Australia V Ireland, Saturday June 14

[eoino]

Stringers being played as a token last game. Enough said on the chap, he deserves one last game before Kidney gets in!

Australia will be a good battle for ireland, Ireland didnt play great against New Zealand (probably the weather) and should be well fired up for the Ozzies.

Should be a good game. What Irish channels are showing this game, and what time?

 

[shtove]

Reddan isn't a tough guy, not a lot of strength - that was obvious last week and against France in the 6N (remember he made a break but couldn't get a try scoring pass away off his right hand?).

Stringer could still be in there for the RWC because of his strength and the speed of his passing, although he does scuff out plenty of daisy cutters. He flaps a lot at the ruck and doesn't have much of a break, but I'm thinking we'll have to look to O'Leary long term for his replacement. Anyone notice the look on String's face at the final whistle in the HEC? Looked like a condemned man.

I have no idea of the form of the Aus players, so I'll say Ireland by 20 points. G'day.

 

[errlloyd]

Reddan is amazing, end of.

 

[Maccaweeny]

When was the last time Ireland won in Australia?

 

[InsaneAsylum]

When was the last time Ireland won in Australia? [/b]

1979... it's a question in the wallabies matchday program on page 60

http://activemagazine.smedia.com.au/ActiveMagazine/ARU/

29 years ago!

 

[BLR]

Judging from last time I was in Melbourne (people were shocked when they heard an English accent) there won't be a sea of Green like with the AB's last year...so the home ground advantage should get us over unless something terrible happens.

 

[sanzar]

And it's also being played at Telstra Dome instead of the MCG, so they'll surely pack it out...
Seriously though, they need to build a world class rectangular stadium down there now that they have a popular RL team, a soccer team and are vying for a S14 team. You can't keep putting rugby on at these AFL stadiums. You're just too far from the action!

As for the match. It will be close up front, but apart from O'Driscoll (who hasn't really impressed in the last couple seasons) there just isn't enough class in the backs for Ireland. Aus by 14-20

 

[InsaneAsylum]

And it's also being played at Telstra Dome instead of the MCG, so they'll surely pack it out...
Seriously though, they need to build a world class rectangular stadium down there now that they have a popular RL team, a soccer team and are vying for a S14 team. You can't keep putting rugby on at these AFL stadiums. You're just too far from the action!

As for the match. It will be close up front, but apart from O'Driscoll (who hasn't really impressed in the last couple seasons) there just isn't enough class in the backs for Ireland. Aus by 14-20 [/b]

yeah a rectangular pitch inside an oval makes it difficult to get close to the action... the new rectangular stadium is being build next door to olympic park where the storm currently play. it will be used for rugby and soccer.

telstra dome is fantastic though, because it's close to the city and public transport. if your at the mcg/olympic park/tennis centre you have to get a tram back to the city first, then train home.

you'd be stupid to drive the car

 

[sanzar]

How many seats will the new rectangular stadium have?

We actually could use one in Syndey really... maybe they should look at upgrading/rebuilding the SFS so it can hold double the capacity? Would be awesome to have something like Millennium stadium.

 

[BLR]

How many seats will the new rectangular stadium have?

We actually could use one in Syndey really... maybe they should look at upgrading/rebuilding the SFS so it can hold double the capacity? Would be awesome to have something like Millennium stadium.[/b]

They only come close to filling it is the SOO, Wallabies or maybe Socceroos are playing, it's better having a full small stadium then a huge cavenous half full stadium...

 

[sanzar]

You've got it mixed up... They never hold Wallabies or SOO games at the SFS, they hold them at the 80k capacity Homebush stadium (currently ANZ stadium). The SFS (Sydney Football Stadium - can't remember which sponsor is attached to it right now) is the one near the city that holds around 40k and is a much better ground to watch the footy at than the Homebush colossus that sits in the middle of nowhere. Personally, I think they should tear down the homebush stadium... it's a pain in the arse to get to, it has no atmosphere and way too expensive. The SFS has always been a much better place to watch the footy, even though it has half the capacity. Going to the Waratahs v Reds game last year when it was packed the atmosphere was just electric! People prefer going there, it's as simple as that!

 

[Fushitsusha]

Well, David Wallace being ruled out of the match with injury.

That's a HUGE blow for Ireland.

 

[SimonTaylor]

Tuqiri just monstered Stringer!!

 

[Maccaweeny]

Scrappy performance from the wallabies, they need to improve up-front and stop conceding the ball.

Who was the dick-head gay patting Burgess on the head? Seriously a ****le is always good to put someone off their game, yet stroking someone's hair? Whoever he is I hope he's enjoying his fourth loss in a row and 30 years of not winning in Australia

 

[Sir Speedy]

Scrappy performance from the wallabies, they need to improve up-front and stop conceding the ball.

Who was the dick-head gay patting Burgess on the head? Seriously a ****le is always good to put someone off their game, yet stroking someone's hair? Whoever he is I hope he's enjoying his fourth loss in a row and 30 years of not winning in Australia
[/b]

That'd be Denis Leamy. :bana:

 

[Maccaweeny]

Save the arrogant faggotry for when you're winning.

 

[rsea]

Flashes of brilliance in the 1st half from Wallabies followed by a flat performance in the 2nd half. Enjoyed watching them come together to hold out Ireland at the end. Great test match rugby even if it was played on an ice rink!

Edit: I want to see some replays of the monster hit by tuqiri in the last minute!

 

[Sir Speedy]

Save the arrogant faggotry for when you're winning.
[/b]

Agreed. I think he was hoping that Burges would punch him and concede a penalty + yellow card. Lol @ him.

 

[DC]

hahah burgess getting his head pat that was classic

 

[Fushitsusha]

Australia were absolutely woeful in that second half...

The forward pack as a whole were average at best... I don't know why the Wallaby forwards have this tactic that only one person needs to secure the breakdown and the rest of them can go hang out in the backline? I wanted to slap Nathan Sharpe after one of his pathetic attempts at the ruck...

They kicked the ball waaaaay too much...

I felt the referee was constantly favouring the attacking team at the breakdown... it seemed that George smith was unfairly penalised a couple of times at the breakdown, and Ireland probably deserved a penalty try when Shepherd was isolated in front of the line... but generally the team with the ball was given lenience...

Cordingley and Ashley-Cooper should've been brought on to make an impact earlier in the second half...

The only Australian players I'd give credit to after that would be Berrick Barnes and Peter Hynes... otherwise, poor effort... A LOT of improvement required if we're going to have any success in the Tri-Nations...

Oh, and the scrum is still crap... Baxter shouldn't be playing professional rugby etc. etc.