Ireland Team v New Zealand

Jim_Murphy_74 · November 17, 2008, 10:39:30 AM

Quote from: Hardy on November 17, 2008, 10:27:43 AM
The ranking system is explained here

http://www.irb.com/rankings/explain/index.html

As far as I can see, if Ireland lose (by any margin) and Scotland win, then Ireland drop below Scotland in the rankings.

Scotland are 0.26 points behind Ireland. Because of the gap in rating between Scotland and Canada, Scotland will get no ranking points for beating Canada, whatever the margin. If Scotland lose they'll drop about two points and if they draw they'll drop about one point and in either case, Ireland stay ahead of them no matter what the result against Argentina.

But if Scotland win, Ireland can only afford to drop 0.26 points. However, a loss to Argentina, by any margin, would lose them at least 0.7 of a point, as far as I can see from the graphs. A draw or a win would gain Ireland fractional points.

Thanks for that Hardy. A case of must win against the Pumas so.....

/Jim.

Hardy · November 17, 2008, 11:01:28 AM

I've just noticed that the rankings posted on the IRB site are dated 10 November and so don't take into account Saturday's results. (Who do they think they are - gaa.ie?).

Anyway it makes no real difference. Scotland will have lost about 0.2 of a point for losing to SA, while Ireland lose no ranking points for losing to NZ (because of the large ratings gap between them). This means that Scotland are now somewhere between 0.4 and 0.5 behind Ireland, but an Irish loss to Argentina will still drop them below Scotland.

I think, anyway.

Tankie · November 17, 2008, 07:30:15 PM

That was some shite on Saturday. Roll on this Saturday I guess!!!!!

bigfrank · November 17, 2008, 09:16:52 PM

Was at the game on saturday,my first experience of anything other than GAA at head quarters!! Enjoyed the build up to the game and the atmosphere was ok at times but nothin compared to an all ireland day!! Ireland looked beat before it started and New Zealand were as cool as cumcumber,never paniced and oozes class, looks like we are a long way behind in terms of ever closing gap in class

Tankie · November 17, 2008, 10:13:07 PM

Why is everyone comparing the atmosphere of two totally different sports? one sport is high free flowing scores and the other is a stop start game of teritory and building phases which the crowd then react too.

thewobbler · November 17, 2008, 10:15:14 PM

I know this will annoy Munster followers, but if there's one thing that the big rugby internationals continue to prove, it's that Ronan O'Gara is, in cricketing terms, a flat track bully. He might look like a good 'un in club rugby behind Munster's forever dominant pack, but as soon as things start to even out up front, the vivid whiff of his game falling apart soon follows.

I don't expect a fly-half to run a game when his pack are getting crucified, but Ireland's pack rarely get crucified. Here I'm talking about when things get tough, not impossible.

He's an awful arrogant wee hoor too.

Tankie · November 17, 2008, 10:20:24 PM

I think O'Gara has blown his chance his chance of being number 10 for the Loins unless he has a super 6 nations. It is starting to look like O'Gara just cant cut it at international level!!!!

ExiledGael · November 17, 2008, 10:29:59 PM

Don't really dislike O'Gara as some others seem to but he has been a huge let down on the biggest stage repeatedly.
Anyway on to Argentina and a much more important game. Good news for Ireland tonight that Contepomi is out with an infection in a hand injury. Absolute must win with the rankings situation and I think they will. Anyone know the odds?

Hardy · November 18, 2008, 09:32:40 AM

If Ireland were to drop behind Scotland, would there be anything to stop them arranging a couple of matches before 1 December in the hope of picking up a few ranking points? Consult with Frank Murphy?

Jim_Murphy_74 · November 18, 2008, 09:47:22 AM

Quote from: Tankie on November 17, 2008, 10:20:24 PM
I think O'Gara has blown his chance his chance of being number 10 for the Loins unless he has a super 6 nations. It is starting to look like O'Gara just cant cut it at international level!!!!

McCaw stated after the game that they had a plan to target him....and it worked to perfection. He'd be well behind the Welsh boys in Lions terms because it's happened too often at this stage. A good 6-Nations for Cipriani would mean that the Sky-Hype machine would push him into pole position.

It appears Contepomi is out next weekend which is a plus. (Although as Munster have shown, he is another than crumbles when targetted).

/Jim.