Ireland

scrumdog says...

If Ireland get the upper hand at the collisions in the first half expect Reddan to come in for the second half to speed up Ireland's game. Not too concerned about the scrums...we can square up there and win our lineout ball.

A few big hits on Carter and SBW (poor defender) early in the game from a ball carrying O'Brien and Heaslip and pressure from O'Mahoney will dent the AB's and pave the way for Earls to have a huge game. NZ are not a shoo in to win this one if Ireland play to their potential.

Posted 19:56 07th June 2012

dannylomu says...

@Paddy91317 i bet you called out you ex's name while having sex?:P

Posted 19:03 07th June 2012

lostprofit says...

Front row picks itself. Id rather not throw an untested TH against the AB's in their back yeard but nothing we can do. In Fitz we trust, I just hope hes ready. Im glad to see Loughney on bench hes been super for Connacht all season and hes getting his chance now unlike poor old Hagan when he was there.

2nd row: Awesome. The two inform locks together. About time. O'Callaghan on the bench? A mistake. Should be dropped for McCarthy.

Back row is good, though Id swap O'Brien and O'Mahony who could be an awesome 7. Heaslip if we had sutiable cover I would drop. By his own high standards this season was quiet. But still, good. KevMc on bench is fine, hes had a great season and is a great defensive line jumper. Henry is VERY unfortunate to be left out.

9-10: Oh dear. On form Sexton walks into this team and well he should. Murray... look lads we all know what he can do but this season he hasnt done it and could be the weak link that kills any promising attacks. Redden can go backwards when the packs not on top but still think hes better. Personnally I think Marshall is better than all of them but thats just me. O'Gara? Yeah I understand it, doesnt mean I have to like it. I wanted Jackson until Ultser pulled him. Madigan is confident enough to have given this a go. Nomitaed young player of the year and left behind? Not on.

Centres: fine. What? I wasnt sure about Earls at 13 for the 6N but he proved me wrong, just like he proved a lot of people wrong. I would prefere Cave at 13 (THE FUTURE!) but Earls has earned this.

Back 3; Kearney is a sho in. McFadden is still a 12 but his versatility serves him in good stead. Zebo?

Ok guys, Gilroy is a better player. Hes proven it. He was nomiated young player of the year for a reason. Zebo has incrediable potential but at this moment thats all it is: potential. And this is NOT the place to throw him in with all of his defensive fralitys.

Posted 17:37 07th June 2012

ObiOneCoatsey says...

Lads,

I wouldn't be worried about the numbers on the jerseys, BOD will play inside Earls no doubt at all. I think it is quite an attacking team selection from Ireland. The problem will be winning our own ball off our set piece, scrum is a worry and the AB's lineout is always solid but I think Ireland are really going to give it a go. I think Kidney is going after the AB's with a kicking game from Sexton and Murray, Ireland have a really good kick chase with the pace and tenacity of Kearney, McFadden and Zebo (any who has seen the HCup this year will have seen Zebo on restarts) But and a big but is will we get much ball to play with??? Still can't wait to see us have a cut at NZ

Posted 17:24 07th June 2012

dannylomu says...

@swiwi : Thats something a Leinster fan would say im from Munster i totally disagree hahahahahaha

Posted 16:27 07th June 2012

DaveJ says...

One thing that continues to baffle me though is the Murray selection over Reddan when we clearly want to play a faster game. Yes Murray is more physical and can help with defense around the park but we are killing our attacking game with him on the field. I really do hope it is BOD at inside centre and Earls at outside centre on Saturday regardless of the jersey numbers, despite personally wanting earls to play on the wing instead where he is actually a good player. I didn't notice the O' Mahony and SOB and 6 and 7 respectively.....why when they are both natural players to the opposite position?? OK I'm still happy with some of the experimenting in some areas but there are some downright stupid positional placements there. Hopefully only 1 year until we get the dream setup of Schmidt and O' Shea at the helm....

Posted 15:28 07th June 2012

dannylomu says...

@EVERYONEWHOPOSTED!! listen we have never won against the all-blacks because they cheat(COUGH COUGH) and for you NZ fans you know it happens but i respect them cause they get away with it!! now as for the selection please we need to change it up and show what we have not to the old boring Darcy and odriscoll why don't you shut up see how it goes sure its NZ who have more to loose than Ireland remember that !!

Posted 14:59 07th June 2012

crunchfit says...

Earls at 12? Murray with Sexton instead of Reddan? There is no justification whatsoever for those choices... This on top of generally questionable choices for this match day team and a poor squad selection for the tour, it's already really making these upcoming matches less enjoyable.

It will be a good day for Irish rugby when Kidney is out of the job. I can't enjoy Irish rugby with this guy in charge. Waste of talent. Truly the worst national rugby coach I have ever seen.

Posted 14:03 07th June 2012

curates_egg says...

@adamk I agree with your selection 100%.

We are going to get hammered. I fear for the scrum.

I also fear for the backs with Earls in the centre (whichever one) and Zebo on the wing.

Zebo looks like a good prospect but he is nowhere near ready to play a test against the ABs. He makes so many defensive mistakes. In reality, he would have been 3rd in line of the 'new' wingers - behind Gilroy and Dave Kearney - were he not from Cork.

Posted 13:39 07th June 2012

papachinzo says...

So refreshing to see a new second row partnership!!

Apart from Conor Murray and Earls at centre, Good Squad...

NZ by 20.

Posted 12:58 07th June 2012