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

[TRF_Olyy]

or the English who we have a great record against in recent years but always have the mental chops for the big games.

Maybe in the past but not anymore - Forgotten the Grandslam decider in the Aviva?
Choked and choked hhhaaaarrrdddd

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Either way, one of these Celtic nations will go boldy where no Celtic nation hath gone before.

Ehm, wasn't Wales in the semi's in 1987???


I hope Wales makes it all the way through to the final where they meet South Africa (That is the same way it went the first RWC I played on my PS3 earlier this week haha)

 

[j-dawg]

Maybe in the past but not anymore - Forgotten the Grandslam decider in the Aviva?
Choked and choked hhhaaaarrrdddd

Correct me if im wrong, but, didn't England choke several times at Grand Slam deciders in the years running up to the 2003 world cup? Once against Ireland I beleive.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Didn't England also have a 14game winning streak, or something similar, going into the 03 world cup?
Hardly comparable...

 

[j-dawg]

Didn't England also have a 14game winning streak, or something similar, going into the 03 world cup?
Hardly comparable...

Simmer

 

[welshwizard88]

this game has all the ingredients of a classic!i cant see it being more that 5/6 points in this one. i do think wales will out score ire on tries although it doesnt mean we will win... may the best team win!

 

[irelandfan123]

wasn't Wales in the semi's in 1987

**** your semi-final we have an O'Brien outside
(To the people who don't get it , you just won't get it )

 

[TRF_Olyy]

**** your semi-final we have an O'Brien outside
(To the people who don't get it , you just won't get it )

Poor effort, too many syllables!

 

[irelandfan123]

I tried to think of something else but I got up to early to think properly

 

[coonor]

I think you'll find that people have migrated to NZ and AUS from all of the home nations. It's not just the oirish that have populated these regions. It's just that you all make the most noise about it.

Yes but Ireland have had people migrating in masses for the last 200 years and the people living there tend to love the idea of being some sort of plastic paddy. All I'm saying is that the support for Ireland has been far more visible and evident than any other country from the northern hemisphere.

 

[dullonien]

Yes but Ireland have had people migrating in masses for the last 200 years and the people living there tend to love the idea of being some sort of plastic paddy. All I'm saying is that the support for Ireland has been far more visible and evident than any other country from the northern hemisphere.

Indeed they have, and it's been bloody fantastic to see tbh. Wales will have plenty of support, but Ireland will have more. Not sure it'll make too much difference though. The same was said about support for Samoa and Fiji, yet that didn't matter in the end.

 

[Peat]

Yeh, Lydiate must start if fit, because he can keep O'Brien quiet by tackling him out of the game.

The problem with this scenario is Ferris and Heaslip are free to make hay. Which is not an ideal scenario. I don't believe Wales can afford to manmark any of the Irish backrow.

Its also a godsend for the Irish backs as it gives them a great set of dummy runners to work with.

Trimble is no match for Shane/Halfpenny.

Can't agree with this. They're different players, but Trimble is a quality player and probably the unluckiest bench player at the tournament short of du Plessis (not a swipe at Earls so don't you start MM). Admittedly, I'm probably slightly biased here.



This is a potential classic and one I'm looking forwards to. At the moment I think Wales will edge it, they seem to be getting more out of their backs (although there was distinct improvement in the Italy game). I also think even for a great back-row a predator like Warburton is a pain in the arse to have around. That said, if the Irish backs can keep their defence up, then they've got the experience which is a huge thing.

Head says Wales, heart says Ireland - I don't want to see the Taffs in the final, gods no...

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I feel nervous about this match already. There's 6 days to go and I'm shaking at the thought of it. One of the most tightly-balanced games in World Cup history, I honestly can't see one team being a definate 'favourite', although I'd love it (Love it, love it, love it) if Wales could do one over the Irish again, as if England win the other semi, I reckon we'll make the final, and then, who knows?

 

[cardassian]

This has to be the closest of the quarters imo.
Really struggling to pick a favourite here.
Should be a cracker of a game though.
Hoping Ireland win it, but wouldn't mind seeing Wales win either.
Hopefully the winner here goes through to the final.
In fact wouldn't mind seeing either of these teams take the cup.

 

[CJL]

Re Wales targeting the O'Gara channel (if he's starting)...Ireland and Munster are well used to teams targeting this...and it is said before every match O'Gara is starting. Its rarely you see teams gaining a huge advantage by doing this...yes i know he can get run-over from time to time but the majority of the time this channel is defended very well by the team, when you consider it is constantly targeted. Also Ireland have one of the best defenses in the world. i think i heard somewhere that they havnt conceded a first half try all year in a competitive match.

 

[SelimNiai]

I feel nervous about this match already. There's 6 days to go and I'm shaking at the thought of it. One of the most tightly-balanced games in World Cup history, I honestly can't see one team being a definate 'favourite', although I'd love it (Love it, love it, love it) if Wales could do one over the Irish again, as if England win the other semi, I reckon we'll make the final, and then, who knows?

Same, I've told my flatmate he has to watch it to cos otherwise I'm going to be waking him up by shouting at the tv

 

[timrees]

I'm a Welshman living in Ireland. The thoughts of losing this and going to work afterwards are making me feel sick right now. We have to win it, or I'll never hear the end of it.

 

[Siva Tau]

Very close match worthy of a semi with two in form teams. Both have shown enterprise far greater than England with Wales effort against SA a standout. Ireland showed real guts to beat highly fancied Wallabies. I think Ireland just.

 

[dullonien]

The problem with this scenario is Ferris and Heaslip are free to make hay. Which is not an ideal scenario. I don't believe Wales can afford to manmark any of the Irish backrow.

Not really, because Faletau and Warburton are excellent defenders aswell. Faletau in particular is great around the fringes, while Warburton is often the man leading the defensive charge. O'Brien is a great player, and he needs to be kept quiet, I think Lydiate is just the man to do this (Kaino aswell if the two meet).

Re Wales targeting the O'Gara channel (if he's starting)...Ireland and Munster are well used to teams targeting this...and it is said before every match O'Gara is starting. Its rarely you see teams gaining a huge advantage by doing this...yes i know he can get run-over from time to time but the majority of the time this channel is defended very well by the team, when you consider it is constantly targeted. Also Ireland have one of the best defenses in the world. i think i heard somewhere that they havnt conceded a first half try all year in a competitive match.

Maybe Ireland and Muster are used to teams targetting this, but it doesn't change the fact that they've got someone in a pivitol position who can be stemrolled by Shane Williams (I know it was a while ago, but still...). By having to cover somebode else, there could and should be gaps elsewhere, it's all good in my mind, whether or not the breaks are actually made down ROG's channel.

As for defense, I agree that Irlenads defense has been impressive. But another stat to throw out there. It was mentioned on ScrumV last week that Wales hadn't conceded a single linebreak in this world cup (although I'd personally consider Hougaards try as a linebreak), and I don't recall Fiji making one today, now that is pretty darn impressive!!!

Edit. Wales will have a fully fit squad to choose from for the QF clash with Ireland. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/15145079.stm

Really didn't expact that to be the case after three hugely physical encounters against SA, Samoa and Fiji! I know Hook, Shane and Lydiate will be short a week or two, but I'm over the moon by that, I was expecting to have half the squad injured by the end of the pool stages tbh. I think that's probably another sign of the fitness of the players, I've always belived that fit players are less injury prone (although freak accidents, such as broken bones can strike at any time).

 

[CJL]

As for defense, I agree that Irlenads defense has been impressive. But another stat to throw out there. It was mentioned on ScrumV last week that Wales hadn't conceded a single linebreak in this world cup (although I'd personally consider Hougaards try as a linebreak), and I don't recall Fiji making one today, now that is pretty darn impressive!!!

Wow...didnt realise that. That is very impressive. Havn't got to see much of Wales due to me sleeping through the matches but from the highlights i've seen they have been top class.