Rugby 2011

**BonnieShels** · 29/09/2011, 8:08 AM

Being reported on NewsTalk that O'Connell is a doubt.

**Real ale Madrid** · 30/09/2011, 8:04 AM

Same team that started against Australia except O'Gara and Murray start at half back.

Whatever about the out half call, delighted Murray is starting. Don't rate Reddan at all.

**Macy** · 30/09/2011, 8:29 AM

No complaints with the changes - he's never going to do anything off the wall, and it's clear he considers the half backs in combinations rather than alone.

btw just on the whole kicking debate over the last few days - it hasn't been mentioned about England cheating to give Wilkinson an advantage of more used balls (which appear to be "better"). Wilkinson is struggling, and blaming the balls, which does suggest there might be more to it than just Sexton's bottle or technique. It'll be interesting to see whether O'Gara has any more issues starting than coming on later.

**BonnieShels** · 30/09/2011, 8:48 AM

Read about that England thing yesterday.

That's a very good point about ROG coming into the game later but he did start against Russia so that's that out the window.

Don't be surprised that the two Jonny's are just under pressure.

**Macy** · 30/09/2011, 10:47 AM

Not the same pressure for the Russia game. O'Gara is the right choice for Sunday. Could be Sexton's having more trouble with that ball than O'Gara, who's had several 'mares in Rome with the mitre they use.

**BonnieShels** · 30/09/2011, 10:59 AM

He still had to get the kicks though. Pressure or not.

**Macy** · 30/09/2011, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

He still had to get the kicks though. Pressure or not.

Not disagreeing with that, just disagreeing with the theory that sexton is just sh�te that some have put forward.

**BonnieShels** · 30/09/2011, 11:18 AM

He's far from ****e. He's just in ****e form. Anyone that holds that view us not really knowledgeable enough to give their opinion any due. I would prefer to see him start against Italy but thankfully we have 2 world class out halfs so we have the options that we have.

**Spudulika** · 01/10/2011, 3:57 AM

Russia putting it up to Australia. Local commentators are going mental.

**Charlie Darwin** · 01/10/2011, 2:23 PM

I woke up just in time to see the last 20 minutes of England-Scotland and to see the Scots throw away the victory (though I think they needed an 8-point win anyway). France losing to Tonga...

**geysir** · 01/10/2011, 2:36 PM

The rain must be getting to Gerry Thornley in NZ

Gerry's opening line in his IT article today highlighting Ireland's failure in the WC so far
'It probably shouldn’t have come down to this, but it has. Despite beating Australia, the failure to post a bonus-point fourth try against the USA means that, instead of requiring just a solitary bonus point to advance as group winners, Ireland effectively must beat the Azzurri to ensure their place in the last eight'

Yes Gerry, Ireland did not gain a bonus point against the USA but they made amends for that in spades by beating Australia, in one swoop taking care of previous indiscretions completely and putting Ireland into an unprecedented position at a WC, where they are 1/8 to top the pool before the final game.
Some failure that.

**Charlie Darwin** · 01/10/2011, 2:51 PM

Yeah, surely we've needed to beat Italy all along? The Australia win was a bonus.

I watched Ulster be beaten by Dragons last night. They made tons of mistakes but the backs in particular look really, really exciting. I saw Gilroy make an impossible O'Driscoll-like pick off the ground on the run, and the out half Jackson has a great step. The future looks good for Ulster I think.

**paudie** · 01/10/2011, 10:09 PM

Dan Carter reported to be out of the World Cup with a groin injury.

**Kingdom** · 01/10/2011, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

The rain must be getting to Gerry Thornley in NZ

Gerry's opening line in his IT article today highlighting Ireland's failure in the WC so far
'It probably shouldn�t have come down to this, but it has. Despite beating Australia, the failure to post a bonus-point fourth try against the USA means that, instead of requiring just a solitary bonus point to advance as group winners, Ireland effectively must beat the Azzurri to ensure their place in the last eight'

Yes Gerry, Ireland did not gain a bonus point against the USA but they made amends for that in spades by beating Australia, in one swoop taking care of previous indiscretions completely and putting Ireland into an unprecedented position at a WC, where they are 1/8 to top the pool before the final game.
Some failure that.

Geysir, do you read him often? He's about the most positive, pro-Ireland journalist there is.

**BonnieShels** · 02/10/2011, 8:09 AM

The tension... oh the tension!

**mypost** · 02/10/2011, 8:17 AM

If Ireland can't beat Italy, after winning near 15 games in a row, they shouldn't be there, as it's only going to get harder from here on in.

**BonnieShels** · 02/10/2011, 8:28 AM

Now now. Optimism. We are the better side. a try and we've done it.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 02/10/2011, 9:10 AM

Solid showing. Now like an ulcer flare-up after christmas I anticipate a new "Is rugby overtaking Soccer yadda yadda yadda...." thread.

**BonnieShels** · 02/10/2011, 9:31 AM

NO NO!

Please no. I hate those threads.

Wonderful performance.

To a man they were magnificent.

**Real ale Madrid** · 02/10/2011, 9:37 AM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

Solid showing. Now like an ulcer flare-up after christmas I anticipate a new "Is rugby overtaking Soccer yadda yadda yadda...." thread.

You won't get that , but you will get a raft of newspaper sh1te to the effect of , rugby lads are great, soccer players are aloof, too much money blah blah blah...

Great opportunity for this team now. Wales is going to be some game. Delighted to be wrong about D'arcy , Heaslip was excellent also. Seems like we are hitting form at the right time.....