Did I see a 10 feigning a tackle on the line for one of the argies tries? Probably shouldn’t start next week 🤷‍♂️

Jesus forgot about McCarthy. That Australia scrum has been one of the better parts of their game this season and we looked like we were getting slightly more than
parity there. Some performance for his first start.

Just as well he won POTM. Would have been embarrassing having to give it to Ryan “I steal line outs for fun” Baird, after his disgraceful tone and lack of Irish contrition at his press conference. Not sure Irish rugby would have survived the fall out.

Na, most sensible fans can recognise that both have strengths and weaknesses and be happy when one or the other has a good game. Not constantly looking for faults. Sams been very good going forward but still has challenges defensively

Ireland giving away a crazy amount of silly penalties though

Na, they’ll be good if they can get some luck with injuries. I wouldn’t like to face them in knockouts.

Gotta feel for Australia. It’s been a crazy season for them.

Still haven’t forgiven Burns for that missed kick to touch…

Context though. If Barrett finds his touch for those 2 penalties in the first half is that a different game. NZ were as poor as Eng were good, but Eng last year probably wouldn’t have won that game so fair play.

I think we might struggle against the Aussies. Bit of a myth that we don’t do well against the physical sides, it’s the athletic ones that really trouble us. I’d still fancy our chances against England though. They had a great squad but not a WC 23 and I think that showed again tonight.

He becoming a Maro Itoje. Almost invisible to the refs on the pitch. Don’t know how he gets away with it, but fair play I guess.

I find it funny (strange really) how so many English commentators and fans think he’s the messiah of rugby commentary intellect

He’s letting Eng off the hook today.

Not convinced Ire fans/media can handle a run of losses. For NZ game we knew it’s likely they’d see us off last 20. We’d done better than expected to that point but afterward we were calling for half the team to be put out to pasture. And don’t get me started on year long malaise after Eng game 2019

Agree, but then you replace a Prendergast for a Crowley and half the country looses it mind. I definitely want to see them take risks but it should be one or two at at time not wholesale changes .

No doubt it could go that way. Perhaps it’s naivety, as it hasn’t always been his way, but I see the makings of a good squad that can help us manage the age profile in a way SA has done. Even McCarthy starting tomorrow gives me some hope. Really want to see the young centres given opportunity mind.

Agree but all
Players have dips & many good ones have come back. What I want to see from Ire is we focus less on the first 15 but on creating a 35-40 man squad that can comfortably replace some aging front liners on certain games.I see some green shoots of it just not sure it’s the IRFU’s mindset.

That core of 2019 team were also the key players of the past years. That was a style, not an age problem. It highlights the fact that we are constantly talking about age profile whilst ignoring that many of our key players, Sheenan, McCarty, Doris etc even Ryan & Porter will be prime age at next WC

We had similar convos in 2019. How would we replace Kearney etc. Last year we were panicking over the props. I’d be a little bit concerned about the centres (albeit I love the young centres coming through) and 7 but are we really that old in the core positions or is it just staleness?

Amazing strength in depth but I genuinely don’t think Eng can put out a world class 23. They are still some way off the French & the Boks. I’d still have them to just about beat the AB’s, but I’d be very pleased as a Kiwi to see Steward at full back. They’ll run rings around him

It’s McCarthy we need. Don’t see us properly competing without him.

His right arm is definitely wrapping and I’ve seen many (most) refs play on in that situation, regardless of leading with the shoulder (LCD would be pinged every tackle). Unlucky with the outcome but I can also understand where the ref got to a straight red .

But he’s committed to the tackle before Ramos drops? So if Ramos doesn’t drop then the lack of wrap wouldn’t have had the same impact. Think that’s harsh .

I think if you can keep the penalty count low you’ll take em. They are just not the same side and missing the Barrett brothers is a big loss. As much as I’ve bemoaned Russell over the years, he’s in the form of his life and could be the king maker. Can’t wait for it.

I think there might be a lot of happy tears this weekend. Never a better chance.

I loved it by the end but took me a while to get into it. Rewatched Rogue one afterwards (also loved this) and it made it make even more sense and nostalgic.

Scottish rugby or Andor series 2?

I can no longer
support Scotland this weekend after this scurrilous take!

They made a good point about the outcome if match was played at end of the series, which I’d agree with. It’s why I’m more encouraged, than negative. No doubt some players look like they might be coming to an end,but that ignores the talent coming through & continual growth of some real WC players.

They were one of the more sane pods last week & called it exactly as it played out. I don’t understand Irish supporters jumping on the “over the hill” narrative as we all
knew they were lacking in match sharpness. Let’s judge the team after Aut series. Sometimes these labels are self fullfilling!