RWC: IRE v FRA (POOL D) Mon 12th@2:45am

[mxyzptlk]

Interesting that Irish fans laud the foul play of O'brien like it was some heroic act yet they will bleat like slaughtered goats if any opposition players even look sideways at any of theirs.

Interesting you're claiming Irish fans are lauding it. Got any evidence, or just casting bait? Because all of us here said he'll be cited, and none of us are cheering that move like he's some hero for doing it.

But keep on keepin' on. Straw men are free.

 

[Scotty]

One thing I thought about SOB is that he got away with a lot at the ruck contest that crossed the line.

And for the record I was supporting Ireland.

 

[mxyzptlk]

One thing I thought about SOB is that he got away with a lot at the ruck contest that crossed the line.

And for the record I was supporting Ireland.

That's what 7s do in general. He did draw two penalties.

The irritating thing is that he'll most likely miss a game for that punch. That was a ridiculous thing to do.

 

[Mr Doug]

I watched the last 20 mins of this match. Put simply, one team (green and white) appeared to be more organised/better coached, than the other team (blue, black, red and yellow).

 

[Cardiffblue]

Getting to see a lot more of Los Pumas now, but even with that I feel like I don't have a handle on their style.

They're more awkward than anything. They play their best off counter attack ball and strangling the other team. They're not the sort of team that would be at their best bashing up a minnow. I'm more than confident they'll be very competitive whoever they play.

They were pretty good against NZ when they got back to 15 players

 

[Cardiffblue]

French are still in this, they've still got a few croissants up their sleeves.

You still over there?

 

[Cardiffblue]

Nigel conducting his own on field concussion test lol! "What's my name"

Ireland will be hoping for Nigel O'Wens again

 

[Cardiffblue]

I was a bit conflicted about this game. Worried about who we would face next week. I was initially hoping for a French win, but France were not that impressive. Neither were Ireland (in parts).

I think by now the ABs know that French cannot be underestimated so I have no problems playing them.

Keep saying, France are living on a undeserved reputation. NZ just have to get it into their heads that despite the past this team are crap

 

[Cardiffblue]

Can't wait to watch it tonight but sounds like it went as we predicted. Well done. Respect to Schmidt and the bois in green!

Argentina isn't gonna be a walkover but Schmidt will have planned for the match. Shame for St Parl to miss out on the rest of the tournament he's been a colossus. The'll miss him on a lot of fronts particularly, since Argentina infringe all the time, they'll miss him reminding Nige O'Wens of the rules!

God only knows what possessed SOB to do that! He'd have been better off throwing a Hollywood over being held back.

France have big issues with the number of foreign players in the Top 14

 

[mxyzptlk]

The SOB plot thickens a little bit.

One reverse angle shows Pape was reaching around O'Brien and holding on to him by the jersey. SOB's already in the act of swinging at him when the shot picks up, so no way of knowing where Pape was grabbing him, or if he's just holding him by the jersey.

Plus it looks like he hits Pape with an open hand, not a fist, so that might save him a little trouble.

But he still hit him.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^ Under rather similar circumstances, the Michael Hooper v Diving Sanchez defence didn't save him from the Judicial Random Sanctioniser either.

 

[Cardiffblue]

The SOB plot thickens a little bit.

One reverse angle shows Pape was reaching around O'Brien and holding on to him. SOB's already in the act of swinging at him when the shot picks up, so no way of knowing where Pape was grabbing him, or if he's just holding him by the jersey.

Plus it looks like he hits Pape with an open hand, not a fist, so that might save him a little trouble.

But he still hit him.

I'ts just dumb these days. Can see why they react but I think he might be up for 4 games and I'm afraid that the effect on the tournament should not be a factor

 

[Cardiffblue]

One thing I thought about SOB is that he got away with a lot at the ruck contest that crossed the line.

And for the record I was supporting Ireland.

SOB is a master at it. Pocock, Hooper, Tipuric, McCaw too. That's the game and part of what makes these players great

 

[mxyzptlk]

I'ts just dumb these days. Can see why they react but I think he might be up for 4 games and I'm afraid that the effect on the tournament should not be a factor

Is there a difference in the punishment if it's an open hand vs a closed fist? I thought there was, but not really sure, and Schmidt mentioned something about it.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Is there a difference in the punishment if it's an open hand vs a closed fist? I thought there was, but not really sure, and Schmidt mentioned something about it.

Maybe. It's a bugger tho. They'll miss him. Who's the likely replacement?

 

[FrankLind]

SOB is a master at it. Pocock, Hooper, Tipuric, McCaw too. That's the game and part of what makes these players great

Nah. McCaw's a cheat. The rest, just pushing the boundaries like any good 7 should do.

 

[FrankLind]

The injuries to Ireland are a great bit of luck for the Wallabies.

 

[mxyzptlk]

Maybe. It's a bugger tho. They'll miss him. Who's the likely replacement?

At lock, Donnacha Ryan can step in, but he's just getting back into form (like Healy). Dan Tuohy might get called up from Ulster.

As far as back-row ballast goes, I believe O'Mahony is going to be okay, but if not, it'll most likely Chris Henry. Jordi Murphy can jump in, but I think he'd need to up his intensity a bit to match what's happening on the pitch now (completely possible). And if need be, if Tuohy comes in and Ryan starts at lock, Henderson can also cover blindside flanker.

It's a damn shame Tommy O'Donnell dislocated his hip in the warm-up game against Wales, because he had some form. That was a six-week injury back in early August, but I doubt he'd walk right back in. Rhys Ruddock was another possibility -- he had some shining moments in the 6N -- but he broke his arm in June for the second time, and I believe went off injured in a Leinster game last week (but that may have been precautionary). CJ Stander qualifies to play for Ireland the day after the RWC final, so he's out.

Overall, I think they'll be alright, although they'll miss O'Connell's generalship around the park. But I also think that'll kick them on to perform even better.

 

[mxyzptlk]

The injuries to Ireland are a great bit of luck for the Wallabies.

It sounds like the only permanent loss is O'Connell. So chickens, eggs, counting, hatched, etc.

 

[pjm]

I'm bloody sick of this holding back crap. It's against the spirit of the game and is forcing players into action through no fault of their own.