RWC Week 2: Ireland v Tonga

Bovidae

You would think that Tonga could select better wingers than Kata and Taumoepeau.

Machpants

@MajorRage said in RWC Week 2: Ireland v Tonga:

Fifita no mouth guard?

Is an internal NZR rule for our Pro players to wear mouthguards, no one else has it

stodders

Tonga player was pinned in there by the Irish guy lying on top of him and holding onto a player underneath him. What hope did he have of rolling away?

Toddy

That's not a penalty. It's unplayable

Billy Tell

Very impressive performance from Ireland. Look the complete package.

Dan54

@Billy-Tell They do don't they? I can understand why they No 1 in world right now!

stodders

Bundee Aki MOM

Mattasaurus

I like the way the Irish give the man in possession of the ball multiple options - eg there are usually several runners on good lines plus the security of passing back in and setting another ruck.

So simple and effective

stodders

Ireland cleaner 5m past the ruck stands in the way of the scrum half passing to the 10. No penalty 😂

stodders

Brilliant from Keenan

scribe

Tonga needs a decent skills coach. Atrocious.

Jailbreak7

Too many basic errors. Set piece horrendous.

Steve

Portugal would give this Tongan team a good rattle.

Jailbreak7

I mean, how old is Tameifuna?

Mattasaurus

Reasonably tidy effort from Ireland. Got out of it with no major injuries or card issues. Showed how effective basic rugby tactics are when applied cohesively across the park. Well played

Discipline will be an issue come the big boys of SA etc - (can see the inconsistent 50/50 officiating playing a big role in some of those clashes)

Thought Barnes was good (not perfect) - he is certainly one of the better officials at this RWC

akan004

I only just woke up and missed the game. Do we have a chance against these guys?

Old Samurai Jack

Ireland too good and Tonga were gassed at the end. Like the Tonga of old really, some big hits but slow to get up off the ground, and some massive errors.
Irrelevant but have got to say it, ABs won't get past Ireland.

Mattasaurus

@akan004 said in RWC Week 2: Ireland v Tonga:

I only just woke up and missed the game. Do we have a chance against these guys?

Based on what we have delivered in the last 3 games... I wouldn't be putting the mortgage on it - Irish forwards are a tight unit that show urgency and to large degrees accuracy that we just haven't come close too.
Plus their backs run effective lines and don't have to deal with multiple playmakers and bullshit cross kicks etc.
The other glaring gap would be the kicking accuracy and chasing ...... we're not even close on that one