Hurricanes bring All Blacks into starting team for Blues double-header

They also had the fortune of their better players either not regularly getting capped for Ireland because of depth in certain positions, or they were waiting out their 3 year residency rules.

They didn’t have to share the bulk of that squad with National training camps and had them fresh for the entire season.

It’s obvious by now that Ed isn’t even reading these responses, just banging in with his head full of anger.

Maybe he’s actually an Ireland fan who got very upset by our recent 1/4 final loss?

Maybe instead of making assumptions about which games I watched or not you should get out of Aus/NZ and watch some other rugby. And learn how to read and write while you’re at it.

WATCH FATHER TED! NOW!!!!

Pundits were unified in their thought that BOD would captain the third test. Huge shock to have him dropped entirely given Roberts was just back from injury.

Of course Roberts benefited from BOD, just as BOD benefitted from Roberts. It’s known as a centre partnership for a reason. Why is it ludicrous to say a senior player helped a younger player settle in? BOD had been there twice previously and had 90 odd test caps.

Everyone knew he was getting dropped for the 3rd test.

Yeah he sure helped the player of the series and not the other way around in 09. Ludicrous statement

You go into the finals with 1 team out of 6 knowing they are through no matter what. Had the chiefs won that game then 2 of the remaining teams out of 4 would have known they were through no matter what - The Brumbies v Canes game would have been the most farcical finals game ever played - a knock out game where no one gets knocked out. Very ill conceived.

If they stick with this lucky loser concept next year they should re-seed the teams after round 1 with the LL being the 4th seed, and schedule the games in such a way that teams don’t know they are playing a non knockout game. E.g. 3 vs 4 would be the first game.

Nice comment, Nick.

Can you just highlight for us exactly what is looking good about a rookie u20’s coach in his first gig as head honcho for a team that finished 3rd from bottom, failed to make the playoffs, failed to make the CC and looks more like a lucky loser for the challenge cup as they release no fewer than eight senior players???

So better than Zebre and Dragons! A real high water mark RW, or don’t you think???

14 Ulster

15 Zebre

16 Dragons RFC

RW 20.6 “I think a lack of real tests for Leinster either in the URC or in the Champions Cup left vulnerabilities.”

Nothing if not consistent…😉🤣

NB* Ireland have lost just 4 matches since the 2023 RWC. Only SA can match that.

You’re not wrong either.