He brought an unfit Gleeson over Jennings. Another master stroke by a clown
Our back row was destroyed that day.
Oh and I have been attending Leinster Matches back to 1973 against the All Blacks. Think that was the one where Kevin Mays almost lost his ear in a stamping incident. It may have been 1977 game though
Gleeson had returned from injury and had played in three of the four previous games. Jennings would have been as a big a selectorial decision as Potts at the time with Gleeson being an international still at his peak and Jennings similar to Potts being the young pretender. Unfit might be a bit unfair though useful in an argument.
The Leicester back row that day weren't too shabby either with Moody, Back and Corry an experienced and World Cup winning trio and Leicester a Major European force at the time, whereas Leinster at the time were just finding their way in Europe.
With regards the All Blacks match, personally I remember when I first saw Munster, Garryowen, Shannon, Limerick hurlers, soccer team etc play. Those days are priceless childhood memories. Certainly a four year gap is a large grey area.
Do the maths
Gleeson had started two matches before the Leicester game having not played for a year due to a broken arm (against Italy in Mar 04, followed by a broken leg in pre-season). Fully fit, Gleeson was the better player, but he was nowhere near his best at that time, understandably, and Jennings was in flying form. Potts was a decent player, and might have developed into a very good one, but he was very green at the time and lacked the physicality needed for a game against Leicester. Selecting Eric Miller at 8 was a mistake too.
Having said all that, selecting Costello and Jennings probably wouldn't have had much effect on the scoreline. We were flattered by our 6/6 record in the group stages against three poor sides and we weren't really a contender to win it.
neiliog93 wrote:Fosi Pal'amo was terrible, hardly played a game and was an unfit 145 kg. That being said, I'm assuming he was relatively cheap.
A but harsh. Think he was in Ireland playing club rugby and they gave him a run. Was apparently going quite well in training too until he bent down to tie his lace and cut his knee badly on some glass on the pitch. Went on to play for Samoa in the 2007 World Cup and for Leeds in the Premiership. Think he's settled in Dublin too, met him a few times, very nice chap.
He brought an unfit Gleeson over Jennings. Another master stroke by a clown
Our back row was destroyed that day.
Oh and I have been attending Leinster Matches back to 1973 against the All Blacks. Think that was the one where Kevin Mays almost lost his ear in a stamping incident. It may have been 1977 game though
Gleeson had returned from injury and had played in three of the four previous games. Jennings would have been as a big a selectorial decision as Potts at the time with Gleeson being an international still at his peak and Jennings similar to Potts being the young pretender. Unfit might be a bit unfair though useful in an argument.
The Leicester back row that day weren't too shabby either with Moody, Back and Corry an experienced and World Cup winning trio and Leicester a Major European force at the time, whereas Leinster at the time were just finding their way in Europe.
With regards the All Blacks match, personally I remember when I first saw Munster, Garryowen, Shannon, Limerick hurlers, soccer team etc play. Those days are priceless childhood memories. Certainly a four year gap is a large grey area.
Do the maths
Gleeson had started two matches before the Leicester game having not played for a year due to a broken arm (against Italy in Mar 04, followed by a broken leg in pre-season). Fully fit, Gleeson was the better player, but he was nowhere near his best at that time, understandably, and Jennings was in flying form. Potts was a decent player, and might have developed into a very good one, but he was very green at the time and lacked the physicality needed for a game against Leicester. Selecting Eric Miller at 8 was a mistake too.
Having said all that, selecting Costello and Jennings probably wouldn't have had much effect on the scoreline. We were flattered by our 6/6 record in the group stages against three poor sides and we weren't really a contender to win it.
wasnt some/all of the gametime Gleeson got then in AIL including one 40 minuter
while we're on it IMO Gleeson is the second best Leinster player of pro era behind BOD, we can blame EOS for him retiring prematurely. Flipside, at time Cheika said not worried as we've Jennings and this young openside from Tullow who's hard as nails
Retired from babbling. Can be found on twittter @okeeffesimon
simonokeeffe wrote:
wasnt some/all of the gametime Gleeson got then in AIL including one 40 minuter
while we're on it IMO Gleeson is the second best Leinster player of pro era behind BOD, we can blame EOS for him retiring prematurely. Flipside, at time Cheika said not worried as we've Jennings and this young openside from Tullow who's hard as nails
At the time, Reggie said he wanted him fattened up and stuck in the middle IIRC!
simonno6 wrote:At least Hekenui played a few matches! The likes of Gomez were more at home at their local batter dispensary than putting in the effort in training.
Some people have very short memories!
Ciaran Potts - pushed his way to starting 6 before injuring himself badly, he was a really solid player.
Fosi - turned up seriously overweight but by the time he got into the swing of things he was a good contributor to the team. A cult hero in my eyes.
Jowitt - liked the women and the aprés match, but again when he was on top form he was a very decent player.
Gomez, Finnegan, Galaza, Sykes, Hepworth and Leek we're all useless. Ricky Nebbett was shite too.
I think the two Internationals Gomez and Galarza should jointly get it. We met some Argies at the 07RWC and were asking them about the great new prop Leinster had just recruited but they were unsure who he was - apparently Juan Gomez as a name is the equivalent of Paddy Murphy in Argentina. That should have been been a warning sign, he was truly awful. He looked fat and unhappy to be on the pitch when he played (mainly for the As as I recall). Galarza has fooled a few other clubs after Leinster and got a few more caps but he was equally shite.
Rugby is a good occasion for keeping thirty bullies far from the centre of the city.
Oscar Wilde
Can't believe they were both argentinean internationals. Don't get the criticism of Potts, a 6'6" back row and a fine player.cruel injury blow
"This is breathless stuff.....it's on again. Contepomi out to Hickie,D'Arcy,Hickie.......................HICKIE FOR THE CORNER! THAT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
neiliog93 wrote:Can't believe they were both argentinean internationals. Don't get the criticism of Potts, a 6'6" back row and a fine player.cruel injury blow
Only one person criticised him, everyone else pointing out how promising he was
rdsblue wrote:
Galarza has fooled a few other clubs after Leinster and got a few more caps but he was equally shite.
Galarza was a young guy moving from amateur rugby to the other side of the world. It didn't work out. He has shown he has the ability though. He was appearing in the RC a few months ago and started for Argentina against South Africa and came off the bench in NZ. He didn't disgrace himself either. He went back home and played in the Vodacom Cup which is basically the lead in tournament to the Currie Cup.
He's playing in England now and starting regularly. Strong chance he'll be a 50 cap international.
neiliog93 wrote:Can't believe they were both argentinean internationals. Don't get the criticism of Potts, a 6'6" back row and a fine player.cruel injury blow
Only one person criticised him, everyone else pointing out how promising he was
I never said it was more than one person. I don't get that one person's criticism.
"This is breathless stuff.....it's on again. Contepomi out to Hickie,D'Arcy,Hickie.......................HICKIE FOR THE CORNER! THAT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
neiliog93 wrote:Can't believe they were both argentinean internationals. Don't get the criticism of Potts, a 6'6" back row and a fine player.cruel injury blow
Only one person criticised him, everyone else pointing out how promising he was
I never said it was more than one person. I don't get that one person's criticism.
He was trying to discredit Kidney for picking him at the time.
Tony Goldfinch. So bad he passed almost un-noticed in and out of the club. Played a HC cup game against Toulouse due to injuries, I think. Probably the highest level of rugby he ever played in his life.
Rocked into D'brook in 97 with awesome "good face"e.g. kiwi accent, excellent build and amiable personality. Promptly signed up by the then quite amateurish Leinster branch based on his kiwi credentials and probably inflated rugby CV. No youtube back then
Leinster Branch thought process: Hey... if someone is black they are good at basketball, right? If someone is from NZ they will be an awesome rugby player, right?
As provinces went professional, the search for overseas players to strengthen the sides gathered pace. Some of the selections were appalling. Leinster chose Aaron Freeman, an American who struggled to make the Lansdowne second team, and Tony Goldfinch, a New Zealand blindside to fill in at open side.
