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

[Ostrayian]

Without doubt the game of the round between the 2 most impressive teams of the RWC so far.

 

[jmaher92]

Jesus christ i'm nervous already lads

 

[ckell]

Potential to be the game of the tournament. Will be interested to see how Ireland's back row will fare against a genuine fetcher at the breakdown in Warburton. I'll say Ireland to shade it by 3.

 

[Me 1]

Hopefully a fit Lydiate and Faletau should be able to stop O'Brien, and Warburton will be a hand full. The game will probably be decided between both back rows and I'm looking forward to seeing it (Wales will win though)

 

[Pink Floyd]

I'm shakey just thinking about it. I got a really bad feeling Ireland are going to win comfortably, although I'd love Ireland to go far in the competition I can't help but feel I'd rather have had Australia and be knocked out to them than Ireland as I know we're almost on par with them so it's going to be more painful for me. When it comes to rugby I'm a depressed pessimist haha.

Wales have hit some form and are playing well but I can't help but think it's just a purple patch, they were so readable a few months ago, same attacks non stop, easy to defend but there are new young players in the team I think that freshened the whole aproach. Anyways, good luck to the remaining teams and well done to all the teams who didn't make it, I'm loving the WC thus far and all the teams have played their part.

 

[daffodil67]

I'm shakey just thinking about it. I got a really bad feeling Ireland are going to win comfortably, although I'd love Ireland to go far in the competition I can't help but feel I'd rather have had Australia and be knocked out to them
.

I was thinking about this yesterday and I decided would rather be knocked out by Ireland than by cocky Aussies. I saw them kill Wales live at the 91 RWC and have never liked them since LOL! At least the Irish are ... well, Irish and would give us a mammy hug and a few sandwiches after! ]

But lets not think that way yet!

 

[callsign.springbok]

gonna be a great game, hope it will be decided by tries not by who misses more kicks. same goes for all QFs I guess.

Irish tight five has been intense in the scrums, Cian Healy having a great tournament.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I think the Welsh backrow will seriously have to be on the top of their form to have the edge over Heaslip, O'Brien and Ferris. The locks are pretty even, front-row also.

I think Wales will have the edge in the half-back combo but the centers are better in Green. Guess it's a game that can go either way which is absolutely amazing

 

[King_D'Arcy]

I think the Welsh backrow will seriously have to be on the top of their form to have the edge over Heaslip, O'Brien and Ferris. The locks are pretty even, front-row also.

I think Wales will have the edge in the half-back combo but the centers are better in Green. Guess it's a game that can go either way which is absolutely amazing

Gotta disagree with this personally. I think Wales's 2nd row is their main weak point. Jones is pretty good but Charteris isn't much.

 

[big ginger 8]

Amazing this has 9 pages already. First thing thats annoying me yes SO'B is not a groundhog but Heaslip (who is getting very little plaudits) has developed into one. Case in point turnover for what should have been Bowe's first try.

Beither set of fans should be overly confident both teams have been going extraordinarily well ans have great defences (Ireland's probably just edging it). Two things that should work in Irelands favour Kidney is a master of getting the players head's right and the whole Irish team are experienced winners.

Some Welsh people have to stop hyping North yes he looks a great prospect but he's not "all that". Also Ireland's centres have played themselves into form and can handle Roberts.

BTW I think Sexton will start this one with Murray.

 

[JW.]

Gotta disagree with this personally. I think Wales's 2nd row is their main weak point. Jones is pretty good but Charteris isn't much.

Jones is better than both of the Irish second rows IMO. If charteris starts then they could have the upperhand, what about Davies?

 

[Draggs]

Jones is better than both of the Irish second rows IMO. If charteris starts then they could have the upperhand, what about Davies?

I disagree. O'Connell is ahead of Davies, Jones, and Charteris from what I have seen.
I'd start AWJ and Charteris, Bradley on the bench. Charteris has hardly put a foot wrong and along with Bennett, is perhaps our most improved player since the Six Nations/Barbarians match.

My only questions are who to play at Eight, Outside Centre, and Fullback.
Right now I would say Faletau, Hook, and Halfpenny, respectively. Ryan Jones, Stephen Jones, and Jonathan Davies on the bench for aforementioned players' cover.

 

[big ginger 8]

Have you seen PO'C like ever?

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Gotta disagree with this personally. I think Wales's 2nd row is their main weak point. Jones is pretty good but Charteris isn't much.

Haven't seen a lot from Charteris but against us he actually owned the line-outs (against freakin' Victor Matfield) so I think he cannot be underestimated. I think form brings him up to the level of O'Co and O'Ca

 

[Macsen]

This game is completely 50/50. Who knows? But I might add that when Wales get rolling and have self-belief, like they did in 05 and 08, they seem to become an unstoppable force. Ireland have been consistently good for years and have beaten Australia in the past but have struggled to close the deal when it really mattered.

So I'd say Wales 16 - 12 Ireland...

But if you do win Ireland, make damn sure you beat England or France in the semi-final. Or I'll be angry!

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads there is still a few days to get through and this thread is 10 pages or so long

But I think people seem to forget that this game will be decided by important factors such as injuries and which game plan is executed but this game is set up perfectly for a player off then bench to really make the difference.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

My only questions are who to play at Eight, Outside Centre, and Fullback.
Right now I would say Faletau, Hook, and Halfpenny, respectively. Ryan Jones, Stephen Jones, and Jonathan Davies on the bench for aforementioned players' cover.

I'd give serious consideration to starting Scott Williams again - though I do think it'll be Hook at centre

I also think that if Davies isn't starting he won't feature, and Byrne will be in the 22 shirt if Halfpenny's starting at fullback


Hopefully Faletau can continue his improvement in form - he's getting close to the form he shows for Dragons after a slow start in a Wales shirt - very good to see

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

vBookie QF Shamrocks - Cymru

vBookie added for the Celtic clash!!!

 

[Draggs]

Scott Williams has been good but I feel we will need another playmaker alongside Rhys in the backline.
Scott is one with tremendous potential and could hopefully be our answer to a new 13. I know many see him as a 12, but Roberts has that shirt firmly on his back now.

The only reason I had Davies on the bench was to cover 13 if Hook is needed at 10 or 15. If Hook starts I think I'd actually have Davies and Byrne on the bench. No disrespect to Wellies, we just don't need three stand offs.

 

[kicklikeaprop]

From an irish point of view our scrum wont be as solid as it could be by the loss of Best ( one of the form hookers at the moment )and the inclusion of Cronin who isnt that experienced
we really could do with flannery this weekend
sexton and murray at half back for me also