[2015 RWC] Pool D: Ireland vs. Italy (04/10/2015)

[Jockstap]

Just all part of Joe's masterplan, go out and look absolutely awful in order to make the French complacent for next week. Very clever Joe, very clever indeed.

 

[OverGore]

Incredible how Italy screwed their advantage. Total panic at 15vs 14, too bad ,they were close

 

[Brabander]

Ireland was not playing well today but the most frustrating thing for me was the Dutch commentary...'Italy on good form would have smashed Ireland'. Awful biased commentary.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Ireland was not playing well today but the most frustrating thing for me was the Dutch commentary...'Italy on good form would have smashed Ireland'. Awful biased commentary.

It's not biased, it is ignorant.
I watched some of the games last week through RTL 7 and before the game there was this guy in the middle of a rugby pitch (with 15 players) explaining the basic positions and principles of the game to the dutch audience.
I'd rather watch the game online, including the 10 sec delay and ocassionaly lag, that put up with the dutch comments.
Trying to avoid Coco's a bit!

 

[Jockstap]

Ireland was not playing well today but the most frustrating thing for me was the Dutch commentary...'Italy on good form would have smashed Ireland'. Awful biased commentary.

Have they ever watched Rugby before?

 

[bw245]

Just all part of Joe's masterplan, go out and look absolutely awful in order to make the French complacent for next week. Very clever Joe, very clever indeed.

Haha, if only.

 

[munstermuffin]

This is great for Ireland. Lots to work on and steadies the hype. Huge credit goes to Italy for their performance. The return of Sergio the great easily lifts them 20-30%. Yes Ireland have plenty to work on but are in a good place. Will be interesting calls. POM had superb game looking at his defensive and line out stats. Henderson was awesome. Heaslip was very quiet and I think Toner laid down a claim. Will there be a shuffle?
Kearney will return to 15 and while I thought Dave K did well I can see him dropping out and Earls to the wing next week. That's presuming Payne returns. Henshaw was very rusty and that game will help him a lot.

 

[PacDuran]

This is great for Ireland. Lots to work on and steadies the hype. Huge credit goes to Italy for their performance. The return of Sergio the great easily lifts them 20-30%. Yes Ireland have plenty to work on but are in a good place. Will be interesting calls. POM had superb game looking at his defensive and line out stats. Henderson was awesome. Heaslip was very quiet and I think Toner laid down a claim. Will there be a shuffle?
Kearney will return to 15 and while I thought Dave K did well I can see him dropping out and Earls to the wing next week. That's presuming Payne returns. Henshaw was very rusty and that game will help him a lot.

Great post and I have some stuff to add:

1. Heaslip out- too long has he been coasting.
2. Henderson has a very bright future, could be our talisman in future.
3. Sergio the great is a legend and probably the best 8 in the world at the minute.
4. Ireland vs France will be decided by less than one score.

 

[Chistera]

This is great for Ireland. Lots to work on and steadies the hype. Huge credit goes to Italy for their performance. The return of Sergio the great easily lifts them 20-30%. Yes Ireland have plenty to work on but are in a good place. Will be interesting calls. POM had superb game looking at his defensive and line out stats. Henderson was awesome. Heaslip was very quiet and I think Toner laid down a claim. Will there be a shuffle?
Kearney will return to 15 and while I thought Dave K did well I can see him dropping out and Earls to the wing next week. That's presuming Payne returns. Henshaw was very rusty and that game will help him a lot.

Itlay didn't play that well in attack, they had an awful lineout, made some dubious decisions (trying to score that 50m penalty...) and butchered all of their try opportunities. Great defense and strong tackles from every player, Gori played really well, their only back of international level.
Ireland kicked it away too often, they should have retained the ball more often. I have to fancy France's chances after that game but I'm afraid of being confident in our team because that problably means that we'll lose.

 

[munstermuffin]

Great post and I have some stuff to add:

1. Heaslip out- too long has he been coasting.
2. Henderson has a very bright future, could be our talisman in future.
3. Sergio the great is a legend and probably the best 8 in the world at the minute.
4. Ireland vs France will be decided by less than one score.

Ive no doubt it'll be that tight. Henderson certainly will be a fixture in that Irish team providing he stays fit. I think SOB isn't as dynamic now as before due to his injuries. Heaslip has been quiet in games although I do accept he does some unseen work but there is huge competition in all areas. Pom possibly would've been Ireland man of match if it wasn't for a yellow. But every forward made poor errors at times. Henderson and POM were our best forwards followed by Best and I thought Toner was good on arrival.
Our back line will be tested hugely next week and it'll probably show more accurately where we are.

 

[munstermuffin]

Itlay didn't play that well in attack, they had an awful lineout, made some dubious decisions (trying to score that 50m penalty...) and butchered all of their try opportunities. Great defense and strong tackles from every player, Gori played really well, their only back of international level.
Ireland kicked it away too often, they should have retained the ball more often. I have to fancy France's chances after that game but I'm afraid of being confident in our team because that problably means that we'll lose.

Italy were good at picking and going but had no structure. They produced a heartful display and forced Ireland in to kicking. Their counter rucking in second half was very good but as you pointed out they had no lineout and I wouldn't say they butchered many opportunities. Apart from the 1 chance that was superb defending from POM they never really looked dangerous

 

[jomjom]

lol, apparently even Schmidt thinks were gonna lose in the QFs... Not the most inspiring thing to hear from the national coach

 

[barthelemy]

I'm trying to watch the Ireland Italy game but ITV player does not look to have it, somebody knows why ?? Is it too soon for it to be available ? Does somebody would have another link to the full match ?

Thank you

Edit : OK just became available

 

[barthelemy]

Ireland controlling the game all along, I never felt they could lose or they were in danger.

Italy put up a good defense and disturbed Ireland schema but not enough to hope for something. They really miss quality in the back lines.

Murray has taken several bad decision, kicked too much defo.

Looking forward for next Sunday

 

[Jockstap]

Italy were good at picking and going but had no structure. They produced a heartful display and forced Ireland in to kicking. Their counter rucking in second half was very good but as you pointed out they had no lineout and I wouldn't say they butchered many opportunities. Apart from the 1 chance that was superb defending from POM they never really looked dangerous

What's POM like as an 8 because Heaslip was terrible once again and drastically needs a kick up the arse, he was counter rucked off the ball by a winger today and delivers absolutely zero go forward these days. It would also allow us to put Henderson at 6 and Toner in for the set pieces.

 

[Peat]

Once again? I thought Heaslip's been pretty decent so far and I'm not a big fan of his at all. I've long considered they should put someone else to 8 - I suspect they'd pick SOB ahead of POM there - but I can't say I'm seeing the evidence for doing it so far and in any case, I'd be surprised if Schmidt went for it, what with Heaslip being one of the key leaders.

 

[WaterboySA]

Ireland had a bad day at the office and they still won....SA had a bad day and lost against Japan. That's the diffs, I think Ireland will make the final.

 

[The Jones Boy]

A note to the Irish fans.
The AB's looked average against a tough tackling Georgia team. They rushed their attacks and fumbled the ball because of it. They looked very beatable.
Yesterday Ireland was a little the same, they were snatching at their opportunities instead of taking them calmly and the handling errors crept in.
The Italians also showed up in a way that they didn't against France. It's like they only woke up to realise the tournament was almost over and they better put a performance in.
Ireland are much better than that performance and i would say that a poor dress rehearsal leads to a great show.
Let that be the case for next Sunday at the Millennium, I'll see you there.

 

[munstermuffin]

Pom not an8 but I'd be slow moving Henderson too as he's on form in 2nd row. But Sob to 8 and Henry in. But again I just think everyone is fighting for a spot.

 

[profitius]

Ireland made hard work of it but a win is a win. Italy were excellent and really stepped up a few levels. You'd wonder do they lack leaders after watching their previous matches.

Pom not an8 but I'd be slow moving Henderson too as he's on form in 2nd row. But Sob to 8 and Henry in. But again I just think everyone is fighting for a spot.

The problem Heaslip has is no competition. He doesn't have to try in some games because he is guaranteed his place. That's bad for the team. The reason Ireland has been more consistent these last 2 years is partly down to competition for places. POM definitely has the skills to play 8 and played there at underage levels but would need some practise there. Still, I'd wait to see how they get on against France first. I've a feeling the intensity levels will be cranked up a few notches.