Planet Rugby Forum

Which ones?

Farrell is definitely out and there's conflicting reports about Kearney's availability, one report I read stated that he couldn't play as he failed HIA1, everyone else is saying he can play because he passed HIA2.

Sexton is available apparently.

No news on Henshaw.

Everyone else fine, I believe.

Nolanator wrote:How was the game this morning? Haven't had a chance to read anything yet.

Think about how most of our games go against teams like Samoa. So fairly shit match with the result being inevitable.

CM11 wrote:

Nolanator wrote:How was the game this morning? Haven't had a chance to read anything yet.

Think about how most of our games go against teams like Samoa. So fairly shit match with the result being inevitable.

Any more head shots?

Nolanator wrote:

CM11 wrote:

Nolanator wrote:How was the game this morning? Haven't had a chance to read anything yet.

Think about how most of our games go against teams like Samoa. So fairly shit match with the result being inevitable.

Any more head shots?

They tried.

Nasty knee into Maitland as he was sliding to score. Got a penalty try instead.

CM11 wrote:Which ones?

Farrell is definitely out and there's conflicting reports about Kearney's availability, one report I read stated that he couldn't play as he failed HIA1, everyone else is saying he can play because he passed HIA2.

Sexton is available apparently.

No news on Henshaw.

Everyone else fine, I believe.

like he was for the Japan game ? getting a bit Iraqi ministry of information. I listened to the podcast with Mal Kelly and BOD at lunch time - felt like contributing to the Schmidt out thread ; had also listened to the johnne Murphy podcast where they discussed the Tomas o' se tweet about if this was the soccer team or an amateur gaa team that put in a performance like that there'd be skin and hair flying - johnne Murphy took exception and referenced the podcast, a podcast in which no one was singled out ; Schmidt needs to take some of the blame for coming up with no discernible plan B in 2019 now that everyone has somehow figured out or complex game plan A

CM11 wrote:

Nolanator wrote:

CM11 wrote:

Nolanator wrote:How was the game this morning? Haven't had a chance to read anything yet.

Think about how most of our games go against teams like Samoa. So fairly shit match with the result being inevitable.

Any more head shots?

They tried.

Nasty knee into Maitland as he was sliding to score. Got a penalty try instead.

Just saw the WR short highlights. The guy was already on a yellow and did that. Dope.

Sexton was available for Japan. They decided not to play him. Same way Kearney (or was it Earls?) was available for Scotland but they went with the guy who had trained all week.

I'd certainly prefer Sexton to play against Russia rather than Samoa!

ticketlessinseattle wrote:

CM11 wrote:Which ones?

Farrell is definitely out and there's conflicting reports about Kearney's availability, one report I read stated that he couldn't play as he failed HIA1, everyone else is saying he can play because he passed HIA2.

Sexton is available apparently.

No news on Henshaw.

Everyone else fine, I believe.

like he was for the Japan game ? getting a bit Iraqi ministry of information. I listened to the podcast with Mal Kelly and BOD at lunch time - felt like contributing to the Schmidt out thread ; had also listened to the johnne Murphy podcast where they discussed the Tomas o' se tweet about if this was the soccer team or an amateur gaa team that put in a performance like that there'd be skin and hair flying - johnne Murphy took exception and referenced the podcast, a podcast in which no one was singled out ; Schmidt needs to take some of the blame for coming up with no discernible plan B in 2019 now that everyone has somehow figured out or complex game plan A

calm down ffs

that japan performance would have troubled a lot more teams than just Ireland

ticketlessinseattle wrote:

CM11 wrote:Which ones?

Farrell is definitely out and there's conflicting reports about Kearney's availability, one report I read stated that he couldn't play as he failed HIA1, everyone else is saying he can play because he passed HIA2.

Sexton is available apparently.

No news on Henshaw.

Everyone else fine, I believe.

like he was for the Japan game ? getting a bit Iraqi ministry of information. I listened to the podcast with Mal Kelly and BOD at lunch time - felt like contributing to the Schmidt out thread ; had also listened to the johnne Murphy podcast where they discussed the Tomas o' se tweet about if this was the soccer team or an amateur gaa team that put in a performance like that there'd be skin and hair flying - johnne Murphy took exception and referenced the podcast, a podcast in which no one was singled out ; Schmidt needs to take some of the blame for coming up with no discernible plan B in 2019 now that everyone has somehow figured out or complex game plan A

Stumbled across Moneyball on the telly the other day. I've seen it like 5 times at this stage and read the book a couple of times. Anyway, I have never till this day fully understood why Schmidt had this Damascene conversion from playing a high skills, high tempo offload game, where we fix defenders, find space and flood the channel with trail runners (which is what his second last season at Leinster was) to this Moneyball, stat-led, simplified power and kicking game.

I know we're up at the sharp end of the world rankings and have beaten some great teams. We've also played some very good stuff along the way. But there's definitely the widespread feeling that Ireland are the Oakland A's - great for the season and shite in the playoffs. That somehow, sabermetric sports don't work when it's knockout, mano-a-mano time.

Even though the book asserted this was absolute nonsense, I'm not sure history has. It's something I've always believed about Schmidt's Ireland. What happens when the accuracy isn't there or when the accuracy of a limited strategy isn't enough? What happens when someone gets in your head with more positive, spontaneous rugby and fucks you up?

Most of all, what was so wrong with the way we were playing and winning before? Before anyone says "rush defence", Ireland were going simple and direct before the blitz became widespread. Again, I'm not knocking the relevance of finally beating the ABs and the 6N success, I just feel like the baby got thrown out with the Leinstertainment to a degree. I think Sexton, POC, Schmidt and others just nerded out on stats and process a bit too much.

CM11 wrote:Which ones?

Farrell is definitely out and there's conflicting reports about Kearney's availability, one report I read stated that he couldn't play as he failed HIA1, everyone else is saying he can play because he passed HIA2.

Sexton is available apparently.

No news on Henshaw.

Everyone else fine, I believe.

If Farrell is definitely out I'd say it's worth calling up Addison (if he was withdrawn as a precaution by Ulster) just to have numbers for Samoa.

It's already an embarrassing world cup, I just hope they get the chance to redeem themselves in a QF.
Granted, a heroic loss at this point wouldn't really do that.

earl the beaver wrote:

CM11 wrote:Which ones?

Farrell is definitely out and there's conflicting reports about Kearney's availability, one report I read stated that he couldn't play as he failed HIA1, everyone else is saying he can play because he passed HIA2.

Sexton is available apparently.

No news on Henshaw.

Everyone else fine, I believe.

If Farrell is definitely out I'd say it's worth calling up Addison (if he was withdrawn as a precaution by Ulster) just to have numbers for Samoa.

Definitely out of Russian game. No idea if he'll be cleared for Samoa.

rfurlong wrote:

ticketlessinseattle wrote:

CM11 wrote:Which ones?

Farrell is definitely out and there's conflicting reports about Kearney's availability, one report I read stated that he couldn't play as he failed HIA1, everyone else is saying he can play because he passed HIA2.

Sexton is available apparently.

No news on Henshaw.

Everyone else fine, I believe.

like he was for the Japan game ? getting a bit Iraqi ministry of information. I listened to the podcast with Mal Kelly and BOD at lunch time - felt like contributing to the Schmidt out thread ; had also listened to the johnne Murphy podcast where they discussed the Tomas o' se tweet about if this was the soccer team or an amateur gaa team that put in a performance like that there'd be skin and hair flying - johnne Murphy took exception and referenced the podcast, a podcast in which no one was singled out ; Schmidt needs to take some of the blame for coming up with no discernible plan B in 2019 now that everyone has somehow figured out or complex game plan A

calm down ffs

that japan performance would have troubled a lot more teams than just Ireland

Well you can say that, but Ireland actually lost the game and looked shit doing it.

Yer Man wrote:

sewa wrote:

hermie wrote:

Willie Falloon wrote:

sewa wrote:I confidently predict this RWC will be won with a side playing with two playmakers, the fact that Ireland haven't even looked at it is quite damning

So England/NZ then?

Those would be the main two but you could argue Willie le Roux fills that role for SA and Beale for Australia (when he plays).

Agreed, pretty much all the big teams are doing it, good article on it here

https://rugbylad.ie/ireland-second-playmaker/

We're paying the price for the Payne's career ending (head) injury on the Lions Tour.
Capable of playing full back on a similar level to Kearney in terms of positioning and aerial skills PLUS the ability to counter attack and fill in as a second play-maker.

See also Zebo, although not in the same class.


However, if we want a second playmaker at 12 then the only player big & strong enough would have been Sexton - and he is a) no longer robust enough for the role and b) unlikely to accept the perceived demotion

Payne was a truly excellent fullback but he was more of a Ben Smith than a Damian McKenzie. He was no more of a playmaker at 15 than Ringrose is at 13.

The only real genuine options were Scannell or Carbery. But Carbery hasn't played 15 for Munster and they barely even use Scannell as a 2nd playmaker so that doesn't make it easy for Schmidt. Although still far from impossible.

jezzer wrote:

ticketlessinseattle wrote:

CM11 wrote:Which ones?

Farrell is definitely out and there's conflicting reports about Kearney's availability, one report I read stated that he couldn't play as he failed HIA1, everyone else is saying he can play because he passed HIA2.

Sexton is available apparently.

No news on Henshaw.

Everyone else fine, I believe.

like he was for the Japan game ? getting a bit Iraqi ministry of information. I listened to the podcast with Mal Kelly and BOD at lunch time - felt like contributing to the Schmidt out thread ; had also listened to the johnne Murphy podcast where they discussed the Tomas o' se tweet about if this was the soccer team or an amateur gaa team that put in a performance like that there'd be skin and hair flying - johnne Murphy took exception and referenced the podcast, a podcast in which no one was singled out ; Schmidt needs to take some of the blame for coming up with no discernible plan B in 2019 now that everyone has somehow figured out or complex game plan A

Stumbled across Moneyball on the telly the other day. I've seen it like 5 times at this stage and read the book a couple of times. Anyway, I have never till this day fully understood why Schmidt had this Damascene conversion from playing a high skills, high tempo offload game, where we fix defenders, find space and flood the channel with trail runners (which is what his second last season at Leinster was) to this Moneyball, stat-led, simplified power and kicking game.

I know we're up at the sharp end of the world rankings and have beaten some great teams. We've also played some very good stuff along the way. But there's definitely the widespread feeling that Ireland are the Oakland A's - great for the season and shite in the playoffs. That somehow, sabermetric sports don't work when it's knockout, mano-a-mano time.

Even though the book asserted this was absolute nonsense, I'm not sure history has. It's something I've always believed about Schmidt's Ireland. What happens when the accuracy isn't there or when the accuracy of a limited strategy isn't enough? What happens when someone gets in your head with more positive, spontaneous rugby and fucks you up?

Most of all, what was so wrong with the way we were playing and winning before? Before anyone says "rush defence", Ireland were going simple and direct before the blitz became widespread. Again, I'm not knocking the relevance of finally beating the ABs and the 6N success, I just feel like the baby got thrown out with the Leinstertainment to a degree. I think Sexton, POC, Schmidt and others just nerded out on stats and process a bit too much.

Moneyball and rugby. Schmidt might play the percentages a bit but it is a massive stretch to compare his coaching to a sabermetric style. It doesn't work with rugby, too many variables.

earl the beaver wrote:

CM11 wrote:Which ones?

Farrell is definitely out and there's conflicting reports about Kearney's availability, one report I read stated that he couldn't play as he failed HIA1, everyone else is saying he can play because he passed HIA2.

Sexton is available apparently.

No news on Henshaw.

Everyone else fine, I believe.

If Farrell is definitely out I'd say it's worth calling up Addison (if he was withdrawn as a precaution by Ulster) just to have numbers for Samoa.

Is Addison not injured as well?

Two permacrocks.

Looking forward to the Russia game even less now
https://www.the42.ie/ireland-kobe-humid ... 8-Sep2019/

hermie wrote:

earl the beaver wrote:

CM11 wrote:Which ones?

Farrell is definitely out and there's conflicting reports about Kearney's availability, one report I read stated that he couldn't play as he failed HIA1, everyone else is saying he can play because he passed HIA2.

Sexton is available apparently.

No news on Henshaw.

Everyone else fine, I believe.

If Farrell is definitely out I'd say it's worth calling up Addison (if he was withdrawn as a precaution by Ulster) just to have numbers for Samoa.

Is Addison not injured as well?

I heard he was fit enough to play but not risked give RWC cover.

hermie wrote:Looking forward to the Russia game even less now
https://www.the42.ie/ireland-kobe-humid ... 8-Sep2019/

Just keep it simple, it should be enough against Russia.

hermie wrote:

jezzer wrote:

ticketlessinseattle wrote:

CM11 wrote:Which ones?

Farrell is definitely out and there's conflicting reports about Kearney's availability, one report I read stated that he couldn't play as he failed HIA1, everyone else is saying he can play because he passed HIA2.

Sexton is available apparently.

No news on Henshaw.

Everyone else fine, I believe.

like he was for the Japan game ? getting a bit Iraqi ministry of information. I listened to the podcast with Mal Kelly and BOD at lunch time - felt like contributing to the Schmidt out thread ; had also listened to the johnne Murphy podcast where they discussed the Tomas o' se tweet about if this was the soccer team or an amateur gaa team that put in a performance like that there'd be skin and hair flying - johnne Murphy took exception and referenced the podcast, a podcast in which no one was singled out ; Schmidt needs to take some of the blame for coming up with no discernible plan B in 2019 now that everyone has somehow figured out or complex game plan A

Stumbled across Moneyball on the telly the other day. I've seen it like 5 times at this stage and read the book a couple of times. Anyway, I have never till this day fully understood why Schmidt had this Damascene conversion from playing a high skills, high tempo offload game, where we fix defenders, find space and flood the channel with trail runners (which is what his second last season at Leinster was) to this Moneyball, stat-led, simplified power and kicking game.

I know we're up at the sharp end of the world rankings and have beaten some great teams. We've also played some very good stuff along the way. But there's definitely the widespread feeling that Ireland are the Oakland A's - great for the season and shite in the playoffs. That somehow, sabermetric sports don't work when it's knockout, mano-a-mano time.

Even though the book asserted this was absolute nonsense, I'm not sure history has. It's something I've always believed about Schmidt's Ireland. What happens when the accuracy isn't there or when the accuracy of a limited strategy isn't enough? What happens when someone gets in your head with more positive, spontaneous rugby and fucks you up?

Most of all, what was so wrong with the way we were playing and winning before? Before anyone says "rush defence", Ireland were going simple and direct before the blitz became widespread. Again, I'm not knocking the relevance of finally beating the ABs and the 6N success, I just feel like the baby got thrown out with the Leinstertainment to a degree. I think Sexton, POC, Schmidt and others just nerded out on stats and process a bit too much.

Moneyball and rugby. Schmidt might play the percentages a bit but it is a massive stretch to compare his coaching to a sabermetric style. It doesn't work with rugby, too many variables.

Go fudge yourself. You know exactly what is meant in this instance. It's coaching, strategy and player selection led by statistical analysis of what yields positive outcomes that lead more probably to winning. It's not pure saber metrics as per baseball.

I assume we will be something like this for Russia:

Kilcoyne Scannell Ryan
Beirne Kleyn
Ruddock ?? Murphy
McGrath Sexton
Stockdale Aki Ringer Conway
Larmour

Cronin Healy Porter Hendo JVDF Murray Carbery

I think Schmidt plays to the strengths of his players. He didn't abandon free flowing rugby as such but realised that on a relative scale his team were more suited to a gameplan that didn't involve scoring more than the opposition but conceding fewer points.

I do think he's being trying to expand our repertoire this year and that's why we saw more offloading and general attacking play in the opening quarter against Japan. Not quite as a change of style but just to add a little more. It's a pity we couldn't follow through.

Liathroidigloine wrote:I assume we will be something like this for Russia:

Kilcoyne Scannell Ryan
Beirne Kleyn
Ruddock ?? Murphy
McGrath Sexton
Stockdale Aki Ringer Conway
Larmour

Cronin Healy Porter Hendo JVDF Murray Carbery

POM in the backrow.

Has the opportunity to rest Ringrose and Stockdale on the bench if he wants. I think you forgot Earls unless you know something I don't?

jezzer wrote:

hermie wrote:

jezzer wrote:

ticketlessinseattle wrote:

CM11 wrote:Which ones?

Farrell is definitely out and there's conflicting reports about Kearney's availability, one report I read stated that he couldn't play as he failed HIA1, everyone else is saying he can play because he passed HIA2.

Sexton is available apparently.

No news on Henshaw.

Everyone else fine, I believe.

like he was for the Japan game ? getting a bit Iraqi ministry of information. I listened to the podcast with Mal Kelly and BOD at lunch time - felt like contributing to the Schmidt out thread ; had also listened to the johnne Murphy podcast where they discussed the Tomas o' se tweet about if this was the soccer team or an amateur gaa team that put in a performance like that there'd be skin and hair flying - johnne Murphy took exception and referenced the podcast, a podcast in which no one was singled out ; Schmidt needs to take some of the blame for coming up with no discernible plan B in 2019 now that everyone has somehow figured out or complex game plan A

Stumbled across Moneyball on the telly the other day. I've seen it like 5 times at this stage and read the book a couple of times. Anyway, I have never till this day fully understood why Schmidt had this Damascene conversion from playing a high skills, high tempo offload game, where we fix defenders, find space and flood the channel with trail runners (which is what his second last season at Leinster was) to this Moneyball, stat-led, simplified power and kicking game.

I know we're up at the sharp end of the world rankings and have beaten some great teams. We've also played some very good stuff along the way. But there's definitely the widespread feeling that Ireland are the Oakland A's - great for the season and shite in the playoffs. That somehow, sabermetric sports don't work when it's knockout, mano-a-mano time.

Even though the book asserted this was absolute nonsense, I'm not sure history has. It's something I've always believed about Schmidt's Ireland. What happens when the accuracy isn't there or when the accuracy of a limited strategy isn't enough? What happens when someone gets in your head with more positive, spontaneous rugby and fucks you up?

Most of all, what was so wrong with the way we were playing and winning before? Before anyone says "rush defence", Ireland were going simple and direct before the blitz became widespread. Again, I'm not knocking the relevance of finally beating the ABs and the 6N success, I just feel like the baby got thrown out with the Leinstertainment to a degree. I think Sexton, POC, Schmidt and others just nerded out on stats and process a bit too much.

Moneyball and rugby. Schmidt might play the percentages a bit but it is a massive stretch to compare his coaching to a sabermetric style. It doesn't work with rugby, too many variables.

Go fudge yourself. You know exactly what is meant in this instance. It's coaching, strategy and player selection led by statistical analysis of what yields positive outcomes that lead more probably to winning. It's not pure saber metrics as per baseball.

You could say that about any risk-averse coach. The fact of the matter is that he can't buy players, he's stuck with what he's got. Rumour has it that he doesn't hugely rate the skills of the Irish players and has chosen to play a certain way rather than attempt to improve those skills greatly. There's an argument to be made in that regard I suppose.

Our skills under pressure aren't good. He's not wrong there.

hermie wrote:

jezzer wrote:

hermie wrote:

jezzer wrote:
Stumbled across Moneyball on the telly the other day. I've seen it like 5 times at this stage and read the book a couple of times. Anyway, I have never till this day fully understood why Schmidt had this Damascene conversion from playing a high skills, high tempo offload game, where we fix defenders, find space and flood the channel with trail runners (which is what his second last season at Leinster was) to this Moneyball, stat-led, simplified power and kicking game.

I know we're up at the sharp end of the world rankings and have beaten some great teams. We've also played some very good stuff along the way. But there's definitely the widespread feeling that Ireland are the Oakland A's - great for the season and shite in the playoffs. That somehow, sabermetric sports don't work when it's knockout, mano-a-mano time.

Even though the book asserted this was absolute nonsense, I'm not sure history has. It's something I've always believed about Schmidt's Ireland. What happens when the accuracy isn't there or when the accuracy of a limited strategy isn't enough? What happens when someone gets in your head with more positive, spontaneous rugby and fucks you up?

Most of all, what was so wrong with the way we were playing and winning before? Before anyone says "rush defence", Ireland were going simple and direct before the blitz became widespread. Again, I'm not knocking the relevance of finally beating the ABs and the 6N success, I just feel like the baby got thrown out with the Leinstertainment to a degree. I think Sexton, POC, Schmidt and others just nerded out on stats and process a bit too much.

Moneyball and rugby. Schmidt might play the percentages a bit but it is a massive stretch to compare his coaching to a sabermetric style. It doesn't work with rugby, too many variables.

Go fudge yourself. You know exactly what is meant in this instance. It's coaching, strategy and player selection led by statistical analysis of what yields positive outcomes that lead more probably to winning. It's not pure saber metrics as per baseball.

You could say that about any risk-averse coach. The fact of the matter is that he can't buy players, he's stuck with what he's got. Rumour has it that he doesn't hugely rate the skills of the Irish players and has chosen to play a certain way rather than attempt to improve those skills greatly. There's an argument to be made in that regard I suppose.

He and Nucifora control Irish rugby. If he really doesn't rate Irish skills (and I doubt that given we're at there sharp end of the HEC every year with attacking rugby plus he changed styles while some of our greatest ever players were in the team), then he could easily have the IRFU put the same emphasis into passing/offloading as we do with boxkicking and choke tackles.

He wasn't in any way risk averse for years at Leinster. Then he got conservative in his last Leinster season.

The skills thing starts at minis. It's not just a case of starting at pro level.

That Scottish game was f**king woeful

Not sure why you think he was conservative in his last season. We played worse in the HEC due to key injuries and were hardly conservative in the Amlin or Pro12.

CM11 wrote:Our skills under pressure aren't good. He's not wrong there.

O'Connor in the Indo today says that

What was most galling about the way Japan played was that their style of rugby is exactly the kind that Schmidt insists can't be played at this level due to a lack of preparation time.

Before going on to say that Schmidt was out-thought be Joseph/Brown and he has been to a large extent, figured out.

Needing to bonus point win against minnows.
I've seen this filum before...

jezzer wrote: He wasn't in any way risk averse for years at Leinster. Then he got conservative in his last Leinster season.

Less time with the players combined with less time and space (and more pressure) at that level.

hermie wrote:

CM11 wrote:Our skills under pressure aren't good. He's not wrong there.

O'Connor in the Indo today says that

What was most galling about the way Japan played was that their style of rugby is exactly the kind that Schmidt insists can't be played at this level due to a lack of preparation time.

Before going on to say that Schmidt was out-thought be Joseph/Brown and he has been to a large extent, figured out.

I think all of that is an over reaction.

It's not like Japan thrashed us. They held on to the ball well via passing and won some medium range penalties as a result but their try came from a close range scrum when we were flat out and had lost shape. We still managed twice as many linebreaks and offloaded more than they did, scoring more tries.

hermie wrote:

CM11 wrote:Our skills under pressure aren't good. He's not wrong there.

O'Connor in the Indo today says that

What was most galling about the way Japan played was that their style of rugby is exactly the kind that Schmidt insists can't be played at this level due to a lack of preparation time.

Before going on to say that Schmidt was out-thought be Joseph/Brown and he has been to a large extent, figured out.

Japan have been a club team in all but name. The story goes that they have trained together 200 time this year.

CM11 wrote:The skills thing starts at minis. It's not just a case of starting at pro level.

Facile argument. Skills can improve and disimprove from year to year depending on the emphasis in training. Look at the massive dropoff in handling under MOC, only to miraculously improve again under Lancaster..

Teams like Italy and England are executing progressive open rugby that keeps the ball alive, without any of them having had a history or reputation for handling skills in their domestic game. Those skills were worked on and improved over a few short years.

CM11 wrote:

hermie wrote:

CM11 wrote:Our skills under pressure aren't good. He's not wrong there.

O'Connor in the Indo today says that

What was most galling about the way Japan played was that their style of rugby is exactly the kind that Schmidt insists can't be played at this level due to a lack of preparation time.

Before going on to say that Schmidt was out-thought be Joseph/Brown and he has been to a large extent, figured out.

I think all of that is an over reaction.

It's not like Japan thrashed us. They held on to the ball well via passing and won some medium range penalties as a result but their try came from a close range scrum when we were flat out and had lost shape. We still managed twice as many linebreaks and offloaded more than they did, scoring more tries.

Thrashed us? They should have won by more, we were lucky to come away with the bonus. But how many Japanese players would make the Irish team?

He's not wrong to say that their passing and discipline was better and that they managed to manufacture quick ball much better than we did.

All we need now is the Russia game to be called off due to a typhoon to complete the fiasco.

Liathroidigloine wrote:

hermie wrote:

CM11 wrote:Our skills under pressure aren't good. He's not wrong there.

O'Connor in the Indo today says that

What was most galling about the way Japan played was that their style of rugby is exactly the kind that Schmidt insists can't be played at this level due to a lack of preparation time.

Before going on to say that Schmidt was out-thought be Joseph/Brown and he has been to a large extent, figured out.

Japan have been a club team in all but name. The story goes that they have trained together 200 time this year.

So why are they only 8th in the world then?

Liathroidigloine wrote:

hermie wrote:

CM11 wrote:Our skills under pressure aren't good. He's not wrong there.

O'Connor in the Indo today says that

What was most galling about the way Japan played was that their style of rugby is exactly the kind that Schmidt insists can't be played at this level due to a lack of preparation time.

Before going on to say that Schmidt was out-thought be Joseph/Brown and he has been to a large extent, figured out.

Japan have been a club team in all but name. The story goes that they have trained together 200 time this year.

Schmidt has had an unprecedented amount of time with the players in the past 12 months as well.