Ireland vs All Blacks

[Kiwias]

Congrats to the Irish band for their new improved version of our horrible national anthem. The shorter the better!

Not just shorter but way faster tempo too.

[Slick]

I don't think it's the breakdown penalties that cause the multiple handling errors, badly timed runs and poor passing
\
oh and a misfiring lineout

I agree with Torq to be honest, the rest is a symptom of not having their own way. Every time they get reffed properly they struggle.

Well done AB’s. Ireland on their way back down, confirmed

Nah, that's a loser's point, blaming refs (which I do when Scotland lose, usually until I rewatch the game). How many people moaned their face off about Richie McCaw? He's the best I've ever seen, or the best forward anyway.

Every single team cheats at the breakdown, without exception.

There is a big difference between individual players pushing boundaries and teams setting up to ignore the laws. Having players crawl slowly out of the back of rucks at every chance is obviously a coached decision, as is hitting rucks from the side as the 9 sets to pick up.

That they are the most pompous amd precious rugby nation on earth at the same time as being the most cynical is infuriating

[Hal Jordan]

Having Martin Corry as a symbol of your low point must be nice - how many honours did he win in the game?

Scottish fans can out-shite anyone.

As starter and captain for the Test side, fuck all, but he was a stout yeoman and was infinitely more honest about the team's shortcomings than Birthwick's endless platitudes when he was being asked about another 23-15 loss.

[Paddington Bear]

Having Martin Corry as a symbol of your low point must be nice - how many honours did he win in the game?

Scottish fans can out-shite anyone.

Whilst I agree with the premise, watching Martin Corry’s men lose at Murrayfield in a dirge as my Dad drank whisky out the bottle with the Scotsman in front of us was something of a formative moment for me. I either stopped loving rugby or went all on it, and here we are

[Tichtheid]

I agree with Torq to be honest, the rest is a symptom of not having their own way. Every time they get reffed properly they struggle.

Well done AB’s. Ireland on their way back down, confirmed

Nah, that's a loser's point, blaming refs (which I do when Scotland lose, usually until I rewatch the game). How many people moaned their face off about Richie McCaw? He's the best I've ever seen, or the best forward anyway.

Every single team cheats at the breakdown, without exception.

There is a big difference between individual players pushing boundaries and teams setting up to ignore the laws. Having players crawl slowly out of the back of rucks at every chance is obviously a coached decision, as is hitting rucks from the side as the 9 sets to pick up.

All teams do it, and they are coached to do so, some are more effective than others - NZ were doing the same today, as well as the hands in the ruck whilst off their feet. I've long since stopped being pissed off about it, but it does piss me off when the ref doesn't police it the same for both sides

That they are the most pompous amd precious rugby nation on earth at the same time as being the most cynical is infuriating

I thought that was your view of South African fans
Welsh fans were the ones that used to piss me off the most, but as with Ireland, I'd bite your hand off for Wales' record this century.

To be honest Wales and Ireland have earned the right to expect to beat us, we've been very poor for a very long time - it used to be that I'd expect us to beat both of those teams, certainly in Edinburgh.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

There is a big difference between individual players pushing boundaries and teams setting up to ignore the laws. Having players crawl slowly out of the back of rucks at every chance is obviously a coached decision, as is hitting rucks from the side as the 9 sets to pick up.

That they are the most pompous amd precious rugby nation on earth at the same time as being the most cynical is infuriating

Without checking back up the thread, which side is this?

[Tichtheid]

Having Martin Corry as a symbol of your low point must be nice - how many honours did he win in the game?

Scottish fans can out-shite anyone.

As starter and captain for the Test side, fuck all, but he was a stout yeoman and was infinitely more honest about the team's shortcomings than Birthwick's endless platitudes when he was being asked about another 23-15 loss.

I just looked him up

Corry started the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final, and was an unused substitute as England won the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final. He was a Premiership Rugby champion six times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007 & 2009) and European Champion twice in 2001 and 2002

I'd take that from Scotland's symbol of our low point.

Ours is multiple wooden spoons and capping guys as they walk down the steps from the plane. The SRU blazers deliberately undermining professionalism, the clubs never really accepting the districts turning pro and continuing the undermining of the pro game, one district side doing ok in the league, but never doing anything in Europe, the other just being terminally rubbish. Multiple pool stage exits from RWCs.
Our low points are still going on.

But still, this time is different, this is going to be our year.

[Uncle fester]

I love how Ireland wheel out their leprechaun every game. He must be 150 by now.

Ageist bro

Young people have no respect these days.

[Uncle fester]

This Frawley guy is a bit shit isn't he. Shame Billy Burns wasn't available.

That's just cruel now and he did slay the boks only a few months back.

[JM2K6]

This Frawley guy is a bit shit isn't he. Shame Billy Burns wasn't available.

That's just cruel now and he did slay the boks only a few months back.

He does seem to have a higher ceiling than his rivals for the shirt tbf

[Uncle fester]

Love Lowe celebrating a 50-22 kick like a WWE wrestler

Come on you joy sucking vampire. That was an absolutely outstanding kick.

[Enzedder]

Now I understand why Enzedder gets so angry about mauls. He's actually talking about rucks.

I find the two are now morphed. I like to call them mucks.

[Uncle fester]

So yeah, 59 minutes and poor Tom is making his way off the pitch and I'm thinking to myself "how on earth are we ahead". We were never at the races today. Keewee pack ate ours alive. If their backline was better, they'd have put a lot more on us. So yeah, well beat tonight. Puzzled by criticism of Berry. He's not my favourite ref by any means but he was fine tonight.

But you know something, something that gives me joy and pleasure?
It's reading Slick and how much he hates us. He's absolutely fücking seething and that makes me smile despite my disappointment at how we played.

[Enzedder]

Aaron Goile at Stuff (I know his Mrs and his Dad but thankfully not him so much)

ANALYSIS: The All Blacks have successfully passed their biggest test of the year.

This clash with world No 1 Ireland in Dublin had been billed as the marker of just where the men in black are in this up and down first year of Scott Robertson’s.

And in what proved to a be quite the messy affair, the New Zealanders were able to do the business, grinding out a 23-13 victory.

Here are Stuff’s All Blacks player ratings from the test at Aviva Stadium.


Will Jordan: Given the easiest of finishes for the All Blacks’ only try of the match. Bit of a mixed bag, with some good high-ball takes and leading the team carry count with 16 and an equal-game-high 90 metres, in conjunction with some average decision-making to put team under pressure. 7

Mark Tele’a: Not quite the heights of last week’s two-try feats against England. Still managed 63 metres with not much room to move, but twice lost ball (one ripped, one knocked on) when on attack. 6

Rieko Ioane: Again not a real presence with ball in hand (in a game which featured limited attacks) and knocked on one tough pass from McKenzie. Missed team-high three tackles, of 11 attempts, but was still particularly valuable on the defensive side in this one. 6

Jordie Barrett: The first of many pinged for kick escorts, which resulted in game’s first points. Also copped yellow card for high tackle in final minute of first half which cost another three. Balanced those out with fine moments, though, including nice restart take and fine surge and back-flick offload. 6

Caleb Clarke: Saw limited opportunities, though did look likely when getting hands on the ball, with a couple of powerful runs and beating four defenders. 6

Damian McKenzie: Back in the driver’s seat and was a key to victory here. Slick at times, a tad sloppy at others. Produced strong long clearances, and kicked 6/8 off the tee, in amongst a couple of wayward passes and a bad drop, but got hands on the ball to be a threat, notching equal-game-high metres (90) and also beating a game-high seven defenders. 8

Cortez Ratima: Endured a messy time of it at the base with slippery ball and heavy Gibson-Park pressure. Had early kick charged down, made one fine break upfield, got a sneaky hand in a ruck to get his team off the hook in 22, but just couldn’t get the attack firing. 4

Ardie Savea: Was mostly unsighted for 70 minutes (but that more tight role has become a bit more his), before roaming free out wide ahead of Jordan’s try, then coming up huge with crucial 74th minute ruck turnover, having just moved to openside. 7

Sam Cane: Made all of one metre with ball in hand, driven backwards a couple of times (including into in-goal for an Ireland scrum), but put the head down and got amongst the thick of the bruising breakdown battle, making equal-team-high 10 tackles. 7

Wallace Sititi: Not the game where the rising star was able to unleash another stunner, but again showed his great potential, in doing the right things to a good standard, getting 13 carries and beating four defenders. Also had a ruck turnover win, and was a good front of the lineout option. 7

Tupou Vaa’i: Produced an early steal to put Ireland lineout under pressure, also stole possession from a post-lineout maul, and was unlucky that one massive cleanout ended up costing possession, while also copped a couple of penalties. 6

Scott Barrett: The skipper got into an early set-to with McCarthy, then made the bold call to turn down three points for a 25th minute lineout which didn’t end up working out, but would have been delighted with his side’s much-improved discipline. Plucked a lineout steal and was key to keeping the hosts at bay, with team-high 10 tackles without a miss. 7

Tyrel Lomax: Ensured the scrum was an even battle through the opening hour and got his hands on the ball with seven tough carries. 7

Asafo Aumua: Easily the biggest test of his career and passed it with flying colours, going 80 minutes on a six-day turnaround from going 75. Lineout throwing was on-point (aside from an unluckily-called not-straight when Ireland didn’t contest), took some typically-heavy carries, was solid on defence, including one tackle-and-ruck-win play, and nicely put Jordan away for the try. 8

Tamaiti Williams: Had faith kept with de Groot left out, and was solid all-round, even if unable to halt van der Flier on the line for Ireland’s try. 6

RESERVES

George Bell (Aumua, 80min): Given a third test cap. N/R

Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Williams, 60min): Immediately got scrum penalty his way, with Bealham not pushing straight. 7

Pasilio Tosi (Lomax, 60min): Got driven back in one big tackle, but helped the All Blacks’ set-piece remain solid. 6

Patrick Tuipulotu (Vaa’i, 58min): Claimed the simplest of lineout steals at the end. 6

Samipeni Finau (Cane, 73min): On when Cane was left bloodied for the cause. N/R

Cam Roigard (Ratima, 51min): Used a bit more guile at the base to give the All Blacks’ attack a boost, while kicking game was very good. 7

Anton Lienert-Brown (Clarke, 71min): Into centre late in the piece. N/R

Stephen Perofeta (Flawless - unable to find a number high enough)

[Uncle fester]

So yeah, I watched the game on record (kids to put to bed and that malarkey) so you only get the benefit of my infinite wisdom now.

[Uncle fester]

Sititi was my MOTM. Physical beast and has some rugby in him.

[Hal Jordan]

Having Martin Corry as a symbol of your low point must be nice - how many honours did he win in the game?

Scottish fans can out-shite anyone.

As starter and captain for the Test side, fuck all, but he was a stout yeoman and was infinitely more honest about the team's shortcomings than Birthwick's endless platitudes when he was being asked about another 23-15 loss.

I just looked him up

Corry started the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final, and was an unused substitute as England won the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final. He was a Premiership Rugby champion six times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007 & 2009) and European Champion twice in 2001 and 2002

I'd take that from Scotland's symbol of our low point.

Ours is multiple wooden spoons and capping guys as they walk down the steps from the plane. The SRU blazers deliberately undermining professionalism, the clubs never really accepting the districts turning pro and continuing the undermining of the pro game, one district side doing ok in the league, but never doing anything in Europe, the other just being terminally rubbish. Multiple pool stage exits from RWCs.
Our low points are still going on.

But still, this time is different, this is going to be our year.

You're the NY Jets of rugby. And I follow the Jets, so I know whereof I speak.

2007 was the most fun I ever had watching England, I wasn't that disappointed we lost the final in the end, the ride there was just such a hilarious troll effort.

[MungoMan]

There is a big difference between individual players pushing boundaries and teams setting up to ignore the laws. Having players crawl slowly out of the back of rucks at every chance is obviously a coached decision, as is hitting rucks from the side as the 9 sets to pick up.

That they are the most pompous amd precious rugby nation on earth at the same time as being the most cynical is infuriating

Without checking back up the thread, which side is this?

Was about to ask the same question but you gazumped me!

[Gumboot]

Scooter says he went after McCarthy because he thought he saw him put his shoulder into DMac's head while he was on the ground...

[Gumboot]

Oh, and I thought Rieko was an inspired choice to lead the Haka against Ireland.

[OomStruisbaai]

But you know something, something that gives me joy and pleasure?
It's reading Slick and how much he hates us. He's absolutely fücking seething and that makes me smile despite my disappointment at how we played.

Don't worry about him. He is a flip flopper. He love the Springboks.

[Slick]

So yeah, 59 minutes and poor Tom is making his way off the pitch and I'm thinking to myself "how on earth are we ahead". We were never at the races today. Keewee pack ate ours alive. If their backline was better, they'd have put a lot more on us. So yeah, well beat tonight. Puzzled by criticism of Berry. He's not my favourite ref by any means but he was fine tonight.

But you know something, something that gives me joy and pleasure?
It's reading Slick and how much he hates us. He's absolutely fücking seething and that makes me smile despite my disappointment at how we played.

[Jim Lahey]

Congrats NZ. Comfortably the better side.

That was utter shite from Ireland. Bringing Dad's Army off the bench didn't seem to work. Hard to see what some of them bring to the party apart from "experience," especially when one of the first things 80+ cap Hendy does when he comes on is give away an idiotic penalty.

[JM2K6]

Love Lowe celebrating a 50-22 kick like a WWE wrestler

Come on you joy sucking vampire. That was an absolutely outstanding kick.

Enjoying your tribute to Openside but there's a reason we made fun of how he responded to threads

[Sards]

New Zealand looked so disjointed on attack and still beat the number 3 ranked side . Class

[lemonhead]

Congrats NZ, better team by some distance.

[Sandstorm]

New Zealand looked so disjointed on attack

And everyone called me an idiot when I pointed this out on Wednesday.

[dkm57]

I thought the Irish pack did OK, the backs on the other hand were absolute dross, passing was diabolical and far from sympathetic even if it went anywhere near their man and they looked like they might as well have been wearing boxing gloves to try and catch the ball. NZ weren't anything special by their standards but were comfortably deserved winners over what appeared to be an under cooked and inept Ireland.

[dpedin]

Good to see a referee ref the Irish properly at the breakdown, once they realised he was doing this then they lost all momentum or else gave away penalties. Ireland lost the game because of this but their backs just made it look worse! Without their two NZ players - Lowe and Gibson-Park - Ireland would have lost by a lot more.

[Yeeb]

Bit odd that Corry is used as a poor yardstick , when there are so many better examples of shit (Noon, Youngs last 90 caps etc). Corey was pretty decent , and v good in Lions shirt iirc.

[Slick]

New Zealand looked so disjointed on attack

And everyone called me an idiot when I pointed this out on Wednesday.

Don’t think it was anything you said

[Slick]

Congrats NZ. Comfortably the better side.

That was utter shite from Ireland. Bringing Dad's Army off the bench didn't seem to work. Hard to see what some of them bring to the party apart from "experience," especially when one of the first things 80+ cap Hendy does when he comes on is give away an idiotic penalty.

On a serious note, they do look like a tired and aging side. It’s unsurprising given the top players they have had over this unprecedented period of success but the young guys coming through just don’t look in the same class, despite what the media and commentators want us to believe.

In saying that, there are still many very good players in that side and I expect they will turn it around to some extend, but I think the dominant days are over for a few seasons

[Uncle fester]

Love Lowe celebrating a 50-22 kick like a WWE wrestler

Come on you joy sucking vampire. That was an absolutely outstanding kick.

Enjoying your tribute to Openside but there's a reason we made fun of how he responded to threads

I'll get back to you when the conversation has moved on by a few pages.

[Sandstorm]

New Zealand looked so disjointed on attack

And everyone called me an idiot when I pointed this out on Wednesday.

Don’t think it was anything you said

Hey, one of the Chuckle Brothers is in the house!

[Slick]

And everyone called me an idiot when I pointed this out on Wednesday.

Don’t think it was anything you said

Hey, one of the Chuckle Brothers is in the house!

Hey come on, I thought that deserved better

[Harveys]

That's the number 1 side in the world? Is test rugby at its lowest point ever?

Anyway, Aumua was fantastic again - best thing to come out of the last 2 weeks for the ABs. Like Razor, I wasn't too keen on seeing George Bell on the field...

Bench stepped up as well. PT playing the best rugby of his career.

Yes, which is allowing SA to have their moment.

[Sandstorm]

That's the number 1 side in the world? Is test rugby at its lowest point ever?

Anyway, Aumua was fantastic again - best thing to come out of the last 2 weeks for the ABs. Like Razor, I wasn't too keen on seeing George Bell on the field...

Bench stepped up as well. PT playing the best rugby of his career.

Yes, which is allowing SA to have their moment.

5 year moment. Feels like 10

[Harveys]

That's the number 1 side in the world? Is test rugby at its lowest point ever?

Anyway, Aumua was fantastic again - best thing to come out of the last 2 weeks for the ABs. Like Razor, I wasn't too keen on seeing George Bell on the field...

Bench stepped up as well. PT playing the best rugby of his career.

Yes, which is allowing SA to have their moment.

5 year moment. Feels like 10

3-4 at a stretch

[Jethro]

There is a big difference between individual players pushing boundaries and teams setting up to ignore the laws. Having players crawl slowly out of the back of rucks at every chance is obviously a coached decision, as is hitting rucks from the side as the 9 sets to pick up.

That they are the most pompous amd precious rugby nation on earth at the same time as being the most cynical is infuriating

Without checking back up the thread, which side is this?

Confused myself, England weren't playing were they?

R&C needs to dry his tears and know the sun is going to come up tomorrow and all is right with the rugby world.