Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
A repeat appearance of Bring Back Buck's impromptu scrotum surgery?
RWC QF 3 IRE v ARG (Millenium Stadium) 18th Oct 2300 AEDT
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the plastic paddy
John Solomon (38)
Pape is a nasty cheap shot merchant.
mxyzptlk
Colin Windon (37)
Part of me was wondering if Pape was milking that shot to the stomach. It was only the second minute, and he was down for almost as long and they had ice on the back of his neck. But then again O'Brien's a big slab of a human, and maybe that was some kind of Irish dim-mak.
But this is going to the judiciary; if he was milking it, and they really are going to have no tolerance for diving like they said at the beginning of the tournament, that could get interesting.
mxyzptlk
Colin Windon (37)
Argentina played extremely well against us in the TRC, they've discovered back play and looked very dangerous with ball in hand. Then they beat the Bokke in SAf with their winger scoring the first hat-trick against them ever. They'll be bloody hard for the Irish to beat.
Argies by 8.
Argies by 8.
mxyzptlk
Colin Windon (37)
mxyzptlk
Colin Windon (37)
They do look good. They also leaked 7 tries in the pool stages, including 3 to Namibia. Along with the Wallabies, Ireland have the stingiest defense in the tournament, both only letting through 2 tries in the pool stages.
But I don't think Argentina will be as brittle as France if they can't get their offense going. Should be a good game.
Kevin77
Fred Wood (13)
Hi there,
Lurked a bit, however first time post. Just thought I'd add a little bit of my opinion on why the injuries/suspensions may not be as bad for Ireland as first thought. This is based on who I believe will take the place of the absentees for Ireland.
Donnacha Ryan for Paul O'Connell
Nobody can replace O'Connell. Well, maybe if John Eales was 20 years younger however that's not going to happen. However Donnacha Ryan is a fantastic mature operator who offers a massive amount of mongrel. He's filled in for Ireland in the past when O'Connell has had lay offs and in reality would probably have been O'Connell's long term second row partner if he hadn't missed a good portion of the past two years through injury. In that time he's allowed Devin Toner to bed in with O'Connell and latterly Ian Henderson has taken over on the bench and sometimes as a starter. Ireland are blessed with four excellent second row options and as such I can see Ryan doing a very good job. He's a touch short on game time however he will make up for this with aggression and no shortage of skill.
Ian Henderson for Peter O'Mahony
Henderson is quite simply a beast. He could in theory end up playing second row where he's been in a few people's team of the opening stages. He is that good. He plays a good deal of his rugby for Ulster at 6 and in the circumstances will most likely slot in there for this game. Some have described him as even better than Stephen Ferris and I genuinely feel that the team is actually improved with him in the starting XV. He certainly showed that in the second half against France.
Chris Henry for Sean O'Brien
Another who came into the game off the bench last week and dominated. Henry is another Ulsterman at the peak of his powers. Not short of experience he has filled in for much of O'Brien's absences over the past few years and filled the 7 shirt for the 2014 Six Nations entirety when Ireland were champions. Is actually a more orthodox 7 and whilst Ireland will lose certain qualities of O'Brien, they perhaps have a more balanced back row with Henry at 7. Some within the Irish media had called for O'Brien to be benched before last weeks game in favour of Henry. That says it all about Henry.
Ian Madigan for Jonny Sexton
Now, we're not 100% sure about Sexton being out and if he is, this is the area I am least confident about Ireland being able to cover. However Madigan's mostly composed performance after Sexton left the pitch last Sunday add credence to the fact that he can cover 10 and thrive. Madigan's place kicking is actually a notch up from Sexton which might be perfect for cup rugby however he is liable to his odd Carlos Spencer wild moment (he had one against France which wasn't punished). He looked confident and composed against France and actually added to Ireland's backline when in open play. Maybe it's no coincidence that the sublimely talented Robbie Henshaw had such a good game at 12 outside Madigan. Madigan looks like he could unlock the running potential of gifted outside backs like Keith Earls, Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney.
Rhys Ruddock to the bench
Ruddock is a call up this week for the injured O'Mahony. He would have made the original squad but for injury and has been fantastic in his 5 outings to date for Ireland. Now coming into his prime (still only 24), he offers a great option off the bench which given the injuries and suspensions in the pack is remarkable.
They are the personnel changes that are most likely. A lot will come down to whether they can bed in seamlessly and whether Madigan can cope with the pressure. There appears to still be chance that Sexton might line out at 10 and if that's the case, then difference in terms of playing ability between the XV last week and this week is diminished greatly. Ireland are well drilled and purposeful. They have great depth than ever previously. Write them off at your peril.
Lurked a bit, however first time post. Just thought I'd add a little bit of my opinion on why the injuries/suspensions may not be as bad for Ireland as first thought. This is based on who I believe will take the place of the absentees for Ireland.
Donnacha Ryan for Paul O'Connell
Nobody can replace O'Connell. Well, maybe if John Eales was 20 years younger however that's not going to happen. However Donnacha Ryan is a fantastic mature operator who offers a massive amount of mongrel. He's filled in for Ireland in the past when O'Connell has had lay offs and in reality would probably have been O'Connell's long term second row partner if he hadn't missed a good portion of the past two years through injury. In that time he's allowed Devin Toner to bed in with O'Connell and latterly Ian Henderson has taken over on the bench and sometimes as a starter. Ireland are blessed with four excellent second row options and as such I can see Ryan doing a very good job. He's a touch short on game time however he will make up for this with aggression and no shortage of skill.
Ian Henderson for Peter O'Mahony
Henderson is quite simply a beast. He could in theory end up playing second row where he's been in a few people's team of the opening stages. He is that good. He plays a good deal of his rugby for Ulster at 6 and in the circumstances will most likely slot in there for this game. Some have described him as even better than Stephen Ferris and I genuinely feel that the team is actually improved with him in the starting XV. He certainly showed that in the second half against France.
Chris Henry for Sean O'Brien
Another who came into the game off the bench last week and dominated. Henry is another Ulsterman at the peak of his powers. Not short of experience he has filled in for much of O'Brien's absences over the past few years and filled the 7 shirt for the 2014 Six Nations entirety when Ireland were champions. Is actually a more orthodox 7 and whilst Ireland will lose certain qualities of O'Brien, they perhaps have a more balanced back row with Henry at 7. Some within the Irish media had called for O'Brien to be benched before last weeks game in favour of Henry. That says it all about Henry.
Ian Madigan for Jonny Sexton
Now, we're not 100% sure about Sexton being out and if he is, this is the area I am least confident about Ireland being able to cover. However Madigan's mostly composed performance after Sexton left the pitch last Sunday add credence to the fact that he can cover 10 and thrive. Madigan's place kicking is actually a notch up from Sexton which might be perfect for cup rugby however he is liable to his odd Carlos Spencer wild moment (he had one against France which wasn't punished). He looked confident and composed against France and actually added to Ireland's backline when in open play. Maybe it's no coincidence that the sublimely talented Robbie Henshaw had such a good game at 12 outside Madigan. Madigan looks like he could unlock the running potential of gifted outside backs like Keith Earls, Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney.
Rhys Ruddock to the bench
Ruddock is a call up this week for the injured O'Mahony. He would have made the original squad but for injury and has been fantastic in his 5 outings to date for Ireland. Now coming into his prime (still only 24), he offers a great option off the bench which given the injuries and suspensions in the pack is remarkable.
They are the personnel changes that are most likely. A lot will come down to whether they can bed in seamlessly and whether Madigan can cope with the pressure. There appears to still be chance that Sexton might line out at 10 and if that's the case, then difference in terms of playing ability between the XV last week and this week is diminished greatly. Ireland are well drilled and purposeful. They have great depth than ever previously. Write them off at your peril.
mxyzptlk
Colin Windon (37)
Hey, great first post. Looking forward to more.
Two things:
First, another thing Chris Henry brings is a bit more of a linking game. If Ireland are looking for more ways to unlock and release people like Henshaw, that could be useful.
Second, Madigan is also a big confidence player. When Matt O'Connor relegated him to Leinster's utility limbo, he'd often end up forcing things a bit when he'd get on, and that just dinged his confidence, which left him in limbo, which made him force things when he'd get on..... so that performance against France -- biggest victory over them in 40 years -- should do wonders for him.
It's kind of fascinating to see this new team emerge in the middle of the biggest tournament, and so far not miss a step. Maybe even look more effective.
Relance
Herbert Moran (7)
Of course, that's the only way we can beat you, right ?
After yet another woeful display, I was just glad there would only be one game left for us. Enough with the utter crap that's been consistently dished out. But reading shit like this does make me want to see another 1999 or 2007 happening. Wanna talk about McCaw's knee on Parra ? Oh no thanks, that one was completely unintentional, just the normal way to get to a ruck. Of course. Plus he's a true gentleman of the game, unlike those filthy French.
Regarding SOB, that was as clear and fluid a punch as I've ever seen on a pitch. Open hand mxyzptick ? Funny guy
How it was not spotted by the TMO reeks of incompetence. It does remind me a bit of that Munster - Toulouse game a couple of years ago, where Florian Fritz gets out of a ruck completely disfigured. Surprisingly, there was only one very poor angle made available to the TMO. I'm not saying it would have had any incidence on the final result, as I've said the French were lame and Ireland fully deserved their victory. But to suggest that it was an open hand, or that Pape milked it, or deserved it... Is laughable. Pape ain't no saint, but neither is O'Brien.
BabyBlueElephant
Darby Loudon (17)
As mentioned earlier Madigan is a confidence player. Under Schmidt that has likely soared, especially after Matt O'connor who never got the best out of him.
Madigan was on fire against France. Granted one poor missed conversion and poor kick to touch, but in general his passing was spot on and he made great choices. That said, I'm desperately hoping Sexton is back next week, if purely for his leadership as the spine of this Irish team is being ripped out one by one.
Madigan was on fire against France. Granted one poor missed conversion and poor kick to touch, but in general his passing was spot on and he made great choices. That said, I'm desperately hoping Sexton is back next week, if purely for his leadership as the spine of this Irish team is being ripped out one by one.
BabyBlueElephant
Darby Loudon (17)
Update: Independent are now reporting the results of the teams scans yesterday.
POC is officially out, however, Sexton is passed as fully clear. Now faces a race to be fresh and fully fit for Argentina.
POC is officially out, however, Sexton is passed as fully clear. Now faces a race to be fresh and fully fit for Argentina.
Dewald Nel
Cyril Towers (30)
mxyzptlk
Colin Windon (37)
Regarding SOB, that was as clear and fluid a punch as I've ever seen on a pitch. Open hand mxyzptick ? Funny guy
Du complot!*
Nope, not saying Pape deserved it or O'Brien is guiltless, or that it wouldn't have hurt (do think he didn't make a fist and hit him with the heel of his palm, but that probably won't make a difference). I am a little bemused at how a punch to the stomach requires ice to the back of the head, though.
And it wasn't seen by the ref when it occurred (not the first time), and since no one was in the act of scoring, not sure why the TMO would be involved or would have any angle offered to him. I believe the TMO wouldn't come into play at all unless the ref went to him (or if the TMO was reviewing a score).
Probably best not to bring up past indiscretions, because someone is bound to bring up how Stephen Ferris almost lost an eye against France. I don't think most players or fans from either side think that badly of the other team; Dusautoir commiserated after the match about O'Connell, and Maestri went to the Irish dressing room after the game to check on O'Connell and hoped to swap jersies, but he had already left for the hospital. Those were class moves that aren't going unnoticed by those in green.
I for one am looking forward to what that game draws out of the French for the QF against New Zealand, and can't wait to see Eddy Ben Arous at the breakdown again. (I had to keep reminding my wife he was a prop.)
* (Du complot -- do I have that right? My French is crap.)
mxyzptlk
Colin Windon (37)
His jersey number.
Relance
Herbert Moran (7)
I'd say "C'est un complot !"
Where did I mention a plot ? Incompetence was the word I used.
As you might have noticed, a new experimental World Rugby rule allows TMOs to call referees during play to check for foul play. Whether it happens in the lead-up to a potential try doesn't matter. Their intrusiveness in the first round was actually one of the main discussion points: e.g. Shaun Veldsman telling Poite about Waqaniburotu's shoulder clean out in the opening game.
How the TMO did not spot that incident 23 seconds into the game, with a man down for a while, is surprising. What might have occurred (hypothesis) is that the images shown by the broadcaster weren't conclusive, or even hid the gesture. Hence the inability of the TMO to report the incident to the referee for review. Before labeling me a conspiracy theorist, TMO Shaun Veldsman complained after the opening game that "there were problems with the angle selections for one try from the broadcaster, who did not listen to his requests."
I would never question the probity of professional referees. Broadcasters is an entirely different matter.
That being said, Ireland played very well, I was impressed with Madigan's game management especially, and I'll be cheering for them against Argentina.
Where did I mention a plot ? Incompetence was the word I used.
As you might have noticed, a new experimental World Rugby rule allows TMOs to call referees during play to check for foul play. Whether it happens in the lead-up to a potential try doesn't matter. Their intrusiveness in the first round was actually one of the main discussion points: e.g. Shaun Veldsman telling Poite about Waqaniburotu's shoulder clean out in the opening game.
How the TMO did not spot that incident 23 seconds into the game, with a man down for a while, is surprising. What might have occurred (hypothesis) is that the images shown by the broadcaster weren't conclusive, or even hid the gesture. Hence the inability of the TMO to report the incident to the referee for review. Before labeling me a conspiracy theorist, TMO Shaun Veldsman complained after the opening game that "there were problems with the angle selections for one try from the broadcaster, who did not listen to his requests."
I would never question the probity of professional referees. Broadcasters is an entirely different matter.
That being said, Ireland played very well, I was impressed with Madigan's game management especially, and I'll be cheering for them against Argentina.
mxyzptlk
Colin Windon (37)
^^^^^^ Regarding the TMO issues, this is why they should take the broadcaster's cameras out of the equation. The NFL does that, and the NRL is moving to that. There was also that Fiji try against England that was called back after the broadcaster started showing the slo-mo on the big screen after the try was awarded. I don't know how you can stop a ref on the field from being influenced by what's on the big screen, but TMO's shouldn't be held hostage to the broadcaster's production choices.
mxyzptlk
Colin Windon (37)
Eddie O'Sullivan was breaking down Madigan's performance, and brought up an interesting conundrum: He's great at taking the ball flat to the line, and even finding gaps he'll take himself. He's a gutsy player, never seems to be rattled at the tee, and gladly gets into rucks and tackles. But often when he carries the ball flat and ends up in the tackle situation, it leaves him out of calling the next play -- which isn't where you want your main playmaker.
That said, Murray seemed to be able to pick up any slack quite sufficiently. The play-calling leadership may have even been split a bit more evenly between Murray and Madigan than it would be between Murray and Sexton -- at least in that game.
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