Kidney has listed the team to face the Tri-Nations Champions on Saturday. There were a few discussion points in team selection; Best v Flannery, Reddan v Murray, Earls v Trimble and the regular out-half discussion of ROG v Sexton. There was also a suggestion that Murphy had done enough to hang on to the fullback position, with the theory that he brings more of an attacking threat. However, a fit Kearney is going to offer a bit more physically against the Wallabies.

So which way did he go? I'd describe the team selection as "safe". Given a choice, Kidney seems to have gone for mostly form and experience. With few injuries, this must be close to our first choice XV. 

Overall, I think I agree with most of his choices. I definitely would have had Trimble starting and not just because he's from Ulster. He has been the most in form player throughout the build up and would offer far more physically. I'm really hoping Earls will prove me wrong and make those great line bursts and score a brace or more, but I doubt it. I was cringing at his mistakes during the warm-up games, but I know on his day, with a bit of confidence and when he's not forcing things, he can be class. Here's hoping, but I don't know what more Trimble can do - he really hasn't put a foot wrong. The other main surprise for me was Best ahead of Flannery. Rory has been safe, but there have always been questions about his darts. That seems to have improved recently, so I think Deccie has just gone for the safe option, with the possibility of Flannery making an impact replacement at some timely, tense moment during the game.

The half backs were always going to be a debating point, with many suggesting that Sexton had a poor enough show against USA. I've been a huge fan of Murray, but Reddan's quick ball seemed to make a difference when he came on against USA. The familiarity of the Leinster pairing might well have influenced the selection. Finally, Kearney at full back is fine for me. I would love to have seen Murphy wear the 15 in previous world cups, but this has to be Kearney's day in the sun and I hope he pulls off one of those amazing game changing performances.

I'm really looking forward to the back row contest. O'Brien at 7 is great, and Ferris seems to be back to his rampant best. Heaslip has drifted out of some games of late, but I'm sure the motivation of having a crack at the Tri-Nations champions will change all of that. 

My prediction? Wild as it might seem, I think we can nick it.

Here's the team

 

(www.stuff.co.nz)

All of the early matches have gone to form - although England, Scotland, France all had a few scares along the way. Predictably enough, it's the All Blacks and France who look most dangerous, with Carter and Trin-Duc looking imense. The Kiwi public expected a little more from the All Blacks, but it was a clean win and I think they'll be happy enough with the start. The French nerves were there too, but their experience showed, with old hands like Harinordiquy and Dusatoir running the show. England might be the team with most concerns after the opening games, but then again Argentina were always going to be a tough test, so England can take something away from the fact that they came back, after trailing for most of the game. I didn't see too much from Ashton or Armitage to get excited about and I'm sure the Southern hemisphere teams won't be losing any sleep just yet. 

Tomorrows games should tell us a bit more. Australia's game against Italy should be a walk in the park based on their from in the Tri-Nations. I'm quietly confident that Ireland will show up with a bit more self-confidence than we saw in the pre-tournament warm up games and should put a few tries on the score against USA. SA v Wales has the making of the most competitive game so far, but with paddy power offering 1/6 on the Springboks, I can't see Wales creating any sort of an upset. 

For Ireland, I'm delighted to see Murray get a start. He has been in great form for Munster at the tail end of last season, and brings a bit more of a physical presence than Reddan. Let's hope the jump up is not too much for him. I wouldn't really think Kidney has him in mind to start against Australia, but we will wait and see. I'm happy enough with resting Kearney and it will give us a chance to see Murphy's form. The dissapointment for me was Trimble missing out on a start - I thought we was one of the best players in the warm-up games and really deserved a starting spot. Earls had a couple of disastourous warm-up games, even allowing for the fact that he was placed at centre for the England game. But against France he had way ward passes (into the stand), missed tackles, late tackles and nothing remarkable on the offensive comes to mind. Maybe Deccie is saving Trimble for bigger things, but I doubt it.

 

 

Kidney announced the squad to travel to NZ today. A few surprises and I got a few wrong choices in my predictions. 

So what does it mean for our chances? Conor Murray is a great call for scrum-half cover. He's looked really good during his Munster performances and has both the speed of pass and a good physical presence in defence. The bigger surprise is O'Leary not travelling. He doesn't seem to have performed to his peak for at least a year, so it is a brave call for Deccie. I think it is the right call and I'm delighted for Murray. I can see George Hook choking on his tea when he learns Murray and Boss are to travel. I suspect Reddan is cemented as first choice based on this.

Tony Buckley is on the plane, which surprises me, based on all the criticism he's faced. He can play both loose and tight which has to help. I feel sorry for Horan, but "The Bull" Hayes probably knew he has had his day. I had a sneaky suspicion Mike McCarthy might have pipped Donnacha Ryan for a place, but Kidney has gone with Ryan and I'm delighted to see Cullen on the flight too. His experience, cool head and leadership will be a bonus. Spoilt for choice in the back row. Ferris might still have to prove his match fitness, but O'Brien is in top form and David Wallace is probably just being reserved for the main event. Leamy was a bit of a surprise to me, but delighted he is.

The first choice backs picked themselves. O'Drisscoll and Darcy are probably the first names on the team sheet when both are fit. Tommy Bowe is another one to slot straight in when fit and Trimble has had a few very strong performances in the warm-ups. His size will be helpful against some of the larger antipideans. The big surprise was Luke Fitzgerald not getting a chance, after scoring and making tries against France. I believe the utility aspect of his game has messed with Fitzgerald. He probably is a great wing, but having played all over the backs, with not wonderful performances at full-back, it's difficult to know where to place him. It is pretty incredible that we are leaving a player of his skill and experience at home. I know lots of people will be critical of the inclusion of Paddy Wallace (in fact almost everyone I know). Realistically, he's not going to get much game time unless there are first choice injuries, but his versatility must count for something. So go on Paddy. Geordan Murphy will be delighted to at last make a world cup, but with empathise with Felix Jones who could well have been in with a should. This was probably one of the most difficult selection decisions. Go with experience and reliability or bet on developing young talent for the future. I think Deccie will be happy the decision was made for him. I just hope he gives Murphy a good run or two.

The count down begins.

The squad, courtesy of IRFU.ie

reland Rugby World Cup Squad 2011

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster)
Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)*
Tony Buckley (Sale Sharks)*
Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)*
Sean Cronin (Leinster)*
Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)*
Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)*
Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)*
Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)*
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)*
Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)*
Geordan Murphy (Leicester Tigers)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)*
Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)*
Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain
Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)*
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)*
Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)*
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)

*Denotes first Rugby World Cup

Deccie is due to name the 30 players who get a flight to New Zealand tommorrow. I'm sure he'll throw in a surprise or two, but then again maybe not.

It was really sad to see Felix Jones ruled out - cruel really. Healy seemd to be carrying a knock too, so let's hope it's nothing serious.  I hope the England game passes injury free too. There has been a lot of chat about the physcological effect of losing all the warm up games - I'm not sure this is so important, but a win over England can do no harm to confidence.

Here's my guess at the squad.

 

Front Row

Ross, Best, Healy, Flannery, Cronin, Court, Horan 

O'Connell, O'Callaghan, McCarthy, Cullen 

Heaslip, O'Brien, Wallace, Ferris, Jennings 

 

Half Backs

Reddan, O'Leary, Murray, Sexton, O'Gara 

Backs

O'Drisscoll, Darcy, Trimble, Earls, Fitzgerald, Kearny, Murphy, Wallace, Bowe

 

 

The Heineken Cup continues to throw up the odd classic game. This has to be one of them. I heard Trevor Brennan quoting the in-evitable "game of two halfs", but that's what made it such a good contest. What happened first half? Missed tackles from BOD of all people, and a scrum that didn't know what had hit it  meant that Northampton strolled in with three easy tries - and that was before half time. They even clinched on of these when down to 14 men. Hartley, Ashton, Foden and crew looked like they had one hand on the cup, pretty much cruising towards a surprise win. 

O'Drisscol claimed Sexton was one of the motivators at half time - this squad has had a long season, but they have been too strong and consistent to throw away a chance of the most important silverware for the cabinet. Whatever Sexton and others said seems to have worked wonders, and it wasn't just Sexton's talk - he came out and lead the comeback, with a couple of tries himself. What turn around. O'Brien, Heaslip and O'Drisscol all joined in, and suddenly one or two scrums started to go their way too, with Healy and Ross getting a bit more success. 

They could have made work a little easier for themselves, but it was a sign of champions to come back so strongly to dominate the second half and deservedly pick up the trophy.

This is great for Ireland too - Sexton "on fire" works well for the RWC warm-up. For me ROG is officially second choice outhalf, but what an understudy to have. For the first time Reddan impressed me - I've been shouting for Boss to gain his place all season, but the speed of Reddan's distribution is incredible, which might just be the game Ireland need in the southern hemisphere. I'd go on an pick few other shoe-in's, but maybe I'll wait until after the Magner's on Saturday.

Ulster were pretty much outclassed at RDS last night and didn't give Leinster too much to worry about as they continue to chase two pieces of silverware for the cabinet. I hope the damage to Boss and Bod isn't too much to worry about, as it would be a real shame if any of the injuries were serious.

Ulster only had rare periods in the Leinster 22 and disappointing that their only points were score from their own half. Saying that, missing some big names some of the younger Ulster players are still improving, with Gilroy and Spence doing well. I think Adam D'Arcy needs a little more time. But what about the handling errors? Best fumbled two or more and didn't make up for that with his dart throwing - I don't like to admit it, but he has played himself off contention for first choice hooker in a green shirt.

Leinster were pretty classy though, even in second gear - Nacewa, Strauss, Heaslip, O'Brien and McFadden being my picks. I'd like to see Toner a bit more before RWC.

So good luck to Leinster and the craic was mighty - Ulster's 16th man did well too.

 

Very sad to read all the news about the death of Seve - the Matador of golf. He was reknowned for some of his more creative escape shots, like the one above, but he also helped Europe to several Ryder Cup wins, making it the competition it is today. I have a memory of him playing football with his kids outside the K Club, during the European PGA - not too stressed about the scoreboard at the time. 

Nice to see a 1,2,3 for the Irish provinces at the end of the Magner's League. Yes, it might not have the excitment and importance of the Heineken Cup, but the Leauge is important for the provinces in developing squads and bringing through players like McFadden, Spence, and John Murray, to name a few. Topping the table, at the end of a long season during which both the Six Nations and Heineken Cup have kept many of the top players distracted, has to bode well for Irish rugby and the development of the provinces. Ulster have had their best season in a decade, and it's not all down to their Bok imports. Trimble and Wallace got a few more provincial runouts this year, not having played in green as often, and lots of new faces coming through including Spence, Gilroy and Darcy in the backs and McAlister as a prop for the future. 

There can only be two finalists, so let's put a bit more pressure on Munster, to make it an all Ireland final. The Ospreys seem to have given up the race off late, losing to Ulster and sneaking a win over Aironi to grab the play off place. Leinster will expect a stroll in the park on their way to their second final of the season - let's just hope we get a bit of a contest at the RDS on Friday.

Northampton Saints steamrolled their way to the HC Final by pretty much deserting Perpignan in the scrum. That makes me feel a bit better about Ulster's performance in the quarter final, as they made much more of a contest of it. Leinster will find it difficult in the scrum, but they should be up to the challenge based on how they took on Toulouse up front. The forward battle between these two will be great to watch, but I hope the Leinster backs and Foden and Ashton get their hands on the ball too.

Leinster's win over Toulouse was pretty impressive, with great performances across the park - I still don't get Reddan ahead of Boss (for Leinster or Ireland) but everyone tells me he's quick - yea, right.

So looking forward to Cardiff, with a few Magner's league tussles to keep us interested until then.

Well Ulster were doing pretty well to reach the last eight of the Heniken Cup. The bookies didn't give them much of chance against Northampton. Conceding a try in the second minute wasn't going to help too much, but it did spark them into life and they made a bit of a contest of it, taking the game to Northampton. Trimble made up for some early mistakes with a magicall timed break to score their only try, taking them into an unexpected half time lead. So what might have been? They conced what I thought was a pretty soft try after the break, and although they kept at it, too many mistakes and a miserable line out, meant they were chasing their tails. The best opportunity came when Danielli broke the line and set them up well a few metres short. Pienaar initiated a nice move wide, but D'Arcy fumbled the ball a few of metres short, with a couple of  Ulstermen on the overlap. What might have been? Yea, but they should be happy to have reached this stage, punching above their weight really. Hopefully they will learn something from it to ensure they are in the same position to challenge next season. So back to the Magners League and a trip to RDS to take on an in form Leinster. Think I know which way the bookies will go on that one - I just hope that the three Irish teams can claim play off positions to keep the season interesting for a few more weeks. 

The Ulster fans sensing the exit from the HC, changed their focus to across the pond, chating - "we're going to win the Masters!" We'll it wasn't the best day for Ulster sports, as poor Rory capitulated at Augusta. Really hard to watch and I'm sure he wanted that big hole to turn up and swallow him up to avoid the glare and questioning of the world's media. Sport can be cruel, but unlike Ulster, he was odds on to win, taking a four shot lead into the last day. The challenge was to just keep doing his stuff. Whatever is was, nerves, pressure - it just wasn't to be. However, maybe those comments he made about Tiger Woods were to haunt him on the final day.

 

Moving on, a super semi scheduled for the Aviva in a few weeks, when Leinster take on Toulouse. Hopefully this will match some of the great matches between these two. Leinster looked the like the best team in Europe and Champions elect when then dismissed Leicester without too much of fight. Nacewa was on song and BOD was his usual brilliant self. But it was a pretty comprehensive win for this stage of the tournament. As for Toulouse, they took a much harder route to get past Bairritz. Seventeen points up at half time should be game over, but Toulouse must have come out for the second half with Leinster at the Aviva on their minds, as Bairritz chipped away at the score to level the game. Yachvilli may regret some decisions not to take point towards the end, and the conversion attempt could have been made a little easier for him, but 17-17 and into injury. The game wasn't over yet, with a couple more penalities traded before Toulouse managed a late late try to book their tickets to Dublin. It will be great to see Skrela, Jauzion, Servat, Haymans etc. up against Leinster. Should be cracker.

Meanwhile Munster got involved in a try fest away to Brive in the Amlin. They seemed to be coasting with a couple of early trys, Earls and Howlett getting a couple each in the end. So let's hope they can get past Quins, go the whole way and help Connaught into the Heineken Cup for next season.