LeRouxIsPHat wrote:I would have said that the exact opposite was true of McCloskey. He doesn't sit back and use the choke to stop momentum, he tends to spot when it's on, rush up, and stop the attacker before the gain line, often driving them back. He does go for it quite a bit but he reads the situation well, unlike Sexton who tends to go high all the time.
If he does start against Wales then he's really going to have to hit the ground running. He'll probably be playing with Sexton and Henshaw for the first time, behind a pack that might struggle if our second rows don't play out of their skins, and he'll be up against Biggar, Roberts, and Davies. I've faith in him but that could be a big ask.
He can handle Roberts running straight at him, but I think the tactic theyll use a lot early on then use it as a decoy later on will be to have him worrying about the big guys running at Sexton or Jackson, and get our defence narrow (Henshaw wont just stand in no mans land at 13)
Theyre not bad players at all but neither of the Welsh centres are quick or have good hands, though JD has improved this in France
think we all know that even more than usual (for a ten) Wales would try and take Johnny out
Welsh backline will be interesting, Liam Williams is still out injured so cant see him being fully fit for February 7th. Anscombe likely to fill in, winger who is not George North another interesting call
You've actually identified another reason to give Sexton a break.
Jackson is technically a much better tackler than Sexton who as pointed out tackles far too high for his own good.
McCloskey would probably have more faith in Jackson's defense that Sexton's.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall who's the greatest player of them all? It is Drico your majesty.
LeRouxIsPHat wrote:I would have said that the exact opposite was true of McCloskey. He doesn't sit back and use the choke to stop momentum, he tends to spot when it's on, rush up, and stop the attacker before the gain line, often driving them back. He does go for it quite a bit but he reads the situation well, unlike Sexton who tends to go high all the time.
If he does start against Wales then he's really going to have to hit the ground running. He'll probably be playing with Sexton and Henshaw for the first time, behind a pack that might struggle if our second rows don't play out of their skins, and he'll be up against Biggar, Roberts, and Davies. I've faith in him but that could be a big ask.
He can handle Roberts running straight at him, but I think the tactic theyll use a lot early on then use it as a decoy later on will be to have him worrying about the big guys running at Sexton or Jackson, and get our defence narrow (Henshaw wont just stand in no mans land at 13)
Theyre not bad players at all but neither of the Welsh centres are quick or have good hands, though JD has improved this in France
think we all know that even more than usual (for a ten) Wales would try and take Johnny out
Welsh backline will be interesting, Liam Williams is still out injured so cant see him being fully fit for February 7th. Anscombe likely to fill in, winger who is not George North another interesting call
You've actually identified another reason to give Sexton a break.
Jackson is technically a much better tackler than Sexton who as pointed out tackles far too high for his own good.
McCloskey would probably have more faith in Jackson's defense that Sexton's.
if we rest them on those grounds why not French or English game too?
On Welsh team theyve a full round of Top14 and AP games next weekend their players will have to come through too
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LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Thought it was strange that it was reported as concussion, sounded more like guesswork.
Bit of a disaster about Marty. Given that we're weak in the second row we needed all hands on deck for the rest of the pack.
well its a handy narrative/sensationalist story/clickbait any time they can say anything about Johnny with a knock to the head, plus I know its different staffs but there has been denial/BS/partial truths before with Johnny's groin injury and SOB's inner ear problem
looks like White starting and Furlong coming on, I'd nearly rather it the other way round
in connected news Leicester are out for Rabah Slimani's blood over gouging complaints at the weekend, both starting Tigers props have scrape marks in the eye area
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LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Thought it was strange that it was reported as concussion, sounded more like guesswork.
Bit of a disaster about Marty. Given that we're weak in the second row we needed all hands on deck for the rest of the pack.
well its a handy narrative/sensationalist story/clickbait any time they can say anything about Johnny with a knock to the head, plus I know its different staffs but there has been denial/BS/partial truths before with Johnny's groin injury and SOB's inner ear problem
looks like White starting and Furlong coming on, I'd nearly rather it the other way round
in connected news Leicester are out for Rabah Slimani's blood over gouging complaints at the weekend, both starting Tigers props have scrape marks in the eye area
me too - Nathan can always come on if Furlong is struggling at scrum time
I dont think Vern would get head honcho based on recent record but I dont think Schmidt will go as head coach, only Gatty really wants it
Not to delve into his personal life too much/beyond whats been reported but I think his youngest son is well settled/cared for here
Super rugby jobs:
Blues: just appointed Umaga
Highlanders: Joseph leaving this summer for Japan job, Tony Brown will most likely get that
Crusaders: Blackadder out of contract this summer too
Hurricanes: coaches contracts up 2017 but doing well
leaving
Chiefs: Dave Rennie sure to ascend to All Blacks set up when Hansen goes 2017
So only one super rugby job he has a chance for, and I doubt he'd take an NPC job unless he was hell bent on going home
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I said at the time he signed his extension that I thought he wanted to go to NZ when it was up but they seem to have signed up most of their coaching team so not sure there's a role there. Now maybe he's prepared to take a Super Rugby job for now and work his way up but I'd hope not given that it would mean he didn't take us to the world cup.
There's also the question of how much they want him after the world cup and this 6N.
If I was involved I'd be looking to keep him on until 2019 and telling him that Nucifora's role is then his if he wants it.
LeRouxIsPHat wrote:I said at the time he signed his extension that I thought he wanted to go to NZ when it was up but they seem to have signed up most of their coaching team so not sure there's a role there. Now maybe he's prepared to take a Super Rugby job for now and work his way up but I'd hope not given that it would mean he didn't take us to the world cup.
There's also the question of how much they want him after the world cup and this 6N.
If I was involved I'd be looking to keep him on until 2019 and telling him that Nucifora's role is then his if he wants it.
you not think hes more of a tracksuit coach than a blazer/DOR to want Nucifora's job?
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I do, I didn't say he'd take that job. I just don't see him staying with Ireland at that stage and wouldn't particularly want him to either, going beyond 2019 could make things stale. You can't really promise him a provincial job and that just seems like a logical carrot to put in front of him.
He'll be 55 then so a move upstairs might suit. There'd still be plenty of time for him to go to NZ then but we can't control that, we do have that role to offer him if we want to keep him in the system though and personally I'd offer it and see what happens.
LeRouxIsPHat wrote:I do, I didn't say he'd take that job. I just don't see him staying with Ireland at that stage and wouldn't particularly want him to either, going beyond 2019 could make things stale. You can't really promise him a provincial job and that just seems like a logical carrot to put in front of him.
He'll be 55 then so a move upstairs might suit. There'd still be plenty of time for him to go to NZ then but we can't control that, we do have that role to offer him if we want to keep him in the system though and personally I'd offer it and see what happens.
hopefully not in January each year
for on field matters, Ringrose needs to spend the summer in the gym not SA but man I'm itching to see him & Henshaw for Leinster & Ireland next season
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Ruckedtobits wrote:One line of concern must be about Munster's defence coughing up 4 tries against Cardiff after working with the new "Defence Consultant" Andy Farrell.
Did Axel let him take over in this area or was that all window dressing to quell local meeja and unruly natives?
hes only doing one or two days a week and am not sure hes purely defence
Ian Costello still defence coach AFAIK
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Ruckedtobits wrote:One line of concern must be about Munster's defence coughing up 4 tries against Cardiff after working with the new "Defence Consultant" Andy Farrell.
Did Axel let him take over in this area or was that all window dressing to quell local meeja and unruly natives?
hes only doing one or two days a week and am not sure hes purely defence
Ian Costello still defence coach AFAIK
My dad bumped into Andy Farrell at the gym, over in England, and he didn't mention the Munster job at all. My dad's more of a football fan so while he knew who Farrell was he didn't know about the munster job at all. Make of that what you will.
