Ireland Tour of New Zealand 2022

First topic message reminder :

In addition to three tests, Ireland are playing 2 non-test matches against NZ Māori.  Farrell plans to take an expanded squad as a result that will allow him see a few other non-regulars perform. The newer ones may only be required for the 2 NZ Māori matches

Assuming current injuries allow some players to travel, the touring squad will likely include most of the 6N picks plus some more - up to say 42 players.  
Ireland will likely win two of the matches and things will likely go to the third test to decide matters.

Forwards 22
7 Props - Furlong, Porter, Bealham, O’Toole, Loughman?
3 Hookers - Sheehan, Herring, Heffernan?
6 Locks - Ryan, Henderson, Beirne, Baird, Treadwell, J McCarthy?
6 B/rows - VdF, Conan, Coombes, Doris, O’Mahony, Timoney? Prendergast?
Backs 20
4 SH Gibson-Park, Murray, Casey
4 10s Sexton, Carbery, H Byrne?
5 Centres Aki, Henshaw, Ringrose, Hume? Frawley?
7 Back-threes - Keenan, Lowe, Hansen, Lowry? J O’Brien?

Surprised Healy has made the bench, thought he would be on a plane home after his injury on Wed. No real surprises in the Ireland team other than that other than maybe O'Mahony for Conan. Earls is the only player starting both games so hope he has a better day on Saturday.

Interesting to see how Leicester Fainga'anuku goes. Kinda thought we might see Mo'unga at fly half instead of Barrett however Beauden Barrett joins his two brothers to make three brothers in one team. Thats pretty mental. Think they have only started 5 games together but played in 13.

Scott Barrett at 6 is a big bonus for Ireland. Remember he played there against England in 2019 SF loss and looked lost
Unless of course he has been playing there in super rugby this season?
Otherwise, it seems like an odd selection.

sensisball wrote:Scott Barrett at 6 is a big bonus for Ireland. Remember he played there against England in 2019 SF loss and looked lost
Unless of course he has been playing there in super rugby this season?
Otherwise, it seems like an odd selection.

Pretty sure he's played 2nd row most of the season.
That NZ backline looks frighteningly good. I think Ireland's lack of pace out wide is going to be exposed. Also shows lack of depth on the wing not helped with injuries because imo Earls should be nowhere near the 23 if everyone was fit.

Earls is a good player but I think Hansen or Conway are better options now. Maybe even Balacoune.

Collapse2005 wrote:Earls is a good player but I think Hansen or Conway are better options now. Maybe even Balacoune.

Totally agree. I'm not a huge Hansen fan. I think Conway is quality though. Balacoune just is pure gas that I feel Ireland don't have. I just think age is catching up with Earls.

sensisball wrote:Scott Barrett at 6 is a big bonus for Ireland. Remember he played there against England in 2019 SF loss and looked lost
Unless of course he has been playing there in super rugby this season?
Otherwise, it seems like an odd selection.

Thats true. That was the last time he started at 6 for the ABs and Hanson actually said it was a mistake later on.

Trivia:
What was the last test side to keep NZ scoreless? Its only happened 8 times ever in test matches albeit Munster also kept NZ scoreless in the 70s.

Looks like Ronan O'Gara and Scott Robertson will coach the BaBas in November v the Abs.

Absolutely huge game this! I fear for Ireland but it would be amazing if they put in a classic mega intensity performance.

Game on!

Morning all. Good game so far. No prisoners at every ruck!

Ooft great try Ireland! I thought they made a mistake earlier in the play not going left when ABs were short on numbers but they kept patient. Great finish Earls.

Great start

James Low being used as a prominent kicking option - adds extra variety certainly

All kicking from the Abs, all the rugby being played by Ireland so far.

Both set pieces a bit of a shambles

Exciting game though! What an interception from Barrett

Definitely a forward pass for that try to Leicester F.

Collapse2005 wrote:Definitely a forward pass for that try to Leicester F.

He's got a great name though!

https://twitter.com/TasmanMako/status/1542579054754160640?t=x1zM3JwMuKKkCdT6U5CdAw&s=19

RDW wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Definitely a forward pass for that try to Leicester F.

He's got a great name though!

Yeah is middle names are Wales Twickenham

Intercept try, Sexton off - long way back for Ireland

We are getting killed now

This could get messy. Class from Barrett

Yeah could be an absolute thrashing.

Give NZ a sniff and they take it, they’re pretty good…

Ireland have fallen apart. They were doing so well but that scoreboard has moved so quickly.

Ireland havent played that bad, you wouldnt know from the score board.

That intercept try knocked everything out of Ireland. NZ have been close to their ruthless best, if that continues it could be 50+ by the end.

Collapse2005 wrote:Ireland havent played that bad, you wouldnt know from the score board.

That's the weird thing they really haven't! ABs ruthless in their execution

Good morning. Just turned this on. Not a good score line to start the international season...

ABs keep lying on the wrong side of ruck to slow things down

The good news is it cant be 60-0

Great start for Ireland. Good patience.

MichaelT wrote:Great start for Ireland. Good patience.

Watching on delay?

Who is the Irish commentator who doesn't know the laws?

He wants to hope he didn't ground it.

Should be a penalty try then. Better for Ireland.

Good try

Oh no. Its Dickson of course

Mad decision, his head was dragged back in the tackle

Collapse2005 wrote:Mad decision, his head was dragged back in the tackle

Personally I don't think there's separation when he went to place it either.

Dickson proves that he's a p1ss poor ref again

You see them given more often than not. Oh well.

RDW wrote:

MichaelT wrote:Great start for Ireland. Good patience.

Watching on delay?

It was to do with the early try in the second half. Real time.

Big wake up call for Ireland who've been comprehensively outplayed in every facet of the game. What's even worrying is this is hardly a vintage NZ side.

Really annoying how much the ABs get away with lying on the wrong side of the ruck.

The come back is on

Finally a yellow for lying on the wrong side, they have only be doing it all match.

Great dive by Murray there

With this many penalties shouldn’t it be another YC?

Good hustle from Ireland in the 2nd half.

Thought OMahoney and Carbery played well. Backrow decent too.