Rugby Union – Page 16 – HARPIN' ON RUGBY

384 : Ireland v Argentina wrap

Autumn Nations Series, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 15/11/2024
Ireland vs Argentina Ireland’s Joe McCarthy scores a try
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

🏉 Fast start

🏉 Foul play du jour

🏉 Dr Phil

🏉 More silly mistakes

🏉 Holding on

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

JAY LONG

HUGO GORDON

FULL TIME TAKES

Lee O Farrell

Yes, there were some sloppy mistakes at times but I think people are underestimating this Pumas team. Their defence was incredible and this is the team that has beaten France, SA and NZ (in NZ) over the past few months.

A higher score would have been great but I’ll take the win, thanks!

Cormac Mannion

Argentina are a fine side. Their physicality is right up there with South Africa at their best. We seemed to be running into brick walls for large parts of the game. However, there is still something not at all right about Ireland. Hansen still looks off the pace, as does Lowe. Crowley needs time to develop and you can see how it’s coming together for him.

Our back row seems to be playing as individuals rather than a unit. Also, far too many sloppy penalties which could point to a lack of focus. We’ve looked off the boil since midway though the 6N.

Jackie McEachern

Too many penalties again – especially when we heard all week that discipline was going to be the focus. But am very happy they hung on to win against a strong side.

Kevin Kelehan

Got over the line against a huge Argentinian pack and very useful backline, Tom Clarkson and Sam Prendergast both came through very well. Jack Crowley was superb for most and a tough nut to get up without play acting after being cynically taken out illegally. The penalty count and line out remain a serious cause for concern, Kelliher is a great scrummager and a demon in the loose but he needs to spend the next month to sort out his darts.

Jamie Bermingham

Glad we got the win but once again the discipline was very poor. Our attack in the 2nd half was practically non existent. Still a lot to work on for the next two games

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AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES WRAP

WEEK 2

IRELAND 22-19 ARGENTINA

SCOTLAND 59-21 PORTUGAL

ENGLAND 20-29 SOUTH AFRICA

FRANCE 30-29 NEW ZEALAND

ITALY 20-17 GEORGIA

WALES 20-52 AUSTRALIA

WEEK 3

FRI NOV 22

FRANCE V ARGENTINA

SAT NOV 23

IRELAND V FIJI

WALES V SOUTH AFRICA

ITALY V NEW ZEALAND

SUN NOV 24

SCOTLAND V AUSTRALIA

ENGLAND V JAPAN

@harpinonrugby
Our latest wrap pod is now available on Apple, Spotify and all the usual places. #rugbytiktok #IrishRugby #IREvARG
♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

383 : Ireland v Argentina preview

also available as a podcast

Our guest : NEIL “KEEGO” KEEGAN

www.keegolaughs.com

Apologies Up Front on Apple Podcasts

IRELAND : 15. Hugo Keenan 14. Mack Hansen 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Robbie Henshaw 11. James Lowe 10. Jack Crowley 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter 2. Rónan Kelleher 3. Finlay Bealham 4. Joe McCarthy 5. James Ryan 6. Tadhg Beirne 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris (c)

16. Rob Herring 17. Cian Healy 18. Thomas Clarkson 19. Ryan Baird 20. Peter O’Mahony 21. Craig Casey 22. Sam Prendergast 23. Jamie Osborne

Argentina : 15 Juan Cruz Mallía (vc) 14 Rodrigo Isgró 13 Lucio Cinti 12 Matías Moroni 11 Bautista Delguy 10 Tomás Albornoz 9 Gonzalo Bertranou

1 Thomas Gallo 2 Julián Montoya (c) 3 Joel Sclavi 4 Guido Petti 5 Pablo Rubiolo 6 Pablo Matera (vc) 7 Juan Martín González 8 Joaquín Oviedo

16 Ignacio Ruiz 17 Ignacio Calles 18 Francisco Gómez Kodela 19 Franco Molina, 20 Santiago Grondona 21 Gonzalo García 22 Santiago Carreras, 23. Justo Piccardo

Autumn Nations Series 2024 Week 2

Friday, November 15, 2024

KO 8:10pm Aviva Stadium

Live on: Virgin Media 1, TNT Sports 1

Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)

Assistant Referee 1: Craig Evans (WRU)

Assistant Referee 2: Angus Mabey (NZR)

TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)

FPRO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)

382 : Ireland v New Zealand wrap

Autumn Nations Series, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 8/11/2024 Ireland vs New Zealand New Zealand’s Will Jordan celebrates scoring their first try as Josh van der Flier of Ireland looks on dejected Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

🏉 Decent defence

🏉 Errors & Penalties

🏉 There for the taking

🏉 No bench impact

🏉 Adapt or else

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

TOM COLEMAN

RICHARD MIFSUD

FULL TIME TAKES

John Hyland

Undercooked. A few performances to forget but they have credit in the bank. A lot of fair weather fans throwing out demands and ultimatums. This was our first loss in 19 games at the Aviva, and it was to an All Blacks team with a lot more recent game time than us.

Sean MacDonnchadha

Worrying lack of aggression first and then lack of leadership. They’ve gone on and on about unfinished business from the World Cup and getting revenge. Didn’t see that tonight.

Kevin Kelehan

The best team Ireland has ever produced were more error prone than I’ve seen them in many years. 3 more games to keep the direction of travel in the right direction

James Murphy

Our front men standing back??

Letting them bully use in lineouts and scrums,

Crowley very poor, frawley not much better

But frawley deserves start next week

Poorest Irish performance in a long time

Brian Corr

Too many errors and then too many players losing it or dropping the heads.

Decision making was terrible and lineout was very poor.

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AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES WRAP

WEEK 1

IRELAND 13-23 NEW ZEALAND

ENGLAND 37-42 AUSTRALIA

ITALY 18-50 ARGENTINA

FRANCE 52-12 JAPAN

WA;ES 19-24 FIJI

SCOTLAND 15-32 SOUTH AFRICA

WEEK 2

FRI NOV 15

IRELAND V ARGENTINA

SAT NOV 16

SCOTLAND V PORTUGAL

ENGLAND V SOUTH AFRICA

FRANCE V NEW ZEALAND

SUN NOV 17

ITALY V GEORGIA

WALES V AUSTRALIA

381 : Ireland v New Zealand preview

also available as a podcast

Our guest :

NEIL “KEEGO” KEEGAN

www.keegolaughs.com

Apologies Up Front on Apple Podcasts

IRELAND : 15. Hugo Keenan 14. Mack Hansen 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Bundee Aki 11. James Lowe 10. Jack Crowley 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter 2. Rónan Kelleher 3. Finlay Bealham 4. Joe McCarthy 5. James Ryan 6. Tadhg Beirne 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris (c)

16. Rob Herring 17. Cian Healy 18. Tom O’Toole 19. Iain Henderson 20. Peter O’Mahony 21. Conor Murray 22. Ciaran Frawley 23. Jamie Osborne

New Zealand : 15.  Will Jordan 14.  Mark Tele’a 13.  Rieko Ioane 12.  Jordie Barrett 11.  Caleb Clarke (vc) 10.  Damian McKenzie 9.    Cortez Ratima

1.    Tamaiti Williams 2.    Asafo Aumua 3.    Tyrel Lomax 4.    Scott Barrett (c) 5.    Tupou Vaa’i 6.    Wallace Sititi 7.    Sam Cane 8.    Ardie Savea (vc)

16.  George Bell 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi 18. Pasilio Tosi 19. Patrick Tuipulotu 20. Samipeni Finau 21. Cam Roigard 22. Anton Lienert-Brown 23. Stephen Perofeta

Autumn Nations Series 2024 Week 1

Friday, November 8, 2024

KO 8:10pm Aviva Stadium

Live on: Virgin Media 1, TNT Sports 1

Referee: Nic Berry (RA)

AR1: Karl Dickson (RFU)

AR2: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)

FPRO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

380 : Autumn Nations Series preview

🏉 Irish expectations

🏉 Coach transition

🏉 23 v ABs

🏉 Lions auditions

🏉 Predictions

Our guests…

PÁDRAIG KELLY

http://www.the2ndrow.com

CAOLÁN SCULLY

http://www.linktr.ee/caolansrugby

JACK FOGARTY

80+ column : October 30

WRAP OF A WRAP

Tom Coleman & Rich Mifsud were my contributors this week and they did their usual sterling work going back over Leinster’s win over the Lions last Saturday.

ICYMI click here to check it out on Spotify or you’ll also find it on Apple and most major platforms.

FRONT FIVE

A selection of eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the rugby media landscape

Rowntree delivered Munster’s first trophy in 12 years when he concluded his first season in charge

Graham Rowntree departs as Munster head coach

Simon Lewis – Irish Examiner

…the 27-year-old has returned to full training and, having been rested for the 64-19 win against Japan last weekend, is back in the frame.

Leinster-bound Jordie Barrett set to face future teammates with comeback

Rory Keane – Extra.ie

“I don’t want to be one of those players who just wins loads of caps. I want to be part of winning teams. That has always been my motivation.”

Maro Itoje on the Lions, leadership and politics: ‘I’ll return to No 10 one way or another’

Harry Latham-Coyle – The Independent (UK)

“Remember, while it is part of a sporting spectacle, the haka is a cultural taonga, treasure, gifted to NZRU to perform respectfully, which they do now.”

England prop’s call to ‘bin’ the All Blacks’ haka doesn’t go down well in NZ

Rachel Moore and Karanama Ruru – Stuff.co.nz

CLICKBAIT OF THE WEEK

Sinckler…whose command of French appears to be a work in progress…accepted his punishment and walked off the field.

“Blatant racism” – Kyle Sinckler got yellow card for foul play by teammate

Ruck.co.uk

HARPIN ON…IRELAND’S NOVEMBER OPPOSITION

Bonus chat from our latest wrap pod recording where the panel looks at Ireland’s 4 opponents in the Autumn Nations Series.

LEINSTER SQUAD UPDATE

HARPIN’ BEST LEINSTER 23

Keenan, Ringrose, Henshaw, J Osborne, Lowe, Frawley, Gibson-Park

Porter, Kelleher, Furlong, McCarthy, Ryan, Baird, van der Flier, Doris (c)

Barron, Healy, Slimani, Snyman, Conan, Foley, Prendergast, Barrett

Caveat : I have no “ITK”

With no injury report this week I thought I’d have a crack at selecting an ideal matchday 23 for Leinster if the Champions Cup were now, and all players were fit (bar the long term Dan Sheehan). Damn it ain’t easy!!! But I did want to make a point of leaving both Snyman and Barrett on the bench, not that I’ve anything against either, far from it, rather to highlight just how good the team can look without them. In the centre, our defensive standards have been so good this season I see no reason to throw Jordie Barrett in just yet, and as for RG I feel that when it came down to him or Ryan the South African would be better suited to an impact role. But the fact remains there are host of “toss up” calls all over the park, like Jimmy O’Brien for example although I like the idea of starting Ringer on the wing, but that’s just me.

TROLL PATROL

Now it’s time for Troll Patrol where we ‘detain’ a social media commentator and charge them with gaslightery and general online mayhem.

To be clear, not all of our Troll Patrol examples are necessarily bad or at least totally mean-spirited, it can often be both trolling and decent banter and this offering from Graham Love falls squarely into that category. I can totally see the benefit in a Scottish observer fanning the flames of the Leinster/Munster when they see the chance! Graham is definitely worth a follow if you’re not doing so already.

All Ireland Leagues

WOMEN’S AIL

MEN’S AIL

Premiership

🔝🐱🐴

ProD2

Harpin Prediction League

THIS SEASON THE HPL IS ADDING A NEW KNOCKOUT COMPETITION

CALLED “THE HARPIN MUG”

(BECAUSE THE PRIZE IS AN ACTUAL MUG SO WE COULDN’T CALL IT A ‘CUP’)

THE SEEDINGS ARE DETERMINED BY THE STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 6

AND YOU CAN SEE THE FULL BRACKET BELOW

THE FIRST KNOCKOUT CONTEST WILL BE DAVID V KRISTIAN

PLAYED ACROSS THEIR PREDICTIONS MADE FOR URC ROUND 7

NEXT BATCH OF HARPIN’

Sunday – Pod recording, “All provincial panel” looking ahead to Autumn Nations Series

379 : Leinster v Lions wrap

26 October 2024; Josh van der Flier of Leinster is tackled by Edwill van der Merwe and Erich Cronje of Emirates Lions during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Emirates Lions at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

🏉 9/10 combinations

🏉 Proud Lions

🏉 Forcing knockons

🏉 Caelan & Josh

🏉 Late gloss

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

TOM COLEMAN

RICHARD MIFSUD

FULL TIME TAKES

Cormac Mannion

Sad to see McGrath’s decline. He seemed quite hesitant last night and the time when the ball popped out of the ruck and went between his legs was a prime try scoring opportunity.

Our scrum is now a serious area for concern. “If in doubt, ping Porter”

Jackie McEachern

Tough match although I think we likely would have scored more/gone a bit easier if JGP had been playing. I thought Sam did well and Doris and JVF were excellent! Glad to see Robbie back.

Jamie Bermingham

A tough game and exactly what we needed, the young lads impressed and Doris was an absolute wrecking ball. Lions definitely came for a battle and the scoreboard does not reflect how well they played

Chris McDonnell

Jvdf is just a magnificent 7. I can’t understand why mcgrath was kept and 3 better 9s are playing for other clubs

Tom Clarke

Breakdown needs some attention. Robbie looked sharp and Cooney looks a good prospect. Dorris is a top top player, but we know that!!

Alan Jacob

#1Vs #2 ….. good outing for the boys…. Dori’s ridiculous as always!! Prendergast had a solid game especially considering Lions had the ruck under serious pressure…. Needed a proper pressure game & an 80 min performance which were both delivered in spades.

Kevin Kelehan

Way too much aimless kicking in the first half which gave the Lions great opportunities to run at a Leinster in the 13-14 channel, once that was tightened up Leinster improved. Crowd got going at times but needed to give better support

https://twitter.com/KarlBrophy/status/1850236067011801358

https://twitter.com/gortoshay1/status/1850235867522085150

https://twitter.com/CaptSpringbok/status/1850235765508190377

https://twitter.com/HarpinOnRugby/status/1850235380941095191

Get in the conversation yourself by leaving

your own thoughts each week after the full time whistle

in Leinster & Ireland matches on our Facebook page

URC WRAP

378 : Leinster v Lions preview

also available as a podcast

Our guest : NEIL “KEEGO” KEEGAN

www.keegolaughs.com

Apologies Up Front on Apple Podcasts

LEINSTER : 15. Hugo Keenan 14. Andrew Osborne 13. Hugh Cooney 12. Robbie Henshaw 11. James Lowe 10. Sam Prendergast 9. Luke McGrath

1. Michael Milne 2. Gus McCarthy 3. Rabah Slimani 4. RG Snyman 5. Ryan Baird 6. Max Deegan 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris (c)

16. Stephen Smyth 17. Andrew Porter 18. Thomas Clarkson 19. Brian Deeny 20. James Culhane 21. Cormac Foley 22. Ross Byrne 23. Charlie Tector

Emirates Lions : 15 Quan Horn 14 Richard Kriel 13 Henco van Wyk 12 Rhynhardt Jonker 11 Edwill van der Merwe 10 Kade Wolhuter 9 Morne van den Berg

1 Juan Schoeman 2 Jaco Visagie 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye 4 Reinhard Nothnagel 5 Ruben Schoeman 6 JC Pretorius 7 Jarod Cairns 8 Francke Horn (c)

16 Franco Marais 17 Heiko Pohlmann 18 RF Schoeman 19 Ruan Delport 20 Renzo du Plessis 21 Sanele Nohamba 22 Marius Louw 23 Erich Cronje

United Rugby Championship 24/25 Round 6

Saturday, October 26, 2024

KO 5:15pm Dexcom Stadium

Live on: RTÉ2, Premier Sports 2, & URC.tv

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)

AR 1: Peter Martin (IRFU)

AR 2: Stuart Gaffikin (IRFU)

TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

377 : Connacht v Leinster wrap

19 October 2024; Max Deegan of Leinster scores his side’s fourth try, despite the tackle of Connacht’s Shayne Bolton, during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Leinster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

🏉 Galway gusts

🏉 Fast start. Again.

🏉 Frawley

🏉 LaRGer than life

🏉 Defence. Again.

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

CONOR CRONIN

CIAN O’MUILLEOIR

FULL TIME TAKES

Jackie McEachern

Happy enough with the Leinster performance. I was nervous when Frawley went off so early but thought Ross did a good job, especially in the conditions. Hope Frawley’s injury isn’t too bad.

Gavin Hegarty

Not much more else you can ask for. Top points from each outing. Yes we kinda let them back in it but we were never not dominant.

Clarkson for me had been coming into his own this season, he’ll be capped soon enough.

So utterly unlucky for frawley, this was his chance for the autumn series.

Craig Grehan

I think the match although winning shows some poorer choices of play by jpg at times.

Shows frawley is like the munster era snyman …and snyman is becoming a fan favourite.

Connacht as always put up a good fight and on another day would get more bang for their buck.

Cormac Mannion

I think we were switched on for a lot longer than last week. Hopefully Frawley’s injury isn’t too bad. Rotten luck for him

https://twitter.com/LeinsterRoyalty/status/1847735920386040209

https://twitter.com/sami_sp/status/1847746982787633384

https://twitter.com/HarpinOnRugby/status/1847735808901730633

Get in the conversation yourself by leaving

your own thoughts each week after the full time whistle

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URC WRAP

@harpinonrugby
Our Connacht v Leinster wrap pod is now available on Apple, Spotify, etc. #rugbytiktok #irishtiktok #urc
♬ original sound – Harpinonrugby.com – Harpinonrugby.com

376 : Connacht v Leinster preview

also available as a podcast

LEINSTER : 15. Hugo Keenan 14. Liam Turner 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Jamie Osborne 11. Andrew Osborne 10. Ciarán Frawley 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Jack Boyle 2. Gus McCarthy 3. Rabah Slimani 4. RG Snyman 5. James Ryan (c) 6. Max Deegan 7. Will Connors 8. James Culhane

16. Stephen Smyth 17. Andrew Porter 18. Thomas Clarkson 19. Brian Deeny 20. Scott Penny 21. Fintan Gunne 22. Ross Byrne 23. Hugh Cooney

Connacht : 15. Piers O’Conor 14. Shayne Bolton 13. David Hawkshaw 12. Bundee Aki 11. Santiago Cordero 10. Josh Ioane 9. Ben Murphy

1. Denis Buckley 2. Dave Heffernan 3. Finlay Bealham 4. Joe Joyce 5. Darragh Murray 6. Cian Prendergast (c) 7. Sean O’Brien 8. Paul Boyle

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin 17. Peter Dooley 18. Jack Aungier 19. Niall Murray 20. Sean Jansen 21. Caolin Blade 22. Cathal Forde 23. Hugh Gavin

United Rugby Championship 24/25 Round 5

Saturday, October 19, 2024

KO 7:35pm Dexcom Stadium

Live on: TG4, Premier Sports 1, & URC.tv

Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

AR 1: Keane Davison (IRFU)

AR 2: Jonny Erskine (IRFU)

TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)