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Ireland looking good - no doubt thanks to Nick Mallett's brilliant work to motivate them during the week!
This. š
What looks like it's going to be a Wales v Ireland qtr final has the makings of a classic encounter. Wales are finding some good form now and scored for fun today. Looking forward to that game.
Now I'm not looking forward to next weekend. š
Even Earls has had a good game today š
Does anyone else feel that spliting up into cup / bowl / shield competitions after the group stages would be good?
Top two from each group into the QF as now the other teams play off for minor trophies?
I'm rather disappointed that we're not getting the usual shots of the coaching teams...
Top two from each group into the QF as now the other teams play off for minor trophies?
Why? What would that demonstrate/achieve?
DS - it would mean TJ could go on and on about how Scotland won a sheild in the RWC 2011... š
Does anyone else feel that spliting up into cup / bowl / shield competitions after the group stages would be good?
Nah, no point - the object is to win the tournament.
It would be too cheap a shot to suggest that you're only making such a suggestion as your adopted country is out š
EDIT: MD beat me to it!
Brian Moore was arguing for something similar. It certainly makes more sense than a 3rd/4th place play off which neither team ever seems to be interested in.
I'd be all for a shield competition - the final as prelude to the final proper. More rugby for the second tier nations, like Scotland.
Man of the Match today?
O'Brien for me. A real bright future for green machine rugby.
No, winning is everything, losers go home emptyhanded. The 3rd/4th place game is only for IRB rankings and no one can be bothered by that stage.
England won't win this year but i wouldn't want them playing for a 2nd-rate tin plate whilst the real game is played elsewhere.
DD think I'd go for Healy, he was immense. OB and Ferris a close second
What's going on with the ref's hair???
*holds breath*
Penalty try.
Yellow card for the cheat. Just to piss off Nick The Almighty Cock Mallett.
oooohhh...
Did they not do the cup / bowl / plate thing in the 7s world cup?
Muddy / zokes - have you just been hoist by your own petard? Getting in a slagging about another team ?
š
All real fans tend to be a bit one eyed. Its cos it comes from the heart.
That's justice!!!
*releases breath*
Wooooo!
Not slagging another team - i'm poking fun at you TJ which is somewhat different š
Still don't want to see a 2nd comp within a comp. In the 7's it's different as a lot of Nations tend to use it as a training ground for younger players. The 15 man game is the big one and no one remembers or cares who came 2nd or 3rd.
I can't even remember what the score was in the 2007 final, just that SA won which is all that matters.
That's set up what should be a great game next weekend.
Right, thats over with. I'm off out to be a fully-padded storm-trooper with my new holiday pads, suspect i'm going to feel faintly ridiculous and i may have to hide behind a drystone wall if i see any other mtb'ers around š
Really Muddy? Looked like slagging Scotland from where I sit. š Point made - one eyed fans do not make objective judges. One persons good natured tease is anothers barbed hatred
I'd like the bowl / plate competitions simply so that the minor teams get more meaningful games. Italy V tonga for a trophy? would that not be good?
Well done my top 5 northern hemisphere team beginning with I!
Will A-A be along soon to go on & on & on about the dirty play. I mean D'Arcy lead with the forearm! There was a eye gouge!
I mentioned the gouge twice already, nowt in in it IMO, didnt see the darcy moment, been doing other stuff whilst the game was on. Funny how I get slagged off for highlighting dirty play and then the players are cited the next day.
Zokes you still havent answered your own question is the Dwarf tossing, breast nuzzling two time drink drive convicted world cup winner a bigger **** than the once golf buggie stealing drinking driving idiot. Or how about the three lewd comment making sex pests that I was talking about today?
All I've done is point out headlines pertaining to the world cup, the England squad are the ones who appear to be making the non sporting ones.
Anyway Wales ireland. I reckon if Wales can win there lineouts they can beat Ireland, should be a good game. will be intresting to see if O'Brian can cope with Warbaton on the floor and if Wales can cope with O'Brian ball in hand. O'Brian still doesnt look like a 7 to me. Some difficult picks for Gatland if Hook and Lydiate are fit, will Lydiate replace Jones, will Byrne, Hook or 1/2p play 15. I expect lots of kicking from ireland so maybe not 1/2p. Byrne's angles of running and timing from 15 are miles better than Hooks. Hook to bench for me.
Byrne
North
Davies
Roberts
Shane
Priestland
Phillips
Faletau
Warburton
er.. not sure I think I favour Jones experience
AW Jones
Girafferis
Adam Jones
Bennet
again if gethins fit its a tough call between him and James
I'd like the bowl / plate competitions simply so that the minor teams get more meaningful games. Italy V tonga for a trophy? would that not be good?
I believe there is already a tier 2 competition of some sort, isn't there? If not, then perhaps there's a case, but it shouldn't really be open to test-playing nations, even Scotland / Italy. Let the smaller teams and semi-pros play, but don't have it as a cop-out for those that have the potential to do better at the higher level.
the England squad are the ones who appear to be making the non sporting ones.
And yet only you appear to be reading them. Give it a rest and grow up. I thought you were a teacher - perhaps you've been spending too long with your pupils š
And yet only you appear to be reading them. Give it a rest and grow up.
funny how you are the one who bought up drink driving but wont then comment on it when you realise you've made a **** of yourself. but never mind keep smashing up that glasshouse.
Enjoy the win seƱor dd, I'm looking forward to another 06:00 start, yay!
Boys settle this via e mail or something leave it out now please. This thread has been great with out it descending to normal STW depths.
Where is the Armitage citing report, cant find it.
Pigface - saw it on the BBC website.
Think some of you need to check yourselves on the
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"Humorous and light heated exchange". I guess you had to be there. š
Ireland or Wales in the final? The other side of the draw really hard to call amongst the 3Nats - can't Argentina getting past the ABs
predictions here...
Ireland v wales - Wales to edge it
France v England - France fully implode england win by a canter
AB v Puma - AB to power through
Boks v Wallabies - Wallabies to hit knock out form
Semi's
England v Wales - England just come through
AB v Wallabies - War with wallabies through as AB choke
Final
England v Wallabies - Afraid old bill is off to Oz
That's my predictions and yes i'm english so in my own little world we are in the final even though we are 7th best on present form but knock out stages are a toss of a coin š
firstly lets keep this thread on the topic of rugby, ive enjoyed it until the last few days.
anyway well fekin done my beloved Wales, we neded that to bury the fiji ghost.
i cant even contemplate a wales v england semi..... šÆ
i dont care what happens really the best thing about this world cup is seeing the welsh young guns come through.... the future is bright.
next years six nations should be a stonker!!
peace everyone lets all chill out and enjoy it!
lockrobnkel - Member
I admire your complete lack of respect for form going into the 1/4's with your predictions
I predict an All Black v Bok semi and a England v Ireland semi, with Boks beating ireland in the final.
As said though I'm already looking forward to next years 6 nations, Warburton, Faletau, Lydiate and North all look the real deal so far and should only get better, whilst more established players like 1/2p, Roberts, Davies, AW Jones etc are all still very young.
Not looking beyond the Wales Ireland game. It's going to be a cracker though. Attritional up front - with both sides well able to spread it about.
D'Arcy looked like he was approaching past form today. Bowe and O'Driscoll combined so well for the first try. I could watch stuff like that all day. The Irish pack is finally looking like it can function without PO'C.
Green Machine through as pool winners. Who'd of thunk it, eh? š
Good to see this thread back on topic finally. Ireland and Wales both looking impressive, hopefully that'll show in next weeks game being a quality match. I'd punt for Ireland sneaking it by a score.
SA vs Aus, boks by 10 points but still a low scoring game.
Eng v France will be dire. England to win ugly yet again.
NZ will pummel the Pumas.
Would like to see a NZ vs Wales or Ireland final as that offers the best chance of entertainment and drama IMO. A repeat of 2007 would be dull dull dull, but is pretty improbable.
knock out stages are a toss of a coin
True, true. However, the coin doesn't land on the edge too often š
"Humorous and light heated exchange". I guess you had to be there.
careful you'll be accused of being racist.
You have to think who ever wins the ireland Wales game has a great chance of being in the final if they keep clear of too many injuries. England have much deeper pockets with their strength throughout the squad though.
anyway[i] allez les bleu[/i]
More rugby for the second tier nations, like Scotland.
Gosh,how soon we forget DD...
careful you'll be accused of being racist.
I can live with that.
My two penneth. Wales to take the win next weekend, I think we'll out defend and stop the green machine from scoring. Hopefully it'll prove to be a good hard and physical game and may the best team win.
Clash of the back rows I am looking forward to. Tackling practise for both 10's as well.
I only just found out that Dan Carter is out of the World Cup! Absolutely gutted, that man is so good to watch playing rugby.
I'm looking forward to the France game, and then the Ireland/england game. For all of their bluster, Wales are nowhere near ireland.
For all of their bluster, Wales are nowhere near ireland.
what bluster? I think wales are fairly near Ireland, beat them last time out.
duckie, only teasing. Chin up and all that. š
Green machine only where they are because the front row cheats all the time anyway...isn't it?
Nothing between Ireland and Wales tbh. Impossible to predict IMO.
[url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/8801963/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-Mike-Tindall-apologises-for-misleading-fans-about-going-to-second-bar-with-blonde.html ]more tabloid title tatle about the dwarf tossing, 2xdrink driving, blonde nuzzling royal[/url]
Nothing between Ireland and Wales tbh. Impossible to predict IMO.
Ireland much more experienced throughout the team, as always in matches between these two if Wales can win lineout ball they can win, big if though.
Very ruthless from Wales. Even down to pushing on for another try with the clock already in the red. And not conceding a point. And finishing with only fourteen players through choice.
Very, very impressed.
Impossible to predict IMO.
Ireland 22 Wales 26
England 12 France 7
You can take that to the mother funking bank!
Ireland 22 Wales 26England 12 France 7
You can take that to the mother funking bank!
I'll take that š , this place will go ****in nuclear in the lead up to Wales England!!
I'll take the first score, but I'll have France to win comfortably.
They can't be THAT bad all tournament. Can they?
I think and hope France can do it as well. The nerves are already setting in about Wales next week, oh God this is going to be horrible.
Who play first next week then?
[url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/15142664.stm ]hope they are allowed to hang this idiot.[/url]
That guy is a nutter, he is like a more exotic version of Zokes. š
So experts whats the story on this high tackle? (I don't even know if this is it as I cannot find the clip on itv but its the pic shown on the daily fail)[img] 
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looks like a punch to the stomach from Paterson to me š
He nearly took his head off,however a citing is maybe a wee bit harsh tbh.He does has previous and I wonder if the citing comm took that into account when deciding to charge.With his previous he will get 4 weeks/games.
I'd like to see a vid as that pic doesnt tell much..
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grrrrrhhhhh itv player.
Sorry, what can I do.Having watched it again for the first time since the game,it IS a bit cheeky, but John Inverdale said there was no intent,so what do I know?
its hard to tell at full speed how anyone can make a decision where they are hitting a bloke, that was all v quick.. Anyway the officials will decide, I just wondered if anyone was in the know enough to make a judgement on here. I must say I have seen much worse this tournament that hasn't been cited.
We look on it as you having about 5 feet to legally tackle somebody.Even on a shortarse like Mossie he misses that by a fair old margin,and does not bother to use an arm.The second of those being the biggest offence. A citing for an international will take into account the expected "speed of deed" could he have pulled out? The pic posted by Brakes in which Tuilangi is already covering across as Armatige makes the hit doesn't really look good.
I'm sorry its clearly high, late and lacks arms and would have been a nailed on yellow at the very least had any of the people in charge seen it. But as was said by the ITV commentator "Paterson has hit Armitage" or something equally as stupid.
You have to wonder what the ref was looking at when the Fijian centre tried to take off 1/2p's head with his own head this morning. Just because the Fijian came off worse doesnt mean it wasnt a reckless tackle.
In othernews I do like Dean Ryans column in the Observer (usually shite for sport). The last few have been pretty dmming about Englands tictacs and todays is no different. Makes a good point that scotland might well only have lost because they tried to win by 8 points.
First instinct when I saw it yesterday was that it was a high tackle, with no attempt to 'wrap' the player - he simply straight armed him after Paterson had already unloaded the ball. At best, it was a clumsy challenge that merits being disciplined to discourage the player from similarly sloppy play in the future. At worst, it was a cynical cheap shot. Either way, rugby carries enough risk without the tall guys on the pitch waving their arms about like that.
what about this then?
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a good hand off, citings board havent mentioned Lamont ( i think its Lamont) whats your point caller?
what about this:
given his previous he could be out of the world cup
I think he will get two games, high, leads with forarm anf no attempt to wrap the player. As stated has previous and not just on the pitch.
two games is the min sanction though isnt it?
Definite sneaky punch there, no call for that.
whats your point caller?
just goading your prejudice
Prejudice? Or just knowing the game? A hand off is a hand off. A blatant, possibly dangerous high tackle from a player with "previous" is just that.
Shame, as if Armitage screwed his head on right, he has the potential to become great. As it is, coaches will look on him as a liability.
š³ Another long day š³
Shame, as if Lawes screwed his head on right, he has the potential to become great. As it is, coaches will look on him as a liability.
you do relaise that coloured fella isnt Lawes dont you?
See above...Wasn't really paying attention when I typed! š³
On another note, this is rather interesting. I'm not normally one to pore over "stats", but this piqued my interest;
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Six and a half minutes in the opposition 22 and 66 points to show for it. Awesome. 50% posession and 66 points. Awesome. Only 38% of the territory and 66 points. Awesome.
A very, very good performance.
Captain "statto" flasheart