Rugby - Hands Off Green!

[Havak]

How did I manage to miss that Henson had to pull out of the Canada game with a "toe infection"?

[flipside]

Originally posted by finbar

I can quite imagine that the front five remain the problem. They're shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic with their front row. They've got about five options and they keep rotating. Sooner or later they have to settle on a combination and develop it. Which isn't to say it will ever do the job they would like, but it will be the best available. Because there's no one else at home waiting in the wings.

Funnily enough, the scrum was the one area that the Aussie forwards had at least parity, if not quite dominance. John Hayes was mighty in the loose, but weak in the scrum with his binding.Ireland had an edge in the line-out, stealing a few balls and going to the front, while Aus went a bit long and only really had one option. The area that the Irish forwards dominated was recycling at the break down, achieving 20 phase possessions in the first half.

[flipside]

Originally posted by Havak

They did – it was a terrific half of rugby that was unlikely to be matched as conditions kept getting worse through the second half

Probably the best half of Irish rugby that I've ever seen. I would say that in those conditions, that that half would have given the AB's a run for their money as it was virtually mistake free.

The second half we would have lost as our replacements, especially when Best left looked weaker.

Boss looked a natural at 9 in the conditions and linked with the back row in a way that Stringer cannot, although in running conditions I would have Stringers distributions over the sniping of Boss.

[kittenOFchaos]

Jason White, Charlie Hodgson and Sheridan all injured for ages now...these Internationals have just killed off Sale for this season. Awful

[flipside]

Originally posted by Havak
It is right that the weather negated the Wallabies strength (that backline). It was a day for old fashioned ground pounders and Ireland had the edge there. In fact their blindside looked like a man possessed at times – a storming performance.

True, an immense performance from him. The Aussie back line were reduced to tackling and funnily enough prevented a hammering by playing extremely well in defense. The second half was a more traditional half as O'Gara just controlled territory with the boot and took the points on offer.

Oh, and Horgan was immense in the backs.

[Havak]

All in all they fully warrant their rise to third place in the IRB rankings.

I'm off on another short trip for the rest of the week - so everyone will be spared my continued cynicism about this weekends upcoming tests.

[MOBIUS]

Originally posted by Havak
I see Hansen is now talking up Wales. A side the Abs walloped 41-3 twelve months ago and the ABs have improved since.

Wales is pretty much back to the team that almost beat the AB's in '04 - last year many of those players were out with injuries, now they're back!

Good luck to Wales – honestly. They will need it – but them beating the ABs is probably very good for the world game right now.

I'm sure a huge dose of luck will indeed be needed - I am under no illusions that Wales are almost certainly going to lose on Saturday, but we do have a good chance this time around...

Either way it will be a highlight watching the game on Saturday (yes, I will be there!), because the Millennium Stadium will be packed to the rafters with an electric atmosphere! If we lose, I don't mind as long as we run them close - they are the no.1 team in the World and just watching them play is amazing!

If we win - the roof will come off the place, and I want to be there in case history is made!

As for Canada scoring 26, pretty much all the first points were off penalties and the two tries came at the end after Wales had buried the game and eased up - though that doesn't really excuse things I suppose...

[Caligastia]

You get to be there eh Mobius? I'm a bit jealous - should be a great atmos!

[finbar]

Yowza! Finally! I have Sky Italia installed. Tomorrow arvo I have a choice between watching Scotland thump the Wallabies and South Africa thump England!

[finbar]

My first glimpse of a rugby match for over six months.

Wallabies just too professional, too clinical for a soft Scotland outfit. The Wallaby front row must wish they could pack up the Scotland front row and take them everywhere with them. How poor are the Scots up front if the Wallabies can shove them around a bit?

M. Giteau is clearly the deal at flyhalf. Barring the untoward, methinks George has done his dash. S. Larkham remains an exceptional footballer. R. Elsom looks like he could be the goods on the side. N. Sharpe remains one of the great underachievers. How they miss D. Vickerman. S. Mortlock is getting back into stride. But will he get away with it against a better team?

Hard to put a mark on the Wallaby performance. The Scots made things too easy for them. I look forward to the day when D. Parkes actually takes a right option. Why do they persist with him?

I flicked backwards and forwards a few times to watch the Boks roll England. I'll watch a replay. M. Cueto's losing of the ball over the line won't be a try in the replay either.

Joy of joys, I've just discovered I can watch the Taffys -v- All Blacks starting in a couple of minutes.

Rugby, rugby - how I've missed you!

[LDiCesare]

I didn't see any match today. I would have been to the stade de France, but that would have ment leaving my wife alone and she's afraid of supporters so we grabbed our daughter and went to the cinema instead.
Anyway, France managed to win by 1 point against Argentina. Apparently, Yachvili missed several penalties and Traille's drop goal missed but hit one post, so maybe with better kickers we would have fared better? Still 3 tries to 2 and a victory for a team lacking 2 locks and one scrum half against a full-strength Puma team.

I believe Robinson shoul be sacked now?

As for the Scots, they are generally quite poor but sometimes manage to make an outburst on a single match.

[kittenOFchaos]

The England - SA game was good entertainment, but the English backs just are incapable of penetrating defenses. The Six Nations will be the last chance to experiment with people and I think the focus has to be from 10 to 15, the issue isn't our ball retention or possession.

[finbar]

Taffys, brave. The other mob, a class above, in cruise mode for about half the match.

And just to head things off at the pass - I think it's criminal that the All Blacks are the first team in history ever to slow down the ball at the breakdown. Heavens, I watched luminaries like N. Back, J****, and co, for years and never once saw them do it.

EDIT. I note that A. Robinson remains defiant. He will not walk away from the train wreck of his own creation. Admirable chap.

[finbar]

so we grabbed our daughter and went to the cinema instead.

And saw what?

I believe Robinson should be sacked now?

I think Havak might just about be coming to that conclusion, too.

The England - SA game was good entertainment, but the English backs just are incapable of penetrating defenses. The Six Nations will be the last chance to experiment with people and I think the focus has to be from 10 to 15, the issue isn't our ball retention or possession.

Having only seen bits of it, it seemed to me A. Goode was pretty limited. Saw him launch one good cross-field kick that, with luck, would have ended in a try. Saw him launch another one less successfully. The scary thing watching the All Blacks was the sheer number of options they always have.

[LDiCesare]

And saw what?

Azur & Asmar, a French cartoon. My daughter liked it a lot.
I then followed the end of the match on the web, which was probably good for my nerves since the end game looked quite dangerous for the French.