Sunday 30 December 2012

Leinster vs Connacht

Final Score 17-0

First off, I fancied Connacht from the start. After 30 mins, I fancied them even more. I thought the Leinster team was one of the worst named I've seen in a long time; with both the backline and front five looking very dodgy.

Conway and Carr have become liabilities, Goodman does not live up to his name, Bent does unfortunately.

And Connacht have showed, this season in particular, that they are no mugs anymore.

In any case, after the try against the run of play, Connacht didn't look the same side.

Individual stand-outs, and there wasn't as many as Munster and Ulster were Dominic Ryan and Rhys Ruddock. Both showed they are ahead of the vast improving Jordi Murphy, who does not have enough control at the base of a scrum to be an 8. Kevin MacLaughlin and Shane Jennings will be wary as both of these lads are making strong cases for promotion and I think should be soon.

As for Connacht, Henshaw looked exciting, but like Luke Marshall, showed his youth at times by taking the wrong options, and making silly errors that experience teaches you not to do. He has some way to go yet.

Marmion however was immense, quick passing, some slick breaks and took control of the game at times. He had a lot of clever kicks over the top. I'd have him ahead of Murray in the Irish set up.

Although I'd have a lot of scrum halves ahead of Murray.

Saturday 29 December 2012

Munster vs Ulster Review

Final score 24-10.

Despite the score there was some good performances from both sides.

Paddy Butler and Tommy O'Donnell (man of the match) were everywhere, smashing into the breakdown, making big tackles. O'Donnell showed me that that one performance against Glasgow wasn't a once-off.

A lot of the young "tyros" from Ulster put in some great performances too. Chris Cochrane showed some promise from the start, but I was most impressed with Stuart Olding, Niall Annett, Ali Birch and Michael Heaney from the bench.

Annett was the under 20's captain for the last two years, hit every line-out jumper, and the scrum improved immeasurably when he cam on. That may be because of Tom Court's appearance too, but Annett showed me a lot more than I was expecting at this stage and he needs to be considered as the back up to Rory Best and getting more chances.

Stuart Olding came on and showed some good touches. He has a great pass off both hands, took his conversion well, and kicking out of hand was very impressive. I'd like to see more of him. He looked better than Niall O'Connor, but it's a bit soon to call for more.

Michael Heaney was awesome. He seems like a younger Paul Marshall. He was energetic, a livewire and upped the tempo. The consolation Ulster try was made by his break, step and awesome over the shoulder offload. I'd love to see more of him, but with Marshall and Pienaar ahead of him it may not happen.

First I'd seen of Ali Birch, a 24 year old Irish blindside flanker, but it was hard not to notice him. Made one great break after a brilliant dummy, showed strength and pace to get away and hold up and wait for support, He took the try really well too.

But one player who stood out for me in the end was Luke Marshall. Admittedly, in the beginning I saw a lot of errors, some inexperienced giving away of penalties, and he was caught out badly for a O'Mahony break when Marshall was sinbinned.

But, he redeemed himself with some huge hits, constantly tackling much bigger players and putting them backwards, I counted a number of turnovers from him too. He also stood up and took responsibility, with some great kicks to the corners, strong carrying and showed he has a bit of a step too.

Future doesn't look so bleak, but these lads need some chances.

Thursday 27 December 2012

2013 Wishlist

I thought I'd make a list of things I want to happen in the new year.

Ulster Rugby:

Jared Payne will declare for Ireland.
Luke Marshall to cement his place in the Ulster first XV.
Paul Marshall to get a chance for Ireland.
Craig Gilroy to continue to improve and take his chances.
Darren Cave to get more chances for Ireland.
Declan Fitzpatrick to get more games.
Stephen Ferris to not get injured.

Stuart Olding to get a few chances.
Niall Annett to start becoming second choice hooker.
Chris Cochrane to get more games.
Michael Heaney to get a few games

Connacht Rugby:
To qualify for the Heineken Cup again.
To start finishing at least 8th in the Pro12.

Denis Buckley to cement his place in the first XV
Eoin Griffen to start in the first XV
Mick Kearney to be first choice

Aaron Conneely get more games
Daniel Qualter to get more games
Conor Finn to get a chance
Shane Leydon to get a chance

Tiernan O'Hallorhan to get a go with Ireland
Kieran Marmion to get a chance with Ireland
Robbie Henshaw get a chance with Ireland

Munster Rugby:
Make the Rabo Pro12 playoffs
Make at least the Amlin Quarters 12/13

Stephen Archer to improve and get more games
Danny Barnes to get more opportunities
Paddy Butler to keep improving and make the first XV
Scott Deasy to get a chance
Ivan Dineen to get a chance
Sean Dougall to improve and get games
JJ Hanrahan to get a chance
Felix Jones to not get injured
David Kilcoyne to improve and challenge Healy
Conor Murray to improve his tempo and passing and kicking. Take less steps
Ian Nagle to show his potential
Dave O'Callaghan to keep improving
Paul O'Connell to not get injured
Luke O'Dea to show he is special
Tommy O'Donnell to prove that one performance wasn't a one-off
John Ryan to challenge Archer
Sean Scanlon to show something
Mike Sherry to improve his throwing
CJ Stander to not get injured
Simon Zebo to prove me wrong and he is something a little different

Leinster Rugby:

Win the Rabo
Qualify for the Heineken Quarters
Not be drawn against Clermont in the pool stages in 13/14

Michael Bent to show he can scrum
Andrew Conway to show his potential
Sean Cronin to improve scrummaging and throwing
Tom Denton to challenge for the first team
Luke Fitzgerald to not get injured and show his potential
Jamie Hagan to challenge for the first team
Fergus McFadden to find a position
Jack McGrath to challenge Healy
Brian O'Driscoll to not get injured and consider RWC
Eoin O'Malley to not get injured and challenge
Quinn Roux to show he is awesome and not get injured
Rhys Ruddock make the first XV
Dominic Ryan to show he is an openside of quality

Ben Marshall to start challenging for the first team
Luke McGrath to get a chance
Jordi Murphy to keep improving and start challenging full time for a first team jersey
Noel Reid to get contract and cut out the errors

Lions:

No Ashton, Armitage or Hartley
O'Driscoll and O'Connell

Sean Maitland has declared for Scotland and gets a call up.

Some young bolters.

An entertaining and exciting squad and style of play.

A victory.

Ireland.

Beat NZ.
Show promise.

Look like you can score at anytime.
Play smart rugby

Wednesday 26 December 2012

The West's Awake

A Link to "The West's Awake", the documentary on Connacht's first season in the Heineken Cup.


http://vimeo.com/52031977

Irish rugby in 2012: All you need to know in 8 videos


From thescore.ie

2012 WAS A CURIOUS year for Irish rugby.
The Six Nations continued a worrying trend of Irish teams being unable to close out games when necessary but still featured a French draw that felt like a loss.
Leinster and Ulster then contested the Heineken Cup Final, with Joe Schmidt’s side capturing their third European title in four years.
Ireland were humbled in the first test against New Zealand before Declan Kidney chose 13 Leinster and Ulster players and pushed the All Blacks to bending point.
Breaking point came a week later, for the Irish, as the ABs ran in nine tries and delivered a 60-0 chastisement.
Another close game was lost to the Springboks before a glorious afternoon in brisk November surrounds sent the Argentineans packing and gave us all reason to believe in better times next year.
Here is Irish Rugby in 2012:

Feelgood story

On 14 January, Connacht lost their third away game against Toulouse and there was no wistful thoughts passed on the 24-3 loss.
Eric Elwood rallied his weary troops a week later to stun Harlequins 9-8 for the province’s first ever Heineken Cup win.

YouTube credit: irismedia

Best player

Rob Kearney won the ERC Player of the Year and a host of other personal accolades to go along with his third Heineken Cup medal. Personal highlights include a give and take duel with Israel Dagg, a collection of high ball claims in the Six Nations and a 40-metre drop goal against Clermont Auvergne in the Heineken Cup semi-final.

YouTube credit: David147v2

Best game

Tension held sway in most of the big matches of the year, apart from the Leinster’s 42-14 blowout in the Heineken Cup final. One week later they were Dan Biggar-ed as Ospreys pipped them in the Pro12 Final.
For sheer drama, however, Leinster’s 19-15 victory over Clermont in the Heineken Cup semi-final had it all.

YouTube credit: eurorugby2012

Best try

Back in April, Craig Gilroy was just a promising winger with high hopes and realistic expectations. Within 15 minutes of Ulster’s Heineken Cup semi-finals he had beaten six Munster players on his way to a stunning score.

YouTube credit: TheUAFC

Biggest heartbreak

Ireland tore into the world champion All Blacks from the opening minute at the AMI Stadium in Christchurch and set the platform for a real tilt at securing their first win in 26 matches.
Nigel Owens and Dan Carter then combined to shatter our dreams. The ABs stretched the winless streak to 27 a week later in Hamilton.

YouTube credit:  SuperRugbyBall

Best breakdown banter

When Clermont hosted Ulster back in January at Stade Marcel Michelin, Nathan Hines decided that it was time to take three Ulsterman out of the game during one hotly contested ruck.

YouTube credit: ddtblog1

Best newcomer

Craig Gilroy scored two tries against the Barbarians before he was left off the plane to New Zealand in the summer.
He got another chance in green for the Ireland Select team that blitzed Fiji at Thomond Park. Three more tries followed and a test debut was soon forthcoming.

YouTube credit: Tap Tackle
Gilroy followed that up a week later with another superb try against Argentina to confirm his arrival as a genuine wing star.

One to watch

Paddy Jackson is the undisputed kicking king at Ulster now but he showed enough in the Fiji game to suggest he can offer a genuine threat to Jonathan Sexton in the Irish team. He can also take nifty penalties from extremely acute angles.

YouTube credit: Beanyman62Sports

Saturday 22 December 2012

The Weight Of A Nation


New Zealand's documentary about winning the Rugby World Cup

Old Blog

I've finally sorted out the old blog.

If you want to see all the old Rugby posts, it's right here:

http://interenemesting.tumblr.com/tagged/Rugby

Friday 21 December 2012

Ulster vs Leinster


Ulster: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Chris Henry (c), 6 Robbie Diack, 5 Neil McComb, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 John Afoa, 2 Rory Best, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Black, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Alan O'Connor, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Paddy Wallace, 23 Adam D'Arcy.
Leinster: 15 Noel Reid, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Brendan Macken, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Fergus McFadden, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Michael Bent, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Jamie Hagan, 19 Tom Denton, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Andrew Goodman, 23 Adam Byrne.
Team Selection notes:
Ulster:
Great team. Thought Gilroy and Jackson were sick though, be interesting to see how they go. Always good to see Luke Marshall, and Iain Henderson in the second row will be good. The Ulster back up forwards don't look brilliant.
Leinster
Excited to see Noel Reid at 15, and Michael Bent too.
D'Arcy vs Marshall is a great matchup, and will Henderson vs Cullen, Best vs Cronin and Trimble vs McFadden. Henry vs the Leinster back row at the breakdown will be interesting again.
I know Ulster are in good form, and Leinster are not. I just can't see anything other than a comfortable Leinster win. Leinster just seem to be the bogey team for Ulster. 

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Video: You'd be amazed what Cian Healy can do with a few Berocca tablets and a glass of water




You’ve probably seen your fair share of rugby skills videos, but Cian Healy throwing a Berocca tablet into a glass of water from a moving jeep is possibly more impressive than anything that’s gone before.
The Leinster and Ireland prop has been an ambassador for Berocca for some time now and with all due respect to the man known as Proper Church, this 45-second clip is far better than the cumulative total of all the adverts he’s done on behalf of the mineral drinks brand in the past.
We’ve no idea how many takes it took to come up with the finished product – no doubt Cian himself will claim it only took one – but unlike other rugby skills videos (that famous All Blacks skills video anyone?), there’s no hint of any technical wizardry or camera tricks at play here.
With that sort of accuracy, Healy could be called upon to do a job as a hooker in the future, but for now we'll just compliment him on a job well done.
Nice work.

From Joe.ie

Tuesday 18 December 2012

World XV

Recently enough, Warren Gatland the head coach of Lions 2013 said that not many Lions contenders would make a World XV, so I decided I'd try and see who would.

This team is based on form, and on class in recent years.

15. Contenders; Dagg, Beale, Halfpenny, Kearney, Foden

Dagg had been the best full back in the world for the last few years, with Beale close behind. Unfortunately Beale and all his management thinks he's a better 10. He's not. He can't pass properly. Yes he has play making skills, but can't be relied on as a primary play maker.

14. Contenders: Jane, Bowe, North, Habana, Malzeiu.

Malzeiu doesn't get enough recognition for how good he is, but I think he is one of the best. Probably not the best but still. Bowe is world class, but recently gone from being amazingly outstanding to just outstanding. Needs to recover form when he returns from injury.

Cory Jane and Habana had great 2012's and take the spots on the team.

13. Contenders: Smith, O'Driscoll, Davies, Rougerie.

I had a long think about this a long time ago. There aren't many world class 13's. Defence is a key component of this position, which someone like Anthony Fainga'a flourishes, but he is so useless in attack and line-running. Whereas Tuilagi runs great lines, but can't be relied on in defence.

Leaving these three great players. It's a testament to O'Driscoll that after such a consistent career he's still in this bracket. It's not just what he does, it's the calming influence over those playing with him and how he uses his brain to remain one of the best.

12. Contenders: Ma'a Nonu, Berrick Barnes, Wesley Fofana, Frans Steyn.

There are a lot of different types of 12, be it a second five-eight like Barnes or Steyn, or a crash ball specialist in Nonu, or whatever Fofana is.

But whatever Fofana is, he is awesome at it. Solid in defence and breath-taking in attack.

10. Contenders: Carter

For now, Carter is king. There may be challenges ahead with Handre Pollard and Johan Goosen.

9. Contenders: Morgan Parra, Kahn Fotaul'i, Will Genia,

Parra doesn't seem to start for France anymore, and I didn't see enough of Machenaud to include him here, but apparently he's good. Fotauli'i has been awesome since the world cup, but Genia is the best, and will continue to improve.

1. Contenders: Cian Healy, Yannick Forstier, Tendai Mtawrira, Jean Baptiste Poux, Sona Taumalolo

Healy has made huge strides, and is one of the best in the loose and continually improving in the tight, and at times acting as an openside. But Mtwarira is rightly named the beast, and probably gets it for me.

Roncero, having retired can't be considered anymore.

2. Contenders: Stephen Moore, Bismarck du Plessis, Schalk Britz

Bismarck du Plessis is a great player, and should have started for South Africa for the last number of years. His spot to own.

3. Contenders; John Afoa, Owen Franks, Dan Cole, Nicholas Mas,

I can't really say Afoa even those he's been awesome for Ulster, as he clearly wasn't the best in NZ if he left. Dan Cole is probably going to get it, as I don't rate Franks, or any of the SH tightheads.

4. Contenders: Eben Etzebeth, Paul O'Connell, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Bakkies Botha, Richie Gray, Nathan Hines, James Horwill.

Paul O'Connell is beset with injuries, otherwise I'd have in there. There is a changing of guard going on at the moment in this position in world rugby, with Thorn and Botha still playing, but not featuring in world rugby enough anymore.

Etzebeth has been a revelation and there might be an arguement for including him.

But I think Richie Gray has been amazing in losing teams, and I'll give him a spot.

6. Contenders: Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Theirry Dusautoir

There are more South Africans coming up, and Kaino would be included if he hadn't disappeared. But Lobbe is too amazing to leave out from here.

7. Contenders: Michael Hooper, David Pocock, Richie McCaw, Heinrich Brussouw, Juan Manuel Leguizamon,

It's getting closer. It's could have been Pocock before his injury, but now he's not necessarily the best in Australia. For form over the last few years, It has to be McCaw.

8. Contenders: Sergio Parisse, Jamie Heaslip, Kieran Read, Louis Picamoles, Imanol Hariordoquoy

There are a lot of top class 8's in the world. But Kieran Read distanced himself from the rest with an outstanding year.

Team :

15. Dagg, 14. Jane, 13. O'Driscoll, 12. Fofana, 11. Habana, 10. Carter, 9. Genia, 1. Mtwarira, 2, du Plessis, 3. Cole, 4. Etzebeth, 5. Gray, 6. Lobbe, 7. McCaw, 8. Read.

Subs: 16. Moore, 17, Healy,  18. Afoa, 19. Thorn, 20. Dusautoir, 21. Fotauli'i, 22. Beale, 23. Davies

Heineken Cup Round 4: An Irish Perspective

I don't think there as been a worse weekend from an Irish rugby's point of view.

Not only for results, but some key injuries, and what these results mean from this tournament, and subsequent tournaments.

Let's start off with Connacht. I don't know what to think of them. Just as I dismiss them as nobodies, they go and put in a terrific 80 minutes performance and end up beating someone like Biarritz. Comfortably.

I have to say, I'm excited about the future over there. They have some fantastic young Irish backs coming through; Henshaw, O'Hallorhan, McSharry and Marmion in particular, as well as some good young forwards too.

It's all well and good that these "tyros" are playing week in week out, and in a high standard of the H Cup; but if they are developing a habit of losing, or being so inconsistent that performances only occur once in a season, then that can't be good for their development.

Eric Elwood has done a fantastic job, and whoever takes over has to kick on. They need to be finishing more mid table in the Rabo, and nearer to the top then the bottom of the table. Realistically, they have good players, and there is no reason why they can't. They are better than the Italian, Scottish and one or two of the Welsh teams.

Leinster were beaten up at the weekend. I'm never seen a more lacklustre performance from them. Never mind about the gift of a bonus point, they aren't getting through.

Admittedly there are a lot of injuries, but they have a lot of depth in some talented youngsters that need to start stepping up.

Strauss will be a blow for the next 4 weeks. I have to say I thought it could be worse at the time.

On the positive side; Eoin O'Malley and Luke Fitzgerald are back soon. Both need a good long run in the team, injury free and hopefully both will show the talent that they have promised for so long.

Ulster are the least worst off of the provinces. Yes the record is gone, but that might prove to be a good thing. Less pressure, and they should still go through with probably a home quarter-final.

Tommy Bowe looks like he could be a big loss. I think this will put his Lions tour in doubt. Hopefully Gilroy will establish himself, and play consistently. They also have young Chris Cochrane and Peter Nelson who could possibly get some more gametime as a result.

Munster played well on Sunday. Not well enough to win unfortunately. But they aren't the side of past glories. They do have some key injuries, but it's hard to see what's happening for the future with so many injuries.

Ronan O'Gara showed how much they will struggle without him, and I don't think that Keatley is up to much. JJ Hanrahan needs to decide his best position - 10 or 12 and just go with it. He could be something special.

Zebo admittedly had a great game, surprised me, and hinted that he might have more potential and something about him than I thought.

Ulster will be the only Irish team to go through to the knockout stages. I do think either Leinster or Munster will make the Amlin. Which might be good for me, because I've tickets to the final of both.

For future tournaments, with the English and French throwing the toys out of the pram, them winning 11 out of 12 matchs this weekend was not a good thing. It shows that the competition is reliant on them, and that the Welsh and Irish sides need to improve.

The Heineken Cup is a fantastic tournament, all the permutations between different pools make each round exciting. This needs to be kept as much as possible going forward.

Kicking Off

I decided to make just a rugby blog.

You can see some older rugby posts here:

But that blog is mixed in with some personal stuff, so I decided to split the two.

Hope you enjoy.

I'll have more rugby posts at that link in the future, once I've archived them properly.