Well done to the Irish lads. That was in the balance for 60 mins but cracking performance overcoming injuries to Sexton and O'Connell. The latter is one of my favourite players, absolute warrior.
Still can't get into this Union game as much as I'm trying, just doesn't seem to be any skill involved at all! Kick, run, catch, short passes and run into the defence before a penalty is awarded or a mistake is made
Ireland excellent today and that is going to be a right old contest up front with Argentina, who are a hugely underrated side. Hope the Irish lads are fit and ready for next week- what an opportunity they have to reach the Semi-Finals. Massive credit to Ireland, theyve got the route they wanted and they deserve a semi final on the balance of the last 4 years. Personally I think the Aussies will be impossible to beat in the Semis but you just never know! France v All Blacks- thats going to be a game as the ABs **** themselves for some reason against the French! Good luck to all the home nations I say!
Ireland will be better not having to carry O'Connel who is no longer effective at the top level. Also think they'll be better without Sexton as Maddigan is much more attacking. Looks like O'Brien will miss the 1/4 after his punch on Pape.... silly boy as he was outstanding today. Wales vs SA will be a decent game, all the others look pretty one sided on paper at least
Shergy I was being somewhat tongue in cheek, just like I was last night when I said Australia +7 was never in doubt lol We did blow the handicap of 2 pts into bits in fairness, and outscored them 2 tries to nil in the process. Probably should have been three but for some butter fingers in the first half. I felt we always had the beating of them tonight, and bar the first half hour, we always had their measure. Looking forward I expect us to deal with the Argentinas in a tight affair. Australia, as I've said are a different matter but I don't expect us to get battered by them
You certainly had the better of France, though that isn't a strong French side, I don't think they've had as bad a side for over a decade. they could barely string a few passes together today without knocking it on, and the lineouts where school boy stuff. The Argies will provide a much tougher test, they have looked very impressive so far. I think it's a 50/50 match. The Aussie will beat either comfortably though, there defence and scrummaging will be far to good
I would upgrade that win over the French. I know they have been **** under Saint-Andre but hey have really looked a good unit since they came back in for the World Cup warm ups and their forwards have been very strong, line outs aside. What Ireland did well was get their specialists in at the breakdown and really disrupt the French flow, which is the heartbeat of any team but especially the French flair. Ireland put together phases in the right areas and came away with the points at crucial times so I felt it was a hard fought win and a great sign that they pulled away at the end of the game. Key thing against Argentina next week is accuracy. Don't let it become a dog fight. I expect the French to really roll the dice against New Zealand so it will either be a classic or they will get an utter pasting.
Huge congratulations to the wonderful Brave Blossoms from Japan. Before this World Cup, they had only had a single win, now they have four. The Eddie Jones team becomes the first side in the history of the World Cup, to win three games and not advance from the Pools. How unlucky is that? It was the last game for the coach. Well played Japan.
Has rebellion again raised it's ugly head within the French squad in it's lead up the New Zealand game? Seems that some French media outlets have gone all out to convince us that the players have given their coach Philippe Saint-Andre the cold shoulder, and have assumed command of the team. Quoting the famous " unnamed source" from within the players group, L'obs Sport stated that senior players had taken in a hand in the selections for the knockout game against the All Blacks. Centre Mathieu Bastareaud has been punted and seasoned half Morgan Parra has been recalled to duty. Earlier in the week, a pic of the lock Yoann Maestri appearing to shoulder barge Saint-Andre as they went down the tunnel after the Ireland defeat, appeared in a leading paper. In past World Cups, the French have been a bit of a stumbling block for the mighty New Zealand side, but one has to wonder if this Saturday's quarter-final at Millennium Stadium might just turn out to be a wee bit of a rout. The French forwards will probably be strong early and the team will be hoping to get back to a more expansive style of play, one for which they are renowned, but there's every chance that this new revolution might just die off with barely a whimper.
Indeed, Red, heads will roll (sorry ). If you want a full-scale strike-cum-riot count on the French. They really know how to do it. They ain't one bit scared of the riot police either!
If this has already been commented on, my apologies, I am too lazy to go through it all this afternoon. Without a shadow of doubt, I do think that Wales are the best of the home nations, honestly, I really do. This tiny nation and Rugby Union giant, has had the most vicious cycle of injuries that I have ever seen, yet still they have managed a quarter-final berth. With a fully fit squad (within reason) I reckon they would have knocked-out one or two of the southern hemisphere big shots, and gone into the Final. The most atrocious bad luck for Wales in this tournament, and in the lead-up to it.
Cyc, there was a squad-led decision to play their own way and to their own strengths back in 2007 led by Phil Vickery and Lawrence Dallaglio. Having been thumped 36-0 by South Africa, a dogged and determined England edges their way into a final and rematch, narrowly going down 15-6 with a disallowed try to boot. The French are miles better without a Basteraud and I have backed them to surprise NZ accordingly on the off chance they click into gear. They are a very dangerous outfit.
You make a very compelling argument and it is diffcult to dispute any of its elements. But it's the Welsh you're taking about for heaven's sake!
Yes Dan, I will have a chat with the quack shrink next appointment about this abnormality. You know, the last six years of my schooling was at the one place, and something like 80% of the staff were Welsh, bit got biffed into me I guess. However, I have been very impressed with the Welsh squad this tournament, fighting-on regardless, great spirit under a top coaching staff.
It will be a very hard game against the Boks. The masters of the maul are starting to hit their straps.
