Wales v Ireland

[gingergenius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Mar 18 2009, 03:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I just feel as well though that making that claim is a little pointless as we've only both played NZ at home since the world cup, in both cases losing by 20 points but Ireland were shite whereas it wasn't the worst performance ever from the Welsh. Thing is though Wales haven't put the SH teams to the sword when they've come to Cardiff something they should be regularly doing.[/b]

Ok, Ireland haven't beaten anyone worth anything since 2006. Argentina have been a flop since the RWC so they don't count. And as a reminder, that was a year England still held their own at least against SA and Australia.

I suppose it's not really fair because their subsequent autumns have consisted of a choked world cup and a less than challenging fixture list, which you can't blame the team for, but Wales at least have proved they can compete for at least 60 mins agaisnt the big 3.

 

[shazbooger]

Agree with what your saying but the choke reference is overboard (as you well know). We failed to get out of a group that produced two of the tournaments semi-finalists, Wales failed to get past Figi, yet somehow we are chokers? Granted the levels of expectations were different (though we were never hot favourites going in to either of those games) but it was clear at the time that it wasnt a mental failure. The team was wrong for a few months before, losing twice to Argentina, again to Scotland and eventually fluking a win over Italy showed that the rot had set in well before the big occasion.

Not an excuse, just a clarification.

 

[An Tarbh]

yeah but something that people conveniently choose to ignore so needs reminding.

 

[shazbooger]

Wheres Teh Mite anyway, are we not way overdue on our daily "I hate Ireland and O'Choke" comment?

 

[An Tarbh]

ah there's time yet

 

[Bullitt]

Oh, dearest petty ones. How I feel for you having to carrying the burden of that chipped shoulder. I have never said "I hate Ireland". Why would I? I'm part Irish with dual Nationality.

What I would like to remind you is;

1. Ireland have NOT been special during this six nations. In fact, since the surprisingly good performance against France, they have progressively got worse.
2. O'Gara over the last 10 years has had a proven record of letting the occasion get to him. Ohterwise refered to as choking. Especially at Murrayfield; tehehehe.

(So how about a nice big glass of STFU)

And finally, most importantly;

3. In 2005, the Irish bigged themselves up about the Grand Slam game against Wales. Wales underperformed that year but did the job against France... Ireland were also a helluva lot better back then.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teh Mite @ Mar 18 2009, 07:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Oh, dearest petty ones. How I feel for you having to carrying the burden of that chipped shoulder. I have never said "I hate Ireland". Why would I? I'm part Irish with dual Nationality.

What I would like to remind you is;

1. Ireland have NOT been special during this six nations. In fact, since the surprisingly good performance against France, they have progressively got worse.
2. O'Gara over the last 10 years has had a proven record of letting the occasion get to him. Ohterwise refered to as choking. Especially at Murrayfield; tehehehe.

(So how about a nice big glass of STFU)

And finally, most importantly;

3. In 2005, the Irish bigged themselves up about the Grand Slam game against Wales. Wales underperformed that year but did the job against France... Ireland were also a helluva lot better back then.[/b]

In 2005 we lost key players at key times, this is the first Six Nations I can remember where we haven't had an issue with injuries and here we are playing for a grand slam, coincidence?

 

[Bullitt]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Wales: K Morgan; M Taylor, T Shanklin, G Henson, S Williams; S Jones, D Peel; G Jenkins, M Davies, A Jones, B Cockbain, R Sidoli, R Jones, M Williams, M Owen (capt).
Replacements: R McBryde, J Yapp, J Thomas, R Sowden-Taylor, M Phillips, C Sweeney, S Parker.

Ireland: G Murphy; G Dempsey, B O'Driscoll (capt), K Maggs, D Hickie; R O'Gara, P Stringer; R Corrigan, S Byrne, J Hayes, M O'Kelly, P O'Connell, S Easterby, J O'Connor, A Foley.
Replacements: F Sheahan, M Horan, D O'Callaghan, E Miller, G Easterby, D Humphreys, G Duffy.[/b]

Apart from Maggs instead of D'Arcy, how far off was that really?

Regardless, they were still playing a hell of a lot better while winning a lot more convincingly.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teh Mite @ Mar 18 2009, 07:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

Wales: K Morgan; M Taylor, T Shanklin, G Henson, S Williams; S Jones, D Peel; G Jenkins, M Davies, A Jones, B Cockbain, R Sidoli, R Jones, M Williams, M Owen (capt).
Replacements: R McBryde, J Yapp, J Thomas, R Sowden-Taylor, M Phillips, C Sweeney, S Parker.

Ireland: G Murphy; G Dempsey, B O'Driscoll (capt), K Maggs, D Hickie; R O'Gara, P Stringer; R Corrigan, S Byrne, J Hayes, M O'Kelly, P O'Connell, S Easterby, J O'Connor, A Foley.
Replacements: F Sheahan, M Horan, D O'Callaghan, E Miller, G Easterby, D Humphreys, G Duffy.[/b]

Apart from Maggs instead of D'Arcy, how far off was that really?

Regardless, they were still playing a hell of a lot better while winning a lot more convincingly.
[/b][/quote]

2005 was by far the worst year under Eddie O'Sullivan in terms of year long performance, D'Arcy was a huge loss given that he'd been player of the tournament the previous year and had struck up a great partnership with O'Driscoll who was only half fit after he picked up the hamstring injury in Rome, Horgan was also missing and Dempsey being played on the wing was another of O'Sullivan's retarded ideas as was picking O'Connor despite the fact that he was a penalty machine. Corrigan was past it by then and O'Callaghan should have been in the team as well, so no not really the best selection from Eddie that day.

Only finishing 3rd in the Six Nations and getting a hiding from NZ and Australia, admittedly while key players were injured, was a pathetic effort and the rugby we were playing was nowhere near as good as we've played this season. Stuttering to a win in Italy, performing against a hopeless Scottish side and only getting a 6 point win against a hapless England side was all we managed in 2005, I wouldn't call that convincing.

 

[Bullitt]

As opposed to... A single point win against hapless England, an unconvincing win against Scotland and beating an Italian outfit who's only tactical decision of note this year is sticking their best openside at outhalf.

If you genuinely believe Ireland have played well in any game this season apart from the French win... You know where I'm going with that.

 

[An Tarbh]

well if you can't see that the performances this time round as opposed to 2005 aren't better than I'm not sure what you've been watching.

Fair enough we weren't overly convincing against Italy but out of the 4 games we've seen so far against them the Irish performance was the most impressive, certainly a lot more impressive than our win there in 2005.

In every one of our matches we've ramped it up the performance in the second half and squeezed the life out of the opposition. England hardly set the world on fire when they won the world cup but nobody gave a damn so why get so precious about Ireland doing likewise?

 

[Bullitt]

No, you're right. England were utter shite back then. Never looked convincing, not even at Lansdown road. I take it all back and bow down to your clearly superior knowledge.

Now that the England 2002/2003 team has been brought up, which is ever so relevant to the game between Ireland and Wales (or is something else to do with that chipped shoulder????), I'll leave you to continue stewing in the juices of your own hype machine.

Then have a good chuckle on Sunday morning.

 

[An Tarbh]

it's relevant because it's the result that counts, nobody will give a **** if we win 3-0 on Saturday, but obviously we've all been losing the run of ourselves with our crazy predictions that we're gonna destroy the Welsh so I look forward to being put in my place come Sunday.

 

[MunsterMan]

I'm glad to see Teh Mite engage in intelligent debate, much better than the "O'Gara/Wasps/Wilkinson suck" comments. I agree our performances have been disappointing at times, but who gives a f***, 4 out of 4. I'd much rather a win on Saturday in a bore fest than losing a thrilling encounter.

Oh, and did a member of the Lions coaching staff really say "My Players Hate Ireland". Excellent, more Ammo for Kidney! Along with Guscott's 'Choke' comment and all the pundits writing us off, I'm feeling good about this.

 

[durbutter]

I love to see the **** spouted if england managed to string together 5 wins so far. Think people here are being VERY cautiously optimstic.
But if thats hype, so be it.

 

[cyRil]

This is all a bit boring...

 

[Sir Speedy]

BOOBIES.

What's there to discuss?

 

[cyRil]

HOW WEEEE ARE GOINZ TOO WIN BY 34!!!!!!!!!

 

[shazbooger]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

I'm part Irish with dual Nationality.[/b]

You sound American. Didnt think it would be long before you chimed in.

Right then. Are Wales going to go for the 13 point win as Lee Byrne implies, or are they just looking to win the match.

Jones says the win first then see about the points chase, as you would expect a decent pro captain to say. Whats the feeling in the Welsh side of the swamp though, as it could have a serious impact on the game.

Personally I think if Ireland are behind we'll go for the win rather then hold on to the Championship victory. This will open the game up for more Welsh scoring. Then again if Wales go all guns blazing it could give the Irish a chance to counter.

I think we'll either win (doubtful) or lose the championship. I cant see either team happy to settle for a championship or a triple crown.

Whats the thoughts? Hype aside and all that.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teh Mite @ Mar 18 2009, 10:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

:lol:

Whatever. That coming from the boy who effectively said the current Ireland team is stronger then England circa 2002 no more then 3 hours ago.[/b]

England hardly set the world on fire when they won the world cup but nobody gave a damn so why get so precious about Ireland doing likewise?

That's what I said but you take it to mean that I'm saying the Irish team now is better than the England team that won the world cup, well done! Comparing the method used isn't quite the same as saying, Ireland of 2009 are better than England of 2002/03