You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Andy Robinson?
Sky News has just mentioned England's "confidence boosting win over Wales a fortnight ago"!
WTF?
Am sure something else happened in between......
I'll miss the game today. We're off to Reading festival for the day. Pulp! Yay! I would like to nominate you Flashy, yes, YOU to defend the multiple green machine breakdown infringements in my absence. Go on, make like we love one another really. 🙂
🙂
I knew I could count on you. 
*High fives Captain O'Flashhearty*
I am pleased to report that coffee wipes off a Motorola XOOM screen.
🙂
DD and Flashy sitting in a tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g 😉
Anyone else watching Australia v New Zealand atm?
The Kiwis look half asleep... to be honest I hope they get pummelled, it'll open up the tournament a bit psychologically. Aussies look sharp tho.
Weird game that, as said the Kiwis looked disinterested. Good 20 mins in the second half then back to sleep.
Nice win for England, much improved than the last game. Still improvements to be made
Hi folks sorry if this has been answered in one of the many pages but does anyone know if the home nation world cup games are on itv or bbc or has sky snapped them up,hope not.
Nice to see the ref taking control of the game. Too many high tackles. 🙁
All games are on ITV
*Hopes Count Dracula isn't the anchor*
Houns - Member
Nice win for England, much improved than the last game. Still improvements to be made
I'll probably be accused of being an England-hater, but sorry, they were crap. The only reason they won that game was because Ireland were even worse, not helped by losing their structure completely because of the back row injuries.
The improvements they (England) need to make are pretty much everywhere. No consistency or dominance in scrum, line out, breakdown, back play, anywhere. They look like a team that has one plan - trundle. Even Foden and Ashton have been limited to trundle gear to match the rest of the team.
And where do you start with Ireland? They need to borrow one of TJ's fabled Scottish scrumhalves, certainly. They desperately need BOD to be fit, and hopefull ROG is immortal because Sexton isn't good enough at this level.
For the second game in a row they spend loads of energy pushing back the opposition scrum without making sure that the oppo no8 isn't picking up the ball and making ground anyway! 🙄 And so many stupid pointless kicks that gave England possession!
Italy must have sat up and realised that they could progress into the quarters if Ireland play like that. And I might change my mind about whether Argentine can beat England...
Idle, I agree.
Don, the problem wasn't the high tackles per se, more the inconsistent application of the law.
Yep both looked pretty poor
At least England can take some confidence that despite being crap Ireland were crapper.
Had money on Ireland too, still, they could pull it together who knows
don simon - MemberNice to see the ref taking control of the game. Too many high tackles.
Seriously? Or is that irony?
Even fatty Barnes was right, for once, about the "high tackles". They weren't.
That Welsh twit of a ref just likes being the centre of attention. 🙄
If they weren't high tackles, then why was only one side penalised for them? Either they weren't high tackles and neither side should have therefore been penalised, or they were and both sides should have been penalised equally.
Fwiw, I dnt think there were many, or any, dangerous tackles (apart from Tuilagi's shoulder barging), more that there was inconsistency in how the ref penalised perfectly safe tackles.
Neck = high tackle and from both sides. Or perhaps I was watching a different game.
Didn't see game but irelands ploy of trying to hold players up in tackle means they go high and gives more chance of going too high. Was it bod who missed the easy tackle on tuilagi?
A poor game. England simply do not look threatening at all and ireland seem to have lost their way. Nothing to scare the trinations teams there
So I missed it. Seems from reading that Kidney is not trying to lower expectations at all, and that indeed, we're just shite. 😐
What's all the stuff about the high-tackles?
News from Sydney. England U18 squad today completed a 3-0 drubbing of the Aussies, winning the last game 46-19. A good friend's son is out there and has won his first cap. 18 years old, 6'8", 100Kg. Scary.
My mistake, tackling in the area between the chest and chin is now acceptable? I haven't seen to much modern rugby so I can't really comment on how the game has changed, but I did see what I would call an unacceptable number of high tackles.
If you want to see a proper high tackle YouTube xavier rush on lawes!
Seems bod wasn't playing and missed tackle was from the shit Keith earls, is bowein the squad he'd be a better 13
is bowe in the squad he'd be a better 13
Yes, he's in the squad. Has been off games with a minor foot injury. On twitter during the week, he mentioned that he was back in training. I'm assuming he'll be ok for the RWC. By jesus, they need him to be!
Really do not know what to make of the game yesterday other than it was poor, very poor
Would say England will be happy. Whether that is justified or not is another story. Winning in Dublin is never easy but Irealnd certainly tried to make it easier than normal
At this moment Wales look the most likely 'home' side and they are likley to be a very distant 2nd best to the SH.
Think I am a bit depressed 🙁
England were pedestrian and Ireland just didn't turn up. Seems strange when the commentators talk about the Samoan in and England shirt. Getting so that the Lions will be SH players on the next tour.
don simon - Member
My mistake, tackling in the area between the chest and chin is now acceptable? I haven't seen to much modern rugby so I can't really comment on how the game has changed, but I did see what I would call an unacceptable number of high tackles.
As has been said above, there were several high or dangerous tackles that were waved on and several that were simply a player ducking into the tackle that were penalised. No consistency from the ref - or even common sense.
I'd be more concerned about the constant last warnings than anything else. Iirc, England were told that any more infringements at the breakdown and a player would be in the bin. 3 English breakdown infringements later an English player was carded.
That Welsh twit of a ref just likes being the centre of attention.
That's exactly it.
Disagree with all the above.
England avenged their Grand Slam defeat and achieved a brilliant victory.
Mike Tindall is the answer to all our prayers at inside centre and the pack are world beaters. Jonny is back to his 2003 self.
England for the RWC!
Edit: I don't really get Tindall. Obviously a good player to reach that level but what is/was he good at?
He's got no pace, no sidestep, not really great hands that I've seen. Defence? Is his selection based on past performances?
http://www.itv.com/rugbyworldcup/2011/matches/
The TV schedule.
NZ v Tonga as the opening game? Yawn. Well I suppose the All Blacks don't want to get too tired early on in the competition. 🙄
But seriously, why is the opening game not a game worth watching? NZ v France would be a better advert for the game, surely?
namastebuzz
Can I have some of what you are smoking? Have you forgotten its 2011. 2003 rugby will not win you a world cup
I thought Wilko was poor. Not taking ball at first receiver and running across the field delaying passes when he did. Also one of the culpable players who mucked up a scoring chance.
Pack world beaters - yeah right. Made very few yards today and gave penalties by the bucketload
Why do England play so many donkeys?
I was being ironic.....
Also predicting what the (English) press will be saying in the lead up to the RWC. 😆
But seriously, why is the opening game not a game worth watching? NZ v France would be a better advert for the game, surely?
Because that was what they drew oh about 24 months ago.
EDIT: And also, being what it is, the old kiwis have a bit of a sore spot viz a viz France and RWC so I don't think they were keen for a rerun of the last game. Where they lost.
Best opening game was SA OZ. Apart from it ruining my accumulator bet 12 correct predictions ruined by the first match
Been off up the hills since Friday,only just watched both games.High tackle is defined as any tackle which [b]in it's execution[/b] rides up above the centre of the chest. ie every single hit at international level. Poor game,almost like a Friday run-through.Whould would worry me if I was either sides coach is that neither side has improved during the warm up games.Is BOD still being held to ransom? (well,has anybody seen him?) England are pretty one paced compared to the teams THEY feel they should be competing with (the tri-nations)As a Scot, I was left with the impression that if we can live with the English pack, then the result is no means as clear cut as it should be.
😳namastebuzz - MemberI was being ironic...
Think England vs Scotland could be pretty close but, for the neutrals, may just about be the dullest game of the whole RWC. At least Scotland can blame lack of numbers for their backline ineptitude
Very realistic chance that either of them may go out in the group stages (though don't think that will happen)
[i]Posted 1 day ago # Report-PostNZCol - Member
But seriously, why is the opening game not a game worth watching? NZ v France would be a better advert for the game, surely?
Because that was what they drew oh about 24 months ago.
[/i]
Yes I know it was drawn years ago, but surely the opening game should always be a bit of a spectacle to draw non rugby supporters into the competition, not an easy run in for the favourites.
Even as an avid rugby watcher I'd never bother turning the TV on to watch NZ v Tonga normally. Good job it's on at 9.30am on a non-work day (for me) otherwise I'd not bother this time.
I was sorry to hear about Wallace's injury. 6 months out, poor chap must be gutted.
Sheesh, poor bugger. I watched the game half asleep,it is the wee seemingly small-bore collisions that cause all the damage.I was trip tackled during a game of touch,clipped my own heel...dislocated knee, torn cruciate and medial,from nowt.
I know im being thick, but what channels are actually showing the games...
my heart sank last night the wife said there was an advert on ITV saying they have the 'exclusive rights'.... the commentary is sh*te on ITV.
surely BBC are showing some of the games? aswell
searched a bit but didnt come up with much 🙁
[i]hopefull ROG is immortal because Sexton isn't good enough at this level.[/i]
Wow, imagine any side being desperate to keep O'Gara!
I think it's all on ITV, monkey_boy.
my heart sank last night the wife said there was an advert on ITV saying they have the 'exclusive rights'.... the commentary is sh*te on ITV.
Turn the volume down and listen to a radio commentary.
*Assumes that there will be radio coverage too.*
ah god!
cheers anyway, radio it is.
could be worse, it could be on sky but I know what you mean.
Doing my best to avoid Dilly Dally's world cup progs at the moment, I think they would just make me want to scream.
anagallis_arvensis - Member
Doing my best to avoid Dilly Dally's world cup progs at the moment, I think they would just make me want to scream.
😆
I turned one on the other day and when Dallaglio started speaking I almost punched the screen.
I am a bit disturbed by my dislike of someone I've never met!
SA team flying out tonight from OR Tambo. Celebrations have been going on all afternoon . . . 🙂
Wow, imagine any side being desperate to keep O'Gara!
What do you mean?
Allow me Dez...he is pish.And before you start defending a fellow small irritating Irishman...YES I would rather have Parks :twisted:.PS...seen BOD? Has his own moon now
Yeah he's complete pish. 🙄
All those points...how many? I'll let you google it, there's a good lad. A grand slam. 2 HC medals. (that's Heineken Cup for our Scottish and Welsh cousins 😆 ).
Oh, but he can't tackle. So, yeah, he's pish. Christ knows how we've ever won a game with such a pish No. 10. Parks?? Jeez. 😆
Man of the match in 2010 against Ireland(and Italy and France).....Remind me,who was wearing 10 for the Irish that day? And lets face it, Munster could win the beer cup with TJ at 10!
Allow me Dez...he is pish.And before you start defending a fellow small irritating Irishman...YES I would rather have Parks
O'Gara may be rubbish but he is better than Dan Parks, neither of them can tackle. Cant stand O'Gara though singlehandedly lost the Lions tour the clueless idiot.
How come no-one ever has a go at ROG for his shoulder charges? Not once in that clip does he make an effort to get his arms round the player? He just leads with the shoulder and BOOM! Outrageous!!
He's in a long line of players that are better than Mister ****y Sideburns Parks...for sure.
I never understand why ROG gets such a hard time from so many fans. A great no 10 - probably the best in the NH consistently over the years.
OK so he does not tackle like a flanker, but he controls a game well and distributes the ball well
TJ guffaw 😆 that is priceless.
Who has been better?
Wilkinson - injured all the time and unable to get the back line moving
Stephen Jones - limited player as well - but fairly equal with ROG
Parks? Don't be ridiculous
Sexton - still has it to prove but a very good player
Great reasoning there Pigface. 😆
I think the problem with ROG is that he inspires such strong feelings....
[url=
O'Gara gets another player sent off.[/url]
I actually thought that this went beyond the pale, but if it had to happen to somebody....
He certainly inspires a few people on STW to talk bollocks....again.
if it had to happen to somebody....
Coming from a Level 3 ref...tut tut.
He certainly inspires a few people on STW to talk bollocks....again.
Aye, your belief in Ireland's superiority over the other Celtic nations for one.
Allow me Dez...he is pish.And before you start defending a fellow small irritating Irishman...YES I would rather have Parks
O'Gara may be rubbish but he is better than Dan Parks, neither of them can tackle. Cant stand O'Gara though singlehandedly lost the Lions tour the clueless idiot.
Ah, missed this!
Yes, O'Gara - [i]singlehandedly lost the Lions tour[/i] <- That for a start.
Also the tackling... like that's not important then???
Aye, your belief in Ireland's superiority over the other Celtic nations for one.
Sorry duckman, from a level 3 ref, that's far too obvious. (though recent years would suggest that I'm right...until the RWC warm-ups, when we've been particularly shite). Come on though, you can do better than that. How about "ROG is pish"...try to defend that particular piece of bollocks. (Hint: that's where I got "again" from).
singlehandedly lost the Lions tour
Singlehandedly? 😆
So who is better than ROG?
So who is better than ROG?
Lots...but not Parks. 🙂
Wilkinson - injured all the time and unable to get the back line moving
Stephen Jones - limited player as well - but fairly equal with ROG
Parks? Don't be ridiculous
Sexton - still has it to prove but a very good player
Wilkinson is better than O'Gara to say he's injured all the time is bollocks based on the last couple of seasons, Flood is better, James Hook is better and Steven Jones is better. Sexton will be better but is yet.
Dan parks is just as shit. If you are an international rugby player you should be able to tackle.
clueless idiot too, it should be noted prior to this he missed two tackles in the lead up to SA's equalising try:
Of course Wilkinson was better...he was one of the best No. 10s ever. ROG will never eat at that top table.
Flood is better
Nope.
James Hook
Nope.
Steven Jones is better
I'd agree with TeeJ that they're on a par.
Oh, and he really is shit under pressure isn't he...
Well Hook and Jones first, O Gara just blows to hot and cold, when he is good and he is happy and the opposition isn't great he looks great when under pressure he does have the habit of of coming unglued.
Putting the clip of him getting pummeled by Mcrae is a bit pointless and he was playing on the wing in that match.
How come Steven Jones and Wilkinson have been Lions test starters when O'Gara ahs been available then? I'll will bet you the princely sum of £10 right now that O'Gara will not be the next Lions test 10 either, in fact I'd be suprised if he makes the tour. Steven Jones who has played most on his international career behind a pack getting stuffed is a far better player. What can O'Gara do that James Hook cannot then compare what Hook can do that O'Gara can only dream of? Flood can tackle which means that he would be chosen above O'Gara all day long. His international career has only been as long as it has because of a complete lack of other options.
O'Gara has played in a better international team throughout his career and how many grand slams has he won?
That Botha clip makes it even more upsetting 😥
He did do a good little shimmy against England last weekend 🙂
I dunno you guys, you don't have to sit there typing carefully thought out analysis for reasons you don't like a player!
Peter Stringer for example - you may think he's a great scrum half, but I couldn't bloody stand watching him play!
Sexton is better than O'Gara NOW. Cos that's what I think.
Ah, so Ireland were pedestrian and devoid of ideas on Saturday to lull the other participants into thinking they are crap, only to unleash a green whirlwind? Clever that.As accusing me for of talking bollocks, seems to be your standard defence, almost your own variation on the Edinburgh defence.I am afraid I am not the only one who thinks he is crap, read the posts above, are we all talking Bollocks?
O'Gara now is not even the same player he was three years ago,and quite rightly, was widely slated for his performances during the lions tour.(dunno if you were watching rugby back then) that is why Sexton is being pushed to the fore. Of course that is only my opinion.
wilkinson is not a better player - he is a different player with different strengths and weaknesses but he is unable to get a back line moving. Too slow on his feet and between the ears.
Wilkinson always has been a limited player. Many many Standoffs that are better
TBH a_a, we're not going to agree on this one. It is about the RWC...not about ROG. The "he can't tackle" line is well worn now. We all know he can't tackle. I'd have him in my team over Jones or Hook any day. You wouldn't? Fair enough, I can live with that.
You can keep posting videos all day of him missing tackles. But that day in the Millennium, he did the job for us.
Despite being so shit, he has scored over 1000 6N points. He's won one grand slam (I think in Irish rugby terms, this is pretty good 😳 ) and two Heineken Cups. True, the Lions tour was particularly shit for him.
To dismiss him as "pish" is simply nonsense. I do hope that Sexton steps up and takes the jersey for good, because he has the [i]potential[/i] to be a better all round No. 10.
I am afraid I am not the only one who thinks he is crap, read the posts above, are we all talking Bollocks?
No, but let's be fair, Ireland have been getting a hard time on this thread over the last few weeks - and they have been shite. I did crack a joke about them just lowering expectations...and then surmised that actually, maybe they really are shit.
As for you talking bollocks...what was your little comment about a "small irritating Irishman" about? Eh?
dunno if you were watching rugby back then
🙄 I know you're still smarting over your last piece of bollocks whinging about the breakdown, but really...
To dismiss him as "pish" is simply nonsense
obviously that is true, he is a fine international player, but he isnt a Lions test standard player or a world class player. He has a glaring weakness that is ruthlessly exploited at the top level especially when playing behind a pack not in control of the game.