wixfjord wrote:I really hope Ross Byrne will come on from that. Playing poorly, guy inside and outside him not playing well either, Cardiff living offside. He was shocking for 50-60 minutes (as someone said we'd have been better with 14), kicked badly, threw some shocking passes and generally didn't control or threaten at all.
But in fairness, after he kicked that long pen he was better. Crossfield kick was good and generally improved as we got to grips.
He'll need to be far, far better and more composed in SA though.
On L. McGrath, I've been more critical than most of his pass, but in fairness, that was his first start of the season last night and he took a while to get going.
Again as the game wore on he came into it much more, passing improved slightly and kicking got much better.
I do think Nick McCarthy is a talent though.
RK unavailable for SA is a big worry. We're very light at full back unless Carbery comes back. Larmour, for all his talents, doesn't seem ready for playing 15 at altitude.
I think you're being massively harsh on Ross Byrne. There were plenty of mistakes alright (missed kicks at goal, a few poor kicks out of hand, the mess up with Rhys) but he did plenty of good things too, it was nowhere near as bad as you've been making out. His defence was excellent and a lot of his passing (both short and long) was really good, kicks to touch were good, one great garryowen that Adam was unlucky not to collect. Not trying to argue he played well but don't think he was the liability before that long pen that you're making him out to have been.
Also thought Luke was good overall. Had about three loopy passes by my count (one of which led to Byrne messing up with Rhys), a box kick that was too long and then lucky not to be called offside off Larmour's kick but was very good apart from that. I thought his passing was generally good (especially in the conditions) and obviously his defence was outstanding. His three tackles in a row were great but he'd been tackling superbly all night. The most amazing thing about them to me was that he didn't even look tired after them, just bounced back up into the line and was directing people!
Edit: One other issue I'd have with Ross Byrne is that his inside balls are really predictable. He needs to make sure he either has an option outside him or develops the ability to just go himself otherwise the defence can just line the ball carrier up. It's often quite slow too. He did do it well a couple of times but really needs to improve on it.
