Tommy Bowe: Remains optimistic
Ireland winger Tommy Bowe insists there is no panic in the camp despite a fifth consecutive defeat over the weekend.
The 16-12 defeat at home to South Africa - which followed three in New Zealand and a reverse at the hands of England - means the Irish are on their worst run for 14 years.
They have six key first-team players out of action because of injuries, but Lions star Bowe says that was not a factor in the Springboks match.
"It didn't feel as though there was any real drop around the pitch because of the guys we were missing. No one looked out of place," he said.
"There's been a lot of talk about the guys who are missing, but that will happen and there must be a new breed of player coming through.
"A lot of the guys really put their hand up and it's disappointing we didn't get the win to show for it.
"We're looking forward to Fiji this weekend and then obviously we have a massive match against Argentina. It's a case of getting the job done."
While Fiji are the next opponents in Saturday's non-cap international at Thomond Park, it is the showdown with Argentina on November 24 that will dominate the management's thinking.
Ranking points - crucial to next month's draw for the 2015 World Cup - are at stake and defeat to the Pumas, convincing winners against Wales, could see the Irish drop into the third tier of seeds.
That could see them have to face New Zealand and France in a pool, but full-back Simon Zebo is confident that such a scenario will be avoided.
"If we'd been battered by South Africa and lost the game with no chance of winning then you could say something and we'd be feeling sorry for ourselves," the Munster full-back said.
"But the fact is we had a great first half and were in touching distance throughout the whole game.
"If we were not making chances to score and win we'd be saying something. But the fact is we did, we just didn't take them.
Comments
kybone says...
connaughtabu- I think that both France and England can break into the top 4 this weekend if they both win by a big margin (don't quote me on that). It is still possible that France, England, and Wales could be 2, 3, and 4 by the end of the autumn, though they would obviously have to win all their games.
Posted 21:20 13th November 2012
damo says...
Hi Tommy if you read this please take this as a reality check, Ye played below par first half and terrible the second half, first half there was no more than 3 or 4 passes/phases without SA infringing, but there was no fluidity in the game from Ireland, Earls missed a basic pass ten yards to give Bowe a try and as such if Bowe wings it $exy needs to play 12 as his passing can help Tommy get on the ball on the front foot.
Kidney has been awful for Ireland in the last 3 years and the reason is his commitment to average/past it players like Darcy/O'Callaghan and out of form players like Earls, Paddy wallace, ROG on occasion, Redden, Murray now!!!
Kidney needs to drop Darcy and if playing Earls its on the wing, play Marshall at 9 Touhy into the squad, drop Heaslip and even try Jordi Murphy at 8 at least he is not afraid of contact and can make go forward ball with his running and start Keatley at 13 $sex at 12 ROG at 10 all 3 can pass well and $exy and Keatley can both spot a gap and make forward ground.
ROG and $exy have played together twice once when we were losing to France in WC warm up game and we finished well scoring 2 tries and also in OZ game in WC for the last 20 mins as Darcy went off and finished out the game almost scoring 2 trys.
Posted 19:55 13th November 2012
connaughtabu says...
@Hermes: Thanks for the clarification. I didn't know the RWC draw would be so soon. Although, I wouldn't expect any Scottish miracles against the ABs - same mental block Ireland has! But against the Boks, one never knows.
It is clear too that Ire has to defeat Arg to remain in top 8.
Is there any prospect of Fra and/or Eng making it into the top 4?
Posted 15:42 13th November 2012
melkdave says...
@Darthbok
Its an Ireland A game ,so there will / should be alot of young irish players onfeild,and no senior players at all like Bowe,Sexton ect.The game doesnt evencount in the rankings forIreland.So they can lose ,and it wont affect them in the IRB rankings at all.As itsnot viewed as an elite international match ,by the IRB..Expect to see P.jackson and J.J.Halloran ect
Posted 15:10 13th November 2012
darthbok says...
Hope ireland play a developmental side against fiji -- there are alot of irish players who could do with a run and show what they can do --sticking with the same old crew for this `non -event `is a waste of time
Posted 14:30 13th November 2012
kybone says...
What Ireland also need to be aware of is that a Samoa victory over Wales on friday could move them above Ireland ( although Wales may fall below Ireland at the same time). Basically Ireland may have both Scotland and Samoa on their back after this coming weekend, meaning that a win against Argentina may become essential. This makes the fact that Ireland have made the match against Fiji a non-cap game, even more perplexing. They won't pick up any ranking points even if they win by 90 points, and they could have done with some. Even if it was only 0.2 of a ranking point, it could have made all the difference.
Posted 13:26 13th November 2012
black47 says...
Kidney must bring in more of the Ulster players. Marshall at scrum half, Paddy Jackson, Tuohy, at a minimum
Posted 12:15 13th November 2012
hermes says...
Connaughtabu: The draw takes place before the Six Nations. If Scotland do something against the Boks we are in real trouble. We have to beat Argentina to be sure IMO.
Posted 12:09 13th November 2012
Connaughtabu says...
Looking at the rankings at irb.com, ire have now fallen to 8thand
Arg at up to 7th. Scotland are ranked 9th, so unless the scots do
something miraculous in the 6N, ire should should be safe in the
2nd tier for the RWC draw, not that that is anything to be proud
7 defeats in their last 9 games, I believe!
:-))
Posted 11:26 13th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
I think most Irish fans can't wait for a certain Mr Ferris to be available for Ireland. Mr Kidney is probably ringing Ulster's team doctor for hourly reports!
Posted 10:24 13th November 2012
melkdave says...
No panic in Ireland camp,well thats nice to hear,but i certinally hope theres concern.Espically after such a woefull performance,where Ireland showed no intensity,pace ,passion or even a coherant gameplan.
Posted 09:13 13th November 2012