Ireland Vs The All blacks

[Langer Dan]

hmm a tad overconfident.

For most All Blacks supporters the match against Ireland is part two of the All Blacks achieving a grand slam but for the selectors it seems that more importantly it is another brick in the All Blacks building depth for the 2007 World Cup.

The All Blacks started their tour with an impressive 41-3 win over Wales and the starting lineup was unusually rewarded by being replaced by a completely new starting XV for the Ireland test, but the new side will be driven to match the performance in the opening match.

"I think the guys who are playing this week won't want to let the performance drop," All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith said.

"I think the guys against Wales set a benchmark."

It is the third time in history that the All Blacks have had a completely changed lineup from one test to another, though the other two occasions were due to two World Wars.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry concedes this ploy may put the grand slam chances at risk but is important for the chances of winning the World Cup in 2007.

Tana Umaga will be spared the boos of the Lansdowne Road crowd over speargate with Richie McCaw taking over the captaincy while lock Jason Eaton and prop John Afoa will make their test debuts.

The All Black pack has a lot less experience this week but has plenty of pace and power.

This will be the area the Irish will be targeting with their usual strength in the lineout and the naming of two openside flankers, Johnny O'Conner at seven and Denis Leamy at no.8, along with captain Simon Easterby will see Ireland try to compete with McCaw and the All Black strength at the breakdown.

The All Blacks selection was also interesting as they only have two backs on their reserve bench because they had to include a tighthead and a loosehead prop without Greg Somerville or Neemia Tialata in the squad, who can play both sides.

Nick Evans has been handed the unenviable job of trying to fill Daniel Carter's boots as the All Blacks playmaker.

Carter was outstanding in the win over Wales and while no one would expect Evans to match that performance he is under pressure to prove his place in the squad after only joining the tour due to the injury to Luke McAlister. He should get good support from Aaron Mauger outside him, who made his debut against Ireland in Dublin in 2001 along with McCaw.

The All Blacks have never lost to Ireland in their 17 matches since a 15-0 win in November 1905, with the closest the Irish have come to victory a 10-10 draw in 1973.

The last time the two sides met on Ireland's two-test tour in 2002 the All Blacks won 15-6 in Dunedin and then 40-8 in Auckland.

Despite their poor record the Irish have been strong in the recent Six Nations tournaments and the Lansdowne Road crowd make victory in Dublin a tough task.

The crowd, and possibly some of the team, will also be motivated by the ongoing speargate saga that means inspirational skipper Brian O'Driscoll will not play and the members of the Lions tour will have their own point to prove.

Ireland have named an experienced lineup despite also missing Paul O'Connell and Denis Hickie and a number of others through injury but filling those gaps may be more difficult for the Irish than the All Blacks replacing an entire team, which shows the depth in New Zealand rugby.

With the changes to the All Black team there is again the possibility that some players could suffer from being rusty but after the performance against Wales it seems the coaches have learned the lesson in their preparations after the loss to South Africa.

The All Blacks will be looking for another impressive victory without injuries before possibly picking their top side for the clash against England next

reckon we're gonna be hammered tho, can't understand Leamy at no. 8 Bizarre selection.

Getting the train up in the morning. Hopefully we'll give a good account of ourselves and not lie down like the Welsh.

[Rebelred]

Ireland 0
New Zealand *63





*or thereabouts

[Langer Dan]

Ireland 0
New Zealand *63





*or thereabouts

not so comprehensive (I hope).
But realistically going on form and the side put out we'll do well to keep to within ten-fifteen points of em.

[dotty]

has leamy ever played at 8?

[Teknique]

Ireland 6 New Zeland 37

[Teknique]

not so comprehensive (I hope).
But realistically going on form and the side put out we'll do well to keep to within ten-fifteen points of em.

give us your prediction know-it-all?

[Homer J]

has leamy ever played at 8?


I think he used to play there when he was at school, I agree with Foley being dropped but I would have gone with Wallace at 8. I think we can achieve a moral victory by losing by 20 points or less.

The AB's are beatable just not by us, France and the Springboks are the only teams who can

[Langer Dan]

has leamy ever played at 8?

not in international or Heineken cup competition.
He might have once in the celtic league.

But not to even have Axel in the squad is just bizarre.

[homer jay]

I think he used to play there when he was at school, I agree with Foley being dropped but I would have gone with Wallace at 8. I think we can achieve a moral victory by losing by 20 points or less.

The AB's are beatable just not by us, France and the Springboks are the only teams who can

i don't remember writing this. hey, how many homer jay's are there here? god damn it!

[Eoin]

For some reason I'm not as pessimistic as everyone else seems to be.

If the line-out is solid, and Rog has his kicking boots on I think we could be in with a very remote chance. Everyone on the team has to play out of their skin though.

I threw a tenner on us anyway.

[Homer J]

i don't remember writing this. hey, how many homer jay's are there here? god damn it!


bloody identity theft is everywhere

[Langer Dan]

I threw a tenner on us anyway.

good man!

Are you going to the match?
I heard they're giving it to piss out of the heavens tommorro.

[NZ Langer]

Ireland 12 New Zealand 35

[dotty]

For some reason I'm not as pessimistic as everyone else seems to be.

If the line-out is solid, and Rog has his kicking boots on I think we could be in with a very remote chance. Everyone on the team has to play out of their skin though.

I threw a tenner on us anyway.

im with you,dont think we'll get the hammering everyone is expecting us to,a lot of the all blacks havent played together and if we are solid from our set pieces and rog kicks well we could be in with a shout..

[Eoin]

good man!

Are you going to the match?
I heard they're giving it to piss out of the heavens tommorro.

I am indeed. I have my waterproof rain jacket on standby jsut in case. I live 5 minutes walk from lansdowne anyway so if I get pissed on I can just leg it home and change afterwards.

[jaymz-biy]

Nah, cant see it happening at all, All Blacks by at least 30 pts, it pains me to say that but just have to be realistic on this one.

[Langer Dan]

I am indeed. I have my waterproof rain jacket on standby jsut in case. I live 5 minutes walk from lansdowne anyway so if I get pissed on I can just leg it home and change afterwards.

I got my ticket on thurs.
Getting the train up in the morning.
Gonna be wearing the old water-proof alright methinks.

It'd be an almighty shock if we won but stranger things have happened.
Id love it but I really can't see us pulling out a win with such an average team out.

O'Sullivan really fucked up not bringing thru new players last year.

[homer jay]

if they're not leading by at least 10 points at half time, they'll just send carter on and he'll mop the floor with us.

[wunhunglo]

I've a small few bob on the All blacks to cover the spread -16pts, and the Canadians to win with a 50 pt start. We'll see.

[Echoboy]

That was some spanking !! :-(

But can you expect any diferent ... In New Zealand everyone is into sport, in Ireland everyone is in the pub.

Wrong attitude towards it being fair, sure we dont even support teams properly here, on the big day eveyone turns out but nowhere to be seen on a stupid Tuesday in the rain. And not just rugby .... football is a perfect example, every fúcker in the pub to watch Chelski and ManUre went there is live football being played and full bag of excuses as to why they shouldn't support it. Sports mad Irish my árse !!

[west cork rebel]

That was some spanking !! :-(

was'nt it! and a spear tackle again! the guy didnt even get booked.

[Jim Comic]

That was some spanking !! :-(

But can you expect any diferent ... In New Zealand everyone is into sport, in Ireland everyone is in the pub.

Wrong attitude towards it being fair, sure we dont even support teams properly here, on the big day eveyone turns out but nowhere to be seen on a stupid Tuesday in the rain. And not just rugby .... football is a perfect example, every fúcker in the pub to watch Chelski and ManUre went there is live football being played and full bag of excuses as to why they shouldn't support it. Sports mad Irish my árse !!


what you talkin' about willis? cork city have the best support in ireland!!

a lot of towns of similar size in england or scotland would be delighted to get the crowds city get

[MonTheHoops]

what you talkin' about willis? cork city have the best support in ireland!!

a lot of towns of similar size in england or scotland would be delighted to get the crowds city get


As well as that the cross only holds around 10k. If 50,000 Corkonians showed up there'd be blue murder. But they won't because the standard is poor.

In reality, would you rather watch Tony Hawk scooting about on his half pipe on TV or go down the South Mall and watch the lads "freestyling"?

And there's ALWAYS live sport being played somewhere - if it were a trade off with TV then we'd never get to watch any Ireland games etc.

[Superior]

was'nt it! and a spear tackle again! the guy didnt even get booked.


That wasn't a spear tackle. Still, they made shit of us. See that guy Eaton take down Horgan? He made Horgan look like the prop!

I was talking to a guy who was on his way to the match and some fan stopped him and wanted to know why so many people were walking away from the ground. Your man said there was a fire, the stand is closed. The guy tore up his ticket and threw it away. Course the guy told him the South Stand was closed...

[wunhunglo]

Still, they made shit of us.


Any Nation that can change the starting lineup completely from one game to the next have to be admired. No other country could do that and perform as well as they have. Remarkable really.




and easy money too!!

[KolaKubes]

Hopefully, between this pasting and the Lions getting hammered in the summer it will take that little fart wind out of rugby's sails in this country. D4-head tools and their Munster equivalents. Despite all the hype, it's marginally less interesting than a mid-table Premiership match - which is saying something.

[Langer Dan]

Hopefully, between this pasting and the Lions getting hammered in the summer it will take that little fart wind out of rugby's sails in this country. D4-head tools and their Munster equivalents. Despite all the hype, it's marginally less interesting than a mid-table Premiership match - which is saying something.

G'way ya tool.
Rugby is a fantastic sport and unlike your precious premiership , the matches are played in this country.

Back to the match.
Dismal dismal dismal performance. I blame O'Sullivan, Dropping Foley was a disastrous move.

Some of those guys didn't even look interested. O'Kelly gave his usual lacklustre performance and the two Horgans gave amasterclass in how not to handle a ball.

Big changes needed.

Nonu should have been red carded given the directive on Spear/dump tackling by the RFU, But Kaplan had a mare of a performance so that was no surprise.

What was really sickening was on the big screen they cut the replay of the tackle. Spineless IRFU heads, heard they're not going to cite Nonu either, fupping bottlers.

If that performance was anything to go by its going to be a long 6 nations.

[Sound]

Hopefully, between this pasting and the Lions getting hammered in the summer it will take that little fart wind out of rugby's sails in this country. D4-head tools and their Munster equivalents. Despite all the hype, it's marginally less interesting than a mid-table Premiership match - which is saying something.

So Limerick is now the equivalent of Dublin 4, is it? Do us a favour and stick to the soccer.

[Sound]

G'way ya tool.
Rugby is a fantastic sport and unlike your precious premiership championing ilk, the matches are played in this country.

Back to the match.
Dismal dismal dismal performance. I blame O'Sullivan, Dropping Foley was a disastrous move.

Some of those guys didn't even look interested. O'Kelly gave his usual lacklustre performance and the two Horgans gave amasterclass in how not to handle a ball.

Big changes needed.

Nonu should have been red carded given the directive on Spear/dump tackling by the RFU, But Kaplan had a mare of a performance so that was no surprise.

What was really sickening was on the big screen they cut the replay of the tackle. Spineless IRFU heads, heard they're not going to cite Nonu either, fupping bottlers.

If that performance was anything to go by its going to be a long 6 nations.


Anthony Horgan being beaten in a foot race by a second row is a fucking disgrace! Surely Eddie has to give youth a chance now. Get Trimble in the centre and Shane Horgan back to the wing. The backs should be bloody ashamed of themselves. NZ had props passing more accurately than Stringer. Basic errors all over the shop.

Trying to beat the All Blacks by spinning it out wide is just bonkers. Yet even the forwards were bollox. Hayes is a spent force but what other option do we have? A long season indeed. The only consolation is that half the Nz team that walloped us and half of the team that minced the Welsh will be combined to administer the mother of all skullfucks to England- Sheridan notwithstanding.

[KolaKubes]

So Limerick is now the equivalent of Dublin 4, is it? Do us a favour and stick to the soccer.

Feck off, I love the way that rugby having an ever so slightly broader support in Limerick is used as evidence that rugby is "keeping it real". I suppose Munchens is a popular destination for the residents of Moyross?
Went to the Kinsale 7's there last year and I haven't seen reality match stereotype so dramatically since one of our games up in Knocka was disrupted by a horse running across the pitch. Rugby, the sport, is middling fare at best, the traditional supporters are only surpassed in the fuckwittery stakes by the new ones.

[Sound]

Feck off, I love the way that rugby having an ever so slightly broader support in Limerick is used as evidence that rugby is "keeping it real". I suppose Munchens is a popular destination for the residents of Moyross?
Went to the Kinsale 7's there last year and I haven't seen reality match stereotype so dramatically since one of our games up in Knocka was disrupted by a horse running across the pitch. Rugby, the sport, is middling fare at best, the traditional supporters are only surpassed in the fuckwittery stakes by the new ones.

I haven't had to bite like this in a while but go and fuck yourself.

If every sport was dictated by its broadstroke stereotype fans they would be in trouble. Take soccer for instance, are we all hooligans? Or JCL armchair fuckwits? No, we're not and neither are all those who like rugby. Fair enough, if you dont like it, but why slag it off? Is it affecting you? Does it detract from any other sport?

We are a small rugby nation and, for a while, really punched above our weight on the world stage. We have the best player in his position in the world in O Driscoll. We should be fucking happy for any world class sportsman we have rather than finding some small time begrudgery to knock them with.

Middling fare? Have you seen the premiership lately?

[KolaKubes]

I haven't had to bite like this in a while but go and fuck yourself.

If every sport was dictated by its broadstroke stereotype fans they would be in trouble. Take soccer for instance, are we all hooligans? Or JCL armchair fuckwits? No, we're not and neither are all those who like rugby. Fair enough, if you dont like it, but why slag it off? Is it affecting you? Does it detract from any other sport?

We are a small rugby nation and, for a while, really punched above our weight on the world stage. We have the best player in his position in the world in O Driscoll. We should be fucking happy for any world class sportsman we have rather than finding some small time begrudgery to knock them with.

Middling fare? Have you seen the premiership lately?

"broadstroke stereotype fans", I'm talking about virtually every rugger bugger I've ever come across. A PBS friend of mine gave up the sport because he couldn't stand the culture surrounding the game. I'll slag it off both because I don't like it as a sport, I don't like the culture surrounding it and it draws money off sports like football and GAA that serve many many more of the "plain people of Ireland" in what's a zero sum game at the end of the day.

[Sound]

"broadstroke stereotype fans", I'm talking about virtually every rugger bugger I've ever come across. A PBS friend of mine gave up the sport because he couldn't stand the culture surrounding the game. I'll slag it off both because I don't like it as a sport, I don't like the culture surrounding it and it draws money off sports like football and GAA that serve many many more of the "plain people of Ireland" in what's a zero sum game at the end of the day.

Draws off other sports? Like how it lends its stadium to the FAI so they're not homeless? Great argument there!
You have answered not a single point put to you. Donncha O Callaghan et al are about as opposite to the D4 lads as they could be but that doesn't fit into your cosy view of the game.
Slagging off one of the sports where we possess a genuine world class talent- Does that make you proud?
Zero sum game? Earra stop now boy.

[Superdave]

That was some spanking !! :-(

But can you expect any diferent ... In New Zealand everyone is into sport, in Ireland everyone is in the pub.

Wrong attitude towards it being fair, sure we dont even support teams properly here, on the big day eveyone turns out but nowhere to be seen on a stupid Tuesday in the rain. And not just rugby .... football is a perfect example, every fúcker in the pub to watch Chelski and ManUre went there is live football being played and full bag of excuses as to why they shouldn't support it. Sports mad Irish my árse !!


I live down here and i can assure you we're a far more passionate people than this lot. Myself and Del walked up to Eden park 5 mins before kick off for the last game of the tri-nations and just walked in. the biggest rugby match of the year on this planet (and most other planets too) and we just strolled in. On the other hand you'd have to kill someone to get into the cross next weekend for what is apparently "poor standard"...... city are the best supported team in the land. the all blacks couldn;t even sell out the biggest game of the year even with the added incentive of booze at the game!

[BangBeater]

"broadstroke stereotype fans", I'm talking about virtually every rugger bugger I've ever come across. A PBS friend of mine gave up the sport because he couldn't stand the culture surrounding the game. I'll slag it off both because I don't like it as a sport, I don't like the culture surrounding it and it draws money off sports like football and GAA that serve many many more of the "plain people of Ireland" in what's a zero sum game at the end of the day.


bollocks.

[Langer Dan]

"broadstroke stereotype fans", I'm talking about virtually every rugger bugger I've ever come across. A PBS friend of mine gave up the sport because he couldn't stand the culture surrounding the game. I'll slag it off both because I don't like it as a sport, I don't like the culture surrounding it and it draws money off sports like football and GAA that serve many many more of the "plain people of Ireland" in what's a zero sum game at the end of the day.
Fuck off WUM
you're full of it,

Don't slag off the only team sport where we're any way competitive on a world stage.

You have no idea what you're talking about and your ridiculously hackneyed view of Rugby supporters would be very much changed if you went to a Munster away match but I guess that wouldn't sit with an armchair supporter like yourself.

[Teknique]

Don't slag off the only team sport where we're any way competitive on a world stage.



world stage ?
there are only about 8 to 10 teams , really to talk about
and another 5 or 6 like Romania , Japan , W.Somoa that get hammered regularly

[Langer Dan]

world stage ?
there are only about 8 to 10 teams , really to talk about
and another 5 or 6 like Romania , Japan , W.Somoa that get hammered regularly

as opposed to the ever changing multitude of teams who regularly win the soccer world cup??

FFS Like.

At least In rugby we're competitive.

[POL]

At least In rugby we're competitive.

classic, a 38 point hammering now qualifies as "competitive". Keep them coming Fitzy, you are on fire today

[Langer Dan]

classic, a 38 point hammering now qualifies as "competitive". Keep them coming Fitzy, you are on fire today


Quarter finals of the world cup.
Beating top ranked sides in the world(England, Australia, South Africa).


Wales are the 6 nations winner and they lost by a similar margin.
Are you really such a WUM or are you just genuinely clueless?

[Sound]

classic, a 38 point hammering now qualifies as "competitive". Keep them coming Fitzy, you are on fire today

He has a point. Fair enough, we just took a pasting but they are the best in the world and not some fucking no-marks like, oh lets say, Switzerland! Last Autumn we beat South Africa who are the second best team in the world and the Argies. In the 6N we beat England directly after their WC win- AWAY. So lets get some perspective here.

[POL]

He has a point. Fair enough, we just took a pasting but they are the best in the world and not some fucking no-marks like, oh lets say, Switzerland! Last Autumn we beat South Africa who are the second best team in the world and the Argies. In the 6N we beat England directly after their WC win- AWAY. So lets get some perspective here.

Thats bollix, and you know it. We are not competitive, we are shite. England were missing their two most influential players. Lets see them beat South Africa in the world cup when it matters instead of deluding yourself that some victory in what is in essence a friendly in the winter stands for something. You only have to look at that joke of Lions tour to see where Northern Hemisphere rugby is going

[KolaKubes]

Quarter finals of the world cup.


We made the last 8 in a game in which there's scarcely 9 or 10 decent teams? That's some boast!

For fuck's sake, we're number two in the world at Internation Rules Football by that logic.

[Langer Dan]

We made the last 8 in a game in which there's scarcely 9 or 10 decent teams? That's some boast!

For fuck's sake, we're number two in the world at Internation Rules Football by that logic.

WE ARE COMPETITIVE ON OUR DAY WE'RE CAPABLE OF BEATING ANY TOP 5 SIDE.

The football team can barely beat cyprus,ffs like.

[wunhunglo]

WE ARE COMPETITIVE ON OUR DAY WE'RE CAPABLE OF BEATING ANY TOP 5 SIDE.


Utter nonsense

[Sound]

Thats bollix, and you know it. We are not competitive, we are shite. England were missing their two most influential players. Lets see them beat South Africa in the world cup when it matters instead of deluding yourself that some victory in what is in essence a friendly in the winter stands for something. You only have to look at that joke of Lions tour to see where Northern Hemisphere rugby is going

Hold on now a sec. What I said was that people were overeacting. This is exactly the kind of nonsense we laugh at England and their football team about. One minute they are the world's worst, then they are a dead cert for the world cup! We are doing the same here.

Granted, we were walloped. By the best team in the world. Without our two best players. We had a middling 6 nations when we were expected to kick on. We have problems in some major specialist positions. But this is all to be expected. We are a small country with a small pool of players. Not just in rugby but in all sports- so I hope you hold the football team up to the same high standards and proclaim them to be shit.

But we also have 2 world class players, some good players a lot of journeymen and a sprinkling of young talent. The team is neither as good as it was at the beginning of last season nor as shite as proclaimed on here.

[Sound]

Utter nonsense

We aren't capable of beating the All- Blacks but have beaten all the rest in the last year.

[Fat Tom]

We aren't capable of beating the All- Blacks but have beaten all the rest in the last year.

Sure Ireland drew with Brazil in soccer - doesn't make em world class.
Fuck all nations play rugby - we're still 8th out of about 10 "decent" teams.

Sure we were nearly in soccer top ten outta about 150 nations too - didn't make me think we were any good.

Ireland have some class Rugby players but are not world class or anywhere near. Too many weakenesses - especially hooker and scrum half.

[Sound]

Sure Ireland drew with Brazil in soccer - doesn't make em world class.
Fuck all nations play rugby - we're still 8th out of about 10 "decent" teams.

Sure we were nearly in soccer top ten outta about 150 nations too - didn't make me think we were any good.

Ireland have some class Rugby players but are not world class or anywhere near. Too many weakenesses - especially hooker and scrum half.

Call me old-fashioned but I've always thought that beating teams was better than drawing with them..

[Fat Tom]

Yeah but the best team in the world annihilated us in Rugby.
The best team in the world drew with us in soccer.

Not that I take any of this seriously - friendlies like.

And it was a largely second string NZ team too.

Ireland aren't a great Rugby side, good yes - couple of class players, thats about it.

[Sound]

Yeah but the best team in the world annihilated us in Rugby.
The best team in the world drew with us in soccer.

Not that I take any of this seriously - friendlies like.

And it was a largely second string NZ team too.

Ireland aren't a great Rugby side, good yes - couple of class players, thats about it.

No one said any different.

[Fat Tom]

Fair enough but you could argue the same in soccer - on our day LangerDan said we could beat any of the top 5.

But what day are they having - a good or a bad one?

Same could be said - on our day we could beat Brazil, if they were playing utter shit.

In a Rugby world cup I couldn't see us beating S.Africa, Australia, NZ, England or France.

But like Italy in 94 it could happen, like that it'd be a freak though.

People go on about not being able to beat Swiss which is fair, I'm Ireland's biggest critic but to say we are competitve on a world scale in Rugby is bit of nonsense.

There are fuck all teams and competition and competitively we have never shown anything like coming near winning in a World Cup.

People forget about us competing against Holland and Portugal.

[Sound]

Fair enough but you could argue the same in soccer - on our day LangerDan said we could beat any of the top 5.

But what day are they having - a good or a bad one?

Same could be said - on our day we could beat Brazil, if they were playing utter shit.

In a Rugby world cup I couldn't see us beating S.Africa, Australia, NZ, England or France.

But like Italy in 94 it could happen, like that it'd be a freak though.

People go on about not being able to beat Swiss which is fair, I'm Ireland's biggest critic but to say we are competitve on a world scale in Rugby is bit of nonsense.

There are fuck all teams and competition and competitively we have never shown anything like coming near winning in a World Cup.

People forget about us competing against Holland and Portugal.

I think that there is a limit to the analogies that can be drawn between the two sports. In football any team can beat another team on their day. One goal and a rear-guard action can win the day. Rugby doesn't work like that so much. It is extremely rare that you can fluke a win in rugby as its far more territorial and there are too many ways to score for a superior team to be beaten. That is one of the reasons why results like Munster's in '78 live so long in the memory.
I think the only reason that the football team is being compared to the rugby team is that the rugby team is being dismissed as shit. Fair enough, but if thats the case then I hope we can hold the football team up to the same high standards.

[Fat Tom]

Fair enough - they're both fairly shit if you ask me.

[KolaKubes]

Fair enough - they're both fairly shit if you ask me.

Nail on head.

[Lynott]

Its obvious that we were never going to win, no one expected to. To be fair, getting within 20 points would have been a great result.

I think the point most are making here is the performance, especially in the first half. I found it hard to believe that these lads are actually being paid to play rugby.
They couldn't string (no pun intended) two passes together. They were all standing flat out the back line and getting knocked five feet backwards on attempting to receive the ball. Penalties were given away everytime the ball went to ground.
The AB's totally let us off the hook to be honest.

It was a disgraceful performance.

[Sound]

Its obvious that we were never going to win, no one expected to. To be fair, getting within 20 points would have been a great result.

I think the point most are making here is the performance, especially in the first half. I found it hard to believe that these lads are actually being paid to play rugby.
They couldn't string (no pun intended) two passes together. They were all standing flat out the back line and getting knocked five feet backwards on attempting to receive the ball. Penalties were given away everytime the ball went to ground.
The AB's totally let us off the hook to be honest.

It was a disgraceful performance.

If they had made that point I wouldn't be so defensive. The point being made by most was that rugby is shit, or for D4 nonces etc. They were shit but it happens.

[Fat Tom]

But you'd have to admit that that element is there.
More so than in soccer and football - maybe not as bad as some golf places.

[Fat Tom]

New Zealand team to play England:

New Zealand coach Graham Henry named an inpressively strong line-up to face England at Twickenham, and then admitted that it was the hardest team selection of his career.

Significant names such as the Millennium Stadium hat-trick hero Rico Gear and Joe Rokocoko miss out, whilst Tana Umaga returns to captain the side.

The backs boast pace, flair and invention in every department, as Henry opts for Doug Howlett and Sitiveni Sivivatu on the flanks, with Daniel Carter and Byron Kelleher forming the half back combination.

Perhaps the most noteworthy inclusion comes in the forwards however, as Richie McCaw starts at number seven for what should be a titanic battle between the two packs.

Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Chris Hayman are unsurprisingly the men charged with the task of stopping England's much-vaunted front three, whilst Carl Jack and Ali Williams form a highly-effective and experienced second row.

There is no place in the squad for Ma'a Nonu, who faces a disciplinary hearing over his spear tackle on Gordon D'Arcy.

In all, the selected XV is a mix from the sides that so comfortably disposed of Wales and Ireland, with eight featuring from the team that played Wales and seven from the side that saw off Ireland.

Henry revealed: "It's the most difficult team we've had to pick as selectors across the board. We have guys who are playing outstanding rugby, for example Rico Gear scored a hat-trick against Wales and can't get in the team."

England team news to follow...

New Zealand team: 15-M Muliaina (Auckland); 14-D Howlett (Auckland), 13-T Umaga (Wellington), 12-A Mauger (Canterbury), 11-S Sivivatu (Waikato); 10-D Carter (Canterbury), 9-B Kelleher (Waikato); 1-T Woodcock (North Harbour), 2-K Mealamu (Auckland), 3-C Hayman (Otago), 4-C Jack (Canterbury), 5-A Williams (Auckland), 6-J Collins (Wellington), 7-R McCaw (Canterbury), 8-R So'oialo (Wellington).

[Langer Dan]

We aren't capable of beating the All- Blacks but have beaten all the rest in the last year.

not at the moment but a very average Welsh side almost put em to the sword at the last world cup.

With the exception of NZ we're capable of beating any other top 5 side.And in a world cup situation you never know whats going to happen.

[Sound]

But you'd have to admit that that element is there.
More so than in soccer and football - maybe not as bad as some golf places.

Absolutely. But, on the flip side, there are far fewer scobes than you get involved in football. It's swings and roundabouts.

[Langer Dan]

Absolutely. But, on the flip side, there are far fewer scobes than you get involved in football. It's swings and roundabouts.

Earra you simply don't get the violent undertones that you do in a Soccer crowd.

You don't need segregation of supporters at Rugby games beacause the people supporting don't feel compelled to start whalloping the shite out of each other.

It's a nicer crowd and as far as going to premiership matches and Munster away trips go ,there is no comparison.
Supporting Munster on the road is a fupping howl.

[POL]

Earra you simply don't get the violent undertones that you do in a Soccer crowd.

You don't need segregation of supporters at Rugby games beacause the people supporting don't feel compelled to start whalloping the shite out of each other.

It's a nicer crowd and as far as going to premiership matches and Munster away trips go ,there is no comparison.
Supporting Munster on the road is a fupping howl.

whats wrong with Munster home games? no piss ups in the south of France I guess. No, not for Fitzy the indignity of travelling up to Thomand Park, prawn sandwich behaviour of the highest order

[Langer Dan]

whats wrong with Munster home games? no piss ups in the south of France I guess. No, not for Fitzy the indignity of travelling up to Thomand Park, prawn sandwich behaviour of the highest order

Fuck off wum.

[afeencalleddan]

Supporting Munster on the road is a fupping howl.

How does that compare to an FA cup final given your vast experience of such events?

[KolaKubes]

There isn't even a problem with crowd violence at football games in fucking England now, seeing as the game has shifted towards the middle classes.

Rugby's a poor game played by mediocrities in this part of the world and followed by no marks. End of debate, someone start a new Abramovich thread.

[POL]

Fuck off wum.

truth hurts Fitzy, prey tell, when did you start choosing Munster as a team to support? let me guess, Saracens and the advent of European glory. Fuck off Johnny Come Lately.

[Langer Dan]

truth hurts Fitzy, prey tell, when did you start choosing Munster as a team to support? let me guess, Saracens and the advent of European glory. Fuck off Johnny Come Lately.

explain that to Lamps.

and again Fuck off Wum

you're a bit of a sad case , jumping on all my posts.
Whats wrong won't anyone else talk to ya?

[POL]

explain that to Lamps.

and again Fuck off Wum

you're a bit of a sad case , jumping on all my posts.
Whats wrong won't anyone else talk to ya?

YEAH Fitzy, I suppose you have followed them throughout the 36 counties of Ireland like a true Munster supporter, fair play biy

[Rebelred]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/1115/ireland1.html

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has made one change to his side for Saturday's clash with Australia with Andrew Trimble making his Test debut at outside centre.

Trimble has been in impressive form for Ulster this season and O'Sullivan has decided to give the powerful 21-year-old his chance alongside Leinster's Gordon D'Arcy.

O'Sullivan said: "Andrew is ready for international rugby. He's an outstanding player and his form has been exceptional. I thought New Zealand was not the best game to give him his first Test start but I had to use him this autumn and this is the best time."

Anthony Horgan pays the price for Trimble's elevation to the Test team with the Munster winger dropping out of the squad after a nervy display against New Zealand.

Lions back Shane Horgan is moved out to the right wing while Ulster's Tommy Bowe is switched to the left wing.

Llanelli flanker Simon Easterby will lead the team for the second time despite sustaining a perforated lip against the All Blacks.

Peter Stringer has also won his fitness battle. The Munster man's bruised heel has responded well to treatment and he is fit to play.

Ireland team to face Australia at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, 2.30pm:

G Murphy (Leicester); S Horgan (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), T Bowe (Ulster); R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster); M Horan (Munster), S Byrne (Saracens), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), S Easterby (Llanelli, captain), J O'Connor (Wasps), D Leamy (Munster).

Replacements: R Best (Ulster), S Best (Ulster), M McCullough (Ulster), N Best (Ulster), K Campbell (Ulster), D Humphreys (Ulster), G Dempsey (Leinster).

[Langer Dan]

YEAH Fitzy, I suppose you have followed them throughout the 36 counties of Ireland like a true Munster supporter, fair play biy

nah only counties 33-36.

way to take the obvious stick and beat me with it.
you're a sad case.




to get back to the point Ireland took a right hammering but this isn't the end of an era , it just highlight O'sullivans failure to bring thru new talent last season and his increasingly off-kilter selections.

[Lamps]

explain that to Lamps.

and again Fuck off Wum

you're a bit of a sad case , jumping on all my posts.
Whats wrong won't anyone else talk to ya?

don't draw me on you fitzy, i'll beat you down bitch

[Langer Dan]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/1115/ireland1.html

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has made one change to his side for Saturday's clash with Australia with Andrew Trimble making his Test debut at outside centre.

Trimble has been in impressive form for Ulster this season and O'Sullivan has decided to give the powerful 21-year-old his chance alongside Leinster's Gordon D'Arcy.

O'Sullivan said: "Andrew is ready for international rugby. He's an outstanding player and his form has been exceptional. I thought New Zealand was not the best game to give him his first Test start but I had to use him this autumn and this is the best time."

Anthony Horgan pays the price for Trimble's elevation to the Test team with the Munster winger dropping out of the squad after a nervy display against New Zealand.

Lions back Shane Horgan is moved out to the right wing while Ulster's Tommy Bowe is switched to the left wing.

Llanelli flanker Simon Easterby will lead the team for the second time despite sustaining a perforated lip against the All Blacks.

Peter Stringer has also won his fitness battle. The Munster man's bruised heel has responded well to treatment and he is fit to play.

Ireland team to face Australia at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, 2.30pm:

G Murphy (Leicester); S Horgan (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), T Bowe (Ulster); R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster); M Horan (Munster), S Byrne (Saracens), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), S Easterby (Llanelli, captain), J O'Connor (Wasps), D Leamy (Munster).

Replacements: R Best (Ulster), S Best (Ulster), M McCullough (Ulster), N Best (Ulster), K Campbell (Ulster), D Humphreys (Ulster), G Dempsey (Leinster).

Leamy no.8 again, what a fucking clown.

Would he ever just recall Axel and be done with it before we take another pasting.

[Teknique]

jesus christ , why does he persist with Hayes?
Fair enough , he'll probably look like Sheridan against the Aussie fron 3 tho

[Langer Dan]

don't draw me on you fitzy, i'll beat you down bitch


Fuck off WUM

[Lamps]

Leamy no.8 again, what a fucking clown.

Would he ever just recall Axel and be done with it before we take another pasting.

lets have your starting 15 then. that'll learn everyone who doubts you.
btw i'm predciting a mainly munster pack(yes the one that gets pushed all over the place by every and any french team they meet)

off with you fitz, no1 horan, no2 fat frank......

[Langer Dan]

lets have your starting 15 then. that'll learn everyone who doubts you.
btw i'm predciting a mainly munster pack(yes the one that gets pushed all over the place by every and any french team they meet)

off with you fitz, no1 horan, no2 fat frank......

unlikely considering he's injured ya fucking dope.


Fuck off WUM.

[Lamps]

unlikely considering he's injured ya fucking dope.

Fuck off WUM.

just give us your ireland XV, you're talking shit about team selection, give us yours

[POL]

we need 15 axel foleys, that will show them
ok Fitzy, we get the message

[Lamps]

AN i Don't fancy converting Horan to hooker either.


shit i nearly missed this, props usually get no's 1 and 3
hookers get number 2,

fitzy strikes again

[Langer Dan]

just give us your ireland XV, you're talking shit about team selection, give us yours

whats the point you're just looking for WUM material.

[Teknique]

spot the quick edit re: horan for hooker, well done again fitzy

[Teknique]

whats the point you're just looking for WUM material.


exactly , we're that certain you'll fuck up

[Langer Dan]

spot the quick edit , well done again fitzy

fuck off WUM.

POL , Lamps, Teknique.
Its obvious ye've no interest in Irish Rugby and are just WUMming so just take it to another thread.

[Langer Dan]

spot the quick edit re: horan for hooker, well done again fitzy

spot the quick WUM.

[Lamps]

spot the quick edit re: horan for hooker, well done again fitzy

luckily I have it in a quote, i think its fair to say that fitzwatch is proving to be a rip roaring success

[Teknique]

fuck off WUM.

POL , Lamps, Teknique.
Its obvious ye've no interest in Irish Rugby and are just WUMming so just take it to another thread.


okay so Dan , what do u think about Shane Jennings not being in the squad , even though he's playing week in week out in the guinness premiership for Tigers

I' d love some insight from you

[Langer Dan]

luckily I have it in a quote, i think its fair to say that fitzwatch is proving to be a rip roaring success

fUCK oFF WUM.


Have you seriously nothing better to do than ruin threads with mindless shite?

[Lamps]

whats the point you're just looking for WUM material.

seriously, if you have the courage in your beliefs put down 15 numbers 15 players, how could anyone take the piss as long as you don't spell then incorrectly

[Teknique]

seriously, if you have the courage in your beliefs put down 15 numbers 15 players, how could anyone take the piss as long as you don't spell then incorrectly


what are the chances he's gonna copy and paste his 15 from somewhere ?

[POL]

fuck off WUM.

POL , Lamps, Teknique.
Its obvious ye've no interest in Irish Rugby and are just WUMming so just take it to another thread.

thankfully my knowledge of rugby extends past once a year piss ups in the South of France for European Cup semi finals. Paul Brennan for Ireland eh? Low Lie, the Fields of Clonakilty, oh shit....

[Langer Dan]

seriously, if you have the courage in your beliefs put down 15 numbers 15 players, how could anyone take the piss as long as you don't spell then incorrectly

do you honestly expect me to take anything you say seriously ?

Fuck off WUM.
Iv zero interest in talking politely to a cunt like you.

[Langer Dan]

thankfully my knowledge of rugby extends past once a year piss ups in the South of France for European Cup semi finals. Paul Brennan for Ireland eh? Low Lie, the Fields of Clonakilty, oh shit....

you're full of shit.

and you're just taking your sad and pointless vendetta to dizzying new lows intent on ruining any thread with bickering and petty insults.

Fuck off WUM.

[Sound]

This is Eddie's version of throwing caution to the wind. Glad to see Trimble but would like to have seen Best as well. MOK can consider himself a very lucky boy.

[Teknique]

pointless vebdetta


whats that?

we can all be pedantic about spelling Dan , but when it comes down to it , your giving out about EOS's team selection but are unable to give a your own 15 , what does that say?

[Langer Dan]

This is Eddie's version of throwing caution to the wind. Glad to see Trimble but would like to have seen Best as well. MOK can consider himself a very lucky boy.


agreed, he was pitiful on Sat. He didn't look remotely interested.
He's gone once O'Connell is fit.

I know Eddie has a selection problem with his flankers but playing three of em isn't the answer.

I thought Easterby got a facial injury?

[Teknique]

MOK can consider himself a very lucky boy.

not the only 1
these internations are a perfect opportunity to blood new players before the 6 nations, may as well stick them in
at this stage Reggie Corrigan will be gettin back in the team

[Langer Dan]

whats that?

we can all be pedantic about spelling Dan , but when it comes down to it , your giving out about EOS's team selection but are unable to give a your own 15 , what does that say?

iv no interest in talking to you.
Fuck off WUM.

[Rebelred]

This is Eddie's version of throwing caution to the wind. Glad to see Trimble but would like to have seen Best as well. MOK can consider himself a very lucky boy.
indeed sound.Ulster dominate the bench,think Best deserved a start but he'll surely be introduced at some stage

[Teknique]

iv no interest in talking to you.


blessing in disguise......

[Langer Dan]

blessing in disguise......

Fuck off WUM.

lAST WORD FREAK.

[Sound]

indeed sound.Ulster dominate the bench,think Best deserved a start but he'll surely be introduced at some stage

The bench that likes to say 'No'.

:0)

[Rebelred]

The bench that likes to say 'No'.

:0)
brilliant

[Del]

What was an interesting thread has gone way down hill

Can you guys just shag and leave it at that?

[Superdave]

Agreed. Every discussion turns into handbags at 10 paces! Fuck off wum, no you fuck off wum. it makes for great reading.

Just get yer dicks out and get it over with!

[Sound]

Release the peace.

[Langer Dan]

Release the peace.

indeed.

What in gods name is O'Sullivan thinking for the Wallabies match?
If it aint working ,don't fix it.

How O'Kelly and Byrne are retaining their places after such an inept performance speaks volumes about Eddies inability to make the tough calls. To persist with Leamy out of position is lunacy.

Ireland to lose by 20 points.

[Teknique]

To persist with Leamy out of position is lunacy.

Ireland to lose by 20 points.


according to yesterdays news , the NZ coaching staff thought he was our best player!
most 8's these days are able to play 6,7 aswell , mobility being the key
Foleys Day is done - get over it

I think it could closer than 20

[Langer Dan]

according to yesterdays news , the NZ coaching staff thought he was our best player!
most 8's these days are able to play 6,7 aswell , mobility being the key
Foleys Day is done - get over it

I think it could closer than 20

if you'd watched the match you would have seen that the pack was in dissarray and any rare time Ireland reached the line they lacked a ball carrier, see Foley.

To be named an outstanding player in a near 40pt mauling is not much of a distinction, anyways Leamy hardly touched the ball and if you had to name Irelands best player it would have been Murphy by a country mile

. Foley is still by far and away the best no.8 ireland have and to play a flanker at no.8 who has no previous senior experience in that position is lunacy

[Teknique]

Foley is still by far and away the best no.8 ireland have and to play a flanker at no.8 who has no previous senior experience in that position is lunacy



are you related to him or something?

why do u think these games are played ?
To give experience to inexperienced players sounds about right to me and I persoanlly dont think he was out of position , as I said previously , most back row forwards these days play 6,7 and 8

[Langer Dan]

are you related to him or something?

why do u think these games are played ?
To give experience to inexperienced players sounds about right to me and I persoanlly dont think he was out of position , as I said previously , most back row forwards these days play 6,7 and 8

well "most" is suitably vague.

Simple fact of the matter, Leamy has never played celtic league or heineken cup at no.8 for Munster , to throw him in at no.8 to accommadate Easterby was a total blunder as irelands complete lack of direction and leadership showed.

the All blacks are not the side to send out a novice at no.8 against. It was a terrible call on Eddie's behalf.

[homer jay]

Ireland to lose by 20 points.

haven't seen any of the aussies lately, but to lose 7 games in a row is pretty woeful. granted 5 of them were away from home.
ireland had a very bad games aginst nz, but i don't think they're as bad (overall) as the scoreline suggested. i expect the players to raise their game, they've got something to proove and i think we could beat them saturday 20-16.

[Teknique]

well "most" is suitably vague.


Corry flip flops between 6 & 8 for England
Dellaglio has played 6,7 & 8 for England
Taylor for Scotland has now moved to 8 having started at 7
Trevor Brennan has played 6,8 and now 5 this season for Tolouse


are 4 examples enough?

[Sound]

I'm divided on this.

I thought Leamy played well at 8. But I think he would play equally well anywhere else in the backrow as I rate him highy. As well as this, I think there is merit in Foley playing due to the lack of leaders in the team.

[Fat Tom]

I thought Leamy did well too.

Trevor Brennan should be in that side though, somwhere.
He is playing at a higher level of Rugby than all our other players.

[Langer Dan]

Corry flip flops between 6 & 8 for England
Dellaglio has played 6,7 & 8 for England
Taylor for Scotland has now moved to 8 having started at 7
Trevor Brennan has played 6,8 and now 5 this season for Tolouse


are 4 examples enough?
none of which qualifies Leamy as a no.8.
Any other off the topic points you'd like to raise to support your argument.
Rainfall in Norway perhaps?

[Langer Dan]

I'm divided on this.

I thought Leamy played well at 8. But I think he would play equally well anywhere else in the backrow as I rate him highy. As well as this, I think there is merit in Foley playing due to the lack of leaders in the team.

Leamy is an outstanding talent but he is no NO.8.

This is a managerial failing on O'Sullivan's behalf.
Again id agree that Foley should be in the squad for the his ball carrying and leadership qualities.

Ireland have an abundance of talent in the flanker position but this sad, Eddie should have Brennan in the squad at the very least, but he seems ridiculously slow to bring in players, just look how long it took Johnny o'Connor to break into the side.

[Teknique]

none of which qualifies Leamy as a no.8.
Any other off the topic points you'd like to raise to support your argument.
Rainfall in Norway perhaps?

you asked for examples of flankers that played 8 you nut-job

I give up, u re-hash peoples thoughts/ideas and re-package them as your own

[11 league titles]

Im not a big fan of rugby and wouldn't pretend to know lots about it..But every time i watch Ireland one player in particular gets on my nerves..Shane Horgan..The fucker is what, about 6'5 and 17 stone?..yet he plays like a girl. Seriously shouldn't he be able to flatten much smaller backs on the opposite team? he doesn't seem very quick and gets tackled far too easily..Is it just me or what do those in the know think?

[Langer Dan]

you asked for examples of flankers that played 8 you nut-job

I give up, u re-hash peoples thoughts/ideas and re-package them as your own

and you repeat off topic points and cling to them like a limpet mine.

My point was that it was ridiculous fielding a novice no.8 against the All blacks and you start qouting me random shite about versatile backs.

Totally off the point.

Leamy isn't a no8 and has no competitive experience in the position , to drop Foley for someone who has no experience of the position to accomadate Easterby is a huge cock-up that hes aiming to repeat against the Aussies.

[Langer Dan]

Im not a big fan of rugby and wouldn't pretend to know lots about it..But every time i watch Ireland one player in particular gets on my nerves..Shane Horgan..The fucker is what, about 6'5 and 17 stone?..yet he plays like a girl. Seriously shouldn't he be able to flatten much smaller backs on the opposite team? he doesn't seem very quick and gets tackled far too easily..Is it just me or what do those in the know think?

Agreed his handling is shocking too, the guy never off loads a pass on time and the amount of knock-ons the guy is responsible for is incredible.

total over-rated waste of space.

[Lamps]

Agreed his handling is shocking too, the guy never off loads a pass on time and the amount of knock-ons the guy is responsible for is incredible.

total over-rated waste of space.

you have an opinion on everything but still won't give your 1-15, you know fuck all about rugby. another thing you probably don't know seeing as you're on about brenna "breaking into" the squad is that he was in the squad plenty of times, he even played, and was mostly shit. playing in france probably improved him but he's no world beater, probably no better than whats already there.

so give it up,
no1 .......
no2.....

[Langer Dan]

you have an opinion on everything but still won't give your 1-15, you know fuck all about rugby. another thing you probably don't know seeing as you're on about brenna "breaking into" the squad is that he was in the squad plenty of times, he even played, and was mostly shit. playing in france probably improved him but he's no world beater, probably no better than whats already there.

so give it up,
no1 .......
no2.....

stick to supporting your beloved blues with the rest of the bandwagon brigade because you're talking through your hole when it comes to all things rugby.

Iv nothing to say to you, you're only a cunt.

[Teknique]

Iv nothing to say to you, you're only a cunt.

thats well out of order....
he gives you HIS opinion on a subject , if it doesnt match yours he's a c*nt

[Langer Dan]

thats well out of order....
he gives you HIS opinion on a subject , if it doesnt match yours he's a c*nt

sure what would you know,


you're only a cunt.

[POL]

"Fitzy is a spoofer" shocker, stop the press. Not.

[Langer Dan]

"Fitzy is a spoofer" shocker, stop the press. Not.

http://toughpigs.com/images/journalridiculejpcou nt.jpg

one, two, three............... ......cunts

[Rebelred]

http://toughpigs.com/images/journalridiculejpcou nt.jpg

one, two, three............... ......cunts
no no no,
the count always counts like this

one cunt
two cunts
three cunts...


etc etc

[Langer Dan]

no no no,
the count always counts like this

one cunt
two cunts
three cunts...


etc etc

heh heh heh!

duly noted.