My five favourite Irish players of all time
This is the latest entry in the five favourite players series. You can check out the Welsh edition here.
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This is the latest entry in the five favourite players series. You can check out the Welsh edition here.
After a bit of a break from pumping out the articles I have now moved onto my five favourite Welsh players.
After completing the first three of my articles, I have now decided to move up to the northern hemisphere.
I’m going to start this edition with a little disclaimer. This was without a doubt the hardest one to write.
After last week’s article on my five favourite Wallabies, this edition is going to focus upon our boerewors-loving friends across the Indian Ocean.
As I was lying awake in bed last night, unable to sleep, I started thinking – like I often do – about rugby.
As always Nick, a wonderful read. Thanks so much for sharing. I’ve always rated Phillip highly and I’m so happy he is now receiving the plaudits he richly deserves. Hopefully his sojourn over to France will bring him back an even better player with the focus upon set piece in the Top 14. Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.
Why Matt Philip is upwardly mobile in the second row
Great stuff Barry! I’m really enjoying these articles. This is definitely the list where I’ve recognised the most players as it coincided with my league watching. I didn’t realise so many British players played for the Warriors though?
I believe Marc Ellis had a record at one stage as well for the AB’s for most tries scored in a game, I think it was 5?
The forgotten players: New Zealand Warriors
In 2016 when he picked Denny Solomona he snapped back at the reporter with the quote “If they’re eligble, I’ll pick ’em!” He is the biggest hypocrite going round.
Nationalisation of foreign-born rugby players vs the selection of Irish players overseas
Interesting year and summed up well here. My 2c
Positives: Win over the AB after the debacle of Sydney
Harry Wilson, loved watching him play for the Reds and felt like he showed his talent at WB level too.
Mat Phillip: Great player and an outstanding contributor to the team. Potential cpataincy candidate too.
Tom Wright, a test quality winger and a rugby brain as well.
Super Rugby AU, feels like ages ago but I really enjoyed watching it and loved seein the Force back and look forward to next season
TV Deal, I’m gllad super rugby will be back on FTA, albeit limited and of course with that, the end of Phil Kearns (hopefully)
Negatives:
Hooper’s captaincy. I’m a staunch defender of him as a player and felt like he played well but he isn’t a captain and it’s become more apparent this year.
Discipline: I found the WB’s to be very poor this year with a number of cards being shown and the number of stupid penalties being conceded this year insanely high. A lot of people have focussed on Hodge missing the kicks but if some of the other players didn’t commit stupid penalties then the kicks wouldn’t have mattered so much.
Handling: I said to my mate on Saturday throughout the test season the WB’s have been their own worst enemies with their passing, handling. Petaia has been up their with the worst for this.
I’m sure there are others but I can’t remember them! Now it’s time for the cricket season! Thanks to all our wonderful contributors on The Roar and seasons greetings to everyone!
A promising Wallabies start leaves us with the same unanswered questions
Petaia was not great this year but his performance last year at the RWC V England was quality. He is young and will make mistakes as he finds his way. He has pressure placed on him from everyone, all across the globe and the poor bloke’s dad died this year as well. He is a special player in my view. I defintely agree about TK not being picked in the squad though.
A promising Wallabies start leaves us with the same unanswered questions
What a great article! Well done Patrick! As a teacher myself, I’m really interested in David’s program. Thanks again!
David Gower is leading the way off the field
And of course Steve Hansen. He doesn’t know anything about rugby and is in on the conspiracy theory as well.
Where Australia vs Argentina will be won and lost
I think it was a bit of friendly fire. Glad he’s up walking around but it looked awful him lying motionless on the ground.
Grant's debut for the ages powers Maroons to memorable State of Origin series win
Anyone got an update on Cody Walker? That look absolutely horrible for him.
Grant's debut for the ages powers Maroons to memorable State of Origin series win
I’ve thought that myself. With Pivac on seriously shaky ground at Wales the WRU might come knocking. We all know they love an NZ coach as well.
There's no way around it anymore – Ian Foster must go
Great story. Just shows even more what a special bloke/coach he is and why players want to play for him. Razor’s comments earlier this year about trying to help out the Lions as he just wants to get that experience of international rugby tells you a lot about Hume and his attitude towards coaching/rugby
There's no way around it anymore – Ian Foster must go
Malcolm Marx with the Boks is a prime example of that.
Dave Rennie's influence starting to shape the Wallabies
My favourite was “union fans can afford cable”
New broadcast deal puts Rugby Australia on cloud Nine
Sadly, as a NSW fan I have seen too many of those MoM performances by Smith and Thurston. Thurston’s Game 1 of the 2010 SOO at Stadium Australia was the most dominant performance I’ve seen in the flesh in any code. First time I’d been to SOO and I took my dad and he just could not believe it. An absolute star and even though he caused the Blues huge amounts of pain still someone I thoroughly enjoyed watching play.
Parramatta's greatest NRL team
Cheers mate. I’ve seen footage of Lewis in Origin but was too young to remember. MoM 8 times is rather impressive! I wonder who the next would be? Smith? Thurston?
Parramatta's greatest NRL team
Great work Boss! Pardon my ignorance as I was far too young and I’m not trying to be controversial here but I genuinely want to know and you seem very knowledgeable on the game. If Kenny was seen as superior to Wally in the Australian team, whilst also having a winning record against him in SOO why is Wally so revered, and why is Kenny not held in the same regard? Again, genuinely curious and really want to know!
Also, what were Jason Smith’s off field discretions? I knew the bloke loved the Winfield lung darts but was there much more?
Parramatta's greatest NRL team
He did get kicked out of the MCG last summer for skolling a beer though. 😂
Five talking points from Bledisloe 4
I got massively told off by my wife for letting out an emphatic “yes!” After that kick as she said she didn’t want our daughter to me like me when watching sport. She then let out a “F me!” After the Koribete hit and did I say anything??? No, as I know my place
Wallabies win Bledisloe 4 thriller in Brisbane
Can’t agree with Brown on the bench but stoked to see Finucane there. He’s a quality player and someone I think will make a big difference. I think the Blues’ “centres” are still a big weakness though. Wighton was very poor there on Wednesday and Gutho’s miss on Capewell was a shocker.
Keary dumped, Holmes returns as Origin Game 2 teams confirmed
He did have a wonderful bit of banter early on “Cleary to Keary, maybe we should get Lote Tuqiri out there as well” I thought that was pretty funny
Six talking points from State of Origin 1
That’s a disgrace for this year to be charging this much for a test match. Even before the team was named, $150 for the cheapest seats! No wonder rugby is stuggling with numbers!
Reece Hodge at 10 as Dave Rennie makes huge changes to Wallabies team for Bledisloe 4
Thanks for the scoop Paddy. I’m sure Steve Hansen is now waiting for your call as he seems to rate him but Old Shag needs your eyes which have watched Hooper closest.
Australia seems to be living in another world when it comes to the All Blacks
Outside of the Crusaders, who are quite frankly freakish with their ability to stay competitive, no one in super rugby has managed to stay on top for any period of time. It’s the nature of sport. It is cyclical unless you’re the Crusaders or Storm in the NRL
Bledisloe III: The game none of us needed
One of my favourite players when I first started watching RL him and Renouf were just so exciting when they had the ball in their hands.
The forgotten players: North Queensland Cowboys