Rugby World Cup

Argentina beat Scotland tonight by 19-13 in what was a terrible game. Argentina got more nervous as the game went on and Scotland just weren't good enough to capitalise.

It now has become quite an intruiging World Cup, and you can make a case for all four left after todays inept performances by South Africa and Argentina. England have the best line-out / scrummage left in the tournament and this alone gives them a chance against France. They badly need a cutting edge outside of 10 though and they simply don't have it.

Prediction: France 32-15 England.

South Africa will find Argentina much more to their liking. They will target Hernandez and Contepomi far better than anyone else has to date in this tournament, and the further Argentina progress, the more nervous they seem to be getting.

Prediction: South Africa 36-12 Argentina.

have to say from a non expert point of view , really enjoyed the 2 games yesterday and the SA Figi game today , some great contrasting styles , I'd tip France to win it now
heres them facing the Haka from close up

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Originally Posted by Rovers fan

diid they not have an advantage that they thought would come f he missed but they were too late and the advantage was gone? im not sure though.

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It was a scrum advantage, not a penalty advantage - poor decision making. Kiwi's should've carried on going through the phases - they would've scored or drawn the penalty eventually as France didn't look like turning it over. Delighted for Henry, absolute banker....

btw Is that Kiwi around who was being typically arrogant before the competition? Gone to ground like the rest of them. Still plenty of general site seeing in Paris for the 20,000 (or whatever it is) that had their holidays planned around the knock out stages :D

Argentina peaked to soon to challenge South Africa imo. Although they had to peak to have a chance of getting out of the group, so that's probably a little unfair. I know there's the theory that they didn't get out of 2nd gear yesterday, but we know as well as anyone it's had to find 3rd, 4th and 5th then when you need it. Scotland were brutal - how come we always end up with France and Argentina and they get a clear cut group that's relatively easy to get out of? Of is it our mentality that stops us - Scotland probably would've put out the A team against France to concentrate against Argentina anyway...

Fiji were unlucky. England were impressive, and could do it again against France unfortunately. Doubt they'll out muscle South Africa or Argentina though, and they've nothing else.

btw Did TV3 just repeat the post match from Saturday last night? TV3 coverage like the Irish teams - devoid of inspiration and a plan b. There's only so many time's you can hear Glennon go on about the bench, and Brennan going on about keeping the squad happy before you turn over to ITV...

I can't wait for the France vs England game.

Oh oh, doesn't it clash with something?

I might take my radio to Croker with me on Saturday! Can you get BBC R5 Live in Drumcondra?

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Originally Posted by Macy

.....England were impressive, and could do it again against France unfortunately...

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It is worrying that the chariot appears to be cruising! :eek:

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I can't wait for the France vs England game.

Oh oh, doesn't it clash with something?

I might take my radio to Croker with me on Saturday! Can you get BBC R5 Live in Drumcondra?

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I suspect there will be plenty of barstoolers who will want the big screens switched over about 15 minutes into the second half at CP, just after GSTQ is finished :D

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I might take my radio to Croker with me on Saturday! Can you get BBC R5 Live in Drumcondra?

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You should be able to get 5live, but newstalk are covering both semi's anyway (the ad isn't wrong, turn down the TV, turn up the radio).

Whats the Setanta coverage been like? I've heard it's been pretty good, and the GAA have taken note. Looks like Setanta and TV3 will be putting together a package for the GAA too....

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Originally Posted by Superhoops

It is worrying that the chariot appears to be cruising! :eek:

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Struggled in every game bar the QF, and even then if Mortlock hadn't have missed so many kicks they'd have been out.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I can't wait for the France vs England game.

Oh oh, doesn't it clash with something?

I might take my radio to Croker with me on Saturday! Can you get BBC R5 Live in Drumcondra?

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I dunno about r5 live but the game should be on that Talk 106 station.
Is it "alles les bleus" for you.

allez les bleus.

I was telling the lads here at work during the week that I thought england would beat australia during the week, I also said to them if france beat nz i could see England beating france. I still can.

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Originally Posted by Dodge

Struggled in every game bar the QF, and even then if Mortlock hadn't have missed so many kicks they'd have been out.

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Maybe so but they are still there.

I cannot see them allowing France to play the expansive game they love playing. In a tight game, you would have to fancy England. I hope I am completely wrong.

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Originally Posted by Dodge

Struggled in every game bar the QF, and even then if Mortlock hadn't have missed so many kicks they'd have been out.

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You're only as good as your last game at this level of rugby, and the English pack was awesome. No other pack in the world would have coped with them on Saturday. If they can repeat that, France are up against it.

And Jonny Wilkinson missed some glaring kicks too on Saturday. Your point about Mortlock is rubbish. England deserved the game.

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Originally Posted by joeSoap

And Jonny Wilkinson missed some glaring kicks too on Saturday. Your point about Mortlock is rubbish. England deserved the game.

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Where did I say they didn't deserve it? I stated that they could have EASILY gone out if Mortlock hadn't missed several easy kicks. He missed more chances than Wilkinson, thats fact.

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Originally Posted by joeSoap

And Jonny Wilkinson missed some glaring kicks too on Saturday.

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The ball must be really crap. Interesting that it took Wilkinson and Carter to complain about the ball for anyone to take notice - Contepomi was giving out to the ref first place kick in the first game of the tournament...

If England somehow stumble to a world cup final after 4 years of ineptitude then words fail me. If France don't concede stupid penalties then I can't see how England will score any points. Christ reading the papers over in England you'd have thought they absolutely wiped Australia off the park.......it was a 2 point game!!!!

Very surprised to hear the commentators criticise Argentina's game plan last night. Sure kicking the ball back and waiting for the opposition to make mistakes has been a key feature of all their big games so far. It bores the livng daylights out of me but hey why would you change what works so well for you?

Well done to Fiji, breath of fresh air. I was actually leaping off my seat yesterday roaring them on, if only they had got that third try when they were on a roll.....

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Originally Posted by Dodge

Where did I say they didn't deserve it? I stated that they could have EASILY gone out if Mortlock hadn't missed several easy kicks. He missed more chances than Wilkinson, thats fact.

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Thats not fact actually. They both missed three penalties. Australia kicked one pen out of 4 attempts, England kicked 4 pens out of seven attempts. About even if you ask me. And you didn't state that they could have easily gone out, you stated that they would have. http://worldcup.planet-rugby.com/Opt...902775,00.html

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Originally Posted by joeSoap

And you didn't state that they could have easily gone out, you stated that they would have

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Fair point. Apologies.

1 in 4 is worse than 4 in 7 statistically.

As the french were saying, the 6 nations is just a build up for the autumn tests, it means nothing, the french use it every year to find out about fringe players etc, we were using it as a measuring stick.

It was interesting to here how osullivan last year said not to read into the autumn tests as it means nothing and how south africa hadn't even brought a full strenght team. Yet last week when under pressure it was his first weapon of shield, how people shoudn't forget how we put SA and Australia to the sword blah de blah....

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Originally Posted by Dodge

Fair point. Apologies.

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None required. I'm just in a pedantic mood. Something ain't working for me at work and I'm grumpy and picky.;)

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Originally Posted by geysir

Is it "alles les bleus" for you.

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No, it'll be "allez les bleus". Or was that what you were getting at, my having misspelt "joie de vivre" a few months ago?

Anyway, it'll be allez anyone but les blancs. I'm a very bitter individual.

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No, it'll be "allez les bleus". Or was that what you were getting at, my having misspelt "joie de vivre" a few months ago?

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stutts, didnt i just point this out earlier?

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Originally Posted by paul_oshea

As the french were saying, the 6 nations is just a build up for the autumn tests, it means nothing, the french use it every year to find out about fringe players etc, we were using it as a measuring stick.

It was interesting to here how osullivan last year said not to read into the autumn tests as it means nothing and how south africa hadn't even brought a full strenght team. Yet last week when under pressure it was his first weapon of shield, how people shoudn't forget how we put SA and Australia to the sword blah de blah....

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That's rubbish talk from France anyway - they might blood players against the weaker 6 nations sides, but against England and us (or who the a.n.other challenger is) they pick their strongest side. And it has to be factored in, with a much bigger playing pool they can afford to do that.

The championship is the most important competition in the Northern Hemisphere, and the only possible arguement against that is in a World Cup year. Same as in the Tri Nations, it's only in a World Cup year that teams start messing with selections (and even then, mainly South Africa). Test matches are just matches - nice to win but in the scheme of things but just one off games. However, it can provide a real spring board, as our defeat of Austrailia a few years ago did - problem was it was just too early.

If the regular competitions mean so little then Argentina, Fiji, Samoa etc wouldn't be fighting so hard to get in, and the existing teams wouldn't be trying so hard to keep them out.

To some up, more french crap talk.

Am I the only one that can't stand Argentina? Is the Argentina love in because of Contepomi? Argentina are the Jack Charltons Ireland of International rugby - effective but boring as hell because they just feed off others mistakes. Created nothing against Scotland & only try was a charged down kick. Would be a terrible to see them in a final.

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Originally Posted by paul_oshea

stutts, didnt i just point this out earlier?

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So you did.

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Originally Posted by pete

Am I the only one that can't stand Argentina? Is the Argentina love in because of Contepomi?

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I'd imagine its because they're not in the 6 nations/tri-nations.

And they can play rugby. I honestly think they just relaxed against Scotland, saving themself for SA

Doubt it's anything to do with Contepomi tbh. I'm watching the world cup mainly on ITV, where they're equally enamoured with Argentina, but Contepomi hardly gets a mention really... Typical Munster though pete, trying to blame it on Leinster bias. :D

Argentina don't play a huge amount of rugby, but when they do they are quite handy at it!! Unlike Scotland who only had one game and when they had to move it wide didn't have the backline.

Unfortunately for Argentina I think South Africa will be able to compete with them in the forwards and have much better backs. 20 garryowens and a load of mauls is unlikely to get them to the final.

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Unfortunately for Argentina I think South Africa will be able to compete with them in the forwards and have much better backs. 20 garryowens and a load of mauls is unlikely to get them to the final.

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ya see i think thats where Diplomatic immunity will win out, they will have the backs to outclass and outmuscle argentinas backs and that will be the telling difference.

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Originally Posted by Superhoops

......I'd say there is a good chance of Rolland getting the final.....

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Now confirmed on RTE Sports: Irish referee Alain Rolland will take charge of the World Cup final at the Stade de France on 20 October.

Great choice and a well deserved honour, he has been the best referee by a mile.

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Originally Posted by Superhoops

Now confirmed on RTE Sports: Irish referee Alain Rolland will take charge of the World Cup final at the Stade de France on 20 October.

Great choice and a well deserved honour, he has been the best referee by a mile.

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You're kidding me aren't you? Tell that to the Namibian he disgracefully sent off against France in the first few minutes. He shouldn't have got another match after that.

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Originally Posted by joeSoap

You're kidding me aren't you? Tell that to the Namibian he disgracefully sent off against France in the first few minutes. He shouldn't have got another match after that.

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You mean the guy who clotheslined Chabal only minutes after Rolland had warned him about dangerous play? :confused:

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To some up, more french crap talk.

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maybe, but scotland werent far off reaching a semis, and england are in a semis and so are France.......where as 6nations favourites for the last 3 years are nowhere to be seen.

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Originally Posted by paul_oshea

where as 6nations favourites for the last 3 years are nowhere to be seen.

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But France are in the semi's - they're the current champions for ffs, they've won 3 out of the last 5, and finished second another year!

Went to college with Rolland's brother. P.O.S.H. Anyone remember him playing scrum half for Ireland?

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

No, it'll be "allez les bleus". Or was that what you were getting at, my having misspelt "joie de vivre" a few months ago?

Anyway, it'll be allez anyone but les blancs. I'm a very bitter individual.

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So I was right, I had a feeling that I was being stalked for months by two posters armed with a dictionary, it's yourself and Paul :)

I am not really that pushed about being anti English rugby. I'll be up for Les Blues but I could change depending on how the game goes :)
If England do pull off another WC win I guess the rest of the rugby world will be pulling their hair out.
At least it's not with Woodward as coach.

Yeah, I do. I actually played against him in a crappy thirds friendly about 15 years ago. An ok scrum half. Nothing spectacular and probably not international standard but we didn't have anything else around at the time. Think he only got a few caps.

His mother used to travel to all his games. A gas woman. She'd be all glammed up, dressed to the nines with pounds of make-up on shouting him on in a very grand D4 accent with a G&T in one hand and one of those More cigarettes in the other. Used to stick out like a sore thumb anytime Rock came to Limerick. Always the life and soul of the clubhouse afterwards though.

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Originally Posted by joeSoap

You're kidding me aren't you? Tell that to the Namibian he disgracefully sent off against France in the first few minutes. He shouldn't have got another match after that.

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The standard of refereeing in general has been very, very poor (that's my polite version) mind you with Paddy "one arm" O'Brien as the main man these days that's hardly surprising.

Rolland speaks French, and is not from one of the four semi-finalists nations. Thats the main reason he's doing the final.

I have always felt Rolland was a very good referee. He has a lot of experience & controls the game well. He was always going to be on the Final short list once Ireland were eliminated.

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Originally Posted by pete

I have always felt Roddan was a very good referee. He has a lot of experience & controls the game well. He was always going to be on the Final short list once Ireland were eliminated.

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Who's Roddan? Even allowing for typo's....;)