SIX NATIONS!

Heineken Helen

ahh, I'm sure some of you knew it was coming... what a flying start for Ireland one of the best games I've seen in a long long time! It would be easy now to get overly excited and carried away with ourselves, but we don't beat France often and now we've got the most difficult game out of the way . How refreshing is it to have a coach who plays the form players in their proper positions (Nick Mallet should take note... it was almost criminal playing Bergomasco as scrum half). From having watched the other two games, at the moment we've nothing to fear from anybody. Although I understand Welsh expectations are very high... could make for an interesting showdown in Cardiff on the last day.

Terryible

Heineken Helen wrote:

ahh, I'm sure some of you knew it was coming... what a flying start for Ireland one of the best games I've seen in a long long time! It would be easy now to get overly excited and carried away with ourselves, but we don't beat France often and now we've got the most difficult game out of the way . How refreshing is it to have a coach who plays the form players in their proper positions (Nick Mallet should take note... it was almost criminal playing Bergomasco as scrum half). From having watched the other two games, at the moment we've nothing to fear from anybody. Although I understand Welsh expectations are very high... could make for an interesting showdown in Cardiff on the last day.

As a big rugby fan I watched all three games.
England still look shit, just like their cricket team, the half back for Italy gifted them 3 tries, so the score line flatten them.
There was a big step up in skill level between the Ireland and France game, both teams looked good, game was a lot better to watch that the England Italy game.
Wales look pretty good as well; Scotland didn’t look that good in the first half, but managed to turn it around to play better in the second half, after the decided the tactics of knocking themselves out wasn’t working.
You could be right, the Ireland Wales game probably will decided the championship, but I wouldn’t write off the frogs, as being an All Black supported I know on their day they are unbeatable.

Heineken Helen

Terryible wrote:

Heineken Helen wrote:

ahh, I'm sure some of you knew it was coming... what a flying start for Ireland one of the best games I've seen in a long long time! It would be easy now to get overly excited and carried away with ourselves, but we don't beat France often and now we've got the most difficult game out of the way . How refreshing is it to have a coach who plays the form players in their proper positions (Nick Mallet should take note... it was almost criminal playing Bergomasco as scrum half). From having watched the other two games, at the moment we've nothing to fear from anybody. Although I understand Welsh expectations are very high... could make for an interesting showdown in Cardiff on the last day.

As a big rugby fan I watched all three games.
England still look shit, just like their cricket team, the half back for Italy gifted them 3 tries, so the score line flatten them.
There was a big step up in skill level between the Ireland and France game, both teams looked good, game was a lot better to watch that the England Italy game.
Wales look pretty good as well; Scotland didn’t look that good in the first half, but managed to turn it around to play better in the second half, after the decided the tactics of knocking themselves out wasn’t working.
You could be right, the Ireland Wales game probably will decided the championship, but I wouldn’t write off the frogs, as being an All Black supported I know on their day they are unbeatable.

Oh I wouldn't write off the French... but we did it's going to be much tougher for them to win the championship now... they're gonna have to beat everybody, score big, and hope somebody does them a favour by beating us. This championship is ours to lose (although Wales could well be saying the same). I know it would be foolish to write off England too as we saw what happened in the world cup... BUT it would be little short of miraculous if they were to pull something out of the bag. We usually start shit and then get better... so if that's the case this year well everyone should watch out. It was great to see O'Driscoll back on form... and D'Arcy was FANTASTIC when he came on... the amount of ground that man makes for his size is unreal.

Lol, I was wondering if somebody was gonna be killed in the game yesterday... I thought it was funny how Martyn Williams just got up and walked off after Websters tackle... and Webster knocked himself out AND got a yellow card

Hitch-Hiker

Finally, Ireland look like they're back on form. Drico playing beautifully, triumphant return from injury for Darcy, O' Connell being scarier than Chabal, John Hayes being a great big lumbering beast, even Rory Best learned how to throw the ball apparently.
I still think Reddan should be first pick for scrum half though.
Anyway, France were very good too. But with a loss behind them already it doesn't look good for them. Wales beat Scotland well enough, but there's a lot of improvement needed. England were awful, but they beat Italy well, which means Italy are beyond awful Yay for us! and Scotland don't look like they can do much either. They're far too one dimensional on attack. No ideas at all. I just ope we don't choke at the end like we always do.

Heineken Helen

Hitch-Hiker wrote:

Finally, Ireland look like they're back on form. Drico playing beautifully, triumphant return from injury for Darcy, O' Connell being scarier than Chabal, John Hayes being a great big lumbering beast, even Rory Best learned how to throw the ball apparently.
I still think Reddan should be first pick for scrum half though.
Anyway, France were very good too. But with a loss behind them already it doesn't look good for them. Wales beat Scotland well enough, but there's a lot of improvement needed. England were awful, but they beat Italy well, which means Italy are beyond awful Yay for us! and Scotland don't look like they can do much either. They're far too one dimensional on attack. No ideas at all. I just ope we don't choke at the end like we always do.

Yeh, I'm not a big fan of O'Leary yet... his kicking was atrocious... I know it's all about gaining ground but not if you simply kick it into their hands and give them space to run back at ya. It was nice to see a great all round team effort though. Recently I've been thinking we'd be pretty fucked if O'Gara had a bad game... well they proved me wrong. He didn't have a great game but the team did. The three tries were fantastic!

Hinn

Just to prepare myself for the northern hemisphere style, do you guys still get scorelines like 24-21 where not a single try is scored?

chime

Hinn wrote:

Just to prepare myself for the northern hemisphere style, do you guys still get scorelines like 24-21 where not a single try is scored?

Well this weekend none of the teams failed to score a try.

Scotland and Italy 1 try each, France 2 tries, Ireland 3, Wales 4 and England 5.

I missed the games on Saturday and only watched the first half of Scotland v Wales ... unbelievable two players managing to knock themselves out :shock:

So next weekend will be first real weekend of watching the games.

Heineken Helen

Chime wrote:

Hinn wrote:

Just to prepare myself for the northern hemisphere style, do you guys still get scorelines like 24-21 where not a single try is scored?

Well this weekend none of the teams failed to score a try.

Scotland and Italy 1 try each, France 2 tries, Ireland 3, Wales 4 and England 5.

I missed the games on Saturday and only watched the first half of Scotland v Wales ... unbelievable two players managing to knock themselves out :shock:

So next weekend will be first real weekend of watching the games.

It was a strange match indeed yesterday. But you missed an absolute cracker on Saturday :shock:

Hinn, I think the northern teams CAN be more defensive so, while there is still some style and flair as was seen on Saturday, it's often just a great battle where you put your life on the line to gain 10 yards . I think there's more style coming into it recently though. But there's nothing wrong with the Munster Maul way of doing things... it can be as fun and as tense to watch as a run from one end to the other.

Hitch-Hiker

Heineken Helen wrote:

Chime wrote:

Hinn wrote:

Just to prepare myself for the northern hemisphere style, do you guys still get scorelines like 24-21 where not a single try is scored?

Well this weekend none of the teams failed to score a try.

Scotland and Italy 1 try each, France 2 tries, Ireland 3, Wales 4 and England 5.

I missed the games on Saturday and only watched the first half of Scotland v Wales ... unbelievable two players managing to knock themselves out :shock:

So next weekend will be first real weekend of watching the games.

It was a strange match indeed yesterday. But you missed an absolute cracker on Saturday :shock:

Hinn, I think the northern teams CAN be more defensive so, while there is still some style and flair as was seen on Saturday, it's often just a great battle where you put your life on the line to gain 10 yards . I think there's more style coming into it recently though. But there's nothing wrong with the Munster Maul way of doing things... it can be as fun and as tense to watch as a run from one end to the other.

Y'see that's real rugby. In the southern hemisphere they're drifting towards a Rugby League style, or as I call it Shit-just-run-at-the-opposition-and don't-bother-with-tactics-or-brains style.

Heineken Helen

Hitch-Hiker wrote:

Heineken Helen wrote:

Chime wrote:

Well this weekend none of the teams failed to score a try.

Scotland and Italy 1 try each, France 2 tries, Ireland 3, Wales 4 and England 5.

I missed the games on Saturday and only watched the first half of Scotland v Wales ... unbelievable two players managing to knock themselves out :shock:

So next weekend will be first real weekend of watching the games.

It was a strange match indeed yesterday. But you missed an absolute cracker on Saturday :shock:

Hinn, I think the northern teams CAN be more defensive so, while there is still some style and flair as was seen on Saturday, it's often just a great battle where you put your life on the line to gain 10 yards . I think there's more style coming into it recently though. But there's nothing wrong with the Munster Maul way of doing things... it can be as fun and as tense to watch as a run from one end to the other.

Y'see that's real rugby. In the southern hemisphere they're drifting towards a Rugby League style, or as I call it Shit-just-run-at-the-opposition-and don't-bother-with-tactics-or-brains style.

I like both ways to be honest. I get about as much pleasure from seeing a Brian O'Driscoll dart and run and dart try than I get from a forwards 'work it baby' well executed and superbly thought out drive across the line.

IGotShit76

Congrats to Ireland ! We (French or frogs as you want I don't mind ) caused too many penalty kicks to win this game. France defensive play was weak and it seems like these guys forgot the basics.
I think France is out of this tournament. Wales looks pretty good although they suffered a bit vs. Scotland at the end of the game. I just hope we beat England now

Heineken Helen

IGotShit-76 wrote:

Congrats to Ireland ! We (French or frogs as you want I don't mind ) caused too many penalty kicks to win this game. France defensive play was weak and it seems like these guys forgot the basics.
I think France is out of this tournament. Wales looks pretty good although they suffered a bit vs. Scotland at the end of the game. I just hope we beat England now

you'll beat England lol, and do us a favour and beat Wales too... Oh I really wanna beat everyone... don't wanna lose out on points AGAIN :( it's too hard to take year after year.

Thanks for not blaming the ref though... I've seen plenty of talk of him being biased although I have to say I didn't notice during the game :oops: I was too busy trying not to fall off the chair and trying to prevent myself from blinking

As a rugby nation, I have to give you props for being BOTH great losers AND great winners. Anyone can be a great loser, but it's tough not to rub the opposing fans faces in it when you've won.

IGotShit76

Heineken Helen wrote:

IGotShit-76 wrote:

Congrats to Ireland ! We (French or frogs as you want I don't mind ) caused too many penalty kicks to win this game. France defensive play was weak and it seems like these guys forgot the basics.
I think France is out of this tournament. Wales looks pretty good although they suffered a bit vs. Scotland at the end of the game. I just hope we beat England now

you'll beat England lol, and do us a favour and beat Wales too... Oh I really wanna beat everyone... don't wanna lose out on points AGAIN :( it's too hard to take year after year.

Thanks for not blaming the ref though... I've seen plenty of talk of him being biased although I have to say I didn't notice during the game :oops: I was too busy trying not to fall off the chair and trying to prevent myself from blinking

As a rugby nation, I have to give you props for being BOTH great losers AND great winners. Anyone can be a great loser, but it's tough not to rub the opposing fans faces in it when you've won.

Well, some french players blamed the ref after the game. But honestly they can blame themselves because they didn't change their strategy when they saw the ref was tough with them.

By the way, O'Driscoll can still run ! That was a nice try.

Heineken Helen

IGotShit-76 wrote:

Well, some french players blamed the ref after the game. But honestly they can blame themselves because they didn't change their strategy when they saw the ref was tough with them.

By the way, O'Driscoll can still run ! That was a nice try.

yeh, I know... we've been up against biased refs before too... I think everyone has... and I never understand why players don't realise what's going on earlier rather than giving out about it.

It was pretty, eh? It's good to see him back... it's been a while since he's scored for us. And D'Arcy too... if they're on form in this tournament, well I feel sorry for the other teams. But I think Wallace may be in next weekend... if only to give him another chance. D'Arcy's a great player to have on the bench. We always talk about other teams and their 'impact subs' but now we've got a few of our own. I dunno where all these players come from :shock: . But seriously though, France were still great and the other teams will struggle against them. I think the Welsh are getting carried away with themselves on the strength of a defeat of a poor Scotland. They're forgetting they've got France at home and are already talking about grand slam showdowns with Ireland :shock: . Hopefully their arrogance will undo them... Wales seem to be at their best when there's no expectations.

vedder_soup

ah i knew Helen would be out chirping about the Irish!
it looks like it will be a good year, and will be interesting to see what eventuates.

The Wallabies have a Grand Slam tour over there in November and this might give us an idea of form.
Also and Idea of who might make the Lions side to play the Saffa's

Heineken Helen

vedder_soup wrote:

ah i knew Helen would be out chirping about the Irish!
it looks like it will be a good year, and will be interesting to see what eventuates.

The Wallabies have a Grand Slam tour over there in November and this might give us an idea of form.
Also and Idea of who might make the Lions side to play the Saffa's

it's funny... i think it was the bbc website had their team of the tournament so far... and there were about 7 Welsh players, 4 Irish and a couple of english and French thrown in for good measure :shock: what games were they watching? Same happens every bloody year... the irish get overlooked (not to mention France being the second best team at the weekend)... look at woodward's lions team when 2/3 of them were English or something and of course we got hammered.

Hitch-Hiker

IT's ours for the taking this year to be honest. Wales will be tough but I honestly thnk we have the beatings of them. On a side note, I am absolutely slaughtered drunk.

Heineken Helen

Hitch-Hiker wrote:

IT's ours for the taking this year to be honest. Wales will be tough but I honestly thnk we have the beatings of them. On a side note, I am absolutely slaughtered drunk.

Lol, I did look at the time of your post FIRST and think... what the fuck? I might get the bf to drive us to Cardiff if the last match IS a showdown... should be a fab night.