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

[coonor]

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.

At the end of the day he is a poor tackler and with Faletau running down his channel there would only ever be one winner. He's a weak link in the Ireland defense and although they can usually cover for him, if Wales attack him well they will make the gain line.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I wouldn't be surprised if this game ends up tryless because both teams have great defense, I do think it'll be more difficult for Wales to score because all their tries seem to come from deep and Ireland, even when playing badly, don't usually concede from deep. Same can be said for Ireland but with O'Gara's pin point accuracy tactical kicking, Wales are going to have a lot of pressure Line Outs in their own half.
Also Wales beat Ireland in Cardiff with an illegal earlier in the year and I think this will spur Ireland on to a win.

And after saying all this I still think Wales will win.

 

[j-dawg]

Sam Warbourton (or however you spell it) Vs Sean O'Brien will be good. Reckon Irelands backrow is the best in the world at the moment. Ferris, Heaslip and SOB?

 

[JW.]

Sam Warbourton (or however you spell it) Vs Sean O'Brien will be good. Reckon Irelands backrow is the best in the world at the moment. Ferris, Heaslip and SOB?

Ill call and raise you, Kaino,McCaw,Reid.

 

[j-dawg]

Ill call and raise you, Kaino,McCaw,Reid.

I'll raise you again. Moody, Easter annnnnndd...Tim Payne. Now thats gambling!

 

[donmcdazzle]

It will be interesting to see Ireland's loosies come up against a genuine fetcher in Warburton. They haven't had to contend with that as of yet. Ferris and O'Brien are basically both 6's, interesting to see if Wales can get an advantage at the breakdown.

 

[dullonien]

Gotta mention Ferris once again. I know O'Brien has been getting all the plaudits, and press, but for me Ferris has been immense, considering many (including I) didn't think we'd see him back on a rugby pitch just a few months ago. For him to battle to regain fitness, and return to form is such a small sapace of time is an immense achievement. He's been a great player for Ireland and Ulster, and he could have been even better if he hadn't had to battle through so many injuries throughout his carrier.

I've got so much respect for the Irish players, and their fans, I just wish one of the teams didn't have to be knocked out next week. But that's what's gonna happen, and I'm sorry but Irish fans are gonna need some comfort after we give them a propper going over on Sat. It'll be won up front, and I'll probably back a Warburton man of the match display, with Gethin not far behind. North to make O'Gara cry like a little girl

 

[TRF_RC]

Ireland are a very impressive team. Solid forwards, slick deadly finishers...they are a very difficult team to beat and we're gonna have to play out of our skins to beat them next week, no doubt.

 

[monkeypigeon]

In fairness to Rog, even if he's a doormat, he's a sticky one. You'll run over him and he'll grab your foot...off the top of my head (besides out of position on the Lions Tour) I can't think of anytimes when his tackling has been the cause of a try....maybe some laughs, but not a try.

Why is everybody taking it for granted that Rog will start against Wales? Sexton's defence and variety may see him start.

 

[o'concrete]

first input onto the TRL site..did we not beat Australia (tri-nations champs, 2nd highest ranked team) 2 weeks ago and did we not lose to wales illegally last March? Wales came up against an uninterested SA side, a crap Fijian and namibian effort and just about got over Samoa. I think they've yet to be tested really and with the hype being on Wales with this new guy Warburton (never heard of him before the WC) we should take advantage by playing them up and ambushing them on saturday.
Ireland have proved they can handle lightning fast back runners (ozzies beale, copper, ashley cooper) and can also adopt to dealing with stern scummagers. kidney will hopefully hype up the welsh before this game and let the players just prove themselves.
Just my opion (the rugby forum rocks by the way!! )

 

[TRF_Olyy]

first input onto the TRL site..did we not beat Australia (tri-nations champs, 2nd highest ranked team) 2 weeks ago and did we not lose to wales illegally last March? Wales came up against an uninterested SA side, a crap Fijian and namibian effort and just about got over Samoa. I think they've yet to be tested really and with the hype being on Wales with this new guy Warburton (never heard of him before the WC)

Hmmmmm!
Don't agree with....any of that
And you can't write off Warburton just because you've never heard of him!

Welcome to the forum, btw

 

[lucky number 7]

SOB is growing into the fetcher role I think, the battle vs warbuton will be a very very big test.

 

[dullonien]

first input onto the TRL site..did we not beat Australia (tri-nations champs, 2nd highest ranked team) 2 weeks ago and did we not lose to wales illegally last March? Wales came up against an uninterested SA side, a crap Fijian and namibian effort and just about got over Samoa. I think they've yet to be tested really and with the hype being on Wales with this new guy Warburton (never heard of him before the WC) we should take advantage by playing them up and ambushing them on saturday.
Ireland have proved they can handle lightning fast back runners (ozzies beale, copper, ashley cooper) and can also adopt to dealing with stern scummagers. kidney will hopefully hype up the welsh before this game and let the players just prove themselves.
Just my opion (the rugby forum rocks by the way!! )

Welcome to the forum, we're a tight knit and very knowlegable bunch here.

We, and yet you appear to be from Scotland?

Also, how can you not heard of Warburton before now. He has been immense in the bast year, and is one of the most exciting players in the world at the moment. I think you're also not giving Wales enough credit. Sa weren't at their best, but I think part of that was due to Wales hammering them in most facets of the game. I think Samoa would have progressed from the England/Scotland/Argentina, and the NZ/France pool, they're a quality outfit. Fiji were a bit all over the place when we met them, but Namibia are no worse than some of the other minnow teams at the tourny, especially with Jacques Burger throwing himself around everywhere.

Ireland have also been impressive. Beating Aus is no mean feat, but that game was won up front in the scrum and at the breakdown (in the absense of Pocock), Ireland won't have similar dominance in similar aspect of play against Wales. I feel Gatland, the rest of the backroom staff and the players have been immense at this world cup. Gatland certainly appeared to be holding a gameplan back for th world cup, as many hoped, and it's working a treat. Even if we loose against Ireland, I'll be proud of the boys, and confident of the future that lies ahead. I'll also be cheering Ireland on with all my heart. Here's to an awesome game of rugby, as we know it will be.

Edit. I may be a little drunk, so excuse the spelling mistakes. Half a bottle of red whine, and few bottles of Grolsch certainly makes uni work a little more interesting.

 

[monkeypigeon]

Connacht Crest. Probably an expat in Scotland or a student in Edinburgh.

I agree with everything you just said except...Namibia after their first match, became comfortably the worst minnow in the competition.

 

[lucky number 7]

Welcome to the forum, we're a tight knit and very knowlegable bunch here.

We, and yet you appear to be from Scotland?

Also, how can you not heard of Warburton before now. He has been immense in the bast year, and is one of the most exciting players in the world at the moment. I think you're also not giving Wales enough credit. Sa weren't at their best, but I think part of that was due to Wales hammering them in most facets of the game. I think Samoa would have progressed from the England/Scotland/Argentina, and the NZ/France pool, they're a quality outfit. Fiji were a bit all over the place when we met them, but Namibia are no worse than some of the other minnow teams at the tourny, especially with Jacques Burger throwing himself around everywhere.

Ireland have also been impressive. Beating Aus is no mean feat, but that game was won up front in the scrum and at the breakdown (in the absense of Pocock), Ireland won't have similar dominance in similar aspect of play against Wales. I feel Gatland, the rest of the backroom staff and the players have been immense at this world cup. Gatland certainly appeared to be holding a gameplan back for th world cup, as many hoped, and it's working a treat. Even if we loose against Ireland, I'll be proud of the boys, and confident of the future that lies ahead. I'll also be cheering Ireland on with all my heart. Here's to an awesome game of rugby, as we know it will be.

Edit. I may be a little drunk, so excuse the spelling mistakes. Half a bottle of red whine, and few bottles of Grolsch certainly makes uni work a little more interesting.

Muahaha not all of us

 

[Dizzy]

Well, Ireland beat Australia and Wales came so close to beating the Boks, but my decision will go on Wales based on their backline. They have been quite exciting this World Cup and I'm looking forward to this game more than any in these QF's. The SA/AUS game is just another Tri Nations fixture for me and whoever wins will be decided with kicks at goal so no interest there. I'm hoping Roberts and North have a great game and Wales to win by 5

 

[dullonien]

Connacht Crest. Probably an expat in Scotland or a student in Edinburgh.

Ah yeh, missed the Connacht crest.

 

[rhifsaith]

Well, Ireland beat Australia and Wales came so close to beating the Boks, but my decision will go on Wales based on their backline. They have been quite exciting this World Cup and I'm looking forward to this game more than any in these QF's. The SA/AUS game is just another Tri Nations fixture for me and whoever wins will be decided with kicks at goal so no interest there. I'm hoping Roberts and North have a great game and Wales to win by 5

Ireland definately favouraites.we both played a tri nations team they won we lost.we both played a slightly lower ranked team.(italy and samoa)they won convincingly wheras we scraped past samoa.the experience they have in that team as well.munster and leinster very exerienced in cup rugby.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

@ o'concrete

I think saying Wales came up against a disinterested SA side is a bit inaccurate. Credit where credit is due; SA might have looked disinterested but mainly because we hardly had any ball to play with between the Welsh effort at the ruck, lead by Warburton, and our at times aimless kicking away of good posession.

Also discounting both Wales and SA's chances by saying Fiji were **** and both hardly got passed Samoa are also a bit unfair as that same Samoan team beat Aus by the same points margin that Ireland did (9 points) and are a tough nut to crack.

 

[o'concrete]

yah lads,
I'm an expat in scotland, downturn forced me to UK's oil capital but got the connacht flag flying in my flat (from Galway originally) ! I've massive respect and love for all the celtic nations and as a previous person said its unfortunate were meeting in the quarters but thats how it goes. whoever wins this I'll be supporting to the end. it should be a cracking and exciting encounter, I just think Ireland will come out top seeing as we have to fulfill some revenge from last march's game, the fact Gatland hates us, leinster's and munsters experience to grind out results against equal or better opposition and that this year is the last for a lot of our players.
Still no connacht man in the squad but great to see Cronin developing from his time spent in Galway (all the best to him on saturday), proud of him!!