Please support the SPCNHT - the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Northern Hemisphere Teams

Cometh the hour, cometh the man (http://bit.ly/KdHee6)

Please donate geneeously to the SPCNHT – the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Northern Hemisphere Teams. Every euro and pound counts.

I have to start by stealing a great line from the New Zealand Morning Herald. Luck of the Irish? – they don’t have any they deserved to win that test. Well we didn’t I guess, but if ever there was time you were going to proud of the team, it was Saturday.  To have the world champions rocked back, looking for answers and finding none, for the scores to be even with five minutes left, and the for the AB’s to be down to 14 men, that wasn’t in the script. How cruel is it that it was them  who managed to get down to our try line and spare their blushes with a drop goal, and not the other way around. Our forwards were gigantic, world class, every single one of them, and our back line dangerous and threatening. I haven’t rated Murray for Ireland so far – he proved me wrong with the performance of his life, with quick, crisp, decisive play. Everyone, with or without the ball, put their bodies on the line.

We gave a few soft penalties away in the first half, which kept the AB’s in the game, and probably cost the game in the end. Well, at least the All Blacks know what we’re about now. It’s hard to say where this performance came from. Declan Kidney has to take some major credit for it, if he can inspire his troops like that every time we play, we won’t ever let him go.

Elsewhere, Wales were hugely unlucky to lose out to the Aussies. Rhys Priestland put in too many wayward kicks, which combined with an absolutely brutal line out, handed way too much easy ball to the Aussies.  Australia are in a quandary at fly half, they were far too deep, and kept getting caught behind the game line. I think the £N is going to be tough for them.

In the last match on Saturday, the Boks put in a barn storming first half to have England on the ropes. A much better performance from England in the second half had them chasing an unlikely victory, until the Boks woke up and put the game to bed. Ben Youngs has stepped up his game, and to me Tom Johnson is the find of the tour.

Ireland to even the series up one all in Christchurch. Stop laughing at the back there.

Your country needs you... (photo http://bit.ly/Lzu1jV)

Ireland head for Christchurch this weekend, looking for a win to even up the series and set up a decider in the last match. Stop laughing at the back there. While half of Ireland is looking for a Kidney transplant, my view is let’s give him the rest of this series to show us what he’s got. I suppose the grumble is, where’s the synergy, where the 2+2=5, where the four provinces are combined to get something better than each individual team. You could argue we have the 2+2=3 effect with the national team.

The team is missing a few key players, namely Bowe, Ferris and O’Connell, but with the amount of rugby being played now, you need a squad of players able to step up to the mark when required.
As I’ve said before, we lack a noted backline coach. Earls was never my favourite in the centre, and now that he’s gone( which I had nothing to do with, promise), it will be interesting to see who’s the replacement. We need back up cover in centre, and fast. D’Arcy and O’Driscoll are both one injury away from the ends of their careers, and we should be trying to blood (excuse the expression) new talent there, so bring on McFadden, Cave, O’Malley would have been good if not injured, Trimble, we need options! I suppose that is Kidney’s plan with Earls, but no, bangs head on desk, it’s not fair on Ireland or Earls.

I’ve also heard rumours that DOC is in the frame for a return. (more banging of head) Not! Give Tuohy a chance, he’s been thrown in at the deepend against the AB’s, he’s a big strong boy, he’ll learn to swim.
Murray out, and Reddan in is a must but… that probably won’t happen either.

What can we do to put the AB’s off their game? I’d target two players –Smith the scrum half, and Sonny Bill Williams. Smith had a dream debut, but we need to be all over him like a rash, he needs a scrum half and a flank hanging off him at all times. That scrum needs to be a lot more unstable for him to work off. SBW would be my other player to target in defense. He’s still learning his trade, and there have to be gaps around him to be exploited.

Now the teams are out, wouldn't argue iwth anything except Murray. Oh dear.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip. 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Dan Tuohy, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Donncha O'Callaghan, 19 Peter O'Mahony, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Simon Zebo.

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.

Are we going to win? Hard to see but I heard Tipoki had a few words with the team, reminding them of what they did against the AB’s at Thomond. If they can play like they did that night, you just never know…

Elsewhere, I can see Wales winning, they are even trundling out Gatland now. I can see them winning now that they realise the task ahead, they looked a bit like they were expecting an easy game last weekend.

England could take the Boks if they stick to their strengths – put Fodden at full back, try to keep the ball in hand and play a fast game. The Boks are pretty one dimensional in attack, but it’s still pretty hard to stop a tank. They are ultra physical in defense, so just from a common sense point of view, try and run round them! I think The Boks will win though.
Saturday , June 16
Fiji vs Scotland 03:00
New Zealand vs Ireland 08:35
Australia vs Wales 11:05
South Africa vs England 16:00
Argentina vs France 22:10

Ireland lose a test, but find a prop

Time for a Caveman? (picture http://es.pn/LJ5jNx)

Well, I have to fess up from the start, admit that I have no life, and that I watched every minute of the three NH/SH matches.  My only useful contribution to society was taking the kids out to the library, and mowing the lawn.

My prediction of a Northern Hemisphere sweep may have been little bit off the mark, but I was expecting at least one win.
However bullish I was last Friday, it was still a wing and a prayer that Ireland were going to beat the All Blacks, and we got smashed in the end, letting in a few easy tries to see the score really blow out. Before I put size 10 boots into the team and the coach, let’s look at the positives. First up has to be Declan Fitzpatrick, hidden in the depths of Ulster. Tony Woodcock may not be what he used to be, but he’s still one of the finest tightheads in the game, and to at least match him was huge result for Fitzpatrick. He also got around the field – is there any chance Ulster could play him a bit more, or could he move to Munster? The pack on the whole did a great job – they won all their lineouts, scrum was solid, and they got quite a few turnovers. I thought Tuohy and O’Mahoney had fairly quiet  games, although I’d expect them to step up a gear next weekend, and Heaslip looks like he’s carrying an injury – he seemed to be hesitant going into contact.

The backline didn’t do too badly either, a bit disorganized in defense, but winmgs in centeres, centres in wings, and new players, it’s going to happen. I though Earls did OK, but would still way prefer him on the wing. Time to start Cave? Murray is the one player I’d start on the bench, Reddan has the ability to give the game tempo, and Murray doesn’t.

I’m not either  going to go for Kidney, we had the organisation and determination to keep the AB’s pegged back for the first 20 minutes, and after that they had the class to hit us on the counter almost at will, with a depressing succession of tries.  DC10 is back again, Savea had a dream debut, and Aaron Smith showed the virtue of a quick scrum half. Anyway, at least we scored a try!

Wales looked like they were still on Welsh time, it was 11.00 O’clock in the morning for them, and way too early to be playing rugby. Australia were not in brilliant form themselves, but Will Genia made the difference as they bounced back from defeat to Scotland. If he gets injured, they’re knackered. Let’s hope Wales have worked out the time zones for next week’s match.

The Boks look beefy but blunt – decent debuts for Kruger, Etzebeth, and Coetzee, but no cutting edge. Why Kirchner is in the team I have no idea, I’d have Pieterson any day, and de Jongh in as well. England need to play it a bit smarter – surely no great feat against the Boks, and keep the ball running.

Saturday , June 9
New Zealand 42 - 10 Ireland
Australia 27 - 19 Wales 
Argentina 37 - 22 Italy 
South Africa 22 - 17 England

Coming up this weekend - a Northern Hemisphere sweep!

Declan Fitzpatrick Picture (http://tinyurl.com/ca3w4ls)

Oh Declan, my Declan! We come not to praise you, we come to bury you! I’m talking about his selections for the match by the way, and in fairness I like a lot of what he’s done.. I really like the look of the locks and the loose trio. Fitzpatrick is a risk, a big one, as Nigel Owens makes his mind up pretty quickly about props, and I’d be fairly surprised if Fitzpatrick doesn’t get a yellow.  But he’s what we’ve got, and I’d back him to give 100%. It’s behind the scrum where things start to look shaky.

Murray at scrumhalf is not fast – in fact he makes Piri Weepu look fast – yes he’s THAT slow. The opposition has the chance to set their defensive lines, have a cuppa, and practice the haka by the time he get’s round to clearing the ruck. He is big and strong though, and is going to have to tackle well. Also, Earls in the center – Jesus wept! Play him on the wing, try Trimble there, put McFadden there, not Earls though. It’salso  going to be a tough experience for Zebo – how’s his tackling and his handling of high balls?

I still think the AB’s are ripe for the taking, when everybody thinks you have no chance – that’s your chance. Not likely, but that’s not going to stop me screaming my lungs out on Saturday morning. You know that part in Trains, Planes and Automobiles where the teller asks Steve Martin And how may I help you sir? To which he replies – you can start by wiping that fucking grin off your face. That’s what I’d like to see happen. Now I’m starting to feel bullish, I can sniff an upset, Ireland by 2!

Actually, I’m feeling a NH sweep coming up, as I fancy Wales against the Aussies, and think England have a decent chance of overturning the Boks.

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Victor Vito, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (c), 12 Keith Earls, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Dan Touhy, 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Donncha O'Callaghan, 19 Kevin McLaughlin, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Darren Cave.

The New Zealand squad gets a once over, and has Piri Weepu ever been seen in the same room as Papa Smurf?

So, bring on the All Blacks! I’ve already given my two cents worth (on reflection only worth one cent) now it’s time for some incisive analysis of New Zealand.

For a start, since Piri Weepu’s move to the Blues, has anyone noticed his starling similarity to papa Smurf? Have they ever been seen in a room at the same time? Pity they won’t let him wear his hat when he plays.

Going through the NZ squad, they are adequate in hookers and definitely stronger than Ireland in props, especially with Mike Ross struggling. Their locks don’t look too frightening, and their loose trio is good but they’ll miss Kaino and McCaw has been out a lot.

Half backs – that’s a ringing endorsement for cartoon characters selecing Weepu, with inexperienced back up – which could back fire. Carter hasn’t played much, but Cruden looks like he’s soon going to be stepping up to the plate, centres are strong, and they have talent in the back three but not much experience.
We can do this, I’d say Wales have the best chance of a scalp this summer, followed closely by England, but don’t write us off yet.

Ireland
Forwards: Rory Best (Ulster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), Declan Fitzpatrick (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Ronan Loughney (Connacht), Kevin McLaughlin (Leinster), Mike McCarthy (Connacht), Sean O'Brien (Leinster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Mike Sherry (Munster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster), Brett Wilkinson (Connacht).

Backs: Darren Cave (Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Paul Marshall (Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster).

New Zealand squad:
Hookers: Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu.
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Ben Tameifuna, Tony Woodcock.
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Samuel Whitelock, Ali Williams.
Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Richie McCaw (C), Kieran Read, Adam Thomson , Victor Vito.
Scrum-halves: Aaron Smith, Piri Weepu.
Fly-halves: Daniel Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett.
Centres: Tamati Ellison, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams.
Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford, Ben Smith, Julian Savea.

Kidney feels the heat - is it going to be a cruel summer?

A kidney yesterday

Who’d be a coach ,eh? If you win, people will forgive your foibles, and grumble quietly. If you lose more than people think you should lose,  you have no chance. If you stick to your guns and go with your gut feeling, you are pig headed and rigid. If you take on board criticism and make changes, you are wishy washy, bereft of you own ideas. Taking into account that 99.9997% of this criticism comes from people who have never coached, and who get their ideas on strategy and   the rules of the game from rugby commentators, 99.9999999999% of whom have never coached or read a rule book, it must be pretty hard to take. And his squad is, to use the technical term, completely buggered after 10 months of rugby. Awww, shame Declan! I guess he knew what he was in for when he signed up for the job.

Declan is a master at keeping his cards close to his chest, the most he reveals at press conferences is that he doesn’t want to tell the media anything. That genial smile could be a reflection of his calm inner zen, or could be masking his almost unbearable desire to seize the microphone from the offending reporter and stick it where the sun don’t shine – we’ll never know.

He has at least planned to leave for NZ with a few new aces up his sleeve, the likes of Tuohy and Marshall, but whether we’ll see them is another thing.  We’ll be without Ferris and probably POC, which is seriously bad news.

My two cents worth on Kidney is that Kidney comes from a background of success with Munster. He took the clay he had at Munster, an awesome forward pack, and talented half backs, and made them into champions of Europe, and then  blended in a few new elements to come up the 2009 6 Nations. He also achieved his Ireland’s best result of the World Cup by topping our pool. Times have changed, and Leinster are now top dogs, with Ulster rising fast below them.  The outstanding feature of Leinster is their dynamic back play, but we don’t get to see that for Ireland. Les Kiss is the defensive and backs coach, whose noticeable success is with the Boks, that hot bed of back line innovation. Kidney doesn’t have the key to backline magic, and neither do his staff  He couldn’t arrange for Joel Schmidt to have a holiday back home for oh, the next three weeks could he? 

I’d say there more chance for us to prosper in NZ  than most people think. Well most people think we haven’t got a snowballs chance in hell so that isn’t hard. The AB’shave lost a host of experience to the moneybags France, they have issues at half back with burger fan Piri Weepu body doubling for Homer Simpson these days, Carter has hardly played, Nonu is vey up and down, they have a new coach in place, and they haven’t played together yet this season. And they are massively confident.

But without a decent backs coach, this three match tour is likely to strain even Kidney’s Zen. Is this a good time to drop in the fact that Kidney’s and Schmidt’s contracts expire at the same time?

Rabodirect final - actually, make that a single... Leinster bow out with a loss to the Ospreys

(Picture http://bit.ly/KvdKdF )

Actually make that a single…  Temperance ruled as Leinster’s season closed with a loss in the last few minutes of the last match. I took my son to the loo with Leinster leading by 9 points, and came back with them losi ng. Meanwhile, temperance was not top of mind in the good natured Osprey supporters around me. Fair play to the Welshman for coming over here and picking Leinster’s pocket right at the end. It was the kind of match finals should be, lots of attacking play, trys scored by wings, good hard physical play. The one thing it had too much of was scrum resets, which ultimately cost Leinster the match as the Ospreys took full advantage and scored 17 points while the Blues were down to 14 men.

I don’t know if I have any favourite French referees, Romain Poite certainly isn’t at the top of the list anyway. His shrill whistle as the scrum collapsed time after time, was not the sound nor the sights the crowd had come for.

Leinster need more depth at prop and lock, that’s pretty obvious, and with the type of schedule they are under, a bigger squad. Winning a Heineken Cup, and getting pipped at the last minute in another  final, we’ll take that. And for the Ospreys, great result, especially with so many high profile departures at the end of last season and good to have  Shane Williams bowing out on a high.

For Leinster, Nacewa was predictably superb, but it was a fairly quiet day at the office for a lot of other tired bodies.

Elsewhere, it was a fantastic win for Quins, tough for Leicester but always good to see new teams scaling the heights.

RaboDirect PRO12
Sunday , May 27
Leinster 30 - 31 Ospreys