RWC: IRE v FRA (POOL D) Mon 12th@2:45am

[Bardon]

Les Kiss enjoying the atmosphere.

 

[mxyzptlk]

Australia were heroic on defense, and Ireland, after losing three of their leaders, have been heroic on offense -- 2/3 the possession and 2/3 the territory.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Done & dusted. Well done Ireland, tough luck France.

Now I can finally go to bed.

 

[Bardon]

I was in France for the disaster that was Ireland's 2007 RWC. Today is a measure of revenge and we have the chance to complete the job against Argentina in the 1/4 final.

The Pumas will be no pushovers and we'll have to play as well if not better.

 

[Bairdy]

A collective shudder was felt down Kiwis' spines as they face the daunting task of playing the French, smarting from a drubbing at the hands of the Irish a week before.

You could not script it any better

 

[mxyzptlk]

Madigan in tears. He has every right to be that elated -- he did exactly what he needed to do and more.

 

[Benaud]

This turned out perfectly for Aus.

Kiwis have to play France, and Ireland lost half their team for the tournament.

Now we've gotta choke to miss out on the final and the Kiwis might not be there to beat us!

 

[teach]

I was a bit conflicted about this game. Worried about who we would face next week. I was initially hoping for a French win, but France were not that impressive. Neither were Ireland (in parts).

I think by now the ABs know that French cannot be underestimated so I have no problems playing them.

 

[mxyzptlk]

This turned out perfectly for Aus.

Kiwis have to play France, and Ireland lost half their team for the tournament.

Now we've gotta choke to miss out on the final and the Kiwis might not be there to beat us!

They lost a little less than half. And the other side of that is their replacements just buried France.

 

[ArmchairGeneral]

This turned out perfectly for Aus.

Kiwis have to play France, and Ireland lost half their team for the tournament.

Now we've gotta choke to miss out on the final and the Kiwis might not be there to beat us!

We will beat NZ if they come at us in the Grand Final. I welcome it.

 

[teach]

This turned out perfectly for Aus.

Kiwis have to play France, and Ireland lost half their team for the tournament.

Now we've gotta choke to miss out on the final and the Kiwis might not be there to beat us!

I don't know about that. Arg or Ire may give you guys a bit of a problem in 2 weeks. Argentina will have plenty of confidence and Ireland are not playing too badly. I don't think either of them will be as tactically stupid as Wales were.

 

[KevinO]

France made 181 tackles and had 22 missed tackles. Credit to them that is a valient effort in defeat.

What ever Ireland said at half time needs to be recorded and played all week, that was the best half of rugby I have seen them play in a long time. Great match and well worth being tired in work tomorrow/today for.

Now to finish the review and goto bed.

 

[Bardon]

Next week is the big test for Ireland. The tag of favourites never sits well with us. It's something Schmidt has worked hard to get the team to shake. But it's so deeply ingrained in the Irish psyche.

If we do manage to get through next week. Then going into a semi final as big under dogs against one of the clear favourites for the tournament is the perfect scenario for Ireland. It would be our very first semi final and the boys would have nothing to lose.

 

[Alex]

Jeez that is some cost - looks like its all over for Paulie and O'Mahony. Can't see O'Brien pulling on a jersey again for a few weeks. Any news on Sexton?

 

[mxyzptlk]

Next week is the big test for Ireland. The tag of favourites never sits well with us. It's something Schmidt has worked hard to get the team to shake. But it's so deeply ingrained in the Irish psyche.

If we do manage to get through next week. Then going into a semi final as big under dogs against one of the clear favourites for the tournament is the perfect scenario for Ireland. It would be our very first semi final and the boys would have nothing to lose.

Ireland will likely be missing Sexton and the O's next week (O'Connell, O'Mahony, and O'Brien). Because of that, they probably won't be favorites for many. Good thing they have a decent squad, and not too many seem to know what that squad can offer.

 

[Bardon]

Ireland will likely be missing Sexton and the O's next week (O'Connell, O'Mahony, and O'Brien). Because of that, they probably won't be favorites for many. Good thing they have a decent squad, and not too many seem to know what that squad can offer.

That's the big difference for me compared to previous Ireland teams. There isn't a massive step down when you go outside the match day squad. Obviously the guys you've mentioned are pretty special players and I'd rather have them in the team than not. But the guys who'll come in are the core of future Ireland teams. This is their chance to show what they can do.

 

[qwerty51]

 

[Bardon]

It doesn't look good for Seanie.

 

[qwerty51]

What on earth was he thinking, how can he think it wouldn't get picked up.

 

[BabyBlueElephant]

What. A. Game.

I was lucky to be in Cardiff for this. The fans were amazing. This Ireland team isn't just an XV or a 23. It's a whole squad. Sexton looks likely to be back in the next week or so. Obviously POC is gone but to be fair he hasn't been in the best of form recently and Henderson is for me the best in form lock in the RWC along with De Jager.

Hoping SOB will escape the citing commissioner. I have a feeling he will. A 15 point win over France is almost a hammering. What a team performance by the team. Madigan had a fantastic game also,the two tries came about with him as the 10. The Earls chance too came while he was on. I trust Mad dog to do well if Sexton can't make the next game.