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

[Sony_PS3_Williams]

Best out would be a huge loss. I think we will grind out a result here without playing too fancy. Sexton will start as the welsh constantly batter the number 10 channel when ROG plays. It's going to be a classic!

 

[kicklikeaprop]

From what ive seen these will be the teams saturday morning

Ireland Wales

Healy____________Jenkins
Cronin____________Bennett
Ross_____________Jones
O Callaghan_______Charteris
O Connell_________Wyn Jones
Ferris____________Lydiate
O Brien__________ Warburton
Heaslip___________Faletau
Murray___________Phillips
Sexton___________Priestland
Earls_____________North
D'arcy____________Roberts
O Driscoll_________Davies
Bowe_____________Halfpenney
Kearney__________Hook

What do people think of these teams

 

[munstermuffin]

People constantly say ROG will be a liability because of his defense but he has actually improved and while he wont stop a guy he does hold on and well a forward usually does the rest. And well if Sexton starts I'd have no issues either as both capable of doing a job but if ROG starts and Wales plan to just constantly batter ROG I think that will suit Ireland alot more than Wales.

Best will be crucial because while Cronin is good I think Best is a level up and well Best has got his darts up to scratch big time but Cronin isn't a good hooker for the darts and well I think that could effect lineouts n a big way and to a lesser extent our scrum

 

[munstermuffin]

From what ive seen these will be the teams saturday morning

Ireland Wales

Healy____________Jenkins
Cronin____________Bennett
Ross_____________Jones
O Callaghan_______Charteris
O Connell_________Wyn Jones
Ferris____________Lydiate
O Brien__________ Warburton
Heaslip___________Faletau
Murray___________Phillips
Sexton___________Priestland
Earls_____________North
D'arcy____________Roberts
O Driscoll_________Davies
Bowe_____________Halfpenney
Kearney__________Hook

What do people think of these teams

Rumours say the Irish team will be unchanged (if Best is fit) meaning ROG will start at 10 but either way it not bad.
Also I'm sure Scott Williams will be a good shout to start and well surely Shane Williams is fighting for a jersey

 

[kicklikeaprop]

Rumours say the Irish team will be unchanged (if Best is fit) meaning ROG will start at 10 but either way it not bad.
Also I'm sure Scott Williams will be a good shout to start and well surely Shane Williams is fighting for a jersey

Shane would make some impact with 20 to go ( thats what Gatland is thinking me thinks)

 

[Me 1]

I really hope Hook isn't played at fullback again I think he will probably start at 13 but I hope he doesn't throw an intercept passes, and hopefully his defence will be up to scratch.

 

[Amiga500]

I think James Hook could be Wales' undoing... Great skills - but... a flakey player. I get the sense that Gatland is acutely aware of this, and has more faith in Priestland at 10 doing the right thing 99.9% of the time than Hook trying the incredible 5% of the time and screwing it up 1% of the time.

Conversely - if Mike Ross gets injured; game over.


Its gonna be a great watch - only problem is that its at 6 in the damn morning! So there'll be no beer for me after the Treviso match on Friday night

 

[Steveomac]

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

He's better than o'callaghan granted but not in the same class as o'connell who is one of the best locks in the world.

 

[Sony_PS3_Williams]

Will Byrne not play at full back for Wales? I think Hook would be a liability if he started.

 

[Draggs]

Will Byrne not play at full back for Wales? I think Hook would be a liability if he started.

Byrne is more of a liability.
Halfpenny would be our best option. We can play our three best back three.

 

[nik]

IMO the winner of this match will play in the final based on what I have seen in the pool play. I really like the way Wales are playing therefore I will be cheering for them from a neutral perspective. Its a pity that of one of these awesome teams will be leaving after the weekend.

 

[munstermuffin]

Mike Sherry is on way out to New Zealand and I know it very unlikely but I'd throw him on the bench if Best is out.

 

[rhifsaith]

Will Byrne not play at full back for Wales? I think Hook would be a liability if he started.

Jonathon Davies said on s4c at half time during the Wales V Fiji game,as we'd got the required bonus point to take all the players off and just leave Lee Byrne on.:lol:.
god my nerves are bad allready.Ireland are looking more on fire.

 

[Jockstap]

Sean O'Brien has been named player of group C and Warburton has been named player of whatever group Wales were in, and they're going head to head on Saturday baby. Only 4 more sleeps.

 

[psychic duck]

I am not denying that Sean O'Brien is good, but he seems to always get too much credit, I though Stephen Ferris was sensational against Italy but nobody has given him half the praise that O'Brien gets

 

[Jockstap]

I am not denying that Sean O'Brien is good, but he seems to always get too much credit, I though Stephen Ferris was sensational against Italy but nobody has given him half the praise that O'Brien gets

O'Brien gets the credit because although Ferris had been immense and puts in some huge hits, O'Brien does it again, and again, and again. His stats after the match are always off the scale.

 

[mikefoot1]

Biggest concern I have over this game is Wales's 10, Mainly thinking that I want Scott Williams and Roberts in the Centre, Halfpenny at the back and Hook at 10. But Really not sure about that last part. As much as it pains me to say it i'm not sure if I want hook starting..... I would prefer him over Priestland and possibly Jones but am genuinely confused over who will get the 10 shirt.

 

[Sourdust]

I agree with you in principle, but I'm not sure it's possible to start Hook at 10 now. For me it will always be his "proper position", but he's never had a decent run of games there. Moreover, game management - Hook's widely-acknowledged weakness - will be crucial against Ireland. That's why I'm sympathetic to calls for Jones at 10, although that would be a ridiculously harsh call on the excellent Priestland.

I believe we have to find a place for Hook, and that place is probably 13 at present. Jon Davies is a good player but the wrong partner for Roberts IMO. Williams is a better option but we really need a creative midfielder to complement Jamie. Also, starting with Hook at 13 means he can cover 10 and 15, possibly freeing bench space for "luxury" impact forwards like Powell, Ryan Jones and/or Brad Davies. Against an Ireland side whose biggest edge over us will be up front, that could be very handy.

 

[scarlets-fan]

I agree with you in principle, but I'm not sure it's possible to start Hook at 10 now. For me it will always be his "proper position", but he's never had a decent run of games there. Moreover, game management - Hook's widely-acknowledged weakness - will be crucial against Ireland. That's why I'm sympathetic to calls for Jones at 10, although that would be a ridiculously harsh call on the excellent Priestland.

I believe we have to find a place for Hook, and that place is probably 13 at present. Jon Davies is a good player but the wrong partner for Roberts IMO. Williams is a better option but we really need a creative midfielder to complement Jamie. Also, starting with Hook at 13 means he can cover 10 and 15, possibly freeing bench space for "luxury" impact forwards like Powell, Ryan Jones and/or Brad Davies. Against an Ireland side whose biggest edge over us will be up front, that could be very handy.

I agree, the forwards coming off the bench in this game will be key for us. In that respect i think we've probably got the best bench on the NH side of the draw.

Possible wales bench

16. K Owens
17. P James
18. B Davies
19. R Jones / A Powell / D Lydiate
20. L. Williams
21. S Jones
22. J Davies / L Byrne / Sc Williams

 

[lucky number 7]

O'Brien gets the credit because although Ferris had been immense and puts in some huge hits, O'Brien does it again, and again, and again. His stats after the match are always off the scale.

Thats true , Always top of the Irish tackle count , and has somehow made hard yards the glamourous thing in rugby