porridge_time says...

Ireland played very well and lost... ABs played poorly and won. New Zealand we kniw can play much better than that, but can Ireland?

Yes the quality of the AB performance was attributed to what Ireland was doing, but just look what New Zealand did to them in the first test. Would put my money on another New Zealand victory before an upsetting first victory for Ireland. But you never know so may the best team win.

Posted 10:10 20th June 2012

NZcrusade says...

paddy91317 - You must be having a laugh there mate!

As jonesy2 aptly points out, the AB will show up this weekend ready to put in a big performance and in all honesty I can't see Ireland competing anywhere near as well this time around. Strong win coming for the ABs imo!

Posted 09:13 20th June 2012

chuckpaki says...

Give us your best shot 1973 10 all with players like Willie Mcbride Tom Kiemen & the Prince of centres Mike Gibson in that team so far this side is most successful

team to come out with a draw everyone likes to talk the talk so bring it on

Posted 02:45 20th June 2012

costa says...

paddy91317 - McCaw was he really playing so horribly.

I copy this for you:

"All Blacks' top ball carrier with a total of 17 for a gain of 72 metres (Top Irishman was Sexton with 39m). Made seven tackles and one assist, missing just one tackle in the game. Hit 19 rucks twice as many as second placed Whitelock with 9. The best Irish in this department - O'brien and Healy with 7. For the second week in a row his handling let him down, with four knock-ons in the second half. Penalised twice. In first three to breakdown 38 times, second only to Hore on 39"

I would keep him in my team

Posted 00:25 20th June 2012

connaughtabu says...

What a great game Ireland had last Saturday!! - in the forwards, Cian Healy beat up the Frank brothers in succession, Touhy looked very comfortable, winning his lineout ball easily and getting about the park - so hopefully O'Connell will have to fight for his place in future. The backrow were good, except that the bulk of Ferris was missed. And as for the backs, the old men in the centres were back on song - BoD still throwing the odd bad pass and he did kick the ball straight to Dagg that led to a try, but as I said, for an old fella, not bad. The combination of RoG at OH and Sexton at inside centre was a joy to behold. As Zebo hasn't a clue about defence, his absence was could do nothing but strengthen the team! McFadden, what a trier, not a winger mind you, but should be given a go at outside centre when BoD is eventually put out to pasture when ever that might be.

However, in the words of Caesar himself, "these things having been said" - last Sat is in the past and the ABs will reflect on what happened, re-group and will come out all guns blazing for the 3rd test and the record books will read Ireland played 3 - lost 3, as per usual.

Posted 09:54 19th June 2012

porridge_time says...

Clutching at straws if you think McCaw should be cited.

Posted 06:30 19th June 2012

kennyisgay says...

Here we go back to the talking themselves up again. Must suck to be playing your heart out and lose to a team playing the worst they'll ever play. Good effort tho last week lads but you went about it the right way leading up to it. Head down ass up and do your taking on the field. But I guess a week's a long time for the self praising habits to be caged.

Posted 22:59 18th June 2012

rugbylover says...

That is the right attitude. What else could he say?

Posted 18:32 18th June 2012

paddy91317 says...

@NHsaints

Heaslip had a brilliant season im sick of this crap where people dont see him run half the pitch every match so they think he is crap you people have clearly never played rugby at a competitive level. the work he does at the breakdown and in defense, his decoy lines of running and work rate means players like SOB, Ferris shine because they dont have to do as much of the donkey work, He hasnt gotten worse since 2009 he has just become more selfless

Ps; Wilson is lacking Serious pace to be of international standard, your probably right about downey however he definitely should be in the squad at least

Posted 17:56 18th June 2012

Jcahill1 says...

@ NHsaints

Who is Wilson? And when you say the back row is "clicking" but want to drop Heaslip what you effectively mean is SOB is playing well.

Posted 16:43 18th June 2012