Rugby Union 2010 [Archive] - Page 3

OneRedArmy

13/04/2010, 12:12 PM

From an Irish perspective the most worrying thing was seeing Cian Healy being taken to the cleaners in the scrum yet again.

Interesting mumurs too that O'Driscoll was the difference in locking the Munster scrum. Almost impossible to prove of course, but the consistent shove showed Tomas O'Leary in a completely different light. Given space his slow pass was irrelevant and his running, offloading and decision-making skills came to the fore. He, along with O'Gara, was simply brilliant.

I'd favour Munster in the semis, Leinster have a fighting chance with Sexton and Kearney in, and no chance with them out IMO.

joeSoap

13/04/2010, 8:29 PM

Munster 22-17 Toulouse. Me hopes.

hula4

29/04/2010, 10:49 AM

you that confident of both Munster and Toulouse winning this weekend paul?

joeSoap

29/04/2010, 11:05 AM

Sextons absence from the Leinster team is a far greater loss than that of O'Connell to Munster. I have a sneaky feeling that Sexton will play, but if he doesn't then its definitely goodnight to them. If he's not playing then McFadden will have to be accommodated, probably to the detriment of Shane Horgan or Nacewa and that will seriously upset the balance. Otherwise they play the game without a place kicker. Either way I think they're screwed.

O'Connell is not that big a loss. O'Driscoll is a better tight player than him and offers more power in the scrum. Neither scrum or lineout should suffer as a result of his absence so its his leadership and defence (which are unreal) that will be missed. But this is now Munster time...semi-final away from home...and I fancy them to sneak it by about 5.

Predictions:

Munster 26-21 Biarritz
Toulouse 31-13 Leinster.

hula4

29/04/2010, 11:27 AM

I wouldnt be too worried about Cheika having to accomdate McFadden because Horgan and Nacewa were shocking in the Clermont game, as a matter of fact I really dont rate Nacewa at all, but I do agree that Sexton playing is crucial to Leinsters chances.

As for Munster, Traille being out is a massive boost and im not one for advocating foul play but Harinordoquy's injury will have to be "tested" as early as possible. BO are still a very good side and a home semi final is worth a few points especially if its typically Spanish weather. My heart says Munster, there is something in my gut that tells me they will do it as well, based on no logic whatsoever so fingers, toes, everything crossed :)

joeSoap

29/04/2010, 12:15 PM

im not one for advocating foul play but Harinordoquy's injury will have to be "tested" as early as possible. You don't honestly think that the likes of Alan Quinlan or Donncha O'Callaghan would deliberately try and hit a guy in the face that has a broken nose and damaged cheek do you?? Thats shocking!! ;)

Aberdonian Stu

29/04/2010, 12:17 PM

Like the Kobra Kai said, Sweep the Leg, Sweep the Leg.

hula4

29/04/2010, 1:27 PM

You don't honestly think that the likes of Alan Quinlan or Donncha O'Callaghan would deliberately try and hit a guy in the face that has a broken nose and damaged cheek do you?? Thats shocking!! ;)

of course not, i was thinking maybe james coughlan or wally might run over him, they would never expect that!!

Schumi

29/04/2010, 1:28 PM

paul_oshea

30/04/2010, 4:42 PM

anyone know where i could get the connacht game online?

ifk101

30/04/2010, 4:49 PM

anyone know where i could get the connacht game online?

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=74769&part=sports#

If you don't have it, download sopcast. Chap on the forum of that site says he'll be showing it on channel sop://broker.sopcast.com:3912/94325 if the above links don't work. Are you shouting for the Connacht or Toulon? ;)

endabob1

03/05/2010, 11:17 AM

Bay days at the office for all 3 provinces; Thought Leinster were comprehensively out played. Proves the old adage, forwards win games backs decide by how much.

joeSoap

04/05/2010, 12:44 PM

In fairness to Leinster they were always chasing the game, on the back foot and without their decision maker and kicker. Munster were simply diabolical. The absolutely moronic penalties conceded by Flannery (shades of Paris) and Warwick (being too fancy) killed Munster. They didn't get into the Biarritz 22 once on the second half and some of O'Garas tactical kicking and O'Driscolls line out calls were brutal. You reap what you sow in this game, and Munster sowed very little.

Charlie Darwin

04/05/2010, 4:52 PM

joeSoap

05/05/2010, 10:54 AM

Biarritz were there for the taking. Toulouse should stroll past them in Paris.

You've have to despair about Munster in the immediate future, even with O'Connell in line to return. They just don't seem to be going anywhere.

I don't agree with you that Toulouse will stroll past Biarritz. Finals are seldom one sided and these boys will know each other inside out. If Traille is back for Biarritz and Harinordiquay fully fit they will put it up to Toulouse.

I do agree with you on the Munster situation sadly. Too many of them now on the wrong side of 30 that will be retiring at the one time. I also don't particularly rate McGahan as a coach. He has made some very strange tactical calls this season. There is emerging talent, but sadly not in the key areas we need it... Thomond Park could easily become a white elephant for a while.

Aberdonian Stu

05/05/2010, 1:14 PM

Well the final is going to be influenced by a few factors. The two that jump out to me are Toulouse's involvement in the Top 14 playoffs and Biarritz (correct me if I'm wrong) needing to win this to make next year's Heineken Cup.

Schumi

05/05/2010, 1:42 PM

Biarritz (correct me if I'm wrong) needing to win this to make next year's Heineken Cup.Toulon winning the Challenge Cup would do the job for Biarritz too. They won't want to rely on that though, especially as Toulon will likely be looking ahead to theb Top 14 final the next week.

Charlie Darwin

05/05/2010, 3:08 PM

Girvin Dempsey will retire at season's end:

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2010/0505/1224269777066.html

Aberdonian Stu

05/05/2010, 3:47 PM

Toulon winning the Challenge Cup would do the job for Biarritz too. They won't want to rely on that though, especially as Toulon will likely be looking ahead to theb Top 14 final the next week.

Interesting, also Cardiff seem to be focussing more on the Challenge Cup than the Magners League run-in, or at least that was what it sounded like around the end of the group phase.

Schumi

06/05/2010, 12:25 AM

Toulon winning the Challenge Cup would do the job for Biarritz too. They won't want to rely on that though, especially as Toulon will likely be looking ahead to theb Top 14 final the next week.
Ignore this, I'm talking through my arse. A French team will win the Heineken Cup so they get 7 places next year and Biarritz will qualify regardless.

paudie

08/05/2010, 7:34 PM

Clermont just about beat Racing Metro at home in the 1st round of top 14 playoffs. 21-17.
Playing Toulon in semis

paudie

09/05/2010, 4:12 PM

Tolouse beat Castres 35-12 to reach the SF for the 17th year in a row!

They'll play Perpignan

Charlie Darwin

09/05/2010, 5:24 PM

I was watching the AIB league final but every time I switched over Toulouse were dominating them. Didn't even look close - 4 penalties for Castres, right?

Mary's put up a brave resistance to Cork Con and certainly had the better possession and territory, but the superior fitness and guile of the professionals in the Cork ranks won it for them.

joeSoap

10/05/2010, 2:32 PM

Second year in a row that the AIL final has gone to extra-time. Good for the viewers. I actually though Marys left it behind them during the 80 mins, with a couple of poor penalties. You certainly wouldn't have backed him kicking the conversion to level it though...

Leinster v Munster semi in the Magners...but only just. Couldn't believe how Munster were actually beaten last night. Cardiff were very poor and Munster controlled most of the game. Leinster were made fight hard by their bogey team, but came through in the end after a major scare. Semi final in the RDS so they're ignoring the money and using the home advantage...sensible move. At least it gives us an Irish finalist no matter what and a big night on Saturday.

Charlie Darwin

10/05/2010, 4:24 PM

I think the Setanta commentators mentioned something about Croker not being available, but that if they'd both made the final they could have arranged it.

Schumi

10/05/2010, 4:53 PM

I doubt Croker would have been much over half full anyway tbh so it wouldn't have made much sense for Leinster to move it. The extra takings wouldn't have done much more than cover the rent and the atmosphere would have been crap.

Youths4Ever

10/05/2010, 8:35 PM

Croker wont be used to big like Schumi said would not get a big enough crowd plus with a week turn around to short notice to move and organise tickets etc. moving would be a mistake anyway in terms of atomsphere

Macy

11/05/2010, 7:55 AM

I'd say the short turn around is the main reason, as no way they could build the hype to sell enough tickets to make it the occasion. Maybe if Munster had qualified earlier...

Aberdonian Stu

11/05/2010, 8:05 AM

Even then Macy I'm almost glad they didn't (even though it means I have no chance at a ticket). Croker is great when it's full, really capable of being something special, but it suffers terribly when anything less than three quarters full (60k). The drop off in atmosphere is painful and takes something out of the experience.

Macy

18/05/2010, 11:04 AM

Surprised there hasn't been any mention of the game. I thought it was fairly easy for Leinster once they got on top, Munster didn't really produce anything to really threaten Leinster in the second half, not helped by a few panicky decisions by O'Gara imo. He was also lucky not to concede 10 for not shutting up when Owens was telling him to, is he to hot headed to be captain? I also felt that Leinster were unlucky with the decision with O'Learys tackle on Healy. I thought it was high, and should've been a penalty try (at least).

4 in a row to the "ladyboys" - time to pass on the ping pong balls?

joeSoap

18/05/2010, 11:45 AM

Macy

18/05/2010, 1:25 PM

I thought the opposite for the 'high' tackle. I thought he took him around the shoulder.
His hand was on his shoulder, but the rest of the arm was neck level imo. I'm not suggesting it was deliberate btw, but if it was a penalty (which irrc it was) it should've been a penalty try, which would've been game over at that stage.

Ireland squad for the summer tour, full strength...

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster), Tom Court (Malone/Ulster), Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht), Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster), John Hayes (Bruff/Munster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster), Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster)*, Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster), Shane Horgan (Boyne/Leinster), Shane Jennings (St.Mary’s College/Leinster), Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)*, Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary’s College/Leinster), John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster), Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster), Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster), Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster), Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary’s College/Leinster), Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)*, David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

* Uncapped player

paudie

25/05/2010, 6:53 PM

French Top 14 final on Saturday evening - Live on Setanta 1

Clermont Auvergne v Perpignan

Clermonts fourth final in a row and 11th in all but they've never won it!
Perpignan are the holders

paudie

30/05/2010, 10:15 PM

Clermont won 19-6

Mr A

04/06/2010, 7:28 PM

How the hell is Buckley constantly preferred to Tom Court?

OneRedArmy

04/06/2010, 8:43 PM

Spot on Mr A. The play at the final whistle epitomised why Buckley isn't an international footballer. A club 3rd's player would be embarrassed by his body position going into the challenge. Add the fact he's 6'5" and 20 stone and it reflects worse on him.

Mr A

08/06/2010, 2:14 PM

Heineken Cup Draw is done:

Heineken Cup 2010/11

Pool 1
Cardiff Blues
Northampton Saints
Edinburgh
Castres Olympique

Pool 2
Leinster
Clermont Auvergne
Saracens
Racing Metro 92

Pool 3
Munster
Ospreys
London Irish
Toulon

Pool 4
Biarritz
Bath
Ulster
Aironi Rugby

Pool 5
Leicester
Scarlets
Perpignan
Benetton Treviso

Pool 6
Toulouse
London Wasps
Glasgow Warriors
Newport Gwent Dragons

Ulster probably the happiest, despite being third tier.

Charlie Darwin

08/06/2010, 7:09 PM

Ulster's pool is definitely winnable. Leinster and Munster have both drawn by far the strongest fourth seeds. Will be tough, especially with French rugby on the up.

Real ale Madrid

09/06/2010, 12:30 PM

Ireland try again against the All Blacks this Saturday morning at 8.35. We've never beaten them. I was fearing a right hammering given the injuries we have, but the New Zealanders have 3 new caps, plenty of injuries themselves and were caught early this time last year by France, so I hope we give them a right good game. End of a long season tho, so I'd be pleasantly surprised if we got within 7-10 points.

Ireland:
Rob Kearney (Leinster); Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster); Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Tomas O'Leary (Munster); Cian Healy (Leinster), Sean Cronin (Connacht), John Hayes (Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), Mick O'Driscoll (Munster), John Muldoon (Connacht), David Wallace (Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster).

Replacements: John Fogarty (Leinster), Tony Buckley (Munster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster), Shane Jennings (Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester).

New Zealand:
Israel Dagg (Highlanders); Cory Jane (Hurricanes), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Benson Stanley (Blues), Joe Rokocoko (Blues); Daniel Carter (Crusaders), Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders); Ben Franks (Crusaders), Keven Mealamu (Blues), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Brad Thorn (Crusaders), Anthony Boric (Blues), Jerome Kaino (Blues), Richie McCaw (Crusaders, capt), Kieran Read (Crusaders).

Replacements: Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs), Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Victor Vito (Hurricanes), Piri Weepu (Hurricanes), Aaron Cruden (Hurricanes), Zac Guildford (Crusaders).

But before that Ireland play thier 2nd game in the Junior World Cup tonight in Argantina against England. Thought we were very unlucky not to get a draw against France, but still in with a chance to qualify for the semis if we beat England and Argentina and pick up a bonus point or two. Should be another good game.

OneRedArmy

09/06/2010, 12:49 PM

Sounding like a broken record but I fear for our front row on Saturday.

If the pack can get the backs enough ball then we're in with an outside chance with such a quality backline available, but man for man our pack is way off the AB's. I fear for Muldoon and Wallace against Kaino and McCaw. I hope I'm wrong but it could be carnage.

Schumi

09/06/2010, 3:15 PM

There's no forwards on the bench that you can bring on for the front five with any confidence either.

Charlie Darwin

09/06/2010, 3:41 PM

I suspect we'll lose on sheer number of penalties conceded. In terms of tries I reckon both teams will get one or two.

OneRedArmy

12/06/2010, 7:54 AM

Well done Heaslip, you're an absolute disgrace.

De Town

12/06/2010, 8:12 AM

Well done Heaslip, you're an absolute disgrace.

What the **** went through his head? Absolutely ridiculous.

OneRedArmy

12/06/2010, 9:21 AM

Given the embarrassment at the half time score, there were quite a few individual and team positives in the second. Trimble, Buckley and Tuohy were excellent. Redden was great when he came on.

Great spirit and hopefully we'll learn from it, particularly Heaslip who let the whole team and the fans down massively.

Dodge

12/06/2010, 9:23 AM

Well done Heaslip, you're an absolute disgrace.

What happened? Only watched first 10 minutes or so before having to head out

OneRedArmy

12/06/2010, 9:30 AM

What happened? Only watched first 10 minutes or so before having to head out

Sent off after 10 mins for repeatedly dropping the knee on McCaws head at a ruck when we were on their try line. To compound it O'Gara went to the bin shortly after for a professional foul and we were down to 13. We shipped 21 or 28 points in that 15 min period. Madness.

Charlie Darwin

12/06/2010, 9:34 AM

Well done Heaslip, you're an absolute disgrace.

Fairly pleased with the performance after that. The scrum was a bit shaky for obvious reasons but was a lot more solid than it usually is with Hayes. Buckley was fantastic in the loose as well - his handling was incredible at times. Court missed a couple of tackles when he came on, so I think the decision to go with Buckley was 100% right.

I thought Trimble had an excellent game too, so that's at least two positives. NZ were understandably complacent once the game was over as a contest but they still looked absolutely awful in defence. Kearney put in his usual game performance and O'Driscoll & d'Arcy had some good midfield breaks. Very concerned about the injuries though. He'll have to put out as weak a side as possible against the Maoris (phenomenally pointless fixture that should never have been booked to begin with) if we're to have any chance against the Aussies.