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 Stephen Jones photo on the bar. That's a banning offence

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

How about that try be ruled out for a forward pass by the TMO? Surely that isn't in his jurisdiction.

Big thing that worries me is that our squad gets announced tomorrow and these 3 warm up games haven't exactly shown us a lot. I don't really by into the fact that France are unbeatable. That's the second time we played them at home and we should have won both times. France are a led by an absolute plonker of a manager and yet somehow they manage to beat us.

I was criticised in the early 6n games for not having any faith in DK's methods. I was only to happy to change my opinion after that England game. Largely bit part sides against Scotland and France away end in losses... that's fine to be expected. But to put out a practically full strength side and lose in such away sends all the wrong signals about the coach.

Ah well at least we weren't fool enough to extend his contract beyond the WC...
Wait what's that?
We did?
Aw Love sacks...

Australlia must have watched that performance and laughed. To salvage anything we really need to dismantle England next week.

I thought it was a great decision Munsty.

Clancy asked, 'is it a try?'. He did not specify what he wanted checked, i.e grounding etc.

The TMO came back and said 'there is nothing wrong with the grounding, do you want information prior to the try line?'

Ok, so that is a slightly leading question as it kind of implies that there is something untoward prior to crossing the line, but for me it is immediately before the line and therefore pretty much in the act of scoring.

Correct decision made as it was forward, and I think great work by the officials.

It's one of those cases where the right decision was made but through the right means? In another game, they won't look back to that pass and there will be the inconsistency.

I don't disagree that in other games it may have been done differently, and as a result you get inconsistency, but I am not going to condemn the occasion where the right decision has been reached by the officials applying common sense to the decision making process.

It is something the IRB need to look at though, to ensure that the referee has the power to ask the right question and the TMO has the ability to give the correct answers.

NZ Herald sports
Paddy O brien has said that the officials got it wrong to disallow the try and this error would be raised at a review into their performance.....

That says a lot about Paddy to be fair.

The right decision is made, as it was a clear forward pass, but he says the officials got it wrong.

It is just ludicrous.

I havnt seen a single thing that would merit O'Leary going to New Zealand.

There I said it. Id take Reddan Boss and Murray

hughie1986 wrote:I havnt seen a single thing that would merit O'Leary going to New Zealand.

There I said it. Id take Reddan Boss and Murray

I heard a rumour he does a mean chicken casserole. Catering?

As long as he doesn't touch a ball Willy

Onto the Wales-Argentina game now.

Is Mario Ledesma one of the best hookers of the professional era?

Ledesma looks like he should be picking spuds in a field in Mayo

You get mayonnaise in shops not fields. Good grief!

Glas a du wrote:What do Wales, England and Ireland have in common then going into the World Cup?

Glas, no need to leave Scotland out, just cos we're guff?!

Staggy, looks like the two results cancelled forfeits?

LDCPete wrote:What's odd about complimenting the opposition Munsty, it is how it should be. If they have played well then they have played well and people should be prepared to say so.

+1

Morning As

Good day of results for you yesterday buddy.

Watched the game again. O'Leary had a great first ten minutes. Why? His pack hit the breakdown with great ferocity and gave him quick clean ball and his service was decent. The pack and backrow then faded and he was under a lot of pressure,that doesn't excuse his poor play but he got no favours.

So fed up of drinking. Having a memorial today for my friend, so I'll have a few today and then I think I'm due a break. Might watch the NZ game now.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Glas a du wrote:What do Wales, England and Ireland have in common then going into the World Cup?

Glas, no need to leave Scotland out, just cos we're guff?!

Staggy, looks like the two results cancelled forfeits?

Looks like it. Have to.say I`m relieved.

LDCPete wrote:That says a lot about Paddy to be fair.

The right decision is made, as it was a clear forward pass, but he says the officials got it wrong.

It is just ludicrous.

Agree in full.

Afternoon Stag.

I seem to recall ages ago you and I having a discussion about the TMO's jurisdiction. I don't see the fuss with this call. The right decision was made and as far as I can see Paddy O'Brien should be supporting Clancy.

Once again agree with you. Me and Munsty had a big chat about how flawed the law is yesterday.

Risca Rev wrote:So fed up of drinking. Having a memorial today for my friend, so I'll have a few today and then I think I'm due a break. Might watch the NZ game now.

Which friend Rev ? Hope you're OK with it.

Morning all,

I think you should both have to do your forfeits!

LDCPete wrote:Afternoon Stag.

I seem to recall ages ago you and I having a discussion about the TMO's jurisdiction. I don't see the fuss with this call. The right decision was made and as far as I can see Paddy O'Brien should be supporting Clancy.

He should indeed, just as he supported Wayne Barnes in 2007.

I see no difference between this and the disallowed try in the final of RWC 2007.

Afternoon,
still boiling here,39 atm,and rising.
We slept under the oak,Sherwood, last night;even had to cover ourselves with a sheet at 6am<brrr>.

So,what's on today?NE rugby?

PS
thanx for the card,AS

Will send you a photo of us doing the same!!

LDCPete wrote:Morning As

Good day of results for you yesterday buddy.

Pete, yes good day at all levels results-wise, equally performance-wise at club level, but if Scotland are serious about wanting to get out of their group (or even more so harbour dreams of defeating Geo, Arg & Eng on the trot), then they need to bring the style of play that they managed in the first 15 and the last 15mins yesterday - turn up with their level of performance from the middle part, subdued, lacking in confidence and uninspired, and we're in trouble.

Warm-up game-wise, Sco are about where I expected them to be (hopefully the starting XXII will get a final run-out against a combined pro-district team), Wales are slightly ahead (but have been unlucky with injuries to Stoddard, Rees & Henson, and Jenkins short of match-time), England seem to have regressed slightly (at least in terms of style of play), and Ireland must be slightly disappointed (and have picked up more than their fair share of injuries too).

i don't think ny of the home nations are set for serious challenges based on what I've seen to be honest. England have gone backwards, Wales and Scotland look fairly average as do Ireland.

The Big Four of World Rugby- France, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand- are well ahead.

Yes, but it's cup rugby, it's 15 v 15 when it kicks off and they play with an odd shaped ball.

Finally, it's Marconnet who,along with Domingo, has been omitted from the French squad;I,m surprised
a) Barcella has only played 40 mins of competitive rugby in the last 14 month
b) Marconnet can cover at hooker,and is a fount of experience and advice
c) I don't believe Guirado to be safe enough;it will,however, give him experience as 3rd choice for 2015

ML moves in mysterious ways

Glas a du wrote:Yes, but it's cup rugby, it's 15 v 15 when it kicks off and they play with an odd shaped ball.

State the obvious much- England we're looking pretty bad in the group stages of 2007. Just making a point about the warm-ups.

Notch or anyone else think that Ireland v England XV (Irish team) picks itself barring injury?

Healy, Flannery, Ross
DOC, POC
Ferris, Heaslip, Wallace
Reddan, Sexton
Darcy, BOD
Fitz, Kearney, Bowe

Best, Court, Ryan, O'Brien, Murray, O'Gara, Murphy

nottins wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:So fed up of drinking. Having a memorial today for my friend, so I'll have a few today and then I think I'm due a break. Might watch the NZ game now.

Which friend Rev ? Hope you're OK with it.

Yeah thanks. He was my old football and rugby coach, but then more than that. I thought that much of him, I invited him to my wedding and was honoured he came. One of the nicest men I've met. That's maybe a cliché, but it's true.

Anyway, enjoy your day guys, whatever you're doing.

Stag,

Are you assuming Trimble is going and Fitz, Bowe, Earls and Murphy are battling for the other places?

What about starting Murray?

Doubt Healy will be fit. Ditto for Kearney. Praying for Wallace. Flanerry also. Confidence wise I think we need to put out a decent side to win the game, but we really don't want to lose anyone as well at this critical stage.

I guess you could say I'm non committal!

Enjoy your cider Rev.

Not far off it stag, Best didn't have a bad game yesterday mind but it'd be great to see Flannery starting.


On a plus at least we scored tries yesterday



Mrsp, itd be a disaster if Trimble didn't go, he's been the stand out performer of the warm ups

LDCPete wrote:That says a lot about Paddy to be fair.

The right decision is made, as it was a clear forward pass, but he says the officials got it wrong.

It is just ludicrous.

Paddy O'Brien is becoming a bit of a joke i think. Would we rather see the right decision made in a (technically) wrong way or the wrong decision made in the right way (ala Wales try v ireland)

Ask any fan and i think you will get a unanimous answer. There is a preciousness regarding the AB's (not so much the team itself) and decisions against that O'Brien seems to indulge in a way that he doesnt with any other nation

red_stag wrote:Notch or anyone else think that Ireland v England XV (Irish team) picks itself barring injury?

Healy, Flannery, Ross
DOC, POC
Ferris, Heaslip, Wallace
Reddan, Sexton
Darcy, BOD
Fitz, Kearney, Bowe

Best, Court, Ryan, O'Brien, Murray, O'Gara, Murphy

I would go with that. If healy needs time then bring in Court but for me that works

red_stag wrote:Notch or anyone else think that Ireland v England XV (Irish team) picks itself barring injury?

Healy, Flannery, Ross
DOC, POC
Ferris, Heaslip, Wallace
Reddan, Sexton
Darcy, BOD
Fitz, Kearney, Bowe

Best, Court, Ryan, O'Brien, Murray, O'Gara, Murphy

Am slightly surprised at the speed with which Earls is being jettisoned? Pretty sure there were call for Fitzgerald's head only a game or two ago, and now Earls puts in one bad day at the office and listen to the tumbrils roll?

Afternoon all.

I drank far too much yetserday as I ended up going to the pub instead of staying in, think I'm going to have a bit of a break from it for a while.

Am super pleased with the Welsh result from yesterday. Loved that we socred 3 more tries. Georgie is going to be a super star.

So glad AWJ upped his game, that was one of the best matches he's had in about 2 years I think.

I wish JD could get more time on the ball, yes I know Roberts is effective, but we just aren't getting the best out of Foxy sticking him at 13.

I love Adam Jones, if he gets injured, we're going to struggle.


Going to re-watch both the Wales and Ireland matches again today with my sober eyes.

Rev -

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

red_stag wrote:Notch or anyone else think that Ireland v England XV (Irish team) picks itself barring injury?

Healy, Flannery, Ross
DOC, POC
Ferris, Heaslip, Wallace
Reddan, Sexton
Darcy, BOD
Fitz, Kearney, Bowe

Best, Court, Ryan, O'Brien, Murray, O'Gara, Murphy

Am slightly surprised at the speed with which Earls is being jettisoned? Pretty sure there were call for Fitzgerald's head only a game or two ago, and now Earls puts in one bad day at the office and listen to the tumbrils roll?

ooops i just realised Fitz was there over Earls. No i agree Earls deserves another game. For me he has lost his starting XV spot but is still in the 22

Jettissoned? No I wouldn't call it that. I'd have had him on bench but I'd like to see Murphy get a run, due to Kearneys possible injury. I think Earls will definitely travel. He was bad yesterday but others such as O'Driscoll were worse.

red_stag wrote:Notch or anyone else think that Ireland v England XV (Irish team) picks itself barring injury?

Healy, Flannery, Ross
DOC, POC
Ferris, Heaslip, Wallace
Reddan, Sexton
Darcy, BOD
Fitz, Kearney, Bowe

Best, Court, Ryan, O'Brien, Murray, O'Gara, Murphy

Totally agree with that 22.

Having sobered up from meeting ye lot yesterday (it was fun lads, really enjoyed it, shame it was spolied by the game itself), I have something to say. Man up if you will... Jennings did not do himself justice yesterday and will not make the plane. I know he had not played for months and was game time shy... But he looked like he was just nipping in and out of the action to suit and save himself. Not good Jenno, not good. He needed to throw his body on the line and can & has played so much better than that, against international backrows in the HC. Especially with his 2 oppos beside him. NO excuse. Leamy in. Disappointed, because I thought he would take his chance and besides a few good tackles, did not do his primary job. What he's best at. He didnt. Im not questioning his talent. I am appalled at his lack of commitment to the cause. Lets hope Wally is ok to go next week. Badly needs the gametime. Ryan should travel also.

Delighted the 1F is back, His impact was huge. SOB did what he does best. Heaslip was off, that did not help Jenno or SOB. Also great to see De Fla make inroads. We need him ready. Trimble MUST make the plane, he has been consistently involved in trying to get this team going, when others did not. He will feel robbed if he does not make it. TOL? Jebus, why does Deccie persist with him? He had a good 10/15 mins in the 1st half when we were playing lateral rugby.Not all his fault. He moved the ball quicker but is not a sniper or as smart as Reddan. The game changed when he came on. Reddan & Murray. TOL as backup. Darcy (not match-fit) worries me too. I hope he comes good next week. Fitzgerald is visibly improving and is hungry.

A lot of the lads are not even near match-fit. That was much was glaringly obvious and worrying at this stage. As was Kidneys (see Gaffney) lack of a coherent game plan. TF Gaffney is going after the WC. The difference between the Leinster backline, under Scmidt' s tutelage and his - is a Universe apart.

Anyway, I believe we will beat England next week, after that debacle. BUT, if we do, lets not get carried away in Irish Dreamer mode, like we always do after one good perfomance. We have so much work to do to get it right. I wish we had the USA, Italy & Russia games one after the other and Oz last. That would have helped. But, we dont. I personally think its too late to get it right now. Right enough to beat them that is. I pray it comes together vs England and Italy. It has to for us to have an Earthly hope of beating Oz. Or failing that - then SA.

P.S. Well done Wales. I agree with Breaker. They are the best propared team going into this RWC. Well done Scotland, who are getting into the winning habit. That matters at this stage. A lot. They will cause England problems in their group. They have 2 very winnable games to start with. They should be well primed for the Argentina and England games. Robbo is one smart Cute Laddie. Best coach in the Home Nations - when you consider his player resources. Sure why wouldnt he be. He won a World Cup.

Agree with all that Gibbo. Fair play.

+1

Standulstermen wrote:

red_stag wrote:Notch or anyone else think that Ireland v England XV (Irish team) picks itself barring injury?

Healy, Flannery, Ross
DOC, POC
Ferris, Heaslip, Wallace
Reddan, Sexton
Darcy, BOD
Fitz, Kearney, Bowe

Best, Court, Ryan, O'Brien, Murray, O'Gara, Murphy

I would go with that. If healy needs time then bring in Court but for me that works

Yes, Trimble would be in my first choice team on form but he's had three games now and is match fit; he's grand. Flannery and Ferris need the gametime, as do David Wallace and Bowe. The centres were clearly unimpressive for us, and I'm becoming increasingly sceptical about them as a partnership, but as the first game of the season for both so they deserve to shake off the rust. I was perturbed by D'Arcys performance; having thought he could add something I was disappointed yet again. Earls might be worth a punt again as he's a confidence player who's low on confidence, but we probably don't have time to indulge him.

One change; O'Gara has looked better than Sexton and I would make him our first choice. I have lost faith in our ability to open teams up even off quick ball and the experience of O'Gara will help us. I think he's been consciously more attacking in outlook and playing on the gainline, I don't think we lose as much as I did going into these warm-ups by including Sexton.

I think we need to see Sexton with Reddan again. They finished well. ROG really shows his class with kicking ball out of hand and in his decision-making. I agree that Sexton is nowhere near that level in those areas - yet. Well happy we have them both. Tell you what though, he'd make a great backup 12.