentioned retired? I think they would for a while but that's to be expected and more importantly lived with. Some might remember when Brendan Mullen, Paul Dean, Michael Kiernan, Simon Geoghan started to disassemble and in the case of Mullen few thought we'd see a 13 as good, soon after BOD comes along and really puts Mullen in the shade in comparison. I guarantee that within 2 to 3 years we'll be hearing 2 or 3 names that hardly anyone has heard of...but now is the time for experimentation and blooding new talent, 2 yers on will be 2 years too late!
Posted 15:58 03rd November 2011
Carpelone says...
@ Blametheref
Thanks for your response. Competition is not bad as such, I thought that RoG used the media too much to claim his right on the 10 jersey.
Posted 14:20 03rd November 2011
Carpelone says...
Would anybody think that without the golden generation (Wallace, ROG, POC, DOC, Cullen, BoD, D'Arcy) Ireland could struglle for few years before being a contender again for the 6N?
Posted 14:17 03rd November 2011
blametheref says...
@Carpelone
Absolutely! I posted numerous posts on that score...
@Norm
I think sexton would be an enlightened appointment as captain with the next WC in mind, and I've no doubt he'd be a great leader nothwithstanding that fly halves are usually not made captains of teams. With Strauss available for Ireland and if Flannery returns to form after injury Best may not even be picked, also he's too old. Paul O' Connell most likely won't make the next WC either.
Posted 13:12 03rd November 2011
Carpelone says...
Would anybody think that the competition between Sexton and O'Gara was detrimental for Ireland during the RWC?
Posted 15:58 02nd November 2011
crunchfit says...
In my opinion, it's best that BOD stays for another year, two years maximum in an Irish jersey. Get McFadden and O'Malley (and Cave and Spence).
I disagree with people saying Ireland have no options at 13. Well firstly, we still have BOD and it's not up to us to tell him he can't play if he is still at the required level. Currently, Trimble and Bowe could both fit in there. Earls would be a last chance option. Maybe even Fitzgerald when he returns to form. And we have four young centers coming in, one already able to play at international level (McFadden), one who will most probably make it (O'Malley - very good player and a perfect replacement for BOD) and the other two I'm not sure yet (haven't seen enough of) but reports seem very good on them. I'm sure there are others I'm unaware of.
@Carpelone
Ireland wouldn't compete with other countries? Ireland are well able to compete with France, Wales and England without BOD. You could be either overrating those teams or underrating Ireland (and seeing as you have a chip on your shoulder with Ireland, I'm assuming it's the latter). And Italy? They are the whipping boys of Europe. Are you saying Italy are better than Ireland without BOD? If you think not having BOD on the team prevents Ireland from being able to compete with the worst team in Europe, you're delusional.
And ROG putting Sexton under pressure? It's a professional sport. They are professional players. That is exactly what their job entails. Competition amongst players is good for a team.
You're views are so blatantly wrong and / or stupid I can't tell if you're being serious.
Posted 13:21 01st November 2011
Nicholas41 says...
I'll put a tenner on him going to Ozz in 2013.
.
Posted 13:06 01st November 2011
spike19 says...
If he's fit and in form then there's no reason why he should not be selected. There are others who I think need dropping before BOD. D'arcy for one, O'Callaghan another.
The team needs a shake up, and more importantly it need young players who have 60/70 caps ahead of them, not old tried, tested and failed players.
The RWC is over so experience counts for less.Its about preserving the core players and a few stalwarts and replacing the others with young guys.
Of the world cup squad I would axe Buckley, Court, Cullen, O'Callaghan, Leamy, Jennings, Boss, P Wallace, D'arcy, Murphy.
I would replace them with Hagen, McAllister, Tuohy, Nagle, O'Mahony, Dominic Ryan, O'leary, Spence, O'Malley, Conway.
who's with me!?
Posted 09:47 01st November 2011
blametheref says...
I'd like to see BOD retire while he's at the top, ok, he's probably good for one more 6 nations, but I do think he should relinquish the captaincy from now. There's no question he still is the best option at 13 but as long as he's picked the longer it's going to take Ireland to find a player that can fill the position, any delay on finding centres will impact negatively for the next WC I believe. Regarding the captaincy I think Sexton's should be the next captain. He's got what a captain needs, leads form the front, belief, tenacity, a never give up attitude and he's probably one of the only younger players whose place should be guaranteed over the next few years. Some call for Kearney to be captain but I'd have doubts about him being an automatic choice and I'd also have doubts about Heaslip whose form seems to be slipping on too regular a basis.
As for new centres, Ireland have to find a 12 who is 16 stone plus at least for the way the postion is currently played. Further experimentation with Mc Fadden, Fitzgerald, Earls and Trimble for either 12 or 13 should be avoided as they all cannot play either centre position adequately.
Posted 08:01 01st November 2011
Carpelone says...
I don't think that this is necessarily a bad thing, It depends upon BOD's attitude and availability to serve that matters. Let's hope that he will not do as RoG, who took any single opportunity to claim the 10 shirt and piling a lot of pressure on Sexton.
You need a big ego to succeed, a big ego could prevent you to bow out graciously.
Platini did it, Schumacher tried to do it, but at the end, he is ruining his reputation lately. John Smit did not help the Boks much.
As a saffa, I can comment that the only way for a young lion to get the spotlight is to kill the old lion. But let's see.
Cheers.
Posted 16:36 31st October 2011
melkdave says...
Although he might offer leadership and experiance to the youngsters comming in and most proberly has annother season or 2 in him ..It would be a mistake for him to go on longer than 2012 imo same as ROG really .I would start playing FMcFaden at 13 asap with Spence at 12 with BOD on the bench if needed
Posted 11:44 31st October 2011
pog_mahone says...
Maybe BOD could move to 7 for a couple of years and solve an even bigger problem than 13. Kidney seems to have his mind set on Earls at least for the time being - which is a pity because Earls has a half decent chance of becoming a good finsher but he is too lightweight at centre and his defense is nowhere near test level. He needs to look at other options - and not play players out of position (like Bowe). McFadden, Spence or maybe some of the younger players should now be looked at, with O'Driscoll coming off the bench as an impact sub.
Posted 08:24 31st October 2011
NHsaints says...
The main thing is that BOD can't retire now because Ireland literally have no credible replacement for him...when such a player arrives then and only then should BOD stand aside.
Posted 11:36 30th October 2011
lawynd says...
I think this is a mistake; the paucity of options in the centre for Ireland has been highlighted whenever O'Driscoll or D'Arcy has been injured and unless someone steps aside and forces Declan Kidney to pick some fresh talent, no permanent replacements will be found in time for the next World Cup.
Or does BOD think he's in with a shout for the Lions in 2013?
Posted 09:27 30th October 2011
ciaran1792 says...
maybe if he keeps going till a credible option at 13 opens up because centers have to be big now
Posted 01:32 30th October 2011
atg77 says...
I disagree. He is the heart and soul of that team. As long as he is physically and mentally up to the task, there is not reason he cant continue for another few years. Alan Tait played his best rugby for Scotland at the age of 35, at outside centre incidently, scoring two tries against both England and France on the way to the five nations title.
Posted 23:15 29th October 2011
DaveJ says...
I agree bluelion. He has been an amazing servant but it will hinder a young potential replacement getting test level experience ahead of the next world cup. Bod will not get any better, only worse, and this year his attack and defense have not been test level. At very least put him at 12 and bowe at 13.
Posted 20:56 29th October 2011
Carpelone says...
It is easier to score a fantastic try rather than to understand when it is the right time to bow out. The loss of BOD would be huge in the short time though, as I do not see Ireland competing with the other European countries (maybe with Scotland, yes).
Posted 17:33 29th October 2011