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

[Amobokoboko]

Should be a close game as well. I hope the Irish win

 

[SpanishBob]

Kearney vs Halfpenny= Halfpenny, no doubt.

 

[bluemagic]

Uh-ohSaying Sean O'Brien is equal to Warburton is going to incur the wrath of the Irish

Well I wouldn't want to say it to him anyway, hate to see him angry!

 

[big ginger 8]

Nah Kearney=safe as houses

Halfpenn=untested

 

[daffodil67]

So amusing to see all the Paddies and all the Taffs being so polite to each other all over the place: "no, no, no you are definately the better team and worthy favourites" etc; even the Gatland Gun has got the bug. I can't get enough of it.

I had a semi drunk late night FB chat with an Irish friend last night which basically went that way

 

[i tickle ur tum]

I should clarify I have one of my most important games later. A game where I'll be lucky not to end up in hospital after.

sky record so & turn off your phone whilst watching it....or just get up you lazy b***

 

[killer08]

I think ireland could run away with this by a bit, between 10-15+ points? ,
This is a welsh team for the future, they lack the experience, especially without jones and hook,
people are mad saying priestland is equal to or better than ROG , not by miles

 

[Saintjay]

I think ireland could run away with this by a bit, between 10-15+ points? ,
This is a welsh team for the future, they lack the experience, especially without jones and hook,
people are mad saying priestland is equal to or better than ROG , not by miles

Alan Quinlan states on radio that he is surprised that Ireland are starting with O'Gara, as every Warran Gatland team has targeted O'Gara as he is not the strongest of defenders. I feel this might be the case and it will be interesting to see how he handles Jamie Roberts running at him.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

23 pages and still a day away from the match itself... This is crazy!

 

[Steveomac]

Uh-oh
Saying Sean O'Brien is equal to Warburton is going to incur the wrath of the Irish

No it's when someone tries to do that with Haskell is where the problems start.......

 

[munstermuffin]

Ye taking the mick ...... Priestland = O'Gara.
A fella who has bags of experience and form over someone who has always been patchy up until recently when he has had form.

Wales may regret leaving Stephen Jones out of 22 completely because I think in a tight game (which I expect this to be) you need a cool head at 10.
Ireland have ROG starting and while not massively experienced in International terms Sexton is a 10 and has the experience of big club games and a from working with some of the best.
Wales have Priestland who being fair is in good form but I still not sure if he will be a guy that holds down a 10 jersey for long time. Add in his only big game experience is HEC pool stages or Celtic League, the guy hasn't even been at the helm for 6 Nations games and well yes he played in the pool games of RWC but knockout rugby is a different ball game altogether. Then in Hook you have a talented player that can do something amazingly good or bad but doesn't play 10 consistent enough and well is in ok form only.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That seals it then - Priestland to get a brace, kick all his penalties and several huge dropgoals

 

[Rhyer]

That seals it then - Priestland to get a brace, kick all his penalties and several huge dropgoals

Meanwhile on planet Earth...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

To be fair I wouldn't be surprised if Priestland got a try - Scored some belters for Scarlets against tidy opposition

 

[Slippersccfcfawwrucb's]

George North and Jamie Roberts tweeting about the weather improving in Wellington!
Does this mean that the Welsh team are planning to go for it all guns blazing!!!!

By **** I hope so, cos I love it when we play the game as intended and dont just resort to "playing percentages" and "grinding the other team down"

Win or lose I love the fact that only France in the NH can match our willingness to win with style and that is why supporting Wales, for all its lows, will always be special because Win or lose on Saturday we wont have to listen to the kind of dull win at all costs drivel that the likes of Martin Johnson and so many others come out with these days.

C`mon Waaaaaaaalees!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[munstermuffin]

Don't get me wrong I not saying Priestland is rubbish or anything just Wales have next to 0 experience in the 10 shirt and well if things were to go shaky or if Priestland were to be uncertain under the pressure Jones would've been option to steady the ship.

 

[dullonien]

Ye taking the mick ...... Priestland = O'Gara.
A fella who has bags of experience and form over someone who has always been patchy up until recently when he has had form.

Wales may regret leaving Stephen Jones out of 22 completely because I think in a tight game (which I expect this to be) you need a cool head at 10.
Ireland have ROG starting and while not massively experienced in International terms Sexton is a 10 and has the experience of big club games and a from working with some of the best.
Wales have Priestland who being fair is in good form but I still not sure if he will be a guy that holds down a 10 jersey for long time. Add in his only big game experience is HEC pool stages or Celtic League, the guy hasn't even been at the helm for 6 Nations games and well yes he played in the pool games of RWC but knockout rugby is a different ball game altogether. Then in Hook you have a talented player that can do something amazingly good or bad but doesn't play 10 consistent enough and well is in ok form only.

All very valid points. The biggest concern with Priestalans starting and with no James Hook in the starting 15 is kicking at goal. Priestland has been in good form with the boot in the WC so far, but he's been flaky with the Scarlets in the past, and it's usually a confidence thing with him. Hopefully he'll get a couple of easy early penalties and things will go well. I suppose there's always Halfpenny if needed. As for the rest of Priestlands game, it has been very good for probably a couple of season now. He controlls the game well, is a decent defender and attacks the line as well as anyone from 10. What's really put him ahead of Jones and Hook is his ability to get the best out of those around him, especially Jamie Roberts, who's had a fresh lease of life outside Priestland. That for me is enough to justify his starting spot, because an in form Roberts is a massive weapon that can easily turn a match. With Hook on the bench, there's simply no space for Jones.

We've all gotta remember that it's only recently that O'Gara has regained some decent form. He's been playing seccond fiddle to Sexton for the past couple of seasons, which has probably forced O'Gara to up his game. But at the end of the day, it's been the drop in Sextons form, especially with the boot that has resulted in O'Gara becoming first choice again. Priestland has been playing as well as any other outside half (barring Carter probably) at this world cup. He's barely put a foot wrong, so deserves to be put at about the same level as O'Gara.

 

[munstermuffin]

All very valid points. The biggest concern with Priestalans starting and with no James Hook in the starting 15 is kicking at goal. Priestland has been in good form with the boot in the WC so far, but he's been flaky with the Scarlets in the past, and it's usually a confidence thing with him. Hopefully he'll get a couple of easy early penalties and things will go well. I suppose there's always Halfpenny if needed. As for the rest of Priestlands game, it has been very good for probably a couple of season now. He controlls the game well, is a decent defender and attacks the line as well as anyone from 10. What's really put him ahead of Jones and Hook is his ability to get the best out of those around him, especially Jamie Roberts, who's had a fresh lease of life outside Priestland. That for me is enough to justify his starting spot, because an in form Roberts is a massive weapon that can easily turn a match. With Hook on the bench, there's simply no space for Jones.

We've all gotta remember that it's only recently that O'Gara has regained some decent form. He's been playing seccond fiddle to Sexton for the past couple of seasons, which has probably forced O'Gara to up his game. But at the end of the day, it's been the drop in Sextons form, especially with the boot that has resulted in O'Gara becoming first choice again. Priestland has been playing as well as any other outside half (barring Carter probably) at this world cup. He's barely put a foot wrong, so deserves to be put at about the same level as O'Gara.

As I said I not arguing Priestland is out of his league just simply as you said he is a confidence player. And well has very little international experience in big games and well if we be honest this will be the first major game of his career and well (with no disrespect to Wales previous games in RWC) this will be a much higher intensity and pressure cooker with guys like O'Brien, Heaslip and Ferris looking for him. He hasn't had these issues in past games and well IF things weren't to go his way then I just thought a cool head like Jones would be ideal. Because it is a big probability the 10 who controls this better and takes their kicks will be the winning 10.

 

[JW.]

George North and Jamie Roberts tweeting about the weather improving in Wellington!
Does this mean that the Welsh team are planning to go for it all guns blazing!!!!

By **** I hope so, cos I love it when we play the game as intended and dont just resort to "playing percentages" and "grinding the other team down"

Win or lose I love the fact that only France in the NH can match our willingness to win with style and that is why supporting Wales, for all its lows, will always be special because Win or lose on Saturday we wont have to listen to the kind of dull win at all costs drivel that the likes of Martin Johnson and so many others come out with these days.

C`mon Waaaaaaaalees!!!!!!!!!!!!

You go ahead and lose playing then .

Got a feeling Wales might nudge this one, rooting for Wales! Not going to happen very often .

 

[ExcaLiBuR]

I think Ireland have this game in the bag, It will be close but to much experience will make them win. Then an Ireland vs England Semi-Final, with England winning and have England vs Australia/NZ final.