Ireland 2017-18
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- fourthirtythree
- Leo Cullen
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
I honestly think that D Kearney and Farrell are just there for training and are not in danger of playing a game. It does happen with the extended squads in the Autumn. Scannell is a far superior player to Farrell but maybe Schmidt wants a big lump there for training against. Dave he knows will do exactly what he's told, he's an intelligent footballer just not physically a quality international.
O'Halloran is worrying alright, and perhaps Cronin.
O'Halloran is worrying alright, and perhaps Cronin.
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- Knowledgeable
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
I had the same thoughts as fourthirtythree, and would agree that the TOH exclusion is worrying, Cronin's throwing has been a bit hit and miss lately, I think Joe is giving him a chance to improve that while taking a look at other players, Id expect to see cronin back in some capacity for the 6n tho once his darts are a bit better
Re: Ireland 2017-18
I would of toned it down slightly but agree with most of this especially "He is a good player but not fantastic and certainly not irreplaceable". 1 try in 6 nations (2013 v Wales) or WC is indeed telling.Dundalk 1 wrote:On Zebo I have never heard such shite spouted by his various supporters
He scored 9 tries for Ireland in 35 games
He scored the grand total of 1 try in 6 nations or World Cup
His only other try of note was walking over the All Black line in Chicago
He is a good player but not fantastic and certainly not irreplaceable
The really sad part about today was the dropping of Tommy Bowe
Clearly the right decision given his age and form but he scored 30 tries for Ireland and in his time was irreplaceable
One of our best wingers
Up there with Shaggy and Hickie
There seems to be a bit of a cult around "Zeebs" but he is nowhere near as quick or good as Keith Earls and certainly not as good as Bowe, Hickie or Horgan were. If reports that 4 French clubs (Racing, Lyon, Pau & one other) are willing to pay up to E750k pa are true then it's madness when you could get Piutau for the same money.
Re: Ireland 2017-18
Joe likes to call players into the squad so he can work with them and send them away with changes to focus on and to see how they adapt.
Farrell is getting a chance to impress.
Farrell is getting a chance to impress.
Re: Ireland 2017-18
Zebo would be in the squad and probably even starting, but he’s not indispensable and therefore he’s been dispensed with.
He may get back in for the 6N depending on injuries. Joe had a knack for getting the best out of Dave Kearney and I hope he does.
He may get back in for the 6N depending on injuries. Joe had a knack for getting the best out of Dave Kearney and I hope he does.
- LeRouxIsPHat
- Jamie Heaslip
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
I could understand dropping Zebo if we were closer to the WC, but it's not like we win the 6N every year and if having him in our squad gives us a better chance of that then I'd keep him in. I think it's unfair given that Sexton was allowed to keep playing too. I won't mind it as much when Zebo actually leaves, but the guy is still in the country.
- Dave Cahill
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
Thats assuming of course that Zebo is being dropped because he is going to France and not because he has done (or not done) something to p1$$ off Joe - it wouldn't be the first time that he's been dropped after all.
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- LeRouxIsPHat
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
Anything's possible, but that's an odd thing to jump to given the news this week.
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
I don't think its that odd, if Zebo had signed back up with the Union he was just as likely to be dropped I reckon. Joe just doesn't pick him if he has other options.LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Anything's possible, but that's an odd thing to jump to given the news this week.
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
Which of course ignores the fact that he's played loads over the last couple of years and we've since lost Luke Fitz to retirement, Payne is injured, Trimble and Bowe are past it, we've a guy in the squad who was dropped by Leinster last weekend...it's nuts Dave. I could get on board with you saying that he's not a favourite of Joe's and maybe even that he actively wants to replace him...but that still doesn't mean that he'd be dropped entirely from a squad with so many back three players.
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
You've just explained why he's played loads. Trimble, Kearneys, Bowe, Luke and Earls have all suffered through injury and the passing of time which has left Joe with no option. Now he has an option, so he has been dropped. Its like the game against Scotland two years go writ large. As soon as there were any other option, that option has been taken.LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Which of course ignores the fact that he's played loads over the last couple of years and we've since lost Luke Fitz to retirement, Payne is injured, Trimble and Bowe are past it, we've a guy in the squad who was dropped by Leinster last weekend...it's nuts Dave. I could get on board with you saying that he's not a favourite of Joe's and maybe even that he actively wants to replace him...but that still doesn't mean that he'd be dropped entirely from a squad with so many back three players.
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
This is what I come back to. We do need him, our options in the back 3 aren't great. It's a change of tack as well in terms of selecting players. Ryan was still selected when he announced he was leaving.LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Which of course ignores the fact that he's played loads over the last couple of years and we've since lost Luke Fitz to retirement, Payne is injured, Trimble and Bowe are past it, we've a guy in the squad who was dropped by Leinster last weekend...it's nuts Dave. I could get on board with you saying that he's not a favourite of Joe's and maybe even that he actively wants to replace him...but that still doesn't mean that he'd be dropped entirely from a squad with so many back three players.
It'll be Rob & Earls + AN other plus Bench option. My guess/hope is Stockdale and Conway. I'd have Zebo ahead of the other 3.
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
England A 8 - 14 Ireland A, 25th Jan 2014
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- simonokeeffe
- Jamie Heaslip
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
dropping him now is a possible win winLeRouxIsPHat wrote:I could understand dropping Zebo if we were closer to the WC, but it's not like we win the 6N every year and if having him in our squad gives us a better chance of that then I'd keep him in. I think it's unfair given that Sexton was allowed to keep playing too. I won't mind it as much when Zebo actually leaves, but the guy is still in the country.
he doesnt play well and we wasted RWC development time on him instead of Stockdale or Carberry
he does play well and it increases pressure/hassle on Schmidt/Nucifora to make an exception for him, maybe isn't the best for the dressing room
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- LeRouxIsPHat
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
Fitzgerald was fit before that Scotland game and not picked while Zebo was...please stop wumming with this nonsense.Dave Cahill wrote:You've just explained why he's played loads. Trimble, Kearneys, Bowe, Luke and Earls have all suffered through injury and the passing of time which has left Joe with no option. Now he has an option, so he has been dropped. Its like the game against Scotland two years go writ large. As soon as there were any other option, that option has been taken.LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Which of course ignores the fact that he's played loads over the last couple of years and we've since lost Luke Fitz to retirement, Payne is injured, Trimble and Bowe are past it, we've a guy in the squad who was dropped by Leinster last weekend...it's nuts Dave. I could get on board with you saying that he's not a favourite of Joe's and maybe even that he actively wants to replace him...but that still doesn't mean that he'd be dropped entirely from a squad with so many back three players.
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- Jamie Heaslip
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
Or a lose lose.simonokeeffe wrote:dropping him now is a possible win winLeRouxIsPHat wrote:I could understand dropping Zebo if we were closer to the WC, but it's not like we win the 6N every year and if having him in our squad gives us a better chance of that then I'd keep him in. I think it's unfair given that Sexton was allowed to keep playing too. I won't mind it as much when Zebo actually leaves, but the guy is still in the country.
he doesnt play well and we wasted RWC development time on him instead of Stockdale or Carberry
he does play well and it increases pressure/hassle on Schmidt/Nucifora to make an exception for him, maybe isn't the best for the dressing room
I'm not doubting that there's logic behind the decision, it's just not a logic I agree with.
- fourthirtythree
- Leo Cullen
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
I don't see how that is relevant to anything. Sexton claims the "rule" wasn't in place then but they have been told it is now. Secondly that was the past. Thirdly would it then be "fair" if everyone was injured and Zebo was needed and he got recalled? Who cares? We'd need him and I would really hope he was recalled.LeRouxIsPHat wrote:I think it's unfair given that Sexton was allowed to keep playing too.
We had only one outhalf capable of playing to international standard at the time. The IRFU made a booboo by not admitting to themselves that the team was built around him for the next few years and instead refusing to negotiate. I think Zebo is great, he's in fantastic form, I'd pick him as full back ahead of O'Halloran, Carberry, Kearney etc. right now, but fair isn't in it. We might "want" him, but don't "need" him.
Nothing's fair in love and war (and sport).
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
The ad hominem attack is your standard tactic when your cant is pulled up alright.LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Fitzgerald was fit before that Scotland game and not picked while Zebo was...please stop wumming with this nonsense.Dave Cahill wrote:You've just explained why he's played loads. Trimble, Kearneys, Bowe, Luke and Earls have all suffered through injury and the passing of time which has left Joe with no option. Now he has an option, so he has been dropped. Its like the game against Scotland two years go writ large. As soon as there were any other option, that option has been taken.LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Which of course ignores the fact that he's played loads over the last couple of years and we've since lost Luke Fitz to retirement, Payne is injured, Trimble and Bowe are past it, we've a guy in the squad who was dropped by Leinster last weekend...it's nuts Dave. I could get on board with you saying that he's not a favourite of Joe's and maybe even that he actively wants to replace him...but that still doesn't mean that he'd be dropped entirely from a squad with so many back three players.
The fact remains, as much as you would like to deny it, that Zebo is not a player that Joe Schmidt trusts and his dropping is entirely expected regardless of his contractual situation.
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
Two things...fourthirtythree wrote:I don't see how that is relevant to anything. Sexton claims the "rule" wasn't in place then but they have been told it is now. Secondly that was the past. Thirdly would it then be "fair" if everyone was injured and Zebo was needed and he got recalled? Who cares? We'd need him and I would really hope he was recalled.LeRouxIsPHat wrote:I think it's unfair given that Sexton was allowed to keep playing too.
We had only one outhalf capable of playing to international standard at the time. The IRFU made a booboo by not admitting to themselves that the team was built around him for the next few years and instead refusing to negotiate. I think Zebo is great, he's in fantastic form, I'd pick him as full back ahead of O'Halloran, Carberry, Kearney etc. right now, but fair isn't in it. We might "want" him, but don't "need" him.
Nothing's fair in love and war (and sport).
1) He's still playing in Ireland. I'm not talking about when he actually goes to France, hence why I think it's excessive, I never claimed to be comparing like with like.
2) That's kind of an odd post just because I feel sorry for the guy for being dropped in these circumstances.
- fourthirtythree
- Leo Cullen
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Re: Ireland 2017-18
Excuse not quoting as it's a pain on the phone.
1 I agree with you - but a better comparison would be Madigan- Sexton was a different kettle of fish. I'd play Zeno for the big matches.
2 I do too. I feel sorry for his team mates who have said they hey want him playing. I feel sorry for his fans.
But the only way unfairness could come into this is if he was told that h could play for Ireland and then they changed it behind his back.
Mostly I feel sorry for his young fans. He knew what he was doing and his teammates are pros too. Racing are going to s lol a bunch of jerseys in Ireland I guess.
1 I agree with you - but a better comparison would be Madigan- Sexton was a different kettle of fish. I'd play Zeno for the big matches.
2 I do too. I feel sorry for his team mates who have said they hey want him playing. I feel sorry for his fans.
But the only way unfairness could come into this is if he was told that h could play for Ireland and then they changed it behind his back.
Mostly I feel sorry for his young fans. He knew what he was doing and his teammates are pros too. Racing are going to s lol a bunch of jerseys in Ireland I guess.