Rugby Union 2008

[pete]

2) BOD - superb defensively but going forward? Seems to have lost yard of pace so will opt to kick instead of take his man on. Fingers crossed this was just a knock.

Good assessment of his International career now. I think he pace is permanently lost. On the plus side his kicking has improved.

[Jinxy]

How? Their backs were absolutely anaemic and clueless. If our running lines were bad, theirs were non-existant.

I think you just answered your own question.:confused:

[OneRedArmy]

I think you just answered your own question.:confused:I'm not as convinced two players would have made up for the lack of ambition of the other 5.

Hernandez was a big loss but I'm rarely impressed by Contempomi in the Argentina jersey.

[joeSoap]

Hernandez and Contepomi might have made some difference, but not a great amount. The reason being we beat them up up front, were going to do that regardless of Hernandez or Contepomi, and therefore the quality of ball they would have got to play with even if they were on the field would have been inadequate for them to change the game with.

I agree with ORA. This was a much better performance than people give credit for. I agree that Flannery must come back, but the rest of the pack were excellent and Heaslip, Wally and Ferris look to be an excellent combination. I know I'm going to be slated here, but I'd still have Stringer at scrum half for purely his quickness of delivery and busyness around the field. And you can throw his defensive skills into that too. The other two lads look too cumbersome for me, and might be pacier than Stringer and can kick better, but I believe we would benefit more out of having the little baldy guy there.

Bowe has to go. Shaggy or Earls are far far better options. I would also think about swapping BOD and Luke Fitzgerald. O'Driscoll does not have the initial pace required now for an International outside centre, but still brings so much to the table.

[Mr A]

WC Cup draw:


2011 Rugby World Cup draw:

Pool A - New Zealand, France, Tonga, Americas 1, Asia 1

Pool B - Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1, play-off winner

Pool C - Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2, Americas 2

Pool D - South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Oceania 1, Africa 1

Not too bad.

[pete]

Good draw for Ireland. Of the top 4 Australia would be preferred team & in 3rd pool Scotland/Italy were best option. Even in pool 4 & 5 getting the weaker sides.

Pool D looks tough as I guess that is where Samoa will end up.

[Mr A]

In Ireland's pool, the second European team is likely to be Georgia or Romania and the second Americas team the United States.

Uh oh, those pesky Georgians again! (perhaps)

[Youths4Ever]

Not a bad draw at all to be honest Australia are best of top four to get IMO

[corkboy360]

Anyone else enjoy england drown out the haka?

[joeSoap]

So...as we come to the end of 2008, it struck me that Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster are all as they were this time last year.

Leinster, despite a few performances to the contrary earlier in the season, proved to one and all last Friday night in Castres that they are the true bottlers of the game...oozing class and talent and not one pair of balls between the 22 of them. They proved all who refer to them as 'Ladyboys' right and I'm not going to start again on my rant about them not having a quality out-half to control a game. I believe they are now in big big trouble for the rest of the season.

Munster on the other hand are currently flying in both Magners and Heineken competitions, showing the exact opposite of Leinster, in a much much tougher Heineken group. Even the waterboys for Munster have more liathroidi than any Leinster player and it is evident in their results. They will go mighty close to winning both competitions.

Connacht and Ulster are doing what they always do...although theres a little revival taking place in Ulster.

Player to watch in 09: Ian Humphreys.

[pete]

Don't think they will go as far as Ulster last year but Leinster are really poor side now & on a serious decline. The backs look rudderless which is a concern for Ireland given they are using same coaches. As you say they are not doing anything to change the bottler image.

Munster would relish an away 1/4 final in the HC.