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

[Tooting Carmen]

This is all being noted for the Quarter Final tears.

All ducks have to be broken eventually.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

All ducks have to be broken eventually.

Johnny is going to obliterate any and all ducks he sees. Maybe a few frogs too depending how next week goes.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

All ducks have to be broken eventually.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

World Rugby really tore the arse out of international rugby as a concept just for Tonga to almost double their worst ever result vs Ireland (previous worst was 23pt gap)

 

[Tooting Carmen]

Ireland, Ireland, together standing tall. Shoulder to shoulder, forever Ireland's call.

 

[Groundhog]

Easy win even with Barnes reffing Tonga like a Make a Wish kid

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Easy win even with Barnes reffing Tonga like a Make a Wish kid

Makes sense considering they played like them tbf

 

[TopTen2003]

Very nice result for Ireland and sets up very nicely for next week.

Who do you want in the QF, men in green? FRA or NZ?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Also, my not so hot take, is that Furlong is the most important player in the Ireland side - even more so than Sexton
The drop off behind is too significant considering the sides Ireland will have to beat
Sexton obviously massively important but think the other 14 can manage with Byrne at 10, whereas without Furlong the scrum is a mess, and that's where South Africa make their hay

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Very nice result for Ireland and sets up very nicely for next week.

Who do you want in the QF, men in green? FRA or NZ?

So much NZ. Reckon we can beat them down our props and Johnny if it went that bad, we'd be stuffed v France

 

[Umaga's Witness]

Not sure about tongas tactics. To me you have to starve ireland of possession as much you can, but you also don't want to play in your half. Sounds tough, so you will not necessarily succeed but one thing that would help is not taking threes. Kickable penalties are opportunities to hold onto the ball in irelands half, preventing them from having the ball themselves, and also allowing you more of a chance to score enough points against them to beat them.

Tonga have a pretty good team, weak in their wingers and reserve front row, could do with a better halfback. Not far off a solid 23 that could be competitive if they had a lot more cohesion and good coaches.

Their discipline was poor in that game. If they can tidy that up, they should grow into the tournament. They might be a bit better by the time they play South Africa, but they are no chance against the boks if the boks play their top team

 

[BrokenWing]

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Thought we'd score 40 something in that game. Very happy with 59.

Roll on the Boks, I back our lads

 

[Tooting Carmen]

LMAO.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I expected more from the ANZAC Tongans but Ireland are looking every inch like a side that has spent over a year at 90+ points in the rankings. They could spank many sides in their sleep.

 

[Becca]

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Can they get anything right ?

 

[Groundhog]

Aki is starting now btw.

 

[IT157]

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Maybe there are from the future and telling us the result for Ireland vs. South Africa....

 

[Groundhog]

If Bealham is goosed do we call up John Ryan??

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If Bealham is goosed do we call up John Ryan??

Surely John Hayes still has his boots?