The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub, Jersey

First topic message reminder :

Hello and 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 pub has made its way to the island of Jersey, where the newly promoted hme side is off the bottom of the Championship.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no tampering with the pictures of Glen Jackson, Dan Parks and Matt Banahan above the bar.



Previous Pub:
https://www.606v2.com/t36603-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-la-botticella-pub-rome#1640787

Any other Irish posters papping it for the pumas game? I know I am.

I am a bit, Wales are not as good as they are made out to be, we need a completely new gameplan and that involves a backs coach and more than likely a new head coach.


Not many positives, the physicality was decent in the first half but we created absolutely nothing and had nothing to show for 30 minutes of dominance.


Ryan completely at fault for the try, do these lads not know Pillar, Pillar post?

Evening all.

Watching Simon Zebo always reminds me of watching U14s.

When will he learn to look outside him?????

I remember one pass from him today! So many times he tried to make the big play himself.



And, did RTE really give MOTM to Mike McCarthy? Really????

again.

How is everyone anyway?

Hey all, am sitting here pretty gutted from the Ireland game coupled with the fact that I assumed we had Espn and I could watch the France v Australia match which I now realise I can't.

Therefore this is plea for anyone who knows where I could watch this?

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:Too many of you Irish to mention (plus I have a train to catch) but

Congrats to Biltong - that was a more controlled 2nd half from SA.

Thanks Hound, but a very poor performance in the first half, de Villiers can't pass to save his life, and we just don't seem to know how to handle referees.

Mike McCarthy was the Irish Man of the Match which I think the award was supposed to be given to.


As for Zebo his passing a decision making is improving but has a way to go, he gets far too much criticism though. Compared to Gilroy or any young Irish winger.

I agree T I was not in favour of him starting at all especially as I rate Gilroy higher. But he acquited himself very well.

Gilroy is not starting for his province he does not deserve to start for Ireland on that basis. If he was good enough he would be starting. He is a great prospect alright but not starting material yet.


Zebo has been the best winger in the country this year and the most improved (he had the most to work on to be fair)

Congrats Biltong.



The definitive "Game of 2 halves".

Thomond,

He did much better at FB than I dared hope but I think there were far too many times he took the "go for it" option with ball in hand. He actually looks quite like a lad who used to play with P2. He reminds me of him everytime I watch him. The 14 year old has a bit more of an excuse for his lack of "heads up" or his tendency to make the big play himself.

Just always make me think of that wee team.

Thanks MrsP, for me Zebo nwas the best Irish player on the paddock.

Forgot to add congrats to you Biltong, SA did their job on the day, is Morné Steyn injured? (haven't done my research) Seems odd to me to play a playmaking outhalf like Lambie at 10 with the Boks gameplan.

Biltong,

I agree. He did well. It's just frustrating that he got in position to give the ball quite a few times but decided to try to go himself. Just seems a bit of a selfish player. That's why I worry that he won't improve that aspect of his game.

It's his second cap MrsP, don't write the guy off yet like.


The Munster lads seeme to get criticised a lot come to think of it.

Thomond, no Steyn was on the bench, I think Meyer is looking at all the other flyhalves now.

MrsP, In my opinion Zebo looked the most likely to carry the ball succesful, give him time, he can be a great back up for Kearney.

He won't be a great back up for Kearney because he will take Trimble's place.

Zebo played 15, no?

Blue moon tonight. The Irish thread has spiralled out of control and sin is nowhere to be seen!

Thomond wrote:I am a bit, Wales are not as good as they are made out to be, we need a completely new gameplan and that involves a backs coach and more than likely a new head coach.

Yeah, but thats been obvious for a while. And it's still painfully obvious. And it won't be addressed.

My dad got us tickets for this game, surprised me with them. Very grateful about this but I had to say "if you get the chance to get tickets for the 6N, don't take them. There's plenty of other rugby to be played post-6N which offers way better value for money". I knew exactly what was going to happen before the match, and sure enough it happened.

We had a great view directly behind the posts and you can just see the effect not hiring a backs coach has- because all we do is run across the pitch and move the ball laterally. There are no dummy runners, there is no-one changing the point of attack, theres no-one giving the ball carrier the option of an offload. We don't have a backline- we only have individual backs. And our only plan is to give them the ball and hope they can create something from nothing- at no point were the South Africans anything less than completely comfortable. We get the ball in the 22 and I'm screaming for the drop goal because I know we will never, ever be able to engineer a line break.

I think the moment I felt like walking out was when they brought McFadden on for Trimble and left Earls at 13. The guy is without a doubt not a centre. 2nd minute we saw that, with him not knowing what to do with a basic 2-on-1 overlap. But without a backs coach, there's no-one in the set-up to point this out to him. And so we have a centre playing out of position on the wing to accommodate him...

I care passionately about this team, but there's no way we're going all the way to Dublin to watch us struggle with problems which haven't been addressed for years. We all know whats holding this team back- its a coaching issue, and we probably would have won with a competent backs coach. But nothing will be done about this. We'll just write off another season of international rugby.

Oh yeah Notch, we have needed a new set of coaches for a long time, I'm being drawn in to an ugly dsicussion on the match thread. Will have to stop now.

Biltong wrote:Zebo played 15, no?

For the first time ever in his professional career. He's a winger. So is Earls. I would like to see us bring in Carr at 12, Gilroy at 10 and Luke O'Dea at 9 so we can say we have a whole backline of wingers.

Thomond wrote:It's his second cap MrsP, don't write the guy off yet like.


The Munster lads seeme to get criticised a lot come to think of it.

You must be on the wrong thread if you think my criticism of him has anything to do with which province he plays for!




I suspect watching my son on the outside of someone who never looks outside means I am particularily sensitive to that sort of thing!

The DG has jumped ship.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20284124

MrsP, if you're still about, I think you would actually find a book I'm rading rather interesting. It's about a Doctor's experience with a professional sports team. The amount the athletes are willing to gothrough is rather staggering, the things they take as well (although the story is set in the 80s with looser laws) is kind of scary.


Think you would find it interesting having been a Doctor.

WillyGilly wrote:Blue moon tonight. The Irish thread has spiralled out of control and sin is nowhere to be seen!

DOD is there ruining another thread. Seriously, mods have to do something about the two of them or this place is just like the old zoo of 606

Who's it by T?

Is it about American Football?

The author is Rob Huizenga. Apparently on an American reality tv show now as a Doctor. Has done work for the Senate looking into brain injuries and looking at it's injuries there after like CTE.

It's mainly about his time working with the Los Angelas Raiders of the NFL yes. They were known for being a bit crazy as are their fans. Some incredible incidents in it.

Notch wrote:

Thomond wrote:I am a bit, Wales are not as good as they are made out to be, we need a completely new gameplan and that involves a backs coach and more than likely a new head coach.

Yeah, but thats been obvious for a while. And it's still painfully obvious. And it won't be addressed.

My dad got us tickets for this game, surprised me with them. Very grateful about this but I had to say "if you get the chance to get tickets for the 6N, don't take them. There's plenty of other rugby to be played post-6N which offers way better value for money". I knew exactly what was going to happen before the match, and sure enough it happened.

We had a great view directly behind the posts and you can just see the effect not hiring a backs coach has- because all we do is run across the pitch and move the ball laterally. There are no dummy runners, there is no-one changing the point of attack, theres no-one giving the ball carrier the option of an offload. We don't have a backline- we only have individual backs. And our only plan is to give them the ball and hope they can create something from nothing- at no point were the South Africans anything less than completely comfortable. We get the ball in the 22 and I'm screaming for the drop goal because I know we will never, ever be able to engineer a line break.

I think the moment I felt like walking out was when they brought McFadden on for Trimble and left Earls at 13. The guy is without a doubt not a centre. 2nd minute we saw that, with him not knowing what to do with a basic 2-on-1 overlap. But without a backs coach, there's no-one in the set-up to point this out to him. And so we have a centre playing out of position on the wing to accommodate him...

I care passionately about this team, but there's no way we're going all the way to Dublin to watch us struggle with problems which haven't been addressed for years. We all know whats holding this team back- its a coaching issue, and we probably would have won with a competent backs coach. But nothing will be done about this. We'll just write off another season of international rugby.

There's one problem with this Notch. If we are beaten by Argentina then we will effectively have to write off the next two years and a World Cup. This is the worst run in the professional age for Ireland and we are getting worse by each game. That performance was as bad as the first test against the All Blacks and only marginally better than the 60-0 drubbing.

I thought Earls was very poor at centre with the ball in hand but solid in defence. It doesn't have the brain to play 13, it is patently obvious at international level. Round pegs and round holes Notch. Earls could be a genuinely top class winger- why just not bloody play him there?

I don't get the Zebo love in lads. He did fine and nothing more than that. I thought POM and Henry put in two very good shifts today, and Cian Healy as well.

Hook, Zebo did all he could do more or less, both he and Ealrs could have made better decisions. This will come across as biased (there may be a degree to be fair) but when you have a backline as badly organised as ours I don't think anyone's performances can be analysed well. We seem to have an over reliance on individual brilliance and that doesn't happen often.

I know we Irish get a lot of stick about our support of our National team compared to our provinces but is it really just the other side of the same coin as the fact that Welsh fans don't have the same bond with their regional tems?

I know those are huge generalisations but you know what I mean.

Or do you?

What's the book called T?

Zebo did nothing more or less than what would be expected of any player in any team in any position. I don't think that is anything to get excited about. That is not a criticism of him, I found his performance to be encouraging certainly. But man of match according to some? I think not.

Earls cannot make basic decisions Thomond. We are talking about basic 2 on 1 moves that he butchered every time, or that horrific pass to Bowe. The camera zoomed in on him and he was peed to say the least. I'm sorry, thats basic incompetence. Earls is not an international centre. This isn't about being anti-Earls or anti-Munster. It is plainly obvious. Earls is a winger, and he could be a really good one. He will never be a centre to the required level. I like Earls and I would pick in in my Ireland team on the wing.

Murray is getting an awful roasting on the Irish thread and its dreadfully unfair. This place is turning into a zoo.

Evening All.

It could be worse...you could've played like the Welsh. We won a GS this year, and if previous records are anything to go by, we'll have a schitt season internationally afterwards...

...and Tommy looked lovely today didn't he?

"You're Okay it's just a bruise"


Some people seem to feel more passionate about the national team MrsP. I suppose it depends what generation you started supporting rugby in really. My generatiion (the early 20s and unders) would probably have a greater connection to our provinces seeing as we grew up with the Heineken Cup and Celtic League, we saw the team more or less every week.


I wouldn't have Earls in the centre Hook, not a great decision maker and his passing is a bit dodgy a lot of the time. A great man for the break no doubt and in a better organised set up I think he could do reasonably well but he would be better suited to the wing or full back spot.

As for Zebo he did grand. When you consider the state of our backline, the fact he is playing in a position he has never played before (I'm pretty sure he was a winger in schools, maybe one or two games at most at full back) he did okay. Mike McCarthy was man of the match, I think some questioned his inclusion but he was super credit to DOD for standing up for him.

I'm scared to agree with you Cari in case I get accused of only thinking that because he's an Ulsterman!!!



Took me the most of the match to get used to the shirts! I like them but they are such a departure that I'm not clued in to them yet.

ooh I like Tommy in black MrsP - makes him look all moody and sexy... like when he was an O... Would've been bonkers if they'd worn the green too...make your eyes go funny.

He did well Cari, our backs aren't well drilled and we look for him and one or two others to conjure up something. He couldn't today and won't most days. That's not an indictment on Bowe but a general statement.



Caught bits of the Welsh game, bit s that stood out, Argentian's try in the corner super finishing from the winger. Also the great bit of skill from an Argie player kicking a bouncing ball with the side of his foot over the defender. That's why I think people should be encouraged to take part in multiple sports, they can help you immensely.

Yeah that was the try scorer who kicked the ball over the defender I think. I was impressed with that. Argentina are definitely reaping the benefits of playing in the former Tri-Nations tournament now.

#steaming

Had a cracking day out, but a not-nice journey home. Yorkshire roundball fans at Brizzle, and thick as mince brummie footy fans on the way home from New Steet.

I'm afraid I don't play nicely with drunken roundball fans, but, in mitigation, that cannot possibly be my fault.

Two rows and one headbutt in nearly 3 hours of public transportation has to be some sort of record.

Congratulations to all winners today, commiserations to the unfortunate losers, tomorrow is another day, and whichever what way you looks at it, tis only a game anyways.

PJHolybloke wrote:#steaming

Had a cracking day out, but a not-nice journey home. Yorkshire roundball fans at Brizzle, and thick as mince brummie footy fans on the way home from New Steet.

I'm afraid I don't play nicely with drunken roundball fans, but, in mitigation, that cannot possibly be my fault.

Two rows and one headbutt in nearly 3 hours of public transportation has to be some sort of record.

Congratulations to all winners today, commiserations to the unfortunate losers, tomorrow is another day, and whichever what way you looks at it, tis only a game anyways.

Were you butter or buttee?

That woulkd be an ecumenical question!

PJHolybloke wrote:That woulkd be an ecumenical question!

Only on Craggy Island or PJ Land!

I could well be about to seal the deal with my future wife here. Wish me luck. More luck than Ireland had today at any rate.

Do you mean you are about to propose marriage to this girl WillyG?

Have you known her long?

Good luck lad I got married just over one year ago and I highly recommend it.

I need to get something off my chest about the rugby today. I'm just so furious about it I can barely type.

Why, FOR THE LOVE OF MY PRESBYTERIAN GOD do the IRB belive November is in autumn? Listen lads, its fooking winter. You know how I know? Because my nipples could cut glass. Sort it out.

Ah now H&H!

You can't be expecting us to tell what season we are in purely based on the weather now can you?

In the Northern hemisphere, spring begins on 1 March, summer on 1 June, autumn on 1 September, and winter on 1 December.

Although I do remember being told that we have very mild winters here. It's just such a shame that they happen in July and August!

Thomond wrote:Hook, Zebo did all he could do more or less, both he and Ealrs could have made better decisions. This will come across as biased (there may be a degree to be fair) but when you have a backline as badly organised as ours I don't think anyone's performances can be analysed well. We seem to have an over reliance on individual brilliance and that doesn't happen often.

I so, so totally agree with this. And I don't like bashing DOD, because he's entitled to his opinion too. It just annoys me the quality of the debate is so poor. You'll set out your opinion point by point and someone will just say "deluded" or "nonsense". Without actually arguing against your points.

Or you'll make a number of points and the only thing people respond to is some half-imagined slight of their favourite provincial player. It's all so futile. You just cannot talk rugby.

Notch wrote:

Thomond wrote:Hook, Zebo did all he could do more or less, both he and Ealrs could have made better decisions. This will come across as biased (there may be a degree to be fair) but when you have a backline as badly organised as ours I don't think anyone's performances can be analysed well. We seem to have an over reliance on individual brilliance and that doesn't happen often.

I so, so totally agree with this. And I don't like bashing DOD, because he's entitled to his opinion too. It just annoys me the quality of the debate is so poor. You'll set out your opinion point by point and someone will just say "deluded" or "nonsense". Without actually arguing against your points.

Or you'll make a number of points and the only thing people respond to is some half-imagined slight of their favourite provincial player. It's all so futile. You just cannot talk rugby.

Very true. Its just a hugely frustrating time to be an Irish fan. Think of the games we have lost, including six in a row. Wales, France, South Africa, and once against New Zealand. With a competent coach and a sembalance of tactics we would have won those matches. My mind boggles that the IRFU and Kidney's mouthpiece Goebbels Thornley seem to be the only people not to have caught on. If we lost eight spot which I think we will then we will have wasted an entire World Cup cycle. Can you imagine getting a potential group with New Zealand and Australia?

Is that possible? Australia are apparently 2nd right now... I think the worst case scenario would be the All Blacks and France.

I think it will take Scotland to win against South Africa and us to lose to Argentina- no way are the Scots going to stop the All Blacks. But thats possible.

Scotland play twice before our next test match, so we'll know where we stand. Should they beat South Africa it could be winner takes all between ourselves and Argentina. That game is very hard to call right now.

MrsP wrote:Ah now H&H!

You can't be expecting us to tell what season we are in purely based on the weather now can you?

In the Northern hemisphere, spring begins on 1 March, summer on 1 June, autumn on 1 September, and winter on 1 December.

Although I do remember being told that we have very mild winters here. It's just such a shame that they happen in July and August!

Apologies for the two eejits on the Ireland match thread. The mods sorted them, but that stuff has no place on here.

Notch wrote:Is that possible? Australia are apparently 2nd right now... I think the worst case scenario would be the All Blacks and France.

I think it will take Scotland to win against South Africa and us to lose to Argentina- no way are the Scots going to stop the All Blacks. But thats possible.

Scotland play twice before our next test match, so we'll know where we stand. Should they beat South Africa it could be winner takes all between ourselves and Argentina. That game is very hard to call right now.

I'm not sure, but I looked on awe at the French tonight. Australia are a shambles and have been for the better part of four years. They have the worst pack of the top 9 nations and are only saved by having perhaps the second best back line. It is astonishing they have been as successful as they are with limited resources. But then they have a coach that makes it work for them. I don't understand the criticism Robbie Deans has from the Australian press. I think he would do wonders with us.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

Notch wrote:They ARE SH competition!

Got to say, will be so made up for Argentina if they win this. So many heartbreaking losses over the last few months. Always so close yet so far.

I think i missed something, i said that the Pumas are good at closing out games, you said they didnt in the Rugby championship and i said true but that was against SH competition... Last i remember, Wales was NH competition?

If you read these boards you'd believe Wales we a class above minnows like little Ireland, France and England. If that is the best the northern hemisphere can offer then we are doomed

If you read these boards you'd have believed Ireland were going to be WC semi finalists a year ago. Everybody is guilty of talking their team up. Get over it. At the moment, Wales are a better side than Ireland, hence the last few results.