Rugby World Cup 2011

[Tank Engine]

You're just a bunch of haters.

Comparisons with Paul the Octopus are stupid; what would an octopus know about football?

But this is a sheep, a sheep from New Zealand no less. With its own website. And so far it's managed to predict 4 whole matches correctly, picking New Zealand to win each time. It's uncanny.

Nah, Welsh sheep are far more knowledgeable about rugby. For a start they'd have to actually make a real choice about who'll win and from time to time even have to overcome their natural fear of dragons.

To be serious, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's games. They're both very likely to be close. In the Wales vs Ireland game, the back row of the scrums and the central backs are likely to be the crucial positions. Both sides have undoubted talent in these positions, on the Irish side, experience and on the Welsh side youth. The battle between the back rows (particularly between O'Brien and Warburton) will be crucial in gaining possession, being in the front line of defence and making those hard yards. O'Gara has the call in front of Sexton as the "playmaker", so a more tartical approach could be expected, kicking for position. Wales have opted for Priestland who'll mix up the passing and kicking more. The battle between the centres will also be crucial. O'Driscoll is at the heart of Ireland's team, a great all round player. On our side, Jamie Roberts has shown that he's not just a pure battering ram, but still complements John Davies' more elusive running style.

In the lineout, Wales will have to contend with O'Connell (a tower of strength). In the scrums, Wales have two great props and if Best is not 100%, this is an area that they may be able to dominate in.

There is an array of talent in the wings with all the players looking to appear in the attack from surprising angles. This might be heretical from my side, but I rate Bowe above Williams. On the other wing, I would say that North is the more talented player, but Earls is no slouch and of course has more experience.

There are maybe 2 surprises in the Welsh selection. Steve Jones is out all together, with Hook being the utility back on the bench with "Full Shilling" moving back to full back, where he impressed in the second half of the Samoa game.

 

[Kvinto]

so we have Ireland vs. Wales tomorrow at 6am UTC (8am in my country) and England vs France within 2.5 hour... the timing sucks

 

[Mambo95]

Come on wales!!!!!

 

[Tank Engine]

Come on wales!!!!!

That start was bloody impressive. Bilbo in at the corner

 

[Kvinto]

The Welsh are defending very well
edit: it was pretty entertaining first half, with an early try by Shane Williams the Welshs look good...

 

[Kvinto]

try! Ireland, K.Earls
edit: if it was a try - it was great!
yes, it was!!!
edit2: another one by Wales!

 

[Tank Engine]

Johnie Davies yes! Should finish this off now. As I thought, a really hard fought game.

 

[Kvinto]

Great game by the Welsh, fantastic defence, even the try of Keith Earls was almost prevented. I feel sorry for Ireland but the Welsh were simply better.
PS: Sonny Wool should be EATEN

 

[ramjambunath]

Ireland were 95% there today. They made not many but some crucial handling errors in attack but Wales can take credit for that though. Great match, great performance and brilliant result.

Don't think England v France can back this up.
141 tackles and only missed 11. Fantastic defence by the Welsh today.

 

[Kvinto]

France takes the lead by the beautiful penalty from Yachvili
EDIT: FANTASTIC try by France!!!

 

[Tank Engine]

France takes the lead by the beautiful penalty from Yachvili

Clerc breaks a couple of tackles and England really have their backs against the wall.

The Welsh defence was brilliant today. The goal-line stands were the difference between the two teams. Ireland were a bit flat footed when John Davies squeezed through. Jamie Roberts made a lot of ground after the tackle and Mike Phillips reveled in the physicality of the game and took a very good try. At the start of the tournament I said I'd be satisfied with a decent showing in the 1/8-finals. We're into the semi-finals and have a real chance of getting to the final .

England will have to tidy this up. They're looking a bit scrappy.

Edit: Just as France go over again.

 

[ramjambunath]

Fantastic France
Another try (Medard)
Yachvili's kicking(not goal kicking) has been sensational.
Considering England were conceding so many penalties against the likes of Georgia, you would've thought that Martin Johnson would have been working on rectifying the silly errors especially in the rucks. It's not happened though.

Oh **** Power cut.

 

[Tank Engine]

Oh.. and the couple of times that the Irish lineout failed really helped Wales take control.

A bit better by England at the end of the half, but passes from 5 yards out not going to hand.

 

[Kvinto]

At the start of the tournament I said I'd be satisfied with a decent showing in the 1/8-finals. We're into the semi-finals and have a real chance of getting to the final .

I thought you're an Irishman (due to your location), ain't you?
Yes, Wales were great, though i would prefer these two teams to play on the later stage.
If the game between France and England will unfold the way it does now then considering the Sonny Wolly's predictions i'm starting to believe in Argentina in tomorrow's game with All Blacks
Anyway Wales vs Australia for the final!

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Englands handling has been poor so far.

 

[Tank Engine]

I thought you're an Irishman (due to your location), ain't you?

I'm originally from Cardiff. I'll have to lie low at work next week

Edit; obviously I meant 1/4-finals.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

i think england will get a hiding...didnt the english press dismissed the frenchies during the week? lol

 

[Kvinto]

oh, finally they scored, it can become interesting

 

[Tank Engine]

Foden cuts through the French defence to score. Keeps the game open.

 

[ramjambunath]

What happened to Yachvili?
Nice try Foden

 

[Tank Engine]

A couple of inch perfect kicks and England back at their goal line. They get a penalty though.

Edit: England getting desperate now. Knock on 10 yards from their own line.

 

[ramjambunath]

That should be that.
Maybe not.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Argentina to beat the mighty all blacks tomm.

 

[Kvinto]

it's over.
for tomorrow:
go ARGENTINA!!!

 

[Kvinto]

The only mitigating factor is that the French always have one world beating performance per tournament and we haven't seen it yet.

you knew it