[RWC2023] Ireland vs Tonga (16/09/2023)

[TRF_Olyy]

That's the funniest attempt at taking the high ball I've seen from Murray - just put his hands above his head so it bounced off then and he got a tongan tackler right in the exposed ribcage
Textbook

 

[IT157]

Also of interest, even in the amateur era (never mind now), Ireland lost less often to Tier Two teams than did Wales and Scotland. (Mind you, they do have the dubious distinction of being the only Tier One nation besides Italy to lose to Namibia!)

The good ole days!

 

[munstermuffin]

Who had Sexton top try scorer for the comp?

I actually have Tadhg Beirne as 1 of my few.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Oh god what is that smell

 

[IT157]

On a serious note: I believe that only NZ and SA have enough strength-in-depth (plus raw power, especially the latter) to run rings around "minnows" even with their reserve sides.

There are different tiers in tier 2 imo.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Ireland have to be on a warning by now surely

 

[IT157]

Yeah double movement

 

[BrokenWing]

Yeah double movement

Double?

 

[Tooting Carmen]

There are different tiers in tier 2 imo.

Yes.
Tier 2.1 would be: Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Japan, Georgia, Romania, Canada, USA, Uruguay. (At least based on their results against Tier One nations and the number of times they've participated in RWCs).
Tier 2.2 would be: Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Russia and Namibia. (Even though Namibia have participated in several RWCs, they haven't ever won a match in them, and are still seen as easy targets by Tier One and even Tier 2.1 teams).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Just kick at the Tongan 14 all day, he can't take a high ball to save his life

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

The last two knock-ons from Tonga have been some of the most impressive knock-ons I've ever seen to be honest

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Tongan 3 needs subbing before he straight up dies

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Barnes showing his age forgetting about knock on advantage for 10 seconds

 

[TRF_Olyy]

We want 80, we want 80

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Has Bundee Aki gained a yard of pace?

 

[munstermuffin]

This is 1st world cup where all our squad are actually in great form. Aki is flying it

 

[Gavin]

 

[Becca]

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Is that not blasphemous ?!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

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POC as Judas?

That should be Farrell after he deliberately tanks you in the knockouts and then takes a role with the RFU in November

 

[ncurd]

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This is 1st world cup where all our squad are actually in great form. Aki is flying it

This is all being noted for the Quarter Final tears.