So as we all know, the Six Nations is just around the corner. Ireland kick off their campaign in the Stadio Flaminio away to Italy. They do this without their first choice and second choice fullback (Kearney and Murphy respectively). Now don't get me wrong, I hope they recover quickly and get back to their best and all of that jazz but I couldn't have wished for a better scenario. What has happened to Rob Kearney in the last year! I have not been more unimpressed in all my life. When Kearney went on the Lions tour he was playing some fairly good rugby, people were even talking about him being the best full-back in the world (that's another matter), but since he came back from the tour he has been very ordinary. I'm not saying that he was a one hit wonder, I believe we will see the best of him yet but his performances in the last year have been mediocre at best and in my opinion all the talk about him went to his head, which is now firmly lodged up his hole!
So with the fortunate injury of Kearney you now look at Geordan Murphy, except you don't because he's fucked too. I have no problem with Murphy, except that he is a bit predictable at this stage of his career. So with those 2 out of the picture Kidney has a problem, or so you would think. Enter Luke Fitzgerald.
This is the perfect opportunity for him to show what he can do in his supposedly preferred position. He is in my opinion the best counter attacking option that Ireland have got to offer. He's sound under the high ball, shows good pace and has an electric side step, great handling skills and most of all he's got a brain and a half when it comes to playing the game. His only downfall for fullback is his kicking, its poor but he can work on that! Kidney could also opt for Keith Earls, another superb counter attacker and actually has more pace than Fitzgerald. The Moyross magician as he is more affectionately known has bags of talent and has yet to be given a real chance on the international stage. I couldn't finish without mentioning Gavin Duffy from Connacht, Kidney could also pick him but I hope he doesn't....cause he's shit! My monies on Fitzgerald getting the nod for the Italy game, after that, its over to him!
fitz is a great player but his form since returning from his knee injuries hasnt been up to much either! i do have to say that i believe he is the best option we have available to us and even more firmly believe that rob kearney should feature very little for ireland in the future, the days of the catch and kick fullback are gone, playing teams the likes of NZ aus and to a lesser degree france, kickin the ball to them is suicide, we need to develop a fullback in the mould of Mils Muliaina or courtley beale in a bad way before the world cup...
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