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

[Saintjay]

Well genius, that was an Irish C team that went out to play Scotland in Edinburgh so you might want to check your facts first. Oh yeah, Italy are a tier one nation now, perhaps you missed that aswell.

Yeah I was trying to get Italy under the radar

, was it your C team that played most of the summer warm ups then.

I might not be a genius but I know you have lost four out of your last eight games

 

[munstermuffin]

RedCard I know your been positive but it just hard to see anything other than a very tight game and well both team on great form.

And I was basing best defense on points and well discipline will play big part and well there are a few hotheads on either side

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

 

[lance2010]

Im going for Wales in this match,I was impressed by the way the welsh fronted up aganist both Samoa and South Africa both phyiscal teams and i believe they can outmuscle Ireland.
Wales have looked very good so far.

 

[Steveomac]

Would that be the Scotland that beat Ireland last time you met or the fact we had two other tier one nations in our group

Behave would you! As probably pointed out they beat an Irish side with not that many first choice players on it. Plus Scotland have been mince in the World Cup.

 

[Saintjay]

Behave would you! As probably pointed out they beat an Irish side with not that many first choice players on it. Plus Scotland have been mince in the World Cup.

I am only ribbing you guys, take my mind of the bloody nerves for our game both teams Wales and Ireland have played better rugby than us over recent weeks. I hope we can find just a little of that spark later.

 

[profitius]

I'm confident of an Irish win and with good reasons.

-Wales will be under more pressure than most of them have ever experienced. The Irish players have been in similar types of situations before. They're being talked up now which brings pressure.
-Warburton isn't going to dominate the breakdown alone. Ireland have plenty of players who are good in that area.
-Kidneys greatest strength is his ability to get the most out of his players. The other coaches are also quality and Gert Smal is a world cup winning coach.
-Ireland are looking solid in the set pieces.
-The Irish backs are also dangerous and they'll have some things up their sleeves. They're not afraid to have a go either. I think they'll use their backs too to keep the Welsh defense guessing.
-The Irish pack have better ball carrying ability and if Wales try to stop SOB for example it'll leave gaps for other players.
-I think the Welsh need more things to go right for them like the weather etc.
-ROG is kicking well.


I also think it was a mistake to not have Stephen Jones on the bench at least. Gatland has taken a massive gamble with the changes but has he gone too far? I'm glad Hook isn't playing also. He is a class player and leaving Lee Byrne out is also a brave call.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Wales are under no pressure, have no clue what you are talking about. All of the pressure is on Ireland. They are favourites and have been placed to be. The media are doing Gatland's team talk for him which is exactly what Wales would have wanted. Wales will have wanted to go in underdogs rather than favourites.

For the above poster, you have obviously seen no Welsh rugby recently because you would know that Lee Byrne has been in poor form and has rightfully been dropped.

 

[shtove]

Class.

Dayglo: "I don't want to appear arrogant, but ... ah **** this, why not!"

 

[dullonien]

I'm confident of an Irish win and with good reasons.
1. Wales will be under more pressure than most of them have ever experienced. The Irish players have been in similar types of situations before. They're being talked up now which brings pressure.
2. Warburton isn't going to dominate the breakdown alone. Ireland have plenty of players who are good in that area.
3.Kidneys greatest strength is his ability to get the most out of his players. The other coaches are also quality and Gert Smal is a world cup winning coach.
4. Ireland are looking solid in the set pieces.
5.The Irish backs are also dangerous and they'll have some things up their sleeves. They're not afraid to have a go either. I think they'll use their backs too to keep the Welsh defense guessing.
6. The Irish pack have better ball carrying ability and if Wales try to stop SOB for example it'll leave gaps for other players.
7. I think the Welsh need more things to go right for them like the weather etc.
8. ROG is kicking well.


I also think it was a mistake to not have Stephen Jones on the bench at least. Gatland has taken a massive gamble with the changes but has he gone too far? I'm glad Hook isn't playing also. He is a class player and leaving Lee Byrne out is also a brave call.

1. Ireland are under more pressure, going in as favourites, even if Welsh fans are just as confident of a win.
2. It's not just Warburton though. Lydiate is very good at the ruck, especially at clearing out. But there's also Gethin Jenkins, who's like having another flanker on the field at times. Pretty sure he's secured at least 3 turnovers since returning already!
3. Gatland is a decent coach. He may have been getting some stick in recent years, but he's starting to show that he knew what he was doing all along. Looks like he was keeping alot back for the WC, as our entire gameplan has changed since the predictable side to side attack. Very clever imo.
4. Wales are also looking solid at the set pieces. We probably have a better scrum, and Ireland a better lineout, but neither by much, and both might be neglible.
5. Welsh backs have looked far more dangerous recently. The likes of Roberts, North, Halfpenny and Priestland are in great form, then theres Shane who can produce something out of nothing, and there's Hook on the bench.
6. I'll give you this point, because I do think Ireland have better ball caryers with that backrow + Healy. Wales are getting better in this respect with Faletau and Lydiate decent carriers. I think this is another Area where Warburton has excelled. Maybe he doesn't run through people, but he can make breaks with his great speed. Jenkins is another strong ball carrier.
7. I don't see why we need more things like the weather to go our way. We demolished Fiji in attrocious conditions, which shows we can still play in poor weather. We've still got a strong pack, as shown by the way we deminated SA in the first game.
8. Priestland and Hook are kicking well. 100% kicking in the last game is not too shabby.

Not long to wait now. Gonna go to bed soon I think, because I just want to fast forward to this game starting.

 

[kicklikeaprop]

Only one more sleeps now

Alarm.............. check
second alarm ....check

i cant wait or sleep probably



come on ireland
eire abu

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Come on Wales!!!

 

[lucky number 7]

Very excited for this...wont sleep most likely ...great having a league match a few hours after ..eff sake...

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

It's weird, seeing my 2 fav. European teams play each other but for some reason I've been cheering for Wales ever since the 90's when I watched some rugby on Eurosport (HORRIBLE CHANNEL!!!) and Wales just one of those teams to fall in love with.

 

[TRF_RC]

Tried waking up as late as possible, I'm nervous as hell already.
I think Ireland have go a great team, regardless of how poor they played in the warm ups, they are playing some very good rugby in the world cup which is what matters.
Both teams have got class players all over the field and i have no idea which way this match will go, but as ever I wish Ireland the best of luck - this should be a hell of a match.

 

[RuckinGoodStats]

Some stats from the RWC pool round for you to consider...

Overall, these two teams have pretty good stats, which is why they made the quarter-finals. Set pieces will be interesting. Both like to have the pill, but Ireland also love territory. Both make few errors, comparatively given how much time they have the pill. Ireland control of the game and ability to make the tackles and not miss them could be the difference.

Time, Possession and Territory

• Ball in play or contestable time is different for these teams. Ireland's ball in play for its games is one of the lowest in the comp (16th). Wales is at the other end of the scale being the 2nd highest.
• Both teams like to have possession of the pill in the first half. Ireland are averaging 59% in the 1st half, the highest of any team. Wales is 5th highest with an average of 55%.
• Ireland also like to dominate territory in the 1st half was well. They are ranked 3rd highest with 61% territory. Wales are 18th with 44%.
• Ireland in the 1st half like to spend time in the 22. Again they are the highest in this regard with an average of 19%. Wales are 18th with an average of 10%
• Ireland's 1st half dominates mostly continues in the 2nd half but Wales have more possession. For 2nd half Wales have the most possession with 58%, with Ireland 2nd with 56%.
• Ireland also to dominate the territory with 56%, or 4th highest. Wales is middle of the pack with 9th highest of 51%.
• No surprise that Ireland have highest overall possession and territory. Wales are 2nd with possession, but are 15th for overall territory. They are also at different end of the scale for overall time in 22. Ireland are 2nd highest with 19%, Wales 13th highest with 14%.

Points

• Both teams are leaking the exact same amount of average points.
• Ireland are 24% more likely to take a RWC penalty goal on the left side of the field than the right side of the field.
• Ireland are 43% more likely to score a RWC try in on the left side of the field than the right side.
• Wales are twice as likely to take a RWC penalty goal on the left side of the field than the right side of the field.
• Wales are 2 &1/4 times more likely to score a RWC try in on the left side of the field than the right side.
• Ireland's opposition are twice as likely to take a RWC penalty kick from the left side of the field than the right side of the field.
• Wale's opposition are twice as likely to take a RWC penalty kick from the left side of the field than the right side of the field.
• Before you think this left and right side has nothing to do with it, check out the ref below...
• Ireland kickers in RWC: Sexton 47% (7/15), O'Gara 84% (16/19). In 6-nations Sexton 75% (9/12), O'Gara 78% (7/9).
• Wales kickers in RWC: Hook 67% (6/9), Priestland 79% (11/14), Jones 92% (11/12). In 6-nations Hook 76% (12/17), 73% (8/11).
• Drop goals if it comes down to it, in RWC (6-nations): Sexton 1/1, O'Gara 0/1 (1/1), Priestland 0/3, (Hook 1/2)

Attack

• Due to the amount of possession both teams are high in completing ruck/mauls. The average number of phases are also very close.
• Ireland are 5th ranked with 8.3 offloads per game and Wales 3rd highest with 9.5 offloads.
• While both teams take roughly the same type of options with tactical kicking, Wales is the 2nd highest for tactical kicking errors, so 2nd worse at making tactical kicking errors.
• The Welsh 1st 5/8's for set piece and recycled ball is running it the most out of any team in RWC.

Defense

• Ireland lead the RWC by a long way in completed tackles. They miss the lowest in the comp, averaging 5.3 per game. In terms of ratios, Ireland miss on average 1 in 15.8 tackle attempts. The next best is 1 in 9.8 by Australia.
• Wales is missing 1 in 7.2 tackle attempts on average. While this is 6th best in the RWC, Ireland have just shored up the defense a lot better.

Errors

• Having the amount of possession Ireland does you would expect a lot of errors. Typically that is what happens. Ireland are 18th lowest in RWC with 16.75 lost possessions/turnovers. Wales are 5th highest with 21.
• Both team lose the ball when taking it into the ruck an average amount, Ireland 2.75, Wales 3.
• Penalty count is not bad for Ireland 9.5 per game, 14th ranked. Wales 11 per game, 6th highest. Wales are conceded the 4th highest in conceding a penalty while in possession, making 4.75 or 43% of the time.
• Wales concede the 4th highest penalties at the ruck/maul. Ireland concede a lot more than other teams at the set pieces. Ireland also concede too many in the opposition's 22. They are 3rd highest in tis area for RWC.
• Handling errors by both teams are middle of the pack, given the amount of possession they have, remember I only count ball in play, that is pretty good.

Set pieces

• Ireland lead the comp with the most lineout infringements. For some reason their opposition seem to knock it on in the lineout when Ireland have the throw –in.
• Ireland favour throw to the middle of the lineout, Wales to the front.
• Ireland like to throw the ball in quickly if the other team has kicked it out way down the field.
• For a team that has few handling errors, Wales have had a lot of scrums, 3rd highest amount in RWC.
• At scrum time there are infringements on the team's feed. This is consistent for both Wales and Ireland. There are also infringements on the opposition's feed in the Ireland's scrums as well.

Ref stats: Joubert on average in RWC (his 2011 average) per game

• 2.5 scrum resets (3.1), lowest of the the 10 RWC refs.
• 5.0 scrum infringements (4.6) ranked 5th.
• 21.5 pens awarded (19.6), 3rd highest.
• 12.8 ruck pens (11.4), 4th highest.
• 4.0 scrum pens (2.9), 3rd highest.
• 0.3 lineout pens (0.1), 2nd highest.
• 2.5 pens for offside (2.6), 5th highest.
• 7.3 pens are inside the 22, 2nd highest.
• 7.1 pens awarded end up with the team taking a shot at the posts.
• 53% more likely to award a kick that ends up a shot at the posts from the right side of the field than the left side. hmmm these team favour the left side of the field...
• 2.8 free kicks (2.1), highest.

 

[Shaggy]

Both teams have been playing well, but i've got a feeling Wales might take this one ... should be a much better match than the one I saw in *cough* ... 1987

... Wales are leading in the games played against Ireland, in New Zealand 1 - nil

 

[Seaton]

How come so few people wake up in the 4:45-5:30 regularly?

I'll fancy Wales for this one, with the team that they have going forward, me thinks if they advance to the final, it could well be a catalyst for a period of Welsh domination in the 6 Nations.*



* Until Scotland get up to speed of course

 

[igy]

i like Ireland alot and i really hope they go all the way to the final!

 

[TVH11]

I'm so frikin exited its unbelievable Waking my younger brother at 5 am is certainly a sight for sore eyes, poor little youngen!! hahahahaha
less than an hour to go, i'm so tense!

C'mon Cymru