Apologies it was that useless cunt D’Arcy. Hopefully that will be enough to see him dropped
Only if it’s the same side who gets all 4.
[quote=“Rocko, post: 588910”]
Only if it’s the same side who gets all 4.[/quote]
The bonus point is a bit irrelevant in most groups really.
Not a Paddy Wallace fan, but at this stage he is a far better option than Darcy. Another poor display by the wexford man today.
:guns: fuck up hook you cunt
I wonder did they pick up the bonus point when they were playing the children in Mount Prospect Park.
Will be backing SA -12 here (despite Dan’s advice not to bet until we know more about the ball).
We’ll win this fucking thing
I doubt it given O’Connell’s shocking yet typical handling error in the ad.
A familiar unconvincing Irish performance produced a win but no bonus point against USA this morning.
http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?attachment_id=2556" rel="attachment wp-att-2556]
Murphy: 5Not much conventional full back play to deal with as the American kickers struggled for length. Still spilled the one testing up-and-under that came his way which won’t inspire confidence. Didn’t get many opportunities to impress with the ball in hand either so won’t feel he has nailed down the full back spot by any means.
Bowe: 7
A few handling errors early on when his lack of match sharpness told. Took his first try well on the stroke of half-time which was crucial in the context of the match at the time and finished the second nicely linking up with O’Driscoll.
O’Driscoll: 6
Good hands and pace for Bowe’s second try but otherwise fairly anonymous. Missed one tackle in defence but otherwise solid rather than inspirational.
D’Arcy: 5
Also did ok for Bowe’s second try (though his pass was imperfect) but was unimpressive otherwise. Passing was poor, fired one at Bowe in the first half and gifted USA their try late on with a naive floated pass (prescribed move though it may have been). Defended reasonably but with no real vigour. The concerns over his form are increasing with every game.
Earls: 6
A better game than his performances in the warm-up games. Should have retained possession early on after an impressive break but will have been pleased with his ability to find the space in the first place. Quiet enough otherwise though and needs to shower a greater workrate even when the ball is kept in tight. Remains unconvincing on his passing where he’s not committing defenders or timing his offloads correctly. Shifted to full back late on where he was uninvolved.
Sexton: 4
A poor performance. Place kicking was shocking, even in the context of another statistical anomaly in this World Cup but his general play was just as worrying. Made the wrong decision once or twice with the ball and didn’t involve runners off his shoulder enough.
Murray: 5
He may be better than the alternatives but he’s not the saviour. His passing was generally fine even if it was a little laboured on occasion. No threat around the fringes despite the US moving wide defensively in the first half.
Heaslip: 5
Has been underwhelming in an Ireland shirt lately and this was another very average performance. Carried little ball and made precious little impact in defence.
Jennings: 5
Not a top level openside flanker unfortunately. Not the worst player on the night but he didn’t make enough impact to justify his continued inclusion.
Ferris: 7
The most prominent contributor from the Irish back row. Was suited to an abrasive game like this but he put in a number of good tackles and was a frequent ball carrier. Impossible to leave him out now.
O’Connell: 7
Imperious at lineouts. Another who reveled in the close combat and he was a force above anything the USA could offer in response. Scrum was the wrong call at the end when the lineout should have brought the bonus point.
O’Callaghan: 6
Slightly overshadowed by his second row partner but workrate around rucks was impressive and he contributed to a front five that were very much in the ascendancy.
Ross: 6
Did little other than scrummage but he did that very well. In complete command of that area and just did the basics elsewhere.
Best: 8
Had been struggling for form so on balance he was the biggest improvement today. His lineout throwing was flawless, albeit against a team that didn’t contest any of them. Took his try very well when the finish wasn’t a given and he was prominent throughout.
Court: 6
Gave away one penalty which looked more like a slip than anything and was comfortable apart from that. Like Ross he didn’t get overly involved other than at the odd ruck that caught his eye.
Replacements:
O’Gara: Will have been pleased with Bowe’s second try following on from his decision to spin it wide but that decision was undermined by a late call to chip over the top when Ireland were pursuing the fourth try with time running out on the clock. His 50% success rate from placed balls was an improvement but hardly a convincing case to hang his hat on. Leaves Kidney with a decision to make but he probably had the opportunity to make the choice academic if he had dominated.
Reddan: A couple of sharp passes early on looked to invigorate Ireland but had one horrible flighted effort behind everyone that would probably have coughed up 7 points against Australia.
Flannery: Not quite as controlled at mauls as Best had been and was at least partly culpable for losing the late scrum that ended the pursuit of a bonus point. His usual dynamic self around the park though.
Trimble, Leamy and Buckley had little involvement when introduced.
http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2555]Read the full story here
Yeah. Whatever.
I earn more than you
Jesus, Steyn ran through his opposite number James Hook like an absolute bitch there.
Why isn’t Lee Byrne full back?
Ominous start from the Springboks.
Curious wording from the TMO there. He said “There’s no reason. You may award the try.” in response to “Is there any reason not to award the try?” It’s fine in writing with the full stop but was a bit ambiguous orally. It’s something I’d like the IRB to address.
He had been injured and is just dropped for this one.
That was hilariously bad from Ireland.
Australia will fucking scandalise them. Italy should beat them.
Kidney invoking ‘the man above’ in the hopes of better weather.
What a fucking joker he is.
I love Mike Phillips as a rugby footballer.
Am I the only one who thought Hooks kick was over there?
I intensely dislike these racist South African cunts. However I also have no gra for the sheep worriers. This is quite the conundrum.
Murphy 5 Had little to do but looked poor in his limited involvement
Bowe 6.5 Getting better. Nice step for his try and will keep on improving imo
BO’D 6 Odd error in defence and never threatened really with ball in hand. Lack of threat inside him is harming him as well as his diminishing pace. Have hopes that the genuis will deliver come showtime however
D’arcy 4 Looks desperately slow and passing was even worse than usual. Hasn’t looked like making a break in a long time
Earls 6.5 A better performance from Earls. Tried to link with others in backline more though didn’t always succeed. One of the few in the backline who looked dangerous
Sexton 3.5 Decision making and skills were really poor. Did enough to get him dropped today
Murray 5 Did some clever things that nearly came off but like others didn’t inspire confidence.
Heaslip 4.5 Another all too quiet performance from Heaslip.
Jennings 5 Anonymous for large parts. More senior players around him didn’t stand up
Ferris 8 Carried well and showed good appetite for work
PO’C 8 Excellent in lineout and performed well in all aspects. Looks in very good condition.
DO’C 5.5 Hit some rucks well. I’d like to see him try and carry the ball a bit more
Ross 6 Scrummaged well but like DO’C I’d like to see him get involved in general play a little more. Too specialist
Best 8 Assured performance from him. His first in a while so can be very pleased
Court 6.5 Dominated in scrum and did a little more than Ross around the park
O’Gara Mixed enough. Greater control albeit little predictable and limited.
Reddan Wasn’t lacking in motivation. At times he seems to have very poor understanding with link players
Flannery Didn’t match Bests’ showing. Little short on minutes if he is to start next week
Trimble Poor decision to kick at end. All very well having set ideas as to what to do if you get ball in own 22 but context of game needs to be looked at too.
My Team For Next Week
15 Kearney (if not fit Murphy)
14 Bowe
13 BO’D
12 McFadden
11 Trimble
10 Sexton
9 Reddan
8 Heaslip
7 Ferris
6 SO’B
5 PO’C
4 Cullen
3 Ross
2 Flannery
1 Healy
Kidney’s team
15 Kearney
14 Bowe
13 BO’D
12 D’arcy
11 Earls
10 RO’G
9 Reddan
8 Heaslip
7 SO’B
6 Ferris
5 PO’C
4 DO’C
3 Ross
2 Best
1 Healy