Reflections on RWC 2019.

[Oldschool]

Well Joe, it's almost time.
Your moment of destiny and all that good stuff.
Mirror, I've missed you, where have you been?
I've been on a sabbatical Joe.
Jeez Mirror would you leave off with the big words, the punters won't understand you, could you not just say holiers
It's the great unwashed Joe.
F^ck me Mirror, the water is free, there's no excuse for anyone to be going around unwashed.
Joe that's a euphemism for the general public.
Euphemism? Mirror, something's wrong, what's happened to you? Have you been hacked?

Interesting question!

[Oldschool]

No Joe I haven't been hacked but I think you've been may have been.
OK Mirror I'm going to humour you!
Ok Joe, let's start with a little history first.
2018 we won the 6Ns and deservedly so.
2018 June we won the series in Oz 2-1 but we should have won all three tests, a chink in the armour.
2018 AIs we had a great win against NZ.
Everything seems to be going swimmingly.
However even when winning the 6Ns we weren't putting teams away.
England should have beaten NZ the weekend before we did.
So basically the gap between us and the other top teams was very narrow.
So Joe, your starter for one what has changed?
To be continued

[Oldschool]

What has changed Mirror? you're the expert, you tell me.
Let's start with Time, Joe or more accurately the ravages of time.
Best is 37, enough said.
Sexton is 33 but his body is older due to the ravages of injury.
Murray hasn't recovered from his neck injury and on top of that the concussion at their​ weekend, not his first btw.
Next up Form or loss of-
Since that win against NZ a few players have lost form.
There can be a number of reasons for this Joe.
Burn out, found out and carrying niggling injuries.
Burn out.
Stander is the stand out.
Found out
POM is the standout.
Niggling injuries that we know of.
Toner, Carberry, Henshaw,. Kearney too.
RSU Repetitive Screw Ups.
The same players making the same mistakes.
I've heard the expression brain dead used a few times Joe.
A lot of the above can be fixed.
However Joe it has to start at top.
It can be fixed but will you fix it.

That Joe, as our favourite quiz master might put it, is the Million Dollar question.
It's time to get into fast forward Joe because we've been in reverse for the last ten months.
My Recommendations Joe.

To be continued.

[Oldschool]

Joe there's a lot of bs out there.
A well known cliche, "Form is temporary, class is permanent".
In fact Joe form in a tournament, like the RWC, is the only thing that matters.
Another cliche "Bigger is better".
Damn right it is Joe and you better believe it.
Joe the Irish team, as fielded last Saturday, could play the same English team ten times and they would lose every time, although the margin would undoubtedly improve.
Size matters Joe and we were physically outgunned.
When you play against Billy V you have to have a 6 who is big and can tackle.
Ruddock is that player and if England can play Itoje at 6 then Ireland can play Henderson at 6.
Aki and Byrne were pulverised, England targeted that area, where was the BR cover with the necessary physicality.
There are other glaring physical problems in the team too.
Cast your mind back to when you were 37, Joe.
So Joe, less than a year ago, Ireland could get their hands on the ball and keep it. Now??
So Joe as a Polish acquittance of mine used to say, "what is to do?"
The team you need to start against Scotland is the same team that should start against Wales in Dublin.
McGrath, Scannell, Furlong
Ryan Toner
Henderson, VDF, Conan.
Marmiion - Remember what I said about lack of form Joe.
Carty - Remember what I said about lack of form Joe.
Earls, Henshaw, Farrell, Ringrose
Kearney.
Best
Porter - your hand has been forced, don't fight it.
Ryan
Beirne for his mobility.
Ruddock although Jordi because it's Scotland should be considered.
Cooney - you made a mistake but you've cover with the injury to Joey and doubts about both Sexton and Murray.
Don't forget Joe this guy can kick the penos too.
Byrne - Murray and Sexton can try to get their form back in the other pool games.
Conway, the young lad, Larmour, is just not ready yet.
Final thoughts Joe.
It's all about the here and now, there is no future.
Forget about personality clashes and faces not fitting.
If the selected player can make you look good that's all that matters.
Finally Joe, it's your time, you've put a lot of yourself into this, go for it, don't have any regrets but remember just one other thing.
The selections you make are for the benefit of all the team. No pets, no favourites, loyalty doesn't matter anymore except for loyalty to the team.
The players have to know that you are picking the best available players. Do that and they'll be focused on the game and not the agenda.
One final point which I almost overlooked.
If in doubt go for the Leinster player.

[Oldschool]

Well done Joe, a very good 31 for the RWC.
Some of the pressure will be off now that the word has been given.
However, Joe, you need to do something about the leak.
I have Mirror, I have

[Oldschool]

Joe some suggesting that you have lost the dressing room.
You've got a bit of previous on this sort of thing Joe, I'd have to say.
Yeah mate, I know and look how that worked out.

[Oldschool]

Hi Joe, the punters are a bit anxious to know how things are going so far?
Jeez Mirror, do you not think it's a bit early to be asking that sort of question!
Jaysus Joe the match against Scotland is less than a week away, I'd be worried if the fan's weren't worried.
FFS Mirror give us a break, by early I meant it's only 4:45am here in Japan.

Oh, eh, sorry about that Joe but sure now that you are awake, how are things looking.
Everything is running like a well oiled machine Mirror.
Yeah I heard about that Joe, hope the baby oil is doing the trick if you know what I mean.
Whatever you're having yourself Mirror, now good night.

[Oldschool]

Phone rings.
Squeaky bum time Joe.
If you're suggesting that I need to oil the players ar$es, Mirror, then rest assured that the players ar$es have already been given the necessary treatment.

PS in the unlikely event that any of the players read this (they'd want to be bored out of their tree)
I would like to point out that posts in this thread and similar threads are all made in jest.
I was not for one second suggesting that Joe oil the lads' ar$es.

[Oldschool]

Phone ringing.
Mirror Technologies Inc. at your service.
1. You have reached the answer service of the Mirror.
2. If you need a new Mirror please press 1. ( Don't f^ckin' tempt me, Joe muttering)
3.
.
.
.
20. If your call is urgent please press 1.
1.
FFS Mirror what are you playing at.
So Joe do you like my new answering service.
Mirror it's the middle of the RWC and just when I need to contact you most, you install a new system, FFS.
Eh Sorry about that Joe, anyway what can I do for you.
Mirror I'm looking for something to gee the lads up tomorrow.
Ok Joe, tbh I don't think they'll need it but just in case.
It's all about revenge Joe.
Take Scotland, we had a score to settle over our RWC application.
Now it's NZ, it's 2-2 since you took over, so this is the rubber match, we owe them so badly Joe, it's unreal, just tap into that.
Finally Joe throw a bit of fear into the mix
Post this on the dressing room wall.

England
NZ
Japan
Wales

Would make for interesting SF's

OK Mirror thanks. BTW how do I contact you in an emergency.

Just dial 999 Joe

[Ruckedtobits]

Phone ringing.
Mirror Technologies Inc. at your service.
1. You have reached the answer service of the Mirror.
2. If you need a new Mirror please press 1. ( Don't f^ckin' tempt me, Joe muttering)
3.
.
.
.
20. If your call is urgent please press 1.
1.
FFS Mirror what are you playing at.
So Joe do you like my new answering service.
Mirror it's the middle of the RWC and just when I need to contact you most, you install a new system, FFS.
Eh Sorry about that Joe, anyway what can I do for you.
Mirror I'm looking for something to gee the lads up tomorrow.
Ok Joe, tbh I don't think they'll need it but just in case.
It's all about revenge Joe.
Take Scotland, we had a score to settle over our RWC application.
Now it's NZ, it's 2-2 since you took over, so this is the rubber match, we owe them so badly Joe, it's unreal, just tap into that.
Finally Joe throw a bit of fear into the mix
Post this on the dressing room wall.

England
NZ
Japan
Wales

Would make for interesting SF's

OK Mirror thanks. BTW how do I contact you in an emergency.

Just dial 999 Joe

Actually Joe, it depends where you're calling from. You might try 119 over the next few days.

[Oldschool]

Dialing 119.
No answer.
Dialing 999.
Mirror Emergency Service, how may I be of service?
Mirror, heelllllpppppp.