The Rugby Thread

[Paddingtonwolf]

Is it really? Everyone else says Wales v Australia was a great game. You don't. Of course you are right.

 

[Dinowolf]

Brilliant play by Ireland, that should be it now.

 

[jd1981]

Is it really? Everyone else says Wales v Australia was a great game. You don't. Of course you are right.

It was enjoyable but it wasn't free flowing rugby.

 

[Dinowolf]

Second half was very good and exciting. That's the sort of rugby I prefer to watch. Ireland were worthy of their win, well played.

 

[jd1981]

Very much fancy Australia v Ireland and SA v NZ in the semi finals now.

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Second half was very good and exciting. That's the sort of rugby I prefer to watch. Ireland were worthy of their win, well played.

Delighted with that, but we have paid a big price in injuries. O'Connells hamstring looks fucked. I'd be surprised if he plays again. Hopefully Sexton is only bruised.

The subs stood up really well. Fair play Connor Murray for using his smarts and tipping the post for the try. That finished the French and was massive psychologically. The French haven't looked as strong as recent years, a fair few kf the big names didn't turn up today.

Argentina wont be pushovers but I'm more confident of beating them than I was about beating France

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

It was enjoyable but it wasn't free flowing rugby.

I never said it was.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

I watched the Ireland v France game in the pub and I was surrounded by Irish fans. It was a great afternoon, and I must admit I was cheering the men in green.

 

[jd1981]

I never said it was.

A game can be attritional but still good to watch ie yesterday, the most enjoyable part was admiring how well the Aussies defended there line when two men in the sin bin and a weakened scrum.

 

[leedswolf]

I watched the Ireland v France game in the pub and I was surrounded by Irish fans. It was a great afternoon, and I must admit I was cheering the men in green.

Unfortunately I didn't even realise this was on and ended up in a St Helier pub for the last 20ish minutes. I managed to find somewhere to stand so I didn't see the various TVs screening it. There were both Irish and French watching. I didn't bag for either.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Not long back from a weekend of "quiet reflection" in Cardiff and a few thoughts

I don't think there is anywhere that can beat the Millennium stadium for atmosphere with a full house, cracking match and the roof closed.
I like Cardiff, nice friendly place
Rugby tops on some women is a very good look, there were several I saw who I would have quite happily ate chips out of their knickers
Cardiff really is a rugby mad city, went into err several establishments Saturday night and not one of them had the Wales/Bosnia match on, all had England/Uruguay on instead.
Great performance by Ireland but the injuries and Seany's sneaky punch will take their toll, the replacements coming into the side are good enough (Henderson is ready to step into O'Connell's shoes) but the bench will be weaker.
Australia will win it especially with that defensive display, Woodward said in 2003 that he knew England were going to win the World Cup that year when in that summer they did exactly the same with 13 men v the All Blacks, I think Australia will have the same confidence now.

Saw a bit of that rugby league highlights last night in the airport, not much to it really...

The "Fields of Athernry" is a load of feeling sorry for yourself bilge of a song, no wonder the Scousers adopted it

 

[Bit on the shaggies]

Sadly Paul O'Connell's injury means that his Ireland career is over. Sad for him, shame for Ireland. He'll be hugely missed against Argentina.

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Gutted for O'Connell. Awful way to end his career, but he was still in the dressing room celebrating with the players after the final whistle on Sunday. Total ledgebag.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

I'm easily impressed and the Haka still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

They have come a long way with it...

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/ru...ontent=SocialFlow&utm_campaign=EditorialSF&ut

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Awful way for O'Connell to finish, possible best forward in Ireland's history.

Seems he is going to stay around the squad for the rest of the tournament, so no doubt will give one of his "fear of god" speeches on Sunday in the dressing room beforehand

 

[Dinowolf]

O'Connell has been a proper Rugby warrior for Ireland.
I know it's not much but he has my full respect.

However, I think that even without POC Ireland will be too strong for Argentina.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

O'Connell is one of the best Northern Hemisphere players ever. End of. Right up there with the likes of Martin Johnson, Johnny Wilkinson, Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Serge Blanco, Jean-Pierre Rives, Brian O'Driscoll.

I can't pay the man higher praise than that. A rugby titan, and the game is poorer for his retirement from international rugby

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Sean O'Brien banned for 1 week confirmed.

Suppose was best result we could have possibly hoped for.

 

[jd1981]

Could have been a lot worse, can't believe Gordon Darcy tried to defend it.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Yep agreed, seems was seen at the lower end of the scale.

Was two weeks with one week reduced for his previous good record,

(plus as it was Pepe he hit and he had just been stroking SOB's bum officer probably thought fair enough!)

On the good news sexton probably will be fit.