Big Test at Irish

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Looks a lot like we accept we’re going to lose and are therefore resting some/a lot of the first choice players.

Even allowing for the injury list its difficult not to sound critical......the bookmakers are offering us as +24 on the handicap book, but looking at team selection I might suggest the deficit will be greater.........I hope I am wrong......I truly hope to eat my own words........

More talent on the bench! Not a fan of Jacob fields - sorry. If we get a bonus point I’ll be happy

Mmmm, oh well

I was thinking earlier in the week I would go for this type of selection to start with us becoming stronger in the 2nd half.

We aren't going to be as fit as them, so stick our biggest props on at first before our more mobile ones. Would have liked to have started with Carrick Smith to add more weight to the scrum though.

Lennon will add pace around the breakdown, with Dickson's experience to come on to see out the game [;])

Also Robling should help with the creativity in the backs.

Try Blues........so your thoughts are that MR’s game plan is to lull London Irish into a false state of security........then hit in the last quarter, risky and I hope it works........it might work at GR if we were guaranteed to play down the slope in the second half....

JW .........’Mmmm, oh well........’ could you be just a little bit more eloquent.....

Whatever........safe journey to the travelling fans and team........COYB's

Yes, when our team tires more in the 2nd half than their and they bring on a strong bench, we can bring on our strong bench too and in theory make us better with more 1st teamers on the bench.

I wouldn't be surprised to see say McCarthy come on after 30 mins for example. Most of the other subs will be more like 5 to 10 mins.

Then Dickson to come on to seal out the win... well that was the dream anyway!

I agree it is risky and we need to be in the game at half time. Irish could be a bit rusty not playing last week as well.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:09:22:21:11:30 by TryBlues.

Great to see Robling getting a start and Jack Nay back in the squad. Can't see us winning this one but a couple of bp's would be good. COYB.

Sounds like the boys gave it a good go. However reading the twitter feed 1 prop stretchered of and one HIA doesn't say who they were.

Compo Simonite
‘Even allowing for the injury list its difficult not to sound critical......the bookmakers are offering us as +24 on the handicap book, but looking at team selection I might suggest the deficit will be greater.........I hope I am wrong......I truly hope to eat my own words........’

Wow sounds like a bit if a tussle and only nine points in it........so I going to have to eat my words......

Ocampo stretchered
Penny HIA
Davies HIA at end of game as well so Lennon played wing for a few mins.

Thanks for the update Try Blues I understand Irish had a red card. We could be short up front next week.

Quote:

iron blue
Thanks for the update Try Blues I understand Irish had a red card. We could be short up front next week.

That was the Penny HIA - shoulder to the head.

Decent result down there with a weakened team. Shame we just missed out on a losing bp. It’s been a solid start to the season.

3 away games in first 4, so not a bad return.

Parili-Ocampo injury was very serious, not sure exactly what to, think right leg. He was clearly in a lot of pain and isn't one who goes down easily. Both teams actually went back to the changing rooms, it took that long to treat and eventually take him off the field on a stretcher. Wouldn't be too surprised if potentially that's his season over.

In terms of game, very strange feel. Irish were at 19-0 and 29-8 threatening to run away with it, but I have to say half-backs aside, I thought for a newly-relegated Premiership side, they were fairly ordinary.

3 tries came directly from Blues mistakes: 1st try, admittedly finished by a beautifully created grubber, was the result of a break from an aimless kick by Coulson (he did a few of those in first half, although Irish weren't an awful lot better); 2nd try came from a Fields line-out mix-up - our line-out was poor in first half hour; 5th try, Rich Lane's 1 minute of rugby that won't be a contender for his highlights package - missed from 7 metres out 5-metre touch penalty with Irish player in bin, kicking in-goal, then after deep 22-drop out kick, slices it horribly to land in arms of Irish 12 barely 10 metres in front of our try-line.

Early in second half, injury came and we changed both props before Clare came on for a by then much-improved Fields. These replacements completely changed the game, as the scrum turned from Irish edge to Blues dominance.

Used scrum penalties to gain territory and some silly Irish ill-discipline saw them hanging on by the end really - 1st yellow was needless deliberate knock-on, red card was shoulder to chin and other yellow result of scrum dominance. Coulson landed great drop-kick conversion for 3rd try after disappointing place kicking earlier and we had one final play to score a 4th try and get within 7. Sadly, not to be.

Personally felt Irish were there for the taking today, but let ourselves down with some poor errors, especially in first half.

Credit to the team though for refusing to drop heads and as a whole playing very well in final quarter/generally being better side after half-time.

Good report GB. Agree we easily could have won that one and definitely one to pin a home win on. I don’t know if we gave them too much respect early on, but they were not that good to be honest. I think we will be a force to reckon with when all settles down injury wise; but that will not be for a while now. No more news on Campo, but suspect leg. Well done Blues.

Thanks Blue Fox. Just seen an Irish forum guy has called my summary 'laughable'. Well, each to their own, and I don't disagree with a couple of comments on their forum part that there were 2 high tackles in first half we were fortunate not to concede penalty to.

However, red card was a send-off, no question. You can't shoulder charge someone in the head area.

And Irish were glad of the whistle at the end, though deserved winners over 80.

Ginger Blueboy thanks for your superb report........I felt like I was there.....

Quote:

Ginger Blueboy
Thanks Blue Fox. Just seen an Irish forum guy has called my summary 'laughable'. Well, each to their own, and I don't disagree with a couple of comments on their forum part that there were 2 high tackles in first half we were fortunate not to concede penalty to.
However, red card was a send-off, no question. You can't shoulder charge someone in the head area.

And Irish were glad of the whistle at the end, though deserved winners over 80.

Not all the Irish fans agree with their colleague, as under

"I think it’s a pretty fair description of the game to be honest."

"I'm glad someone has said it before me, because that was a pretty accurate description of the proceedings."

"Not quite sure just what is 'laughable' about the Blues' posting. I, also, can't see much wrong with it at all"

"Agree with this write up.".

yes you played well, but even some of your own fans were shall we say were mystified but some of the ref's calls. Horrible injury and all hope its not career changing. Yes I agree your scrum was powerful towards the end but to be expected with 8 v 6 but thought we defended well. Hope you can field a strong team at the weekend and get a good win and look forward to our trip to you.

I thought the write up was a reasonable reflection of the game. Not sure what was laughable about it.
I didn't see what the injury to your prop was. Hope he's able to make a good recovery.

I too think your report was pretty good, Ginger Blueboy.

It was a pretty scrappy game all round and what cohesion it had, was broken asunder by the awful injury to your prop, which I guess cost 15 minutes while they stabilised him and got him safely off the field. Hope he is OK and on the mend soon - please let us know if / when you have further news.

AW

Highlights from Sunday, hopefully the link works. [">vimeo.com]

Good that we keeping picking up points every game though - should keep us out of trouble

Website says Camilo broke his right tibia, so guess good chance his season could be over/won't be back for at very least 3 months.

All these comments on the game sum it up well. However this was my first - and last! - visit to Majedski (SP?)Stadium.

No lift or other disabled facilities and a second mortgage needed for food and drink.

1bluesladyfan

‘No lift or other disabled facilities and a second mortgage needed for food and drink.......’

You missed as did many the massive amount of empty seats..........on the disability issue did you complain........



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:09:25:19:34:54 by compo simonite.

Quote:

Luton_Blue
Good that we keeping picking up points every game though - should keep us out of trouble

I didn’t think we got any points from the game..?

Quote:

compo simonite
1bluesladyfan
‘No lift or other disabled facilities and a second mortgage needed for food and drink.......’

You missed as did many the massive amount of empty seats..........on the disability issue did you complain........

Naturally I saw all the empty seats, but wonder why you asked?
My friend had booked the seats if that's what you mean. Of course I complained.

Quote:

1bluesladyfan

Quote:

compo simonite
1bluesladyfan
‘No lift or other disabled facilities and a second mortgage needed for food and drink.......’

You missed as did many the massive amount of empty seats..........on the disability issue did you complain........

Naturally I saw all the empty seats, but wonder why you asked?
My friend had booked the seats if that's what you mean. Of course I complained.

Yes I agree rubbish place, been there once - never again, are they still charging £12 for burger and chips and £6 for Guiness. Don't understand why if they don't play in London anymore why they charge London prices

It's a football stadium, Irish don't run the concessions (or, indeed, have any say in the choice/price). It is slightly better when we're in the Prem since we open the two stands and have concession vans outside that offer a better range - still nothing to do with the rugby club though and the prices are still enormous.

Incidentally those aren't London prices. You'll find stadiums across the country taking the Mick like that - I can only assume there are enough people who are willing to pay it. It's compounded at the MadStad since the food is such low quality. As supporters we did our best to try and fix it but when you're a tenant you get what you're given.

Slightly concerned about the complaint of a lack of disabled facilities. The MadStad usually does quite well on this. There most certainly is a lift. Was it broken?

Quote:

Griff
It's a football stadium, Irish don't run the concessions (or, indeed, have any say in the choice/price). It is slightly better when we're in the Prem since we open the two stands and have concession vans outside that offer a better range - still nothing to do with the rugby club though and the prices are still enormous.
Incidentally those aren't London prices. You'll find stadiums across the country taking the Mick like that - I can only assume there are enough people who are willing to pay it. It's compounded at the MadStad since the food is such low quality. As supporters we did our best to try and fix it but when you're a tenant you get what you're given.

Slightly concerned about the complaint of a lack of disabled facilities. The MadStad usually does quite well on this. There most certainly is a lift. Was it broken?

I beg to differ, not sure what stadiums you go to but I've never paid £6 for Guinness even at Twickers, and I've only ever paid £9 for Burger and Chips at Franklins Gardens. So yes I stand by my claim that it's London prices

Last time I bought one the Guinness was £4.50 in the stadium - I tend to drive so I'm not sure what it is now. This site says £4.50, unless they add £1.50 a pint for the rugby. I'd be surprised by £6. I've paid £6 at Twickenham, though - I've paid a fiver for 330ml of beer at a lot of Stadia many of them outside our lovely capital so we'll just have to agree to differ on this. You weren't buying in the Hotel were you? It's VERY expensive in there.

Guinness is £5.10 a pint in the hotel bar and in Hostility and (IIRC) £4.60 in the West Stand undercroft, so I don't understand from where Welshblues can have bought his...?

Nobody knows.

Or cares