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

[the plastic paddy]

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

Exactly and a very common failing from Ireland and, indeed, the provinces. Every year Munster go into crunch games in Europe off the back of rubbish displays against weaker teams and suddenly perform, just as Ireland did from Italy to France.

 

[BabyBlueElephant]

Hoping Ryan gets a go. Him and Toner would cause havoc on the Argie lineouts. Ireland need a similar plan to France where they are the team doing all the attacking. I don't like the idea of the Argentina backs running, they look potent and have a flair like quality that's great on the eye.

They have quite a porous defence however. Wallabies got a bonus point against them at home, SA nearly did too, conceded three tries to Namibia who before this tournament had never scored 2+ tries in a game. Controlling possession will be key, territorial kicking could be a huge factor in this too given how relatively small in height the Argentina backs are in comparison to Irelands.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

QF3 – Ireland v Argentina – Millennium Stadium
Citing Commissioner: Peter Larter (England)
Judicial Officer: Simon Thomas (Wales)

 

[Kevin77]

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"

Not at all. I probably didn't phrase that properly. My opinion is that they conditioned and prepared with the intention of being in top nick fo the France game. The Italy game was almost like the last pre-season warm-up. Not quite as I'm sure they were ready, but I don't feel like they were physically at 100% and as a result a bit of complacency crept in for Italy.

Also, Italy were a different animal in that game.They had nothing to lose and were going home if they lost. They also had Parisse back and threw everything at Ireland. Sadly they are a team that has gone backwards recently so their everything just wasn't good enough to beat an underdone Ireland.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Not at all. I probably didn't phrase that properly. My opinion is that they conditioned and prepared with the intention of being in top nick fo the France game. The Italy game was almost like the last pre-season warm-up. Not quite as I'm sure they were ready, but I don't feel like they were physically at 100% and as a result a bit of complacency crept in for Italy.

Also, Italy were a different animal in that game.They had nothing to lose and were going home if they lost. They also had Parisse back and threw everything at Ireland. Sadly they are a team that has gone backwards recently so their everything just wasn't good enough to beat an underdone Ireland.

Well said, Kevin, good to see you posting on Green and Gold btw. Parisse can't have long left before he starts spending more time with his gorgeous wife, and when he does pack it in Italy are going to be dreadful.

 

[KevinO]

Read an article last night about the cost of a Hotel in Cardiff for this weekend, it's bloody insane. Over $2500AU a night at the moment, the Walsh are loving that every Irishman is trying to be in Cardiff this weekend.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yeah that's the reason I elected to take the train from Paddington to Cardiff and back for the game last weekend. Couldn't get a room in Cardiff for love nor money.

 

[aeneas]

I reckon this will be the tightest game of the four. Sexton will do it for the men in green. Ire + 6

 

[JJJ]

How many leaders do Ireland have? No O'Connell, no Heaslip, no O'Mahony, and they still have Rory Best to step into the gap. I guess that's bound to happen when they have so few pro teams to draw from.

I'm a bit disappointed I didn't get to see more of Argentina vs the NH, to see what progress they've made. As for this game, too close to call imo. Should be a good one. Do we know who Arg have picked as laser-operator?

 

[KevinO]

How many leaders do Ireland have? No O'Connell, no Heaslip, no O'Mahony, and they still have Rory Best to step into the gap. I guess that's bound to happen when they have so few pro teams to draw from.

I'm a bit disappointed I didn't get to see more of Argentina vs the NH, to see what progress they've made. As for this game, too close to call imo. Should be a good one. Do we know who Arg have picked as laser-operator?

Heaslip is fit. Got a few others like Kearney, Murray

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[JSRF10]

Having just come back from Cardiff anyone who pays over $200 a night is a lunatic, there were lots of rooms going last week if you were happy with a 20 minute train into the city.

Ireland team has been announced by the Gerry Thornley (IRFU Press Relations Officer)

Ireland v Argentina: R Kearney; Bowe, Earls, Henshaw, D Kearney; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Ross, Toner, Henderson, Murphy, Henry, Heaslip (capt). Replacements: McGrath, Strauss, White, Ryan, Ruddock, Reddan, Madigan, Fitzgerald.

 

[JJJ]

Is he? Don't recall hearing his name this WC so thought he was out. Yeah, stacked full of leaders. A bit ridiculous really. No wonder they do so well. But the loss of High King O'Connell still has to sting.

 

[KevinO]

^^^^Captain this week

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[JSRF10]

Heaslip has been extremely audible over the ref link during the past few weeks. He's chat has been non stop and I suspect he may be the pack leader with POC concentrating on captaincy and lineout calling

I don't think we'll lose too much in terms of leadership this weekend. We still have multiple Ireland and provincial captains in there

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[JJJ]

Heaslip has been extremely audible over the ref link during the past few weeks.

Yeah, but you guys all sound the same.

 

[Kevin77]

Is he? Don't recall hearing his name this WC so thought he was out. Yeah, stacked full of leaders. A bit ridiculous really. No wonder they do so well. But the loss of High King O'Connell still has to sting.

That's actually accidentally quite amusing. Some Irish fans call him Houdini because they feel he tends to go missing at times (not a sentiment I agree with).

 

[Dewald Nel]

Argentina have a really good shot at beating Ireland - in fact, with the recent injuries and suspensions to Ireland, Argentina are slight favorites in my mind.

 

[qwerty51]

They were favourites before the injuries + suspensions..

 

[Dan54]

I agree wholeheartedly Dewald, can't believe how little credit Argentina seem to be getting. I would not be at all surprised to see 4 SH teams in semis, not saying they will, but wouldn't surprise me at all. Really looking forward to this weekends games.

 

[Kevin77]

Just as a little bit of a comparison for you.

Argentina have played 13 tests in the last twelve months. They've won 8 and lost 5. 61% winning record. Looks good on the surface.

However of the wins, 5 have come against tier 2 nations (Namibia, Tonga, Georgia, Paraguay and Uruguay).

That leaves 3 wins out of their 8 tests against tier 1 nations. They have beaten South Africa (who lost all three Rugby Championship game - and then beat Argentina shortly afterwards), France (by 18-13 at home) and to Italy (20-18 at home).

In the same period, Ireland have played 16 Tests. They've won 13 and lost 3. 81% winning record.

3 of those wins have come against Tier 2 nations. The remaining 13 tests have been against Tier One Nations and they have won 10 of those tests. Of the three that they have lost, two were the final warm up games for the World Cup.


My take on all this is that all the fear of Argentina is based on them beating South Africa once...which everyone has done this year. And based on them running the All Blacks close in this tournament and some slick moves against tier two nations.