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Messages - thewobbler

#1
General discussion / Re: The IRISH RUGBY thread
March 18, 2024, 10:25:43 PM
It wouldn't be a kick in the hole. It would be a giant waste of everyone's time.

Had Wales been relegated at the weekend, they'd spend next season winning every game in the "b" by 80-100 points, whilst Georgia would suffer similar deficits in each of their "a" games. Italy's focus for that season would change from one of improvement to one in which having everyone fit and ready for Georgia is the key to their season.

Then the following season, when relegated, Italian rugby changes forever. Without 6N cash guaranteed, they have to cut costs everywhere.

So by the time they return to the A, they're further than ever away from the standard. And with absolutely no possibility of getting close ever again. 
#2
General discussion / Re: The IRISH RUGBY thread
March 18, 2024, 10:10:23 PM
The 6N isn't a European championship. It's a private members competition. And an extremely successful one at that.

What could any of its members possibly gain from changing things up? I can't think is a single thing.

This concept of it growing the game is nonsense. Sports do not grow in popularity by providing a showcase for mismatches.
#3
General discussion / Re: The IRISH RUGBY thread
March 16, 2024, 03:24:04 PM
I'm delighted for Italy. Genuinely I am.

But would it be wrong to suggest their sudden competitiveness owes at least as much to the other nations not taking this year's 6N as seriously?
#4
Forever Young
Lay Lady Lay
Make you Feel my Love
#5
Bob Dylan would surely provide a varied response?
#6
A stitch up for those with the biggest panels? Because of the number of games?

When building such a hypothesis, do you deliberately choose to ignore the decade of championship outcomes prior to the split season? Or have you some alt hypothesis to explain that away too?

Batshit and crazy spring to mind.

#7
General discussion / Re: The IRISH RUGBY thread
March 10, 2024, 11:28:47 PM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on March 10, 2024, 10:53:19 PMNot bought in, know that other countries above us have bigger picks, Ireland only pick from 4 provincial teams, or 2 and 2 halfs giving the limited no u get from Ulster/Connacht. France have a top 14, England alot more teams Also. Both South Africa and New Zealand big pick as its their national sport. Ireland only advantage is its well run.

Believe it or not, you're mostly echoing my point.

England, SA, France, NZ. They don't have first call on their players all year round. Which means they're more likely to experiment with players and playing styles in reaction to what's available.

Ireland don't do this, ever, when playing a tier 1 nation. It's a case of playing the tried and tested, and when they inevitably win more battles than they lose in years 1-4, then those players become both undroppable and predictable.

Meanwhile, after 4 weeks of a pre RWC camp, and 4 weeks of groups stages in an RWC, the big teams have found 8 weeks to finally lock in on something. And at the same time likely have a few outliers and game changers hanging around their squad. All Ireland has at this point is tired legs in their first XV, and a second XV who know they're second choice and play like second choice


#8
General discussion / Re: The IRISH RUGBY thread
March 10, 2024, 10:49:07 PM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on March 10, 2024, 08:55:03 PMDidn't deliver in the World cup,look that's the problem, the part time supporter not knowing the real layout of the land in Rugby. France was the most heavy favoured team to win on home Ground, then South Africa, followed by Ireland and New Zealand.The top 4 ,there was very little between them and that showed in games. Had Ireland actually been playing at home like France, then they would have been the favourites. The only people saying we were favourites is the Dublin media and people who knew f**k all about Rugby.

Ah you're fully bought in. Fair play to you.

The layout of the land is that Ireland has a unique advantage in international rugby whereby our international team absolutely trumps the needs of club rugby.

It provides us a genuine advantage in that our players our better rested and more closely coached for the international game.

But 20 odd years on we haven't come close to realising this advantage. We use it to build focused teams instead of competitive squads.

As a policy it leaves Ireland as sitting ducks. No matter how well drilled Ireland become - and by God are we well drilled - everyone knows what's coming.

And unless we find a couple of unplayable types like  O'Driscoll at once, then it counts against us.

——

On this note. Murray should have been retired from Ireland duty a decade ago.

By accident or design - and honestly I still don't know which - the predominant feature of his game has been shite box kicking. Nobody else does this at this level. Because it's shite, pointless rugby, unless it comes as a surprise.


#9
General discussion / Re: The IRISH RUGBY thread
March 09, 2024, 08:51:45 PM
Positives:

1. In all aspects and senses, being able to compete with England at rugby is a marvellous achievement for Ireland. A statistical anomaly.

2. The defeat might usher the Irish mgt into considering that when push comes to shove, having a squad falling down with old timers who've always fallen a little short when it matters, may not be more effective than making room for some fresh legs who only want to make their mark.

3. RTE won't make a documentary next year interviewing the great and the good of Irish rugby about a grand slam.

Negatives.

1. England won.
#10
GAA Discussion / Re: Warm Weather Training Camps
March 06, 2024, 09:24:59 PM
I don't imagine a warm weather training camp would could much more than doing the same thing in Ireland. And there's the plus point of fewer opportunities to bail from some of the camp when they're a flight away from their family / club / work.

That said, it's still a load of old tosh that makes no team more or less likely to fulfil their potential.
#11
Sympathy for the Devil
Gimme Shelter
You Can't Always Get What You Want

Basically, what Bennydorano said

#12
General discussion / Re: Car Problems!!
March 03, 2024, 07:57:59 AM
Quote from: God14 on March 02, 2024, 09:18:51 PMhttps://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-68332193.amp

Probs ahead for those of us with dbf filter removed and remapped??

I could be very wrong here but my understanding of a DPF is that it collects soot from diesel when travelling at low speeds, then ejects same soot when travelling at high speeds. And that DPF remapping largely consists of drilling a hole so the soot doesn't gather, then reprogramming the computer to not think this strange.

If this is right, then surely your car is no more or less likely to fail an emissions test whether it has been remapped or not? Ie the soot still isn't leaving through the exhaust.
#13
GAA Discussion / Re: NFL Division 1 2024
March 02, 2024, 08:03:26 PM
Quote from: clarshack on March 02, 2024, 08:01:25 PMWas it not the time to rest the likes of Glass against Kerry when it was only 6 days after the club final and that they also knew the Cliffords would be missing. Would agree with other posters that Derry completely sh*t it tonight against the Dubs.

In one.

Extreme overthinking by Mickey Harte.
#14
GAA Discussion / Re: NFL Division 1 2024
March 02, 2024, 07:56:12 PM
This is a good game of football, an unusual surprise when Rossies are involved.

The score taking from both sides has been exceptional
#15
I don't like to praise the Scouse if possible.

But the past few weeks of just getting on with things has been genuinely admirable.

Scouse c***ts.