- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Roar Rookie
Joined March 2018
0
Views
0
Published
447
Comments
Published
Comments
To be honest I think Ireland are bringing through enough new players. Crowley at 10 had his first 6 nations start, Joe McCarthy and Calvin Nash also had their first 6 nations start. These are as good as debuts. Three very green young players in any match day squad particularly one away to France is pretty good. I doubt NZ would give rugby championship debuts to more than three guys away to SA for example.
There are only a few key players in the squad with no chance of making the next world cup and they are POM, Aki and Healy. POM is a backrow forward and Ireland will have absolutely no problem replacing him. I could name about three young players that could slot in. Baird, Conners, Penny, Timoney, Deegan, Coombes, Prendergast are all very experienced already and Ireland under 20s back row Brian Gleeson may well have over taken them all by the time the next RWC comes, he is very promising. Backrow is an area of strength for Ireland. No concerns there.
Aki and centre wont be an issue either, Henshaw and Ringrose will be there and Frawley and Osbourne are very good options too both have squad exposure.
The only real concern is prop, Healy will be hard to replace. There doesnt seem to be many coming through to replace Bealham and Healy. However, Ireland’s bench v France was one of the strongest ever fielded and the under 20s keep winning. Im not concerned about the conveyor belt. Finally to add the spine of the team is all quite young:
2 Sheehan (25)
8 Doris (25)
9 JGP (31), Casey (24)
10 Crowley (24)
15 Keenan (27)
Six Nations 2024: 'Marseille massacre!' - solid Ireland crush 14-man France in series opener
You could argue that Stephen Moore who played for the Reds was the last Irish man to play for the Reds. Moore was born in Saudi to Irish parents. They returned to Ireland and then moved to Australia when Moore was young. Id imagine he is an Irish citizen.
'A good one': Meet the first Irishman to play for the Reds in nearly 30 years - and how he won over Sydney club rugby
I think Ireland were 17-3 up when Willemse got red, they were in control for most of the game. I actually think France missed some of their pack more than Dupont. Jelonch and Flament in particular. Lucu is a decent player, hard to look good at 9 when your pack is taking a pounding.
Six Nations 2024: 'Marseille massacre!' - solid Ireland crush 14-man France in series opener
Snore, hypocrite Kiwi alert. We all await with bated breath for an AB team that isn’t full of naturalised Tongans, Fijians and Samoans. Aki, Lowe and JGP have all played more way way more games in Ireland than they ever did in super rugby, it was Irish rugby that made them, jealous much?
Six Nations 2024: 'Marseille massacre!' - solid Ireland crush 14-man France in series opener
Nash and McCarthy had their six nations debuts in this match. SA had an older squad than Ireland at the last RWC and went ok for them. Ireland will be fine, their under 20s were the first ever side to win back to back slams last year and they also made the under 20s RWC final. Three young players were included in the training squad for this fixture too. Future looks fine.
Six Nations 2024: 'Marseille massacre!' - solid Ireland crush 14-man France in series opener
Its harder to get carded when you are in possession, the Ireland game plan and their strengths lend itself to playing with the ball and winning by attacking rather than by being very physical. Also discipline has always been good.
Six Nations 2024: 'Marseille massacre!' - solid Ireland crush 14-man France in series opener
The second yellow was up graded to a red so technically Willemse got a red and a yellow. Thought his first yellow was worse mind you.
Six Nations 2024: 'Marseille massacre!' - solid Ireland crush 14-man France in series opener
Not sure if that win v France will be enough to go back to one. Think they will still be in 2nd.
'The putative heir or the actual king': Ireland and France think they're the world's best - the Six Nations opener could settle it
Ireland are still ranked ahead of NZ and sit in 2nd currently.
'The putative heir or the actual king': Ireland and France think they're the world's best - the Six Nations opener could settle it
What a load of tosh, from memory both NZ and SA lost one match to the best NH sides at the world cup and won their key one by less than one converted try. It was exceptionally close between the best four sides. No one does sore winner (or sore loser) that select Sanzar fans.
'The putative heir or the actual king': Ireland and France think they're the world's best - the Six Nations opener could settle it
Everything changed for Irish rugby around the time the 6N was introduced which coincided with the establishment of the Celtic league, Irelands first professional rugby competion. Prior to this Ireland were regular wooden spoon contenders while during the 6 nations era Im sure it will surprise some that Ireland have won more 6 nations matches than any other team. In the 6 nations they have almost always been contenders.
'The putative heir or the actual king': Ireland and France think they're the world's best - the Six Nations opener could settle it
Depth is great but Englands problem can sometimes also be their depth. Can you remember a time for example when England had a continuous world class pairing at centre? Greenwood and Tindall maybe, Carling and Guscott. They often lack continuity in their positions and combinations. This year will be no different and three wins will be an improvement for them on the last three years, beating Scotland will be key.
'The putative heir or the actual king': Ireland and France think they're the world's best - the Six Nations opener could settle it
I’m not sure Id describe Schmidt as sleepy, the guy is probably the most energetic relentless coach in the game in terms of time and energy he puts into the roles he takes on. Fair enough he might be boring in terms of his interviews but to be perfectly honest I think that may well be the sort of coach that Australia needs. Eddie Jones may have been interesting in his interviews but Australia and English rugby very quickly became circuses under his tenure and both experienced massive rugby declines. There will be no distractions, he will seek to win the public over via results or not at all which is probably the more sustainable way to turn the game around.
COMMENT: In trading Greatest Showman for 'boring' and 'pragmatic' Sleepy Joe, RA gambling with game's future
Would it not be a little crazy to choose Larkham over Schmidt? Larkham has had no success as a coach at all. The only gig outside of the Brumbies was with Munster where he didnt make much impact at all really. Im sure he will be a success at some point but he doesnt seem to be there yet.
'We'll sack him and be in the same position': Ex-Wallaby condemns Larkham snub as Schmidt deal CONFIRMED
When Schmidt was appointed Ireland coach he specified that he would only take the job if there were an number of structural/political changes taken which he identified would benefit the game overall. For example he disbanded the old boys selection committee which had been around since amature days. He was appointed the national coach but in reality he had is teeth into a lot more than just that. He regularly turned up to games of all levels including my sons under 10 rugby match simply just to meet coaches and spend time with potential future stars of the game. His influence was massive and it would be an understatement to say he took at holistic approach to the job. I dont think Schmidt would take the job if he didnt think he could sort out some of the political and structural issues that are endemic in Australian rugby. You would be naive to think he doesn’t know what they are and have a plan for them. If you couple Schmidt and Nucifora’s experience in working through these sorts of problems you have probably the best tonic you are going to find for the ARUs issues in my view. Infinitely better that Eddie Jones anyway. Schmidt v Farrell makes for a tasty Lions series head to head.
Exclusive: Wallabies to turn to Kiwi Schmidt as Eddie Jones' replacement
Schmidt’s world cup record is irrelevant if you don’t point out all the many things he achieved with Ireland such as only their second ever grand slam win ever, three six nations titles in six years, one of the best Ireland win rates of all time, first and second win over the ABs, first ever win v SA in SA and also with only 14 men, a series win v Australia etc etc. Never mind the world cup if Schmidt can make Australia a contender in the rugby championship once again he will be doing infinitely better than they have been doing in years. Also Schmidt’s Ireland were a good side in part because of Schmidt so its a bit disingenuous to say he failed to get out of a quarter with a good side, another way to look at it was he developed a good side with the ability to make it beyond the quarters but they didnt quite make it there.
Exclusive: Wallabies to turn to Kiwi Schmidt as Eddie Jones' replacement
In my view Schmidt is a ten times better appointment than Jones. He is much more conscientious, the perfect antidote to Australia’s woes. I back Australia to be a real force under Schmidt. Schmidt’s first international match as head coach was Ireland v Australia and Australia hammered Ireland but have been on the slide ever since.
Exclusive: Wallabies to turn to Kiwi Schmidt as Eddie Jones' replacement
2022, the six nations before last in Paris, Carbery played 10. Also Sexton was missing in the Ireland v France fixture in 2021, Billy Burns started and Ireland lost by 2 points.
No Mack, Kiwi-esque 10: An IRISH and British Lions team to smack Wallabies - and the doctrine Farrell must follow
Ireland beat Australia without Sexton the last time they played them. They have also beat England without Sexton the last time they played them. They came within a score of France the last time they played them without Sexton. There is hope.
No Mack, Kiwi-esque 10: An IRISH and British Lions team to smack Wallabies - and the doctrine Farrell must follow
He was asked a question and gave his own opinion, jeez what a meanie he is.
Mack Hansen and Jimmy O'Brien set to miss Six Nations campaign
Maybe even Larmor or Zebo might get another crack at the whip. Larmour is still only 25 or something.
Mack Hansen and Jimmy O'Brien set to miss Six Nations campaign
Hansen and O’Brien are two top players but it gives a good chance for Ulster’s Rob Baloucoune or Jacob Stockdale to force their way back in, two players with high ceilings, or maybe even the high flying Calvin Nash at Munster. All will be well.
Mack Hansen and Jimmy O'Brien set to miss Six Nations campaign
Can you really not see the difference between him playing for Ireland and Schmidt coaching Australia? Schmidt has no links at all whatsoever with Australia. Hansen is an Irish-Australian.
Rugby News: 'Doesn't seem right' - Mack urges RA to avoid Kiwi coach, Clive tells Poms to ditch 'ridiculous' ban
I disagree, it seems to me you don’t really understand irony and I would argue again that he is fully entitled to an opinion and I don’t think you even know what your point is given Hansen isn’t exactly a foreigner in Ireland nor should he be described as a foreigner in Australia obviously. For what its worth I disagree with Hansen in so far as I don’t see why someone like Schmidt wouldn’t be an excellent candidate for the Australia role. Traffic jam when you’re already late, no smoking sign on your cigarette break, isn’t it ironic… no not really.
Rugby News: 'Doesn't seem right' - Mack urges RA to avoid Kiwi coach, Clive tells Poms to ditch 'ridiculous' ban
“Sleepy Joe” is a really odd name for Schmidt as he is someone who puts an enormous amount of time and energy into jobs he takes on. He is such a detail orientated, energetic coach. Where does this name come from I haven’t heard it before?
'Something we needed': Coles says ABs would not have made RWC final without Schmidt - and why Wallabies stand to benefit