No it won't. If we beat France the minimum points we'll have is 14, and the maximum they could possibly get is 13. Beating France is the crucial bitQuote:
Originally Posted by osarusan
After that game we can think of other options
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No it won't. If we beat France the minimum points we'll have is 14, and the maximum they could possibly get is 13. Beating France is the crucial bitQuote:
Originally Posted by osarusan
After that game we can think of other options
Beating France is the crucial bit to winning the group, I agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
But, I said "should we lose" to France.
Of course the best thing is to win the game and win the group, but I was replying to Pete, who said
I was just talking about qualifying from the group.Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
Agree with most of that DvB. But we're a way better team than that.Quote:
Originally Posted by DvB
It appeared to be a lack of mental preparation as much as anything. Dropped passes, too much turnover ball when players got isolated. We were so much on top in the first half hour that we weren't prepared for a backlash. Yet everyone knows that in every game you play no matter what code and no matter how much on top you are, the opposition will have a go at some stage if for nothing else but their pride.
We then tried to run the ball from our own twenty five instead of playing to our strengths which, for this team, has been O'Gara kicking for position and sending the opposition back. Our pack never got the maul going either. It was just inept. Why??? Well you could argue that it's come a month too soon for the Northern Hemisphere clubs. Previous Cups in the Northern hemisphere have started in October. The advantage is with the Southern teams. Some of our players haven't played since March while the Ausies, Kiwis and Boks have just come off the Tri Nations.
The number of games played prior to the tournament was totally inadequate. In soccer it's believed that it takes up to five games at least to get match fit and sharp. For a squad of thirty players to play just 3 games is ludicrous. David Wallace, who in fairness is just back after injury, was not at the races. O'Sullivans inexplicable decision not to provide cover for him could come back to haunt him.
Tom McGurk was on Gerry Ryan this am. He claims that the squad spent so much time in the gym that they only started ball work three weeks ago. The evidence of the gym work is there for all to see in their increased bulk. So too the lack off ball work.
It's all a part of a masterplan....
So we should be spot on for the France game? That'll do me...Quote:
Originally Posted by onceahoop
...to fool the argies and france that we are crap?
they are doing a good job so.
Lads, to be honest I wouldn't worry about this performance, we arent going to get past the quarters anyhow, but we will play a lot better in the big matches.
Paul, there's a lot of confused logic in your post.Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
To even get through to the quarters, we are going to have to play at a level that will make us good bets to get even further in the tournament.
I don't believe Argentina are a much better team than France (regardless of Fridays result) and I still think we have a better chance of beating Argentina than France.
You wouldn't perhaps be led by having tickets for the second placed team in our Group playing the winner of New Zealands group?
We'll either win the pool (can't see it myself) or come 3rd.
I could be, but I can honestly see us drawing with argies ( losing to France, getting same amount of bonus points, but losing on on points against ) and not even getting to the quarters - note I just said we wont go further than the quarters, not that we will definitely get there.Quote:
You wouldn't perhaps be led by having tickets for the second placed team in our Group playing the winner of New Zealands group?
On that, I could also see us beating france and losing to argentina, with max bonus points taken for all teams does that not mean we would also finish second, assuming that we dont lose to argentina by more than we beat france?
Do you have my posts blocked or wha? ;) If we beat France, we're through and France are out. Regardless of margins etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
Brave man to predict a draw in rugby, its not the GAA!Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
You'll get great odds for that.
Great kicking from his hands, great passing and attacking play but his kicking from the ground can be shoddy. If the angle is anyway challenging, he'll miss. Against Italy in the six nations he couldn't buy a score.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flea
Quote:
Brave man to predict a draw in rugby, its not the GAA!
You'll get great odds for that.
Ora, I can see a last minute penalty/drop goal from the argies to draw it ;)
All I can wonder if what have the Ireland squad been doing for the last 10 weeks of preparation? :confused:
All of this will be forgotten if Ireland qualify for the quarter finals.
I know he has been our most successful coach but IMO O'Sullivan should resign if we do not get at least get to the quarter finals. Triple Crowns are all very well but not getting past the WC group stages in 2 finals is failure given the resources available to the team.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Torn-Ado
The mitre ball is a pos, like kicking a baloon
But continue to harp on about his kicking, the rest of the performance was a cracker
The mitre ball may be a 'pos' whatever that is, but it's no excuse.Quote:
Originally Posted by Soko
Especially as they're using Gilbert balls, the same as the 6 nations ball, official IRFU ball and one that O'Gara is most comfortable with.
A far better ball to kick with as well, especially for penalties etc, tends not to drift as much in the air for longer kicks.Quote:
Originally Posted by joeSoap
was trying to figure that out for myself. Couldn't figure out what it could be a typo forQuote:
Originally Posted by joeSoap
pos - piece of sh.....sh....sh..................excrement.
Ah, I see. I'm so old now...
lets hope pos' cautious predictions turn out to be a pos .