Wales and Ireland Two warm up test series Match Thread

[maestegmafia]

First topic message reminder :

7th SEPTEMBER 2019
KO: 14:00
IRELAND VS WALES
Aviva Stadium

Ireland

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 91 caps
14. Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 15 caps
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 37 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 19 caps
11. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 77 caps
10. Jonathan Sexton (St Marys College/Leinster) 83 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 73 caps

1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 90 caps
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 119 caps CAPTAIN
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 35 caps
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 18 caps
5. Jean Kleyn (Munster) 2 caps
6. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 32 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 18 caps
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 15 caps

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 69 caps
17. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 30 caps
18. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 17 caps
19. Iain Henderson (Queens University/Ulster) 47 caps
20. Rhys Ruddock (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 22
21. Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) 13 caps
22. Jack Carty (Buccaneers/Connacht) 6 caps
23. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 23 caps


Wales

Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets); George North (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors); Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues); Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Tomas Francis (Exeter), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (capt, Ospreys), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints), Owen Watkin (Ospreys)

[Shifty]

New Zealand just won 92-7 lol.
Good luck Namibia!

[RiscaGame]

Very disappointed with Wales. Full credit to Ireland for not letting Wales back into the game. Ireland seemed back to their physical, suffocating best there.

Time for Wales’ backs to get the rugby ball out in training. Howler earned his crust today.

[mikey_dragon]

Ireland win again, without ever really hitting top gear

Wales have fallen a little bit off their best form as well

Are warm up games any real guide to form in any case?

I would imagine both sides will be going off to the WC in pretty reasonable shape.

Not really but this one was definitely Irelands most important one.

Ireland will probably lose to Scotland unless the ref is in the green back pocket. So glad we don't have to put up with your buddy Glen Jackson in the world cup, Raynal very similar to him today in that his persistent-incorrect calls just made it an odd game.

[LondonTiger]

Schmidts masterplan taking shape. Peaking at the right time.

Lol.

Im being serious. It was always about hitting form for the Scotland game

OK. I felt they were not very good today. Sexton, Murray & Best still too far off the pace.

[RiscaGame]

Parkes can’t highlight the emotion for Best etc today for Ireland, when we were so poor for Gatland last week.

[mikey_dragon]

Crucial decision not called that swung momentum in Ireland’s favour; AWJ won a turnover but holding on wasn’t called. Ireland persisted with the scrum and scored through Furlong.

Stander takes the ball outside the Irish 22, Murray kicks out on the full. Lineout isn’t back at the 22 like it should be, would’ve swung momentum to Wales.

Raynal just a bit odd with a few other calls; like the high tackle that never was, then going to the TMO for Ryan’s try but then remembering he has Superman X-Ray vision. He didn’t give a high tackle call against Sexton either but was giving incorrect ones against Wales. Like I said the other day, Ireland only beat Wales these days by relying on decisions like these, just like last week and the time we had to endure Glen Jackson (now dumped from the elite panel). We weren’t good enough to get back into the game today and it was disappointing how we fell apart. But Ireland are overrated and Schmidt is out of ideas.

After all your whinging in the last two hours (and in the aftermath of last week's game), really not sure you should ever feel entitled to accuse others of "ref blaming"

Fair I'll give you the last 2 weeks but I don't do it every week like the English though? We had the same posters ruin all our threads with it until the moderation team got a shake up.

[RiscaGame]

Schmidts masterplan taking shape. Peaking at the right time.

Lol.

Im being serious. It was always about hitting form for the Scotland game

OK. I felt they were not very good today. Sexton, Murray & Best still too far off the pace.

Ireland would be better off not starting Best against Scotland. They’re far better defensively than us in a line out and we picked him off twice.

[Collapse2005]

Schmidts masterplan taking shape. Peaking at the right time.

Lol.

Im being serious. It was always about hitting form for the Scotland game

OK. I felt they were not very good today. Sexton, Murray & Best still too far off the pace.

Doesnt matter as long as they are winning games by 9 points against full strength Wales sides.

Sexton and Murray looked good today except for conversions. Good run out for them.

[majesticimperialman]

Ireland win again, without ever really hitting top gear

Wales have fallen a little bit off their best form as well

Are warm up games any real guide to form in any case?

I would imagine both sides will be going off to the WC in pretty reasonable shape.

Not really but this one was definitely Irelands most important one.

Ireland will probably lose to Scotland unless the ref is in the green back pocket. So glad we don't have to put up with your buddy Glen Jackson in the world cup, Raynal very similar to him today in that his persistent-incorrect calls just made it an odd game.

Blaming the ref mikey. not like you. Oh wait Wales lost. that's why.

[mikey_dragon]

TH was continually binding on the arm last week and Ireland were getting all the penalties, it was the same again today. Both ref's were French. Today was worse though, Raynal's game of penalty out of the hat just made it an odd game indeed. Ireland's last 3 wins against Wales have solely relied on odd and incorrect calls. You don't ship 57 points one week then all of a sudden be amazing, you're getting the refs. You especially get the refs against Wales lately and always have the nerve to complain about Wayne Barnes.

https://twitter.com/supertaf99/status/1167817575310512130

https://twitter.com/colinjonesbanto/status/1168100795226710016

It's time we stop Heaslip from commentating and replace him with Mike Phillips...

[EnglishReign]

TH was continually binding on the arm last week and Ireland were getting all the penalties, it was the same again today. Both ref's were French. Today was worse though, Raynal's game of penalty out of the hat just made it an odd game indeed. Ireland's last 3 wins against Wales have solely relied on odd and incorrect calls. You don't ship 57 points one week then all of a sudden be amazing, you're getting the refs. You especially get the refs against Wales lately and always have the nerve to complain about Wayne Barnes.

https://twitter.com/supertaf99/status/1167817575310512130

https://twitter.com/colinjonesbanto/status/1168100795226710016

It's time we stop Heaslip from commentating and replace him with Mike Phillips...

You do against the mighty England.

[Noble-Surfer]

Congrats Ireland on a deserved & convincing win. Feel like it could have been a completely different game if Wales had been more clinical in the first 20, but hats off to the Irish defence for keeping us out.

[SecretFly]

Schmidts masterplan taking shape. Peaking at the right time.

Lol.

Im being serious. It was always about hitting form for the Scotland game

OK. I felt they were not very good today. Sexton, Murray & Best still too far off the pace.

Ireland would be better off not starting Best against Scotland. They’re far better defensively than us in a line out and we picked him off twice.

I'll ring Joe in about 15 mins to give him th advice, Risca.  But it seems he ain't listening to no advice from nobody these days.  Toner even said he'd try out scrum half to get on the plane.  No dice.

[Collapse2005]

Ireland won all their key lineouts so it didnt really matter too much. Positive signs of progress. Scrum looks formidable.

[mikey_dragon]

Ireland won all their key lineouts so it didnt really matter too much. Positive signs of progress. Scrum looks formidable.

The cheating will get found out. It is a little strange how French refs who make the elite list can't see it.

[carpet baboon]

Ireland won all their key lineouts so it didnt really matter too much. Positive signs of progress. Scrum looks formidable.

The cheating will get found out. It is a little strange how French refs who make the elite list can't see it.

Ah yes of course we were cheating.

Chin up

[Collapse2005]

Ireland won all their key lineouts so it didnt really matter too much. Positive signs of progress. Scrum looks formidable.

The cheating will get found out. It is a little strange how French refs who make the elite list can't see it.

Not sure what the issue with French refs are Mikey, they are neutral. Its not like they lived in or went to school in one of these two countries. That would be a bit dodgy.

Raynal was quite charitable with the Welsh today, let your boys away with a lot of spoiling and slowing the ball down. The yellow card could have come a lot earlier.

[mikey_dragon]

Ireland won all their key lineouts so it didnt really matter too much. Positive signs of progress. Scrum looks formidable.

The cheating will get found out. It is a little strange how French refs who make the elite list can't see it.

Ah yes of course we were cheating.

Chin up

At the scrum, yes. This is just two from ten examples last week:


https://twitter.com/supertaf99/status/1167817575310512130

https://twitter.com/colinjonesbanto/status/1168100795226710016

That's shocking how an official can keep missing it. I don't think Ireland are cheats but when French refs are particularly bad two weeks in a row then questions should be asked. Especially if they're at the world cup. Joubert should never have made the last one. Ben O'Keefe shouldn't have made this one.

[Taylorman]

TH was continually binding on the arm last week and Ireland were getting all the penalties, it was the same again today. Both ref's were French. Today was worse though, Raynal's game of penalty out of the hat just made it an odd game indeed. Ireland's last 3 wins against Wales have solely relied on odd and incorrect calls. You don't ship 57 points one week then all of a sudden be amazing, you're getting the refs. You especially get the refs against Wales lately and always have the nerve to complain about Wayne Barnes.

https://twitter.com/supertaf99/status/1167817575310512130

https://twitter.com/colinjonesbanto/status/1168100795226710016

It's time we stop Heaslip from commentating and replace him with Mike Phillips...

You do against the mighty England.

We shipped 46 points then won 36-0 a week later against the same team just weeks ago so yeah, you can.

[Old Man]

TH was continually binding on the arm last week and Ireland were getting all the penalties, it was the same again today. Both ref's were French. Today was worse though, Raynal's game of penalty out of the hat just made it an odd game indeed. Ireland's last 3 wins against Wales have solely relied on odd and incorrect calls. You don't ship 57 points one week then all of a sudden be amazing, you're getting the refs. You especially get the refs against Wales lately and always have the nerve to complain about Wayne Barnes.

https://twitter.com/supertaf99/status/1167817575310512130

https://twitter.com/colinjonesbanto/status/1168100795226710016

It's time we stop Heaslip from commentating and replace him with Mike Phillips...

Yes, I saw that too, Welsh prop should have been in the referee’s ear about that until he actually did something about it.

[EnglishReign]

TH was continually binding on the arm last week and Ireland were getting all the penalties, it was the same again today. Both ref's were French. Today was worse though, Raynal's game of penalty out of the hat just made it an odd game indeed. Ireland's last 3 wins against Wales have solely relied on odd and incorrect calls. You don't ship 57 points one week then all of a sudden be amazing, you're getting the refs. You especially get the refs against Wales lately and always have the nerve to complain about Wayne Barnes.

https://twitter.com/supertaf99/status/1167817575310512130

https://twitter.com/colinjonesbanto/status/1168100795226710016

It's time we stop Heaslip from commentating and replace him with Mike Phillips...

You do against the mighty England.

We shipped 46 points then won 36-0 a week later against the same team just weeks ago so yeah, you can.

Not only does it happen but I'd say for teams with the character and quality of Ire and NZ, it's actually the most likely outcome after a heavy loss.

[SecretFly]

Well with the warm ups over (are they all over?) - the sides allegedly in contention seem reasonably happy with progress.  Some reached that degree of contentment early, some arrived shamefully late!

But what does if all mean?  Not much really.  All has to start again in a few weeks. A new series of 'warm ups' only this time they'll be deathly serious.  

South Africa might have done the smartest move yet.  They're already acclimatising.  

So new country, new conditions, new traing facilities, new hotels - keeping ships running smoothly will be the issues now.

[WELL-PAST-IT]

Crucial decision not called that swung momentum in Ireland’s favour; AWJ won a turnover but holding on wasn’t called. Ireland persisted with the scrum and scored through Furlong.

Stander takes the ball outside the Irish 22, Murray kicks out on the full. Lineout isn’t back at the 22 like it should be, would’ve swung momentum to Wales.

Raynal just a bit odd with a few other calls; like the high tackle that never was, then going to the TMO for Ryan’s try but then remembering he has Superman X-Ray vision. He didn’t give a high tackle call against Sexton either but was giving incorrect ones against Wales. Like I said the other day, Ireland only beat Wales these days by relying on decisions like these, just like last week and the time we had to endure Glen Jackson (now dumped from the elite panel). We weren’t good enough to get back into the game today and it was disappointing how we fell apart. But Ireland are overrated and Schmidt is out of ideas.

After all your whinging in the last two hours (and in the aftermath of last week's game), really not sure you should ever feel entitled to accuse others of "ref blaming"

After the comments made about the English about the game on 17th, definitely a case of pot calling kettle black.

Ref wasn't good, but not biased either.

To be honest I didn't think either side looked good, Wales cannot seem to get beyond grinding out the points and Ireland though a lot better than against England, still didn't see to have that spark that they used to have. Still numero uno so they cannot be that bad

[Northgrill]

Congrats on the win Ireland. That James Ryan looks some player in the making. Have to give the Welsh lads credit for that defence in the last few minutes. Onwards and upwards.

[majesticimperialman]

The only bad thing a bout Warm up game's is injury's. How is Patchel doing? going off for an HIA at this stage should be a big worry. If Patchel does not recover from his HIA  who is back up to Biggar.

[Guest]

The only bad thing a bout Warm up game's is injury's. How is Patchel doing? going off for an HIA at this stage should be a big worry. If Patchel does not recover from his HIA  who is back up to Biggar.

Biggar’s brother Jan.

[majesticimperialman]

How do Ireland stand right now in the world ranking? do they now move to number 1 or number 2 behind New Zealand?

[No 7&1/2]

Ireland are number 1.

[Taylorman]

Ireland are number 1.

Yes it’s a bit of a pot luck at the moment. Next week who knows. Italy?

[Collapse2005]

Ireland are number 1.

Yes it’s a bit of a pot luck at the moment. Next week who knows. Italy?

At least Ireland beat NZ recently, as well as everyone else at some point in the last couple of years. However aside from that its fairly meaningless especially on the back of warm up games.

[Guest]

Ireland are number 1.

Yes it’s a bit of a pot luck at the moment. Next week who knows. Italy?

I don’t get all the furore about the rankings. Nothing has changed, as far as I know, in terms of the formula and calculations, etc. for years. Yet a bit of change at the top and suddenly it’s all nonsense and pot luck. If you didn’t lose to all and sundry, Taylorman, the ABs would still be number 1! (As would Wales, of course )

[majesticimperialman]

(As would Wales, of course  ) hahahahah...of course.

[Collapse2005]

It was the AB losses against pretty low ranked sides that hit them hard. 6th and 7th ranked sides etc.

[Collapse2005]

Great to see Kilcoyne continue the great run of form. Very strong front row and reserves.

[SecretFly]

I laugh, I giggle I do but chortle.

Ranking position is inaccurate? It's like saying today doesn't feel like Saturday 7th September and therefore shouldn't be recognised as such.

And of course, the Globe being the bollix that it is, Taylorman can absolutely pipe up and say "yes! Today actually isn't Saturday 7th September. It's Sunday the 8th."

So blame the Sun for the Rankings arguments. I know I do.

[Collapse2005]

Ireland also noticably more physical and dominant without POM. Think that was our strongest backrow today.

[RiscaGame]

Ireland also noticably more physical and dominant without POM. Think that was our strongest backrow today.

I’m glad an Irish person said it.

[Guest]

Ireland also noticably more physical and dominant without POM. Think that was our strongest backrow today.

Hate to say it, but Mikey’s been banging that drum for ages! No one would listen to him though.

[SecretFly]

Great to see Kilcoyne continue the great run of form. Very strong front row and reserves.

The satisfying thing (nervous thing at the time) was the ease with which the main players left the field in the second half.  
It seemed to have been and likely was timed like clockwork.  No player had a tantrum........ ..... , they just mechanically walked off and left the remainder of the game to the replacements.

There was still a lot to play for.  It was still dangerous 'end-game cheetah' Wales out there (lethal in the final chase if they smell blood); it was still a home game, it was still Rory and Joe's last game in Ireland, it was still so close on the scoreboard, AWJ was still in the field ( if I'm remembering correctly) ----- but I think that calm withdrawal and handover to the replacements showed a solid degree of inner confidence and trust in the replacements that suggested a squad more comfortable in their qualities than it often appeared during this warm up series.

I think Wales actually did try to up the attack threat pace when the majority of Irish replacements came on as if conscious that such a time was the time to catch Ireland cold in the changeovers.  But not this time.

So an inner belief in themselves emanates from this Irish team in their body language and calm attitude.  I think they're exactly where they've planned to be at this point, knowing it's still not nearly ready for bigger fights but confident of getting there.

[SecretFly]

Ireland also noticably more physical and dominant without POM. Think that was our strongest backrow today.

Hate to say it, but Mikey’s been banging that drum for ages! No one would listen to him though.

POM will play his part.

[majesticimperialman]

Re Half penny. was he subed for Liam Williams. or was he taken off as a precaution. ( slight knock, hia ) or just giving all the players game time?

[Collapse2005]

Ireland also noticably more physical and dominant without POM. Think that was our strongest backrow today.

Hate to say it, but Mikey’s been banging that drum for ages! No one would listen to him though.

He was just copying me

[mikey_dragon]

Ireland also noticably more physical and dominant without POM. Think that was our strongest backrow today.

Hate to say it, but Mikey’s been banging that drum for ages! No one would listen to him though.

He was just copying me

The rest of the Irish will want you strung up for that. I've criticized him a few times publicly only to be met with stupid responses. VDF was the difference today. An out and out open-side they say, but also very physical. He's also Ireland's only 7 so going forward a lot might rely on him. Stander and Conan were also very good and more physical than our back-row reps. who didn't cut the mustard. It just looked unbalanced when Navidi came on who seems to be less physical after a run of injuries. We really need an on-form Shingler to come back in at 6. Tipuric isn't our best 7, surely people must realize that by now? Our best isn't playing so it wouldn't hurt to put Wainright there. I also said before the match that I disagree with Gatland that this is our best ever squad. It's without 5 players who could make a difference.

[SecretFly]

Just a word on Dan Biggar. Always liked him, his intense competitive spirit. Never like thinking of him in Welsh teams meeting us, but always admire his warrior nature. NEVER understood Welsh criticisms of him.

And there he goes - don't think I've ever heard the like of it before.... telling the ref not to bother with the TMO, saying he didn't get the try. He didn't 'admit' that he didn't get it, he just said he didn't get it.

Now that's my kind of rugby player.

[Collapse2005]

Just a word on Dan Biggar.  Always liked him, his intense competitive spirit.  Never like thinking of him in Welsh teams meeting us, but always admire his warrior nature.  NEVER understood Welsh criticisms of him.

And there he goes - don't think I've ever heard the like of it before.... telling the ref not to bother with the TMO, saying he didn't get the try.  He didn't 'admit' that he didn't get it, he just said he didn't get it.

Now that's my kind of rugby player.  

Yeah Biggar is class

[Collapse2005]

Ireland also noticably more physical and dominant without POM. Think that was our strongest backrow today.

Hate to say it, but Mikey’s been banging that drum for ages! No one would listen to him though.

POM will play his part.

Im sure he will. Id like to see him captain the side v Samoa and Russia.

[Guest]

Just a word on Dan Biggar.  Always liked him, his intense competitive spirit.  Never like thinking of him in Welsh teams meeting us, but always admire his warrior nature.  NEVER understood Welsh criticisms of him.

And there he goes - don't think I've ever heard the like of it before.... telling the ref not to bother with the TMO, saying he didn't get the try.  He didn't 'admit' that he didn't get it, he just said he didn't get it.

Now that's my kind of rugby player.  

What I liked about that was that it allowed the game to start again quickly. Often with a TMO review it takes the heat out of a game. The attacking team might have their tails up, the fatties might be blowing from all of the action, and a TMO review allows them to regroup, recover, get their structure back. Tell the ref that he didn’t get it down, and he knew best that he didn’t, and the game can restart quickly while the fatties are still spent and the attacking team still have their hopes up. Smart move, if he was thinking along those lines.

[SecretFly]

Oh I got the smart angle potential of it Oracle, but nope, I just got the impression that was just him being honest. Maybe he even had a small admiration for the miraculous looking hold up Ireland conspired to pull out of the bag. On with the game...to hell with the TMO.

[LondonTiger]

Just a word on Dan Biggar.  Always liked him, his intense competitive spirit.  Never like thinking of him in Welsh teams meeting us, but always admire his warrior nature.  NEVER understood Welsh criticisms of him.

And there he goes - don't think I've ever heard the like of it before.... telling the ref not to bother with the TMO, saying he didn't get the try.  He didn't 'admit' that he didn't get it, he just said he didn't get it.

Now that's my kind of rugby player.  

What I liked about that was that it allowed the game to start again quickly. Often with a TMO review it takes the heat out of a game. The attacking team might have their tails up, the fatties might be blowing from all of the action, and a TMO review allows them to regroup, recover, get their structure back. Tell the ref that he didn’t get it down, and he knew best that he didn’t, and the game can restart quickly while the fatties are still spent and the attacking team still have their hopes up. Smart move, if he was thinking along those lines.

Was the subsequent drop out the one Sexton put out on the full?

[Collapse2005]

It was a 5 meter scrum after

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