The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the virtual rugby pub - a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the Tommy Bowe photo on the bar. That's a banning offence

So pull up a chair....what'll it be?


FYI, the last pub was :
https://www.606v2.com/t10092p950-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub#316272

Kiwireddevil wrote:My stream's died

Mine too

Well... I think the All Blacks were going to win anyway. Can someone post updates of the last few minutes and the final score?

From a Welsh point of view, have the Springboks been really bad? Should we start getting our hopes up that we might be able to beat them? Or am I just being over optimistic there

40 - 7 final score

Kiwi,pm sent. Notch it's all over now,you still want the link for the future?

Mrs Penfro wrote:From a Welsh point of view, have the Springboks been really bad? Should we start getting our hopes up that we might be able to beat them? Or am I just being over optimistic there

Well, I think Wales should definite go with the mindset that they can win- because a De Villiers coached South Africa will aways be vulnerable- but I'd say there are players in the current 22 who won't even make the squad. They're going to get stronger.

Thomond wrote:Kiwi,pm sent. Notch it's all over now,you still want the link for the future?

Naw it's fine. I'll get one off you for future reference if I need it

I'm not quite sure how South Africa are playing it for the World Cup. Australia and the All Blacks seem to be gearing up for it a bit better.

I like the new AB jersey as well btw, I like the simplicity of it.

Jake White has been very critical of their preparations. He essentially said that by resting so many players, they risk going into the tournament with zero momentum and confidence.

They need to get some form in their home leg of the TriNations, but now they are under pressure because of the two drubbings they have taken so it won't be easy. They are at a low ebb.

Mrs Penfro wrote:From a Welsh point of view, have the Springboks been really bad? Should we start getting our hopes up that we might be able to beat them? Or am I just being over optimistic there

We'll have to wait to see the real Springbok side first.

Cheers Thomond

Should work for pretty much every Sky game.

Hound,will probably know most about this but anyone know if the Premier Inn in Harrow is any good?

Aren't they all the same Thomond?

I don't know,never been in one,it seems to be a decent location to get into to the centre of London must check getting out there from the airports.

Afternoon all.

Thom - any Premier Inn is much the same. If it is where I think it is, then it is close to the tube station (also Chiltern rail to Marylebone) and bus station. Harrow town centre is dull, and don't drink there. Go to Wealdstone for Irish bars (5-10 minutes on a bus from the tube/bus station) or walk up the famous Hill for the best pub in Harrow; The Castle on Middle Road.

Or PM me, and if I'm free, I'll meet you somewhere.

Oh, and a 140 bus will take you from Heathrow to Harrow for £2.

Afternoon all had a good night in bristol! Currently enjoying the sun down Ashton Gate watching the mighty robins play! Hoping to catch the tri-nations re-run tonight

MBTGOG wrote:This is making a farce of Test rugby really. The All Blacks have been good but......

I agree. SA have 21 players "resting" in Rustenberg. Yeah right. It's an open disgrace for the Tri-N. In a way I hope it backfires on them. But I think we need to hold council on their present form, until they play their home games in the 3-N, when Fourie, Matfield, Botha and Habana will undoubtedy be back, to give them some momentum. They may be slightly under-cooked at the start of the WC. But, they will have blooded a lot of backup players in readiness for it. It is blatantly obvious what they are doing. Jake White did pretty much the same, in preparation for the 2007 WC. They did ok in that.



Beware the Saffers at the RWC.

Funnily enough Jake White has been one of the biggest critics of this policy

http://www.espnscrum.com/southafrica/rugby/story/144754.html

''The reality is there is no comparison to what happened last time, they weren't the same age and the players did not need as much game time,'' he said. "The boys were rested for two weeks of the away leg over four weeks. They are going to rest them in the first two weeks. We had three friendly matches before the World Cup started against Scotland, Connacht and Namibia, which they won't have."

But maybe he just wants his old job back

But, they will have blooded a lot of backup players in readiness for it.

Yeah but how many will actually even make the squad?

Way out in my prediction for that game. Didn't see it so will be looking for a rerun later <hopes>

Just back from competing at our Captains Day at the Golf Club. I'm afraid I will have to wait another year

Staggy and Huggie, your International tickets have arrived safely. Huggie, I will bring yours next weekend. Staggy, can you email your address and I will post yours, just in case.

Hi all. Just had some chilli rubbed steak off the barbie. Tidy like. Chicken tikka for the 2nd course.

England fight back in the cricket well done Broad

MBTGOG wrote:

But, they will have blooded a lot of backup players in readiness for it.

Yeah but how many will actually even make the squad?

Very very few will even make the 30 Munsty. I did say BACKUP players. Not squad players.

Notch,

Smith is a hyprocite and is feeding off the present negativity-factor of JDV, imo. The knives are out for JDV and Smith has a sword in his hands.

I agree that the arrogance and disrespect shown by JDV, is totally wrong from a Test POV. But, anyone who is reading some real hope into this, is way off the mark - IMHO. They will be fresh and ready. With all due respect to the teams in it, they will look at some of their Pool games as warm-ups.

As I said, I dont think it is right to treat the 3-N this way. But they are... and for good reason. They will be peaking when others are tiring. That's the way I read it anyway. If he suceeds, he will go from Zero to Hero. Big gamble, but its worked before.

I think White has a point; they flogged them to death in 2010 playing so many test matches. Then they rest them in the TriNations. They should have gave them November 2010 off and looked to get some momentum from these games.

I think they will get through their pool no matter what, but if they think they can treat games with Samoa, Wales and Fiji as just warm-ups it's gonna be very uncomfortable for them at times.

That's what the Aussies thought about Samoa after all... They are a well-drilled, physical side that can cause anybody problems on their day. Wales are also a obstinate side, difficult to play against, with players who can hurt you if allowed space. South Africa need to take them seriously. A 75-100% performance will see them off. If they come in at 50%? Real risk of an upset.

Anyway, I think they will probably make the semi-finals but... I just see them as beatable now, A-team back or no. Key players are that bit older and their coach doesn't look like a guy capable of getting the best of them. Certainly I know Ireland will be underdogs if we face them in the quarters, but I would be full of confidence we could upset them.

Oh definitely. Ireland can take them, no matter how strong and prepared their side is. But, it would be best to avoid them in the QF's. For me, the game vs Oz will define our RWC. Win that and I actually believe we will grow stronger and make the Final.



There, Ive said it. That's us phhoked.



Believe.

Gibson wrote:Oh definitely. Ireland can take them, no matter how strong and prepared their side is. But, it would be best to avoid them in the QF's. For me, the game vs Oz will define our RWC. Win that and I actually believe we will grow stronger and make the Final.



There, Ive said it. That's us phhoked.



Believe.

That's it Gibbo. Get on the bandwagon myself an Hughie are on! It's our year.

The RWC starts in 41 days time. Ireland start their buildup next weekend in Edinburgh and I can't wait.

There isn't a lot of noise coming out of the Ireland camp though. Perhaps that's a good thing. No new injuries.

What are the Irish regs looking for in the first game? Would you want to see us hitting the ground running with a strong experienced lineup? or would you like to get a look at some of the uncapped/fringe players. I am undecided. Part of me wants a strong team and a victory another part would like to see two or three changes. Maybe McFadden and Jones getting a good run out.

Rava,

Whoever is playing, I want to see nothing negative anyway. Even if mistakes are made, I want us to keep building on that style of rugby we played against England. This is the best time to look at that.

A fantastic idea for photography. Wonderful way to blend the past and present-

http://dearphotograph.com/

I would like to see a solid win, a good performance and a number of guys who were long term injured get some good gametime behind them and us to play quite an attacking style of rugby.

The performance is very important, the Scots will be a tough test for us. Still, I believe we can squeeze them out.

Rava, both in isolation are poor decisions. Keep the core of our team solid and integrate a few player in - maybe the injured group of Ferris, O'Leary, Kearney and Flannery.

So you'd have retained Healy, Ross, O'Callaghan, O'Connell, Wallace, Heaslip, Sexton, O'Driscoll, Earls and Bowe.

Paddy Wallace replacing the injured Darcy should be the other change.

BTW Rava - I'll facebook you my address later. Munsty - favour if your calling to mine around 9 would you mind collecting Natalia. Bit out of you way I know.

Yeah I'll do it Stag. Tell her to be outside at 9.

I certainly shall Munsty. I'm really looking forward to RWC warm up games and the soccer Premiership all kicking off. Gonna invest in my first official green Irish jersey I think. I've only ever had training shirts or unofficial shirts.

Good man Stag. My advice is wait till that really cool vintage Irish shirt comes out.

I'm hoping to get it in time for Ireland v France. Is there a vintage one coming out?

I'd probably go with that team, but bring in Ryan for DOC and Leamy and have Ferris come off the bench. Trimble for Earls.

Les Kiss was on the ruggamatrix podcast and he made the point that some of the Munster/Leinster lads are a week behind the other guys in terms of pre-season because they finished later, being involved in the ML final. So that may have an influence on who is most ready to play 80 minutes at that stage.

Of course, Munster/Leinster would be the spine of our team so...

http://www.worldrugbyshop.com/760956-gr.html

This is the one I want.

The Ulster boys will get their chance Notch. Ferris to start along with Paddy Wallace. Rory Best on the bench along with Court. Bowe doesn't count as a real Ulster man.

In one of the French games I'd like to see:

01 Court
02 Best
03 Buckley

16 Cronin
17 Healy

as a front row selection.

My preference would be to play the strongest side possible in the game in Bordeaux.

MBTGOG wrote:My preference would be to play the strongest side possible in the game in Bordeaux.

Agreed. I'd be hoping to use the 1st game to integrate a few players and test fitness. The 2nd game to claim a massive psychological win. The 3rd to test some things out in an environment we are comfortable in and experiment with some combinations. The final test to get ourselves buoyant before the World Cup - we will be so much more upbeat coming off the back of a win than a loss.

red_stag wrote:The Ulster boys will get their chance Notch. Ferris to start along with Paddy Wallace. Rory Best on the bench along with Court. Bowe doesn't count as a real Ulster man.

In one of the French games I'd like to see:

01 Court
02 Best
03 Buckley

16 Cronin
17 Healy

as a front row selection.

Yeah. I've got to say, the way Ferris has been- I'd want to ease him back a bit more gradually. I would pick Trimble and Wallace with Court, Best and Ferris all to come off the bench.

Remember we want a strong team out next week. This requires some frontline players get gametime, but if possible BOD, POC and Heaslip get 50/60 minutes.

Are you speaking as an Ulster fan or an Ireland fan about Ferris?

Both. He's no use to either team if he breaks down again. Apparently they are surprised at how quickly he's regaining his leg strength mind you.

Regardless he's either going to be with Ireland or out injured. Ulster doesn't really come into it atm, and I know which I'd prefer.

Which game is more important to win?

France away or the England match?

As an Ireland fan I would want Ferris being involved in all the warm up games with possibly a start in the final one. Certainly hope he is fit enough to make the plane. I would be hoping the same for Flannery as well.

MBTGOG wrote:Which game is more important to win?

France away or the England match?

I don't think winning against England is the be all. However we should certainly be looking at winning both the home games. The game away to France might be the one where they try some new blood. A bit less pressure perhaps.

Anyone else watching the world cup draw....Ronaldo now looks like a chubby lookalike of his namesake!

Also got the rl on and it's pretty good tonight!

MBTGOG wrote:Which game is more important to win?

France away or the England match?

Big question. France game gives us not just a win against an constant thorn in our side. It gives is us an AWAY win something we haven't done for a very long time. Could be enough to shake the monkey from our back and instill belief.

On the other hand if we lost to England we'd have lost a bit of momentum ahead of the World Cup. Look at it now we lost 2/5 games in the Six Nations but still have momentum due to finishing on a high note.

I'd nearly rather we beat England, provided it was a narrow defeat against France and we beat them at home.