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Posted 177 days ago
A MUCH improved Argentina went to Cardiff a fortnight ago and deservedly beat a faltering Wales 26-12 so Ireland have no excuses for getting caught cold. They know they need to step-up against a fired up Pumas looking to cement their place in the Top 8 of the IRB rankings, which is so vital to the World Cup draw.
Posted 181 days ago
IN WHAT turned out to be nothing more than a training ground run around, Ireland ran in eight unanswered tries in this non-cap match at Thomond Park. Fiji laboured in the lashing rain, but could not get anywhere near their Irish counterparts.
Posted 184 days ago
THIS IS not to belittle England’s 50-point spree last weekend but the Fiji squad touring Britain and Ireland is a desperately mediocre bunch. No team should concede tries as soft as that scored by Ugo Monye at Twickenham and Fiji’s midweek defeat at Gloucester will have done nothing to lift the spirits of a team that has a decent midfield and not a lot else.
Posted 189 days ago
IT WAS an unspectacular match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with the physical exchanges dominating and little creative attacking play on show. Ireland built a healthy 12-3 half-time lead, capitalising on South Africa’s poor discipline, but the Boks started the second period with aplomb.
Posted 327 days ago
AFTER ALL the optimism generated from last week’s effort, the manner of Saturday’s flogging is even harder to take. Watching Ireland on this tour has been an emotional rollercoaster. How can the same group of players offer up such different levels of performance over three test matches?
Posted 332 days ago
Two changes in the backs and one in the forward pack, have been made by Declan kidney and co to the side that took the field in the second test in Christchurch.
Paddy Wallace, who was called out as a replacement for the tour after Gordon D’Arcy returned home injured, goes straight into the side at inside centre in place of…
Posted 333 days ago
THE STARTING XV features six changes to the team that started last week’s Test against Ireland – two forced by injury and four selection strategy changes – with the selection of uncapped lock Luke Romano the key feature. First five-eighth Aaron Cruden comes in for All Blacks Vice-Captain Daniel Carter who has suffered a hamstring injury which has made him…
Posted 335 days ago
In a pre-match interview, Declan Kidney said: “The belief is unquestionable. Just because you have a bad day doesn’t mean you can’t turn it around a week later.” And Ireland did just that. They may not have got that elusive first win against the All Blacks but they took them as close as I can remember. It was a big night for Christchurch and the people of Canterbury
Posted 340 days ago
THE STARTING XV features just the one change with loose forward Adam Thomson replacing the injured Victor Vito (knee) at blindside flanker, while his place on the bench has been taken by new cap Sam Cane.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said, despite last week’s first Test win over the Irish, there had still been a lot for the All…
Posted 342 days ago
I’LL BE honest, when I first saw Declan Kidney’s team selection it didn’t fill me with confidence. Losing to the Barbarians the week before travelling to the backyard of the World Champions isn’t ideal preparation by any means. Doing so without three world class players, Stephen Ferris, Paul O’Connell and Tommy Bowe, left Ireland with
