The IRISH RUGBY thread

[ziggysego]

Well done Ireland. Ireland took a few heavy knocks today.

[muppet]

Good a win as it was there's a major problem with the Sport. The Northern Hemisphere's best and southern Hemisphere's best serve up one try between them. Referee was a problemA great win but all in all a very poor match.

The aerial ping pong is very annoying alright and needs to be dealt with.

[tyroneboi]

Good a win as it was there's a major problem with the Sport. The Northern Hemisphere's best and southern Hemisphere's best serve up one try between them. Referee was a problemA great win but all in all a very poor match.

There doesn't always have to be a try-fest to make it a great game. Personally I thought it was a good game with a high intensity from both sides throughout the game. Some of the hits were massive and there was always an edge to the game which is often missing in these Autumn internationals.

Agree with you that the lack of tries in the highest levels of the sport is a problem. Its hard to know what the solution to this would be though??

[SLIGONIAN]

Absolutely delighted, Having met loads of South Africans out here im not one bit endeared to them but not going into it. But had to listen to there commentary, clowns.

Fair play to Sexton though, young lad did well but faded. Kearney is immense at high balls is right.

This Irish team is brilliant. Grand Slam again for the taking. Thought it was nice to see ROG smiling when Sexton got one of his kicks.

[muppet]

Absolutely delighted, Having met loads of South Africans out here im not one bit endeared to them but not going into it. But had to listen to there commentary, clowns.

Fair play to Sexton though, young lad did well but faded. Kearney is immense at high balls is right.

This Irish team is brilliant. Grand Slam again for the taking. Thought it was nice to see ROG smiling when Sexton got one of his kicks.

It'll be between us and France, who play New Zealand tonight.

[Donnellys Hollow]

Our record in Paris is abysmal but hopefully we can put that right next year. England will always be tough to beat at Twickenham no matter how bad some of their players are but the days of Irish players travelling with fear to London are long gone.

[orangeman]

Our record in Paris is abysmal but hopefully we can put that right next year. England will always be tough to beat at Twickenham no matter how bad some of their players are but the days of Irish players travelling with fear to London are long gone.

[/b]


Definitely the glory years.

[comethekingdom]

Is France V New Zealand on telly tonite?

[muppet]

Is France V New Zealand on telly tonite?

On RTE around 730.

[comethekingdom]

Splendid!
Thanks Muppet

[Main Street]

Stalwart defense at the end from when the ball was inches away from the line.
Good to have Ireland still pushing their class around at the top.

[Shamrock Shore]

Dour game but good result.

Best Irish rugby season ever has to be applauded.

Doubt if the Dricos and the O'Connells have gaaboard.com in their bookmarks, but, if they do, well done lads.

[muppet]

A South African perspective from http://www.rugby365.com/all_news/nbc/ireland/news/2082920.htm

Sean O'Brien came on for Ferris not Leamy. Very harsh on our front row but from their point of view our scrum must have looked comical. D'Arcy did better than 5/10 I thought as well.

15 Rob Kearney:
He was solid under pressure, and oh so great under the high ball. As always electric on counter and some incredible touch finders.
8/10

14 Tommy Bowe:
Had a couple of runs, with one great switch - but few chances on attack. Solid under high ball.
6/10

13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain):
Produced an incredible break early on, showed his class and worming his way out of a attempted John Smit tackle. He did give a penalty away for off-the-ball tackle and a knock later, but then won a crucial penalty.
8/10

12 Paddy Wallace:
Left the field early with ankle injury - very little time to make an impact.
5/10

11 Keith Earls:
Good early run, then some good kick-and-chasing, but few chances on attack.
6/10

10 Jonathan Sexton:
What a find for Ireland. Even though he was well looked after by the Bok defenders, he produced some good touchfinders. And his goal-kicking was so much better than Steyn.
8/10

9 Tomas O'Leary:
Penalised for skew feed early, otherwise decent service. Nothing special.
6/10

8 Jamie Heaslip:
Good behind retreating scrum and as strong on the run. In the thick of things throughout the game
7/10

7 David Wallace:
As always a menace at the breakdown, and along with Heaslip kept the Bok loose forwards very busy.
7/10

6 Stephen Ferris:
Good link to backs, but replaced at half-time. Steady, rather than spectacular.
6/10

5 Paul O'Connell:
A good steal from Matfield and generally very solid in line-out. Lots of carries, showing good strength - but did give away a silly penalty. Overall, masterclass.
9/10

4 Donncha O'Callaghan:
Was working very hard at the breakdown and provided a physical presence, which South Africa seemed to lack.
7/10

3 John Hayes:
Gave away a penalty for offside, and under pressure in scrums - often collapsing. Worked hard outside the set pieces, but his basics lack.
4/10

2 Jerry Flannery:
Skew line-out throw and also struggle in scrums. Driven back too often with ball in hand and just not up to it.
4/10

1 Cian Healy:
Like the rest of his front row he was in trouble in scrums, and gave away a penalty. Provided little else.
4/10

Replacements:

16 Sean Cronin:
Not used.

17 Tony Buckley:
Not used.

18 Leo Cullen:
Not used.

19 Denis Leamy (on for Ferris at half-time):
Worked hard at the breakdown, often found at the bottom of rucks.
6/10

20 Peter Stringer:
Not used.

21 Ronan O'Gara:
Not used.

22 Gordon D'Arcy (on for Wallace - 21st min):
He was well looked after and showed little on attack. There's a reason why he plays off the bench.
5/10

[tyroneboi]

Those ratings were a biit harsh on D'Arcy as well I thought. He is definitely the best man to partner BOD in the middle. Lets hope he finds something like his best form come the 6 Nations.

[gawa316]

What's the craic with all the handlebar moustaches?