Rugby World Cup

**paul_oshea** · 08/10/2007, 12:45 PM

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?

stutts, didnt i just point this out earlier?

**Macy** · 08/10/2007, 1:01 PM

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....

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.

**pete** · 08/10/2007, 1:46 PM

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.

**Stuttgart88** · 08/10/2007, 1:48 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

stutts, didnt i just point this out earlier?

So you did.

**Dodge** · 08/10/2007, 1:50 PM

Originally Posted by pete

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

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

**Macy** · 08/10/2007, 2:24 PM

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.

**OneRedArmy** · 08/10/2007, 4:33 PM

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.

**paul_oshea** · 08/10/2007, 4:47 PM

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.

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.

**Superhoops** · 08/10/2007, 9:32 PM

Originally Posted by Superhoops

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

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.

**joeSoap** · 08/10/2007, 10:59 PM

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.

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.

**Superhoops** · 08/10/2007, 11:45 PM

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.

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

**paul_oshea** · 09/10/2007, 8:37 AM

To some up, more french crap talk.

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.

**Macy** · 09/10/2007, 9:02 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

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

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!

**Dodge** · 09/10/2007, 9:17 AM

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

**geysir** · 09/10/2007, 9:29 AM

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.

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.

**joeSoap** · 09/10/2007, 9:30 AM

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.

**endabob1** · 09/10/2007, 9:48 AM

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.

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.

**OneRedArmy** · 09/10/2007, 10:01 AM

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

**pete** · 09/10/2007, 10:28 AM

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.

**joeSoap** · 09/10/2007, 12:18 PM

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.

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