Well well…stringer dropped for redan…flannery starting by default. Not happy about Hickie being switched though. I’m a big stringer fan but he really hasn’t done much. I’ve wanted to see redan for quite some time so I’m looking forward to this.
OMC
[quote]OMC wrote:
Well well…stringer dropped for redan…flannery starting by default. Not happy about Hickie being switched though. I’m a big stringer fan but he really hasn’t done much. I’ve wanted to see redan for quite some time so I’m looking forward to this.[/quote]
just listening to EOS being interviewed on the radio now, giving his typically non-commital sound-bites.
He did admit (in not so many words) that Stringer has been playing really badly (“not himself at the moment” is how he put it!!), and I’m interested to see how Reddan does too. In the past Stringer has been the little terrier of the team, constantly biting at the heel of the opposition, but right now he’s more interested in arguing with the ref rather than getting aggressive with his play.
EOS didn’t really have a solid reason why Hickie was swapped, and I’m inclined to think he just wasn’t given the time with the ball to prove what he’s capable of - this is his last performance in International rugby ffs, he’ll be one of the people who’ll make damn sure that his games count.
The teams that beat France are aggressive and attacking - Argentina were a prime example in the first week. But the changes that have been made to the Ireland starting 15 don’t even come near to meeting that goal - you need the likes of Best and Boss who aren’t intimidated by the French pack, but once again they’re sitting on the bench.
I so want to have faith in the boys… but I’m really struggling right now.
[quote]g’em wrote:
Eyou need the likes of Best and Boss who aren’t intimidated by the French pack, but once again they’re sitting on the bench.
[/quote]
g’em you are spot on!
The team picked is simply not the best available imo. This is a MUST WIN match for Ireland and your not gonna beat the French in FRANCE by picking the team he has. The start of that game is ultra crucial - its sets the tempo for the match and the aggressive dynamic people need to be present from the kick off.
As for England. Well, our squad for the game is named tomorrow. Wilko ‘may’ be back, so ‘may’ barkley. Robinson ‘may’ not be out for all the cup.
Im just underwhelmed. 
Boss is a huge liability in my opinion…his passing and decision making leave a huge amount to be desired. I don’t know enough about redan to compare the two although Hooks comparison was that redan is faster, a better passer of the ball, and controls the pack well.
Boss is bad news…Best I agree with but I wouldn’t put him on from the start. I’d wait to see how the pack fairs with Wallace ( who is amazin when on form) and easterby. If wallace doesn’tproduce then its gotta be best on after 20-30 mins
OMC
Pretty comprehensive by france.
Things are bleak for both Ireland and England.
Im pretty much feeling flat and uninspired. Guess you got to take the rough with the smooth but of late there has been far too much rough with England.
France can only improve, and they have too - with the possibility of NZ in the Quarters. Things could have been worse for Ireland if France had picked an out and out second row instead of chabal, THEN bought chabal on in the last 30.
Still, its done now but of all the home unions, I fancied the Irish to get furthest. What the hell is happening?
The Northern Hemisphere teams should just give up now. France won this morning, but not because they are good, but because Ireland were rubbish. Auckland or Canterbury would have given either of those teams a spanking, without their All Blacks players. England are worse, and Scotland will get humiliated in a couple of days.
The Tri-Nations teams look strong, and I pick Argentina to complete the four for the semis.
GO BOKKE!!!
And just some insteresting Tonga facts:
Total population:100 000
Total registered players:1000
I love the Pacific island teams!
Dissappointing night for Ireland. We looked competitive but stupid infringements like wallace stepping on chabal broke down all our good moves. We now have to put up 4 trys against Argentina and stop them from getting a bonus point. If O’gara has a good day kicking out of hand and big Malc is in to secure good lineout ball, we can do it.
Our backs are capable of punching holes all over the argentinian defence if they are given the chance…really as it has been from the start, its all about what Ireland do on the night.
Tonga ran SA close.Those guys are all heart,all talent and awesome to watch.I hope Samoa give England a pumping!
Close games today - i love it!
Tonga came within a balls bounce of a major result against SA.
Unbelievable.
England, at least have a Rugby team again. Fair play to Samoa.
[quote]supermick wrote:
Close games today - i love it!
Tonga came within a balls bounce of a major result against SA.
Unbelievable.
England, at least have a Rugby team again. Fair play to Samoa.[/quote]
The Tonga SA game was a great game, but Samoa England was a major disappointment. If the Samoan backs could throw a decent pass and if they had won a lineout, they could have won that game. But they played inept, well below potential. England were not flash.
[quote]deanosumo wrote:
supermick wrote:
Close games today - i love it!
Tonga came within a balls bounce of a major result against SA.
Unbelievable.
England, at least have a Rugby team again. Fair play to Samoa.
The Tonga SA game was a great game, but Samoa England was a major disappointment. [/quote]
Only If your either a) a samoan or B) Hate the English.
[quote]
If the Samoan backs could throw a decent pass and if they had won a lineout, they could have won that game. [/quote]
Every world cup the same things happen. The south sea islanders fail to have an adequate scrummage or line out. I think the new balls used are having an effect on everyone’s kicking and passing game.
[quote]
But they played inept, well below potential. England were not flash.[/quote]
We are not good enough to be flash. Flash gets you nowhere - a win was what was needed.
The Argentina v Ireland game could be a goodie. Ireland have to play out of their skin to progress. Two years ago or even last year they were playing well enough to win with the bonus point. But at the moment?
I have already given up on northern hemisphere teams
Hoping argentina progress to the semis or as far as possible
What happened to Scotland this weekend, Damn!? I was hoping for lots more action, especially due to the fact that they had home advantage. No plan working the ball forward, slow feed at the breakdown points, no proper ball distribution or tactical kicks. NZ is looking strong and sharp, no doubt they are going to bring the house down this year. Unfortunately NZ had a way of “Chocking” in the last few world cups however taking stock of resent games they are looking to be the favorites this time round.
The bokke nearly had me chewing on my beer bottle at one stage, I am very concerned if I see our lack of proper replacements in the backline. We practically started our game against Tonga with a “B” team, nearly losing at the end. I will not be to quick to push the Aus factor aside, us South-African’s should know by now that the Australians have a sneaky way of producing the goods when it really counts.
[quote]Mavric wrote:
I will not be to quick to push the Aus factor aside, us South-African’s should know by now that the Australians have a sneaky way of producing the goods when it really counts.[/quote]
Ya, we’ve seen them buggers do that quite a few times already.
I’m still feeling confident about SA having a decent shot this year, till then I’ll just sit quietly on the sidelines.
Japan 12 vs Canada 12
That was a surprise
Portugal 10 Romania 14,
Both close could have gone either way
LR
[quote]LastRep wrote:
Japan 12 vs Canada 12
That was a surprise
Portugal 10 Romania 14,
Both close could have gone either way
LR
[/quote]
As far as spectacles of Rugby go, they may not be the best - but those smaller nations have provided some compelling Rugby. Georgia to win tomorrow!!!
I agree. This World Cup has been all about small teams showing the elephants what rugby is about. Who could not love the way Portugal and Georgia give everuthing they have even when they are out played by better teams. What idiot came up the idea that the world cup should be shrunk to 16 teams?
TQB
Georgia 30 - Namibia 0
Very aggressive pack play from the Europeans. Imagine a weekend in Georgia should they ever be emitted to an expanded 6 nations!
Go Georgia!