Is that target getting bigger? Picture from rugbypicture.co.uk
While I may have put the above picture of Kidney up a couple of weeks ago as a bit of a joke it appears,after two pretty dismal performances from the men in green, that the Knives are out big style for Ireland’s most sucessful coach! Ever!
Opinion on message boards is split about the effectiveness of this week’s selection by the Munster Magician with the pro camp stating that no one else has stood up and the contra claiming that no one has had a chance to do so.
While I would be firmly in the latter camp and have pushed time and time again for the development of the up a coming players since mid Grand Slam that time is probably past and we are where we are. One or two youngsters might still sneak through, but unless there is a huge catalogue of injuries this is pretty much the bones of the squad we’ll be taking to New Zealand in nine months time.
One person who may make a slight difference is Paul O’Connell but even if he returns 100% fit it’s still a big ask to expect him to recapture his imposing presence that saw Ireland through so many close encounters.
Saturday’s game should give us a good indication of how sucessful a World Cup campaign we should expect.
Ireland: R Kearney, T Bowe, B O’Driscoll (capt), G D’Arcy, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, E Reddan; C Healy, R Best, T Court; D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll; S Ferris, D Wallace, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, J Hayes, D Toner, D Leamy, P Stringer, R O’Gara, K Earls.
New Zealand: M Muliaina; C Jane, C Smith, M Nonu, H Gear; D Carter, A Ellis; T Woodcock, H Elliott, O Franks; A Boric, T Donnelly; J Kaino, R McCaw (capt), K Read.
Replacements: A Hore, J Afoa, S Whitelock, L Messam, A Mathewson, S Donald, S B Williams.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.