JWC 2013 Team of the Tournament

JWC 2013 Team of the tournament

From Rugby15.co.za

1. Ed Byrne (IRE)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (ENG)
3. Chris Taylor (IRE)
4. Irne Herbst (SA)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (NZ)
6. Joesph Edwards (NZ)
7. Ardie Savea (NZ)
8. Jack Clifford (ENG)
9. Stefan Ungerer (SA)
10. Sam Davies (WAL)
11. Seabelo Senatla (SA)
12. Michael Collins (NZ)
13. Tom Farrell (IRE)
14. Rory Scholes (IRE)
15. Hallam Amos (WAL)

16. Christopher Tolofua (FRA)
17. Peter Dooley (IRE)
18. Nicky Thomas (WAL)
19. Tomas Lavarini (ARG)
20. Ellis Jenkins (WAL)
21. Rhodri Williams (WAL)
22. Patricio Fernandez (ARG)
23. Jordan Williams (WAL)

Front Row

The northern hemisphere dominated the scrums, with Ireland in particular having 2 front rows and gained 5 metres consistently against New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and France. Ed Byrne was the most prominent loosehead in the loose, and contributed to a strong scrum. Luke Cowan-Dickie was a revelant for rugby reasons as well as his hair, and while Adam Boland was outstanding against Australia, he only had one game to push for selection.

Second Row

Both Herbst and Tuipulotu were two of the most impressive pack members on show. Both carried a lot, and scored vital tries.

Back Row

One of the hardest places to call with some huge competition. Joseph Edwards was phenomenal carrying and supporting in attack, while being solid in defense. Curtis Browning was by a distance Australia's best, but wasn't close enough. Savea and Clifford both played fantastic and were great leaders. Deserved nominees for the Player of the Year title. Mentions for Steenkamp and Dan Leavy (a contender for next year),

Scrumhalf

While I believe that Luke McGrath is the best scrumhalf on show( bias), I don't think he had a great tournament by his standards. Ungerer controlled things for South Africa, while Williams service to Davies was outstanding.

Outhalf

Sam Davies was the outstanding candidate and is a class act, while Patricio Fernandez was outstanding for Argentina. Mallet (France), Slade, Crosbie and Simon Hickey were next in line, but a distance away.

Centres:

Michael Collins was the best centre on show, with Sam Hill a great back up 12. Collins ran most effectively, and outshone the more heralded Jason Emery outside him. There wasn't and outstanding outside centre, but with Farrell proving a threat in attack and a handful at the breakdown, he gets me nod by default.

Back Three:

By a huge distance the hardest choice. With Fuatai, Ashley Evans  Williams, Cordero, Watson, Nowell, Kolbe, Obi and Ben Howard showing up extremely well. In the end, I went for the devastating Senatla, from the Blitzbokke sevens, who was top try scorer, with huge pace, while Rory Scholes was Ireland's best player, with two tries in the pool stages and showing up with some decisive defensive contributions. Hallam Amos was the pick of the Welsh back three, the youngest of them, with at least one more year at this level, he will be a contender for IRB player of the year next year.

JWC Match Report: Ireland NZ: Mike Ruddock deserves a knighthood

Ireland came into this pool decider on the back of two fantastic victories against Australia and Fiji. It was an eagerly anticipated game, and one that didn't fail to live up to expectations. It was an absorbing contest that got the best out of both teams.

via IRB.com

They started well, staring down the haka, and turning the ball over immediately with a choke tackle from the restart. A huge scrum drive signaled early dominance for Ireland as was to show throughout the game.

From the off, New Zealand looked very dangerous everytime they spread it, but Ireland started well in defense, putting pressure on, and forcing new Zealand into mistakes. This was not to be kept up for the entire 80 minutes though. Ireland for their part, looked good with ball in hand, and suggested that with patience, could score some tries against this less than vintage New Zealand side.

As against Australia though, a mistake when offloading nearly allowed New Zealand a breakaway try, and Adam Byrne was lucky that the ball was kicked out, as he was struggling and pulled the winger back.

Ireland were first to put points on the board though, as a huge kick from the 10m line settled Rory Scannell's nerves and put Ireland 3-0 up. Straight from the restart however, Ireland conceded a penalty, but Simon Hickey, who had an off day with the boot kicked wide.

New Zealand were next to have an opportunity, and from an Ardie Savea break, the scrumhalf Tayler Adams was denied in the corner from a saving Daragh Leader tackle. Dan Leavy made a high tackle from the resulting play, and New Zealand were on the board.

Aimless kicking to the potent New Zealand back three, who were beginning to dominate lead directly to the next points, with Hickey tagging on another 3 points to give New Zealand the lead. Ireland were starting to feel the pressure, but from the kick off, a forward pass from Dan Leavy was all that stopped Gavin Thornbury from a clear run to the line. A penalty from the resulting scrum meant that Scannell leveled the scores once again.

Tom Farrell, who was beginning to impress, showed both good and bad in the next minute, with a brilliant steal, and then giving away a stupid penalty for hands in the ruck. Hickey didn't make him pay, but that signaled a moment of dominance for New Zealand where they took control everywhere except the scrum.

via IRB.com

New Zealand lock Patrick Tuipulotu who had a great first half, got over in the corner to reward New Zealand for their dominance. Hickey failed with the tough conversion. Before the Irish could hang their heads, Hickey threw a poor pass that went to ground, and Tom Farrell was first to react and gather, racing home from inside his half to level the scores. Scannell also missed the conversion to make it 11-11 with 5 minutes to go until halftime.

Unfortunately, that was just a short reprieve for Ireland, as Hickey punished some growing indiscipline by the Irish, which ultimately lead to Tom Farrell being sin-binned on the stroke of half time, with New Zealand leading 14-11.

The sin-binning was to prove crucial as New Zealand started to spread the ball wide scoring two tries in quick succession and capitalising on the extra man. Hickey only managed one conversion, which left it at 26-11. New Zealand were now gaining metres with ease and going over with an extra man. They had upped the tempo in defense, with Ardie Savea showing his huge potential and proving a menance. The killer score was a lineout move that exposed a lack of cover near the touchline, with Luke McGrath having no chance to stop hooker Faiva getting his second try from close range.

via IRB.com

From there though, Ireland took control. Replacements Ed Byrne and Brian Byrne carried effectively into New Zealand territory, and patience from Ireland allowed Dan Leavy to go in, in the corner to leave Ireland 15 points down with 20 to play, knowing that two tries and remaining within 7 would guarantee them a place in the semi finals.

The final twenty minutes was very absorbing and Ireland dominated, with the Byrnes showing why they are so highly regarded, continuing the scrum dominance and carrying effectively, with Ed finally going over to leave them a try away from the semis with 15 minutes to go.

Ed Byrne going over to give Ireland hope via IRB.com

Persistent fouling from replacement prop Nick Grogan earned him 10 minutes in the bin, and a huge call from Ireland to go for the points brought them to 5 from the lead. The unspeakable victory was in sight with 12 to go, against 14 men.

From there, Ireland couldn't capitalise. New Zealand played smart rugby, keeping it tight, and whenever Ireland had a chance, Rory Scholes, who didn't live up to the first two games, made two errors in quick succession to gift possession back to New Zealand.

With two minutes to go, the other New Zealand replacement prop, Sione Mafileo, was not rolling away, but a Chris Taylor stamp reversed the decision, and Ireland's hopes were fading.

In the end, it was Ardie Savea who made yet another turnover to deny Ireland. Mike Ruddock deserves huge credit for getting the most out of his entire squad, and giving the best they could in an extremely difficult group. Hopes were not high going into this competition, but only 5 points from beating New Zealand to enter the semi's is a huge performance.

Now, Ireland are relying on favours from France, but are most likely going to enter the 5th-8th playoffs with Argentina, Scotland and Australia.

Come on the Wolfpuppies.

JWC: Ireland vs New Zealand Preview: Ireland to rue loss of goalkicker

Mike Ruddock has shuffled his team again for the final Pool game against the Baby BNZs. 

Daragh Leader's assurance from fullback coupled with the loss of Tom Daly means that Leader retains the fullback jersey, and Scannell moves to his more comforable position of inside centre. Scannell has played outhalf aswell, is a big strong player both in defense and attack, with a lovely pass off both hands. He is likely to be the goalkicker in Daly's absence too.

Rory Scholes and Steve Crosbie start their third game in 9 days, both are key men in Ruddock's side, and Scholes in particular has had a great tournament, working hard off his wing, making some important defensive interventions.

Adam Byrne's physicality is required over Sweetnam's try-scoring magic, with Sweetnam offering a plan B off the bench.

George McGuigan who was outstanding against Australia, beats off the impressive performance from Brian Byrne, while Peter Dooley beats the other Byrne twin, Ed, to the starting position. Adam Boland, who was man of the match against Australia, outstanding in the scrum and in the loose, has to settle for the bench to make way for Chris Taylor on his recovery from an injury.

Gavin Thornbury's lineout expertise is retained from Fiji, while John Donnan is recalled to the starting XV. Peadar Timmins covers blindside and second row.

Dan Leavy's impressive performances so far earns him a start at the expense of the strong Ryan Murphy of Munster. Joyce moves to 8, and van der Flier to 6 to accomodate Leavy, who is the closest thing to a classic openside to come through the Irish ranks in recent years. A strong ball carrier and huge tackler, Leavy is fantastic at the breakdown, as seen against Fiji. Still eligible for JWC next year too, and he will probably captain the team and star in the tournament.

New Zealand make 6 changes from the side that struggled to overcome Australia, with the likes of Michael Collins, who shone in the first game against Fiji returning.

Ardie Savea is their captain, who has some Super Rugby experience, earning man of the match on his Hurricanes debut against the Waratahs, and getting the upper hand against Michael Hooper, who will probably be tormenting the Lions in a few weeks. Savea is quick and strong like his older brother, and a master at the breakdown. Dan Leavy will have his hands full.

Simon Hickey was impressive against Fiji, a solid operator from outhalf, he manages the game well, and punishes any indiscipline with near-flawless goalkicking.

The Baby BNZ's centre partnership is Michael Collins, who is a big dangerman for the Irish, and Jason Emery, who is the most experienced player in the competition with 10 caps for the Highlanders.

But New Zealand's back three is where Ireland will have to be most wary of. Any loose kicks and Joe Webber, a 7s specialist who Sir Gordon Tietjens rates extremely highly and Fa'asiu Fuatai, who is very quick, will punish Ireland.

I've no doubt that Mike Ruddock will set the team up with the smartest gameplan to give Ireland the best chance of winning, but I feel that the loss of Tom Daly as a goalkicker will be huge. For Ireland to win, I think that they need to put points on the board at every opportunity, and I think that Rory Scanell isn't as good as Tom Daly to do that.

Ireland to lose, by less than the amount of missed kicks.

Ireland team to play New Zealand:

15 - Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht)
14 - Adam Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
13 - Thomas Farrell (Lansdowne/Leinster)
12 - Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
11 - Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
10 - Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9 - Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
1 - Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster)
2 - George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons/Exile)
3 - Christopher Taylor (Malone/Ulster)
4 - Gavin Thornbury (UCD/Leinster)
5 - John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
6 - Daniel Leavy (UCD/Leinster)
7 - Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)
8 - Conor Joyce (Malone/Ulster)

Replacements:

16 - Edward Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
17 - Bryan Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
18 - Adam Boland (Lansdowne/Connacht)
19 - Peadar Timmins (UCD/Leinster)
20 - Ryan Murphy (Dolphin/Munster)
21 - David Shanahan (Clontarf/Leinster)
22 - Mark Roche (Lansdowne/Connacht)
23 - Darren Sweetnam (UCC/Munster)

New Zealand Team to play Ireland

1 Donald Brighouse
2 Epalahame Faiva
3 Boyd Wiggins
4 Patrick Tuipulotu
5 Christopher Vui
6 Jordan Manihera
7 Ardie Savea (C)
8 Joseph Edwards
9 Tayler Adams
10 Simon Hickey
11 Fa'asiu Fuatai
12 Michael Collins
13 Jason Emery
14 Lolagi Visinia
15 Joseph Webber

Replacements:

16 Kalafi Pongi
17 Nick Grogan
18 Scott Scrafton
19 Hadleigh May
20 Teihorangi Walden
21 Sheridan Rangihuna
22 Jade Te Rure
23 Sione Mafileo

Super Rugby Review Round 17

Brumbies 39-17 Rebels

The Brumbies shorn of their Wallabies obliterated a near full strength Rebels side missing only O'Connor, Beale and Higginbotham. Such was the shear brilliance of the Brumbies performance that they had 9 of the Dream Team players, with Colby Fainga'a getting top marks thanks to a try, 5 tackle busts and 14 tackles.

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Force 13- 28 Waratahs

The Force's decision to keep their strongest team for this game didn't work and plenty of accusations will be levelled at them. What's more impressive was the Waratahs with a hugely shallow side performing so well. Drew Mitchell at fullback had a stormer, and Peter Betham was electric on the wing.

Fantasy

Every second week it seems that the chasers close the gap, only for the leader to widen it the following week and it was more of the same, with their now being an 85 point gap at the top. With only 4 teams playing, scoring wasn't high, and no positional changes occurred.

In the head to head league, there was also no positional changes, as Cillian Hogan has a commanding 8 point lead.

Ireland - Fiji Match Review

Riding the high of the victory against Australia , Ireland Under 20s hammered Fiji 46-3 in their second game of Pool B in the JWC.

Ireland started very well, and if looked very cohesive, belying the 11 changes that Ruddock made to the lineup. Dan Leavy was peerless at the breakdown, and the Irish team seemed to turnover Fijian ball at will. The Fijians looked dangerous in attack, and after missing a kick in front of goal, had a great chance to open the scoring with a try, but Rory Scholes, who was magnificent last Wednesday, made a fantastic try saving tackle.

Darren Sweetnam scores the first try via IRB.com

From that moment, Ireland took control. David Shanahan, who was in for Luke McGrath was impressive and quick at rucks, and Crosbie was fantastic at directing play. Ireland were patient in attack, and when Daly, showing there is more to his game than placekicking, made a great break, Crosbie calmed things down and allowed Mark Roche to put the former Cork hurler Darren Sweetnam over on the right. Tom Daly was unable to add the extras, and with an earlier penalty, Ireland were 8-0 up after twenty minutes.

For the second game in a row, the Irish scrum was going well, and the Byrne twins were carrying effectively wtih Jack O'Donoghue showing up well too. Ruddock will have some fantastic selection headaches with so many of the changes performing well.

After Fiji got on the board with 3 points, Ireland showed some intent and went to the corner on a scrum penalty, before the Fijians fell foul again just in front of the posts, and Daly knocked over the penalty to go 11-3 ahead. Daly is probably the first Irish kicker ever to have placekicked while the crowd clapped encouragingly.

Daly missed another chance to extend Ireland's lead after Fiji racked up 10 penalties given away after just 30 minutes, suggesting they hadn't learned too much from conceding 4 yellows and 2 reds against New Zealand. Daly made up for this with yet another penalty after 36 minutes.

Leavy had a majestic first half, and Daly was impressive in the loose, even if a kicking return of 3 from 6 will have disappointed  him. The more patient Ireland were in attack, the more holes that appeared in the Fijians defense. Ireland were disrupting lineouts and dominating scrums, hoping for more in the second half.

Fijians lineout was harming them, and a dangerous scrum on the Fiji 22, meant Ireland had a great chance at the start of the second half. A massive scrum from Ireland, allowing first Crosbie. and then Shanahan go very close, but a knock on in the act of scoring denied them. After three huge scrums from the Irish, eventually the tighthead Chris Taylor got over to reward Ireland for their dominance.

Rory Scholes via IRB.com

From the kickoff, Rory Scholes scored a fantastic solo try thanks largely to a hugely fortunate bounce, but it was just reward for a hugely impressive tournament so far for Scholes. Getting the ball from a turnover, Scholes rounded two men on the half way, before chipping and collecting luckily and dotting the ball down.

This gave Ireland a huge amount of confidence, and another linebreak from Roche gave them great go forward ball. The tide was now with Ireland, and a vital bonus point in sight. It was soon to come, as some fantastic running lines allowed Scholes to get his second and seal the bonus point with half an hour to go.

Daragh Leader somehow managed to intercept when it seemed easier for Fiji to score a try, to keep Ireland in a commanding lead. Fiji's lineout was seriously hampering their chances, and Ireland were going over the gainline with ease. The one "negative" for Ireland was their kicking, with a number of players with poor kicks out of hand, and Daly's not so great placekicking return.

More pressure resulted in a great finish from openside Dan Leavy in the corner, who had another great game. Rory Scannell, now on for Daly, was unable to add the extras. Ruddock was now ringing the changes to keep the squad fresh. A further penalty from Scannell added more points to the total, before Sweetnam scored another try, which eclipsed Scholes's effort earlier, a great chip and chase, complete with a massive step.

As their confidence rose, their defense became more ferocious. Some great individual performances from Rory Scholes, the Byrnes and Leavy in particular, and the subs didn't let up either. The ref blow the game up early, with the score from 46-3.

This team is completely unrecognisable from some turgid displays in the 6 Nations. Two extremely encouraging performances, both collectively and individually. Credit must go to Mike Ruddock, who is doing an extremely good job.

This win puts them in with a great chance for the semi-finals, with just New Zealand to come on Thursday.

Ireland Fiji Preview JWC

After the fantastic victory over the Australians in their opening match, Mike Ruddocks troops will be looking to add to their great start and put themselves in with a good chance to qualify for the semi finals.

Ruddock makes 11 changes, with only Daly, Scholes, Crosbie and Joyce retaining their positions. However, despite the changes Ireland still look strong as a lot of those that came in have 6 Nations experience, or impressed when coming on last Wednesday.

The Byrne twins come in, in the front row, and will be encouraged by their huge scrum in the last minutes on Wednesday that confirmed the win. Thornbury was first choice in the 6 Nations, and brings his lineout expertise to the second row, and Joyce is partnered by the impressive Leavy and the promising Jack O'Donoghue at back row.

The one doubt I have is at scrumhalf, where Luke McGrath's presence might be missed, but more will fall on Crosbie's shoulders, with Daly controlling the placekicks, Leader and Scholes are two great players in the back three.

Fiji only make 3 changes from the team that was hammered against New Zealand. A number of positional changes occur, and 2 changes were enforced due to red cards. Their scrumhalf Waqa will be the placekicker.

Ruddock's men need to be disciplined and organised, as Fiji looked ragged against New Zealand, and with 2 red cards and 4 yellows, are a highly indisciplined side. The organisation of Ruddock's teams and their experience from the 6 Nations.

Ireland to win, but they aren't the type of team that will win by a lot.

JWC: Ireland v Australia Match Report

via rugby.com.au

A massive 19- 15 win for the Irish Under 20's in the JWC on Wednesday sees them get a foothold in Pool B, and sets them off to a great start.

Despite a shaky start, Ireland were first to settle, and looked dangerous with Daly and Adam Byrne to the fore, and Steve Crosbie pulling the strings. Mike Ruddock deserves a lot of credit for his work with this side. It's clear they are not full of superstars, but play an exciting brand of rugby that also gets the most out of the team. They are ferocious in defense, with a lot of defenders stationed around the ruck.

via IRB.com

Adam Byrne made the first try scoring opportunity, but his offload went to ground when there were players queuing up. Play was called back though, and Daly landed the first points of the day. The Irish players were playing well, with Adam Boland in particular giving them dominance in the scrum, and George McGuigan making a nuisance of himself at the breakdown as well. The front row really had a very good game.

Despite some aimless kicking, Ireland started to get a foothold in Australian territory through some patient buildup, and Rory Scholes in particularly, looking for work, carrying strongly, and rushing up in defense when it needed it. It was Scholes himself that scored the try that the Irish play deserved with a great run and dummy out wide. Daly nailed the conversion and Ireland were in a strong position.

Ireland continued in this vain, with some fast in your face defending, but UJ Seuteni was given the opportunity to get Australia off the mark with a penalty. With five minutes of the first half to go, Australia kicked a penalty to the corner, and were able to barrage the maul over, as the Irish defense wilted. Seuteni was unable to add the conversion, and 10-8 was how the half finished.

Ireland started the second half strongly, and didn't allow the Australians any time on the ball or to dictate terms. Rory Scholes was magnificent, instigating the choke tackle technique that the senior team have been using so well. Dan Leavy, now on for an injury to Ryan Murphy, was carrying impressively, and McGuigan was making some big hits, the Australians didn't look like they knew how to cope.

via IRB.com

Ireland decided that territory was the order of the day, with a lot more tactical kicking than in the first half. Dan Leavy showed more of his promise with a textbook turnover just as the Australians were starting to look threatening. From this, Ireland launched an attack, and the coherence in the backs made it look like they had been playing together for years, with some smart offloading and running lines.

Unfortunately, this was to be their undoing, as with ten minutes left, after superbly handling an Adam Byrne offload, Leavy's attempted offload went to ground, and Alex Northam showed a huge amount of pace to break the cover and give the Australians an undeserved lifeline. It was the only time the potently dangerous Australian backline were able to produce anything.

Tom Daly nailed a huge kick from the ten metre line that pushed Ireland out to a 4 point lead with 7 minutes to go, one that they would ultimately not surrender. This was not to be the end of the drama, as with Australian ball 5 metres out from the Irish line, Senio Toleafoa was sinbinned for foul play, almost ending any hopes they would have had. Australia were to have one more chance with a scrum just outside the Irish 22, but in a moment that sums up the game, the sub Irish front row drove the Australians off the ball and earned the penalty that confirmed a huge win for the Irish.

Next up, Fiji on Sunday, then the mighty 23 for 25 in JWC games, BNZ. It just gets harder from here.