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Post by therock67 on Jun 6, 2006 9:57:24 GMT
Some thoughts on the Ireland 'A' v USA match: - Paddy Wallace badly needs to play some games at out half in the Celtic league. Talented but he was awful for the most part and failed to control the game.
- I am a better winger than Maxwell - not necessarily a criticism of Maxwell but he's not up to it.
- David Quinlan isn't good enough either - I'd rather see is give younger guys a go than lads who simply aren't going to make it.
- Jennings and Heaslip look decent
- Fogarty's lineout throwing was excellent - silly stamp though because he could have gotten away with it if he'd stepped over him and raked him back.
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Post by iamthelaw on Jun 6, 2006 10:14:10 GMT
[/li][li]Paddy Wallace badly needs to play some games at out half in the Celtic league. Talented but he was awful for the most part and failed to control the game. [/quote] Didn't see the game, but this is definitely true. Was thinking of posting an article on the lack of depth at 10, but have no ideas how it can be resolved, short of praying for an injury for David Humphries. From reviewing the Ulster records on their website I believe Wallace appeared twice at out-half last season. Other Ulster out-halves who have seemed promising in the AIL - Gareth Steenson, Ian Humphries (brother of David) - have been forced abroad; one to Rotherham, one to Leicester reserves. Leinster are so dependant on Felipe that they don't even field a reserve outhalf for their big games, so, short of a Humphries or O'Gara injury, it is difficult to see anyone getting some European Cup time for an Irish team. Finally, I find it unlikely that so big a team as Wasps leave Staunton at out-half next season; Lynagh, Mehrtens and Spencer have set a precedent for big-name number 10s coming to the Zurich Premiership, so I wouldn't be surprised if another one comes across this summer. If that happens, Ireland could face the situation in the next Six Nations, or even worse next World Cup, where O'Gara gets a knock in the first 10 minutes (and the first goal of the opposition openside flanker would be to give him that knock), and we bring on a guy who hasn't played any top-class rugby over the last year. Nothing Eddie O'Sullivan can do about it though; I guess we just have to keep our fingers crossed that Wasps make no signings, and that Humphries/O'Gara are unavailable for at least a few games that don't matter to them, but could make all the difference to Wallace, Manning and Ireland. |
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Post by therock67 on Jun 6, 2006 10:20:31 GMT
You nearly have to skip a whole generation of players (Staunton, Wallace, Humphries (I), Dunne etc.) and just go straight for Manning. Staunton is easily the best of the bunch but he has never convinced. Manning is the great white hope but he has done nothing yet.
If O Gara gets injured in training or for Munster then I think Humphries will be persuaded out of retirement - I don't think we'd have a problem if he was selected in the XV. As you rightly point out the problems arise when O Gara is selected but is injured (and surely every team will target him). I presume the IRFU have already trawled the southern hemisphere looking for Irish qualified half backs (hence the arrival of Boss).
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Post by therock67 on Jun 6, 2006 10:24:01 GMT
On a completely separate note, but I can't be bothered starting a new thread, has anyone seen Sonny Bill Williams play rugby league yet? I think he's around a couple of years at this stage but I've only noticed him recently. He can play in the forwards or the backs, has brilliant hands, great sidestep, quick and he's a big hitter. Plays for Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL.
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Post by cully on Jun 6, 2006 13:19:02 GMT
Saw some of the game, heaslip and jennings are definitely up to international level. Agree on Quinlan but he's only about 28/29 so if there was something to happen to our backline he could still do a job. he's more in the mould of shane horgan though so i would've preferred to see kieran lewis here. we need props so it's good to see bryan young getting the nod at the higher level, he's defo one which we should stick with. at outhalf we are screwed, nothing coming through in the generation behind dunne,staunton et al either. McAllister and Hickie (of UCD) are way off the pace in my book.
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Post by tommymoore on Jun 6, 2006 16:02:39 GMT
How did John Muldoon play in that match? He was making his debut for the A's? Great to see a fellow coming from the hurling heartland of East Galway playing for his country and mixing it with guys who come from the rugby schools.
Hopefully things will go well for him over the next year or 2 and he may even get a call onto Eddie O'sullivan's squad.
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Post by therock67 on Jun 6, 2006 16:07:58 GMT
To be honest I was flicking between the rugby and the boxing until the Dunne fight started and then I never flicked back so I couldn't tell you how he fared with any great degree of accuracy.
I noticed Wallace because of how atrocious he was and Quinlan because every single move they called was Quinlan on crash - as though he was ever going to break through.
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Post by cully on Jun 6, 2006 21:43:45 GMT
i'd say muldoon has reached his peak. he played well and in another era would be good enough for at least a cap or two, but we have very strong back row talent to chose from so can't see him getting more of a look in.but as you say tommymoore, good to see him get in there, deserves his chance
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