IRELAND v ENGLAND

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Originally posted by Macy
tbh I sometimes thought that Wood tried to do too much,


Keith Wood made the decision to play the extra games for more bucks in England, his fitness has been the cost for that...

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That's because for far too long, Ireland were hopelessly s***e and Wood invariably had to carry the team. His fitness has gone the tubes simply because both at club AND international level, he gave so much in every game for so long. As sad as the situation is, we might as well acknowledge that all those years have finally caught up with KW, be proud that one of the greatest hookers EVER played in green in our lifetime, and start building for the World Cup without him.

The talk is that Wood will be back in time for the world cup and IMO should take his place in the front row if he is fit.

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Originally posted by SÓCcfc
The talk is that Wood will be back in time for the world cup and IMO should take his place in the front row if he is fit.

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If he is fit, then most certainly, and as captain being the talisman he is. I can't help wondering, though, if he'll be the same. Remember the talent that was Philip Long? He was NEVER the same player after he broke his leg, and his career went steadily downhill. I wouldn't at all like to see the same thing happen Keith Wood.

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Originally posted by Shed End John
His fitness has gone the tubes simply because both at club AND international level, he gave so much in every game for so long.

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He had his best season in his last year with Munster - since going back to the week in week out high tempo English matches his fitness has suffered.....

Not dissing his previous performances particularly, but IMO should he be back for the world cup and Byrne can continue at his current performance levels, he should not be automatic first choice....

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Originally posted by Macy
Not dissing his previous performances particularly, but IMO should he be back for the world cup and Byrne can continue at his current performance levels, he should not be automatic first choice....

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He probably should start but I agree that he shouldn't be automatic 1st choice.

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Originally posted by Macy
He had his best season in his last year with Munster - since going back to the week in week out high tempo English matches his fitness has suffered.....

Not dissing his previous performances particularly, but IMO should he be back for the world cup and Byrne can continue at his current performance levels, he should not be automatic first choice....

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The English AND the Southern Hemisphere teams both seem to suffer as a result of the tempo they play the game at. How many players of, say, 32+ do you see in England/Australia/NZ in comparison with here.
Fair point about Wood, but, at the first sign of REAL trouble, i wouldn't hesitate to pull Byrne out and stick Wood in, no disrespect to Byrne. Keith Wood has the experience, and if he's fit and hasn't lost his touch, then we all know who the better man will be when the chips are down at the World Cup.

As seen as I started this thread I'll reply to a few of the points made.

1. The point that only 3 Irishmen would get into the England team.
I disagree slightly, Geordan Murphy would get in the England team as well with Stinger, O'Driscoll, O'Kelly. O'Gara/Humphries would be 2nd choice to Wlikinson and we have quality and dept all over the pitch. But so have England

2. Our supposedly bad front row. Our front row have done very well throughout the 6 nations. With the exeption of that gowl of a ref Steve Lander in Cardiff where Wales were illegally pushing and turning as well as binding upwards all day. It was criminal. There will be no repeat of those shenanigans on Sunday.

3. Keith Wood is the greatest player in the world when fit and MUST start if fit. He will have a great world cup.

England are the best team in the world. No question. But at home i think well squeak home and a mighty session will follow.

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Originally posted by Real ale Madrid
England are the best team in the world. No question. But at home i think well squeak home and a mighty session will follow.

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Sounds good. Might just be going to college on Monday with a MAJOR headache. Lovely!!:D
[COLOR=GREEN]COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN[/COLOR]

I think even people "dislike" rubgy will tune in on sunday just to get the chance to see England lose in Dublin.

:D

btw such is the intensity of modern rugby you will firmer players in their 40s crocked vos of the punishment over the years. This has already started to happen with football but to a lesser extent.

just went and had a look at dat rugby.ie message board and theres more talk here on a foot.ie site about egg chasing then they have on the official egg chasing site.. whats that about?

:(

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Originally posted by Badweather Fan
:(

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So ummmm who won?

If you're serious, Ireland got hammered through desperate throwing by the hairy fella, crap kicking by Humphries and general inferiority.

Gee, it must have been awful for them.
All those poor alickadoos, ex-cbc'ers/pres-ites,etc,etc
gnashing their teeth and weeping into their Heino's........:D :D

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Originally posted by Macy
We would've had an outside chance had O'Sullivan biten the bullet and brought in O'Gara for Humphreys..... Now I reckon England by 20 points....

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Well SEJ?

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Originally posted by Macy
Well SEJ?

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Well, my hat goes off to England. They were simply far superior to Ireland in every last area of the field. The intensity/tempo they played the game at was simply awesome. No team in the world would have lived with England yesterday. Ireland it must be said ARE still a very good team, having won 10 games in a row they'd have to be, but, England were in a totally different league and gave us a masterclass.
Being honest, though in Ireland we were looking at a team capable of reaching the World Cup semis, in England we saw this Octobers winners of the tournament. England are a level above us at the moment, and the gap will take 2-3 years yet to bridge.

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Originally posted by Conor74
Macy, I know the result was a bummer, but admit it, you've got that warm smug feeling that only comes when you're proved right and can tell everyone "I told you so..."

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To be honest I was raging after the game, but it did make my monday morning slightly more bearable knowing I could post a "told you so" message..... :cool:

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Originally posted by Shed End John
Being honest, though in Ireland we were looking at a team capable of reaching the World Cup semis, in England we saw this Octobers winners of the tournament. England are a level above us at the moment, and the gap will take 2-3 years yet to bridge.

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Not totally convinced that England are the best in the World.... We simply took the wrong options too many times yesterday, and turned over too much ball.... The out half debate has now been put to bed, and O'Gara will start for the forseeable, which will only be good for us... I would be disappointed if we don't reach the semi's, but performances will have to pick up considerably from the championship....

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Originally posted by Macy
Not totally convinced that England are the best in the World.... We simply took the wrong options too many times yesterday, and turned over too much ball.... The out half debate has now been put to bed, and O'Gara will start for the forseeable, which will only be good for us

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Being honest about it, I don't think it mattered a whole lot what we did yesterday, England were going to win regardless. O'Gara most likely will start every game from now on, seeing as Humphries was such an unmitigated DISASTER. IMO, we'll reach the semis of the WC. Performances I'm sure WILL pick up.
England I feel ARE the best team in the world. Winning the World Cup all depends on how they travel. If playing thetournament in Australia doesn't bother them all that much, I reckon they'll lift the William Webb Ellis Trophy.

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Originally posted by Shed End John
Being honest about it, I don't think it mattered a whole lot what we did yesterday, England were going to win regardless.

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I have to disagree, we were still in it for long periods in the second half even, Humphreys miss of a very kickable penalty in the 1st half was important IMO. Im not denying that England are a superior team but there are ways to get at they that we didnt even try yesterday.

Humphreys never once tried to put the shíts on an inexperienced english full back with a few huge kicks á la O'Gara versus Glouchester. If we'd gotten a try back early the English would have been rattled. Hopefully we'll learn from it.

I think the selection was wrong in three crucial areas; Humphreys, Longwell and Bishop. We should bring back Girvan Dempsey throw Murphy on to the wing and Paul O'Connell in at 4.

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Originally posted by SÓCcfc
I think the selection was wrong in three crucial areas; Humphreys, Longwell and Bishop. We should bring back Girvan Dempsey throw Murphy on to the wing and Paul O'Connell in at 4.

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well said soc. fair from knowing my eggchasing thats what i'd do also

humphries missed a kickable kick in 1st half
we had a few "phases" (thats what they call em yea) of possession end cof 1st half and cudnt score or break the "gain-line" :D, a score there 13-13 at HT

feww big gary's from an irish outhalf put the fear of god in that boy lucey the engaland full back right from the start. why the hell didnt humphries even try to do that???

wether it was him or eddie o sullivan not telling him to twas proved wrong

Eddie O Sillivan OUT
SOCcfc for manager

I'll get the banners ready sean :)