Wales vs Ireland buildup [MOD WARNING POST #8]

AndyBoBandy · 03-03-2015 9:41am

Closed

I'm all set, and have a corporate box ticket..

My 1 and only rugby game before was Wales v Ireland in the 6 nations in Cardiff in October 2001 and was great craic, so heres hoping for another win

Sanjuro · 03-03-2015 9:42am

I came in here for some discussion. First post elicits pure rage. Thanks!

ionadnapokot · 03-03-2015 10:22am

2013 Wales 22 Ireland 30 W
2011 Wales 19 Ireland 13 L (Mike Phillips - Peter Allan - Jonathan Kaplan )
2009 Wales 15 Ireland 17 W
2007 Wales 9 Ireland 19 W
2005 Wales 31 Ireland 20 L
2003 Wales 24 Ireland 29 W
2001 Wales 6 Ireland 35 W
1999 Wales 23 Ireland 29 W (Wembley)
1997 Wales 25 Ireland 29 W
1995 Wales 12 Ireland 16 W
1993 Wales 14 Ireland 19 W
1991 Wales 21 Ireland 21 W
1989 Wales 13 Ireland 19 W
1987 Wales 15 Ireland 19 W
1985 Wales 9 Ireland 21 W

13 wins 12 losses
2015: Will the roof be open or shut (yawn), Choke tackle (yawn), The look on Gatlands face when we win (Will never get bored of that)

thomond2006 · 03-03-2015 10:22am

Wales' injury news: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-v-ireland-six-nations-8755440

Paul James is out but Biggar and Warburton cleared to train.

shuffol · 03-03-2015 11:48am

James is a huge loss, the best scrummager Wales have and plays a vital role for them. Clear area for us to target now.

Gits_bone · 03-03-2015 11:50am

Sanjuro wrote: »

I came in here for some discussion. First post elicits pure rage. Thanks!

But he was proven right to do it.

.ak · 03-03-2015 11:51am

Gits_bone wrote: »

But he was proven right to do it.

Gonna nip this in the bud right now. It's a glass half-full/empty argument, and it destroys threads, so no.

thomond2006 · 03-03-2015 11:56am

ionadnapokot wrote: »

2011 Wales 19 Ireland 13 L (Mike Phillips - Peter Allan - Jonathan Kaplan

...and Peter Allan was never seen again in the Six Nations.

Gits_bone · 03-03-2015 11:57am

OP needs to be removed imo.

.ak · 03-03-2015 11:59am

Gits_bone wrote: »

OP needs to be removed imo.

Enough of the back seat modding please. OP is clearly being tongue in cheek - which is fine - I've asked any further discussion regarding the subject to stop because we've already endured enough of it.

total former · 03-03-2015 12:01pm

shuffol wrote: »

James is a huge loss, the best scrummager Wales have and plays a vital role for them. Clear area for us to target now.

He has seen very little game time this 6N though? Not sure it makes much odds at all really. Presume Scott Andrews will come in, he's decent enough.

Swiwi. · 03-03-2015 12:06pm

A giant marquee with Warren G's face on it will be erected

Henshaw vs Roberts worth the price of admission alone IMO.

.ak · 03-03-2015 12:08pm

I can actually see them sending North down Henshaw's channel, see if he can cope with a big man and a step.

thomond2006 · 03-03-2015 12:09pm

.ak wrote: »

I can actually see them sending North down Henshaw's channel, see if he can cope with a big man and a step.

I hope they send Delon Williams down the channel instead.

George Hook · 03-03-2015 12:11pm

ionadnapokot wrote: »

2013 Wales 22 Ireland 30 W
2011 Wales 19 Ireland 13 L (Mike Phillips - Peter Allan - Jonathan Kaplan )
2009 Wales 15 Ireland 17 W
2007 Wales 9 Ireland 19 W
2005 Wales 31 Ireland 20 L
2003 Wales 24 Ireland 29 W
2001 Wales 6 Ireland 35 W
1999 Wales 23 Ireland 29 W (Wembley)
1997 Wales 25 Ireland 29 W
1995 Wales 12 Ireland 16 W
1993 Wales 14 Ireland 19 W
1991 Wales 21 Ireland 21 W
1989 Wales 13 Ireland 19 W
1987 Wales 15 Ireland 19 W
1985 Wales 9 Ireland 21 W

13 wins 12 losses
2015: Will the roof be open or shut (yawn), Choke tackle (yawn), The look on Gatlands face when we win (Will never get bored of that)

Hey now.. you've missed out most of the games we lost. Since 2001 we've played them 17 times.. you've only got 6 of those results there.

We're at 11 wins out of those last 17 games - still good.

total former · 03-03-2015 12:12pm

George Hook wrote: »

Hey now.. you've missed out most of the games we lost. Since 2001 we've played them 17 times.. you've only got 6 of those results there.

We're at 11 wins out of those last 17 games - still good.

He's only listing the games in Wales...

Bridge93 · 03-03-2015 12:12pm

Closed

George Hook wrote: »

Hey now.. you've missed out most of the games we lost. Since 2001 we've played them 17 times.. you've only got 6 of those results there.

We're at 11 wins out of those last 17 games - still good.

These are the games in Cardiff

RuggieBear · 03-03-2015 12:17pm

how is 21-21 a win?:)

.ak · 03-03-2015 12:21pm

RuggieBear wrote: »

how is 21-21 a win?:)

Moral victory.

total former · 03-03-2015 12:22pm

It will be very interesting to see if we change up the tactics for the Wales game.

The Wales lineup in the backs will mirror ours somewhat in that Liam Williams and Jamie Roberts are both experienced fullbacks and George North won't shirk the high ball either, so I would expect the kick-chase game to yield less success than it did against England.

The Welsh scrum won't be as good as the English, so we should have the edge there, but AWJ-Charteris is in a different league to Attwood-Kruis in the second row and in Heaslip's absence the Welsh back row are probably the superior unit, especially if O'Brien doesn't recover. The catch-drive-maul option might not be too successful and we'll have a hell of time at the breakdown.

The massive advantage we have is, of course, at out-half; I've been impressed by Biggar lately but he's just not in Sexton's league. At scrum-half though, it's closer. It's hard really to judge Murray's current form properly because tactics dictate so much box-kicking but we know he's quality - but so is Rhys Webb, a different style of SH to Murray and more of a threat with ball in hand, I reckon he'll be the main competition for the 9 jersey in Lions 2017.

Jaysus I can't wait.

.ak · 03-03-2015 12:23pm

I'd imagine Roberts isn't much of a jumper these days...

Tox56 · 03-03-2015 12:41pm

I want this win much more than I did against England, really don't like the welsh coaches at all

thomond2006 · 03-03-2015 12:42pm

Tox56 wrote: »

I want this win much more than I did against England, really don't like the welsh coaches at all

I'm fully behind England when they play Wales in the World Cup. Having said that, had Ireland lost on Sunday it would be bursting a balloon with all the momentum Ireland have gained in the last 12 months gone.

I generally only watch Scrum V after Wales have lost. If it's a show after they win it's insufferable.

Tox56 · 03-03-2015 12:43pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

Henshaw vs Roberts worth the price of admission alone IMO.

Henshaw was stopping Vunipola in his tracks, if he does that against Roberts that's the end of the match up... big if though

George Hook · 03-03-2015 12:43pm

total former wrote: »

He's only listing the games in Wales...

He gave no mention of that in his post - but yes I see it now.

I'm sure we'll win but at the back of my mind I keep thinking at some point we will have a bad game. Not that I've seen anything to suggest as such but just well, good things tend not to last.

Mahatma Geansai · 03-03-2015 12:44pm

Roberts and Henshaw will be a very interesting head-to-head. Henshaw is looking like developing into a similar style and standard of player.

.ak · 03-03-2015 12:45pm

I think Henshaw is more rounded, where as Roberts is a specialist strike runner. Henshaw is far more mobile and has better hands and feet. Roberts is probably the better off first phase if you're looking for crash ball, he's more likely to gain big yards.

thomond2006 · 03-03-2015 12:46pm

I'll take Roberts in the side over Scott Williams any day. I think our current centres can negate Roberts. Scott Williams would offer far more of a threat IMO with his footwork and pace. He's very underused by Wales. I would take him at Munster in a heartbeat.

.ak · 03-03-2015 12:47pm

George Hook wrote: »

He gave no mention of that in his post - but yes I see it now.

I'm sure we'll win but at the back of my mind I keep thinking at some point we will have a bad game. Not that I've seen anything to suggest as such but just well, good things tend not to last.

I'm just hoping the guys treat this as their cup final. No disrespect to Scotland, but this will be the toughest test and whilst Scotland could be a banana skin it would be against the script. Wales genuinely have the ability to turn us in Cardiff. We'll have to bring our A game, we'll need to be as fierce as we were against England and as accurate.

davegrohl48 · 03-03-2015 12:49pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'll take Roberts in the side over Scott Williams any day. I think our current centres can negate Roberts. Scott Williams would offer far more of a threat IMO with his footwork and pace.

I would agree with you as Williams is much quicker, has better hands/passing and has a step. Roberts is slower n runs straight.

thomond2006 · 03-03-2015 12:50pm

Off-topic poll ideas, anyone?

Edit: Merci monsieur mod!

Mahatma Geansai · 03-03-2015 12:52pm

.ak wrote: »

I think Henshaw is more rounded, where as Roberts is a specialist strike runner. Henshaw is far more mobile and has better hands and feet. Roberts is probably the better off first phase if you're looking for crash ball, he's more likely to gain big yards.

Henshaw's strike running will only improve, but it is already a strength to his game. I'd agree that he does have a little more subtlety to his game than Roberts though.

All we need to do now is get a 13 beside him (Earls) that will thrive in the space he creates by drawing in opposition defenders. Once we add a greater attacking threat to our game, we will start looking like the complete team that should be aiming for success in the RWC.

corny · 03-03-2015 12:54pm

It wasn't kick to contest last year. It was kick to turn North and Cuthbert around and make a mockery of their blitz (hard up on the outside) defence.

It doesn't matter anyway we'll kill them in the tight just like last year.

Dave_The_Sheep · 03-03-2015 12:54pm

.ak wrote: »

We'll have to bring our A game, we'll need to be as fierce as we were against England and as accurate.

With regards to our kicking and chasing, we'll have to be far more accurate. There were a lot of balls put up that were a few metres too long and the English back 3 had a good bit of space to start with. Giving people like Halfpenny and North space with be more dangerous than the last game.

I have a bad feeling about this game, though that could just be the dread of a possible loss to Gatland to scupper any chance at a Grand Slam attempt in Scotland.

S12b · 03-03-2015 12:56pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

Henshaw vs Roberts worth the price of admission alone IMO.

.ak wrote: »

I can actually see them sending North down Henshaw's channel, see if he can cope with a big man and a step.

Does anyone else find it hilarious that this baby faced child is our defensive enforcer???

Tox56 · 03-03-2015 12:59pm

S12b wrote: »

Does anyone else find it hilarious that this baby faced child is our defensive enforcer???

And Henderson is likely to be our talismanic second row enforcer for the next 10 years but still can't order a drink without ID

total former · 03-03-2015 12:59pm

I think we're getting ahead of ourselves in the Henshaw v Roberts debate lads.

Roberts has a lot more subtlety than he's being given credit for here, and the crash-ball tactic is the coach's decision, not his.

davegrohl48 · 03-03-2015 1:01pm

S12b wrote: »

Does anyone else find it hilarious that this baby faced child is our defensive enforcer???

Don't let the accordion title fool ya, those accordion lads have farmer handshakes.

davegrohl48 · 03-03-2015 1:01pm

S12b wrote: »

Does anyone else find it hilarious that this baby faced child is our defensive enforcer???

Don't let the accordion title fool ya, those accordion lads have farmer handshakes.

walshb · 03-03-2015 1:03pm

Very tough game for us. We can win, but I am fence sitting here. Away from home in Rugby is always difficult, despite our away record vs. Wales. Many close fought games. Both teams more than capable of winning on their day.

walshb · 03-03-2015 1:05pm

George Hook wrote: »

He gave no mention of that in his post - but yes I see it now.

I'm sure we'll win but at the back of my mind I keep thinking at some point we will have a bad game. Not that I've seen anything to suggest as such but just well, good things tend not to last.

So, George, what excuses for us winning will you have?

Rightwing · 03-03-2015 1:05pm

I've gone with Irl up until now. Think Wales will have too much for us in what will be undoubtedly be our toughest match of the 6N.

thomond2006 · 03-03-2015 1:22pm

Welsh players who will play this weekend: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/31700702

Oddly all the regions are playing Irish provinces at home!

Yeah_Right · 03-03-2015 1:32pm

Have to say I have never really rated Halfpenny as a counter-attacking FB. Maybe I just haven't watched him enough or am simply having a memory blank.

03-03-2015 1:38pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Have to say I have never really rated Halfpenny as a counter-attacking FB. Maybe I just haven't watched him enough or am simply having a memory blank.

He's far better than Kearney for one. I'm pretty sure one of the Lions tries came directly from a Halfpenny counter-attack.

ionadnapokot · 03-03-2015 1:49pm

Wud have to agree that 1/2p is better at picking a line from deep. looks like RK is taking the ball into contact near his forwards when running it back.
Neither are great distributers of the ball from hand.

Teferi · 03-03-2015 1:55pm

I can take a loss against any team in the world but losing to Wales makes me sick to the bottom of my stomach. A small section of their fans are embarrassing, they have annoying bigots in their rugby media and I think their coaching ticket leave a lot to be desired in a variety of areas. I think there are quite a few things that are just plain unlikeable about Welsh rugby to be honest. That said, the vast majority of the players are absolute gents. This is always my most anticipated match of the tournament, I go absolutely Kevin Keegan for a victory.

George Hook · 03-03-2015 2:05pm

walshb wrote: »

So, George, what excuses for us winning will you have?

I have one up my sleeve.

Studio George will say something like: If you notice, most teams in the last while haven't played well against us SA, England (this year) and Wales last year to name a few - we've just been very lucky that those teams didn't turn up on the day. If we win it, it will be because the other team didn't play well - not because we cut their defence open.

How's that work for you? Obviously the real answer is because Joe forces the other teams to play the game he has planned and they can't implement their own game plan causing their performance to suffer as a consequence.:)

Webbs · 03-03-2015 2:06pm

Teferi wrote: »

I can take a loss against any team in the world but losing to Wales makes me sick to the bottom of my stomach. A small section of their fans are embarrassing, they have annoying bigots in their rugby media and I think their coaching ticket leave a lot to be desired in a variety of areas. I think there are quite a few things that are just plain unlikeable about Welsh rugby to be honest. That said, the vast majority of the players are absolute gents. This is always my most anticipated match of the tournament, I go absolutely Kevin Keegan for a victory.

To be honest if you asked majority of Welsh supporters they would say almost exactly the same as above just changing the word Ireland for Wales.
Its natural to want success against a team when for the past decade there has been nothing to separate them on the pitch. Both sets of supporters then look for the little things that annoy them to get worked up about.

davegrohl48 · 03-03-2015 2:08pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

He's far better than Kearney for one. I'm pretty sure one of the Lions tries came directly from a Halfpenny counter-attack.

Would agree he's better in that regard than Kearney. I know nowadays full backs don't want to end up isolated but Kearney over his career has had occasions in attacking positions where it's all about maximising yardage near the try line n he ends up coming straight down the middle into contact.I guess true stepping agility is rare in those who are bulked up. You tend to lose a bit of the quick step. Similar Halfpenny is a good bit heavier now than earlier in his career.

Wales vs Ireland buildup [MOD WARNING POST #8]

Will the roof be open or closed? 113 votes

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