Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown & Dublin Duel

[African Monkey]

@KiwiMurph Yep true. Ofa's scrummaging went alright during the Super Rugby season. There were 2 games where he got dominated which were against the Reds where he and Charlie were taught a lesson (as were most scrums that came up against the Reds), and the Waratahs in the last round which stuck out badly for him as he had just been called up to the ABs but other than that his scrummaging has been fine.

[Samurai Jack]

The thing about good props is that they take a few hidings in the scrum before they become the real deal. It seems to be a rights of passage thing. I remember Steve McDowell getting absolutely monstered in SA (Cavaliers?) but came back the few years unmovable. Crockett got a beating from that scruffy Italian dude (illegally according to some but he failed to adjust). The best props learn their trade by coming up and learning from older bulls and are better for it.

[pakman]

Kane Hames against Adam Jones for Maori v Harlequins. Will learn a few tricks!

[cgrant]

@KiwiMurph said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:

Yep Ofa T has scrummed well for the ABs. He looks like a natural replacement for Faumuina if he heads overseas post Lions.

The problem is he suffers from a lag - fans remember his early career form and reputations stick. Same thing happened to Toeava and TKB (his first AB end of year tour).

Atu Moli is a better bet IMO.

[pakman]

@cgrant Best scrummagers are Moody and Hames on LH, Franks and Laulala TH.
Crockett is superb bench LH, as Charlie is TH, but developing replacements for both pressing. Moli great promise and will benefit from being in Chiefs squad with Crafty Hoeft. But do need a punchy ball carrier for bench and Ofa certainly is that.

[Derm McCrum]

the hoopla just gets better and funnier.

The Irish and New Zealand national airlines have now got in on the act - on Twitter of course.

https://twitter.com/AerLingus/status/798983036205465601
https://twitter.com/FlyAirNZ/status/798997819214266368
https://twitter.com/AerLingus/status/799004272126021640
https://twitter.com/AerLingus/status/799275160226463744

[jegga]

@Pot-Hale superb

[Stargazer]

The banter continued:

http://twitter.com/FlyAirNZ/status/799340999482871808

http://twitter.com/AerLingus/status/799384279549640704

http://twitter.com/FlyAirNZ/status/799401393685569536

http://twitter.com/FlyAirNZ/status/799518565024067584

http://twitter.com/FlyAirNZ/status/799519720244445184

http://twitter.com/FlyAirNZ/status/799532951583199232

[nostrildamus]

@Pot-Hale I think Ireland won the wit competition.
"Green is the new black! " Classic.
And I am downmarking AirNZ for shamrock cliche..

[nostrildamus]

"If you lose, we’d be happy to cut the grass at @AKL_Airport"
Can I wager with Aer Lingus too? My lawn needs some work..

[booboo]

@nostrildamus said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown & Dublin Duel:

@Pot-Hale I think Ireland won the wit competition.
"Green is the new black! " Classic.
And I am downmarking AirNZ for shamrock cliche..

Sorry - Aer Lingus are obviously derivative plagiarizing gits ...

@booboo said in Ireland II:

Well ... watching BeIN Sport's round up of the Test matches from overnight it seems green is the new black.

[nostrildamus]

@booboo if it makes you feel any happier, I don't really mind who does my lawn..

[Kirwan]

You know the marketing is good when you start sharing ads good banter.

[Derm McCrum]

IRFU and NZRU could develop this whole event further into a regular Series each year or second year depending on schedule. As two of the smaller unions, cooperation on a number of fronts could be very beneficial to both.