RWC Week 3: Springboks v Ireland
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I'm not convinced Ireland will win the final but I think they might tip the Boks. I have zero reason for this. Apart from their cunning Celtic ways.
This game is going to be craft-beer epic. -
Reckon there will be niggle
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I I am really a bit on the fence about this one and I’m calling the Boks by three. Irish front row and second row and loosies and entire backline has a LOT of caps. Hoping for a really good conditions and really looking forward to what is sure to be a humdinger. Can’t wait
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I wouldn’t say no to a red card to sexton for a bit of lip. Or diving in the penalty area.
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@GibbonRib said in RWC Week 3: Springboks v Ireland:
If Ireland faced NZ, I think they'd win. But if playing France, I would tip Les Bleus.
Now, if the last 36 years have taught us nothing else, they've taught us that Ireland don't win quarter-finals. Therefore, the Boks will win.
This is not a quarter final, Ireland well school the boks by 4 points
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What will be very interesting is how Ireland will deal with the speed of the SA defence. It has been incredible for the last number of games and squeezes the life out of opposition attack. I think the multiple options that Irelands structure gives the player in possession might allow them to unpick it, but it also leaves us wide open to intercepts. Our scrum, as has been mentioned a few times before, is our achilles heel, especially with our replacement front row.
I’m actually one of those who hope that we meet France because I think our style of play, denying them broken field possession, really frustrates them. We were comfortably the better side in the 6ns and won that game by four tries to one pulling away. Not suggesting that this automatically means we should win if we meet in the qf, but it does give me some optimism. The ABs, even with our recent success against them, still frighten the crap out of me, probably because I’ve been watching them give us too many beatings since I first saw them live in the mid 70s.
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I think Ireland will just get up for this game.
Maybe it is just wishful thinking on my part because I want them in the 1/4 finals
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Lots of silly handling errors by Ireland in those first two games against weak opposition. The pressure from that bok pack will force even more mistakes and give away penalties. Hate saying it but I just don't think Ireland have enough variety in play to outsmart the bok defense. Boks by 9+ 😢
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@Tordah said in RWC Week 3: Springboks v Ireland:
I don't get any of the hate for the Boks and their 7-1 split, anyone is allowed to do it. Really looking forward to that game, having no horse in this race, so will be pretty neat to watch with as little anxiety as ABs vs Namibia or the likes.
Good on them I reckon.
I dislike the sub rules as they are and dislike the consequence of players getting so massive and fitness being less important - but if that is going to be the rule then it is great that someone takes advantage of it. It's a gamble, but I reckon it's a good one, and helps them develop huge depth up front.
The Africans doing it and winning the whole thing is probably the most likely thing to get the NH to change the rules after all.
Plus at some point we will get to see it come unstuck and watch some fatties try to play in midfield which will be funny. -
Both teams have a lot to play for I think. You can face either an All Black team that you have consistently beaten and has lost its identity or a very strong French side with their home crowd behind them and history beckoning. The path of least resistance to the final lies in the result of this game.
It is going to be a "home game" for the Irish with all the supporters there in France. They should tip SA. There will be a hell of a lot of whinging to the ref by the Irish so will be screaming for SA though. Complete fluffybunnies of an Irish team. -
