By The Roar
November 15th 2009 @ 12:25am
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The Roar’s Wallabies Vs Ireland live blog
Australia's Berrick Barnes tackles Brian O'Driscoll of Ireland during their rugby union test match in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, June 14, 2008. AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill
It promises to be one of the matches of the season, so join The Roar’s live blog on Monday morning at 2am as we watch Australia’s grand slam hopefuls, the Wallabies, take on a tough Ireland side hungry for a Southern Hemisphere scalp.
Unfortunately for the Wallabies, leading Ireland to their first Six Nations crown in more than half a century hasn’t quenched Brian O’Driscoll’s appetite for major rugby spoils.
In what’s set to be a cracking match, Roar columnist David Pocock takes over from George Smith on the side of the scrum; and a young backline duels with a speedy set of Irish outside backs.
Will the faltering form of the Wallabies in 2009 be maintained?
Watch the match on TV and leave comments and interact with other Roar readers in real time here from Monday at 2am onwards.
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CraigB said | November 14th 2009 @ 7:32am | Report comment
The game isn’t on until Monday morning
Zac Zavos said | November 14th 2009 @ 4:23pm | Report comment
We got it wrong – thanks for the heads up CraigB!
Zac
The Roar
pothale said | November 14th 2009 @ 7:34am | Report comment
Did I miss something? Has Australia moved through a couple of time zones that I wasn’t aware of?
Having just watched the 3rd placed 6 Nations team, France, polish off the number one SH side, Africa de Sud, I thought we’d get a chance to recover our breath. I wasn’t planning to go to Croke Park for another 38 hours to attend the Ireland v Australia match. Has it been brought forward?
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 7:37am | Report comment
Alright Pothale? Watching that game cost me a few squidolas. France ruined SA physically. It seems you can’t just win with a big boot and a strong pack. Let’s hope Ireland are paying attention.
Lee said | November 14th 2009 @ 7:49am | Report comment
Wow useless Boks, I always thought the game would go either way but it’s the way the Boks lost, Kanko couldn’t hang onto the ball in contact, Jacobs lost it everytime he took it up…shocking performance.
Well played France, in the Boks – NZ games, NZ’s mistakes were put down to Boks pressure, so only fair to put the Boks mistakes down to French pressure. Well played, I am now more worried about Ireland.
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 7:54am | Report comment
To be fair France made a lot of errors too, forced and unforced. All of a sudden the SA backline that looked erratic with JdV is now looking totally blunt without him. The scrum is poor, the pack not good enough to simply bash opposition and the backline is mediocre bar a pair of dangerous wings. Without Brussow SA would have really been in huge trouble.
Lee said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:10am | Report comment
I think thats a bit rough KO, the pack isn’t that bad, they were just out-muscled by a determined French side(it was obvious from the first few french tackles that we were in trouble). I think the key was that Fourie Du Preez miss-fired tonight, his kicks wern’t as pinpoint as normal(very hard in that wind), and Kirchner’s boot is nowhere near the class of F. Steyns.
Interesting to see how they go against Italy….
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:16am | Report comment
Personally I don’t think the SA pack is strong enough to mount a sustained glory challenge without a good kicking fullback like Steyn or previously Montgomery. The scrummage is terrible and the normally excellent lineout came undone tonight. The current SA pack has been around for years and it was never good enough to win games on its own prior to the 07 WC, and it isn’t now. Diversity has always been needed, but a host of good kickers has always given the SA 8 space to breathe. Now things are different and the coaching panel needs to come up with something different. The French kicking was just as poor as what we saw from SA. This French team is no vintage side, let’s not forget that either. If SA isn’t to waste what has been a wonderful season we have to see something different from the backs and the forwards.
Lee said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:19am | Report comment
I will agree with you there, the whole team seemed out of sorts, I think the lineout going awry showed that. I don’t buy into the whole “it’s been a long season and it’s hard to get motivated” talke, they are representing their country – as an aside, what the hell was with the ’singing’ of the SA anthem.
Nail on the head as far as a good kicking fullback, which is why I think Terblanche should have come on tour but it seems as though he is too old. I wouldn’t be surprised to see PDV call Steyn or De Villiers back into the team.
Parisien said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:41am | Report comment
The French aren’t a vintage side yet, but hell, they’re not bad!
pothale said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:12am | Report comment
I’m very OK, KO. Backed France to win tonight along with Wales and Ireland A.
Springboks losing two on the bounce to NH opposition – who’d have thought that the NH plodders could manage to do what the exciting and expansive SH teams couldn’t manage all season., eh?
Oh dear – must go and get the trowel out of the garden shed – this isn’t going on thick enough.
Lee said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:16am | Report comment
You forget the Boks are apparently boring as hell pothale, not a ‘real’ SH teamlike NZ and Aus.
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:17am | Report comment
I think you mean not a ‘real’ SH team like NZ. Australia is the poor relation (Ducks for cover.).
–
I lost my bloody handicap to those Welsh suckers. When will those buffoons learn how to play Pacific opposition?
pothale said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:24am | Report comment
Great match in Belfast KO. Lots of tries and passing for both teams.
Cave got a brace – I suspect he’ll get the step up sooner than McFadden.
matt0931 said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:46am | Report comment
Yep, a poor relation who still whooped that English poor excuse of a rugby team last week.
SA have been losing because they are becoming predictable. They play a solid game but oppositions now know what they are going to get from the Springboks (except for Perth when they surprised even themselves).
Parisien said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:39am | Report comment
Knives- Did you really back SA to beat France? and England to beat Australia, and Australia to win the Tri-Nations as well… ouch that must hurt. who have you got the money on for Sunday? I’ll back the others.
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:47am | Report comment
No, Parisien. I backed France to beat SA by 5+ on my fantasy league (Superguru – Rucku league), but I didn’t bet on the outcome at the bookies. I didn’t back England to beat Australia last week – I didn’t gamble last week. I backed Australia at the bookies to win the 3N due to their home game rounds. On Sunday I’m backing Ireland by +5.
Parisien said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:23am | Report comment
that sounds realistic, but I’ll go for the Wallabies. Just hope its a good game with tries by both sides.
pothale said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:50am | Report comment
Parisien – there is only team to back on Sunday.
I’ll give you a hint – it has an A and an I in it.
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:53am | Report comment
I r e l A n d
A u s t r a I l A
That is Higgs boson clever.
pothale said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:59am | Report comment
Has Egypt given you a touch of the sun, young fella?
What is Higgs boson, when it’s at home?
pothale said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:09am | Report comment
It’s ok. I looked it up, you sarcastic person you.
johnno42 said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:17am | Report comment
always thought that the boks must have haa a bad day in brisbane (TN) but perhaps they are a hot/cold side… or worse, they could have blown their bolt (shot the load, whatever… who knows)is that two on the trot??
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:23am | Report comment
‘I will agree with you there, the whole team seemed out of sorts, I think the lineout going awry showed that. I don’t buy into the whole “it’s been a long season and it’s hard to get motivated” talke, they are representing their country – as an aside, what the hell was with the ’singing’ of the SA anthem.
Nail on the head as far as a good kicking fullback, which is why I think Terblanche should have come on tour but it seems as though he is too old. I wouldn’t be surprised to see PDV call Steyn or De Villiers back into the team.’
Lol. Now that you mention it the SA anthem was awful. I’m not sure who was singing it but it was not awe inspiring. It seemed like the French had flown in a drunk Eddie Grant.
Terblance must be beyond it now? As an objective observer I would have picked Ludik prior to his injury. I just do not rate Kirchner.
Lee said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:30am | Report comment
I was thinking that Terblanche could come along and offer a sort of mentor role to Kirchner(as there isn’t a fullback at t Bulls to do that). It would do Kirchner a world of good to have an old head around to offer advice…seen as I am sure Kirchner is now going to be the starting FB- unless Jantjes comes back.
You could see on the Boks faces that some of them were trying not to laugh during the anthem – perhaps a great French ploy akin to them darkening their jerseys for the WC 2007 to make the ABs play in grey, thereby reducing the aura of the ABs…
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:34am | Report comment
‘I was thinking that Terblanche could come along and offer a sort of mentor role to Kirchner(as there isn’t a fullback at t Bulls to do that). It would do Kirchner a world of good to have an old head around to offer advice…seen as I am sure Kirchner is now going to be the starting FB- unless Jantjes comes back.’
That’s fair enough. It’s just one of those things that there’s no experienced 15s in SA rugby at the moment. Maybe Pienaar will get a shot at the job next week?
‘You could see on the Boks faces that some of them were trying not to laugh during the anthem – perhaps a great French ploy akin to them darkening their jerseys for the WC 2007 to make the ABs play in grey, thereby reducing the aura of the ABs…’
I did notice that. At least it’ll provide a funny YouTube moment in years to come.
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:32am | Report comment
‘Great match in Belfast KO. Lots of tries and passing for both teams.
Cave got a brace – I suspect he’ll get the step up sooner than McFadden.’
And usurp Bowe, Ireland’s next great 13?
Btw, I saw on another post that you’re hitting London soon. What’s the deal? You can catch me at [email removed] if you’re about (My brother chose the account for me. No getting caught at work thank you, sir.). I’m in Egypt for the next 10 days or so.
pothale said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:56am | Report comment
Yep – heading that way next Friday possibly. Might grab an overnight and catch a match the following day before heading back. If not, it’ll be during the following week. Sounds like you won’t be around though.
Will mail you.
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:01am | Report comment
Safe. (That’s what the kids say.)
pothale said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:21am | Report comment
eh?
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:34am | Report comment
That means “Cool, I’ll check my mail, breadbin.”
pothale said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:46am | Report comment
eh…. I knew that…..obviously.
I’ll put in secret words into the subject line so you know it’s me. It’ll say “Pothale calling”.
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:54am | Report comment
‘Yep, a poor relation who still whooped that English poor excuse of a rugby team last week.
SA have been losing because they are becoming predictable. They play a solid game but oppositions now know what they are going to get from the Springboks (except for Perth when they surprised even themselves).’
Lol. There’s always one.
matt0931 said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:19am | Report comment
Well there is when you look in the mirror KO!
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:04am | Report comment
Im a one and only.
Parisien said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:25am | Report comment
Cocorico! If SA looked out of sorts its because the French dominated and bullied them all game. I tucked into a dozen snails with a bottle of Minervois just as the anthems started, and yes, those anthems said it all and were an omen alright…
Good to see the SA boys getting outsung, outmuscled, outscrummed and outplayed by the French who were the only ones proposing anything. They should have won by a lot more but butchered a couple of opportunities.
Traille after his first shocking kick had a good match at fullback, David and Mermoz stepped up in the centres, Trinh Duc confirmed he’s got what it takes, Picamoles is a monster, Millo-Chluski is Frankenstein’s son (read Pelous), and Barcella monstered the beast.
Enjoyable game and there’s more to come.
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:32am | Report comment
David looked powerful and incisive but I still have massive reservations over Trinh-Duc. Traille wasn’ a giant success either. I feel that had Lievremont trusted his side to attack more and selected Medard at 15 that France would have won by more. They were comprehensively superior (despite making a litany of errors) and the biggest symbolism must be the way that Picamoles bashed Burger time and time again (or when Mtawarira was subbed just after half-time, perhaps).
SA and France are the same sides, but France has a better scrum and a more unpredictable back line (despite some horribly predictable early lateral movement). Luck for SA that they had Brussow.
An enjoyable game.
P.S. Millo-Chluski had a good game but is no Pelous. Pelous never got the credit he deserved. He is one of my all time favourites.
Parisien said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:19am | Report comment
Well Traille kicked a couple of huge touch finders but otherwise was never really tested to be fair. Didn’t do anything wrong once he had settled. His big boot is valuable against a team like SA.
Can’t agree that SA and France are the same sides! The French backs and team as a whole are not only less predictable, but more creative, show greater flair, take bigger risks individually and collectively. They were really looking to open up the defence, even if clumsily at times, but the SA backs seemed predictable and clueless. But there are similarities in the forwards alright. The French really imposed their game tonight. The French would rather lose playing “du beau rugby”, trying their hand and having a go, than win ugly. You could tell the way they sang the Marseillaise they were up for it tonight.
Medard: apparently he is getting over the flu and thats why he was on the bench, wasn’t up to a whole game. Strategically, I think they also wanted to take on SA anyway, match them, gain parity, and bring on the faster more dynamic bench players as SA tired. (eg Szarzewski , Chabal, Medard, Bonnaire). If so, Iit worked!
MC is no Pelous – agree. I really just meant Pelous was a Frankenstein look-alike, and MC is another very big monster type with lots of physical presence and did some great work in the scrums, rucks, in tight, and even the rolling mauls. A big hard working unit. Nallet was very good too, again. Picamoles is proving to be an even bigger hitman than Dusautoir, and thats saying something. NZ will be another big game. Will the All Blacks get revenge or suffer another defeat?
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:25pm | Report comment
Traille wasn’t tested, but he does this thing with his face where you can see he’s getting a little bit flustered and starts to panic. He dropped one ball and put on the look and I thought it was going to be a long afternoon, but then SA hardly tested him. I understand that he was selected to play a Frans Steyn boot but he never had the opportunity to. Personally I don’t think he is trustworthy at 15 and should be at 12, but with the form of Mermoz that is going to be a tough call. For me Medard has to play 15.
I say that SA and France are the same sides simply because it’s as if France try to copy the SH style of rugby: big pack, midfield crash ball and big boot. They tried to play the way SA do yesterday, and to a point it worked but only because the France pack was so, so physical. My great frustration is that despite some shoddy play the France backs could be so damaging (the SA backs could also be much better) but they’re not there yet. As a fan I could tell you what type of game plan Lievremont favours. There isn’t a great variety in the French play, just as there isn’t with the SA brand, and as we saw with the England 6N game France are liable to be beaten just the way that they beat SA, if you see what I mean. France won with a simple game plan last night, which relies on forward dominance. Against Ireland and England last season they didn’t have that forward dominance and so had no Plan B. Against Wales and NZ they won the forward battle and won those matches. It’s not a criticism, just an observation.
The French bench was excellent. Chabal absolutely ruined Morne Steyn and Bonnaire, as usual, was excellent in the air. Marconnet (I am a huge fan of Marconnet) added his considerable scrummaging prowess and it was game over. Van der Linde was boring in at every scrum. The SA scrum just could not cope.
I recall the first time I saw Picamoles and he reminded me of Dean Richards. He is a true Obelix character and what I would term a proper number 8. Brussow stole a lot of ball which makes me wonder how much France could have won by had Ouedraogo played?
I quite like the new kit, too.
Parisien said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:05pm | Report comment
Sorry about the cock crowing! – I’d just got home and was still on a high…
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:44am | Report comment
‘The French aren’t a vintage side yet, but hell, they’re not bad!’
True. But they could be a lot better. What France did to SA England did to them last season. I think they have the same vulnerbailities they did when Lievremont took over. I certainly do not doubt the skill and potential of the tean, however, I just think they haven’t developed their style/brand.
Parisien said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:35am | Report comment
No, but they’re getting closer, the last 6N was better than the one before, ML is doing less chopping and changing, and the group is consolidating. And they’ve got some big scalps now: beating NZ at home, and now the world champs. They can beat anyone, are devloping the self belief, and I think the next 6N they’ll do very well…
The forwards are settled and with depth behind, while 10, 12, 13 still unsure; I’d love to see Ellisalde at 10, Mermoz doing ok at 12 but time will tell, David at 13, same thing, with Bastereaud to back up, all looks promising and they are all pretty young too.
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:49am | Report comment
‘eh…. I knew that…..obviously.
I’ll put in secret words into the subject line so you know it’s me. It’ll say “Pothale calling”.’
Let’s go with ‘Red Lemonade’. That works for me. I believe Jack Nicholson used the same code name in ‘A Few Good Men’. Or maybe it was ‘Mikado’?!
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:02am | Report comment
‘Has Egypt given you a touch of the sun, young fella?
What is Higgs boson, when it’s at home?’
It’s around the mid 20s, I think?! Red then brown. The English way.
You know what Higgs boson is you UCD-educated joker. My uncle’s father went to UCD. You’re not fooling this fellow.
pothale said | November 14th 2009 @ 11:07am | Report comment
UCD? In Dublin?
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:26pm | Report comment
The same. Is that not where you went? I’m not prying but I recall you mentioned that Kevin McLaughlin (?) went to your alma mater.
pothale said | November 15th 2009 @ 1:32am | Report comment
Oh I see.
Vented Relief said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:46am | Report comment
Picomoles…. how strong is that man? He was swiping away the likes of Botha, Burger and Kankowski like they were halfbacks and making 10m with every run. Impressive.
Parisien said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:00pm | Report comment
Picamoles, Harinordoquy and Dusautoir all seemed to enjoy bashing the Boks. It was a part of a fairly simple strategy to win. Out -bully them, and get it on! Did you see their faces as they came out the tunnel, and then sang the anthem? all the French forwards worked really well as a group, clean outs, rucking, mauls, tackles, pick and drives; inspiring stuff. Horwill will remember Harinordoquy’s rumbling talents from June 2008.
Yes Vented Relief, Picamoles is one tough strong guy. The rumour is that he is the one who bashed Bastereaud that night in a Wellington hotel, a small disagreement over the local girls they took back that night…Best not to argue with him.
Its not often you see Botha, Matfield, and Burger all looking bloodied and dazed, seeking medical attention.
The backs played some good rushing defence too, with some good runs, but it was the forwards’ night.
Shahsan said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:05pm | Report comment
I think the real French trump card was the guy singing the South African anthem. No one apart from Bismarck could quite get teh right key to sing teh somg, Habana and Brussouw wanted to laugh while the Afrikaner boys were obviously livid. In other words, they all lost concentration. Went downhill from there.
Parisien said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:10pm | Report comment
Yeah, where in Toulouse did they find that guy!? He even quoted a snatch of Bob Marley mid-way through the SA anthem! I think there will be an official complaint. Him and his two djembe players looked stoned to the gills as well. The French TV commentator drew a deep breath and described it as ” a most interesting and original interpretation”.
Shahsan said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:28pm | Report comment
Yah, the first half of the song was not bad: a reggae-jazz version sung in an interesting key, but appropriate only in a jazz club probably, not before a match.
The second half, however, ie the former Die Stem part, was a disaster. He came in at top key and had nowhere to go from there. Hence the Marley riff. No wonder Matfield and Shalk Burger were livid.
the Setanta commentators said the experienced South African players had “probably never heard their anthem sung like that before”.
Maybe this could be a new pre-matchweapon: NZ has the haka, France pick bad singers for the opposition’s anthem. It could catch on.
Shahsan said | November 14th 2009 @ 7:21pm | Report comment
I hope the French go on from here towards 2011 and win teh whole shebang. They’re long overdue.
But such a result, coupled with NZ’s new-found surge in soccer/football, might see an exodus of Pakeha kids away from rugby. What a tragedy that would be too.
Damo said | November 15th 2009 @ 1:09am | Report comment
I’ve noticed for years how visiting teams get raw deals with often a woman with an impossible to match high pitch or a strange arrangement means the visitors can’t easily sing along. Another HGAdvantage
pothale said | November 15th 2009 @ 1:34am | Report comment
“Visiting teams get raw deals with women singing in the wrong pitch….!”
You are kidding, right?
I’ve heard of scrabbling around for excuses, but that’s a new low.
ohtani's jacket said | November 15th 2009 @ 1:50am | Report comment
That Italy/New Zealand Test was the most farcical end to a Test match I have ever seen. An absolute rugby PR disaster. Terrible Test match. Awful All Black performance. None of these guys should play next week.
Vented Relief said | November 15th 2009 @ 10:31am | Report comment
And how could the italians be penalised for not getting the ball out of the maul when it was moving forward at pace? Sure it moved sideways for a very brief moment, but bloody hell Dicko, think of the spirit and momentum of the game!!! This was the worst game I have seen him referee.
Jerry said | November 15th 2009 @ 3:52pm | Report comment
If you’re talking about the incident at about the 48 minute mark, it actually barely moved anywhere but sideways for nearly 20 seconds during which time Dickinson called “That’s once” followed about 10 seconds later by “Now USE IT”. It was at that point that the Italians got a shove on followed by the maul going down.
It’s unfortunate for the Italians in that they may not have heard the call, but you can’t really blame Dickinson for that. He called that the maul had stopped forward momentum twice at which point if the ball doesn’t come out, use it or lose it applies.
pothale said | November 15th 2009 @ 3:59am | Report comment
Do you reckon it should have been a penalty try to the Italians at the end with the all the penalties, OJ?
ohtani's jacket said | November 15th 2009 @ 9:04am | Report comment
Anything would’ve been better than what Stuart Dickinson was trying to achieve. Man did he have a bad game.
Jerry said | November 15th 2009 @ 3:53pm | Report comment
Pothale/Shahsan –
Penalty tries are not awarded for repeat infringements. The sanction for repeat infringements are cards.
Shahsan said | November 15th 2009 @ 5:52pm | Report comment
It depends. if the ref decides a try would have been scored if not for the defending team using illegal means, eg repeated collapsing, then he has the option of awarding a penalty try. the yellow card option applies there and anywhere else, but the penalty try option can apply only at 5m scrums obviously
Jerry said | November 15th 2009 @ 5:56pm | Report comment
No, it doesn’t. Whether the infringement is repeated or not is irrelevant.
The only consideration for a penalty try is whether a try would probably have been scored if not for the specific infringement being called. It makes no difference if it’s been committed 20 times in succession.
Shahsan said | November 15th 2009 @ 6:05pm | Report comment
We’re not in disagreement there. He can give a penalty try if he thinks the attacking team would have scored if not for the infirngment. But no ref would ever award it if teh scrum collpased once. But if it happened again then he probably would.
Jerry said | November 15th 2009 @ 6:17pm | Report comment
They might award one on the first collapse if the scrum was backpedalling and was collapsed 1 metre from the line. Regardless, the All Black scrum did not backpedal significantly at any point in that final stand, so there was not one occasion when anyone could realistically say a try would probably have been scored.
Shahsan said | November 15th 2009 @ 6:28pm | Report comment
Ok, fair enough. While the Italians had the ascendancy they just weren’t good enough to capitalise, and the ABs’ resolve was remakable.
Jerry said | November 15th 2009 @ 6:37pm | Report comment
The Italians suffered cause they didn’t have anything else. If they’d been confident in their ability to pick and go or spin it, half of those reset scrums would have been a great platform. But all they could do was keep throwing their eggs in that same basket.
Shahsan said | November 15th 2009 @ 6:44pm | Report comment
Yes, agreed about that. Very limited options once they get past the front 8.
Shahsan said | November 15th 2009 @ 2:56pm | Report comment
I think so too, Pothale. Had it been the Italians defending their tryline and conceding 3-4 scrum penalties in succession against any of the Big Nations, I am certain Dickinson, and most other refs, would have blown for a penalty try. A bit like Paddy O’Brien’s performance in the 1999 World Cup (Fiji vs France).
Spiro Zavos said | November 15th 2009 @ 5:21pm | Report comment
The Italian halfback should have been penalised virtually every Italian scrum for not putting the ball into the scrum. He would wait until the Italian pack made some progress before even trying to feed the ball. This is illegal. The All Blacks did not have too much trouble on their own ball when it was put in quickly, even though Stu Dickinson repeatedly warned the All Blacks halfback to put the ball in straight. There were no warnings about the slow feed, as far as I could tell.
Several of those interminable scrums at the end of the Test should have been penalties to the All Blacks rather than Italy, as the New Zealand scrum on several occasions went right over the top of the Italians.
Dickinson was right to send Tialata off if he believed he was infringing frequently. You can’t award a penalty try for an event that does not involve some actually trying to score a try. But with the 7-man scrum the All Blacks were in danger of conceding a push-over try or a penalty try from a push-over drive that was stopped illegally. But somehow the All Blacks scrum held.
I was amazed too at the lack of nous of the All Blacks when they took scrums instead of lineouts from crooked throws from the Italians.
It is always very difficult to beat a side comprehensively when they make no attempt to run the ball. You can’t force errors and make breakouts against this style of play. Of course, the no-rugby style also means that it is extremely difficult to score tries and actually win the Test.
But as far as the Italians were concerned this didn’t matter as they were not trying to win the Test, only to keep the score down which they did bery successfully. This was the ‘worst’ win the All Blacks have had against Italy.
A worrying thing for the Wallabies tonight is that Italy and France showed a very strong scrum which entirely disrupted their opponents. If the Ireland scrum is half as good as the Italian or French scrum the Wallabies are in trouble.
My belief and hope is that it is not a great scrum. But we shall see.
ohtani's jacket said | November 15th 2009 @ 5:50pm | Report comment
The Italians were stupid to keep trying for a push over try.
chris syd aust said | November 15th 2009 @ 6:17pm | Report comment
should the wallabies be worried about scotland after their game against Fiji? Pity Fiji only can really come together as a team for the world cups… there whole game plan should have revolved around getting THE ball to Nagala! very poor choices at times – i think they should still bring back the fat one CauCau too lol.
cmon 1:30am…
mick h said | November 15th 2009 @ 6:30pm | Report comment
You wouldn’t have called it stupid if they acheived it.
The Italians would have dined on that for ever. A push over against the All Blacks no less. Just like we still dine out on our push over try againt Wales in ‘84. They are rare birds and the Italians didn’t die wondering. They were stopped by some fairly blatant gamesmanship from New Zealand. One might well ask; Is Tialata the new Baxter???
Well done Italy. It goes to show what a country can do if given the chance. Inclusion into the tradition of the 5 Nations was a great gesture and they are improving ever so slowly. One can only speculate what Samoa could have achieved ny now if they were extended the same courtesy. Remember them at the 91 world cup. They were the team of the people and made the quarter finals. Since then not much.
Shahsan said | November 15th 2009 @ 6:42pm | Report comment
Not much? They were also quarterfinalists in 1995, against South Africa, whos scored at least 2 dubious tries thanks to ref Jim Fleming. (That old thing about refs favouring big nations again).
And they made the pre-quarterfinal playoffs in 1999, losing to Scotland, after upsetting Wales at Cardiff.
In 2003 they were in teh same pool as eventual winners ENgland and South Africa, so missed out on the quarters.
They’ve only really had one bad world cup ie 2007 when they looked underprepared and poorly coached (by Michael Jones) albeit due to short time together.
mick h said | November 15th 2009 @ 6:57pm | Report comment
That’s my point exactly,
Not much improvement by a potentially great team in almost 20 years. You could make an argument that they might have won that riveting match against England in 2003 if they were playing more regular test matches against Aus, NZ and SA. If they had have improved as incrementaly as Italy have then they might be considered contenders by now.
All speculation, of course.
Shahsan said | November 15th 2009 @ 7:55pm | Report comment
Yes, that is true. They should be better by now but they never will be as they will never be a rich nation, and their rugby union will never have the money to contract the players. Unless some rich benefactor comes along, clubs will always own the best Islander players.
And the rich nations have no interest in giving them regular matches as they are unfinancial. NZ, for one, have never deigned to play Samoa in Samoa.
mick h said | November 15th 2009 @ 8:03pm | Report comment
Fair point with the money and contracts.
What needs to happen is that the Tests against the bigger nations are scheduled and the club contracted players are release from their clubs when they are due to play internationals.
This happens with the socceroos, although often they are not allowed to come and play or they don’t want to play and miss their match payments. This is changing with more important matches that the socceroos play these days. I would say that if Samoa or a Pacific Island team was included in the tri nations then over time more of the top players would turn out to play.
Shahsan said | November 15th 2009 @ 8:11pm | Report comment
That was meant to happen now but even then Fiji found on its current tour that it was without 4 top ranked players as the clubs would not release them. And if you were a player, would you dare disobey your paymasters, unless teh game was a crucial world cup matrch? Even then, as at the past couple of world cups, many players were not released.
And do you really think the SANZAR nations will ever share that lucartive pot of gold with the island nations?
ohtani's jacket said | November 15th 2009 @ 6:45pm | Report comment
They wasted ten minutes trying to get a push over try when they were 14 points adrift.
The Italians didn’t show up to win the game. They were content to spoil as much ball as possible and kick, kick, kick it away. Their forwards did a great job against an All Black pack who made no effort whatsoever to contest to tight stuff but it wasn’t heroic by any means. They’re a thick rugby side in all honesty. They should have won that game but they weren’t interested.
Nobody’s about to rush in and defend Tialata, but Dickinson’s a crap ref and had no handle on the situation whatsoever. I don’t think he honestly knew what was happening hence the resets.
mick h said | November 15th 2009 @ 7:01pm | Report comment
Fair enough, though as Spiro said above, the Italians were never going to win this match and they knew it.
But they thought that getting a push over was worth a crack against the best team in the world. Bold and couragous and definately worth the bragging rights if they got over. They didn’t and that’s the reality for them.
pothale said | November 15th 2009 @ 9:47pm | Report comment
Good morning Australia.
A lovely sunny day here in Dublin. Rain stopped last night so hopefully the pitch is in good nick after the soccer match.
Got in about 3am so am feeling somewhat weary and hungover after a great party. Might take a little while to get wound up for this afternoon ( or nighttime in Oz).
Heading to Croker shortly and will post more from there.
Now where’s the aspirin?……
Brett McKay said | November 15th 2009 @ 10:27pm | Report comment
good luck Pots, just tucking in now for some sleep for a couple of hours. Look forward to your company then (during the game, not my couple of hours of sleep – that’d be weird…)
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 12:17am | Report comment
2.20pm Irish time.
40 minutes to kick-off and the stadium is beginning to fill up around me. Down on the pitch the Irish and Australian kickers are practising. And some others light running and stretches. Weather has held good. Earlier bright sunshine has given way to a more steely-grey overcast but it’s warm enough. Pitch looks in good condition, and hopefully we might see some good running from both sides today.
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 12:44am | Report comment
2.48pm
I know the Irish tend to leave it late, but the stadium is still quite empty. People are slowly streaming in. This was meant to be a sell-out…..
On come the bands to do their thing……
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:00am | Report comment
Anthems over and we’re ready to start. Australia take the ball forward but too far and it’s a 22 drop out. It’s contested in the air and ball goes out for Irish throw.
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:02am | Report comment
morning Pots, Croker looks a picture on telly, and great to see the anthems from the big band…
First line-out, Australia doesn’t compete, O’Gara misses O’Driscoll with the pass, and Mitchell’s under the posts!!
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:02am | Report comment
Try time!
not the best start for the boys in Green!
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:02am | Report comment
Ball comes out the Irish line, the ball drops and Australia’s Mitchell pick it up. Easy run tot he line and they core. Giteau converts.
A very poor start by Ireland.
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:04am | Report comment
Irish take it back up up field, breakdown and Australia offend. Penalty to Ireland. ROG has got his boots on and it sails over. Good response by Ireland. Game on.
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:05am | Report comment
O’Gara gets a penalty back, Aust 7-3
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:09am | Report comment
ah Johnathan, why must you insist on resetting the scrum when the ball comes out?!?
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:14am | Report comment
Aus seem determined to test the catchers. High ball by Giteau and Kearney safely takes. Irish move it forward. And scrum ensues. Ball out to Australia, Giteaue’s kick is blocked down and Ireland puruse it upfield. Comes out raggedly to Giteaue. Back n forth kicks, P
Probing kick by Australia runs iinto touch. Australia bicker and ref changes it into free kick for IReland. The result line out on half =way is won by Sutralia who take it up. Penalty for offside . Giteau kicks but misses.
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:14am | Report comment
Wallabies doing a good job of keeping the Irish under pressure.
Irish taking it all in their stride though!
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:19am | Report comment
Great Irish surge there. The Aus lineout is already crumbling.
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:20am | Report comment
Harsh penalty from Jonathan
GaryGnu said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:21am | Report comment
I’m watching in France on BBC2. The irish commentator refers to Ioane as “UWANI”! This match is already better than the tripe served at Twickenham yesterday.
Colin N said | November 16th 2009 @ 3:52am | Report comment
“The irish commentator refers to Ioane as “UWANI””
Welsh commentator don’t you mean?
GaryGnu said | November 16th 2009 @ 5:17am | Report comment
Yes you are right Colin. A moment after I posted I thought it was a stretch too far for an Irishman to be commentating on the BBC!!!
Jerry said | November 16th 2009 @ 6:31am | Report comment
“UWANI” is a lot closer to the correct pronunciation than “I-OH-KNEE”.
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:21am | Report comment
And Ireland get kick started. A lovely passage of play as the bal is won and re-won with the passing through quick hands. Australi’a’s defence is up for it.
Another run brigs Ireland inside Aussie 22 on the left hand side. Pressure comes on and Aus concede a penalty. O’Gara steps up and over it goes. 7-6.
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:23am | Report comment
It’s good to see Aus throwing players at the breakdown. Ireland will continue to lose out there unless they commit more players.
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:24am | Report comment
Australia’s lineout shows no signs of improvement, which makes me wonder how much worse it can get??
Elsom on the charge!!
GaryGnu said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:25am | Report comment
The silence during Giteau’s kicks for goal is so unusual it could be offputting!
frank.ly said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:36am | Report comment
It’s a tradition in Irish rugby to be silent when another team is kicking. And the intention is definitely to put the kicker off by scaring the crap out of them with silence.
There’s a cool example of it here for later – about 55secs in at a club game v New Zealand, everyone goes dead quiet for the haka and it’s spooky
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snIwkLrNlqA
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:25am | Report comment
Why oh why are Aus kicking the ball out?
The lineout isn’t working they need to keep the ball in play.
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:30am | Report comment
And immediately Ireland concede one. Giteau kicks in front of posts and it’s 6-10 to Aus.
Lineout in the Irish 22 is taken safely by O’Connell, But ball goes and Australia get the throw in. Out it comes, and Giteaue steps inside O’Connell with a run to the line. Great tackle by Ireland. and danger is over. Ireland take it back upfield and ball goes out to Australia throw. Ireland are penalised and a scrum is called. Refs calls are getting confusing to spectators. Kick downfield is taken by Kearney who comes back up and is whacked by Palu. Kearney goes down like a sack of spuds. He ’s ok and Palu walks to the bin.
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:30am | Report comment
No way that was a yellow card. His arms were raised. The Irishman bounced striaght off him so fast it made it look worse than it was
It was a good hard tackle
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:33am | Report comment
yep, must agree, the contact was with Palu’s massive bicep – had to remind myself I can’t react to these things too loud at this time of morning!!
I do like the look of Kearney though, he runs well, and has a massive boot too..
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:41am | Report comment
Ireland take advantage of the extra man and there’s a scrum deep in the Aussie 22. But ref blows again and free kcik to Aus.
……
36 mins…..Ireland get a penalty out on the touchtline and O’Gara kicks for position. Linsout is messed and ball breaks down. Ireland still have it. They pick and go. They win a scrum ten metres left of the posts inside the 22. Ball comes out but the move breaks down and Aus get a penalty. For what??
The kick goes to touch. Ireland win and Flannery makes a break upfield, he’s tackled and conceeds another penalty. Aus kick .
Half-time
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:41am | Report comment
What a first half!
I think Aus have had the better of this half.
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:46am | Report comment
Great first half, 10-6 seems a reasonable reflection on the game, imho. Apart from the still-diabolical lineout, the Wallaby pack is holding up well, and this is maybe the first game where I’ve really noticed Pocock’s impact at the breakdown.
Both sides are willing to run it, use the pick-and-go well, and Ireland are also mauling well too. It’s been a great contest so far, hope the second half is just as good.
Steven Moore: STOP THROWING TO THE BACK OF THE LINEOUT – THEY KNOW THEY CAN GET UP FIRST!!
ohtani's jacket said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:47am | Report comment
Well, I’m done. Pretty lacklustre first half. Ireland are never gonna win this if they don’t commit forwards to the breakdown. Australia will stay on their feet all day long and Kaplan will blow up every bit of Irish possession. As for the Aussies, they look about the same as usual. This time they’ve got the benefit of playing weaker opposition. Their lineout is starting to improve somewhat, but their kicking game is pretty poor. Just run it.
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:51am | Report comment
What? What game are you watching mate?
The lineout is horrible. Apart from a couple of kicks, they have been really well placed down the field. Take Giteau’s kick that bounced off the corner post – Perfection.
Irish are getting penalised because they are getting isolated and are holding on to the ball. Unless they support the ball carrier it will keep on happening.
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:53am | Report comment
OJ, I’d love to know where the lineout improvement is!!
Should add, Stephen Ferris is probably the pick of the Ireland forwards, certainly at the breakdown, where as OJ suggests, he’s almost on his own. O’Connell and O’Callaghan are picking off the Australian lineout ball for fun.
O’Driscoll has been a bit quiet (Ben Tune just said the same thing), but then so has Ioane since he got a know to the shoulder. Giteau needs to stop thinking he’s built like Palu when running at the line..
ohtani's jacket said | November 16th 2009 @ 7:14am | Report comment
Towards the end of the first half, Australia started winning the ball on their own throw and disrupting the Irish lineout a bit. I dunno what happened in the second half since I was asleep, but a draw huh? As is so often the case these days, you’re better off watching the second half.
CraigB said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:49am | Report comment
Brett – Moore isn’t making the calls. How well did the oz scrum hold up while they were one short!
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:54am | Report comment
I realise that Craig, but surely he might suggest to the callers (or the callers might realise themselves) that throwing to the back is just a dumb option…
reds fan said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:53am | Report comment
do i bother staying up for the second half?????
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:55am | Report comment
have faith Reds!!
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:56am | Report comment
Moore must have read your post Brett!
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:01am | Report comment
pity it’s taken him a month!!
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:02am | Report comment
Irish croud is silent!
Good to see Quade running the ball this half.
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:04am | Report comment
aarrgghhh. How can the scrum be steady when Aus are pushing the Irish around the park.
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:05am | Report comment
did Pothale get lost at the bar at halftime??
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:06am | Report comment
That hangover finally got the better of him maybe?
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:09am | Report comment
I’ve never understood the dark art of scrummaging, being a former scrumhalf, but that scrum was outstanding, Ireland were absolutley monstered!!
CraigB said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:10am | Report comment
SCRUM!!!!!
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:10am | Report comment
be the ball Gits, be the ball…
nannannanannananannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn you beauty 13-6!!
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:11am | Report comment
Yep, John Hayes is being outmuscled. He has had to turn in at the last 3 scrums.
Finally he is penalised for it and Aus are ahead 13-6
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:12am | Report comment
Aus could be in trouble here.
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:14am | Report comment
should bring Pothale back to life at least!! Well now we have a game, don’t we!! 13-all, 23 minutes to go…
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:19am | Report comment
try time to Aus.
Elsom was always going to win that impact. It was like a poodle trying to jump a bull
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:20am | Report comment
great response from Australia, and a great captains try. Loved The Roar’s Own deciding in space that his right shoulder was going to be more effective than a sidestep!!
Great kick from the sideline too, Giteau needed that..
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:23am | Report comment
Genia having a strong but much quieter game than last week isn’t he?
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:29am | Report comment
I’d agree with that Matt, and Cooper is doing noticably more tactical kicking too. Giteau’s almost become the NH-style goal-kicking flyhalf..
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:27am | Report comment
outstanding defence, Giteau made two potentially try-saving tackles in that periods, and then came out with the ball too..
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:33am | Report comment
How can he not go over the top when the player on the ground doesn’t attempt to get on his feet???
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:41am | Report comment
I can’t believe it….
mattamkII said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:45am | Report comment
Kaplan was poor as usual – how is this man a ref?
Well done Ireland how ever I cant believe you were happy with a draw and milked out the last minute…why not take the kick ASAP and play out the last 30 seconds? never know you might win..?
Australia did well too…the Digby and Cooper played ok but broke down at the end.
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:45am | Report comment
and that as they say is that, O’Driscoll scores with his first touch of the ball (?) and Ireland get away with the draw. Australia’s defence, as good as it’s been, just couldn’t hold out for the extra minute..
Great game, all in all, Pocock probably a deserving MotM, but alas the Grand Slam Dream is dead.
I’m calling it a night, but if there’s any Roarers in the greater Dublin area, it seems dear old Pothale has gone missing. If you see a guy strumbling around prmising never to drink again, and asking for asprin, please return him to this blog……
Rockin Rod said | November 16th 2009 @ 4:32am | Report comment
DAVID POCOCK, outstanding, so much stronger than george smith, he really can dominate a tackle, george never misses a tackle either but David seems to dominate. The changing of the guard, how good will this kid be in 2011 RWC???
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:47am | Report comment
At least there’s still the triple crown to play for.
Knives Out said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:56am | Report comment
-
rugbyfuture said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:52am | Report comment
of all the teams to lose to im happy it was the irish, just need to beat the rest
Chris said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:58am | Report comment
A Draw that feels like a loss. At least we played well and didn’t lose. The forwards played well and Cooper and Ioane did well on their opposite numbers until the end there. Our lineout didn’t get absolutely slaughtered and we even got a tight head against the Irish scrum. If only Giteau had gotten some of those PG’s.
I hope the Wallabies don’t take this too hard. A result such as this can be a massive demotivator. Anyway I’m just going to go ahead and blame Kaplan for the loss for the sake of blaming the referee, it makes me feel better
Ads said | November 16th 2009 @ 3:03am | Report comment
Should be called CHOKE park….we threw it away. Let in 2 soft tries ( i thought quade cooper was getting better at defending). Kicked the ball way too much. Took off AAC who really was the only back that should have stayed on. And as per usual with any Kaplan night at the office, too much inconsistency.
We had it there to win and scrambled in the end to draw.
If i was a coach i would possibly consider running the people atleast 50% of the time….just to keep them guessing.
If we win versus Scotland and Wales we will be looking back at that came as the one that got away.
But as my old man said, this group of guys don’t deserve to be in the same category as the 84 grand slam team. They were the best at the time and went over there to prove it. If we had come away with it those guys from 84 loose some of that magic.
Night night.
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 6:25am | Report comment
Two soft tries? That’s a bit harsh. Mitchell’s try was a gift-wrapped pressie.
markyk said | November 16th 2009 @ 3:25am | Report comment
you guys should try coveritlive software for your live blogging. You guys rock, but this format is arse. Being serious – see what the Herald Sun did with Tiger over the last four days. Now that’s a live blog. Cheers
Zac Zavos said | November 16th 2009 @ 6:13am | Report comment
We’ll look into it – thanks for the tip markyk
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 3:26am | Report comment
Sorry about that folks. A technical hitch. My batt died for some reason on my laptop.
Thought Ireland should have won it at the end. O’Gara should have taken one of the penalty shots – there was still plenty of time and Oz were on the rack. Pleased that BOD got a try in his 100th test.
Grand slam gone for Oz but it was a good game. Ireland looked rusty and some of their decision making was poor. Wish Kidney had put in Sexton with 20 mins to go.
Some of Irish team looked like they didn’t want to be there. They can be a lot better than this.
matt0931 said | November 16th 2009 @ 4:56am | Report comment
Wondering where you disappeared to.
To say Aus were on the rack is a bit far fetched. If anything Aus had Ireland for most of the game in the Irish half madly defending their line.
I don’t think Ireland should have won at the end. I dare say, neither do the players. It took Ireland all game to finally put some decent attacking play together and if they had taken one of those penalties the pressure would have been off Aus and the play would have been back in the Irish half.
Anyway, we’ll never know will we. Aus were the better team on the night and I think the players expressions at the end said it all. The wallaby players knew they should have put that game away and if Giteau had kicked better it would have been all over well before the Irish finally strung something together.
At least for once the wallabies didn’t lose two in a row and I think that display cemented their position as number 3 in the rankings. Better than 4 but not better than 2.
Brett McKay said | November 16th 2009 @ 7:09am | Report comment
call off the search parties Dubliners, we’ve found him!!
johnno42 said | November 16th 2009 @ 6:04am | Report comment
mat, i haven’t seen the game yet, is this another one the ockers should have won…???
shoulda… coulda… woulda… didn’t
grand slam dreams bottled ay the half way point
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 6:20am | Report comment
I disagree. If they’re better than 4 they should have beaten 4. They didn’t. And Ireland did have them on the rack in the last 10-15 minutes. Bowe’s disllowed try was during that period. Ireland had some decent attacking play in the firs half, but they were undoubtedly rusty – luckily for Australia.
Don’t forget Australia were handed their first try on a plate with O’Gara’s shite pass to O’Driscoll. Mitvhell’s face was a picture – you’d think he’d won the world cup such was his delight.
Anyway game over. Roll on Fiji and a chance to see some of the youngsters get a chance.
gekko said | November 16th 2009 @ 8:46am | Report comment
Pothale,
Was the same game we watched? FYI:
22.1 GROUNDING THE BALL
There are two ways a player can ground the ball:
(a) Player touches the ground with the ball. A player grounds the ball by holding the ball and touching the ground with it, in in-goal. ‘Holding’ means holding in the hand or hands, or in the arm or arms. No downward pressure is required.
(b) Player presses down on the ball. A player grounds the ball when it is on the ground in the in-goal and the player presses down on it with a hand or hands, arm or arms, or the front of the player’s body from waist to neck inclusive.
Which try was disallowed? Bowe lying on his back like a dead cricket with the ball held up by a couple of Wallabies? There was nothing to disallow here.
3rd ranking confirmed by an away draw against 4 and still UNBEATEN.
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 9:22am | Report comment
Yes Gekko – pedantically you are correct.
The point was about Australia being on the rack – evidenced by Bowe getting over the line for a try attemopt that had to be adjudged by the TMO, and the actual try by O’Driscoll after lots of pressure by Ireland.
bennalong said | November 16th 2009 @ 10:18am | Report comment
Pothale,
Including rankings is a ridiculous and confusing addition to discussion of the game.
Ireland ended well. All credit to them but the match was Australia’s and the ending against the run of play
I listened to the Irish commentary which conceded well before the team.
Kaplan’s refereeing is pedantic and mean-spirited, often ending enterprising play. An example was penalising Giteau when Australia broke out, kicked, and he ran upfield pinning the Irish player on the ground. He overtly did not go over until after the ruck had formed, yet Ireland got the penalty.
Likewise Palu’s yellow. They should go to the video ref before sending a player off in such an instance. How much was that error worth
All this said, the Wallabies failed to attack the Irish with ball in hand in the second half. Both pivots kicked to early and failed to inject Ione or AAC let alone the wings. They kicked better than the Irish and got stuck “controlling” position and forgot scoring tries. Defence was good and Cooper hasn’t been exposed to the degree I expected. Instead he has brought better vision and is a worthy replacement for Barnes
The scrum exposed Kaplan again, as he nullified our dominance by penalising us or resetting scrums that had gone through 90.
The lineouts should not be an ongoing problem at this level. New lineout coach please Robbie!
Pocock took the mantle last night. (what’s your response, George?)
Rocky played a great Captain’s knock.
Finally, I take great heart from this match when the criticism is “too composed-not enough attack”. I believe the team will be more confident after this match and the Grand Slam is now silenced.
They will rise against Wales and should win.
pothale said | November 16th 2009 @ 10:48am | Report comment
Bennalong – I didn’t raise the issue of rankings – someone else did in stating that the game cemented Australi’s postion as 3rd in the world. That’s what I responded to. If I understand the IRB rankings correctly, the result of this game does not cement Australia’s position at all.
Ridiculous and confusing? Why? There’s no difficulty with understanding 3rd and 4th or SH v NH which is part of the subtext of the game as propounded by many others on here and in media from every quarter. It’s part of the wider battle.
In your criticism of Kaplan, I note that the only examples you cite were ones against Australia – is this just coincidence, or do you believe that he favoured Ireland? I certainly don’t think so, with the Irish being penalised time and again for breakdowns infringements – particularly Ferris who I think was hard done by on a number of occasions.
I don’t agree that Australia kicked better – or maybe I should say I thought both teams were poor – particularly with their kick and chase. Kearney took all the high balls handed out to him and little was gained. Australia did make some pointed grubbers or low kicks to touch from their midfield players, but given they were up against the form lock partnership in Europe in the lineouts, it didn’t work that well as a tactic in the first half.
Kearney’s boomers, Bowe’s kicks and O’Gara’s were pretty ineffective too, most of the kicks being taken by the Aussie receivers and returned. Given the lineout dominance, Ireland should have made more of territorial kicking/touchfinders and taken advantage of subsequent lineout weaknesses.
They have work to do. And in the breakdown area as well. The back three were poor today, and need to improve dramatically. Heaslip has lost form since the Lions tour – I hope he recovers it before Feb.
bennalong said | November 16th 2009 @ 8:36pm | Report comment
Pothale,
I apologise if I missed the thread, but 3rd plays 4th in the IRB rankings is of little consequence.
I do appreciate your contributions, and KO’s for that matter ——distance brings clarity (on occasions) and part of the excitement of the tour is the unknown……………..despite the www you’re a world away
I was not confident that we’d handle the Irish but we did. Almost.
I appreciate your point that Ireland was rusty, but that’s what makes the NH/SH debate difficult in terms of specific teams. One is playing start of season and one end of season.
I’m totally one-eyed watching the match so my examples of Kaplan’s poor reffing were Aussie.But you didn’t suffer in parity , did you. He didn’t send anyone off from Ireland. Surely you’d be miffed if your historically maligned scrum was penalised for dominating
Finally, I have an Irish jersey. It’s my favorite NH team. And if Ireland had to score on the death knell I’m glad it was Brian O’Driscoll in a milestone match for him.