RWC Quarter Final: Ireland - Wales (08-10-2011, 18:00)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington (08-10-2011, 18:00)

​

[TABLE="class: grid"]
[TR][TD] Ireland [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] Wales [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Rob Kearney [/TD][TD] 15 [/TD][TD] Leigh Halfpenny [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Tommy Bowe [/TD][TD] 14 [/TD][TD] George North [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Brian O'Driscoll [/TD][TD] 13 [/TD][TD] Jonathan Davies [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Gordon D'Arcy [/TD][TD] 12 [/TD][TD] Jamie Roberts [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Keith Earls [/TD][TD] 11 [/TD][TD] Shane Williams [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Ronan O'Gara [/TD][TD] 10 [/TD][TD] Rhys Priestland [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Conor Murray [/TD][TD] 9 [/TD][TD] Mike Phillips [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Jamie Heaslip [/TD][TD] 8 [/TD][TD] Toby Faletau [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Sean O'Brien [/TD][TD] 7 [/TD][TD] Sam Warburton [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Stephen Ferris [/TD][TD] 6 [/TD][TD] Dan Lydiate [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Paul O'Connell [/TD][TD] 5 [/TD][TD] Alun Wyn-Jones [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Donncha O'Callaghan [/TD][TD] 4 [/TD][TD] Luke Charteris [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Mike Ross [/TD][TD] 3 [/TD][TD] Adam Jones [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Rory Best [/TD][TD] 2 [/TD][TD] Huw Bennett [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Cian Healy [/TD][TD] 1 [/TD][TD] Gethin Jenkins [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Sean Cronin [/TD][TD] 16 [/TD][TD] Lloyd Burns [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Tom Court [/TD][TD] 17 [/TD][TD] Paul James [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Donncha Ryan [/TD][TD] 18 [/TD][TD] Bradley Davies [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Denis Leamy [/TD][TD] 19 [/TD][TD] Ryan Jones [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Eoin Reddan [/TD][TD] 20 [/TD][TD] Lloyd Williams [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Jonathan Sexton [/TD][TD] 21 [/TD][TD] James Hook [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Andrew Trimble [/TD][TD] 22 [/TD][TD] Scott Williams [/TD][/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Me 1]

Well, with the way Wales' game plan has been working I think we should win this, but I'll reserve judgement until I've seen the team. C'mon Cymru!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Lets hope Wales makes it through to the semi's and maybe even a final!!! How cool would that be? A final between Wales and the Springboks!!!

 

[Jockstap]

Well, with the way Wales' game plan has been working I think we should win this, but I'll reserve judgement until I've seen the team. C'mon Cymru!

I think the Irish players experience in the big games(Heineken Cup finals) will win us this one, plus as well as the Welsh pack is going, I don't think they have the gumption in the forwards to overcome this Irish pack.

 

[munstermuffin]

Don't mean to be picky but is the kick-off not 6am our time instead of 7am. Just incase some people use that time and miss a large chunk of the game

 

[Jockstap]

I also reckon this will be the longest thread of the RWC, the Welsh and Irish never shut the f@#k up.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I also reckon this will be the longest thread of the RWC, the Welsh and Irish never shut the f@#k up.

With yourself kicking it all off in post #4 <_<

ITV have already written off Wales, I am sure Gatland will have added motivation and part of his speech already done.

 

[munstermuffin]

With yourself kicking it all off in post #4

 

[dullonien]

This should be an ancounter of epic proportions! Wales v Ireland matches are always enjoyable and close (well at least in recent history), and I can't see this being any different. I've been hugely impressed with Irelands front 5, especially at scrum time. To bully Italy like they did today was impressive, but with Gethin/James and Adam we should be able to match them there. Both sets of second rows have been playing well. The backrow is gonna be another huge battle, especially Warburton v O'Brien, although Lydiate (if he plays) v Ferris and Faletau v Heaslip are also mouth watering.

In the backline, I feel things start to sway a little in Wales' direction. I think our midfield is playing better than Irelands, although O'Driscoll is always up there with the best. He's gonna have his hands full with Roberts, Davies/Scott Williams and North running at/around him though. O'Gara will be targetted if he starts. Wales' back three is also firing verry well at the moment, even Byrne is looking half decent!

Wales' bench could proove cruicial. There's a chance we'll have Hook/Stephen Jones, Shane Williams, Ryan Jones, Jon Davies, Bradley Davies, Powell and Paul James on the bench, that's strong by anyones standards!

Finally, we come to the experience of both teams. Ireland are by far the most experienced, but will it matter? Can't wait to find out the answer. Probably looking forward to this game like no other (possibly only Ireland '05 and France '08). C'mon Wales.

Oh yeh, let the banter commence.........

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

O'Gara will be targetted if he starts.

Now there's a surprise!

I love watching Wales play and would preferred to see them go further in the tournament. It'll be a shame to knock them out at the quarter final stage but that's what Ireland will do.

Seriously though, Ireland's key to victory is winning the battle from 1-8 and providing O'Gara (most likely) with a platform to kick Wales to death. Wales' best chance is to run Ireland's old team ragged and play an expansive game.

It's too close to call. There'll be less than 7 points in it either way. Ireland's big game experience may sway it but Wales' fire power could equally win out.

 

[munstermuffin]

What I meant to say in previous post was while the Welsh might not be all talk if everything is consistent Gatland will say some stupid comments and be all talk. He has never got over his history with Ireland.

Dullonien I have to slightly disagree with you on somethings, I think the packs are both equally equipped and well Warburton will argubally have 1 of the biggest tests in his test career containing an on-form O'Brien and well Ferris is in magical form.

While you mention Wales may target O'Gara, facts show O'Gara delivers more often when he is the one targeted. But the added bonus now is O'Gara is probably in some of the best form he has ever shown in a green jersey, and well if he doesn't start then we have Sexton who is in great form and well I think his poor goal-kicking has overshadowed his good form in the other areas of his game.
In the back's D'Arcy and BOD will be a match for anyone and well Wales back 3 are in good form but are up against a back 3 that are just as dangerous.
And well you talk about bench options but while you mentioned a possible Welsh bench with a few returning from injury Ireland have a bench who are on form also and can contribute.

 

[lucky number 7]

Sean O'Brien

 

[coonor]

One thing that could make a big difference is support. From what I have seen the Irish support has been brilliant and I believe we will have more fans the Wales for the game mainly due to our emigrating past.

 

[TVH11]

The magic of this sequence of games is that any team can beat each other - England/France/Ireland/Wales all have won against eachother in past years; none of the teams will be "scared" of the other (No psychological block).

As everyone has stated, the forward battle will be immense! I'd personally say that both sides are contrasting in the way they play. Ireland to play tight and tactical while wales will try and play wide and slightly faster (depending on 10/12 combination - which will be key to style of play). No doubt that if O'Gara starts, Wales will be expected to target him (Roberts running down his channel at every opportunity). In saying that, I don't think Wales will do that, its overly predictable and for once we've gone away from that during world cup. Battle of the 7's will be a very tasty encounter, I cannot wait for this at all Early start on Saturday then i guess. I truly believe that we can win this, and I get the feeling that the side does too. Gonna be a tight one 3 - 10 points in it. I believe it will be in Wales' favor!

 

[timrees]

One thing that could make a big difference is support. From what I have seen the Irish support has been brilliant and I believe we will have more fans the Wales for the game mainly due to our emigrating past.

I think you'll find that people have migrated to NZ and AUS from all of the home nations. It's not just the oirish that have populated these regions. It's just that you all make the most noise about it.

 

[lucky number 7]

It was a sea of green out there... haven't seen that level of support out there yet in any of the games.

 

[nato]

Should be a interesting game, I have seen wales last 4 games and they seem to be on form.
Should be a tight game but i don't know, lets just wait for the day of the game and then find out.

 

[durbutter]

I think you'll find that people have migrated to NZ and AUS from all of the home nations. It's not just the oirish that have populated these regions. It's just that you all make the most noise about it.

Would you **** off! 34000 people in 12 months for a population of 4 million is ****ing tough. Especially when it's pretty much all young people. Jobs market in the UK is tight but at least there is stuff out there. There is nathin' here.

 

[Teh Mite]

Would you **** off! 34000 people in 12 months for a population of 4 million is ****ing tough. Especially when it's pretty much all young people. Jobs market in the UK is tight but at least there is stuff out there. There is nathin' here.

Believe me when I say, no there isn't. The Scottish warmongers totally ****ed us.

 

[adamjones]

Let’s look at the latest stats as in pool stages, Ireland had 17 points, Wales had 15 points. However when it comes to PF Wales were the second top scoring team with 180 points, second only to NZ, Ireland only managed to score 135. When it comes to TF again Wales scoring 23 tries to Ireland’s 15. When it comes to tries against, Wales 34, joint with Ireland and England second only to South Africa.

It will be a close game, but Wales have a 54% victory rate against Ireland. Both teams are equally matched and can preform, but I think Wales will have the upper hand here.

All the best to them though, ceart go leor!