[2015 RWC] Quarter Final 3: Ireland vs. Argentina (18/10/2015)

[Jaguares]

Go the mighty Pumas!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[The Jones Boy]

The Argies haven't fired yet, I wonder if they will cope with Ireland.

 

[Tony Manx]

The Argies haven't fired yet, I wonder if they will cope with Ireland.

They are by far the poorest of the SH teams and a victory over SA, who were rolled by the Japanese, does not change that!!

They have great team spirit which stands them puts them in a great place but the Irish have always had that and the loss of POC in particular will galvanize them even more!!

I do not think it will even be close!!

 

[The Jones Boy]

Argies are looking like a better version of Italy, very strong in the pack and not a lot happening after that.

 

[Every Time Ref]

The Pumas have been pretty great at rucking on defense, recovering many balls even though the tackles were failing hard. (I'm talking specially vs Tonga).

So Although I see your point, this could be decided on how well the Irish defend the ball at rucks.

Agreed. And Ireland on form are possibly the best in the world at protecting their own ball. I don't see you making many turnovers if Ireland start putting phases together

Argies are looking like a better version of Italy, very strong in the pack and not a lot happening after that.

I think that's a really outdated impression, Argentina nowadays are bursting with pace and dangerous runners, and often play with 2 playmakers in Sanchez and Hernandez. The one-dimensional stereotype is just not true anymore.

What's the centre pairing likely to be? Hernandez and Moroni?

 

[big ginger 8]

Agreed. And Ireland on form are possibly the best in the world at protecting their own ball. I don't see you making many turnovers if Ireland start putting phases together

Yeah our ruck success percentage was 97% in the pool stages. It's something Schmidt has demanded excellence in and been his main focus point with Ireland. It's no surprise that on the odd occasion where it hasn't been up to standard we've turned in poor performances.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Yeah our ruck success percentage was 97% in the pool stages. It's something Schmidt has demanded excellence in and been his main focus point with Ireland. It's no surprise that on the odd occasion where it hasn't been up to standard we've turned in poor performances.

Looks like we need a new coach, how much do you want for him...?

I have a lot of respect for this Irish side, as you say largely built around dominating those rucks. It's painful to watch as an Englishman because we seem to have almost entirely neglected the concept of winning breakdowns, despite being arguably the single most important aspect.

I think if you ruck at your best you'll almost certainly beat Argentina, unless Madigan has a mare with the boot and they get space to run in broken field

 

[Diomedes]

Argies are looking like a better version of Italy, very strong in the pack and not a lot happening after that.

That's quite an unfair assessment; their half backs and back three are quality - they've exceeded the handicap spread more so than any other team in the competition (I know they've played minnows mostly but you can only play what's put in front of you). I thought they showed some sublime back play against NZ with Hernandez as the fulcrum.

 

[Jaguares]

Yeah our ruck success percentage was 97% in the pool stages.

97% against Romania, Italy, Canada and a poor French side. I want to see those statistics against NZ and the new Australia. Now start the real competition.

 

[WaterboySA]

I think Ireland's real competition will start in the Semi's?OK not true, but still, he DID say it was in the pool stages. Not bad figures even if it was against weaker opposition.

 

[Jaguares]

I think Ireland's real competition will start in the Semi's?OK not true, but still, he DID say it was in the pool stages. Not bad figures even if it was against weaker opposition.

And Argentina was the top scorer team in the pool stages. Even more than NZ and both had the same rivals.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I don't think scoring points in the group stages is that important a stat to be honest, what's the difference beating Namibia with 60 points or 40?! Wales, Australia and Ireland only conceding 2 tries with NZ close behind on 3 is impressive though. SA on four looks pretty sound too but France, Argentina and Scotland on 6, 7 and 9 respectively looks dodgy. Conceding more than one try in a game against the top 5 won't cut it, so if an upset is to happen in this game or in the France or Scotland games the defences will have to tighten up considerably.

 

[MunsterMan]

Argentina rested players and played a very loose, open game v Namibia. Conceding tries v Namibia is not an indicator of whether or not they will concede tries against Ireland.

Earls didn't train today, Sexton took some part. Apart from the knock on Earls was excellent against France, with Payne already out he would be a big loss.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Argentina rested players and played a very loose, open game v Namibia. Conceding tries v Namibia is not an indicator of whether or not they will concede tries against Ireland.

Earls didn't train today, Sexton took some part. Apart from the knock on Earls was excellent against France, with Payne already out he would be a big loss.

Take the Namibia result out and they still conceded more than 1 a game, they're prone to being somewhat naive in defence and it can and has caught them out and will continue to do so if they don't rectify it. Considering Ireland's biggest weakness in recent times has been their ability to clinically score tries it'll compliment our side rather well.

Earls isn't the worst loss by any means, Fitzgerald and Cave can execute that role at least as well as he does if not better.

 

[pat mcgroin]

Sexton trained today, Will be re-assessed on friday!

http://www.the42.ie/ireland-sexton-earls-injury-update-2388020-Oct2015/

 

[munstermuffin]

Have no fears of Earls he will be ok. There's no injury just as is said he's battered. Sexton I'd say will make it. I know people saying Earls wouldn't be a loss but watch game again he made a very good defensive effort and excluding the fumbled pass was very solid. But most importantly was what Henshaw said. That they gelled together and it was vital as it kept stability and trust there as they were there together a lot in camp over past 2 months. Now maybe Luke or Cave might be as good or as people who don't rate Earls say better but in a side that has been disrupted a lot the more stability we can keep the better. And he hasn't let Ireland down in a RWC game yet.

 

[Pampas]

Argies are looking like a better version of Italy, very strong in the pack and not a lot happening after that.

well, thats a really false statement.
Argentina faced similar opposition in the group stages, and Argentina's results were far better than those of the italians. And those results came after very strong performances, as a team and from some individual players (especially from the backline), displaying an open game, with flair and speed. Italy cannot say the same.

- - - Updated - - -

After the injuries and suspensions, I still see Ireland as a candidate, but not more than a 60% vs 40%.
My biggest concern is that we get enough balls from the scrums, where we have not been as solid as we used to be, and line-outs, where the Irish excel. However, if we manage to win our own balls, and if we stay focused on discipline, i believe it would turn to a 60-40 for Argentina.

 

[TheOvalBall]

Argentina should just dominate with their pack, and their great running into space and offloading should be enough to win the match.

 

[big ginger 8]

97% against Romania, Italy, Canada and a poor French side. I want to see those statistics against NZ and the new Australia. Now start the real competition.

We've also had the best rucking percentage in the last two 6N, that's just the most recent stats, Ireland are known for the breakdown in the same way Argentina are for the scrum.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Take the Namibia result out and they still conceded more than 1 a game, they're prone to being somewhat naive in defence and it can and has caught them out and will continue to do so if they don't rectify it. Considering Ireland's biggest weakness in recent times has been their ability to clinically score tries it'll compliment our side rather well.

Earls isn't the worst loss by any means, Fitzgerald and Cave can execute that role at least as well as he does if not better.

You could equally say that it's lucky for Argentina that Ireland aren't clinical enough to exploit their weakness. I also think that they played fast and loose against Tonga and Namibia (I didn't see that game, going on reports) - will they play the same way? Perhaps - but although they risk conceding tries, fast and loose definitely suits them. I'm going to stick my neck out and say you won't be crossing your fingers for an open game come Sunday afternoon, amirite?