Ireland in NZ

[Kiwias]

For such an utter prick of a player, POM is quite a gracious speaker after the game.

He is my favourite Irish player after I had the chance to chat with him at the end of the qf in RWC2019. He was really lovely to talk to.

[ASMO]

Oh well over to the England thread.

[Uncle fester]

He's a very quiet lad off the pitch, very reserved.

[Gumboot]

Sheehan was outstanding. His epic chase of Reece when he scored the intercept try was a particular highlight.

[Uncle fester]

Well done keewees. Lethal finishing. Rugby is an easy game when you convert chances with efficiency like that.

[Kiwias]

Sheehan was outstanding. His epic chase of Reece when he scored the intercept try was a particular highlight.

I thought it was POM. In either case, it shows serious commitment to the cause.

[Gumboot]

Sheehan was outstanding. His epic chase of Reece when he scored the intercept try was a particular highlight.

I thought it was POM. In either case, it shows serious commitment to the cause.

There were a couple of them, but I was focussed on Sheehan and thought his last desperate burst of speed was impressive given the amount of ground he'd already covered.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Well done keewees. Lethal finishing. Rugby is an easy game when you convert chances with efficiency like that.

I'd put the ridiculously good line defence as the high point.

Ireland set piece had a bad day at the office.

[fishfoodie]

For such an utter prick of a player, POM is quite a gracious speaker after the game.

He is my favourite Irish player after I had the chance to chat with him at the end of the qf in RWC2019. He was really lovely to talk to.

He's nothing like his on pitch persona, off it. He loves to garden ffs.

[JM2K6]

For such an utter prick of a player, POM is quite a gracious speaker after the game.

He is my favourite Irish player after I had the chance to chat with him at the end of the qf in RWC2019. He was really lovely to talk to.

He's nothing like his on pitch persona, off it. He loves to garden ffs.

So did Fred West

[Kiwias]

For such an utter prick of a player, POM is quite a gracious speaker after the game.

He is my favourite Irish player after I had the chance to chat with him at the end of the qf in RWC2019. He was really lovely to talk to.

He's nothing like his on pitch persona, off it. He loves to garden ffs.

His daughter was in fine form, clearly not even slightly worried about the result.

[PCPhil]

He is my favourite Irish player after I had the chance to chat with him at the end of the qf in RWC2019. He was really lovely to talk to.

He's nothing like his on pitch persona, off it. He loves to garden ffs.

So did Fred West

[Tichtheid]

For such an utter prick of a player, POM is quite a gracious speaker after the game.

I'm sure he'll end up another Quinlan in commentary though. Jesus, he makes the swarm look fair, balanced, and gracious

Stevie Ferris was the best, hilarious, he's calmed it down a bit, I think someone must have had a word, but he might as well have bellowed Ahhhllsturrr, Ahhhllsturrr for 80 minutes.

In a way he did.

[Tichtheid]

On POM, these guys are the ones you want on your team, the opposition hate playing them, the opposition fans hate them, but they tend to be decent blokes off the park.

[PornDog]

Congrats KeeWees - have a few gripes, but had they gone another way it only would have affected the scoreline, not the result. Deserved winners.

Very promising start, but that 2nd quarter just put the match to bed.

[Paddington Bear]

The slow decline to a quarter final exit begins again

[Tichtheid]

The slow decline to a quarter final exit begins again

Pool stage if there is a fair universe

[PornDog]

For such an utter prick of a player, POM is quite a gracious speaker after the game.

I'm sure he'll end up another Quinlan in commentary though. Jesus, he makes the swarm look fair, balanced, and gracious

Stevie Ferris was the best, hilarious, he's calmed it down a bit, I think someone must have had a word, but he might as well have bellowed Ahhhllsturrr, Ahhhllsturrr for 80 minutes.

In a way he did.

Ah here, Stevie's grand (and isn't shy to criticise Ulster), has a real enthusiastic love of the game and it does him a great disservice to compare him to Quinlan, who is indeed fucking awful!

[Tichtheid]

I'm sure he'll end up another Quinlan in commentary though. Jesus, he makes the swarm look fair, balanced, and gracious

Stevie Ferris was the best, hilarious, he's calmed it down a bit, I think someone must have had a word, but he might as well have bellowed Ahhhllsturrr, Ahhhllsturrr for 80 minutes.

In a way he did.

Ah here, Stevie's grand (and isn't shy to criticise Ulster), has a real enthusiastic love of the game and it does him a great disservice to compare him to Quinlan, who is indeed fucking awful!

Ferris was one of my favourite non-Scot players, but behind the mic less, so. When he started on coms everything was through an Ulster lens, the other side didn't win, Ulster lost, with no credit to the opposition.

To be fair to him he has become a lot better this season just finished, maybe that extra year away from it all has helped, maybe it's hanging out with John Barclay.

[Gumboot]

Jordie nailed all 6 of his conversions - don't think he went for a single penalty..? His defence was also excellent when he was moved into the midfield.

[PornDog]

Stevie Ferris was the best, hilarious, he's calmed it down a bit, I think someone must have had a word, but he might as well have bellowed Ahhhllsturrr, Ahhhllsturrr for 80 minutes.

In a way he did.

Ah here, Stevie's grand (and isn't shy to criticise Ulster), has a real enthusiastic love of the game and it does him a great disservice to compare him to Quinlan, who is indeed fucking awful!

Ferris was one of my favourite non-Scot players, but behind the mic less, so. When he started on coms everything was through an Ulster lens, the other side didn't win, Ulster lost, with no credit to the opposition.

To be fair to him he has become a lot better this season just finished, maybe that extra year away from it all has helped, maybe it's hanging out with John Barclay.

Yeah fair enough, he certainly does see things through an Ulster lens, but its never "Ulster were robbed" but rather "this is why Ulster are shit and where they need to improve" and calls a fair game (unlike the afore mentioned Quinlan)

Ferris talks about rugby the way a puppy chases a ball - there's this unwavering and infectious enthusiasm that he brings which I just think is great. (Plus I have had a massive man-crush on him ever since his playing days)

[Torquemada 1420]

Just letting them have at it is a time honoured tactic from refs over the years. Very French approach.

Absolutely and the consequence of that is player safety. I can't be arsed batting Sky's dogsh*t Go app to try and replay both incidents but really would like to know what happened at end of 1st half and the Barrett incident: both looked like dangerous, exocet ruck entries but ignored by the officials from review.

[FalseBayFC]

[Gumboot]

Big plus was Scooter doing well at blindside.

Small chance he'll get cited for smashing POM in the head at a ruck near the end of the game, which I was surprised to discover isn't legal

I've just rewound to have a look at this and maybe it's a medium sized chance. He does just charge him and hit his head, though it's not 100% flush. 74:41 on the match clock.

Just watched a clip of it. Yep, that looks bad.

[Kiwias]

Small chance he'll get cited for smashing POM in the head at a ruck near the end of the game, which I was surprised to discover isn't legal

I've just rewound to have a look at this and maybe it's a medium sized chance. He does just charge him and hit his head, though it's not 100% flush. 74:41 on the match clock.

Just watched a clip of it. Yep, that looks bad.

Not that bad really. Your standard filthy play by SBarrett

[Enzedder]

Very happy with that. If Ireland had scored from one or two of their forays into our 5 metre line I may feel different but the defence was very good. New rule helped but it won't be around for long.

I don't think any of our players had a bad game and the tight 5 were immense considering the pre-game angst from the blowhards.

ScoBar was very good at 6 - Ruebenesque, but those brain farts will be the death of him. He's too much of a liability

[Torquemada 1420]

I see Ireland looking to have Sexton back for next week. Regardless of whether he technically gets past the HIAs, with the number of head knocks he's taken, you wonder what some coaches really are thinking in regards player safety.

[Guy Smiley]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all ... -high-shot

Ian Foster might resemble a phone-obsessed teen, constantly checking his phone in the aftermath of the All Blacks’ impressive season-opening romp over Ireland.

After all, their impressive 42-19 win at Eden Park on Saturday could yet be tarnished if the foul play committee opts to cite flanker Scott Barrett for an incident late in the match.

Forget Brodie Retallick copping a finger to the eye, and forget the Covid-19 cloud hanging over a couple of coaches and players ahead of the second test.

Head coach Foster’s biggest concern in the wash-up should be the prospect of receiving news Barrett is cited for his clean out on opposite Peter O’Mahony in the 74th minute.

There's a video embedded in that article.

[Flockwitt]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all ... -high-shot

Ian Foster might resemble a phone-obsessed teen, constantly checking his phone in the aftermath of the All Blacks’ impressive season-opening romp over Ireland.

After all, their impressive 42-19 win at Eden Park on Saturday could yet be tarnished if the foul play committee opts to cite flanker Scott Barrett for an incident late in the match.

Forget Brodie Retallick copping a finger to the eye, and forget the Covid-19 cloud hanging over a couple of coaches and players ahead of the second test.

Head coach Foster’s biggest concern in the wash-up should be the prospect of receiving news Barrett is cited for his clean out on opposite Peter O’Mahony in the 74th minute.

There's a video embedded in that article.

Don't need a video. It was obvious enough at the time. Scooter's red mist once again...

[Gumboot]

It's not a red mist, it's controlled accurate aggression pushing the limits of the law - just what we need at blindside imho.

[Ymx]

It's not a red mist, it's controlled accurate aggression pushing the limits of the law - just what we need at blindside imho.

His red cards would suggest anything but controlled.

[Torquemada 1420]

It's not a red mist, it's controlled accurate aggression pushing the limits of the law - just what we need at blindside imho.

His red cards would suggest anything but controlled.

So much this. As an opponent, I want him on the field...... precisely because he's in with a decent shout of leaving the field.

[Kiwias]

Bad news for the ABs.

Sam W ruled out of 2nd test and who does Mr Big Brain Foster decide to call into the squad????? Patrick "1,000 chances" Tuipulotu FFFFSSSSS

All Blacks captain Sam Cane admits the loss of lineout boss Sam Whitelock will leave a hole as injuries and the ubiquitous Covid-19 virus combined to create mini-locking crisis on Tuesday.

Whitelock has been ruled out of the second test against Ireland with “delayed onset concussion” and he is also at risk of missing the third test as he completes his 12-day stand-down period in accordance with updated World Rugby rules.

To make matters worse for the All Blacks, his likely replacement Tupou Vaa’i has tested positive to Covid-19, forcing coach Ian Foster to seek New Zealand Rugby board approval – which was granted – to allow him to select Patrick Tuipulotu.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all ... concussion

[Guy Smiley]

Bad news for the ABs.

Sam W ruled out of 2nd test and who does Mr Big Brain Foster decide to call into the squad????? Patrick "1,000 chances" Tuipulotu FFFFSSSSS

All Blacks captain Sam Cane admits the loss of lineout boss Sam Whitelock will leave a hole as injuries and the ubiquitous Covid-19 virus combined to create mini-locking crisis on Tuesday.

Whitelock has been ruled out of the second test against Ireland with “delayed onset concussion” and he is also at risk of missing the third test as he completes his 12-day stand-down period in accordance with updated World Rugby rules.

To make matters worse for the All Blacks, his likely replacement Tupou Vaa’i has tested positive to Covid-19, forcing coach Ian Foster to seek New Zealand Rugby board approval – which was granted – to allow him to select Patrick Tuipulotu.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all ... concussion

[Gumboot]

Bad news for the ABs.

Sam W ruled out of 2nd test and who does Mr Big Brain Foster decide to call into the squad????? Patrick "1,000 chances" Tuipulotu FFFFSSSSS

All Blacks captain Sam Cane admits the loss of lineout boss Sam Whitelock will leave a hole as injuries and the ubiquitous Covid-19 virus combined to create mini-locking crisis on Tuesday.

Whitelock has been ruled out of the second test against Ireland with “delayed onset concussion” and he is also at risk of missing the third test as he completes his 12-day stand-down period in accordance with updated World Rugby rules.

To make matters worse for the All Blacks, his likely replacement Tupou Vaa’i has tested positive to Covid-19, forcing coach Ian Foster to seek New Zealand Rugby board approval – which was granted – to allow him to select Patrick Tuipulotu.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all ... concussion

FFS, that's just ridiculous.

[Dan54]

Well I thought Pat T would be cover for bench, Barrett will go to lock, and Tuipulotu was training with ABs in Auckland so they may of just seen enough to suggest he can go on bench? If that of course, nothing to say noone else can't get called in Josh Dickson abd Frizell are training with them in Dunedin.

[Gumboot]

Well I thought Pat T would be cover for bench, Barrett will go to lock, and Tuipulotu was training with ABs in Auckland so they may of just seen enough to suggest he can go on bench? If that of course, nothing to say noone else can't get called in Josh Dickson abd Frizell are training with them in Dunedin.

Not taking the piss Dan, but I'm struggling to recall more than a couple of his 40-odd tests when I've been even remotely impressed. Reckon Kiwias is spot on, he's had more than enough chances. I'd rather they'd called up a youngster on potential alone tbh, regardless of who the opposition is.

[Gumboot]

I like the look of Darry, he's a big, smart young player, but maybe a year or two too young. What about the unlucky Quinten Strange - is he fully fit again?

[Ymx]

Well I thought Pat T would be cover for bench, Barrett will go to lock, and Tuipulotu was training with ABs in Auckland so they may of just seen enough to suggest he can go on bench? If that of course, nothing to say noone else can't get called in Josh Dickson abd Frizell are training with them in Dunedin.

Not taking the piss Dan, but I'm struggling to recall more than a couple of his 40-odd tests when I've been even remotely impressed. Reckon Kiwias is spot on, he's had more than enough chances. I'd rather they'd called up a youngster on potential alone tbh, regardless of who the opposition is.

Totally agree. He was very average at test level, and now to top it off will be in a totally unknown state of form.

[Guy Smiley]

Well I thought Pat T would be cover for bench, Barrett will go to lock, and Tuipulotu was training with ABs in Auckland so they may of just seen enough to suggest he can go on bench? If that of course, nothing to say noone else can't get called in Josh Dickson abd Frizell are training with them in Dunedin.

Not taking the piss Dan, but I'm struggling to recall more than a couple of his 40-odd tests when I've been even remotely impressed. Reckon Kiwias is spot on, he's had more than enough chances. I'd rather they'd called up a youngster on potential alone tbh, regardless of who the opposition is.

I reckon I’ve seen Paddy T play one good half in tests.

It’s jobs for the boys. No spark, no creativity, no innovation.

The team gets by on the individual brilliance of the players who, to their credit are good enough to pull it off most of the time.