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 collage of pub regulars. We've got the big group pic from the HEC final in Cardiff, plus insets of ll those who couldn't make it

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



Last Pub: https://www.606v2.com/t15430p950-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub#560300

Gibson wrote:Glas,
The only other time I've been in hospital is to visit. Dangerous place. Full of sick people.

Yeah man, I watched the game again - eventually. BOD has to take the blame for refusing to take the kicks early on. WTF was ROG doing on the field if not? And Kidney for not being able to adapt his failing game-plan. Gatland shafted him tactically. It was too easy. And... we need a 7. All the top 4 teams have a ground-hog. Coincidence? I think not. So I hope that's the end of the all ball-carrying backrow experiment. This has been gong on for over 10 years now. Not working

When I read this first I though "just Gibbo having a rant again" but on reflection he is right about the issue of a No.7. In our first game against the USA, their stand out player in an otherwise well beaten pack was Todd Cleaver. Against Australia many pundits felt that the loss of Pocock was a big factor and it was obvious that we were lacking in that department against Wales.

Ah come on now Rava, don't be agreeing with him, he'll be unbearable now!









love ya Gibbo

We all know he's not wrong, it would be great if we could get a player like that but it's gonna take a few years. Still think we were foolish not to develop Johnny O'Connor at one of the three main provinces. He had big potential.

well this isn't the Ledesma article I was on about, but a good one all the same:

http://www.planet-rugby.co.za/story/0,25883,3551_7232536,00.html

Notch wrote:We all know he's not wrong, it would be great if we could get a player like that but it's gonna take a few years. Still think we were foolish not to develop Johnny O'Connor at one of the three main provinces. He had big potential.

You beat me to it notch. The reason Johnny O'Connor came to Wasps was that he gave us such a hard time in a game in about 2003. Dallaglio told the Wasps management. "That guy was a pain in the arse all match." "Sign him."

We thought very highly of him at Wasps, and then Tom Rees came through the Academy. Johnny O has been unlucky with injuries though. Same as Rees

Notch wrote:Yeah, the thing is... if we had a player like that who was good enough he'd be in like a shot. You're not the only person who can see this. I can see it, the coaches can see it.

We need to produce that kind of player more. We haven't had one since Gleeson retired.

We were worried sick about Martyn Williams retiring. Gavin Thomas is our Jenno, fantastic but not on the coaches radar. Then all at the same time Turnbull, Tipuric and Warburton turn up, all from the same under 20's squad.

You shouldn't have had Jennings on the bench, he should have started. But don't tell him to go making yards or playing like Wally or SOB, just yell him to go out and spoil.

All our backrow had to do to stop your ganeplan was to tackle low and tackle early. Kidney had no answer. By the spring he will have had time to think. But it will still be plan a, hoping for a sympathetic ref.

Bore da pawb / good morning all.

Glas, I'm so glad we're seeing the return of the leg tackle. It must be about a decade since the 'big hit' came into fashion, with players and coaches seeming to ignore the fact that you're more likely to be bounced off such a tackle. Take a player's legs and he's not going anywhere. It's common sense.

Any Welsh fans wanting to go to the MS on Saturday, you need to pick up a free ticket:

http://www.millenniumstadium.com/news/27187.php

Morning All.
French unchanged for Saturday(that's why they smell)

Only doubt is Yach's deadleg; if he can't play, then Parra at 9 and FTD at 10.

Cari
How much does the MS charge if you don't wear red?Would red underwear be accepted?

Glas a du wrote:

Notch wrote:Yeah, the thing is... if we had a player like that who was good enough he'd be in like a shot. You're not the only person who can see this. I can see it, the coaches can see it.

We need to produce that kind of player more. We haven't had one since Gleeson retired.

We were worried sick about Martyn Williams retiring. Gavin Thomas is our Jenno, fantastic but not on the coaches radar. Then all at the same time Turnbull, Tipuric and Warburton turn up, all from the same under 20's squad.

You shouldn't have had Jennings on the bench, he should have started. But don't tell him to go making yards or playing like Wally or SOB, just yell him to go out and spoil.

All our backrow had to do to stop your ganeplan was to tackle low and tackle early. Kidney had no answer. By the spring he will have had time to think. But it will still be plan a, hoping for a sympathetic ref.

Thats stopping our backrow in attack; has no impact on how we defend. I think it's fair to say Jennings wouldn't have made many more yards. The reason Wales got the upper hand on us at the breakdown is they worked out how to defeat the choke tackle, so tactically that didn't work for us.

The thing with Jennings is... he had two games and he didn't spoil any ball, or turnover any ball. We don't have a Plan B to go to in the backrow unfortunately. I'd love to have a Warburton, but Warburton- as well as being more influential on the deck than Jennings- can carry, tackle and has a dynamic all-round game. You can't have a backrow who can't carry the ball if you also have two centres who can't carry the ball and a number eight who is fairly underwhelming carrying the ball. You need to get across the gainline at some point in a match and as much as Wales nullified Ferris and O'Brien, the only two big ball carriers we have, it would have been even easier if we only had Ferris for them to think about!

Now if we had a Roberts or a Jaque Fourie in midfield, or a hard running 8 like Faletau or Read, then it would be easier to pick someone different at 7. Our backrow is nullified because we have no power in the centre; funny old game. It's about balance though, and Kidney has had to compensate for weaknesses in other areas.

As it is, I think O'Brien will have learned a lot about 7 from that match. Wallace wasn't a natural 7 either but he went on to become one of the best in Europe- it will take him time. Unfortunately the only players who look even close to his standard at openside are all similar, so there's no chance of us picking a 'real' openside. You can't pick what you don't have, so we're going to have to continue compensating for it in other ways.

Mick(TEFC) wrote:Cari
How much does the MS charge if you don't wear red?Would red underwear be accepted?

I don't know to be honest. They'll probably just ask for a donation into a charity collection or something like that as forfeit. I guess they're assuming everyone will have something red on them.

Seriously is it only Tuesday??!! The rest of this week best go quickly.........

Are you all going there Saturday ?

Must be so exciting for ye Welsh regs this week. My heart and support is with ye. Now is the time. Your team is good enough to make the Final. They are smart enough and strong enough. It just needs the same intensity and focus as the QF.

Then, once ye get there, with full-on momentum - who knows?

Believe.

Ireland aren't producing hard running 12s

Ireland aren't producing scrummaging props

Ireland aren't producing tall second rows

Ireland aren't producing groundhog openside flankers

Ireland aren't producing scrumhalves with an attacking threat

Must confirm what Gibbo says - hope its a a Australia v Wales final and ye can do it!!!

Cheers guys... They said on the radio that extra flights were leaving from Wales to New Zealand bit of success makes people a bit less worried about their bank account

Cymroglan wrote:Are you all going there Saturday ?

I'm hoping to, even if it means going on my Jack Jones I reckon they'll do a kind of supporters village like they did with the Heino weekend. That'd be class.

Cari - been having a chat with my flate mate about going to the MS, the only thing we're worried about with only 25,000 tickets available, the atmosphere in such a large space might not be so great. Think we're still going to be going to the pub sorry.

I know Mrs Penfro was thinking about coming in to watch the match though so maybe she'll want to go to the MS too??

Hi Cari... I'm thinking of going but it all depends how things are in work,, As from tomorrow I'm in Surrey so I could well end up on the M4 Saturday morning.

That's fair enough Dreamer.

It's funny how the adverts work on here sometimes. I was reading Munsty's inflammatory thread () on the next Ireland tour and the strap line referred to the "DK quiz"

To be honest I think if you're watching it on a screen you'll probably get a better atmosphere in the pub.

I don't think I'll be able to get a ticket now, they're going like hot cakes which is good I suppose.

Oh I also have another job interview next Friday. Apparently I have to go to this one as well in case I don't pass the checks, or the position is withdrawn...

These things are never simple are they Cari. When are you supposed to be starting the new job?

WHats the new job like Cari? I know you've not started but what will you be doing?

Mrs Penfro - I can't negotiate a start date until I pass the checks (assuming I do!). As to how long that takes...how long's a piece of string?

Staggy - I can't go into too much detail on here, but it's in finance/auditing. Very different to what I do now, but an exciting challenge all the same. The other post is HR.

Cari just apply for a loan off Barclay's and if the computer says No then you will probably fail the test the new company will give.

Seriously though good luck in your new job

Cymro - I don't think any banks will lend to anyone these days.

red_stag wrote:Must confirm what Gibbo says - hope its a a Australia v Wales final and ye can do it!!!

I want New Zealand to beat Australia. It might sound stupid but I'd be more worried about what Australia could do against us than I would be about what New Zealand could do. Also, Australia have won the Cup twice already. They don't need to win it a third time just yet.

I wish Sexton and ROG would both just retire and we could discuss Irelands performances at the RWC and future without bringing up their rivalry.

I want NZ to win it if Wales don't. However I don't see Wales as being capable of beating NZ.

I just want Wales in the blydi final!

Staggy - if ROG retires, that would reduce the rivalry by 50%. Sexytoes would have little competition then....or would he?

red_stag wrote:I wish Sexton and ROG would both just retire and we could discuss Irelands performances at the RWC and future without bringing up their rivalry.

That's pretty much the reason why i haven't gotten involved in the post mortem thread. There's too much talk about the two of them. It'll get very spicey before the match in Lansdowne in a few weeks. You coming up for that one?

I'm hoping to Mick - It will depend on college prob.

I was discussing the future of the Irish game on antoher thread and someone made the point that we need show faith in young players and that it was ridiculous that Sexton was dropped and it showed Kidney had no faith in him as a player

Staggy - did you see, that the O's and Munster are not only top of the Rabo table, they're also bottom of the fairplay league - the shame!

Of all the players you can apply that logic to, Sexton isn't one of them. How would it work if ROG does retire? He's contracted for another year no? Also, would he be a NIQ player at Munster?

I think there is some logic behind that Stag. I wouldn 't neccesarily agree with it but I see where it's coming from.

The Shame?? Thats a great thing Cari. You can't make ommlettes without cracking eggs.

Thomond - I think its horsespit. Sexton has done well for Ireland in the past and got the nod in big games, he kicked badly, ROG kicked well and a decision was made. Sexton will play in high profile games again.

Mick - I suspect IRFU won't make him a NIQ. He'll retire soon. It could cause a rift, create unnecessary media provocation and alienate certain fans. Also could be perceived as being ungrateful towards a player who has served Ireland well. What they would get out of it would be much less than the potential problems it creates.

aaaaaaaaaaargh!!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/oct/11/rugby-world-cup-priestland-wales

let us all channel a heck of a lot of positive thinking for his shoulder to get better. please please plesae.

Just watched My Brother is an Only Child on the iPlayer. A really good movie. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Dreamer - don't panic! We have options at ten which are just as good....I will get my rosary out later...

Think I'll do this on Friday as well...
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2011/10/11/wear-your-welsh-rugby-shirts-to-work-and-win-wales-v-australia-tickets-91466-29574054/

ah fair play, tis a nice way to build up a bit of a buzz starting on the Friday that. Can't believe it's still only Tuesday!

And I am over my momentary panic (I think). Still plenty of time for his shoulder to get better

They're having a Welsh Day on the radio on Friday too, so I'll wear my shirt and bring some Welsh cakes in I think. Yummy!

If Priestland doesn't make it - and there's time for him to make it - then I'd say Stephen Jones will step in. The coaching team won't have forgotten how poor Hook was against France in this year's Six Nations.

Someone would have to slip me a sedative on Saturday if they pick Hook to start. I'm having horrific flashbacks to the 6N's match as it is!

Anyways, logging off here, need to actually do some work to distract myself. This is going to be the longest week ever....

Blackberry has suffered another crash. Boooo.

Cari it was on radio that they have been crashing a lot today.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-10-10/blackberry-outage-europe/50721178/1

I will get my rosary out later...

Is that an euphamism?

Rosary...

...Rose garden...

...Lady garden...

...