Are Ireland The new France

Capable of beating anyone one their day but which Ireland will show up?

If anyone's the new France it's Australia...brilliant one day, abominable the next.

Ireland don't have the extreme on-off days as France do. They also can't beat NZ.

They also can't beat NZ.

They don't have to. NZ usually beat themselves: 20 mins and no drop goal attempt?

France are often slated as being the side that can breach the extremities of good and bad play. In truth, if ever they were the only side fitting that back-and-forth label they're not at the moment.

I don't think it's a case of one side being singled out. Simply put, on your day you can beat mostly anyone. Off your day, you can't. Today was Ireland's day and not Australia's, South Africa's and not Fiji's, Argentina's and not Romania's... The best sides are usually those that can make it their day more often than others- that's one way of considering it.

Today Ireland reached a new landmark that wasn't going to evade them forever.

Cowshot wrote:

They also can't beat NZ.

They don't have to. NZ usually beat themselves: 20 mins and no drop goal attempt?

Any team can beat each other. Whether it has happened before is erroneous.

SafeAsMilk wrote:Ireland don't have the extreme on-off days as France do. They also can't beat NZ.

We can't beat SH teams in the WC either...oh wait.....

roddersm wrote:

SafeAsMilk wrote:Ireland don't have the extreme on-off days as France do. They also can't beat NZ.

We can't beat SH teams in the WC either...oh wait.....

There's a difference between beating an off-colour Aussie side who couldn't scrum without giving away penalties and beating NZ. A big, big difference. I wouldn't get too carried away as some are on here.

rodders isnt saying that we are going to beat new zeland in this tournamnet. Just that this is a huge step for irish rugby as we had never beat southern hemispehere oposition ni the world cup. There was a period when we couldnt beat england these days we expect too. We will beat new zeland at some point whether it happens in this tournament who knows. Its possible that we could win the world cup without facing them i believe england did so as did south africa in 2007.

tecphobe wrote:rodders isnt saying that were going to beat new zeland in this tournamnet just that this is a huge step for irish rugby.

Exactly. It was another box ticked today and hopefully we can kick on now and tick a few more, if you catch my drift . Right now I'm not concerned about beating NZ, only beating Russia.

Having just watched Ireland versus Australia,a very scrappy match,the Scrum was the key area.There were a lot of them,being well aware of the
tactics of the front row mafia.
Many of the penalties awarded could have gone to either side.,It has long been thought Australia were guilty of illegal tactics and getting away with it.
Bryce Lawrence picked most,but not all on BOTH sides.but if a ref thinks your at it.He will ping you out of the game,milking scrums for penalties.Is pointless if you don`t convert them.
Ireland won and deservedly,no form for three or four matches then win one out of sheer cussedness.
England were going well in the 6Ns,then Ireland strangled them.They are very good at not letting you play.
Despite knowing the result,it was enthralling watching it especially Quade Cooper throw his little back hand flip,first to an open space,then straight to an Irishman who nearly scored.
The most signifcent comment of the night "Whats going on in the Scrums,only the six men at the coal face know !!!!!"
ABSOLOUTLY CORRECT,few Refs have picked the workings of the Front Row Mafia of ALL SIDES.Maybe it`s just as well a lot of the penalties are being missed by expert goal kickers.
On any day ANY side can beat another,Ireland now need to get a result versus Russia and the Azurri.
Theres a lot of talk going on about the rest of the comp,when only a few group matches have been played.

roddersm wrote:

tecphobe wrote:rodders isnt saying that were going to beat new zeland in this tournamnet just that this is a huge step for irish rugby.

Exactly. It was another box ticked today and hopefully we can kick on now and tick a few more, if you catch my drift . Right now I'm not concerned about beating NZ, only beating Russia.

That's not what this thread is about though, is it? The thread is about consistency (or lack of it). Ireland certainly lack consistency and can play very well or poorly game to game but they don't have the very highs (beating NZ) or very lows (losing to Italy) that France tend to have. It's a much narrower spectrum for Ireland.

All the European teams have been inconsistent in the last World Cup cycle. We've had four different 6 Nations winners. The teams struggle to put two top performances together, let alone two top seasons.

Ireland, and even more so France, tend to blow the hottest on their day. That's what makes their numerous terrible off days even harder to understand. They each have different styles of play. But both teams can be brilliant when in the right mindset. However, I think both struggle to get themselves into that mindset.

What hasn't been mentioned is that Ireland can be better than they were against Australia, there are a number of players who stilll aren't playing at their best in my opinion. Sexton is the obvious one but pretty much every player can be better in an attacking sense and hopefully they'll find that before the knockout stages

No I think Wales and France are similar, Ireland are similar to England.

Wales definately blow hot and cold too. All the European teams do really. The funny thing about France is they have the biggest reputation for inconsistency. But they've won more 6 Nations Championships and more 6 Nations games than anyone. Which technically means they are the most consistent doesn't it?