The IRISH RUGBY thread

[Wildweasel74]

No way should a NZ ref been doing this game!

[thewobbler]

No way should a NZ ref been doing this game!

He's not being biased though. He's just trying too hard to make decisions

[Gael80]

England have a knack of overachieving in World Cups. In 2007 they nearly won the final, only months after Ireland beat them 43–13 in Croke Park.

SA should have enough for them. England's best weapon is bosh and the South Africans are not going to be beaten at their own game.

I think they probably underachieve outside of the WC. The clubs hold all the power in English rugby and this holds them back internationally. The only period they have months with their players is around and during a WC. It's no coincidence they always do well at the WC. I think they're going to win this evening as well, they've been excellent.

[Blowitupref]

Half time England 12-6 ahead, they are playing with a point to prove thus far in this game after getting wrote off by most.

[Nanderson]

England have a knack of overachieving in World Cups. In 2007 they nearly won the final, only months after Ireland beat them 43–13 in Croke Park.

SA should have enough for them. England's best weapon is bosh and the South Africans are not going to be beaten at their own game.

I think they probably underachieve outside of the WC. The clubs hold all the power in English rugby and this holds them back internationally. The only period they have months with their players is around and during a WC. It's no coincidence they always do well at the WC. I think they're going to win this evening as well, they've been excellent.

Think i heard commentator say they've been in collective training together since July

[thewobbler]

Whilst I still expect SA to push on and win.... surely if there's a lesson for this in Ireland it's to stop taking the group games so seriously. To win a WC you're going to have to beat at least 2 major nations in 3 weeks. Being as fresh as you can for those games is more important than the order in which they come.

[bennydorano]

An exhibition of game management from England, ferocious & disciplined physicality (apart from Farrell costing 3pts), there were white jerseys flying in there at every breakdown.

[Nanderson]

Whilst I still expect SA to push on and win.... surely if there's a lesson for this in Ireland it's to stop taking the group games so seriously. To win a WC you're going to have to beat at least 2 major nations in 3 weeks. Being as fresh as you can for those games is more important than the order in which they come.

Doesn't help when your group doesn't allow you to take a game easy like New Zealand and England could. After the opening game New Zealand basically had 3 games to practice anything they wanted as they were foregone conclusions. South Africa had a weeks break before having to play France. Ireland couldn't really afford to take their foot off the gas in any of their games because it looked like it may have came down to how well you did against the weaker nations in the group.

[ClubScene13]

Typical England in a World Cup

[Gael80]

England have a knack of overachieving in World Cups. In 2007 they nearly won the final, only months after Ireland beat them 43–13 in Croke Park.

SA should have enough for them. England's best weapon is bosh and the South Africans are not going to be beaten at their own game.

I think they probably underachieve outside of the WC. The clubs hold all the power in English rugby and this holds them back internationally. The only period they have months with their players is around and during a WC. It's no coincidence they always do well at the WC. I think they're going to win this evening as well, they've been excellent.

Think i heard commentator say they've been in collective training together since July

Yes July is probably accurate. I think the Irish central contracts system gives us a massive advantage and results in us getting carried away.

[Capt Pat]

England should be further ahead. They have me worried.

[Wildweasel74]

Luck of the draw, we had been coming from their group. SA a mile of the pace of the last few games. That France game was abit of a killer.

[thewobbler]

Whilst I still expect SA to push on and win.... surely if there's a lesson for this in Ireland it's to stop taking the group games so seriously. To win a WC you're going to have to beat at least 2 major nations in 3 weeks. Being as fresh as you can for those games is more important than the order in which they come.

Doesn't help when your group doesn't allow you to take a game easy like New Zealand and England could. After the opening game New Zealand basically had 3 games to practice anything they wanted as they were foregone conclusions. South Africa had a weeks break before having to play France. Ireland couldn't really afford to take their foot off the gas in any of their games because it looked like it may have came down to how well you did against the weaker nations in the group.

Or...

1. Target the Scotland match, full intensity.

2. Accept that bonus point wins against Romania and Tonga are inevitable and it doesn't have to be done with a first team and by halftime.

3. Don't worry about the SA match.

This way they still end up playing either France or NZ in a quarter final. Except much fresher.

[Armagh18]

Should we be worried

[ONeill]

Looks like last Sat's game was the final.