Comments on: Best of the Weekend: Ireland win in Cardiff

By: Don P

Don P — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 18:13:47 +0000

Well it worked for SCW in 2003, but not in 2005. Agree with all WC considerations, but didn’t managers always have to have done this? They also need the wins. So, isn’t it both then?

By: Don P

Don P — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 18:06:11 +0000

So have NZ. If there’s an injury, they’ll just have to call up a replacement. 5 makes room for extra cover elsewhere. Also, do that many props get injured?

By: DarthMaul

DarthMaul — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 13:18:02 +0000

IMO they are not meaningless, they just have a different ‘means’ in the present day game. SCW was of the mindset play your best 15 regardless of a test/warm up etc and win win win. It worked for him but we are talking 16 years ago and the game has moved on since then. Not only is the pace of the game so intense leading to more and more regular injuries, Managers now have to consider scenarios in games such as HIAs, yellow/red cards with the scrutiny on the high tackle….so scenario planning, testing out options, and resting your key personel is just as important in the warm ups as winning. Of course if you get whitewashed in the warm ups then concerns will naturally arise but I have seen these warm up games as sparring matches.

By: Pugh Geraint

Pugh Geraint — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 09:26:41 +0000

I was at theme in Cardiff and surprised mostly that Wales have done the same as England in taking only five props. I think it is a really dodgy decision by both coaches. Interested to see Carre, 20 stone 6 foot nine prop included. Has a reputation as a ball carrier apparently. If he can’t prop up our decidedly shaky scrum that will count for nothing.

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 21:32:49 +0000

If SA fancy their chances v NZ why would they rather face the Jocks than the Paddies thereafter? To win the cup they & anyone else, need to beat the heavier hitters. If they would rather avoid anyone, then this must convey a lack of self belief. Not a good way to contemplate going all the way I think.

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 21:25:38 +0000

Decent win in Tbilisi. However, will Scotland frighten the top table? Maybe, but their pack just doesn’t look dominant enough for me. Some scintillating backs are not so useful going backwards.

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 21:19:00 +0000

Who knows with France? Look good on paper with beasts in their pack & rapiers in their backs, but v Scotland? They fell over? 1 game I know, but the WC is also away. To threaten, they may have to pick it up on grass.

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 21:11:16 +0000

Do Wales really lack depth? They’ve left out a few experienced guys & anyway, unless they have a swathe of casualties, it’s to be seen if they can still conquer. For me they still lack a bit of up front grunt & back row ballast, but time’ll tell.

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 21:04:23 +0000

Are these warm ups ‘relatively meaningless’? What’s their point? Well, presumably to help fine tune final selections, combos, but also, surely & regardless, to put down a marker by winning.. @ least according to SCW.

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 20:54:13 +0000

Ireland’s Twick loss, whilst devastating, was not nec terminal as their ‘B’ team were more effective v their Welsh counterparts. However, their 3 recent losses must still be of concern going into a WC!

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 20:45:12 +0000

Winning @ home is 1 thing. It’s another thing winning away. So recently, whom, between England & SA, have looked better away? Also bear in mind team compositions.

By: Ten Ton Donut

Ten Ton Donut — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 13:10:02 +0000

If I remember the only way South Africa would meet England in the final is if one team finished first and the other second in their groups and then England would have to beat New Zealand on the way to the final. I doubt they will meet in the world cup at all tbh