Sunday, June 13, 2010
The All Blacks outclass Ireland in New Plymouth
Dan Carter became only the fourth ever player to surpass 1000 points in Test rugby as the home romped to a 38-0 lead in the first half before Ireland could score. New Zealand remains unbeaten against Ireland, taking the win record to 23 matches over a period of 105 years.
Heaslip was given a straight red card in only the 15th minute of the game, putting his team on the back foot in what was already going to be an uphill battle. He was seen to have kneed Richie McCaw in the head, twice. He admitted it at a hearing earlier today. He did however deny that he made deliberate contact with McCaws head.
"The judicial officer, Michael Cashman, came in with a medium-level ruling and they also took into account his being contrite and owning up to it and his attitude at the tribunal itself," said the Ireland team manager. He will take no further part in the tour.
Ronan Ogara was also shown a card in the first half, just a yellow, but it meant Ireland were down to 13 men for ten minutes, a period in which Jimmy Cowan scored twice, while prop Ben Franks also scored.
They went on to score nine tries in total, but loosened their defense in the second half as Ireland found some form and scored a few of their own.
"The way we started, compared with where we've been in the previous few years, I was happy with," said All Blacks captain Richie McCaw. "I guess there's still a lot to work on but I'm happy with the way we started.
"I'm pleased that all the blokes who had their first games played pretty well. I guess when it comes a bit easy you can lose focus on defence and we leaked a few tries in the second half that we probably shouldn't."
Highlights of all the other big games will follow soon.
Time: 05:03
Posted at 12:57 pm | 80 comments
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Viewing 80 comments
Flinto June 13, 2010 11:54 am
Sigh, this aint 2009 on more Ireland.
Good game - difficult to play it with 14 but NZ were looking good already from how I saw it. I'm not sure what Heaslip was doing though?! :-s
Israel Dagg looking good. Super talent
Good game - difficult to play it with 14 but NZ were looking good already from how I saw it. I'm not sure what Heaslip was doing though?! :-s
Israel Dagg looking good. Super talent
Anonymous June 13, 2010 11:54 am
I got up at 08:30 to watch that crap Jamie Heaslip you are an idiot
Beatrootz June 13, 2010 12:04 pm
As a NZ supporter...I thought the red card put a read dampener on the game... ABs were ok but very rusty in defence....I thought Ogara had a shocker...missing two penalty clearances for touch early on...wtf...and the yellow card...
Just thought given the firepower the abs had in the backs....and with ireland down to 14...it was just a matter of how much.
Just thought given the firepower the abs had in the backs....and with ireland down to 14...it was just a matter of how much.
MCB June 13, 2010 12:24 pm
Shocker from Ireland. All Blacks were class. Was like watching sevens with the amount of space they had to run the ball. Heaslip deserved his red card and 5 week ban. ROG was shocking, he can manage in the NH but just is too small and ineffective against the bigger SH teams. Always a liability against them. O'Leary needs to sharpen up his passing. Half backs should have been changed much earlier.
At least Trimble and Buckley had good games. Would like to see more of Dan Tuohy as well. Has more pace then any Irish second row
At least Trimble and Buckley had good games. Would like to see more of Dan Tuohy as well. Has more pace then any Irish second row
Anonymous June 13, 2010 12:38 pm
Hows the Super 14s defense now you NH posters? Wow, it just shows how good the Springboks are. They own the All Blacks and they just OWNED the 6 nations champs by 40 points. (Funny thing is that Bok team had du Preez, Juan Smith, Brussow, JP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Beast, Bismark du Plessis and many more missing. And it was France's top side. Wow, Springboks are favorites to retain their world championship. Wow.
ScottHill June 13, 2010 12:43 pm
yeah trimble had a great game,we prob would have still lost had we 15 players BUT we were looking ok in the first 10 mins and both NZ scores came from major mistakes (ogara & kearney). could have been 10-7 with 15 players instead of 10-0 with 14. but thats Richie Mc C for you!
Does ogara's game show he is now still no.2 behind sexton?
Does ogara's game show he is now still no.2 behind sexton?
Westerner June 13, 2010 12:43 pm
O'Gara has always been this bad, but covered over by his great goal kicking...
not at the races at all, Kearney didnt do anything right, tough but fair assessment. ABs were too good and kept their heads. To be honest it was looking like a 100+ - 0 hammering but thank god we had a better second half.
Geordan Murphy, Eoin Reddan, Dan Touhy and Jonathan Sexton have to start from now on, the people ahead of them didnt justify their places in an Irish jersey.
Hard luck John Muldoon, you were one of the guys having a good game and even when you broke (I think!) your arm you still stayed in defense to try and make tackles. I hope that you have a speedy recovery and are back in the green jersey soon
not at the races at all, Kearney didnt do anything right, tough but fair assessment. ABs were too good and kept their heads. To be honest it was looking like a 100+ - 0 hammering but thank god we had a better second half.
Geordan Murphy, Eoin Reddan, Dan Touhy and Jonathan Sexton have to start from now on, the people ahead of them didnt justify their places in an Irish jersey.
Hard luck John Muldoon, you were one of the guys having a good game and even when you broke (I think!) your arm you still stayed in defense to try and make tackles. I hope that you have a speedy recovery and are back in the green jersey soon
Box June 13, 2010 12:43 pm
Right from an Irish perspective:
-Sexton and Reddan to start, O'Leary/O'Gara are too slow and not threatening enough against this kind of play.
-Heaslip was a complete fool, was expecting the ban to be longer than five weeks. The match was deffinitely a write off after that (And especially when ROG got a yellow, ugh)
-Buckley had a fantastic game, hopefully he can keep up that kind of form.
-Our scrum wasnt as bad as I thought it would be!
-Trimble had a great game too, there's the possibility that (due to his increased physicality) he could overtake Earls who, while a good finisher, I don't think would have preformed as well.
-Kearney had a shocker, he's too inconsistant, i'd be inclined to start Murphy ahead of him.
-The Irish managment need a kick in the arse. The only reason we're starting new players is because of injury. We need to build more depth.
-Sexton and Reddan to start, O'Leary/O'Gara are too slow and not threatening enough against this kind of play.
-Heaslip was a complete fool, was expecting the ban to be longer than five weeks. The match was deffinitely a write off after that (And especially when ROG got a yellow, ugh)
-Buckley had a fantastic game, hopefully he can keep up that kind of form.
-Our scrum wasnt as bad as I thought it would be!
-Trimble had a great game too, there's the possibility that (due to his increased physicality) he could overtake Earls who, while a good finisher, I don't think would have preformed as well.
-Kearney had a shocker, he's too inconsistant, i'd be inclined to start Murphy ahead of him.
-The Irish managment need a kick in the arse. The only reason we're starting new players is because of injury. We need to build more depth.
Floyd June 13, 2010 12:54 pm
O' Gara makes another mistake at international level, where have we seen that before? oh yeah the 2nd lions test in south africa.
the J-dog June 13, 2010 12:56 pm
o leary shouldn't be dropped. his passing wasn't great but he was on the back foot all the time. we need his phisicality and he was one of the few irish players that was making tackles. if ireland played a more structured game like they should have o gara might have been better. although judging by the missed kicks for touch in the first half he was having a shocking game anyway. management is overlooking quinlan again calling rhys ruddock up to replace muldoon and heaslip. that's a mistake
the J-dog June 13, 2010 12:56 pm
o leary shouldn't be dropped. his passing wasn't great but he was on the back foot all the time. we need his phisicality and he was one of the few irish players that was making tackles. if ireland played a more structured game like they should have o gara might have been better. although judging by the missed kicks for touch in the first half he was having a shocking game anyway. management is overlooking quinlan again calling rhys ruddock up to replace muldoon and heaslip. that's a mistake
BigBucks June 13, 2010 12:57 pm
Its a shame that for most of the past year or two weve been in the top 3 teams in the world - and we go to NZ, get 2 men sent off and gift a game to the one team that we've wanted to beat miles more than any other.
On a positive note - we've finally found a solid front row - Healy,Cronin and Buckley outplayed there counterparts by a mile - and for a lot of the game the 7 man Irish scrum was more competitive than the 8 man All blacks scrum.
On a positive note - we've finally found a solid front row - Healy,Cronin and Buckley outplayed there counterparts by a mile - and for a lot of the game the 7 man Irish scrum was more competitive than the 8 man All blacks scrum.
james June 13, 2010 1:11 pm
this game was destroyed by a moment of madness by heaslip who i believe to definately be the best no.8 in the nh and probably the world. We have a tiny pool of talented players to choose from and with so many injuries we really were always going to struggle, no fitzgerald, o'connel, ferris, earls, our entire front row nearly and then sexton's injuries keeping him out of the first 15 i never though we would stand a chance. Our strongest fifteen against nz strongest 15 should neer lose by more than 15, and in Dublin maybe with some luck scrape a win (emphasis on luck), but if our 2nd 15 played nz's second 15 it would be a 50 point win everytime, we dont have the depth of the SH teams but dont write us off yet, dont also forget this is the end of a season that argubably started in spetember 08, the lions lads must be exhasted, non stop for nealry 2 years!
Eoghan June 13, 2010 1:21 pm
Awful Game for Ireland.
AB's started very well. Looked much more powerful than Ireland at the breakdown when in possession and were taking tackles on their terms. We looked frozen in Defence, no line speed.
But, we were getting some go-forward in pieces, despite shooting ourselves in the foot with a couple of missed touches (O'Gara in particular from defensive penalty hard-earned).
Then when genuinely threatening...Heaslip goes and does that. Straight red perfectly well warranted. Unacceptable at any level. Game very much over.
As a long time critic of him, I want to say specifically that Tony Buckley had an absolute monster. I don't think he was tested at scrum-time but around the park in offence and defence he was outstanding. I really hope this is the start of something for him.
Just re-reading my post and it may seem a bit rosy-tinted-spectacles on the first 15 minutes. I think it was pretty clear that we were in trouble and perhaps had not much reason for optimism at 10-0 going mostly by the AB's power and pace in possession.
But, we had managed some good ball and were able to make progress with it, right up until the Red was correctly shown to Heaslip.
I think Wales might go close against NZ presuming they have the same injury problems as they did this week.
AB's started very well. Looked much more powerful than Ireland at the breakdown when in possession and were taking tackles on their terms. We looked frozen in Defence, no line speed.
But, we were getting some go-forward in pieces, despite shooting ourselves in the foot with a couple of missed touches (O'Gara in particular from defensive penalty hard-earned).
Then when genuinely threatening...Heaslip goes and does that. Straight red perfectly well warranted. Unacceptable at any level. Game very much over.
As a long time critic of him, I want to say specifically that Tony Buckley had an absolute monster. I don't think he was tested at scrum-time but around the park in offence and defence he was outstanding. I really hope this is the start of something for him.
Just re-reading my post and it may seem a bit rosy-tinted-spectacles on the first 15 minutes. I think it was pretty clear that we were in trouble and perhaps had not much reason for optimism at 10-0 going mostly by the AB's power and pace in possession.
But, we had managed some good ball and were able to make progress with it, right up until the Red was correctly shown to Heaslip.
I think Wales might go close against NZ presuming they have the same injury problems as they did this week.
Anonymous June 13, 2010 1:31 pm
people who think cronin played well he was shite didn't hit any lineout!!! o'leary was slow!! redan and sexton should start the next to matches so should fogarty if flannery isn't back think trimble and bowe should play the centre's against the nz maoris!! with murphy 15 kearney 11 and johnny murphy 14!!!
Conor June 13, 2010 1:32 pm
well said big bucks! Personally i think Trimble should play in the centre we should mix things up we brought the likes of Gavin Duffy, Niall Ronan, Johne Murphy all the way down under for what? Every team in the world know exactly what to expect from O Driscoll and D'arcy and both did sweet feck all yesterday! Despite both of them getting tries they did nothing! O'Gara has HAD it absoultly shocking Johnny Sexton for Irish Tests bring Ian Humphreys in too or Staunton or bring Wallace back as a fly half!
XII June 13, 2010 1:42 pm
even when it's late and not on the ball carrier Rog's tackle remains ineffective... poor boy. heaslip is a freakin good player but he just lost his mind this time... what a creepy thing to do during an international game. love the ban though... five weeks for such a brutal thing. Let's wait for the french fries' reaction...
CArter as always pure class.
Good job n zealanders and thank you.
CArter as always pure class.
Good job n zealanders and thank you.
Anonymous June 13, 2010 2:17 pm
I watch the match and thats alot of people dropping ball and knock on . And the All Blacks backline was really good .
Anonymous June 13, 2010 2:23 pm
And also for ireland's first try . 1 guy pull mccaw and another guy back therefore causing the gap .
Third Centre June 13, 2010 2:33 pm
Considering it was a very second string irish team I wouldn't be unduly worried. Suprised that a lot of NZ pundits seemed not to notice this.
Dagg looked excellent, a real talent coming through. Read was very impressive as well. Still this game was a total write-off after 15 mins. A shame really.
Heaslip desreves everything he gets, it was very out of character for him but that's no excuse. Real disappointing.
As an aside while i though ROG deserved his yellow, it looked a bit worse than it was as he was falling as the NZ player went by him.
Ireland are now going to get F***ed in the next two games....
Dagg looked excellent, a real talent coming through. Read was very impressive as well. Still this game was a total write-off after 15 mins. A shame really.
Heaslip desreves everything he gets, it was very out of character for him but that's no excuse. Real disappointing.
As an aside while i though ROG deserved his yellow, it looked a bit worse than it was as he was falling as the NZ player went by him.
Ireland are now going to get F***ed in the next two games....
vinniechan June 13, 2010 2:49 pm
I think the Irish played well given the circumstances. They ran so hard at the AB.
It's hard for a full back to do anything right when u're down to 13 men and 14 men for most of the game. Just that I do think the intelligence of Geordan Murphy has always been under appreciated.
Granted ROG got binned and still couldn't tackle, but he managed the game generally well in attack.
The Irish pull off some interesting defence patter by drifting half a step early and did some serious damage limitation. Just that they were f**ked the runner cut back inside.
It's hard for a full back to do anything right when u're down to 13 men and 14 men for most of the game. Just that I do think the intelligence of Geordan Murphy has always been under appreciated.
Granted ROG got binned and still couldn't tackle, but he managed the game generally well in attack.
The Irish pull off some interesting defence patter by drifting half a step early and did some serious damage limitation. Just that they were f**ked the runner cut back inside.
Huh!! the 3rd June 13, 2010 2:53 pm
Anonymous said...
No, Heaslip isnt the best 8th man in the world. Spies is. While Heaslip was sitting on the bench after getting his RED card spies was destroying France. YES!!!!!!!
I'm sorry I watched the SA game too and completely disagree with this.
Spies was driven back every time he had the ball. Not once did he go forward ball in hand. Habana and Fourie I think deserve credit for giving him a free run in. So ineffectual its not funny. Give him space though, and yes he's destructive.
On to this.
O'Gara is poor but Sexton is shit too. Watch you'll see. If given a proper run he'll be shown up for the average player he is. Great against a poor Fiji and England. Did nothing against SA, Wales and Scotland. I'd like to be wrong, but theres a reason Cheika ignored him until he was the only choice left. Had Kearney been fit for HCup 1/2 final, Nacewa would've played 10. Good at wrap arounds though, which is all the Leinster backline seem to do.
Humphries is the best 10 by a mile in Ire but will never be capped.
I commented few weeks ago about how it was good to see Kearney hit form, but I've realsied he's average too. The only reason he decieved is because NH teams and SA kicked directly to him, NZ too 2 years ago when they wouldn't have known he was strong under high bombs. Thats it. Ire has been shown up by an average ABs side and its very depressing indeed. 14 boys v 15 men, but some of the defensive lapses were horrific. 9 tries!! Took me back to the grim days of the 90s.
A purge needs to happen and fast. Its a sorry sight to know O'Driscoll will be wheelchair bound in 10 years time. Noone should have to go through the punishment he has. He had vertigo Friday for christ's sake, no other country would've allowed him to play. That is serious.
No, Heaslip isnt the best 8th man in the world. Spies is. While Heaslip was sitting on the bench after getting his RED card spies was destroying France. YES!!!!!!!
I'm sorry I watched the SA game too and completely disagree with this.
Spies was driven back every time he had the ball. Not once did he go forward ball in hand. Habana and Fourie I think deserve credit for giving him a free run in. So ineffectual its not funny. Give him space though, and yes he's destructive.
On to this.
O'Gara is poor but Sexton is shit too. Watch you'll see. If given a proper run he'll be shown up for the average player he is. Great against a poor Fiji and England. Did nothing against SA, Wales and Scotland. I'd like to be wrong, but theres a reason Cheika ignored him until he was the only choice left. Had Kearney been fit for HCup 1/2 final, Nacewa would've played 10. Good at wrap arounds though, which is all the Leinster backline seem to do.
Humphries is the best 10 by a mile in Ire but will never be capped.
I commented few weeks ago about how it was good to see Kearney hit form, but I've realsied he's average too. The only reason he decieved is because NH teams and SA kicked directly to him, NZ too 2 years ago when they wouldn't have known he was strong under high bombs. Thats it. Ire has been shown up by an average ABs side and its very depressing indeed. 14 boys v 15 men, but some of the defensive lapses were horrific. 9 tries!! Took me back to the grim days of the 90s.
A purge needs to happen and fast. Its a sorry sight to know O'Driscoll will be wheelchair bound in 10 years time. Noone should have to go through the punishment he has. He had vertigo Friday for christ's sake, no other country would've allowed him to play. That is serious.
Huh!! the 3rd June 13, 2010 2:55 pm
Oh I loved wayching Conrad Smith too. Pity it was walking all over Ireland. Just an old style 13 with bags of time and skill.
Huh!! the 3rd June 13, 2010 2:59 pm
Of course I'm refering to last season's HCup 1/2 final v Munster but you all ready knew that.
whippetmania June 13, 2010 3:22 pm
Hello, does anyone know the name of the music played from 1:24 - can't for the life of me remember and it's just one of those things that's wrecking my heed. ABs way superior, full stop. I expect Kidney to be much less deferential in his selections going forward and that will cause an improvement - perhaps not immediate against the better opposition though. Greetings from Ireland.
C June 13, 2010 4:28 pm
Huh!! the 3rd, don't always agree with you'r comments but this time I gotta say you got it spot on. If Ireland want to achieve anything in WC11 they have to make big changes fast, the team they put out yesterday wasn't that much off the fully fit first 15. And regarding Ireland's trys in the second half, they don't say much considering ABs had a weak team on the field
Mike June 13, 2010 5:00 pm
Hows the Super 14s defense now you NH posters? Wow, it just shows how good the Springboks are. They own the All Blacks and they just OWNED the 6 nations champs by 40 points. (Funny thing is that Bok team had du Preez, Juan Smith, Brussow, JP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Beast, Bismark du Plessis and many more missing. And it was France's top side. Wow, Springboks are favorites to retain their world championship. Wow.
This is the level of insight you expect from 14 year olds with not much knowledge.
1. How is the defence? Well they conceded 4 tries against 14 men. How do you think it was?
2. They did not beat the 6 nations champs by 40 points, unless they were playing France too and I missed it. Ireland lost twice in the 6 N this year.
I always thought we would lose, missing so many key players, but losing our best forward after 15 minutes and playing a class act like NZ with 13 and 14 for nearly the whole game...that worked out as you might expect.
This is the level of insight you expect from 14 year olds with not much knowledge.
1. How is the defence? Well they conceded 4 tries against 14 men. How do you think it was?
2. They did not beat the 6 nations champs by 40 points, unless they were playing France too and I missed it. Ireland lost twice in the 6 N this year.
I always thought we would lose, missing so many key players, but losing our best forward after 15 minutes and playing a class act like NZ with 13 and 14 for nearly the whole game...that worked out as you might expect.
Mike June 13, 2010 5:06 pm
Oh, forgot to say that the red card was deserved - crazy act. I've never seen Heaslip do something like that before. Hopefully we won't see it again either.
We'll probably lose against the Mauris, and will lose against Aus for sure. This tour is a total waste of time - the players should be allowed to recover.
We'll probably lose against the Mauris, and will lose against Aus for sure. This tour is a total waste of time - the players should be allowed to recover.
Anonymous June 13, 2010 5:25 pm
I believe he was referring to the Springboks beating France, not the ABs beating Ireland. Anyway, its a shame what Kneeslip did, ruined what could potentially have been a closer game. I don't think it would have been much closer as Ireland didn't look like it had any chance at any point during the game either then the end when all the new caps(cruden, vito, etc) were thrown in. It has been said before, but again, Ireland needs to find some youth and new talent fast. O'Gara was crap in every facet of the game, O'Driscoll isn't the threat he has been in the past, and the Irish forward pack, especially flankers were non-factors. Dagg was incredible, he looked like he had been there before, definitely didn't look like a new cap. Encouraging signs from the Kiwi's offensively, but defensively they have work. Looking forward to next weeks game already!
Anonymous June 13, 2010 5:32 pm
dirty scum Heaslip is.epic fail
Everyone has their moments mate. If the behaviour was repeated, then perhaps that might be warranted. If you've played rugby, you might be able to understand.
Everyone has their moments mate. If the behaviour was repeated, then perhaps that might be warranted. If you've played rugby, you might be able to understand.
Mike June 13, 2010 5:42 pm
^^ Anonymous, good points. We'll never know how close it could have been unfortunately, but I always thought we would lose. I think we do need to unearth another few top players - you can see how thin our squad is when we have some injuries.
Anonymous June 13, 2010 6:10 pm
just to show the state of our problem we had are 5th choice 6 on the pitch!! we need a change up think drico is still great but maybe in 12 with tommy bowe outside him ?? we one everything in 09 because we had no injury's!! but who can play in the centre bowe or trimble on tour! fitzy mcfadden earls injured!! its not the end of the world this match just changes need to be made!! we have players are tactics are what worry me more we pass the ball to one guy and he runs newzealand have so many options u don't know who to defend!!
Anonymous June 13, 2010 6:19 pm
Ireland are screwed for the world cup just like 2007.We think we have an easy group but Italy can surprise us.The red card made the game quite bad and the yellow made it 13 for 10 minutes which crushed Ireland. Hopefully we can improve for the world cup.
Anonymous June 13, 2010 6:19 pm
Ireland are screwed for the world cup just like 2007.We think we have an easy group but Italy can surprise us.The red card made the game quite bad and the yellow made it 13 for 10 minutes which crushed Ireland. Hopefully we can improve for the world cup.
pissed off June 13, 2010 6:32 pm
Jamie Heaslip, you dumb fucking idiot. Ireland were probably never going to win the match, but they still could have. Certainly not with 14, though.
He deserves whatever ban they could have given him. One of the top three number 8's in the world blowing the game by such a stupid act...I'm sure that's not what Ireland needed during this tour.
After that, the game became a total farce anyways.
Well done, NZ, though. There's a reason you guys are number 1 - the way you make scoring tries look so effortless is amazing.
He deserves whatever ban they could have given him. One of the top three number 8's in the world blowing the game by such a stupid act...I'm sure that's not what Ireland needed during this tour.
After that, the game became a total farce anyways.
Well done, NZ, though. There's a reason you guys are number 1 - the way you make scoring tries look so effortless is amazing.
Anonymous June 13, 2010 6:34 pm
no we arn't screwed we just have to take this opportunity to make changes!! are back line has talent just need a different structure my team for ireland
healy, best, buckley, o'connell, cullen, ferris, jennings, heaslip, reddan, sexton, trimble, drico, fitzy ,bowe, kearney
subs courtand ross if 8 subs comes true!! flannery, ryan, wallace, o'leary, mc fadden and earls
plenty of players to put there hands up as well just think this back line would be a better attacking force with a balanced back line i know i have no no. ten replacement but mc fadden plays 12 and 13 and is a great place kicker!!
healy, best, buckley, o'connell, cullen, ferris, jennings, heaslip, reddan, sexton, trimble, drico, fitzy ,bowe, kearney
subs courtand ross if 8 subs comes true!! flannery, ryan, wallace, o'leary, mc fadden and earls
plenty of players to put there hands up as well just think this back line would be a better attacking force with a balanced back line i know i have no no. ten replacement but mc fadden plays 12 and 13 and is a great place kicker!!
pissed off June 13, 2010 6:37 pm
Also, Spies is an amazing number 8 (another of those top 3 in the world, depending on the day), but while he did have a good game for SA against France, he also did get stopped numerous times in his tracks by the tiny Morgan Parra. That has to be at least a little embarrassing for the huge ox of an 8.
(some) SA supporters (certainly not all) can sound like such children sometimes.
(some) SA supporters (certainly not all) can sound like such children sometimes.
Merv June 13, 2010 6:39 pm
If only the RWC were in 2009. That was Ireland's year, I guess. How does a team play so great one year and such shit the next?
It may mean that by next year, though, they decide to get it together and play well again. Who knows.
It may mean that by next year, though, they decide to get it together and play well again. Who knows.
Anonymous June 13, 2010 6:51 pm
fitzy was missed this season!! one player makes a difference in defence atleast acting like a second 15 and is great in attack!! u don't get capped at 19 unless u are world class especially by eddie o'sullivan!! its not the end of the world atleast it happens this year and not world cup year!!
Conor June 13, 2010 6:57 pm
Could not agree more with the Anonymous above healy, best, buckley, o'connell, cullen, ferris, jennings, heaslip, reddan, sexton, trimble, drico, fitzy ,bowe, kearney
subs courtand ross if 8 subs comes true!! flannery, ryan, wallace, o'leary, mc fadden and earls is by far the best team ireland could produce! I would be tempted to put Fionn Carr in the mix see what he can do given better players around him
subs courtand ross if 8 subs comes true!! flannery, ryan, wallace, o'leary, mc fadden and earls is by far the best team ireland could produce! I would be tempted to put Fionn Carr in the mix see what he can do given better players around him
Anonymous June 13, 2010 7:08 pm
Am I the only one who thinks that this is probably the best thing that could of happened. There's no point saying we're fucked for the world cup, don't be so fickle. We;re actually about equidistant between the grand slam and the world cup. Shows how much can change. Didn't see the match live but the positives I see form this is that (apparently) the scrum stood up pretty well and a bunch of younger players got huge experience. Only way to build strength in depth is experience at the big time, and although nobody really stood out as revolutionary being a man down lowers the possibilty of that happening. Also i think that not embarassing yourself in your first cap against the AB's is about all you can ask of a player.
The team never changed even though we had obvious weaknesses, becuase we managed to limp through some games still winning.
This will force some experimentation and can in my opinion make use a stronger unit.
Great to see Trimble get his dues, always liked the way he played.
I'm feeling slightly optimistic about the possibility of this being a blessing in disguise. Lots and lots of rugby to be played between now and the world cup.
The team never changed even though we had obvious weaknesses, becuase we managed to limp through some games still winning.
This will force some experimentation and can in my opinion make use a stronger unit.
Great to see Trimble get his dues, always liked the way he played.
I'm feeling slightly optimistic about the possibility of this being a blessing in disguise. Lots and lots of rugby to be played between now and the world cup.
Anonymous June 13, 2010 7:09 pm
yes thanks carr's defence is patchy their are other players out there as well next year might stand up sean o'brien ruddock and new young leinster winger but needs games and experiance will get them with the 15 match rule for resting frontliners hope leinsters new coach tries new centre options darcy is poor in my opinion can't pass only makes a few yards himself!
Michael June 13, 2010 7:28 pm
Anyone who says Reddan should replace O'Leary is an idiot, he's nothing but a poor man's version of him. Fair enough, maybe Sexyboy should be going ahead of ROG (as much as it pains me to say it) but as for Murphy replacing Kearney, don't make me fucking laugh, if you're going to drop Kearney there's only one person you can drop him for and that's Keith Earls with Trimble on the wing, Murphy isn't even a hasbeen, he's a never-was.
As for the game, AB were as deadly clinical as usual so it wasn't surprising they ran up the score against us. I dare say they'ld have been able to do that against any team reduced to 14 men for almost the entire game (and 13 for a significant portion). Heaslip should be booted in the face repeatedly for that sending off.
As for the game, AB were as deadly clinical as usual so it wasn't surprising they ran up the score against us. I dare say they'ld have been able to do that against any team reduced to 14 men for almost the entire game (and 13 for a significant portion). Heaslip should be booted in the face repeatedly for that sending off.
Anonymous June 13, 2010 7:33 pm
poor man version of oleary really totally different types of players and redan is quick and the inform scrum half o'leary was needed to cover rog's channel but with sexton there he can tackle we want quick ball not continuous carry owens from the base of rucks!!!!!
Michael June 13, 2010 7:47 pm
^Let me guess...you're from Leinster.
Reddan and O'Leary have the EXACT same style of play, the only difference is that O'Leary is a better passer. If you have ever watched the two of them play, you'ld know that. And as for the other shite, you'ld pick Jennings, Cullen, Best, and Buckley in your best Irish lineup?! Now I know you're an idiot that never watched rugby before 2009.
Oh f**k it, I just realised I'm arguing with another 14-year-old idiot...if my kids ever grow up to be like you I'm going to have to boot them squarely in the nuts...or have them retrospectively aborted
Reddan and O'Leary have the EXACT same style of play, the only difference is that O'Leary is a better passer. If you have ever watched the two of them play, you'ld know that. And as for the other shite, you'ld pick Jennings, Cullen, Best, and Buckley in your best Irish lineup?! Now I know you're an idiot that never watched rugby before 2009.
Oh f**k it, I just realised I'm arguing with another 14-year-old idiot...if my kids ever grow up to be like you I'm going to have to boot them squarely in the nuts...or have them retrospectively aborted
taco June 13, 2010 7:53 pm
I never liked O'Leary. Or, at least, I didn't a year or so ago. I also liked Stringer's quick play and thought O'Leary was too slow. For what it's worth, I think O'Leary has grown as a player and is now turning into a very good number 9. A good tactical kicker, a good tackler, and a sneaky runner. Not that he's the best by any means (we can't all be Fourie du Preez), but I think Kidney's right to go with him as his first pick. But it certainly couldn't hurt to keep a reserve on the bench just in case.
Michael June 13, 2010 7:59 pm
Taco, I agree, if you're going to replace O'Leary (during the game or as the starter) there isn't much point bringing on a guy that will do the exact same thing as him, only less well. There's no point in replacing O'Leary with Reddan, if you're going to replace him it should be for Stringer
Anonymous June 13, 2010 7:59 pm
i think u are the one whos 14!!! and can't accept an opinion o'learys pass ain't fast and jennings is a no. 7 that wallace has never been not saying he isn't a good player but ireland loose there structure using drico and darcy to be first to try and win the ball!! and i prob watch more rugby than u!!! best is a good player different style than flannery but good darts and strengthens the scrum buckleys field play has it's advantages and isn't that much of a weaker scrumager than hayes who isn't world class himself!!! mike ross is the best scrumaging option but cat around the park!! so its all about how u want to play!!! what would u do??? not change a thing????
taco June 13, 2010 8:02 pm
I like Buckley being on the field just for the fact that he's a towering mass of a player. It takes at least two tacklers to stop him most of the time, and if you're 5m from the line, Ireland should just feed him the ball (if they would've done that when they were challenging NZ's try line, they might've scored before Heaslip lost his mind and the match would've been completely different.....oh well, hindsight is 20/20, I guess).
Michael June 13, 2010 8:56 pm
Am...there's relatively little I would change, there's not a whole lot of change we realistically can make. It's not like there's a whole pile of world-class talent waiting in the wings for the country, hence how we got paddled so badly. Sexyboy for O'Gara I guess, can't really justify him starting again after that shite, and Earls at FB ahead of Kearney with Trimble on the wing. Fitzgerald isn't even back from injury yet so there's no point factoring him into the equation.
You might be seeing Buckley for the first time ever yesterday, and if so, then I can understand why you might think he should be getting on ahead of the Bull. But I have a season ticket for Munster and watched almost every single one of their matches last season, Buckley will have a screamer one week and will phone it in for the next six. I'ld love to drop Healy, that overrated lump of shite, but there's no-one to replace him at present. And Jennings over Wallace, fucking hell man, I'm not even going to dignify that one with a response. As for Best getting on, there's at least four guys I would pick over him, he's pedestrian at best around the field and his throwing is WILDLY overrated. Games like he had against Scotland in the 6 Nations are not an aberration for him.
As for O'Leary, if his pass is slow, then Reddan's moves at all the pace of coastal erosion.
You might be seeing Buckley for the first time ever yesterday, and if so, then I can understand why you might think he should be getting on ahead of the Bull. But I have a season ticket for Munster and watched almost every single one of their matches last season, Buckley will have a screamer one week and will phone it in for the next six. I'ld love to drop Healy, that overrated lump of shite, but there's no-one to replace him at present. And Jennings over Wallace, fucking hell man, I'm not even going to dignify that one with a response. As for Best getting on, there's at least four guys I would pick over him, he's pedestrian at best around the field and his throwing is WILDLY overrated. Games like he had against Scotland in the 6 Nations are not an aberration for him.
As for O'Leary, if his pass is slow, then Reddan's moves at all the pace of coastal erosion.
Anonymous June 13, 2010 9:10 pm
yes but buckleys last few matches have been less lazy bum and more comitted!! yes he can be shite before but i think the bull is getting tired and by world cup it might be too big an ask for him. best plays the offloading game brillantly who are the 4 ahead of him cronin was shite its a tight call between best and flannery and i went to all the home games in the 2008 season for leinster so stop ur shit i must not watch rugby!!! watch every thing going i can wallace is looking old and tired at the mo hasn't played well since the lions! he is a great player but think jennings is fresher and more hungry at the mo!! and finally healy is 22 and is better than marcus and all we have he has the ability to become world class!!
Anonymous June 13, 2010 9:34 pm
I'd consider myself a very neutral when it comes to most games, even those where I have a favourite so please consider my comments as neutral.
However I will admit I would have liked Ireland to win (unrealistic I know)
The red card...well....wow....I mean, this is Jamie Heaslip...I thought he had a brain...He'd have got less if he used his boots...although, I cannot argue with it, stupid behaviour like that requires a strong reaction.
I loved D'arcy's little run and dash for the line, shame he didnt make it.
The second All Black try in my opinion was given too quickly...It would need more angles, but I'm not sure on the grounding.
Well the AB's punished irish mistakes...
However I will admit I would have liked Ireland to win (unrealistic I know)
The red card...well....wow....I mean, this is Jamie Heaslip...I thought he had a brain...He'd have got less if he used his boots...although, I cannot argue with it, stupid behaviour like that requires a strong reaction.
I loved D'arcy's little run and dash for the line, shame he didnt make it.
The second All Black try in my opinion was given too quickly...It would need more angles, but I'm not sure on the grounding.
Well the AB's punished irish mistakes...
David June 13, 2010 10:18 pm
All Blacks were class as always, Wales will have to really bring it to make it a good match.
I feel for the Irish, Heaslip's moment of madness reminds me very much of Alun Wyn Jones, exceedingly stupid trip against England during the six nations, both those guys are normally very intelligent players.
I feel for the Irish, Heaslip's moment of madness reminds me very much of Alun Wyn Jones, exceedingly stupid trip against England during the six nations, both those guys are normally very intelligent players.
rugbyrocks June 13, 2010 10:29 pm
nh have alot to do.but these players need rest.Brian O driscoil was falling around with vertigo on friday.if this is not a sign of someone needing a brake what is.he has hardly misses a game since the lions..AB's looked like men v boys
ARGH! June 13, 2010 10:55 pm
Why does kidney keep ignoring neil best?! he's been outstanding for northampton any time i've seen them this season and he goes for a player with barely magners league experience! Any time I saw ruddock for the u20s he looked solid but that was about it, best would bring in a much needed physical edge into the ireland pack.
As for this game, Heaslip pretty disappointing, could end up being a good thing, He gets a 5week rest instead of playing 2 utterly pointless games, the northern hemisphere teams need to wise up or risk buring out top players, SH teams def manage players a lot better, heaslip for example played 19games for leinster this season and 9 tests for ireland off the back of the lions tour, and he's meant to be in the "World Cup 2011 Player Management Programme" he's played more games for leinster in 6years than mcCaw has in 10years for canterbury! Way to go Ireland!
As for this game, Heaslip pretty disappointing, could end up being a good thing, He gets a 5week rest instead of playing 2 utterly pointless games, the northern hemisphere teams need to wise up or risk buring out top players, SH teams def manage players a lot better, heaslip for example played 19games for leinster this season and 9 tests for ireland off the back of the lions tour, and he's meant to be in the "World Cup 2011 Player Management Programme" he's played more games for leinster in 6years than mcCaw has in 10years for canterbury! Way to go Ireland!
rugbyrocks June 13, 2010 11:03 pm
Could not agree more with "argh"and where is Bob Casey,I thought when eddie o sullivan was gone we would see more of the overlooked talant. i think we all know what Quinlan can do and i think Kidney also knows and he will be on the W.C plane but we need to see Casey in the green again
Dr Fill June 14, 2010 1:54 am
Michael said: "Heaslip should be booted in the face repeatedly" and "if my kids ever grow up to be like you I'm going to have to boot them squarely in the nuts." .. is there a pattern here?
Anonymous said: "Wow, Springboks are favorites to retain their world championship. Wow."
Wow, he has the brain of five year-old and can use a computer. Wow
Anonymous said: "Wow, Springboks are favorites to retain their world championship. Wow."
Wow, he has the brain of five year-old and can use a computer. Wow
Anonymous June 14, 2010 3:41 am
NEW ZEALAND OUTCLASS IRELAND, I'm beginning to think a lot of people on this site have never even PLAYED rugby. The game was over once the red was shown, it ended as a contest. Anybody who plays rugby knows that if you have to play with a man down for 60 mins it doesn't matter who you play, you're going to lose by a lot. I'm surprised NZ didn't win by more actually after Ireland went down to 13. I'm a Saffa by the way.
goodNumber10 June 14, 2010 4:52 am
O'Gara and Heaslip put your hands up, NZ would have been too good but not 62 points too good.
Insanity the pair of them.
Nothing else to be said.
Insanity the pair of them.
Nothing else to be said.
Benson June 14, 2010 7:01 am
Jamie Kneeslip - not very smart. Screwed his team over.
Would NZ have conceded 60 with the roles reversed though? Not likely. I dont think all the blame can be put on Kneeslip, even if he was a plonker.
Would NZ have conceded 60 with the roles reversed though? Not likely. I dont think all the blame can be put on Kneeslip, even if he was a plonker.
Mike June 14, 2010 8:36 am
Yes, Dagg looks like another quality product from NZ's seemingly endless production line of talent. Is there any chance you guys could focus on soccer for a few years and let us make up a bit of ground in the rugby?
Nick June 14, 2010 8:55 am
This was a funny old game. You wouldn't really expect a team on the back foot to come out with some decent performances, but I don't think you could ask for much more from Trimble, Buckley, Tuohy or Bowe. It was interesting to see that the new guys showed a lot of heart while the old gaurd didn't seem to care. What the hell was
Kearney up to? on two occasions all he had to do was dive on the ball and in both cases he missed!
The AB's are looking great on attack but they lost concentration in defence on occasion (should you really let a team that has been down to 13 men score 28 points?). At the same time there was a lot of newbies on the field so it isn't that bad.
Last but not least Heaslip should have won most stupid player of the match award if it wasn't for OGara. What is the one thing you need when you go one man down? not to lose anymore players. Not according Ronan, and if you're going to make a professional foul at least make sure it works. Don't try to tackle a guy without the ball and then fail. His kicking was poor, there were a few hospital passes and it was very apparent that her wanted nothing more to do with the game after about 25 mins.
Oh and the anon above commenting on the France/boks game. The French weren't full strength.
Kearney up to? on two occasions all he had to do was dive on the ball and in both cases he missed!
The AB's are looking great on attack but they lost concentration in defence on occasion (should you really let a team that has been down to 13 men score 28 points?). At the same time there was a lot of newbies on the field so it isn't that bad.
Last but not least Heaslip should have won most stupid player of the match award if it wasn't for OGara. What is the one thing you need when you go one man down? not to lose anymore players. Not according Ronan, and if you're going to make a professional foul at least make sure it works. Don't try to tackle a guy without the ball and then fail. His kicking was poor, there were a few hospital passes and it was very apparent that her wanted nothing more to do with the game after about 25 mins.
Oh and the anon above commenting on the France/boks game. The French weren't full strength.
Ken June 14, 2010 9:21 am
Anonymous said... NEW ZEALAND OUTCLASS IRELAND, I'm beginning to think a lot of people on this site have never even PLAYED rugby. The game was over once the red was shown, it ended as a contest.
I've played a lot of rugby and would be disappointed if any team mate decided the game was over after a red card. 14 man sides have won before. I'm surprised a Saffa would have that attitude. The fact that it's unlikely they could win with 14 against NZ is because in most areas of the game the difference in class was obvious. Ireland would've struggled with 16 men. But I do think Ireland did well by sticking to it and taking their later opportunities, which is a plus they can take into the next test.
I've played a lot of rugby and would be disappointed if any team mate decided the game was over after a red card. 14 man sides have won before. I'm surprised a Saffa would have that attitude. The fact that it's unlikely they could win with 14 against NZ is because in most areas of the game the difference in class was obvious. Ireland would've struggled with 16 men. But I do think Ireland did well by sticking to it and taking their later opportunities, which is a plus they can take into the next test.
Anonymous June 14, 2010 10:36 am
title should be "All Blacks Dominate 14 and 13 man Ireland", not "The All Blacks outclass Ireland". Lets not forget The all blacks scored 3 tries I think when Ireland were down to 13. Ireland's indiscipline was to blame of course, I just wish it would have been 15v15 the entire match, would have been a closer game for sure.
Stuart June 14, 2010 12:12 pm
Why is everyone talking about Ireland being down to 14 men even if you are a man down its no excuse to let the other team run right past you,
Irelands tackling was basically non exsistant apart from trimble and buckley who did well and put in some big hits
As a mad irish supporter I was shocked to see how some of the older players just seemed to stop caring. Did you see the AB coaches after the final try they wernt even happy it was like a training game.
I agree with some of the other omments on here that a change needs to be made trimble in centre perhaps?
Did you hear that they brought in ryhs ruddock from the u20s the guys go three leinster apearences, what about all the other overlooked players like in Ulster, at least they brought in trimble but other guys like whitten, pollock, henry come on
sorry about the rant but me and ny whole family got up at 8am on a saturday to watch that crap
Irelands tackling was basically non exsistant apart from trimble and buckley who did well and put in some big hits
As a mad irish supporter I was shocked to see how some of the older players just seemed to stop caring. Did you see the AB coaches after the final try they wernt even happy it was like a training game.
I agree with some of the other omments on here that a change needs to be made trimble in centre perhaps?
Did you hear that they brought in ryhs ruddock from the u20s the guys go three leinster apearences, what about all the other overlooked players like in Ulster, at least they brought in trimble but other guys like whitten, pollock, henry come on
sorry about the rant but me and ny whole family got up at 8am on a saturday to watch that crap
Gavin June 14, 2010 12:27 pm
Stuart,
I would guess Ruddock got the call because he was available - the Ulster talent may not be fit since the end of the season, or on hols. We really could have done with the likes of Ferris for this game. The squad definitely needs an infusion of new blood, but do we have the players of sufficient quality after our first 22? We were missing only 9 or so for this tour and you could see how weak we were in various positions, on top of known weaknesses like tight head prop. If SA or NZ or France were missing 9, their performance would be off by 10% with the depth of talent they have, we were off by 30% (numbers may not be exact!).
Oh well. Probably two more hidings and the guys can finally get a rest. This post-Lions season was far too long I think.
I would guess Ruddock got the call because he was available - the Ulster talent may not be fit since the end of the season, or on hols. We really could have done with the likes of Ferris for this game. The squad definitely needs an infusion of new blood, but do we have the players of sufficient quality after our first 22? We were missing only 9 or so for this tour and you could see how weak we were in various positions, on top of known weaknesses like tight head prop. If SA or NZ or France were missing 9, their performance would be off by 10% with the depth of talent they have, we were off by 30% (numbers may not be exact!).
Oh well. Probably two more hidings and the guys can finally get a rest. This post-Lions season was far too long I think.
rosh June 14, 2010 12:32 pm
brian still scored but the all blacks were unstopable
Voorblad June 14, 2010 1:53 pm
New zealand did outclass Ireland, even if you're 14 men the whole game you don't have to stop caring about the game, and please leave O'Gara at home cause he can't play in the SH, don't know why, but i'm sure you have a better flyhalf than him
Anonymous June 14, 2010 3:45 pm
A few years back the AB's played a very fired up England at Twickenham. They played 1/3 of the match with 14 men as a result of successive YC's.
Did they ship 30 points? No they dug in, tackled England to a standstill and won.
Did they ship 30 points? No they dug in, tackled England to a standstill and won.
Anonymous June 14, 2010 8:20 pm
I must say, as an Irish supporter...bloody shocker. Jamie Heaslip should have been banned for significantly longer than 5 weeks. A knee strike to the top of the skull can actually kill if it connects properly so not only was it stupid, it was dangerous. Someone should draw and quarter him for that.
Fair play to the All Blacks. They did quite well to pounce on the stupid mistakes of the Irish (like Kearney's) and took some very well worked tries.
That said, I was a bit surprised to see the Irish put in four tries with only 14 men, not what one would expect really.
Fair play to the All Blacks. They did quite well to pounce on the stupid mistakes of the Irish (like Kearney's) and took some very well worked tries.
That said, I was a bit surprised to see the Irish put in four tries with only 14 men, not what one would expect really.
Anonymous June 14, 2010 10:19 pm
if we didnt have so much injuries, if o gara and heaslip didnt act stupid, if trimbles try was allowed (it was obviously a try) then it would have been a closer game and less embarrassing. but fair play ta ireland crossing the line 4 times. (nearly 6 times)
Finton June 15, 2010 12:03 am
Ireland did alright, but it was the inexperienced players who did better than the experienced players.
Everyone saying Ireland did well to score four tries? Really? Three tries were pretty easy, to be fair, especially Bowe's. The last two tries were when the All Blacks had 6 debutants on the field, a couple more players with under 10 caps and the only few ''experienced'' players left on the field were, Richie Mccaw, Kieran Read, Conrad Smith and Smokin' Joe.
I'm Irish aswell. We need to stop with the excuses, we were poor, the All Blacks have bigger injury worries than us, plus we don't have to worry about rich NH robbing our players like New Zealand does. How many 1st XV players have left since 2007? The Irish rugby team sucks, we won in 2009 against a fatigued South African team and the only good game in 2009 was againt France which was still pretty close played in Ireland, so the home advantage helped a bit.
We suck, pure and simple and need to stop making excuses for the lack of success our rugby team is having.
Very good game All Blacks, a well deserved win for a weakened team.
Everyone saying Ireland did well to score four tries? Really? Three tries were pretty easy, to be fair, especially Bowe's. The last two tries were when the All Blacks had 6 debutants on the field, a couple more players with under 10 caps and the only few ''experienced'' players left on the field were, Richie Mccaw, Kieran Read, Conrad Smith and Smokin' Joe.
I'm Irish aswell. We need to stop with the excuses, we were poor, the All Blacks have bigger injury worries than us, plus we don't have to worry about rich NH robbing our players like New Zealand does. How many 1st XV players have left since 2007? The Irish rugby team sucks, we won in 2009 against a fatigued South African team and the only good game in 2009 was againt France which was still pretty close played in Ireland, so the home advantage helped a bit.
We suck, pure and simple and need to stop making excuses for the lack of success our rugby team is having.
Very good game All Blacks, a well deserved win for a weakened team.
Jamie June 15, 2010 12:18 am
Dear anon 5th from the Top, the dirty Saffas only "owned" the AB's last tri-nations, please don't get carried away and forget how dominate we are over you. Don't worry, things will be back to normal after this tri-nations.... Ohh wait, were already back at number 1 in the world. Now sleep tight in your concrete bunker.
Jim June 15, 2010 2:53 am
Ireland were never going to win, but this towelling is more than expected.
For those whinging about the card, having discipline is part of being a good team.
Heaslip obviously isn't a very good player if he has no discipline and gets himself sent off, thereby seeing his team concede over 60 points.
They would have lost anyway though, Ireland has never been good enough to challenge the big three from down south.
The best they've ever done is a couple of scrappy wins at home.
If the top SH teams only ever managed the odd home win against Ireland and lost most of the rest of the time, you'd be able tos ay ireland are at a the same level.
That's not the case, they simply don't have the players, and will never win the World Cup.
For those whinging about the card, having discipline is part of being a good team.
Heaslip obviously isn't a very good player if he has no discipline and gets himself sent off, thereby seeing his team concede over 60 points.
They would have lost anyway though, Ireland has never been good enough to challenge the big three from down south.
The best they've ever done is a couple of scrappy wins at home.
If the top SH teams only ever managed the odd home win against Ireland and lost most of the rest of the time, you'd be able tos ay ireland are at a the same level.
That's not the case, they simply don't have the players, and will never win the World Cup.
Jeff June 15, 2010 3:46 am
The person most exasperated with the Irish team performance... Steve Hansen! (2:28)
Arnaud June 15, 2010 10:24 am
I think the 80 mins have been looked very long fo the green men...
Mike June 15, 2010 12:01 pm
Jim, Heaslip is a very good player, I think any neutral observer (who has watched him play) would agree. He is regarded in some quarters as the best forward ever to come from Ireland. He was the choice for the Lions too, so better than anyone available right now in Wales, Scotland or England too.
On your wider point, I don't think Ireland suck, but I don't think they are in the league of France, NZ or SA (and probably Aus) yet. Fingers crossed, we may get there some day, as the game is starting to grow in popularity in Ireland after years of being behind Gaelic football, hurling and soccer. It's still behind, but not as far behind which is an improvement. Unfortunately for us, rugby's popularity in Ireland might be similar to the popularity of something like basketball in SA or tennis in NZ - whereas Gaelic games hold the same role in most of Ireland that rugby does in SA and NZ. We could field as good a hurling side as good the All Blacks rugby team, but we have nobody to play against :)
As for never winning the world cup, I can't see it happening in the forseeable future - but never is a long time!
On your wider point, I don't think Ireland suck, but I don't think they are in the league of France, NZ or SA (and probably Aus) yet. Fingers crossed, we may get there some day, as the game is starting to grow in popularity in Ireland after years of being behind Gaelic football, hurling and soccer. It's still behind, but not as far behind which is an improvement. Unfortunately for us, rugby's popularity in Ireland might be similar to the popularity of something like basketball in SA or tennis in NZ - whereas Gaelic games hold the same role in most of Ireland that rugby does in SA and NZ. We could field as good a hurling side as good the All Blacks rugby team, but we have nobody to play against :)
As for never winning the world cup, I can't see it happening in the forseeable future - but never is a long time!
Conor June 15, 2010 1:33 pm
Ireland team to play Maori's alls I can say is shite! We've pretty much thrown that away. Personally I think either Bowe or Trimble (or both) should of been tried out in the centre but the powers that be I suppose. Glad to see Chris Henry in the picture he seems to be quite a good player and has done alot for Ulster this season. I still think Fionn Carr should be in the Ireland setup Horgan has had it IMO he's had a slump of recent he scored 5 tries this season compared to 11, 8 and 9 in the 04/05, 05/06 and 07/08 seasons. Pitty Mc Fadden broke his jaw too i would of liked to see what he could do.
Geordan Murphy (captain); Shane Horgan, Gavin Duffy, Paddy Wallace, Johne Murphy; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Marcus Horan, John Fogarty, Tom Court, Ed O'Donoghue, Dan Tuohy, Rhys Ruddock, Niall Ronan, Chris Henry.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, John Hayes, Donncha O'Callaghan, David Wallace, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Rob Kearney.
Geordan Murphy (captain); Shane Horgan, Gavin Duffy, Paddy Wallace, Johne Murphy; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Marcus Horan, John Fogarty, Tom Court, Ed O'Donoghue, Dan Tuohy, Rhys Ruddock, Niall Ronan, Chris Henry.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, John Hayes, Donncha O'Callaghan, David Wallace, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Rob Kearney.
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