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kiap
Steve Williams (59)
Will give this a try!
Residing in Dubai as you do, B, I hope you don't see pirates for quite some time. Preferably forever.
No, Oom, that's (now) the Five Nations Wine Challenge which is in August; this is THE premier show around these parts, the NSW Wine Show. But you're right, it bloody hurt for me not to turn up I can tell you.
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Waylon
Guest
I thought it was dribble
The Aussie pack was to blame
Cooper is the equal of Beale in speed, dazzling footwork and has the vison to unleash players in space.
Ioane is a fearsome defender. It is a major blow that he was injured in game one. His defending in the 10 channel makes runners fear for their own safety
Cooper made plenty of breaks and created plenty of space...........considering the rubbish he was forced to work with from a pack that took it from behind from the kickoff
The Aussie pack was to blame
Cooper is the equal of Beale in speed, dazzling footwork and has the vison to unleash players in space.
Ioane is a fearsome defender. It is a major blow that he was injured in game one. His defending in the 10 channel makes runners fear for their own safety
Cooper made plenty of breaks and created plenty of space...........considering the rubbish he was forced to work with from a pack that took it from behind from the kickoff
the plastic paddy
John Solomon (38)
That is a properly magnanimous post and greatly appreciated by this Paddy; like strong opinions, Riptide but like people who win and lose as graciously as you have done more, good on ye mate!!
Scotty
David Codey (61)
Of course all countries have rude and poorly behaved supporters, mostly these supporters behave badly when then go out to support their own team. It is in a different league entirely when they turn up to abuse supporters and visitors from other countries when their own team wasn't even involved in the contest!
John the baptist
Stan Wickham (3)
I have taken the time to read this thread through from the beginning. Its been fairly impressive. I had read Barbarians letter and many of the comments in response to it before I came to this thread and as a result came here expecting rabid arrogance and xenophobia. What I encountered was in the main rational and analytical and well agrued debate.
I think its fair to say that both countries fans are not quite where they expected to be after two games of this RWC. However, both teams face the same challenge. Its one of delivering consistently, for Australia, on their tri nations form and for Ireland on the English and Australia performances. The teams are on different tracjectories, but I dont know who has the easier task Deans or Kidney.
We have an Aussie in the family who was giving me a good slagging last week as we struggled to overcome the USA. My last text to him after that game was that "Aussies will be complacent next week". However, I have sent no gloating messages after Saturdays match. For me this result is completely meaningless unless we top the group. In doing so we have to perform against Italy and then back up the performance against Australia in the quarter final. Its at that point that Saturdays result will have meaning for me. I might send a text then!!
Good luck for the rest of the competition.
I think its fair to say that both countries fans are not quite where they expected to be after two games of this RWC. However, both teams face the same challenge. Its one of delivering consistently, for Australia, on their tri nations form and for Ireland on the English and Australia performances. The teams are on different tracjectories, but I dont know who has the easier task Deans or Kidney.
We have an Aussie in the family who was giving me a good slagging last week as we struggled to overcome the USA. My last text to him after that game was that "Aussies will be complacent next week". However, I have sent no gloating messages after Saturdays match. For me this result is completely meaningless unless we top the group. In doing so we have to perform against Italy and then back up the performance against Australia in the quarter final. Its at that point that Saturdays result will have meaning for me. I might send a text then!!
Good luck for the rest of the competition.
the plastic paddy
John Solomon (38)
I dont want to start a row, and I would never be a cocky twat but honestly I can't see how you fellas cope with Cooper. Not because of the Tasman sea bollix but, as brilliant as he is going forward and he is exceptional with ball in hand, I would struggle with a fella who doesn't stand in line defensively. ROG is no Sean O' Brien but I have never seen him duck out of trying to tackle someone. Maybe I am missing something but I would find it hard to get behind a fella who isn't giving his all.
the plastic paddy
John Solomon (38)
Don't mind the good/flakey just can't deal with a fella who doesn't even try to defend. ROG is no Jonny Wilkinson( the best defensive OH I have seen, when he was fit) but he has a fecking go and that matters to me!!
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
There have been some pertinent observations on here about the futility/stupidity of blaming the backs for a problem created by the forwards. This is a valid point. However, one of the tasks of any 5/8 worth his salt is to read the situation and adapt: i thought Deans came to the table with the idea that he was going to encourage the wallabies to play what was in front of them.
Accordingly, when it became apparent that the forwards were thinking of the post match function one response QC (Quade Cooper) could have made was to merely put the ball in fron of them - kick for touch or kick for position. A few of these would have taken the problem away from out half and de-emphasised the breakdown for a few minutes. Instead his reaction was to play from behind a beaten pack with flicks and chips.
I would have expected, given the conditions, Deans to say at half time the priority is field position.....bang the corners
Accordingly, when it became apparent that the forwards were thinking of the post match function one response QC (Quade Cooper) could have made was to merely put the ball in fron of them - kick for touch or kick for position. A few of these would have taken the problem away from out half and de-emphasised the breakdown for a few minutes. Instead his reaction was to play from behind a beaten pack with flicks and chips.
I would have expected, given the conditions, Deans to say at half time the priority is field position.....bang the corners
Riptide
Dave Cowper (27)
Ireland will not fall down against Russia or an Italian side that has no outside half. The Irish scrum can hold its own against Italy with Ross at TH. As such, it now seems that Ireland will face Wales in the Qtrs over whom they have had a very strong record in the past 12 to 15 years. Ireland will not fear Wales and will enter that game as favorites. Similarly, it can be said that a solid England will feel quite confident that they can dispatch a French team whose camp bristles at Lievremont’s communication and selection policy.
From my time spent in Ireland, I know that facing the English is different for an Irishman. Should Ireland meet England in the semi, every Irish player will grow and extra arm and leg, and Ireland can count on every neutral's support. For those in green, there is a steely focus and commitment to tear the lungs and rip the shit out of anything wearing white with a rose on it that simply does not pervade any other sporting encounter in the Irish calendar. Ireland grow in the presence of England, and they beat them well with alarming frequency.
Frankly, it is no longer a stretch to see Ireland in a World Cup final given the draw. Avoiding France is a must, but meeting England will be relished. Winning three massive knockout games in a rown may be too much for an Irish team lacking genuine depth, but getting to the Final is now realistic.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
...and Ireland have never beaten the ABs so they can start engraving Bill?
John the baptist
Stan Wickham (3)
That`s the type of thinking Ireland need to see in all their knock out round opponents. We are notoriously poor as favourites.
the plastic paddy
John Solomon (38)
Spot on riptide, you know your stuff and in fairness your initial comments before the game were justified you just underestimated the Kidney factor. I have said for months now that Ireland will make the final but I am not God. Ireland can make the final but we will need a fair wind and a following breeze. Wales will miss Hook massively as his kicking and management enables Gatland to play a Kiwi 10 in Priestland rather than the flakier Jones. Anyway, best of luck to you fellas, and heres to no more injuries for anyone. If you want to follow a NH player, take a look at Felix Jones when he comes back in Nov/ Dec in the HEC for Munster, think you Aussies would love him.
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BRIX
Guest
Hahaha, yeah, more of the Omani/Somali variant here mate. Word around the tavern is that the Concord/Burwood ones are still lost, looking for treasure.
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
Kiwi fans behaviour/attitude towards Aussies/Wallabies going mainstream now. This on front page of digital SMH just now:
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Conish
Guest
Pretty prescient observations re mcalman tiger12, a seven he is not. Deans took a chance not bringing a second specialist openside. Id have thought beau robinson or even Chris Alcock. Neither could have lived with sean obrien to be fair, but might have tightened things up.
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