RWC QF 3 IRE v ARG (Millenium Stadium) 18th Oct 2300 AEDT

[Iñaki Zubizarreta]

Why is that?

Because there is no November window and he did not sign with Argentina Super Rugby team. He will end his career in Europe probably.

 

[qwerty51]

So wait, to play for Argentina you have to be apart of the Argentina Super Rugby franchise?

Doesn't that mean it's basically the entire Argentina Test team participating in Super Rugby?

How would they not win it every year?

Isn't Lobbe still in Toulon, meaning he's played his last Test too?

 

[Lindommer]

That's what the Argentinean RU declared when it called in for Super Rugby. I agree, it'll be a bloody strong team. In the immediate future I can see things going either one of two ways: Argentina will get a second Super side, or the Pumas will go down the Cheika path and allow a certain number of European-based players play for them.

 

[Omar Comin']

Only some of the older Argentinian guys haven't signed for the Super Rugby team. The guys who will be missing would have only had an extra year or two with the Pumas anyway. Pretty much everyone that has another 4+ years in them, and a few others (like Hernandez) have signed for super rugby.

They'll be very strong, but I don't think they'll necessarily be stronger than the strongest teams in the competition. There's not a huge gulf in class between international teams and the very best super rugby teams.

 

[Kevin77]

Hey Ireland fans how worried are you about this game given your teams lack of success in the knock out phases in the past? Never got past the quarters is that right?

I appreciate that past form is hardly an indicator of future form but the record does suggest that knock out matches seem to create a less than ideal form of tension for the men in green.

Not really that worried. Different coach, different players, great mentality. I genuinely believe they have prepared as if the tournament started properly last week against France. With all due respect to Italy, they hadn't performed this year and Ireland would have felt they just needed to be at 70-80% for that match. As it transpired they got dragged into a contest but still came out of it.

Ireland then viewed the France game as a knock out and the first real test. They will treat Argentina the same and if they are good enough will do the same for the semi-final.

They've been excellent at competing in small blocks of games like the Six Nations or Autumn internationals under Schmidt and I'd expect that to continue.

The injuries and suspensions are a significant setback however as outlined in my last post, i do not believe fatal.

 

[Quick Hands]

Now that's something that crossed my mind too

Unfortunately all you otherwise intelligent rugby followers are trying to apply logic and commonsense to RWC judicial process. It's just as much of a shambolic lottery as is the SANZAR version.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Plenty up in the air selection wise. McGrath or Healy? Hendo in the row or at 6? Is Sexton really 100%? Zebo in for Daverage? Here is my team:

1 McGrath 2 Best(C) 3 Ross 4 Ryan 5 Toner 6 Hendo 7 Henry 8 Heaslip 9 Murray 10 Sexton 11 Zebo 12 Henshaw 13 Earls 14 Bowe 15 Kearney

16 Strauss 17 Healy 18 White 19 Ruddock 20 Murphy 21 Reddan 22 Madigan 23 Fitzgerald.

 

[Dewald Nel]

I don't think the buttocks is classified as genitalia.

Indeed. Otherwise men and women could be classified as the same gender.

 

[Wales Fan]

Plenty up in the air selection wise. McGrath or Healy? Hendo in the row or at 6? Is Sexton really 100%? Zebo in for Daverage? Here is my team:

1 McGrath 2 Best(C) 3 Ross 4 Ryan 5 Toner 6 Hendo 7 Henry 8 Heaslip 9 Murray 10 Sexton 11 Zebo 12 Henshaw 13 Earls 14 Bowe 15 Kearney

16 Strauss 17 Healy 18 White 19 Ruddock 20 Murphy 21 Reddan 22 Madigan 23 Fitzgerald.

That's still a very strong looking 23. Looking forward to this match, it's hard to call & could be a cracker !

 

[Dewald Nel]

Depends on how its used. Same question I asked Dewald -- are you saying players should be allowed to run around toying with other players junk on the pitch? Because if you're getting that close to things down there, in a fast-moving contact sport, you're playing with fire.

As far as I know ass-grabbing isn't part of the laws of the game, so it's beyond the sport itself. If another man walked up behind you on the street and grabbed your ass, what would you do?

That's all I'm saying -- nut-taps, squirrel-grips, deep tissue buttocks massages, that's all done to fluster the the other player beyond the means of the game. It's contrary to Law 10.4(m), and maybe the penalty for the molester should just include any retaliation done by the player being grabbed.

Nowhere did I say it's fine to touch people's junk. But as you can see in the video, his hand was on SOB's junk for less than 0.1 seconds. I feel like I have to repeat myself, but it's not like he groped or sexually assaulted him. In fact, his reaction was probably more because Pape was trying to hold him back for a second or two there.

 

[Dewald Nel]

Got evidence? Because the judiciary said there was no provocation, but we know he grabbed his ass -- so we don't know if they were considering that photo or not.

Are you saying players should be allowed to toy with other players' junk?

Yeah. The video I posted.

 

[qwerty51]

They'll be very strong, but I don't think they'll necessarily be stronger than the strongest teams in the competition. There's not a huge gulf in class between international teams and the very best super rugby teams.

I think there is.

Sure a lot of Super Rugby teams are full of internationals but don't underestimate the cohesion they'll have as an international unit that is full-time 12 months a year.

Here's a team based off players signed to the Super Rugby team. When Argentina name their 23 for this match let's see just how far off it is.

1. Lucas Noguera Paz
2. Agustín Creevy
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Tomás Lavanini
5. Guido Petti
6. Pablo Matera
7. Juan Manuel Leguizamón
8. Facundo Isa
9. Tomás Cubelli
10. Nicolás Sánchez
11. Manuel Montero
12. Juan Martín Hernández
13. Matías Moroni
14. Santiago Cordero
15. Joaquín Tuculet

16. Bruno Postiglioni
17. Santiago García Botta
18. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
19. Matías Alemanno
20. Javier Ortega Desio
21. Martin Landajo
22. Santiago González Iglesias
23. Jerónimo de la Fuente

 

[Cardiffblue]

at 366 mins SOB's hearing lasted longer than England's 320 minute World Cup!

 

[Omar Comin']

I think there is.

Sure a lot of Super Rugby teams are full of internationals but don't underestimate the cohesion they'll have as an international unit that is full-time 12 months a year.

Think of the Highlanders this year. Arguably the best forward pack in the competition and none of them made the All Blacks. They beat teams full of All Blacks and Wallabies.

A number of teams will be capable of beating them. It'll be tough though, no doubt about that. It'd actually be really good for the competition if the Argentinian team makes the semis or better - that'll provide impetus for a 2nd team and further growth for rugby in the country.

 

[Antony]

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.

Excellent, I came to this thread hoping someone had put up something like this. Cheers.

It feels like Ireland have infinite backrowers these days, so no need to worry.

 

[Bardon]

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.

Hey Kevin. Great first post. Welcome to G&GR. For the most part they're a friendly and knowledgeable bunch around here.

 

[KevinO]

Great first post Kevin77, welcome to GAGR.

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

 

[Blue]

"So why'd you hit him son?"

"Because he's a fat frog bastard."

"Right then. Let's have a drink."

 

[Chunderstruck]

With all due respect to Italy, they hadn't performed this year and Ireland would have felt they just needed to be at 70-80% for that match.

So they only looked bad against Italy because they didn't try?

Somehow I doubt they said in the dressing room "alright boys we've got this, just give it about 70% and she'll be right"

 

[Dewald Nel]

So they only looked bad against Italy because they didn't try?

Somehow I doubt they said in the dressing room "alright boys we've got this, just give it about 70% and she'll be right"

It's complacency. Like us vs. Japan. You don't say it in the changeroom, but everyone has it in their minds.