Rugby World Cup 2011
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[quote author=the count link=topic=45879.msg1410071#msg1410071 date=1318066461]
Well, that saves me having to cheer for England next week.
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Bastard! We were worthy winners. It's a long time since I've seen us defend like that! And we usually start slowly as well. I am starting to believe we can get to the final and then who knows? We were robbed of a victory against the Box, the Ozzies have already lost a game, so save the All Blacks, I don't fear anyone. So let's hope they have a bad game before the final and miss out!
Well, that saves me having to cheer for England next week.
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Bastard! We were worthy winners. It's a long time since I've seen us defend like that! And we usually start slowly as well. I am starting to believe we can get to the final and then who knows? We were robbed of a victory against the Box, the Ozzies have already lost a game, so save the All Blacks, I don't fear anyone. So let's hope they have a bad game before the final and miss out!
Superb performance by the Welsh, nowithstanding the fact that Ireland just weren't at it. France were decent - no more than that in my view, but they didn't have to be because England were flat as pancakes. Johnno made a massive selection error in keeping Stevens at tight-head instead of fetching Corbisiero in - that more than any other single factor allowed the French to start the game on the front foot and never look back. I'd also have started the game with Lawes instead of Deacon in the engine-room, and I wouldn't have dropped Haskell for Easter despite the fact that Easter's a specialist 8 and did OK in patches.
Oh well. >
Oh well. >
I used to think you were a little harsh on MJ mate, but i'm now thinking you had it right all along.
Sean Fitzpatrick made a great point about the selection of Flood and Jonny. When you have had 3 years to prepare for the WC, why pick a pairing at 10/12 which last played together 18 months ago (tindall was fit to play and Hape was available)?
Why did Lawes not start?
Stevens?
Dropping your best back row forward in the tourny so far?
Sean Fitzpatrick made a great point about the selection of Flood and Jonny. When you have had 3 years to prepare for the WC, why pick a pairing at 10/12 which last played together 18 months ago (tindall was fit to play and Hape was available)?
Why did Lawes not start?
Stevens?
Dropping your best back row forward in the tourny so far?
Well, to be absolutely fair Johnno and the squad did seem to be getting their act together more recently, and when the WC started I was relieved to see that he wasn't going to insist on keeping Hape in the team (I take Fitzpatrick's point about the 10/12 combo but Hape just isn't good enough IMHO - I can only assume Tindall's head wasn't right or he surely would have played) as I feared he might, so the signs were starting to get more promising. Today, though, was a 24-carat clusterfcuk.
Oh, and while we're at it, today exposed Moody's limitations as a captain. Nobody does the "lead by example" bit better, but he doesn't do rallying-cries (and apparently nobody else in that team does either).
I'm going to have me a humungous Indian takeaway tonight to make up for it all.
Oh, and while we're at it, today exposed Moody's limitations as a captain. Nobody does the "lead by example" bit better, but he doesn't do rallying-cries (and apparently nobody else in that team does either).
I'm going to have me a humungous Indian takeaway tonight to make up for it all.
Rugby World Cup 2011
Wales were superb today, I'm cheering for them now. I hope they can go all the way.
Wales were superb today, I'm cheering for them now. I hope they can go all the way.
I'm tempted to agree, but Kenny4 and every other Welshman will be insufferable for the next four years if they do.
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=45879.msg1410087#msg1410087 date=1318074193]
I'm tempted to agree, but Kenny4 and every other Welshman will be insufferable for the next four years if they do.
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If France knock us out i'll be hoping they win it, I'd prefer a northern hemisphere side to win it personally.
I'm tempted to agree, but Kenny4 and every other Welshman will be insufferable for the next four years if they do.
[/quote]
If France knock us out i'll be hoping they win it, I'd prefer a northern hemisphere side to win it personally.
As I've said, its been 4 years of very poor rugby. Loses to the pumas all of the tri nations teams were the lowest and finally seemed to have found some confidence. Then we get to the WC and it all falls apart again. Johnson and his team are clearly inept and have to go. Great player, clueless manager. Who leaves their best players on the bench? Contract expires in November, I'm sure it will be renewed when it really shouldn't.
Rob Kearney
He did most of the needful in defence, but failed to find his support when he had a couple of chances on the counter. 6/10
Tommy Bowe
Another good nperformance from the big wing. He spilled one ball when nearly through, but looked the most likely to threaten. 6
Brian O'Driscoll
Ireland's best back as he has so often been. He won a turnover, set up a counter, made things happen, but without support. 7
Gordon D'Arcy
So good against Italy, so poor against Wales. His dozy missed tackle let in Phillips for the try. Hesitant all night. 4
Keith Earls
The Lions thought he was the coming man, but he makes a lot of mistakes at this level. Took his try well, but terrible in defence. 4
Ronan O'Gara
A fine player over the years but had a horror night. A couple of kicks went dead in goal, knock on in front of posts, replaced after 55 minutes. 3
Conor Murray
It's been a while since Ireland have had a scrum-half and Murray may be the man. Strong, reasonable pass, excellent cover under the high ball. 6
Cian Healy
Two costly scrum penalties in the second half and an important missed tackle. He never fades but another Irishman who had an off night. 5
Rory Best
A remarkable effort from the hooker given he was held together by a safety pin. But he did miss a couple of lineout throws. 6
Mike Ross
He is the man who holds Ireland scrum together, but he struggled to keep up with the pace of the game at times. 5
Donncha O'Callaghan
He was smashed backwards early on by Jamie Roberts and never managed to impose himself after that. 5
Paul O'Connell
Ireland's best forward as he so often is. He pinched a few lineouts and kept driving the ball up. A pick and go too many on occasion. 7
Stephen Ferris
He rampaged around in the first half, but then he took a knock that brought up all the doubts about the state of his knee. 6
Sean O'Brien
The usual big carries as he tried to get Ireland going forward, but he was beaten to the breakdown too often. 6
Jamie Heaslip
A strangely anonymous night from one of Ireland's best players. He has not fired as he does in the Six Nations and even shuffled into touch once. 5
Replacements
Jonny Sexton was a big improvement at fly-half but by then it was too late. The game was almost gone by the time the changes were made. 6
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WALES
Leigh Halfpenny
He nailed a huge penalty from halfway into the wind and completely justified his coach's gutsy selection. 7
George North
He is a fine carrier and made a couple of big defensive hits, but lost his defensive position for a while into the wind at the start of the second half. 6
Jonathan Davies
He deserves huge credit for scoring a try off slow ball when there was nothing really on. It decided the match. 7
Jamie Roberts
One of the men of the match. He was the man who got Wales surging over the gain line early on and they nevr lost the momentum. 8
Shane Williams
He finished his try well and made a big save in defence when he got under the ball as Ireland surged over the line. 7
Rhys Priestland
This kid can play. His tactical kicking was naïve on a couple of occasions, but otherwise he was immense in both attack and defence. 7
Mike Phillips
He had another top game. One weak defensive kick led to Ireland's try, but how well he took the score round the blind side and switched direction for his team. 8
Gethin Jenkins
The loosehead prop who won two lineouts, how often do you say that. He was also a big presence in defence. 7
Huw Bennett
He helped his forwards make lots of tackles but his throw was picked off on occasion. He was just a step below a few others. 6
Adam Jones
The old hair bear nicked a couple of penalties off Ciaran Healy and was his usual forceful presence around the pitch. 7
Luke Charteris
Made 16 tackles in a big first half and then had to retire injured. No wonder. 7
Alun Wyn Jones
He lost his second row partner and so had to keep going for 80 minutes. It was a courageous effort from the man. 7
Dan Lydiate
He made a load of tackles but was not always secure when carrying the ball. But then not many people are against the Irish back row. 6
Sam Warburton
Another quite phenomenal performance. He is not a killer in the tackle, but he keeps bring people down and he keeps turning ball over. 8
Toby Faletau
Drifted in and out of the game but the offered Wales some deep cover at crucial moments. 6
Replacements
Mainly Bradley Davies who came on for Charteris at half time. He biffed about the pitch but wasn't quite as solid in defence. 6
He did most of the needful in defence, but failed to find his support when he had a couple of chances on the counter. 6/10
Tommy Bowe
Another good nperformance from the big wing. He spilled one ball when nearly through, but looked the most likely to threaten. 6
Brian O'Driscoll
Ireland's best back as he has so often been. He won a turnover, set up a counter, made things happen, but without support. 7
Gordon D'Arcy
So good against Italy, so poor against Wales. His dozy missed tackle let in Phillips for the try. Hesitant all night. 4
Keith Earls
The Lions thought he was the coming man, but he makes a lot of mistakes at this level. Took his try well, but terrible in defence. 4
Ronan O'Gara
A fine player over the years but had a horror night. A couple of kicks went dead in goal, knock on in front of posts, replaced after 55 minutes. 3
Conor Murray
It's been a while since Ireland have had a scrum-half and Murray may be the man. Strong, reasonable pass, excellent cover under the high ball. 6
Cian Healy
Two costly scrum penalties in the second half and an important missed tackle. He never fades but another Irishman who had an off night. 5
Rory Best
A remarkable effort from the hooker given he was held together by a safety pin. But he did miss a couple of lineout throws. 6
Mike Ross
He is the man who holds Ireland scrum together, but he struggled to keep up with the pace of the game at times. 5
Donncha O'Callaghan
He was smashed backwards early on by Jamie Roberts and never managed to impose himself after that. 5
Paul O'Connell
Ireland's best forward as he so often is. He pinched a few lineouts and kept driving the ball up. A pick and go too many on occasion. 7
Stephen Ferris
He rampaged around in the first half, but then he took a knock that brought up all the doubts about the state of his knee. 6
Sean O'Brien
The usual big carries as he tried to get Ireland going forward, but he was beaten to the breakdown too often. 6
Jamie Heaslip
A strangely anonymous night from one of Ireland's best players. He has not fired as he does in the Six Nations and even shuffled into touch once. 5
Replacements
Jonny Sexton was a big improvement at fly-half but by then it was too late. The game was almost gone by the time the changes were made. 6
------------
WALES
Leigh Halfpenny
He nailed a huge penalty from halfway into the wind and completely justified his coach's gutsy selection. 7
George North
He is a fine carrier and made a couple of big defensive hits, but lost his defensive position for a while into the wind at the start of the second half. 6
Jonathan Davies
He deserves huge credit for scoring a try off slow ball when there was nothing really on. It decided the match. 7
Jamie Roberts
One of the men of the match. He was the man who got Wales surging over the gain line early on and they nevr lost the momentum. 8
Shane Williams
He finished his try well and made a big save in defence when he got under the ball as Ireland surged over the line. 7
Rhys Priestland
This kid can play. His tactical kicking was naïve on a couple of occasions, but otherwise he was immense in both attack and defence. 7
Mike Phillips
He had another top game. One weak defensive kick led to Ireland's try, but how well he took the score round the blind side and switched direction for his team. 8
Gethin Jenkins
The loosehead prop who won two lineouts, how often do you say that. He was also a big presence in defence. 7
Huw Bennett
He helped his forwards make lots of tackles but his throw was picked off on occasion. He was just a step below a few others. 6
Adam Jones
The old hair bear nicked a couple of penalties off Ciaran Healy and was his usual forceful presence around the pitch. 7
Luke Charteris
Made 16 tackles in a big first half and then had to retire injured. No wonder. 7
Alun Wyn Jones
He lost his second row partner and so had to keep going for 80 minutes. It was a courageous effort from the man. 7
Dan Lydiate
He made a load of tackles but was not always secure when carrying the ball. But then not many people are against the Irish back row. 6
Sam Warburton
Another quite phenomenal performance. He is not a killer in the tackle, but he keeps bring people down and he keeps turning ball over. 8
Toby Faletau
Drifted in and out of the game but the offered Wales some deep cover at crucial moments. 6
Replacements
Mainly Bradley Davies who came on for Charteris at half time. He biffed about the pitch but wasn't quite as solid in defence. 6
If my predictions are anything to go by, get your money on Argentina.
Wales were superb. Philips is the best scrum half at this tourno by a mile. Ireland halves not up to much, nor is D'Arcy.
England are abysmal. All that time to prepare, all that money, all those coaches and their main tactic is a 20 yr old Samoan crash ball centre. They can't even pass the ball down the line properly. They remind me of a junior game where all the kids run round after the ball. I don't think France are any great shakes, Wales have a hell of a chance here.
Paper talk here is Henry is sacked if NZ don't win and Gatland will be in.
Wales were superb. Philips is the best scrum half at this tourno by a mile. Ireland halves not up to much, nor is D'Arcy.
England are abysmal. All that time to prepare, all that money, all those coaches and their main tactic is a 20 yr old Samoan crash ball centre. They can't even pass the ball down the line properly. They remind me of a junior game where all the kids run round after the ball. I don't think France are any great shakes, Wales have a hell of a chance here.
Paper talk here is Henry is sacked if NZ don't win and Gatland will be in.
SA down 8-3 currently, but dominating territorially ... Going to be tough to win this one. Gut says we're out.
First 4 minutes of second half have been great ... Boks really playing well ... but no points ...
forward pass rules out good try from the Boks ... it's just one of those days!
8-6 after styen kick ... he's missed two today (a rarity).
crazy stat, before 60 minutes - Australia has made 100 tackles to sa's 34
9-8 Boks
11-8 Wallabies ... This is unreal ... How we haven't put this baby to bed I'll never know.
3 minutes to go but we're out ... very disappointing.
and out ... Don't know what it says about the Boks to get knocked out by such a poor team, but Australia are shit.
At least the Rangers won (Ross will get it).
At least the Rangers won (Ross will get it).
Dominant SA but Aussies nick it. You can't really complain if you can't get over the whitewash.
Interestingly, even the Aussie commentators said 'this game lacks the skills that we saw on display from the game this time yesterday', meaning Wales Ireland.
Interestingly, even the Aussie commentators said 'this game lacks the skills that we saw on display from the game this time yesterday', meaning Wales Ireland.
Funny how so many teams have timed turning shit perfectly.
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