Where we are in world rugby suggest we should make the semis.
To be honest i would be happy with that. In order to make the simis we would have to beat a S Hem team and we are traditionally not able to do that when we are down south. Sure we have fronted up to south Africa and beat them 3 out of the last 4 but they were all here in ireland. Down south we have a bad record.
Simis i would be happy with and our form suggest that its reasonable to predict that thats as far as we will go.
Now on to the question of can we do it?
Well thats a good one. Realistically speaking i dont think we can beat NZ so if we were to meet them in the final that answer would be no. we cant.
However, if we beat OZ in the group stages then maybe we can. it would depend on the draw, and the route to the final and if NZ got knocked out by someone else.
Are we good enough? No. not at the moment. but when the the tournament starts who knows how good we will be.
If we play like leinster.... then we can be confident of a good finishing position maybe a 3rd place play off.
The question is which "Irish" are you talking about?
London Irish, any Irish region, or the Irish team.
LI will continue to make an impact mainly in the AP, the Regions will do likewise both in the Pro12 and the Heineken, while the National team will probably do OK in the world cup, but be home too early.
OK?
ashes hes talking about the WC read the title above the title where it says:
"Browse: Rugby Union Ireland Rugby World Cup"
I think if we can take OZ in the group it could leave us a nice route to the final maybe! (considereing also we beat italy etc.). And I think we have enough to beat them. Not half as much pressure on this team and a good balance of youth and experience! I'm very optimistic.
Ashes to Ashes, I was talking about the national team in the world cup!
irishleeds.
Well mate its a long-shot to say the least.
To be fair and realistic, OZ always come good at WC time and this year is no different. They look superb and are playing superb. They will be as difficult to beat as NZ but at least we don't have that record on our backs of never having beat them so its more possible.
Still. I think a good result for us would be the semi's/3rd place play off.
Of course i would love them to go to the final. But reality bites in and is difficult to ignore
Never read the title above the title, oh dear.
Still stands though I really don't see Ireland progressing too far, might be further than Wales though.
Be good to see a couple of the Pro12 countries doing well.
Ya you're absolutely right with the way OZ are playing, and i don't think anyon would be surprised to see them win it out. Especially with their back 3.
I just think with less pressure than last time around and a good balance of players, that we could take them. I also may be looking through biased eyes!
I've got them down for a runner up spot into the quarters but it's close. Aus success will depend on confidence, if they get drawn into a dog fight (which most WC games do when the pressure is on) then our Irish cousins have a very good chance. Lots to be positive about, ML champions, HC champions, superb slapping of England in 6Nations, thank you so much for that, haven't enjoyed a game that much in a long time.
Quarters would be a good result as you haven't been there in a while, just think, it could be worse, you could be playing like Wales and face Fiji and Samoa who make it their mission to beat us up and laugh at our puny physicality.
As for Irish results in the SH, I seem to remember some close games in NZ not so long ago........
I was in Bordeaux as a neutral in 2007 - and having watched that - coupled with Irelands woeful record v France in recent years when they are not that bad and the excellent record v England in recent years when they are not that good - its very hard to judge - they certainly have the match for the Aussies - but will they bring it come the tournament itself - Im not confident - then again will it be some of the players swansong and pinnacle - a blaze of glory is a good possibility
QFs for me !!!!
You heard it here first: Ireland to knock off the wallabies and reach the semi-final for first time. They are ranked No. 4 in the world for a good reason.
...and likewise Australia are ranked No. 2 in the world for a good reason.
However, an upset may happen at Eden Park with the locals getting behind Ireland and if Ireland play to maximum potential (i.e. as they do/did against England)
I still think the Wallabies are the top of their game would prevail against the current Irish side.
If Ireland manage an upset and win all other group games and top the group - then it may just be a fairy tale finish. Even as a Wallaby supporter that would be great to see - but there is the little matter of getting by SA (possible) and the All Blacks (unlikely) at the pointy end of the competition.
I wish Ireland all the best though. Would give world rugby a shot in the arm if they could go all the way.
fair point line - the wallabies at their best will beat most
im just goining to do what i always do and keep the faith remember what happened last time irish teams won the heiniken cup and magners league ive a very ver good feeling aslong as kidney picks the right team and maybe throws the odd variation out there to keep everyone on there toes and just says to the backlin do what you do for leinster.
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Irish Chance??
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posted on 29/6/11
Where we are in world rugby suggest we should make the semis.
To be honest i would be happy with that. In order to make the simis we would have to beat a S Hem team and we are traditionally not able to do that when we are down south. Sure we have fronted up to south Africa and beat them 3 out of the last 4 but they were all here in ireland. Down south we have a bad record.
Simis i would be happy with and our form suggest that its reasonable to predict that thats as far as we will go.
Now on to the question of can we do it?
Well thats a good one. Realistically speaking i dont think we can beat NZ so if we were to meet them in the final that answer would be no. we cant.
However, if we beat OZ in the group stages then maybe we can. it would depend on the draw, and the route to the final and if NZ got knocked out by someone else.
Are we good enough? No. not at the moment. but when the the tournament starts who knows how good we will be.
If we play like leinster.... then we can be confident of a good finishing position maybe a 3rd place play off.
posted on 29/6/11
The question is which "Irish" are you talking about?
London Irish, any Irish region, or the Irish team.
LI will continue to make an impact mainly in the AP, the Regions will do likewise both in the Pro12 and the Heineken, while the National team will probably do OK in the world cup, but be home too early.
OK?
posted on 29/6/11
ashes hes talking about the WC read the title above the title where it says:
"Browse: Rugby Union Ireland Rugby World Cup"
posted on 29/6/11
I think if we can take OZ in the group it could leave us a nice route to the final maybe! (considereing also we beat italy etc.). And I think we have enough to beat them. Not half as much pressure on this team and a good balance of youth and experience! I'm very optimistic.
Ashes to Ashes, I was talking about the national team in the world cup!
posted on 29/6/11
irishleeds.
Well mate its a long-shot to say the least.
To be fair and realistic, OZ always come good at WC time and this year is no different. They look superb and are playing superb. They will be as difficult to beat as NZ but at least we don't have that record on our backs of never having beat them so its more possible.
posted on 29/6/11
Still. I think a good result for us would be the semi's/3rd place play off.
Of course i would love them to go to the final. But reality bites in and is difficult to ignore
posted on 29/6/11
Never read the title above the title, oh dear.
Still stands though I really don't see Ireland progressing too far, might be further than Wales though.
Be good to see a couple of the Pro12 countries doing well.
posted on 29/6/11
Ya you're absolutely right with the way OZ are playing, and i don't think anyon would be surprised to see them win it out. Especially with their back 3.
I just think with less pressure than last time around and a good balance of players, that we could take them. I also may be looking through biased eyes!
posted on 29/6/11
I've got them down for a runner up spot into the quarters but it's close. Aus success will depend on confidence, if they get drawn into a dog fight (which most WC games do when the pressure is on) then our Irish cousins have a very good chance. Lots to be positive about, ML champions, HC champions, superb slapping of England in 6Nations, thank you so much for that, haven't enjoyed a game that much in a long time.
Quarters would be a good result as you haven't been there in a while, just think, it could be worse, you could be playing like Wales and face Fiji and Samoa who make it their mission to beat us up and laugh at our puny physicality.
As for Irish results in the SH, I seem to remember some close games in NZ not so long ago........
posted on 30/6/11
Out in the Quarters!
posted on 30/6/11
I was in Bordeaux as a neutral in 2007 - and having watched that - coupled with Irelands woeful record v France in recent years when they are not that bad and the excellent record v England in recent years when they are not that good - its very hard to judge - they certainly have the match for the Aussies - but will they bring it come the tournament itself - Im not confident - then again will it be some of the players swansong and pinnacle - a blaze of glory is a good possibility
QFs for me !!!!
posted on 4/7/11
You heard it here first: Ireland to knock off the wallabies and reach the semi-final for first time. They are ranked No. 4 in the world for a good reason.
posted on 5/7/11
...and likewise Australia are ranked No. 2 in the world for a good reason.
However, an upset may happen at Eden Park with the locals getting behind Ireland and if Ireland play to maximum potential (i.e. as they do/did against England)
I still think the Wallabies are the top of their game would prevail against the current Irish side.
If Ireland manage an upset and win all other group games and top the group - then it may just be a fairy tale finish. Even as a Wallaby supporter that would be great to see - but there is the little matter of getting by SA (possible) and the All Blacks (unlikely) at the pointy end of the competition.
I wish Ireland all the best though. Would give world rugby a shot in the arm if they could go all the way.
posted on 5/7/11
fair point line - the wallabies at their best will beat most
posted on 5/7/11
im just goining to do what i always do and keep the faith remember what happened last time irish teams won the heiniken cup and magners league ive a very ver good feeling aslong as kidney picks the right team and maybe throws the odd variation out there to keep everyone on there toes and just says to the backlin do what you do for leinster.
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