tribeinbrum

I think the way the world cup is now is rather balanced. Yes, you are going to get one or two lobsided games but look at what Japan did the week before when they tested France to the limit.

The way it is now, the 8 best teams will make it out of the groups and then the winner will come from there.

And also look at Canada's win the other day against Tonga. It shows that certain weaker teams are improving.


I agree certain weaker teams are improving but unfortunately a lot of fringe teams like Tonga are not and I think the IRB's lack of investment has caused a lot of this. Think back to the last world cup where Tonga was very competitive and only got beaten by eventual champions SA by 5pts so you'd surely have expected them to improve on this performance but of course that hasn't happened.

The IRB badly needs to treat teams like Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and even Argentina (who've had to wait far too long for entry to the tri-nations) a lot better if they are ever to really strive at international level, it could work wonders for the game.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 16/09/2011 15:28:20    1036249

16/09/2011 15:21:39
JinxyPoop
County: UK
Posts: 640

1036240 4 top teams...

All the rest filler

No, not at all,
New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, France, England, Ireland all have genuine expectations of making the semis and would be v. disappointed if they didnt
Others like argentina, scotland if luck falls their way could make semis

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 16/09/2011 15:28:29    1036250

ormondbannerman

JinxyPoop

1036240 4 top teams...

All the rest filler

No, not at all,
New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, France, England, Ireland all have genuine expectations of making the semis and would be v. disappointed if they didnt
Others like argentina, scotland if luck falls their way could make semis


To be fair ormond this is how it really is:

New Zealand = Complete bottlers

Australia = Genuine contenders

South Africa = Always a huge threat, generally come in under the radar

France = Best in the world on ther day but too many off days have cost them the Webb Ellis cup and will again

England = Their arrogance has to be admired, if our lads were playing for them over the last decade we'd probably be going for a 3 in a row this year!

Ireland = Oh dear, oh dear, we'll be very lucky to get to the Q-Fs and after that its our usual moral victory in defeat.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 16/09/2011 15:36:01    1036262

England = Their arrogance has to be admired, if our lads were playing for them over the last decade we'd probably be going for a 3 in a row this year!

I meant to say that they'd probably be going for three in a row not us.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 16/09/2011 15:49:24    1036286

16/09/2011 15:36:01
Htaem
County: Meath
Posts: 2967

1036262 ormondbannerman

JinxyPoop

1036240 4 top teams...

All the rest filler

No, not at all,
New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, France, England, Ireland all have genuine expectations of making the semis and would be v. disappointed if they didnt
Others like argentina, scotland if luck falls their way could make semis


To be fair ormond this is how it really is:

New Zealand = Complete bottlers

Australia = Genuine contenders

South Africa = Always a huge threat, generally come in under the radar

France = Best in the world on ther day but too many off days have cost them the Webb Ellis cup and will again

England = Their arrogance has to be admired, if our lads were playing for them over the last decade we'd probably be going for a 3 in a row this year!

Ireland = Oh dear, oh dear, we'll be very lucky to get to the Q-Fs and after that its our usual moral victory in defeat.

NZ have bottled some world cups but you still have to call them a major contender, only australia, france, south africa, ireland and england have the potential to beat them
We only have to beat italy to make the 1/4s and we have beaten them playing very poorly before and we should beat them in a few weeks time unless we ship several injuries to key players before the game

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 16/09/2011 15:57:25    1036302

The Saffers were not very impressive against the Welsh last week. They've shipped some injuries to important players aswell. Matfield, Habana. I know they have Botha back but how fit is he. I expect Fiji to give them a right good rattle aswell and if they play the way they did against Wales there could be a shock there.....

I'm suprised Wales haven't been mentioned as potential semi-finalists. They played very well last week and could prove a very stick thorn in the side for whoever wins our group.

I think we'll win our group, going on us beating Australia back to Sydney 2moro and then following that up with hidings to Russia and Italy. Then i think we'll take out Samoa, followed by England before beating the All Blacks to claim the Webb Ellis Trophy!!!!!!!

tribeinbrum (Galway) - Posts: 4155 - 16/09/2011 16:12:39    1036326

We only have to beat italy to make the 1/4s and we have beaten them playing very poorly before and we should beat them in a few weeks time unless we ship several injuries to key players before the game

For my money we will beat Italy ormond but I'm sorry to say our journey ends there because we won't get past South Africa, our lads just don't believe in themselves which is an awful shame because we still have the talent to go places.

Now I hate to keep harping on about them but just compare our squad in the RWC 2007 to that of Englands squad, would you not say that ours was considerably more talented because I would. Then compare how we both did, England got to the final because of their arrogance, we had a humiliating group stage exit and its all because of our inferiority complex.

I just can't understand why our lads continue to doubt themselves instead of brashly bullying other teams, its almost as if we're apologetic for winning big games.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 16/09/2011 16:14:42    1036330

England...... are you having a laugh.

They are nowhere near Australia/NZ/SA

Now I couldnt give a sausage if they won... I'd applaud it.

But they dont have a bloody chance - Sure we beat England well last year - and we're muck. Completely overrated...

JinxyPoop (UK) - Posts: 1162 - 16/09/2011 16:15:15    1036331

16/09/2011 16:15:15
JinxyPoop
County: UK
Posts: 643

1036331 England...... are you having a laugh.

They are nowhere near Australia/NZ/SA

Now I couldnt give a sausage if they won... I'd applaud it.

But they dont have a bloody chance - Sure we beat England well last year - and we're muck. Completely overrated...

They play a limited game, with a big pack of forwards, theyve an outhalf who can kick very well, they have centres who will crash the ball up all day off 10 and they have a couple of speedsters outwide who will gladly take ball in space after the opposition has been worn down by continous forward ball by the english pack to score

They are incredibly limited but play basic cup style rugby that can be difficult to beat

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 16/09/2011 16:22:20    1036343

16/09/2011 16:14:42
Htaem
County: Meath
Posts: 2970

1036330 We only have to beat italy to make the 1/4s and we have beaten them playing very poorly before and we should beat them in a few weeks time unless we ship several injuries to key players before the game

For my money we will beat Italy ormond but I'm sorry to say our journey ends there because we won't get past South Africa, our lads just don't believe in themselves which is an awful shame because we still have the talent to go places.

Now I hate to keep harping on about them but just compare our squad in the RWC 2007 to that of Englands squad, would you not say that ours was considerably more talented because I would. Then compare how we both did, England got to the final because of their arrogance, we had a humiliating group stage exit and its all because of our inferiority complex.

I just can't understand why our lads continue to doubt themselves instead of brashly bullying other teams, its almost as if we're apologetic for winning big games.

England in 07 didnt do that well because of arrogance, they did so well because their senior players essentially took over the running of the team and the manager brian ashton was told by the teams senior players that they were in charge. That is not arrogance

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 16/09/2011 16:26:32    1036353

ormondbannerman

England in 07 didnt do that well because of arrogance, they did so well because their senior players essentially took over the running of the team and the manager brian ashton was told by the teams senior players that they were in charge. That is not arrogance


If the senior players told the manager (who was appointed RFU) 'listen we're incharge here, you sit down and shut', then that is arrogance personified ormond!!!

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 16/09/2011 16:41:24    1036369

16/09/2011 16:41:24
Htaem
County: Meath
Posts: 2972

1036369 ormondbannerman

England in 07 didnt do that well because of arrogance, they did so well because their senior players essentially took over the running of the team and the manager brian ashton was told by the teams senior players that they were in charge. That is not arrogance


If the senior players told the manager (who was appointed RFU) 'listen we're incharge here, you sit down and shut', then that is arrogance personified ormond!!!

It was more a case of self preservation as they knew if they didnt do something none or very few of them would ever pull on the national jersey again

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 16/09/2011 16:48:01    1036377

Ive stayed quiet in expectation all week. That should should shut alot of you up. Come on Ireland!!!!!!!!

Derry_ledd (Derry) - Posts: 2093 - 17/09/2011 11:21:22    1036678

I always knew ireland would win. It sticks to all the Rugby haters now I would say!

paddyogall (Mayo) - Posts: 5110 - 17/09/2011 11:23:23    1036681

Scrum was super. Beat the Italians now and we should be on the easy side of the knockout stages. Come on Ireland.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 17/09/2011 11:28:56    1036685

I'd say the level of 'support' for the rugby team will increase by about 1000% between now and the next time they play badly.

Seamus89 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 3848 - 17/09/2011 11:31:21    1036687

Keep sucking on that lemon Shame-us hahaha!!!!

I hope our national 'soccer' team take note. A great display of passion, skill and pride something they sadly lack!

Brian O'Driscoll was offered a big money move to France a number of years ago but turned it down for the good of the Irish game and Irish team. Mr Moneybags take note!

vice99 (Donegal) - Posts: 1054 - 17/09/2011 11:50:37    1036698

Ballboy must be bucking as he can't post about the best sport ever and the greatest ever Irish achievement !!

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 17/09/2011 12:19:31    1036719

Great display of heart & passion but more importantly of head. First time ever with 10 minutes to go, I was confident that they wouldn't throw it away. They played to their strengths and were worthy winners. Delighted that O Gara got on and had the opportunity of making the last two kicks. Expectations will now go through the roof and people are speculating on our quarter final opponents and even semi-final opponents. They should cop on, focus on the next match, nothing more. Final word, I know he is only playing to the gallery but George Hook is a pain in the ass.

corkcelt (Cork) - Posts: 4388 - 17/09/2011 12:59:18    1036734

Where did that performance come from. Great heart and the forwards to a man were absolutely superb. We have the chance now and can't throw it away, if we do what needs to be done we'll end up in a very winnable quarter against Wales. After that who knows

pplocal (Tyrone) - Posts: 5878 - 17/09/2011 13:55:51    1036770