Joubert and the Ireland V Wales match

There is certainly a good chance that this game will be decided at the breakdown in the backrows. But the key question is going to be the issue of referee interpretation. Warburton is gonna be getting his hands in to every breakdown and 1F and SOB are gonna be trying to smash every isolated ruck they can find.

But which backrow is Joubert's refereeing going to suit and more importantly why?

I dont think he'll suit any in particular. However, he is pretty sharp on the offside at the ruck and the break down and the Irish boys have a tendency to push the boundaries here. There are many key areas in this match but for me the Irish players keeping their discipline when under pressure is a biggy for me

Thought he ref'ed Eng vs Sco pretty well, and tbh don't see his style/approach particularly benefitting either side

The Welsh aren't exactly angels at the offside line. Ireland more so than Wales could have been pinged for entering the side a few times so far,Wales are disciplined enough at the breakdown but sometimes they tend to belly flop or not release the tackler.

Joubert is the least likely ref to favour one side over another or ref one side more favourably than another...no excuses for either team then

Thomond I have to disagree - I think the welsh are the least aggressive out of the top nations when it comes to the breakdown - we generally stay well onside often to our detriment and the belly flop stuff etc is when we naively just give penaltys away out of stupdity rather than trying to gain advantage. We have a very polite back row IMO who are insanely well disciplined if there is such a thing .

Fair enough, you need to be agressive though,being too soft isn't exactly a good thing.

You want the truth?

You can't handle the truth!

Whilst you are sitting safely back home in your arm chairs Joubert has to fight the objective fight and keep your players out of harms way, here is all the things he has to look and make decision on in the blink of an eye

1. He will not allow people to go off their feet or better known as the belly flop- Warburton be warned!
2. He will not allow forwards to stand in an offside position at attacking breakdowns to block defenders- Cyan Healy be warned
3. He will want to see daylight which means the tackler must release the tackled player before competing for the ball- Georgie be warned.

And that's the truth are you done with me?

biltongbek wrote:You want the truth?

You can't handle the truth!

Whilst you are sitting safely back home in your arm chairs Joubert has to fight the objective fight and keep your players out of harms way, here is all the things he has to look and make decision on in the blink of an eye

1. He will not allow people to go off their feet or better known as the belly flop- Warburton be warned!
2. He will not allow forwards to stand in an offside position at attacking breakdowns to block defenders- Cyan Healy be warned
3. He will want to see daylight which means the tackler must release the tackled player before competing for the ball- Georgie be warned.

And that's the truth are you done with me?

I think you might be losing it. you need a proper break from rugby.

Yeah, you may be right, OZ has just arrived for some CRICKET

You can now have your break Bilton