fourthirtythree wrote:Reading between the lines you would have to assume Kearney is, in fact, out.
I'm assuming that too, but if he is then I can't imagine Payne not being 15 which would obviously squash the centre pairing rumour.
Hopefully MOC will be interviewed about it later and we can just go with the opposite of what he says.
think 433 could be right
ah am guessing why theres a midfield of Henshaw-Payne not supporting it, trying to see upside maybe
if Henshaw is the man at 13 he should be playing there as often as possible for Ireland
Olding & Henshaw would look the best combination to me, raw as it is
Henshaw/Payne combo with Bob out starts to get batty, unless Payne is seen as the man for 13 to RWC and/or Henshaw is seen as 12 cover
Retired from babbling. Can be found on twittter @okeeffesimon
Yeah, losing and henshaw look to me the better option also. Visited my da in hospital today, minor heart thing and he's fine, but when anyone asks me how he is I've been answering "worried about the midfield defence against a giant bokke back row like the rest of us, thanks for asking". He's with Olding too. Madigan looks a better bench option then also. And as has been pointed out above can kick. Obviously Keatley can play all those also, and has kicked well, but he has injury concerns also.
How is Henshaw not a natural 13? I haven't seen as much of him this year as I'd like (just highlights programmes), sure he seemed like a natural 15 to me when he broke through, but that's just because he's a good footballer.
The old grey fellow was just trying to prove he had a heart is all.
fourthirtythree wrote:How is Henshaw not a natural 13? I haven't seen as much of him this year as I'd like (just highlights programmes), sure he seemed like a natural 15 to me when he broke through, but that's just because he's a good footballer.
The old grey fellow was just trying to prove he had a heart is all.
Hope your Dad gets well soon 433.
You know I'm going to lose,
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!
fourthirtythree wrote:How is Henshaw not a natural 13? I haven't seen as much of him this year as I'd like (just highlights programmes), sure he seemed like a natural 15 to me when he broke through, but that's just because he's a good footballer.
The old grey fellow was just trying to prove he had a heart is all.
Dexter wrote:Expected line-up confirmed. Henshaw and Payne in the centre.
Southerly sh*tstorm inbound over selection of McCarthy and Ruddock.
Ruddock's tackle stats consistently too low for me to be taken seriously as a Six Nations blindside..... Ruddock's defensive stats don't stack up. - All Blacks Nil, Jan 15th, 2014
England A 8 - 14 Ireland A, 25th Jan 2014 Ruddock(c) 19/2 Tackles
That pairing really does make me feel uncomfortable. Think Henshaw's reading of things defensively at 13 could have been a real weapon, be interesting to see how much of an impact he makes in that regard at 12. One thing I do like about it is that he basically plays like an extra flanker at times anyway. He's not shy about latching onto mauls/guys going into contact so that could be very useful with all the bulk SA will have infield.
Not sure how McCarthy is ahead of Foley.
Only one Leinster back starting....sign of the times!
Why put Jones on the bench when there's already 3 fullbacks on the field. Olding would've been a better call imo. Not too sure about McCarthy either, based on form I would've gone for Foley.
If you're going on form would you have Ruddock in there ahead of Ryan? I think MaCarthy was picked for the extra 7kgs he has on Foley and Ruddock the same. Also I think McCarthy seems to add a bit in the scrum. I don't think there's a whole lot between them and the next guy
Jones is the one I find it hardest to get my head around. How much FB cover do we have? Are they expecting the mother of all aerial battles?
Quite surprised by the Henshaw Payne centre partnership. Not llike Schmidt to throw caution to the wind like that.
Ruddock's tackle stats consistently too low for me to be taken seriously as a Six Nations blindside..... Ruddock's defensive stats don't stack up. - All Blacks Nil, Jan 15th, 2014
England A 8 - 14 Ireland A, 25th Jan 2014 Ruddock(c) 19/2 Tackles