Can Ireland Go All The Way?

Kayless

After beating the favourites and tri-nations champions, realistically; how far do you see Ireland going in this world cup?

Superbus

Loss to Russia with Tony Buckley somehow conspiring to score an 'own-try', then a forfeit against Italy because not enough players show up.

swordofislam

If we get ZA in the quarters the quarters
If we get Wales in the quarters probably the quarters but maybe the semis
If we get NZ in the semis the semis
If we get France or England in the semis then probably the semis but maybe the final
If we get NZ in the final that was a hell of a ride
If we get ZA in the final that was a hell of a ride
If we get the convicts in the final the Webb Ellis cup will be the Liam O'hEilis cup until 2015.

Fireball07

New Zealand were/are the favourites.

Beating Australia is a huge feat and we should beat Italy and Russia. I was worried about the Italy game before, but we haven't lost to them recently at all and I don't think we'll start here. If we do it professionally and like we did against Australia, we will win.

After that, we are certainly capable of beating Wales and England/France. We know this, we have done it before. It won't be easy, they are just as capable of beating us but we could do it if we perform.

A final place is possible. If it's New Zealand there, I think we'll lose. I just think they're better than us but I suppose anything could happen on the day.


We could get to the final but it won't be easy...all the matches will be 50/50. But it is a realistic achievement.

I really really hope we do, it would be a great achievement for the likes of O'Connell, O'Driscoll, O'Gara, O'Callaghan and D'Arcy who have been great servants to Ireland down through the years. But we'll need top level performances in each game.

PhilTorres

Final

Semi's for me. Think we should beat Russia, Italy and Wales. Anything could happen from there I suppose.

cgpg5

Semis at a stretch. Honestly, I'd love to think we can make the final and we do have a great chance of doing so, make no mistake about it, but I don't think we'll ultimately be good enough. Remember we still have to beat Italy to top the group, something we almost failed to do earlier this year. We've had mixed results against Wales in recent years so nothing is a foregone conclusion. Remember we've only beaten Australia. Plenty of rugby to be played yet.

swordofislam

Where's the option WIN THE WORLD CUP
Come on Ireland do you think the Bokke would ever have a poll without the option of winning the damn thing!

theboss80

Final

We can/will beat Italy and Russia

We can/will beat Wales in the Quarter final

We can beat England in the semi final

I do not think we could beat France in the semi final

Final........

swordofislam

cgpg5 wrote: »

Semis at a stretch.

The stretch being beating Wales and Italy :rolleyes:

Though Wales were robbed against the Bokke :eek:
And Italy are improving all the time

cgpg5 wrote: »

Remember we've only beaten Australia.

The tri nations champions in the world cup :rolleyes:


:rolleyes: x 2 I went there

cgpg5

swordofislam wrote: »

The stretch being beating Wales and Italy :rolleyes:

Though Wales were robbed against the Bokke :eek:
And Italy are improving all the time

The tri nations champions in the world cup :rolleyes:


:rolleyes: x 2 I went there

I say stretch as I think we'll do well to beat Wales. That's my opinion, I hope I'm wrong , however we definitely have a better chance against Wales than SA who are my dark horses.

flutered

Final

going by other threads the the largest problems we have are declan kidney and rog, the amount of web space taking up comdeming them is unreal

Kayless

swordofislam wrote: »

Where's the option WIN THE WORLD CUP
Come on Ireland do you think the Bokke would ever have a poll without the option of winning the damn thing!

No, of course not. Thats where they make all their money, personally I think to reach the final would be a bigger achivement than beating Aus.

MungBean

theboss80 wrote: »

We can/will beat Italy and Russia

We can/will beat Wales in the Quarter final

We can beat England in the semi final

I do not think we could beat France in the semi final

Final........

I'd have said the same about us beating the Aussies. Difference between France and Aussies is France can implode under pressure and open up to try scoring opportunities. I think if we play the game we played against the Aussies we can beat them. Thats if they get past England. Thats gonna be a close one, if France get a hammering from the All Blacks they wont be too confident facing England and it might cost them.

In the final anything can happen. Sneaky try and a couple penalties to get ahead and the pressure is on the opposition who if they are SH can be reckless and try force the game. Intercept a la Bowe yesterday and bigger lead and even more pressure. Who knows.

swordofislam

Skunkle wrote: »

Difference between France and Aussies is France can implode under pressure and open up to try scoring opportunities.

Good point for all the whining from the Australian Press and Gloating from the Irish. Australia could easily have won this if Coopers little flick to Blythe had come off.

That try and one penalty and this would have been another 1 point win for Australia.

cgpg5

Skunkle wrote: »

I'd have said the same about us beating the Aussies. Difference between France and Aussies is France can implode under pressure and open up to try scoring opportunities. I think if we play the game we played against the Aussies we can beat them. Thats if they get past England. Thats gonna be a close one, if France get a hammering from the All Blacks they wont be too confident facing England and it might cost them.

In the final anything can happen. Sneaky try and a couple penalties to get ahead and the pressure is on the opposition who if they are SH can be reckless and try force the game. Intercept a la Bowe yesterday and bigger lead and even more pressure. Who knows.

I honestly think a hammering by NZ won't set France back much. They'll prob put out their second string anyway! However, England have a superb recent record against France and I'd expect them to continue that here. Agree, anything is possible in a final. Remember Cueto four years ago? Had that try been awarded I reckon England would be champs.

Cypher_sounds

Nothing is impossible, its like telling Sean O'Brien there are no holes.

swordofislam

Sean O'Brien said to his trainer put on more Aussies.
The trainer said 'there are no more Aussies'

thebman

Final

Like the team, I'll take it one game at a time. All teams are capable of beating us that we face on a given day and we are capable of beating all teams on a given day.

Too many variables though I'd love to see us do it, I don't think we will if I'm being honest. I think we have a good chance of making the semis.

peterako

How far can Ireland go?

I voted 'Final'.

Now....how far WILL Ireland go is a different question.

I was one of the few who believed that we'd beat Australia ...... but was/am very worried about Italy match.

(Our 'underdog' mentality?)

Come on Ireland!!

PLEASE make me look (more) like a fool

Jawgap

Final

The way our games are panning out is interesting.

We've climbed a cliff beating Australia - now the road to the final is a steadily increasing gradient - Russia - Italy - Wales (probably) - England / France / NZ - then the big Arena!!

The great thing about all this is we're in control of our destiny, but really after the Italian game every other game will require a performance equivalent to or better than the Australian game and the problem there is time - planning for the Aussies took 2 years, I'm not sure more than one more performance of that proportions can be coaxed from that team - but I'll be more than happy to be proved 100% wrong!

We'll make the quarters - we've a great chance of making the semis and steadily reducing chance of making the final depending on whether we face England (40%), France (15%) or NZ (0.01%).

endabob1

Ok optimistic hat on

We will beat Russia comfortably while resting a few players
Back to full strength for Italy and we can win that because our front row in particular seems a million miles from where it was when they pushed us so close in the 6 Nations - we need to front up though because Kaplan is a ringin hoor a reffing scrums.

Win the group and in all likelihood it will be Wales in the quarters, a very tough one but on neutral ground I think we can take them, but this will be as tough as Australia. They too have an excellent back row, Samoa are no mugs and that was a good win for them, I'm hoping the fact that they will have 3 very bruising encounters (lets not write off the Fiji game just yet) will leave them a bit battle weary by the time they come to play us.

On the other side I see France having their one good game of the WC against England in the quarters, I think the blacks will be focused for the group game and don't see them slipping up but France always have one big one in them in every RWC, this time I predict they'll take out England.
That would leave us playing France in the Semi's with France having effectively shot their load against England they'll be ripe for the taking, a flaky coach not able to pick them up for a second big game in succession and we'll sneak past them.

So it'll be down to us and the Hosts, where they will batter us but we'll be the moral victors

On the less optimistic side, our scrum's performance will be shown to be a one off and Italy will beat us and sneak second ahead of us in the group because we didn't get a bonus point off the USA :eek:

JustinDee

This kind of talk is usually the kiss of death on a team.
I'm out...*







*I'll get me coat.

Jawgap

Final

endabob1 wrote: »

On the less optimistic side, our scrum's performance will be shown to be a one off and Italy will beat us and sneak second ahead of us in the group because we didn't get a bonus point off the USA :eek:

The lack of the bonus point in the US game has been like an itch that can't be scratched - you may be right and we'll come to regret it!

I think if we perform well agaisnt Italy and Wales, we'll rattle France (assuming they are our semi final opponents) before we even play them.

GerM

Semi finals

Jawgap wrote: »

The lack of the bonus point in the US game has been like an itch that can't be scratched - you may be right and we'll come to regret it!

I think if we perform well agaisnt Italy and Wales, we'll rattle France (assuming they are our semi final opponents) before we even play them.

France don't need anyone's help to rattle them! :pac:

Yachvilli, Trinh-Duc and Harinordoquy have all been criticised publicly by Lievremont already. I think we'll be seeing the England juggernaut reaching the semi final at France's expense. They have the Indian sign over the French at the best of times but with France somewhat in disarray I can see England easing past them with a score to spare. Then again, who knows with France?

Reloc8

Offer that team Russia and Italy to make the QF as group winners they'd bite your hand off.

Offer them Wales on top to make the semi and your whole arm is coming off.

Offer them a semi v England or France...we'll...you might as well baste yourself in BBQ sauce yourself and be done with it.

Anything is possible.

LeeHoffmann

Final

I don't think this was a one-off performance and I don't think our scrum was a one off either. You could see in previous games that the forwards were where we've been most successful. I've been sure all along that we have the potential - the ability - the talent and skill to beat Australia. Likewise, we have the ability etc to beat Italy, France, England, Wales. The question is, will we perform? The underdogs mentality is a very real threat and we cannot afford to get ahead of ourselves and ponder who we'll get in the semi's etc. We are in the middle of the pool stages. We beat Australia - a great victory for us, which put us in a far stronger position - however, as POC said, it was only a pool game. We need to stay grounded (team and fans!!) and take every game as it comes. So, I think we're our own worst enemies. To be champs, a team has to perform every time against every opponent on any day regardless of weather conditions etc. There are no excuses.

Anything can happen but we're not the equals of New Zealand....SA is a tough one to call. A lot of people are saying they're not great but I expect them to steadily improve throughout this WC.

If we get to the semi's, I'll be happy. The team say their aim was to reach the quarter finals. I'll continue to dream for more.

B0X

Final

I think we can make the semis, Wales will be tough though, don't be underestimating them.

If we do make the semi final and it is against England I think we have a better chance than against France just because we generally raise the game against them. Our recent record against them is excellent.

If by some miracle we get to the final we can expect to be beaten by (most likely) NZ. It would be heartbreaking but even getting there would be a massive achievement for the lads.

A third place playoff against the Aussies I would expect to go the same way as the France v Argentina playoff from the last WC :pac: Against the Boks nothing is certain!

Helium

IF, and I stress IF we maintain a full squad with no injuries and the groups pan out the way people predict i.e , Southern Hemisphere in one side of draw and Northern Hemisphere in other then I think it's quite possible for us to reach the Final.

We are capable of beating all our six nations counterparts, so more optimism
from everyone please and look foward to a New Zealand v Ireland final where ROG wins it with a drop goal

StephenHendry

i think the semis is looking very realistic at this stage, however we still have to beat italy and wales having beaten us in the 6 nations won't fear us but i think we can beat italy and wales, russia to get there

athtrasna

TBH I think Wales is a tougher challenge than either England or France. Because Wales have been playing as a cohesive unit. With Hook out for at least the pool games, that does help a little but we should not underestimate Wales.

England are in total disarray and their indiscipline is unreal, conceding 30 penalties in two games in the World Cup! They were lucky to only see one card yesterday, IMO the ref bottled it.

France are the least cohesive unit among the top nations because of Lievremonts strategy of selecting the team by pulling squad names out of a hat...ok so I know that's not how he does it but he plays so many variations and combinations its no wonder the team isn't gelling until 60 mins into each match.

Am a little nervous about Italy but quietly looking towards the final...so that's what I've voted for.

Noffles

Semi finals

As a Welshman in Ireland I have to say I don't fancy playing you in the quarters.... I never like playing you at the best of times but RWC Quarters... I shudder at the though... Bar the fact my entire househols will be split and I may get a divorce

Anyway to add my tuppence to this, after our close call with SA and beating Samoa at their own game, stupid idea but we did it... we still have a couple of good games to go with Fiji not going to be a walk in the park... By the time we meet and it's still not certain, and all the other stuff that goes with it, other teams losing and injuries etc... I would say it's going to be too close to call and the team on the day will take it... simple as.

It the 1/4 final of the RWC, stats will be simple numbers on paper at this stage, especially for teams like Ireland and Wales.. who wants it most will be the most important stat!

Ash.J.Williams

Italy are going to give the performance of a lifetime against Ireland, we'll need to get passed that one first!!

Reloc8

athtrasna wrote: »

TBH I think Wales is a tougher challenge than either England or France. Because Wales have been playing as a cohesive unit. With Hook out for at least the pool games, that does help a little but we should not underestimate Wales.
.

Hard to disagree with this.

However, we seem to be more comfortable against Wales and England than against France.

Barring 2009, insofar as NH teams are concerned, it has in the modern era been France that have scuppered us in high stakes matches more than either. I see Wales as a very tough prospect, but would happily back us against the current English side.

Jawgap

Final

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

Italy are going to give the performance of a lifetime against Ireland, we'll need to get passed that one first!!

Whatever about the performance, I expect there to be a certain robustness in the approach of the Italians to this game - from a physical perspective this has the potential to be the most punishing game of the tournament for us and could leave us depleted for the Welsh game.

LEIN

Final

I voted semi and i truly believe we will make it that far.

Brian

Final

I think it depends on how we carry the momentum from this win. If we have unconvincing wins in the remaining two matches, we'll have to build up all over again in the quarters.

marco_polo

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

Italy are going to give the performance of a lifetime against Ireland, we'll need to get passed that one first!!

It probably is a little ironic that after pulling off a minature shock to beat Australia, we are all turning a half eye towards QF and SFs in before the Italy game is over with.

But in fairness it is only natural for supporters to begin to dream a little bit after a performance like that. All teh same I would have zero worries about the team themselves remaining anything but completely focused on the task in hand, esprcially as the trip to Rome last spring will still be very fresh in their minds.

LeeHoffmann

Final

If we have unconvincing wins in the remaining two matches, we'll have to build up all over again in the quarters.

If we're 'building up' to it in the quarters, we'll lose. Once the knock out stages hit, it's do or die

Wattle

One things for sure we need to be absolutely ruthless and take every chance we get in the latter stages. That's why I'm a little bit worried by Sexton's kicking form.

bazzachazza

I said final simply that if we win the next two and get a QF against Wales we can win that. If we get a SF against either France or England we can beat them too. New Zealand in the final if they got that far would be a big ask.

Colm R

Just throwing this out there...but, do you think South Africa may consider throwing their game against Samoa!!

Lets look at it look at it through the order of games to come:

1. South Africa will play Namibia and win with a bonus point putting them on 14 points.

2. Fiji V Samao - this is the game my scenario all hinges on this Sunday. If Fiji win with no bonus points for either team, that puts Fiji on 9 and leaves Samoa on 6.


3. Wales then play Namibia and come away with a bonus point win, giving them 10 points.


With 2 games left and the table looks like this:

SA: 14
Wales: 10
Fiji: 9

SA play Samoa first, knowing that Samoa could not over take them, and as the final game is between one or the other, SA are guaranteed second.

OK, its pie in the sky at the moment and there are two many variables, but going in to their final game, SA may prefer to loose!!!

LeeHoffmann

Final

There's a thread on this:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056393277

Reloc8

Colm R wrote: »

SA may prefer to loose!!!

Does not compute. Met many ?

Kayless

Colm R wrote: »

Just throwing this out there...but, do you think South Africa may consider throwing their game against Samoa!!

Lets look at it look at it through the order of games to come:

1. South Africa will play Namibia and win with a bonus point putting them on 14 points.

2. Fiji V Samao - this is the game my scenario all hinges on this Sunday. If Fiji win with no bonus points for either team, that puts Fiji on 9 and leaves Samoa on 6.


3. Wales then play Namibia and come away with a bonus point win, giving them 10 points.


With 2 games left and the table looks like this:

SA: 14
Wales: 10
Fiji: 9

SA play Samoa first, knowing that Samoa could not over take them, and as the final game is between one or the other, SA are guaranteed second.

OK, its pie in the sky at the moment and there are two many variables, but going in to their final game, SA may prefer to loose!!!

Very good point, I just can't see them pulling something like this on the world stage. It would be like openly admitting that they fear Aus & the AB.

Psychedelic

Final

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

Italy are going to give the performance of a lifetime against Ireland, we'll need to get passed that one first!!

We still have to be beat Russia too.

Have to laugh at all the talk of the final already. I think there was still a minute left in the game against Australia and the commentators were etching out our path to the final like it's a foregone conclusion. "We'll avoid the harder side of the draw now, meet Wales in the QF, England/France in the SF, and then the final." Talk about getting carried away.

It's also funny how Ireland can cause a massive upset to beat Australia yet it seems like no thinks an underdog like Russia or Italy could do the same to us.

molloyjh

Helium wrote: »

look foward to a New Zealand v Ireland final where ROG wins it with a drop goal

I reckon it'll be a Sexton try converted by ROG to give us a 1 point win - Sexton having gone to 12 due to Darce taking another knock....

bb1234567

Final

great win against australia,great match:D

danthefan

Final

It is not outrageous now to think we could make the final. I don't think we'll win it.

davegrohl48

We can make the final Following reasons 1. Long training regime pre world cup has improved guys like Ross Best Front row is now one of our main threats 2. Close to best pack in the tournament and set pieces 3. Simple effective gameplan that is hard to counteract 4. Better kickers n catchers than most teams 5. Tommy Bowe has a great strike rate 6. OGara option for kicks n Sexton option at. 12

CatFromHue

Psychedelic wrote: »

It's also funny how Ireland can cause a massive upset to beat Australia yet it seems like no thinks an underdog like Russia or Italy could do the same to us.

I don't think it was such an upset though. We were stronger in a lot of areas than Australia which no one gave us credit for. I also think they had been over estimated.

I think we can be confident and quietly confident for our next two games. We have beaten Italy in our last 12 attempts. It's going to be a hard game all right but one we have played against them many times and won. Our only real gauge of the Russians is that they lost to the US who we beat. So again we should win this.

If we did end up with a quarter against Wales and a semi against England we could be confident of a win due to our recent record against them. We've beaten England in 7 of our last 9 games and Wales in 6 of our last 9.

Nz v Fra, Scot v Arg, and Fiji v Sam will have huge bearings on their respective pools. So after this weekend we'll get a better idea of the possible quarter finalists.

Kayless

have the bookies odds change?