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Sport, Leisure and Pastimes
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 29/05/2008, 6:39
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plod
Joined on 17/05/2007
Posts 238
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Re: Rugby World Cup 3rd XV
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You don't share Brian Smith's (I think) view that Kidney is not the right man as he has been overseeing a Munster team which plays "limited" rugby. There's a lot of sourness down here about the "pick and go" tactics of Munster, but as long as it is within the laws then there's not much you can do. It is getting more common this "running the clock down". If you've got control of the ball then I suppose, in theory, you can do it for a long time. One French correspondent says that rugby is a fight for the ball but in the case of the everlasting ruck the defending side cannot get hold of it without infringing. Views please.
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30/05/2008, 9:56
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UlsterRugby1999
Joined on 27/04/2006
Posts 235
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Re: Rugby World Cup 3rd XV
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I'm not sure - but I think Brian Smith didnt put himself up for the Irish job. Were the Munster tactics the right one - well to win the game yes. For the reasons of financing and so on then yes but if you were a Toulouse player or supporter then clearly no. That said, I rarely hear a losing team compliment the team who beat them for their tactics etc.
As for Kidney, he wouldnt have been my 1st choice but you cannot take away from him his results over the past few years with Munster. He is a strong willed individual and has already had heavy run ins with the inept IRFU. Will he play to the same game structure with the international team - I cant see it. It wouldnt survive at international level. Plus, Slinger, ROBOT O'Gara and O'Connel are just around the corner from retirement. O'Callaghan is a better 2nd rower when O'Connell is off the field. So Kidney will have a very different squad and he'll rebuild them into a force worth playing against.
As for the views of the French journo - he/she's right but in the Pro era and, of greater importance to some, the financiers and sponsorship era you play to make money and you only have to look at Toulouse Biarritz and Stade Francais for that. Does it require rule changes to allow the oppo to attack a ruck in a legal and fruitful manner - of course.
Had Toulouse played the pick and go game and won would we have heard them bleating. Doubt it.
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30/05/2008, 16:01
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plod
Joined on 17/05/2007
Posts 238
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Re: Rugby World Cup 3rd XV
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I understand that there is sour grapes involved, of course. Has Ireland got any depth of players? I saw an A international against England a year or two ago and the Irish looked very poor. Is there, for instance, a fly-half coming through? A replacement for Hayes? Geordan Murphy is getting on a bit too.
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30/05/2008, 17:40
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UlsterRugby1999
Joined on 27/04/2006
Posts 235
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Re: Rugby World Cup 3rd XV
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Mmmmmmmmm - interesting points plod - out/fly half has long been a worry for some of us. O'Comical pinned his hopes on 1 trick O'Gara and the expense of the more versatile Humphreys. Geordan Murphy, IMHO, has failed to deliver and isnt the player he is when wearing a Tigers shirt. Hayes was always going to be a problem to replace. The man is immense.
All that said, there are some youngsters starting to shown through. Ian Humphreys is showing signs of having a similar head to his brother, the front row is in reasonable shape although the Rory Best Jerry Flannery issue will need serious work from Kidney. There are worries about our centres and wingers which I am more concerned about. O'Sullivan ignored Bowe and Tommy has indicated his lack of joy over that. I believe Kidney will use him a lot and may even give Trimble a better chance to show himself than O'Sullivan did.
Its hard to say. There are also a few signings from SH teams coming to the Emerald Isle and most of them are Irish qualified so its in the air really. Should be fun watching it anyway.
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07/06/2008, 15:58
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plod
Joined on 17/05/2007
Posts 238
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Re: Rugby World Cup 3rd XV
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I'll have to talk to myself again I suppose; perhaps if I use my wife's log-in you'll get a bit more excited! I thought Ireland might have an outside chance of beating NZ but it wasn't to be. It will be interesting to see how England get on. I don't really fancy their chances but NZ are re-building. I'm not discussing Wales as the highlights are on S4C this evening and I don't want to know the result.
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08/06/2008, 13:41
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UlsterRugby1999
Joined on 27/04/2006
Posts 235
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Re: Rugby World Cup 3rd XV
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Mmmmmmmmm plod I was thinking along the same lines. Even that auld hound raindog has gone quiet ![Big Smile [:D]](/cs/images/emotions/biggrin.gif)
O'Driscolls awful missed tackle set up the AB's first try but the Irish try was a fine try and came from good pack driving (setting aside David Wallaces attempt to gift it away at the back of the ruck) and had some decent running from our backs to open up the immense AB defence.
Marcus Horan proved what many of us believe and that is that he is a liability and his slap was one reason the game turned and fell away from us. That said, it was a pretty good performance from Ireland and they kept it tight until the 50/55 minute mark.
Indiscipline is one of our big damn killers.
Anyway, nice to know you are still here plod
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France Forum » Leisure and Pas... » Sport, Leisure ... » Rugby World Cup 3rd XV
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