Rugby World Cup 2011

[bcarrier]

Id play the two of them. Sounds like that is what Gafney wants too . Said during week :

"Sexton has all the attributes for a good 12," said Gaffney. "He prefers to play 10 and he's a world-class 10, but they're both world-class players and trying to get them both into the team is a difficult challenge."

[Capt Pat]

I thought the Scotch had it but the Argies score a try as soon as they had to.  13-12 to Argentina.

[Capt Pat]

The Scotch are almost out. They missed out on a bonus point earlier on and it could be costly.

They should have had a penalty on a drop goal attempt at the end but the ref bottled the decision.

[Tony Baloney]

I thought the Scotch had it but the Argies score a try as soon as they had to.  13-12 to Argentina.

I take it the Jocks have to beat England to progress?

[ONeill]

Beat them well

[brokencrossbar1]

The Scotch are almost out. They missed out on a bonus point earlier on and it could be costly.

They should have had a penalty on a drop goal attempt at the end but the ref bottled the decision.

In fairness to the ref he had his back to Contepomi and Contepomi realised that so he played the odds and it worked for him.  Great game though and given the stakes and the conditions it was even better.  The try was top class.

[Capt Pat]

The Scots need a bonus point I think. It is complicated by Argentina playin Georgia the next day? They might not need a bonus point depending how things go.

[Main Street]

I'd say Ireland are doomed if they decide to take the field without a good penalty kicker for the first  50 or 60 minutes in the 1/4 finals.
(assuming they reach the 1/4 finals)

[Dinny Breen]

I'd say Ireland are doomed if they decide to take the field without a good penalty kicker for the first  50 or 60 minutes in the 1/4 finals.
(assuming they reach the 1/4 finals)

Wales will be Ireland's opponents, these games tend to be quite open affairs, Wales's defence can be exploited but we'd need Sexton as O'Gara is no threat and makes it a lot easier to defend against plus I wouldn't fancy that Welsh back-row attacking O'Gara's channel. So the more I think about it we'll see Sexton start and the O'Gara to bring the good ship home, expect this for the Italian game as well. That game is indoors so O'Gara's better game management in poor conditions won't be a factor.

[Aerlik]

Ease off, lads!  We're not through yet.  All this talk of quarter and semi-finals...let's just take it one game at a time.

[Main Street]

Would it not be the greatest failure by any Irish team at competitive level in any sport, if the current rugby team don't make the quarter finals from the top of their pool? Ireland go into the game against Italy, knowing exactly what they have to do. Even the much maligned EOS, had Ireland pumping on all cylinders against Italy on their home turf, when a similar but not the same situation existed.

[IolarCoisCuain]

Fascinating article by Will Greenwood on the choke tackle: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/ireland/8784992/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-Innovative-Ireland-change-the-game-with-implementation-of-the-Choke-tackle.html

[Dinny Breen]

The Rules of Rugby

And yes I know they are laws not rules...

NSFW

[mc_grens]

I refuse to mention the W word.

Italy= Banana skin.

[Capt Pat]

It will be a tough game but I love the fact that the game is indoors no chance of s scrum and penalty rainy day contest developing. A rainy day leading to scrums which in turn lead to penalties against an under pressure Irish front row and an Italian win. We can plan an expansive game plan to tire out the big Italian frint row and get Cian Healy rolling around the park.