Wonderous Wales

Commiserations to Ireland, wales were simply better today. Well done wales, I really didn't think you would win. I expected Warburton to be the one making the wrong decisions and never expected Ireland to be the team refusing their penalty kicks to goal.

Three major differences. Jonothan Davies finding space between four Irish defenders for his solo try.
Phillips who reminded me of Joost van der Westhuizen of old with that snipe to the tryline for his score.
The collective defensive effort from Wales.

Deserved Semifinalists.

WWWWWAAAAALLLLLLLLEEEEEESSSSSSS!

First wrong call for you on here isn't it bb?

Maybe.

Well done Wales!

Magnificent aggressive defense... cut our big lads to ribbons. Never seen Ireland so out on their feet in the 2nd half... that was the result of those persistent hits.

Now don't mess up your SEMI!!!!



(Going off to recover!!)

good lad

Fair play to Wales, they totally deserved it.

I thought it would be closer, bit annoyed how we played at times.

Good luck though to Wales in the semi.

wales simply excellant

Shaun Edwards .........141
Les Kiss.......................93

This puts the springboks vs Wales match in perspective, doesn't it?

biltongbek wrote:This puts the springboks vs Wales match in perspective, doesn't it?

mate glad we lost!!!!

Gatts wrote:

biltongbek wrote:This puts the springboks vs Wales match in perspective, doesn't it?

mate glad we lost!!!!

what I meant was the quality of the two teams.

approx 9 pints ...can't do inference

I'm numb, there's not much I can say, hasn't sunk in yet...

What a stressful game unless you're a neutral, I don't think I sat down once throughout.

Commiserations Nos, you've had some world class players for ten years and you have more coming through. Your day will definitely come.

What a performance. Great defence. Hope charteris will be available for the semi final. Other than that we are at full strength which is fantastic.

Huw Bennett, who I have murdered on these boards for about 2 years. You were magnificent. I now regret saying that you were warren gatland's love child!
Sam warburton is world class. Simples. Lydiate and faletau were immense in defence.
Rhys priestland. Another player that I have been critical of in his early days. Brilliant. Roberts is just umplayable and the back 3 were brilliant. How much work does Shane Williams do? Not just great with ball in hand. He's a real team player.
What a performance.
I don't care who we meet now.

Fair play Wales, that did hurt!!

You kicked better, attacked better, tackled better, your scrum was better ,
you were just better.

BTW I honestly feared Earls' try was the turning point but glad to boast having been wrong. Beating Ireland is nothing short of an honour, best Welsh performance ever in the WC for my money.

Well done Wales, I don't know what to do now, clear out of the squad me thinks.

I just hope the Wales boys don't think that's job done. Must keep up the intensity.

Amazing.....just wow

The Irish played well but not taking the kicks in the first half was key, I couldnt understand why they didnt take the points on offer with RoG at 10.

In fact I still cant understand that decision.

Even so well played Ireland, Lets hope we can raise the bar to beat the French next week.

manofgwent wrote:Huw Bennett, who I have murdered on these boards for about 2 years. You were magnificent. I now regret saying that you were warren gatland's love child

+1

Sorry Huw ^_^

Coleman wrote:

manofgwent wrote:Huw Bennett, who I have murdered on these boards for about 2 years. You were magnificent. I now regret saying that you were warren gatland's love child

+1

Sorry Huw ^_^

Huw Bennett has been phenomonal for us recently, he's rekindled the love I had for him in 2008. Here's to the Doberman himself, Mr Bennett.

Looseheaded wrote:

Coleman wrote:

manofgwent wrote:Huw Bennett, who I have murdered on these boards for about 2 years. You were magnificent. I now regret saying that you were warren gatland's love child

+1

Sorry Huw ^_^

Huw Bennett has been phenomonal for us recently, he's rekindled the love I had for him in 2008. Here's to the Doberman himself, Mr Bennett.

Huw Bennett - world player of the year?

Really hope he isnt injured, looks like he is carrying a shoulder injury (same with Roberts)

commiserations to ireland, some great players will probably have played their last games today, great servants to irish rugby, lions and NH rugby! Im sure with the system ireland have they will evolve and be back bigger better stronger in 4 years time!

GavinDragon wrote:commiserations to ireland, some great players will probably have played their last games today, great servants to irish rugby, lions and NH rugby! Im sure with the system ireland have they will evolve and be back bigger better stronger in 4 years time!

In the mean time can we borrow Jamie Roberts and Halfpennys boot?? He hurt us badly today (poor kicking by us mind) but think most of us were puzzled by his selection at 15 before the game - not now!
Roberts was a thundering menace today.

Fabulous performance from Wales. Exceeded my expectations - they played with the steel we hoped, injecting pace when it was on, and never ever let up on their defence.

All the talk in the week was about the Irish players cup-winning experience in knock out games, but as I said earlier in the week, most of the Welsh boys are a TOTALLY NEW GENERATION - the first Welsh team in some time that genuinely seem to be only concerned with playing what's in front of them - and not burdened by the past. AND THEY REALLY ARE FIT! What the hell did they do to them in Poland?!

They have to maintain concentration this week - and not let up, and I have confidence these boys can do it. Looking forward to the England France game now - but I feel Wales are going to be eager to play but who ever wins.

Also - a big thanks to Ireland for beating Australia in that great pool game, and doing what we failed to do against RSA - that threw open the competition and set the whole thing going. Today was a great game and it was Wales turn - but well done Ireland for setting alight this World Cup!

Cymru am Byth!

MarcusHalberstram wrote: AND THEY REALLY ARE FIT! What the hell did they do to them in Poland?!

They replaced them with robotic duplicates.

Fantastic. The most complete Welsh performance that I've seen for years. I'm also going to apologise to Gatland for all the criticism I've given him. He really got it right today, as he has all through the tournament.

I'm so tense I still can't sit down!

offload wrote:Fantastic. The most complete Welsh performance that I've seen for years. I'm also going to apologise to Gatland for all the criticism I've given him. He really got it right today, as he has all through the tournament.

I'm so tense I still can't sit down!

Next AB coach?

Well done Wales. Outmuscled us and outsmarted us. Better in nearly every aspect and thoroughly deserve to be in the SF. Got their tactics spot on and executed them to near perfection.

Their defence and composure were phenomenal and they were just too powerful and direct with the ball in hand. Simple rugby played with enthusiasm and hunger. All the young guys stepped up to the plate and outplayed their opposite numbers.

Keep your powder dry and you could well be in the final in a few weeks.

Good luck.

Gatts wrote:

offload wrote:Fantastic. The most complete Welsh performance that I've seen for years. I'm also going to apologise to Gatland for all the criticism I've given him. He really got it right today, as he has all through the tournament.

I'm so tense I still can't sit down!

Next AB coach?

if Wales win the WC, or run NZ close in the final then Gatland will be on the shortlist at this rate.

biltongbek Thank you.

wales606 wrote:

Gatts wrote:

offload wrote:Fantastic. The most complete Welsh performance that I've seen for years. I'm also going to apologise to Gatland for all the criticism I've given him. He really got it right today, as he has all through the tournament.

I'm so tense I still can't sit down!

Next AB coach?

if Wales win the WC, or run NZ close in the final then Gatland will be on the shortlist at this rate.

He's stepped on a few toes in NZ, but on the "anyone but Hansen" theory ... c'mon Warren.

(sadly, it'll take a lot for anyone to split the Hansen/Tew alliance in NZRU politics)

Kiwireddevil wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Gatts wrote:

offload wrote:Fantastic. The most complete Welsh performance that I've seen for years. I'm also going to apologise to Gatland for all the criticism I've given him. He really got it right today, as he has all through the tournament.

I'm so tense I still can't sit down!

Next AB coach?

if Wales win the WC, or run NZ close in the final then Gatland will be on the shortlist at this rate.

He's stepped on a few toes in NZ, but on the "anyone but Hansen" theory ... c'mon Warren.

(sadly, it'll take a lot for anyone to split the Hansen/Tew alliance in NZRU politics)

is he popular with the public? should NZ fail to win won't there be a mass clear out?

Priestland is named sexiest man in Wales today too in the Western Mail in fact I could kiss him myself after this morning

Ireland were poor but Wales were brilliant,missed next to no tackles and their work at the breakdown was superb. Ireland's defence was poor,we let Wales get too many yards by standing off them. ROG was poor too, it could be the end of his Irish career.

pontylad wrote:Priestland is named sexiest man in Wales today too in the Western Mail in fact I could kiss him myself after this morning

That's only cause Tommy Bowe's not back in Ospreylia yet

Actually...Priestland I would...but I would feel kinda dirty about it cause he's so young.

At this rate we could have 3/4 NZ coached teams in the semis...

Taylorman wrote:At this rate we could have 3/4 NZ coached teams in the semis...

hmm, don't like the sound of that.

Gatts wrote:

Kiwireddevil wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Gatts wrote:

offload wrote:Fantastic. The most complete Welsh performance that I've seen for years. I'm also going to apologise to Gatland for all the criticism I've given him. He really got it right today, as he has all through the tournament.

I'm so tense I still can't sit down!

Next AB coach?

if Wales win the WC, or run NZ close in the final then Gatland will be on the shortlist at this rate.

He's stepped on a few toes in NZ, but on the "anyone but Hansen" theory ... c'mon Warren.

(sadly, it'll take a lot for anyone to split the Hansen/Tew alliance in NZRU politics)

is he popular with the public? should NZ fail to win won't there be a mass clear out?

Hard to say re a clear out - I didn't expect Henry to survive in 07. Gatland has mixed support in the NZ public. Deans might have more support, but his main ally in the NZRU (Jock Hobbs) is sidelined

Ah Cari Rhys is 24, so not too young really!

rugbydreamer wrote:Ah Cari Rhys is 24, so not too young really!

He looks so young though....

really sorry for ireland.

delighted for wales

commisserations ireland. i thought all week that they would edge it.

To top it off we are now 3rd in the world!!

Cheers guys

Congratulations to Wales.

Better team on the day - Warburton and Roberts were superb, Phillips, 1/2p and Davies also very good.

Really feel for Best to come back from injury and have a phenomenal game.

Gatland out-thought Kidney tactically, and the Welsh intensity to execute those tactics was excellent.

Good luck against France.

Cheers guys..!

Couldn't have beaten a nicer bunch.

Ireland shouldn't be going home this early.

wow what a display of passion control and agression.

Roberts is an absolute man mountain. Preistland was just magnificant - totally controlled the game. Warburten ravaged the breakdown.

Am so impressed with Wales think yee can go all the way and I hope yee do.

Cheers Bill! It really does put the SA/Wales game into perspective.

I think thats the game that set the tone for both teams.

It proved Wales had the quality there and they had added a ruthless mindset to it, they just couldnt clinch their opportunities.

It showed why SA are world champions, typical resolute, relentless single minded attitude to win with quality all over the park (if PDV gets his selections right) and they take points at the most important times in the match.

Wales played very well today, and for all the talk of the powerful irish pack, well, are Wales now playing to the SA Blueprint? Play WHEN ITS ON, but use the power/kicking game to get there with a hunger for defence? I like it, its so new for wales.

A good game today, sad for the Irish guys on here, a few shots at goal in the first half could have gave us a more closely contested game, in the end their experience didnt tell.

But good luck against Aus, it'd be nice to have us a rematch in the final

I'm more annoyed with the nature of our defeat. Firstly well done to Wales for awesome defence and taking their chances when they came.

However...
Ireland were pretty dreadful. Were was are back row running from deep smashing the gain line like they did against Australia and Italy? Why did we just pick and go and then let RoG just kick everything away? Sexton was a little late coming on to make any difference.

And lastly what was Earls still doing on the pitch after 70 minutes? He created so many dog legs in defence it leaked one Welsh try and allowed them to expose us out wide. Very poor performance from a team that could have offered more.

But I'm not taking away from Wales played great. Very good defence and Roberts and the likes done well to get over the gain line.