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#Post#: 95918--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team for Irish
DIR By: Quinston Churchill
Date: September 22, 2022, 1:50 am
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--- Quote from: honkytonk link ---
>
> You say that, but -
>
> Botta and Musk should be pushing for bench spots
>
> If Collier is out, there is a bench spot at TH up for grabs
(with Kerrod playing LH now). Maybe more if Louw makes the AI
squad.
>
> With our back row injuries Taulani and Trenholm should be
looking to get a chance
>
> Edwards should be pushing for a bench spot (maybe more with
Smith missing so much rugby)
>
> Stafford should be pushing for a bench spot (maybe more with
Care missing games and Steele injured)
>
> The rest of the backs should all be fighting for the bench
spot that Hyde had last week.
>
> There are definitely spaces up for grabs at the moment
>
--- End Quote ---
I’m at best 50/50 on these. Edwards is in the 23 quite often and
has never really let us down. I also agree on Musk and the backs
who are competing for a potential bench spot, but I really don’t
want to see SGB or Stafford anywhere near a Premiership squad
unless we have no-one else left.
Taulani did fairly well and probably put himself in contention,
but he’s definitely still very raw and probably wouldn’t be in
the picture without he injuries to Dombrandt, Lawday and
(presumably) Chisholm.
--- Quote from: MaidstoneQuin link ---
>
> Ultimately we’ve come up second best in these fixtures for a
while so either their coaching isn’t hitting home, or they
aren’t simply good enough. Probably both.
>
--- End Quote ---
There’s a third possibility - perhaps we don’t really care about
the Premiership Cup and we’re just using it as an opportunity to
give some experience to the youngsters/keeping our reserves
ticking over.
#Post#: 95920--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team for Irish
DIR By: Mayor West
Date: September 22, 2022, 2:01 am
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Most of that squad played at the weekend, do Irish have a
championship club that their players turn out for?
#Post#: 95922--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team for Irish
DIR By: Rocker
Date: September 22, 2022, 2:55 am
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It's a sad state of affairs when a former international LH is
giving a poor performance even in the prem cup.....
#Post#: 95923--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team for Irish
DIR By: A222Quin
Date: September 22, 2022, 3:44 am
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I really can't get all worked up about these games. I'd have
gone if it was at the weekend but midweek means there's little
chance I can attend. Plus with the schedule as it is, the lineup
is basically whoever happens to be fit and not/barely involved
in the Premiership 23 for the weekend. Preferred it when it ran
through part of the AIs/6Ns. Fair point on many of these guys
turning out for Scottish at the weekend.
Some bright sparks, some real WTF moments and then the wife
wanted to switch over for Doc Martin. A few bright sparks -
Benson and Cleaves of the youngsters in the backs notably.
#Post#: 95925--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team for Irish
DIR By: Andrew Moore
Date: September 22, 2022, 4:14 am
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As others have said, a bit pointless reading too much into these
games. However, given a decent amount of our players will have
played together to some extent for Scottish, our cohesion
(especially defensive alignment in the first 10-15 mins) was
appalling and can't be blamed on fatigue from the weekend at the
start of a game.
I think the difference at crucial points were that their 9-10-12
and 13 looked really solid. The 12 especially looked very
direct and made metres at will, whereas our runners (Taulani)
aside are typically silky, agile runners who get bumped back in
the tackle a lot. Their 9's kicks were nearly always
contestable (and we seemed to win hardly any of those contests)
whereas Stafford's were typically too long.
Agree that Benson looked good. Probably not his preferred
position but he definitely got stuck in - would like to see him
get a go at 10. Riley as well was good, although the lineout
became a bit of a lottery, which is not necessarily his fault.
I'm guessing that Ross Chisholm was picked solely on the basis
that it was a bit like having a coach on the pitch in order to
help Cleaves and Slevin through the game.
#Post#: 95931--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team for Irish
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: September 22, 2022, 5:19 am
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--- Quote from: MerstQuin link ---
>
> As others have said, a bit pointless reading too much into
these games. However, given a decent amount of our players will
have played together to some extent for Scottish, our cohesion
(especially defensive alignment in the first 10-15 mins) was
appalling and can't be blamed on fatigue from the weekend at the
start of a game.
>
> I think the difference at crucial points were that their
9-10-12 and 13 looked really solid. The 12 especially looked
very direct and made metres at will, whereas our runners
(Taulani) aside are typically silky, agile runners who get
bumped back in the tackle a lot. Their 9's kicks were nearly
always contestable (and we seemed to win hardly any of those
contests) whereas Stafford's were typically too long.
>
> Agree that Benson looked good. Probably not his preferred
position but he definitely got stuck in - would like to see him
get a go at 10. Riley as well was good, although the lineout
became a bit of a lottery, which is not necessarily his fault.
I'm guessing that Ross Chisholm was picked solely on the basis
that it was a bit like having a coach on the pitch in order to
help Cleaves and Slevin through the game.
>
--- End Quote ---
I don't think anyone can fault the young players. I think Riley
did the best out of it overall, along with some nice moments
from Benson/Cassius in particular. I think the main thing that
these games highlight, is when we use it to give game time to
players who could be called upon (probably via the bench) for
the first XV, most of our seasoned players are woeful squad
fillers.
Botta - one of the worst LH's we've had in over a decade IMO
Matthews - A surprise signing and would of preferred wages spent
on some younger player who could be a good prospect
R Chisholm - Has been on the playing books probably 3 seasons
too long
Disappointed with Matas though as i thought last season he
looked a good prospect. Not sure where the rave for Taulani
comes from, hes what you expect from a Pacific Islander 8. Built
like a tank and runs hard, but outside of that based off
yesterday and what we saw of him last season he has a long way
to go becoming a player to pressure any XV spot (bench included)
as I feel hes a poor mans Chris Hala'ufia and can certainly see
him giving away a lot of pens and being wound up enough to get a
card or two.
Any news on Oscar Beards return?
#Post#: 95933--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team for Irish
DIR By: raedarius
Date: September 22, 2022, 5:48 am
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What specifically about Taulani means that you can see him give
away lots of penalties and getting a card or two - much as James
Chisholm does?
#Post#: 95934--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team for Irish
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: September 22, 2022, 5:53 am
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It's a downside of Chis's game but he's a lot better over the
ball and has more regular impact with ball in hand, so it's not
so much that "well Chis does it too" but that he doesn't bring
the same upsides. Yet.
He could - he's clearly got talent and the physical attributes.
I think he needs more time in the oven.
#Post#: 95939--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team for Irish
DIR By: Andrew Moore
Date: September 22, 2022, 6:10 am
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Not sure what else Taulani could have done last night - was
basically our only player who made decent yards after contact, a
highlight reel tackle in the second half alongside a few other
dominant ones. He could end up being Chris Hala'uifa (who I
remember meeting - lovely chap) mkII but I think that's a leap
at this stage.
Chis is a better player, but how often do we see him?
#Post#: 95941--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team for Irish
DIR By: The Kid
Date: September 22, 2022, 7:21 am
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The thing is with Taulani is he has all the potential in the
world as a rumbling number 8 but as others have said, the
fitness and consistency maybe aren’t there.
It shows in flashes, and there’ll be 10-20 mins when he puts it
together, but it’s not there for 80. Low floor, high ceiling
player.
Think he has his role in this squad when Dombrandt is away as he
offers something different to Archie and J Chisholm, and having
him on the bench allows you a change in dynamic here and there
which we otherwise wouldn’t have; white, Chisholm and Lawday are
all quite similar players and having an out and out tank at 8
who we can deploy selectively is necessary. Without him
yesterday, there would have been times where we had no punch at
all.
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