IRE v NZ - Chicago

[hellovating]

Teams are announced...

Ireland (v New Zealand):

15. Rob Kearney
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Jared Payne
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Simon Zebo
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray

1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Devin Toner
6. CJ Stander
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jamie Heaslip

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joey Carbery
23. Garry Ringrose

[hellovating]

New Zealand team

15. Ben Smith (58 caps)
14. Waisake Naholo (8)
13. George Moala (3)
12. Ryan Crotty (24)
11. Julian Savea (49)
10. Beauden Barrett (46)
9. Aaron Smith (54)

1. Joe Moody (20)
2. Dane Coles (46)
3. Owen Franks (87)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (10)
5. Jerome Kaino (75)
6. Liam Squire (6)
7. Sam Cane (37)
8. Kieran Read (94, capt)

Replacements:
16. Codie Taylor (11)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (2)
18. Charlie Faumuina (42)
19. Scott Barrett (0)
20. Ardie Savea (9)
21. TJ Perenara (26)
22. Aaron Cruden (43)
23. Malakai Fekitoa (20)

[zer0]

Relative to Dan Biggar, how good of an out-of-hand kicker is Sexton? I ask only as the last time Hansen fielded two strike wingers saw Biggar make a five star meal out of them with his boot.

[BBD]

New Zealand team

15. Ben Smith (58 caps)
14. Waisake Naholo (8)
13. George Moala (3)
12. Ryan Crotty (24)
11. Julian Savea (49)
10. Beauden Barrett (46)
9. Aaron Smith (54)

1. Joe Moody (20)
2. Dane Coles (46)
3. Owen Franks (87)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (10)
5. Jerome Kaino (75)
6. Liam Squire (6)
7. Sam Cane (37)
8. Kieran Read (94, capt)

Replacements:
16. Codie Taylor (11)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (2)he
18. Charlie Faumuina (42)
19. Scott Barrett (0)
20. Ardie Savea (9)
21. TJ Perenara (26)
22. Aaron Cruden (43)
23. Malakai Fekitoa (20)

Looks weak

[SerjeantWildgoose]

Relative to Dan Biggar, how good of an out-of-hand kicker is Sexton? I ask only as the last time Hansen fielded two strike wingers saw Biggar make a five star meal out of them with his boot.

Johnny is a shadow of his best, but at the top of his game he is one of the best distributor of a football I've seen. Better from the hand than off the tee - as our last outing against the ABs showed.

[Lizard]

So our locks are an out of position 6 and a 4th choice player being covered by a debutant. There's a rookie at 6. Our back 3 cover is starting at 10 even though he can't kick goals. We don't have our usual fullback-style wing apart from our actual fullback. Our 12 and 13 have started only 1 test together in those positions and there's no midfield or outside back on the bench.

Plenty of opportunity there.

[Spy]

So our locks are an out of position 6 and a 4th choice player being covered by a debutant. There's a rookie at 6. Our back 3 cover is starting at 10 even though he can't kick goals. We don't have our usual fullback-style wing apart from our actual fullback. Our 12 and 13 have started only 1 test together in those positions and there's no midfield or outside back on the bench.

Plenty of opportunity there.

Fekitoa? Your other points are well-made.

[Lizard]

So our locks are an out of position 6 and a 4th choice player being covered by a debutant. There's a rookie at 6. Our back 3 cover is starting at 10 even though he can't kick goals. We don't have our usual fullback-style wing apart from our actual fullback. Our 12 and 13 have started only 1 test together in those positions and there's no midfield or outside back on the bench.

Plenty of opportunity there.

Fekitoa? Your other points are well-made.

Oops. Didn't scroll far enough and living in the past regarding number of reserves!

I guess Moala is covering wing as well, then.

[hellovating]

we're missing probably 4 starters, o'brien, o'mahony, earls and henderson. but 4 is about par for the course anytime an international team takes the field, i guess

[I R Geech]

Out of curiosity, how close if at all is Steenson? Is he not good enough or playing for the wrong club?

[Spiffy]

Out of curiosity, how close if at all is Steenson? Is he not good enough or playing for the wrong club?

Don't think he's close at all and has been right out of the picture since he left Ulster donkey's years ago. Playing in England has not helped his cause.
He's probably the best goal kicker of the lot (and in that respect a potential game winner) and his distribution/tactical kicking are pretty good.
His defence is weak for international standard.
He would rank behind Sexton, Jackson, Madigan, Carbery and possibly even Carty.
Still - I think he could do a workmanlike job, in the way that say Grayson (I see some similarities) did for England before Wilkinson appeared.
At his stage of career, he won't get the chance now.

[bruce]

How do you pronounce the Irishman tighthead's first name?

[SerjeantWildgoose]

Mr.

[hellovating]

How do you pronounce the Irishman tighthead's first name?

tiger without the er

[Vengeful Glutton]

I wonder what the turn out will be like. Chicago's a strange choice for a rugby match.

[Vengeful Glutton]

How do you pronounce the Irishman tighthead's first name?

Thai - ig.

Thai as in Thailand. Ig as in Iggy Pop.

[zer0]

I wonder what the turn out will be like. Chicago's a strange choice for a rugby match.

They had a sellout two years ago, and I believe that this test is also sold out.

[SerjeantWildgoose]

I wonder if they're over the World Series hangovers yet?

[Donny osmond]

Are yous about to win?

[Mellsblue]

Your boys are playing bloody well.

[SerjeantWildgoose]

I think we just might be!

Long way to go, but we're playing with real composure. Of course that will change if they get a couple of unanswered scores - but we look more like scoring than they do.

[16th man]

You need to hold your nerve and not start kicking sloppily like you did in 2013. Plus you need the ref to keep on the ABs cheap tricks at the break down.

[16th man]

Like Reade getting done for sealing off there.

[16th man]

Couldbe Moody's second Yellow

[Mellsblue]

Bloody hell.