Irish players don’t grow up handling the ball at speed, thus when older and they try to adapt their game the transition is far harder.
I missed the penalty, but Tomas seems to have sped up a little at least. First few were dreadfully slow. We don’t present the ball very well either though, bar O’ Driscoll and a few others.
Yeah true on both points there Kev. There is a physicality gap tp the SH teams but I think we’re being kind to ourselves pretending that’s all the difference. Basic skills are a huge difference too.
Would you not have thought playing hurling, the so called fastest fieldgame there is, would surely work to O’Learys advantage Kev? He is slow as a funeral getting the ball out and can’t box kick.
Bang on, the physical difference is pronounced because of the better skills as well though.
BTW, the All Blacks are back running laps these days!!!*
[size=“1”]*Its a little bit more scientific than that, but they do run longer runs than was the norm[/size]
That was better. High tempo recycling and the gaps appeared.
Not really, i mean he’s using different muscles and forms for picking the ball off the ground in rugby. He was a speedster with a good touch in hurling and an eye for goal, and he hasn’t played it in 8 or 9 years.
Dreadful from D’Arcy. Donnacha is playing like he knows he’s lucky to be there.
O’Driscoll looking quite sharp out there…We could do with a score here…Ross struggling a bit in the scrum
Stupid penalty there from Donncha. Just flopped on the tackle.
Very poor game of rugby…Italy to their credit have defended very well but we are making some poor unforced errors that ain’t helping
Awful stuff alright Puke. They’re not much good at all but Ireland just making too many errors.
Rare steady scrum pays dividends. O’Driscoll lifts the nation.
Christ that was a shocking pass from O’Driscoll. Certain try otherwise.
D’Arcy’s turn to mess up a try. Much better performance in this half though.
Disappointing alright, looks as though there are a few tries here for us…
Good to see O’Callaghan finding a bit of form out there…Would like to see Reddan and Cronin introduced soon enough
Reddan would really open it up for us a bit. Threat of a break and just getting the ball out of there quicker. O’Leary hasn’t taken on too much himself in fairness but I think there’ll be gaps now.
Ref hasn’t really given us much all day. Some strange decisions at scrum time in particular.
Was really hoping Ross would at least hold his own today, Himself and Healy have struggled…Big call to be made ahead of next week, would like to see Court and Ross as the props…
Try here for Italy and the cat will be amongst the pigeons
I could see a wooden spoon in a glass cabinet there for a while. Not over yet.
Fuck, could well be Leamy’s last involvement in the 6 nations…