Neil Pferd
@dasneilpferd.bsky.social
Berlin Irish. Bad speller. Worse proof reader. Here to enthuse about my niche interests and watch you enthusing about yours.
Unbelievable that six months later, I'm still breaking this out...
November 27, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Unbelievable that six months later, I'm still breaking this out...
The fact that Andrew Warwick isn't on the list 🤣
November 27, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The fact that Andrew Warwick isn't on the list 🤣
My perception of the Hobbit movies was that, because Jackson had made Gimli the comic relief in the main trilogy, that he had nowhere to go with then as a people; which was fine when there was one dwarf but in a movie in which they made up most of the cast, it was just incredibly annoying.
November 27, 2025 at 11:55 AM
My perception of the Hobbit movies was that, because Jackson had made Gimli the comic relief in the main trilogy, that he had nowhere to go with then as a people; which was fine when there was one dwarf but in a movie in which they made up most of the cast, it was just incredibly annoying.
Overall, there genuinely aren’t that many positions in Ireland where there isn’t potential, long-term. The way the U20s went, pre-Doakball, shows that. It’s how it’s used and developed at province and Ireland level that’s the question, I think.
November 27, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Overall, there genuinely aren’t that many positions in Ireland where there isn’t potential, long-term. The way the U20s went, pre-Doakball, shows that. It’s how it’s used and developed at province and Ireland level that’s the question, I think.
A long compound German one I got lost in half way through, which was probably for the better 😂
November 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM
A long compound German one I got lost in half way through, which was probably for the better 😂
Yeah, I don't think of Doak as a "snappy" scrum-half. Controlled and controlling, more. More Murray than Gibson-Park. Think there's room for him to work on his speed but I hope we're seeing the first green shoots of that.
November 27, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Yeah, I don't think of Doak as a "snappy" scrum-half. Controlled and controlling, more. More Murray than Gibson-Park. Think there's room for him to work on his speed but I hope we're seeing the first green shoots of that.
Like what I've seen of him this season - and Ulster, in general. Just look like a team from whom massive clouds have been lifted.
Won't speculate on the shapes of those clouds too much, of course... 🧼; 🦊🍗; 🔔
Won't speculate on the shapes of those clouds too much, of course... 🧼; 🦊🍗; 🔔
November 27, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Like what I've seen of him this season - and Ulster, in general. Just look like a team from whom massive clouds have been lifted.
Won't speculate on the shapes of those clouds too much, of course... 🧼; 🦊🍗; 🔔
Won't speculate on the shapes of those clouds too much, of course... 🧼; 🦊🍗; 🔔
Don't want to exonerate him because there's an attitude and mentality aspect but I don't think he's been helped by the McFarland coaching ticket taking two and a half seasons to collapse; nor the switching from 9 to 10. None can help a guy who is young by the standards of his position in Ireland.
November 27, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Don't want to exonerate him because there's an attitude and mentality aspect but I don't think he's been helped by the McFarland coaching ticket taking two and a half seasons to collapse; nor the switching from 9 to 10. None can help a guy who is young by the standards of his position in Ireland.
Feels like Doak should be older but actually only a year older than Gunne and one younger than Murphy. Cooney, I think, was genuine face-not-fitting. Doak more to do with attitude and response to disorganisation at Ulster, I think. But he's had a positive start to the season, so fingers crossed.
November 26, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Feels like Doak should be older but actually only a year older than Gunne and one younger than Murphy. Cooney, I think, was genuine face-not-fitting. Doak more to do with attitude and response to disorganisation at Ulster, I think. But he's had a positive start to the season, so fingers crossed.
Not every game. Not when there's a championship on the line. But, yeah, using the Autumn and Summer better and realising that, even if there is a trade-off between results and development, not every game is must-win; and that losing feels better when it reduces the risk of losing in the future.
November 26, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Not every game. Not when there's a championship on the line. But, yeah, using the Autumn and Summer better and realising that, even if there is a trade-off between results and development, not every game is must-win; and that losing feels better when it reduces the risk of losing in the future.
Gunne looked fantastic for the U20s. Sure he will be an option. Nathan Doak is still only 23. Ben Murphy looks fantastic and I wouldn't complain if he wanted to reunite with his Da and brother at Ulster. There are options looking forward. I just genuinely hope Ireland use and develop them right.
November 26, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Gunne looked fantastic for the U20s. Sure he will be an option. Nathan Doak is still only 23. Ben Murphy looks fantastic and I wouldn't complain if he wanted to reunite with his Da and brother at Ulster. There are options looking forward. I just genuinely hope Ireland use and develop them right.
...and Leinster have struggled to produce wingers or scrum-halves, even for Leinster, for a generation. None of this is relevant to the risk that, regardless of the quality of systems or the next guy up, it's still worse for Ireland if he's inexperienced and poor than if he's just poor.
November 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
...and Leinster have struggled to produce wingers or scrum-halves, even for Leinster, for a generation. None of this is relevant to the risk that, regardless of the quality of systems or the next guy up, it's still worse for Ireland if he's inexperienced and poor than if he's just poor.
But basically none of those examples have played meaningful rugby against Tier 1 nations, and what this means is that, even if it's true that the next guy up isn't good enough, he's going to be not good enough AND inexperienced when Ireland have no choice but to play him anyway.
November 26, 2025 at 2:29 PM
But basically none of those examples have played meaningful rugby against Tier 1 nations, and what this means is that, even if it's true that the next guy up isn't good enough, he's going to be not good enough AND inexperienced when Ireland have no choice but to play him anyway.
The point is that the next cab off the rank, whoever it is and wherever he developed, is unproven and likely will be unproven when he has to come off the rank; while at the same time, overuse of preferred options increases the likelihood that an unproven alternative is needed. Mad way to do things.
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The point is that the next cab off the rank, whoever it is and wherever he developed, is unproven and likely will be unproven when he has to come off the rank; while at the same time, overuse of preferred options increases the likelihood that an unproven alternative is needed. Mad way to do things.
There are issues with producing players in technical positions in Ireland; and variously, across all four provinces at different times. From a selection perspective, though, it doesn't matter what academy the lad's from and I don't think that's the point here.
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 PM
There are issues with producing players in technical positions in Ireland; and variously, across all four provinces at different times. From a selection perspective, though, it doesn't matter what academy the lad's from and I don't think that's the point here.
In the 23? Sure. But just over half is caps are from the bench (and more than half in the Six Nations). No year where he started all games in the Six Nations. Variously behind both Ryans, Toner, Beirne and McCarthy through his career. Never been indispensable.
November 26, 2025 at 1:10 PM
In the 23? Sure. But just over half is caps are from the bench (and more than half in the Six Nations). No year where he started all games in the Six Nations. Variously behind both Ryans, Toner, Beirne and McCarthy through his career. Never been indispensable.
I'd say one example where it doesn't apply doesn't break the rule (we could say the same with Henderson, after all). But neither of those players spent significant periods as first choice for Ireland or anything close to it.
November 26, 2025 at 12:56 PM
I'd say one example where it doesn't apply doesn't break the rule (we could say the same with Henderson, after all). But neither of those players spent significant periods as first choice for Ireland or anything close to it.
Fair shout. Genuinely surprised Killer has so many caps, as (mea culpa) I'd never really thought of him as a "regular" for Ireland, although a great player. In some ways, I'd still stand by this, though - lad had only 3 Six Nations starts and I think that tells its story.
November 26, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Fair shout. Genuinely surprised Killer has so many caps, as (mea culpa) I'd never really thought of him as a "regular" for Ireland, although a great player. In some ways, I'd still stand by this, though - lad had only 3 Six Nations starts and I think that tells its story.
Honestly, not starting Timoney or Prendergast and shifting Doris over, when it's already established that his marginal additional effectiveness at 8 over the flank is so pronounced that it's made sense to keep Conan on the bench, says a lot about the serious trust issues within Irish selection.
November 26, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Honestly, not starting Timoney or Prendergast and shifting Doris over, when it's already established that his marginal additional effectiveness at 8 over the flank is so pronounced that it's made sense to keep Conan on the bench, says a lot about the serious trust issues within Irish selection.
It also betrays that the benefit of depth is not just having someone who can step in, if necessary; it's also about not feeling the need to have 17 guys play every game at a World Cup...
November 26, 2025 at 10:57 AM
It also betrays that the benefit of depth is not just having someone who can step in, if necessary; it's also about not feeling the need to have 17 guys play every game at a World Cup...
I mean, not just Baird. Henshaw and Stockdale instead of an actual fullback; Aki and McCloskey against Italy, instead of an outside centre; trying to shift O'Toole across. A belief that "international standard" players out of position are better than the best who plays that position. It's mad.
November 26, 2025 at 10:16 AM
I mean, not just Baird. Henshaw and Stockdale instead of an actual fullback; Aki and McCloskey against Italy, instead of an outside centre; trying to shift O'Toole across. A belief that "international standard" players out of position are better than the best who plays that position. It's mad.
Genuinely can't think of the last time a 50+ cap Ireland international retired while not still an international regular. That's the butt of the issue. Two classes of player in Ireland: international quality or not. Why we end up with absurd things like Baird in the second row against SA...
November 26, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Genuinely can't think of the last time a 50+ cap Ireland international retired while not still an international regular. That's the butt of the issue. Two classes of player in Ireland: international quality or not. Why we end up with absurd things like Baird in the second row against SA...