The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:04 am

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 collage of the captains of the World Cup Quarter Finalists pictures on the bar. We've got Sam Warburton, Brian O'Driscoll, Lewis Moody, Thierry Dusautoir, John Smit, James Horwill, Felipe Contepomi and Richie McCaw.

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

Ale

by Cari Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:07 am

Good choice of pics Pete!

by MBTGOG Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:07 am

Cari,

Cork is different to the rest of Ireland. Odd place.

by Glas a du Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:08 am

Who put McCaw on the dart board...

... drumroll

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:08 am

I've been to Cork. It rained and it rained.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:08 am

luckless, I agree on Byrne at full back mate.

by Glas a du Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:12 am

Put a link to the old pub if your going to refer to it!

by Glas a du Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:14 am

Full back is easy - 1/2p if Shane is fit, Byrne if he's not and 1/2p on the wing.

by Cari Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:15 am

Just heard on the radio that some thieves have stolen more than half a miles worth of cable leaving a whole village with no electricity. That's bonkers.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:15 am

A conversion I have been having on the Wales v Ireland match on another thread.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:On paper I think the Irish are much stronger. SOB and Warbs are the closest but SOB brings much more to the game imo.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Don't see SOB as a bringing more than Warburton to be honest. SOB is the better carrier, but that it's for me. Warburtons all round game is better and he is a genuine 7 whereas SOB is a 6.5 at best.

The back rows of the two teams are real contrasting styles, will be interesting to see which one comes out on top.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:SOB is decent on the deck and a better tackler imo. His carrying is on a different planet to Warbs. All 3 of the Irish are handy on the deck so don't see a real need for a genuine 7.

Ozzy3213 wrote:I agree Ireland do not need a genuine 7 as they use all three lads to good effect on the deck. Ferris is the one that allows them to do this really, as his breakdown work is excellent, along with also being strong at the traditional skills that a 6 needs.

Is Lydiate fit for Wales do we know?

prop_lyd wrote:He has been declared fit Pete along with Hook and Shane....not sure whether Gats will risk him but to get our main back row back would be a boost!!

I'm more worried about this match than I ever was for the S.A game.

Ozzy3213 wrote:I think Gatland has to risk him prop. he is a tackling machine, and Wales are going to need that, as Ireland have a lot of ball carriers and will run straight and hard.

Likewise Gethin must start over Paul James, for the same reason. Adam Jones will keep the scrum steady enough for wales against the Irish, so they don't need James marginally better scrummaging than Gethin, they need tacklers to not allow Ireland the forward momentum that they thrive on.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Agree there Pete, Irish look so strong when they carry up the middle. It just opens space for the backs. Bowe & Earls were superb against Italy, mainly because the Italian defence was getting drawn in with POC, SOB, Heaslip etc making inroads into midfield and gaps appearing on their shoulders. Ireland looked very impressive.

Ozzy3213 wrote:The Welsh players will have to make their one on one tackles, and the players not making the tackle will have to trust them to do so. If SOB, Healy, Ferris, Heaslip draw more than one defender in to tackle them and can get the ball away in contact, then the Welsh defence is going to get stretched and Ireland have the players to exploit the gaps.

Key men defensively for Wales will be Jenkins, Lydiate (if selelcted) and Roberts. Those three are going to have to make a lot of tackles if Wales are going to win.

Am really looking forward to this game, even more so than the England one really, as I can just watch and enjoy it rather than being nervous about the result.

prop_lyd wrote:I'd say our main issue is who to play at full back: 1/2p, hook, byrne.....i'm guessing Priestland will start over Jones.

Ozzy3213 wrote:If you look at the Ireland team, it would seem clear to me that ROG is going to try to kick them into the right areas and get their pack to lay a platform to attack from.

For that reason I wouldn't play Hook at 15. He is an attacking threat from there, but the defensive side of his game is his weakest point in that position.

I know Byrne has not been in top form, but he is a natural full back, has experience and a massive boot. He has to start for me.

prop_lyd wrote:I hate to say it (because I really don't rate him at the moment), but I agree with you on Byrne....he can quite easily put the Irish back onto the halfwayline if ROG tries to pin us back.

Anyone agree/disagree on anything?

by Glas a du Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:16 am

Yes, the risks they take with live cables...

... drumroll

by prop_lyd Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:19 am

Glas a du wrote: Who put McCaw on the dart board...

...

My bad.....but which Welsh Reg stuck BOD on the toilet seat?!

Ooo check me out getting cross-article referenced Yahoo

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:23 am

Pete, which other positions would you say are selection headaches for Wales? I'd say all positions bar full back are what our American cousins call 'no-brainers.'

by Glas a du Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:24 am

Pete

For me I think that Alun Wyn will be key. If he gets the brief of protecting the 10 channel, it nullifies SOB and Ferris in that area. Geldenhys (spelling?) - who I don't rate that highly did that for Italy and it was well into the second half before those runs started to tell. If we believe the experts Wales are a lot fitter than the Italians and SOB and Ferris will have their hands fuller elsewhere.

The elephant in the room is not the 10 channel for Ireland but the 12/13. They are both good tacklers, but past their best. Roberts must run at the gap between them and not at ROG, leave him to the forwards.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:27 am

luckless_pedestrian wrote:Pete, which other positions would you say are selection headaches for Wales? I'd say all positions bar full back are what our American cousins call 'no-brainers.'

13 is a potential headache, although in a positive sense as Williams has really put his hand up and Davies despite doing a good job has not set the world alight.

6 is also a query. For me it is a no brainer that Lydiate must start for the reasons I posted above, I just question if Gatland will be of the same opinion.

by Glas a du Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:27 am

Yes Stephen Jones will walk into the 10 spot.

by MBTGOG Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:31 am

Pete,

The only thing I'd disagree with is that I think it is Heaslip whose work at the breakdown is helping Ferris and O'Brien look so good.

by Glas a du Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:32 am

How good would Jennings make them look then?

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:32 am

I think Scott Williams has a great future ahead of him but we mustn't forget that his two starts have come against Namibia and Fiji. I'd be much happier to see Roberts and Davies again in midfield. It would be Lydiate for me too, no question.

Glas, I don't want to see Stephen Jones at ten. Priestland has done nothing that justifies dropping him.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:35 am

Munsty

I will confess to have only payed passing interest to the Ireland games with the exception of the Australia one, so haven't really studied who has done what in great detail, but Healsip has looked slightly off the pace to me at times. Maybe I have just caught the wrong bits of games.

I have to say, certainly on this forum, this game is getting the biggest build up of the quarters, I just hope it is not a let down and we do get a match befitting the hype before it.

by Glas a du Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:37 am

I know who I would want to see tackling the Irish back row and getting his lines moving in attack and defence. I am not conservative and Gatland is. I'm afraid our backline will be:

15-9 Byrne, North, Davies, Roberts, 1/2p, Jones, Phillips

with Lloyd Williams, Hook and Scott on the bench.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:40 am

No Shane Glas? I thought he was a firm favourite of Gatland, no?

Who would your 9-15 be?

by Glas a du Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:43 am

He is, but that was when he was the only creative spark in the team. Gatland does not stand on emotion and he will be tough in his choices.

For me:

15-9 1/2p, North, Williams, Roberts, Shane, Jones, Williams

But then I'm an old fashioned romantic who looks for pace and guile in my backs first and not size and defending ability.

by MBTGOG Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:46 am

Glas a du wrote:How good would Jennings make them look then?

Not as?

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:47 am

As a complete impartial, non biased, non Welshman Glas, I would go with

15-9: Byrne, North, Hook, Roberts, Halfpenny, Priestland, Phillips

With a bench of Lloyd Williams, Davies and Shane Williams.

Enough power and defensive stability in there, but also creativity and guile through Priestland and Hook at 13.

by Glas a du Wed 05 Oct 2011, 11:49 am

MBTGOG wrote:
Glas a du wrote:How good would Jennings make them look then?

Not as?

I'm trying to help you out here boys.

by Suspicious lurker Wed 05 Oct 2011, 12:05 pm

Question lads, does the fact that the dog on the street could have pretty much told the Irish team does that serve as an advantage or a disadvantage??

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 05 Oct 2011, 12:08 pm

Hughie, I wouldn't say it's a disadvantage. If you know your best XV, play it.

by Suspicious lurker Wed 05 Oct 2011, 12:14 pm

Yes luckless but it makes it easier to devise a game plan to play against it

by MBTGOG Wed 05 Oct 2011, 12:15 pm

Is Wellington going to be green this Saturday? Or will much red poke through?

by Mickado Wed 05 Oct 2011, 12:17 pm

hughie1986 wrote:Question lads, does the fact that the dog on the street could have pretty much told the Irish team does that serve as an advantage or a disadvantage??

If everyone knows who your best XV is then fair enough, if everyone knows who's going to play because you always put out the same team then that's a big mistake (EOS style). If Kidney did change things up for the sake of surprise we wouldn't have our best team on the pitch.

Munsty, the support has been unreal hasn't it. Never thought there'd be an upside to a recession!

by MBTGOG Wed 05 Oct 2011, 12:24 pm

I was just checking it out and we are the country the furthest away from New Zealand in this World Cup, yet you get up at 8 in the morning to watch a stadium full of green half way across the world supporting a team that covers the whole island of Ireland and it makes you so damn proud!

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 05 Oct 2011, 12:26 pm

hughie1986 wrote:Yes luckless but it makes it easier to devise a game plan to play against it

I see your point there, Hughie. I'm sure we'll have a plan in place for the way we expect you to play, but that doesn't mean we'll be able to stop you. It could be a case of both teams cancelling each other out and penalties deciding the match, although I hope not.

Actually f*ck that, as long as we win I don't care what the match is like!

by Cari Wed 05 Oct 2011, 12:55 pm

MBTGOG wrote:Is Wellington going to be green this Saturday? Or will much red poke through?

There's been quite a bit of red about down there too you know! Wales

by Thomond Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:13 pm

I hear you're mocking Donncha's tan. I had a lovely tan for most of the Summer. Fading a bit it's because we tan easily. Also it's better to have a tan than look like some skinhead from Limerick. Run

by Cari Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:20 pm

Anyone can tan easily with the spray on stuff! Wink

by WillyGilly Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:27 pm

hughie1986 wrote:Question lads, does the fact that the dog on the street could have pretty much told the Irish team does that serve as an advantage or a disadvantage??

Ignoring the incredible fact that dogs can evidently talk where you come from (awesome) I say it probably serves as a disadvantage. More easier to devise a gameplan and of course conversly with Wales we haven't a clue 9-15.

Hooker is going to be a massive area of concern for us this weekend. If Best is playing he ain't going to be 100% and I view Cronin as a liability to be honest.

by WillyGilly Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:39 pm

When Cian Healy blamed it on the boogie, the sunshine, moonlight and good times suddenly admitted their responsibility too. #cianhealyfacts

by WillyGilly Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:41 pm

Cian Healy frequently donates blood to the Red Cross. Just never his own. #cianhealyfacts

by WillyGilly Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:43 pm

Mass doesn't end until Cian gives the priest the nod. #cianhealyfacts

by Cari Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:44 pm

WillyGilly wrote:When Cian Healy blamed it on the boogie, the sunshine, moonlight and good times suddenly admitted their responsibility too. #cianhealyfacts

Did they get a 15 week ban as well?

by WillyGilly Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:45 pm

Cian Healy messed up the lights at a film shoot, Christian Bale pretended not to notice. #cianhealyfacts

Incidentally Bale is a poxy welsh lad from the valleys ain't he?

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:45 pm

Cian Healy invented the wheelie.

by Thomond Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:46 pm

How Many press ups can Cian Healy do?

All of them #cianhealyfacts

by Cari Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:46 pm

Willy - no, Christian Bale is from Pembrokeshire, dawling. Don't let PenfroPete catch you calling it the valleys!

by Glas a du Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:47 pm

Just listening to Dick Best on Radio5. He said Ireland would win on Saturday.

He also said:

"for O'Driscoll and O'Donell it will he their last chance at their third attempts."

He went on to say O'Donell twice again.

I think we can rule him out as senile.

by Gibson Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:48 pm

Huge mistake having Leamy on the bench. Waste of a real positional and tactical change opportunity in the backrow, if Warburton does what he did to SA against us. If he does/is let - we are so phhoked. Hopefully, it wont come to that.

Would have started Sexton over ROG for this one. But, Ronan is playing at the top of his game, sooo. Alternative backup is on the bench if and when required.

Hope Rory makes it. Its great news that they are even considering him, I thought he was on the plane home. He may be ok for the SF...

by WillyGilly Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:48 pm

When Arnie says "I'll be back.." in Terminator, it is implied that he's going to ask Cian Healy for help.. #cianhealyfacts

by Cari Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:50 pm

Hello Gibbo! Hug

by Gibson Wed 05 Oct 2011, 1:50 pm

Glas,
Maybe he means Daniel O' Donnell. Great man for making tae... and dogs howl.

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