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 David Pocock photo on the bar. That's a banning offence

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

Even though I'm no fan of Wales, a win over the Boks would really wake this World Cup up. Right now South Africa have doubts over Matfield and Botha. Matfield is closer to starting though.

I wonder what odds you could get on Wales beating South Africa but losing to Samoa and Fiji.

Afternoon,
Weather just right here,warm 19/20 and sunny,light breeze,great for the dog.


Rougerie didn't sue Greening for the tackle/injury, but for the medical costs and loss of wages.

I'm going for a victory this weekend;12 years is a long time!!

Chef,


Why are you over next week??

luckless_pedestrian wrote:I wish he'd take lessons from Declan Kidney when it comes to talking about the opposition, though.

I don't. I find Kidney boring at interviews. At least Gatland is honest. I don't see why he should walk on eggshells round anybody. He's asked a question and he'll answer it. You'll find most people who get upset by it are just headline readers and generally have no idea of the context of what he's saying.

I don't think Wales will beat SA, but I will probably be gutted when we don't on Sunday still.

Handbags and gladrags
Handle with care
Happy together
Hard days night
Hard to handle
Harvest moon
Hazy shade of winter

Who needs shuffle?

Agree with what Rev just said.

And afternoon all, just a v quick visit here today in my lunch break. Hope everyone's well today despite the truly horrible weather! Autumn is officially here.

Woke up with a really bad throat this morning, guess I'm really just not used to watching rugby out in the rain anymore! need to build up my immunity again. Don't feel ill with it though so that's a plus.

Just can't wait for the weekend now, so much rugby to be had, happy days.

I agree that his words are often taken out of context, but I'd still rather he didn't say things that could motivate the opposition. It's good for him to say that we fancy our chances and think we're in good shape and confident, but it's not good for him to say the 'Boks 'don't play rugby.'

I like Gatland shooting his mouth off, yes his comments are always amplified by the media and the persona they create for him is an exaggeration but rugby needs its villains as well as heroes. The difficulty comes when Gatlands men face Pieter De Villiers'. Hard to want either man to win

hughie,

Over to see an old uni buddy who lives in Norfolk, so coming/going through Stansted;in Thurs out Tues.May try and get to see Portnoy while I'm at it.

Gatland is the master at coaching unopposed rugby. The patterns the boys can create with tackle bags for opponents is something to behold.

Just seen the ad on FB there for the Taphouse showing the Ireland v Australia game. That's StandUlstermans place right? Has anyone been there yet?

Fantastic RWC analysis by Matt Williams and Neil Francis on Setanta now. Very astute.

What are some of the key points stag?

- That our body position when taking ball into contact is poor.

- We sometimes make excellent choices and play the game as we see it but all too rarely.

- We under use Brian O'Driscoll and are overly reliant on Sean O'Brien.

- That Andrew Trimble has been the only player to play his way into the team

- If Ireland win secure lineout ball they will be a threat as we attack well from them and also can maul well.

Matt Williams is an excellent analyst. That's what he should stick to.

Agree with you Munsty. I think he speaks very well and has a great eye for detail. And he can articulate the things he sees. Perfect.

He's talking up South Africa at the minute.

I think he has a great understanding of the game, Matt Williams, but thats not the full extent of what coaching is. He's a very good backs coach. Seems to be a bit of a difficult personality to work with.

Oh lovely a nice Neil Francis comment "I can't say what I really think about this as Setanta will give out to me". [talking about the style of play in the Scotland, Romania, Argentina, Georgia, England pool]

OK do they think we can win the WC or what?

Hi all,

how's everyone? what's occuring? back in work today after spending the day in London yesterday (Thanks Huggy for the tips on travel etc even though didn't use them )

Feeling a bit better today although low on energy. I rang the doctor for my blood results today and the receptionist told me all clear..

Although the doctor just phoned me asking if I can drop in to him..

That doesn't sound too good does it?

Munsty, Matt Williams is indeed a good analyst. However, I constantly feel that he needs a poop or something. soo intense.

either that or he just needs the ride

Notch wrote:I think he has a great understanding of the game, Matt Williams, but thats not the full extent of what coaching is. He's a very good backs coach. Seems to be a bit of a difficult personality to work with.

+1 and that's why he should stay in television. He would be very good to have on RTE's coverage.

Yes in the same way that Scotland and Wales can.

Matt Williams definitely doesn't Rodders. He made several painful comparisons between Ireland and the likes of Australia, England, New Zealand, France and South Africa.

Anyone else doing a fantasy RWC team. I picked mine a while back in that ESPN thing

red_stag wrote:Matt Williams definitely doesn't Rodders. He made several painful comparisons between Ireland and the likes of Australia, England, New Zealand, France and South Africa.

what does he know!

He didn't rate Wales chances as high as others do here. Suggested that they are foolish to underestimate the Samoa and Fiji and that SA are much too physical for them.

In fairness, I haven't heard any Welshmen underestimating Samoa and Fiji.

No but there is a new found confidence in recent weeks Luckless.

Are they underestimating them though? A few months ago the Welsh posters on here were trembling in fear at the prospect of facing the two PI teams. Now the talk is of a win over the Boks. I'm sure they'll overreact to their narrow but credible loss at the weekend and revert to doom and gloom mood. It is their custom.

But I doubt the Welsh team and management will take Samoa or Fiji lightly.

It would be sort of magical if Australia and South Africa met in the quarters. The tournament needs something like that to happen to blow it open.

It's confidence rather than complacency. I hope so, anyway.

red_stag wrote:No but there is a new found confidence in recent weeks Luckless.

Justified by recent performances vs expectations?

red_stag wrote:No but there is a new found confidence in recent weeks Luckless.

You don't understand. It's gold watch or wooden legs, feast or famine Poopie or bust.

Stag I really fancy Wales to beat the boks on Sunday, at the very least run them close.

They could still be beat by Fiji or more likely Samoa though. I think someone mentioned it before but a wee bet for Wales to beat the Boks but lose to Samoa might be worth a flutter.

All I hope for is that it's more of a 2003 type WC than a 2007 type WC.

Completely forgot that the Ireland match was in Russia so would be an earlier kick off.

Glas a du wrote:All I hope for is that it's more of a 2003 type WC than a 2007 type WC.

A-feicing-men!

ASlongas - their warm up games were very good yes.

But I do detect an element of what Glas describes its either AMAZING or dreadful (not unlike ourselves)

I just got the irb world cup app for the bb....pretty impressive

Was feeling very weird earlier on. It's something I've had plenty of times before but it's faded away pretty quickly. Really gets to me. But life is always moving eh?

C'mon Ireland!

red_stag wrote:ASlongas - their warm up games were very good yes.

But I do detect an element of what Glas describes its either AMAZING or dreadful (not unlike ourselves)

I wouldn't go as far as 'very'.

MBTGOG wrote:Was feeling very weird earlier on. It's something I've had plenty of times before but it's faded away pretty quickly. Really gets to me. But life is always moving eh?

C'mon Ireland!

You want to try farming.

Serious rugby,for a change.

Gavin Williams is fit again since his ruptured knee ligaments have been sewn back together, and is in the frame for ASM vs Bordeaux this weekend.He might have been in NZ if it wasn't for his injury.

Munsty,keep a eye on your sugar intake

Glas a du wrote:

MBTGOG wrote:Was feeling very weird earlier on. It's something I've had plenty of times before but it's faded away pretty quickly. Really gets to me. But life is always moving eh?

C'mon Ireland!

You want to try farming.

I'm grand thanks

Hmmm. Expectations for Ireland were extremely high, but the results were poor; expectations for Wales were neutral, but the results were good?

Life moving on that is. There's never an end. You are always preparing for the next thing.

Who will regs be supporting when Wales take on England at Soccer in Wembley tonight?

Glas a du wrote:Who will regs be supporting when Wales take on England at Soccer in Wembley tonight?

The ref

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Glas a du wrote:Who will regs be supporting when Wales take on England at Soccer in Wembley tonight?

The ref

Roumania