Ireland vs Argentina, Build-Up and Match Thread

[Notch]

First topic message reminder :

Ireland's date with destiny fast approaches. Win and we are absolutely certain of a Second Tier seeding at the 2015 RWC. Lose... and we are at the mercy of other results. Argentina sit just ahead of us in the World Rankings table in sixth and will also be looking to copper-fasten their spot. There'll be no love lost between the two sides; these games are always confrontational and Argentina have a fair bit of momentum coming into this with a very credible win in Cardiff. They failed to register a win in their debut rugby championship season but the lessons learned make them a much more dangerous beast than the naive bruisers we've faced in the past. They've kept all their passion and physicality, but now have a fine young generation of elusive and skillful backs and a much better balance to their game. Two of those- Horacio Agulla and Lucas Amorosino- have been omitted by Santiago Phelan for this game but watch out for Juan Jose Imhoff and Gonzalo Camacho.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3885_8259078,00.html

Argentina: Marcos Ayerza, Marcelo Bosch, Maximiliano Bustos, Gonzalo Camacho, Manuel Carizza, Santiago Cordero, Agustín Creevy, Tomas Cubelli, Tomas De la Vega, Julio Farias Cabello, Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe (capt), Santiago Fernandez, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Juan Cruz Guillemain, Eusebio Guinazu, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Jose Imhoff, Martín Landajo, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Leonardi, Nahuel Lobo, Manuel Montero, Bruno Postiglioni, Federico Sanchez, Leonardo Senatore, Gonzalo Tiesu, Joaquin Tuculet, Tomás Vallejos, Nicolas Vergallo.

Talking of backs, Ireland coach Declan Kidney has a number of decisions to make after a much-changed backline ran rampant against against an admittedly under-strength and uncommitted Fijian side. Media and fans have been clamouring to see more of the likes of Craig Gilroy, Luke Marshall and Paddy Jackson but when he selects his side the Cork man has to counter-balance their obvious potential against the naivety of our last opponents and the value of experience. It would be no surprise if he mainly stuck to the conservative option; expect a few new faces but no radical, fundamental change. He'll be hoping Johnny Sexton recovers from an injury picked up in the warm-up on Saturday; he's scheduled to return to training on Thursday, the same day the team is named.

Teams to be edited in when they are announced. Discuss.

[Golden]

Awful defence there. Still good stuff from Sexton

[Notch]

Whaaaaat????!!

We are on our way to handing out the mother of all hidings here! Argentina, I just want Argentina to show some pride man. They look like beaten men.

[GunsGerms]

Darcy has been decent today

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Rodders, best performer so far? Connor Murray?

Not by a long shot. He has had a very good game by his standards though,.

How dare you stop us WUMing. Hang your head in shame

[Cari]

Well that's Chilli's boots gone!

Good second try for Sexytoes.

Are the Pumas that bad or are Ireland rampant? Or both?

[clivemcl]

Look at sexton doing the 'paddy Wallace'. In slightly more allowable circumstances.

[rodders]

Sexton should have passed there.

Bring on ROG.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

This match is teaching us nothing really about Ireland. Argentina are probably worse than Fiji today.

[wales606]

Ireland have 2 games a year where they are superb

They were seconds away from a draw with the ABs in NZ, and perhaps should have won - then get 60pts put on them.

Can Ireland be a bit more consistent after this glorious victory?

[Golden]

Good kick. Hes had some very tough kicks so far

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Sextons on fire

[Cari]

39-12. Well done Sexy. Kicks better from the left not the right side of the pitch

[Notch]

Ireland are the new France. Baffling and disappointing underperformance punctuated by fantastic, unexpected brilliance.

[GunsGerms]

+20 is our record margin v Argentina. We are +27 now.

[Cari]

They could bring BOD on now with his gammy foot...

[KiaRose]

Ireland are the new France. Baffling and disappointing underperformance punctuated by fantastic, unexpected brilliance.

Except haven't France been consistently good this autumn?

[rodders]

Terrible language from Ryan there...come on fella its only a game...

[KiaRose]

Gilroy makes a mistake .......................

[asoreleftshoulder]

Donnacha Ryan having a hell of a game,,he was lucky to start after a poor game against S.A. but he's really stepped up for this one.

Great to see him taking such delight in tries from Strauss and Sexton.

[GunsGerms]

Gilroy is human after all

[eirebilly]

Mistake from Gilroy, sure we will forgive him that

[Golden]

Unleash henderson on them now

[Notch]

Ireland are the new France. Baffling and disappointing underperformance punctuated by fantastic, unexpected brilliance.

Except haven't France been consistently good this autumn?

Yeah but's thats because they are the new Wales. A vacancy created by Wales' transition to being the new Ireland! Keep up!

[Cari]

ooh who's fouled? DOR? No binning thankfully.

[westisbest]

Poor from the touchjudge

[eirebilly]

How the hell is that pulling down?

[GunsGerms]

Silly from POM. Hasnt had a great game again. We miss Ferris.

[rodders]

When McFadden comes on it should be for Earls and Bowe should move to 13.

[KiaRose]

There have been some very strange refereeing decisions in this game. None has been critical but ...

[Golden]

When McFadden comes on it should be for Earls and Bowe should move to 13.

Id rather see him come in at 12 for Darcy

[rodders]

This Ref is a madman!

[Cari]

How's the Irish defence...? Offisde!

ooh near intercept by Tommy! Then I'd be screaming if he'd gone...

[wales606]

Almost a length of the field intercept by Bowe - he likes those.

[GunsGerms]

Great D

[GunsGerms]

When McFadden comes on it should be for Earls and Bowe should move to 13.

Id rather see him come in at 12 for Darcy

Darcy has had a very good game though.

[rodders]

When McFadden comes on it should be for Earls and Bowe should move to 13.

Id rather see him come in at 12 for Darcy

Yeah that would work..... but I suspect the plan is to switch him for Gilroy...

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

God Argentina are terrible

[eirebilly]

I am really confused as to what the assistent referees and referee are seeing

[Cari]

Almost a length of the field intercept by Bowe - he likes those.

So do I. Now that's sexy rugby.

[rodders]

D'arcy has been excellent.

[GunsGerms]

Another penalty POM. Irelands worst player?

[wales606]

Almost a length of the field intercept by Bowe - he likes those.

So do I. Now that's sexy rugby.

Now behave - its all about Gilroy today, Tommy isn't allowed anymore tries.

[rodders]

I am really confused as to what the assistent referees and referee are seeing

I think they've been on the sauce......

[Golden]

Id be bringing on Bent and Henderson now

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Another penalty POM. Irelands worst player?

Earls would give a run for his money.

[Golden]

When McFadden comes on it should be for Earls and Bowe should move to 13.

Id rather see him come in at 12 for Darcy

Darcy has had a very good game though.

Nothing about Darcy. Just would like to see some competition for that spot,

[GunsGerms]

Thankfully its not Murray again.

[neilthom7]

Yep Bent and Henderson should be on now O'Mahoney hasn't been good and Ross looks like Ross does after 60 mins

[clivemcl]

Shocking play acting from Healey there!

[eirebilly]

Another penalty POM. Irelands worst player?

Earls would give a run for his money.

Haters gonna hate

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