As a neutral, I thought that Moriarty card was fair and even jiffy agreed. Dunno how many times I saw Hook bumped onto his arse but it was a few. Mind you if I were an Ireland fan, I ‘d wanting Sexton wrapped in cotton wool as Jackson was shit. Earls was crap for the vast majority of the game too. Madigan looked very sharp when he came on though.

Latest IRB Rankings have Ireland as the number 2 team in the world.

Indeed. Until last year the AB’s tended to creak a bit in world cup year but blimey, this weekends match wasn’t good.

I’m not necessarily wanting to harp on about England but they remain the question mark now. How much better if any are they than the Aus pack? Are we able to defend against NZ’s backs, and do we have a total game to take it to Ireland? Would Ireland beat SA?

On current viewing – and I stress those words – we’ll beat Wales and Fiji, England/Ireland warm up will be close and that will give us a true indication of where we are.

Having said that, I think performances to date are going to make for edge-of-your-seat RWC viewing no matter who you support.

Indeed, that’s pretty disappointing for the Munsterman. 🙁

Apart from TOD, good game for Ireland.
Whole squad now playing more like Joe’s style, not just “first teamers”.
Could easily have had two or three more tries in the first half hour, if being critical then maybe should have been 40 nil up by 30 minutes in.
Can put that down to a bit of rustiness and some new combinations bedding in, but realistically the game was won by then anyway.
After that they seemed to take a foot off the gas and lower their game to match the opponents, but that’s the nature of an away “friendly” with nothing riding on it.
Nothing “phoney” about it though – every game’s a step closer towards playing how Joe wants the squad to.

Likewise for Oz. Cheika hasn’t been there long enough to be indulging in “phoney war” crap. Could maybe believe of an established coaching set-up- more like Gatland or Lancaster’s teams who’ve been in place for donkeys years, but not Oz or Ireland at the moment.
Every game counts towards imprinting the coach’s plan on that set of players; wouldn’t think it was his style anyway. Reminds me a lot of when he came into Leinster – a load of attacking talent but not enough dog to actually win things. Three Heineken cups later and most of the pack going onto better things with Ireland and it looks like he’s doing something similar down under. Joe’s deservedly getting a lot of credit for Ireland’s recent results, but shouldn’t be forgotten how much influence Cheika had on all the forwards coming through the Leinster set up.
Looking forward to how this “weak Ozzie pack” goes against the greats of England and Wales this autumn.

For old times sake then:

😀

Touche

🙂

You are correct – I copied it from Sky’s web page but I see its been updated. Just in time for a stealth edit.

Ah it’s find-a-YouTube-video-and-masturbate time is it? 🙂

I’ll be sticking with my policy of never clicking on your YouTube links a_a (or any on the rugby thread to be honest), so wasted on me I’m afraid. 🙂

Never seen the BOD going at “our Gav” before. Naughty naughty maybe 2 kiwi’s were exacting a bit of revenge 😉

I am sure there are some Gifs of Welsh players being just as bad, Garin Jenkins having a word with Scotland springs to mind.

I still think Gav pole axing Moreno is a work of genius.

Shame on Lancaster and england for picking Clarke. That scum bag has no right to be playing the game.

I couldn’t have out that better myself.

Samoa squad:

Props: Viliamu Afatia, Jake Grey, Logovii Mulipola, Anthony Perenise, Sakaria Taulafo

Hookers: Wayne Ole Avei, Manu Leiataua, Motu Matu’u

Locks: Faatiga Lemalu, Filo Paulo, Kane Thompson, Joe Tekori

Loose Forwards: Maurie Faasavalu, Alafoti Faosiliva, TJ Ioane, Jack Lam, Vavae Tuilagi, Ofisa Treviranus (Captain)

Halfbacks: Vavao Afemai, Kahn Fotualii

First five-eighths: Patrick Faapale, Tusiata Pisi, Mike Stanley

Midfielders: Rey Lee Lo, Johnny Leota, George Pisi, Paul Perez

Outside backs: Faatoina Autagavaia, Ken Pisi, Tim Nanai Williams, Alesana Tuilagi (Vice Captain)

Samoa squad announced 1st. 18 forwards – only 4 back 3 players.
On current form, could be them and the jocks going through in group B.

Interesting to see how other squads take shape to cover all positions

Surprised at Hibberd, Not Hook or Phillips, they have had their time.