Ruckedtobits wrote:The more I think about our hooker options, and the specific skills that we need for this position, the more I am inclined to think that the Irish Camp should consider recruiting Tom McCartney as a project Coach for Hookers. Connacht have two excellent hookers in Dave Heffernan and Shane Delahunt plus last year's recruit Johnny Murphy ex-Irish 18's and 20's player who came through Ulster Academy and played with Rotherham.
Connacht scrum, maul and line-out has been very competent with these guys involved, particularly when they have had Bealham and Buckley as their props.
Hooker is the ultimate specialist forward position. Given you must have two in every Squad and three on every Tour, it is a realistic investment to have a specialist Coach. The three Connacht players noted above all register as over 6' and around the the 105- 108kg mark. All are good carriers and Delahunt is a real dynamic carrier..
Kelleher, our latest Leinster hooker should also be included in this bracket and I believe he will surpass Treacy and possiblyeven Cronin by the end of this Season are our first-choice operator.
Too late for this RWC cycle but well worth an introduction to Irish Camp thereafter.
Good idea. There's a lot of potentially good hookers in the country but they're not stepping up to the level needed. Its something that the IRFU should be looking at.
Addison, Conway & Killer have booked their tickets with that first half display. A couple more have started to show what they have and No 7 forces PO'M to be more physical in his involvement and it's a huge improvement.
But I've never seen a worse kicking display by a Welsh outhalf - thank goodness.
Bundee and Farrel are nearly clicking but Carty is maybe trying too hard to execute, although he sees excellent options. Wod like to see Conan pick a couple from No 8 and try to get wider to collect ball in broken play off Bundee or Farrel or Addison, who realy looks sharp and a potential great counter-attacker.
Enjoying this, but Wales have only got one team, not a Squad with depth.
The positions I have assigned to players may not be those in which they play but these are the players I believe have justified selection.
There will be unlucky players: Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Jack Carty, Chris Farrell & Jordan Larmour top my list. But there are only 31 places and these are the guys who I believe have earned a slot. The last two in that list are the most unfortunate as both have shown flashes of skill which would make them good inclusions for the games in Japan.
The luckiest ones, in my opinion, are those who played in the first half against Wales in particular, when the team went well and were united and the opposition disjointed. However, all of those who fit that category contributed to the way Ireland played in Cardiff and a valuable win against the Grand Slam champions, regardless of the team they selected.
Also, Jean Kleyn, Beirne and Stander get selected without demonstrating the form which they have previously shown and thus must be regarded as fortunate.
There's a strong case that we need a third out-half and maybe only two scrum-halves. If that's what Joe decides, Carty goes in ahead of McGrath. But I believe Addison could cover the 10 position if required.
Full-back cover has been a source of much speculation. Addison and Carbery can both do the job without any stress elsewhere. In some ways Farrell and Larmour both lose out to Addison's versatility.
That game clarified a lot of issues around selection.
15] Addison has a lot to offer from fullback. Given that he played all of Ulster's Heineken Cup games at No13, he offers genuine versatility. He has played very little rugby in 2019, but when he has played, he has been very good.
14] Conway looking in form and ready to travel. He's a hell of a hard worker.
13] Farrell didn't do enough to force his case. The players he is competing against for a squad place [Addison and Conway] had much better games than him.
12] Aki's best attacking performance for Ireland. He looks light on his feet and as if he's enjoying his rugby. Good to see him hitting 2015-16 Connacht form.
11] Jake the Snake back in the scoring groove – he had a dreadful game last weekend and just bounced back from it without it having made a mark on his confidence. Could not ask for a better reaction.
10] Jack Carty put in an assured [if imperfect] performance. Very likely to travel, and deserves his spot.
9] Marmion is playing better than Murray and should start against Scotland, unless Murray has a very good game against Wales next week.
1] Kilcoyne had an outstanding 45mins and has closed the debate about Jack McGrath at back-up loosehead.
2] Decent showing from Scannell, but certainly no great shakes. Hooker still an open call/big worry.
3] Good outing in the scrum from John Ryan, very quiet elsewhere.
4] Henderson very involved [14 tackles, 11 possessions] but very static when used in that swingman carry/pass roll.
5] Ryan is a test match animal.
6] Beirne was quieter than I thought he would be. A mistake-free game – no penalties, no missed tackles, no losses of the ball – and good effort throughout, but none of the highlights that he produces against worse sides.
7] O'Mahony did well at openside, involved far more frequently in the game than he has been in his last three test matches. His tackling technique isn't a patch on JVDF's, but he is a bigger threat at the breakdown.
8] Conan didn't carry enough ball in the first half. The two best parts of his game are carrying and tackling; he's got to go looking for the ball when we have it. Had the chance to pull away from Stander and take the jersey off him, and didn't. More or less neck-and-neck between them.
The positions I have assigned to players may not be those in which they play but these are the players I believe have justified selection.
There will be unlucky players: Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Jack Carty, Chris Farrell & Jordan Larmour top my list. But there are only 31 places and these are the guys who I believe have earned a slot. The last two in that list are the most unfortunate as both have shown flashes of skill which would make them good inclusions for the games in Japan.
The luckiest ones, in my opinion, are those who played in the first half against Wales in particular, when the team went well and were united and the opposition disjointed. However, all of those who fit that category contributed to the way Ireland played in Cardiff and a valuable win against the Grand Slam champions, regardless of the team they selected.
Also, Jean Kleyn, Beirne and Stander get selected without demonstrating the form which they have previously shown and thus must be regarded as fortunate.
There's a strong case that we need a third out-half and maybe only two scrum-halves. If that's what Joe decides, Carty goes in ahead of McGrath. But I believe Addison could cover the 10 position if required.
Full-back cover has been a source of much speculation. Addison and Carbery can both do the job without any stress elsewhere. In some ways Farrell and Larmour both lose out to Addison's versatility.
Whoever gets in, good luck to them all.
I'd prefer to bring Beirne as a SR and include Murphy.
Kleyn will do nothing if required whereas Beirne and Murphy are international level.
Aki could well lose out to Farrell as a 12, purely because he hasn't got the necessary size to handle what the top teams can bring to the table.
Really worried about Henshaw and none of the other centre options have what Farrell can bring.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall who's the greatest player of them all? It is Drico your majesty.
Kilcoyne ensured his place ahead of Jack Mc Grath today so Cronin v Herring only decision to make in the front row.
Kleyn will go as 4th lock as otherwise Ryan and Toner only Tight side locks and Beirne will go as a no 6 who can cover in second row.
If only 5 on 17/14 split back row then Beirne, Conan, POM, VDF and Stander will go. Jordi and Ruddock would lose out.
5 half backs incl 3 out-halves, Murray and either Marmion or Luke. Cadbury 3rd scrum half.
8 outside backs if 18/13,split 4 centres and 4 from back 3 with Ringrose and Carbury covering. Conway will definitely go.
Big decision is no 31 and 18/13 or 17/14. I think it will be 17/14 especially as Henderson can also cover back row and last pick Addison or Larmour. Some very good players are going to be left out.
That's pretty much now I see it at this point, except I think we'll see Murphy ahead of Ruddock.
Joe didn't look at Ruddock much but he's given more chances to Beirne and Murphy. Also the squad is one thing but there is still the 1st choice 23, Murphy's positional flexibility helps.
With Murphy and Beirne (&Conan) there'd be a full spare backrow for, say, Russia.
Ruddock can cover other positions well (by some measures he's the most versatile player in the squad), but why bring him if you aren't planning to use him at 6.
That's pretty much now I see it at this point, except I think we'll see Murphy ahead of Ruddock.
Joe didn't look at Ruddock much but he's given more chances to Beirne and Murphy. Also the squad is one thing but there is still the 1st choice 23, Murphy's positional flexibility helps.
With Murphy and Beirne (&Conan) there'd be a full spare backrow for, say, Russia.
Ruddock can cover other positions well (by some measures he's the most versatile player in the squad), but why bring him if you aren't planning to use him at 6.
Think hugonaut's squad is a bit more than a rumour.
Exactly what I'm hearing.
Really pleased with decisions on Beirne and Murphy.
Ruddock instead of POM would be my only change in the forwards.
Think Larmour was lucky to get in ahead of Farrell given the kind of protection Sexton is going to need.
However in Joe we trust and as the cliche goes.
Forwards win games, the backs.....
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall who's the greatest player of them all? It is Drico your majesty.
I started a topic in April 2018 (see opening post below) after the 3rd GS, about needing to move the Captaincy away from Best and who the candidates were/are.
Best will go, as tour Captain, but it should be no more than that. Whoever is playing ‘best’ should be selected. There were and are no easy answers for who it should have been.
At the time I was calling for Johnny, with Murray as his VC and JR the new Captain by 2021. Seeing how Johnny handled captaincy since then, he would not be my choice now. Neither would Murray, both for the reason I gave at the time and his ensuing form.
In hindsight, the ballsy move would have been JR. I think that post World Cup he should definitely be the Captain for a new regime and a new generation who are already the hub of the team. Here’s the post from April ‘18:
“
Ireland's Next Captain
Postby backrower8 » Wed 25 Apr, 2018 11:32 am
By the time the World Cup comes around Rory Best will be 37 and may or may not make it all the way there or be best (no pun intended!) positioned to be the team Captain.
I think a new Captain should be a certain starter and preferably have decent prosoects of longevity to avoid chopping and changing, to me that means at least two seasons.
I think the candidates to succeed Rory are:
- Johnny
- CJ Stander
- Peter O'Mahony
- Ian Henerson
- Conor Murray
- Dan Leavy
- James Ryan
If Johnny replaced Rory right now we could get 2 years out of him - just about. I think he has shown that he has reached the point of maturity where being Captain sits well with him and he is, of course, one of the first names on the team sheet. More than that he is both a World Class player and an Alpha-leader. He would be a very satisfactory Captain for RWC19. He does need to come off at 60 or 70 mins in most games so we need a #2 who will likely be still on the pitch when he goes. For me that is Murray.
I think Murray has it all. Longevity, world class, calm presence (and therefore an ability to liaise efectively with referees), plays 80 minutes and peer respect. But given he has so much to think about and do as the logistical fulcrum of the team (as any 9 is), so would captaincy just tip the scales negatively on his performances? He still would be my preference for the next Captain.
POM ticks most all the boxes but I feel he cannot be guaranteed a starting slot for the coming years given the other potential #6s (Beirne, Ruddock, Jordi and both Seanie & Leavy who would be well capable of shifting to 6) and, to a lesser extent, the fact that he will be 30 by RWC19 and will be at the older end of the age spectrum of the playing group. He can also boil over or at best be on constant simmer in his communication with referees.
Henderson is a bit more of an enigma to me. He is close to world class, perhaps lacking an inch or two for a 2nd row, has longevity and age in the context of the emerging squad on his side, leads by example and has captained Ulster when Best is not around. I am not sure if he would be as comfortable a leader as some others.
Stander has been given the armband when Best and Sexton have been off the field, which is why I include him, but like POM, I don't think he deserves to lock down a place all to himself and his age profile also puts him in the older end of the age bracket of the likely squad now emerging.I am also not sure what his man management skills would be like in the verbal communication end of things or his rugby nouse. There is no doubting his endeavour but he is one-dimensional and would that translate into his broader tactical appreciation as a captain?
Leavy is a proven and winning leader at school and under-age representative level for Ireland. It is even noticeable that he assumes a leadship type demeanour so early in his career with both Ireland and Leinster. When starting matches for Ireland in the 6N, he was the first man onto the pitch after Best and stood beside him for all the anthems...this is not the norm for rookies. For Leinster too, last Saturday only the club and match captains (in that order) preceded him onto the pitch. He is vocal, he backs himself and he is squarely positioned to provide longevity at 24 years (in May), 25 YRS by RWC19, he will be at the heart of the age bracket of the emerging squad (Stockdale, Ringrose, Henshaw, Carberry, Luke, Tadhg, Henderson, JVDF, Conan, Beirne etc, etc) for a long time to come. The questions are around whether he can consistently perform to the levels to guarantee him a place (at least as much as POM in my opinion but time will tell) and whether risk of injury to back rows should be a factor in deciding who should get the role - although when thinking of Warburton and Seanie we should also remember McCaw and Dusatoir.
Ryan is another experienced and decorated captain at underage level (remember the Junior RWC Final campaign). Quite simply, he is a future Ireland and Lions Captain, end of. Injury permitting he has the most potental to reach and sustain the playing heights of Sexton, Murray and Furlong (not to mention his positional peers Willie John, Colin Meades, Frik du Preez, John Eales, Martin Johnson, Fabien Pelous, AWJ and Paulie). In addition he is a natural leader, more understated in character than Leavy and has gravitas without the Johnson growl. He already commands respect on and off the pitch from players 10 years older than him. I could also see him being a very measured but effective communicator with referees. All that said, he should probably be allowed a few more years to at least grow fully into his 6 foot 8 frame before being saddled with Captaincy at 21 or 22 for what could be 10+ years.
So for me I think we should appoint Johnny, with Murray as #1 VC, and weshould do it now. Otherwise go with Murray with a view to giving it to Ryan in three years from now if he continues on the current trajectory.
Who do you think we should go for and when?” [ENDS]
