The IRISH RUGBY thread

[Tony Baloney]

Heading to Paris next weekend. Have no tickets so anyone know where would be the best place to stay. Apparently there is a fan park down in Place de la Concorde and another up in St Denis near the ground. Montmartre a good place to stay?

Confident about this weekend then lol!

Confident that the prices of everything will go nuts after they (hopefully) beat the All Blacks. All Blacks v Wales would be good too 

[thewobbler]

I like McCloskey myself but whoever was going to be on the bench this weekend has to be able to cover Hansen. I'm just gad it ain't Earls.

[WT4E]

New Zealand goin to beat us aren't they?

Wonder what they saying in the NZ media

[ONeill]

Predictions:

Ireland 22 NZ 21

[WT4E]

I just hope our new Zealand players play better than there new Zealand players

[Armagh18]

I just hope our new Zealand players play better than there new Zealand players

sure if they were any good at all they'd have been playing for NZ

[Wildweasel74]

Never seen as many nervous lads, what you worried about!

[From the Bunker]

Never seem as many nervous lads, what you worried about!

Naturally we are all worried about a potential moment in history all going pear-shaped.
Any person with green blood in his veins would naturally be concerned.

[WT4E]

I just hope our new Zealand players play better than there new Zealand players

sure if they were any good at all they'd have been playing for NZ

I'll be supporting and happy if they win but I just can't get behind it in as big way as I ever thought I would as the amount of players brought in taints it for me.

[Armagh18]

I just hope our new Zealand players play better than there new Zealand players

sure if they were any good at all they'd have been playing for NZ

I'll be supporting and happy if they win but I just can't get behind it in as big way as I ever thought I would as the amount of players brought in taints it for me.

Fair enough, but look at any decent soccer team we've had, plenty of lads with Irish grannies etc on them. Did you feel the same?

[JoG2]

I just hope our new Zealand players play better than there new Zealand players

sure if they were any good at all they'd have been playing for NZ

I'll be supporting and happy if they win but I just can't get behind it in as big way as I ever thought I would as the amount of players brought in taints it for me.

This isn't a new concept, historically we've always had overseas players, all countries do.
What about Germany 88,Italia 90 etc... Same, tainted?

[ardtole]

There is a huge difference between someone who has Irish parents or grandparents and a player qualifying because he lived in the country for 3 years. Personally, I think its a bizarre rule, it does devalue the competition to a degree, but all countries are benefitting from it.

It's only a matter of time before the Saudis hear about it, they might win the next world cup if they get their act together.

[Armagh18]

There is a huge difference between someone who has Irish parents or grandparents and a player qualifying because he lived in the country for 3 years. Personally, I think its a bizarre rule, it does devalue the competition to a degree, but all countries are benefitting from it.

It's only a matter of time before the Saudis hear about it, they might win the next world cup if they get their act together.

Fair enough. But whos more Irish, someone that had a granny from here but has never set foot in Ireland and are only playing because lets face it England didn't want them, or someone from South Africa/NZ who have spent years here and are raising families etc here.  Probably right about the Saudi's lol!

[Milltown Row2]

The rule is across the board! All teams are doing it. It's a level playing field

If only the soccer lads could play with a bitta heart they'd not be getting duffed in their own back yard by Greece

[bennydorano]

Ireland were hehind the curve in recruitment, NZ & Australia were fond of various Pacific islanders for years b4 the rest caught on.