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Injured Carbery given no assurance he will definitely make Ireland's RWC
Ireland have refused to offer the injured Joey Carbery any guarantees over World Cup selection. The Munster fly-half faces a race against time to be fit for the World Cup opener against Scotland on September 22.
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And Irish bosses insist Jack Carty and Ross Byrne could both yet push ahead of Carbery, who is nursing an ankle problem. Asked if Ireland would take an injured player to Japan in their final 31-man squad, skills coach Richie Murphy said: “We have left that quite open at the moment and we have conversations in and around the make-up of the squad.
“I’ve heard a lot of conversations around whether to bring three number nines or three number 10s and how that breaks down. We’ll make an assessment a little bit closer, we’re not making assessments at the moment. We’re just watching him, keeping a very close eye on how he’s progressing. At this moment, we’re very happy with where he’s at but whether there’s a spot for him or not will depend on other players.
“Opportunities will go to the likes of Jack (Carty) and Ross (Byrne) as well as Johnny (Sexton) getting game-time over the next few weeks. Joey is doing really, really well. Obviously, the time-frame around his injury has been well-stated. He’s recovering really well, he’s well into his recovery programme and, talking to him, he feels good and confident.
“He’s exactly where the medics would expect him to be at the moment. He’s definitely trying to get back for that first Scotland game, but it’s a case of how we manage that and also manage the squad. Because although he is very much online for that time-frame, we also have to have contingency plans in place so we’ll look at them through the next few weeks and get game-time for certain people.”
Exclusive – Update on Carbery's injury means Schmidt and Ireland facing a tough decision. https://t.co/OE88EZHfKi
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 12, 2019
Sexton, Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls sat out training on Tuesday during their warm-weather camp in Portugal, but Ireland insist all three can contest selection to face England at Twickenham on Saturday. Ireland saw off Italy 29-10 in their opening World Cup warm-up match in Dublin, but face a serious hike in intensity against Eddie Jones’ England this weekend.
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“This morning Robbie Henshaw and Johnny sat it out with a bit of soreness, Keith Earls also sat it out,” said Murphy. “There’s no real fears about them, it’s just about managing them and getting their work-load right for possibly involvement this week and, if not, the following week.
#TeamOfUs@tadhgfurlong & @JacobStockdale on coping with the heat, scrum laws (Tadhg only ?), preparing for England & aiming for Japan.#ShoulderToShoulder #ENGvIRE https://t.co/4FkGVBFLag
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 20, 2019
“It’s a case of what we need out of these games. They are big Test matches in their own right, but we are building to something that is a bigger picture and it’s about getting the mix and the balance right of the getting the proper amount of work into these guys and game-time is going to be a key aspect over the next three weeks. We have no fears over those three guys.”
– Press Association
WATCH: Joe Schmidt speaks to the media following Ireland’s recent win over Italy
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
50 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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