RWC QF: All Blacks v Ireland
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@His-Bobness As we are talking famous Irish writers, I once had a curry and a beer with Seamus Heaney.
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@His-Bobness said in RWC QF: All Blacks v Ireland:
The Great Teacher
Who can hate the Irish? This is the country that gave us Yeats and Joyce and Wilde and Beckett, after all. A good chunk of us in this part of the world have roots in Ireland. And does anyone recall that the Irish, of all peoples, probably hate the English more than anyone?
But aside from their outsized contribution to literature, drama, music and oratory, the Irish have recently become rather good at rugby. To be sure, they have picked the brains and talent of other countries to do that, but in the process they have developed their own style, cohesion and power to the point that they have struck fear into the hearts of the traditional rugby superpowers. As that Irishman Wilde said: “Be yourself; everyone else is taken”.
Ireland’s exit in the quarter final of this World Cup is no disgrace. They just came up against an All Black side that was wounded and may have wanted it more. As well, to quote Andy Farrell in his post-match presser, these knockout games can swing on small moments - Jordie Barrett’s try-saving tackle, Sam Whitelock’s steal at the end, Sexton’s missed shots at goal. A tiny adjustment in the curtains of fate could have changed the denouement entirely.
That the ABs, to win that match, had to dig deeper than they have done in probably any other match since the 2011 final against France spoke volumes not only for their new-found resilience and self-belief but also for Ireland’s never-say-die commitment and ability to keep picking themselves up from setbacks. This Ireland team were never beaten, until the final whistle. Every drop of blood that could be shed on both sides was done so.
As for Sexton, sure he can be ornery, mouthy and hard to like at times. But is he more so than Fitzy or Coles or Marshall? Put it this way, if this 38-year-old warrior been playing in black would any of his most bitter critics here have been so quick to condemn him? And could anyone in their heart of hearts really claim that Ireland’s recent successes have not made watching rugby union a richer and more thrilling experience?
As for the All Blacks and their lame duck coach, it has been a tough few years, unquestionably, with a host of undesirable ‘firsts’ on the team resume. One could almost smell the regret seeping from the hard-nosed money men at Silver Lake. But the quarter final felt like a form of redemption and a reminder that sport, like life generally, can swing on the smallest of moments.
To quote another great Irishman in James Joyce:
“To learn, one must be humble. But life is the great teacher.”
Sorry Bob, this whole column is such complete crap. Seriously.
Irish hate the English - wow, got anything new to share?
Ireland exit no disgrace? Well perhaps if they hadn't been talking themselves up at EVERY SINGLE OPPORTUNITY you'd be right. Ireland only need to play at 90% to win, remember.
Sticking up for Sexton - talk about missing the point. I'll give you a parallel. Twice WC winner & AB legend Kieran Read. Latter in his career he turned into a ref waving dickhead on the pitch too and he took huge amount of criticism on here. Goose. Gander.Well written, perhaps. But complete garbage.
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Hold on, so fans aren't allowed to dislike players and actually say that out loud?
I don't actually have a problem with POM throwing that sledge at Cane, but be fucked if I'm not bringing it up when they can't get it done against us when it matters.
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@gt12 said in RWC QF: All Blacks v Ireland:
Hold on, so fans aren't allowed to dislike players and actually say that out loud?
I don't actually have a problem with POM throwing that sledge at Cane, but be fucked if I'm not bringing it up when they can't get it done against us when it matters.
You're allowed to.
But, it doesn't hurt to let it ride in the week after you've had a massive victory.
There's many c*nts in the world. It doesn't hurt to try not to be one.
Edit: That's not a personal attack - just general advice.
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@Chris-B said in RWC QF: All Blacks v Ireland:
There's many c*nts in the world. It doesn't hurt to try not to be one.
Edit: That's not a personal attack - just general advice.
Slow clap, I wouldn't have the subtlety to insult the entire forum as well as this comment!
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@nostrildamus well around here a quote i heard recently seems apt...
If you meet more than 3 assholes in a day, maybe you are the asshole.
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@nostrildamus Not really.
The ABs formed a guard for the Irish to come off the field.
Doesn't hurt us to do as well.
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@Chris-B said in RWC QF: All Blacks v Ireland:
@nostrildamus Not really.
The ABs formed a guard for the Irish to come off the field.
Doesn't hurt us to do as well.
That's done for every game in NH, so meh
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@MajorRage Fair enough. You have a different view. I think the Irish started getting up the noses of a lot of people when they started playing well and winning. I suspect the two things are connected. Granted, some of the Irish commentators (like their English counterparts) peddle garbage about NZ poaching talent from ‘the south sea islands’, which is really just a reflection of their own ignorance of NZ as a Polynesian country and also perhaps a defensiveness at the fact their first choice team is stacked with three Kiwis, an Australian and a South African. But generally, I stand by what I said and intended to communicate. Ireland has given a lot to the world, their culture is admirable and their rise in the rugby arena has made for a more interesting international environment.
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@gt12 said in RWC QF: All Blacks v Ireland:
@Bones said in RWC QF: All Blacks v Ireland:
@gt12 I feel like someone has nicked Chris' account.
I think we should insult Ta$man, just to check.
You need us.
Without Agent James, Will and Leicester - we lose!
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@His-Bobness I suspect you are right with them getting up the noses as they got better. Had Sergio Parisse been a complete arse, I doubt it ever would have gotten a mention. In fact, he might be.
I get really bored of the England hating across this board. Rarely get a sporting thread involving England without a few talking about how they hate England. Don't see why this needed to be mentioned in a column about NZ vs Ireland rugby, let alone the main point in the opening monologue.
Each to their own, I suppose.
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@His-Bobness said in RWC QF: All Blacks v Ireland:
@MajorRage Fair enough. You have a different view. I think the Irish started getting up the noses of a lot of people when they started playing well and winning. I suspect the two things are connected.
I've no doubt there's a considerable element of truth in that statement. I've witnessed it ad nauseum in sports when teams start winning regularly. And to be fair, a lot of people acknowledged how well Ireland played over the last few years and how well they've set up their systems.
Any team that starts winning tends to attract bandwagon supporters and national teams magnify that. The issue is the attracted occasional fan tends not to understand the subtleties, nor the culture. Hence you get an increasing percentage of mouthy piston wristed gibbons that irritate all concerned.
But for all that, I can only think of two Irish players that came in for any opprobrium. One that mouthed off to our captain and was near invisible in Ireland's biggest game, and one who is near universally derided for his character.
And I think Test rugby is in a better place with a stronger Ireland.
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@Billy-Webb said in RWC QF: All Blacks v Ireland:
@stodders said in RWC QF: All Blacks v Ireland:
@Billy-Webb what's your tipping form been like so far in the competition Billy? Just wondering if it merits a hedge
It's actually been pretty good results wise (not points difference though).
Hedge awayHope you made some $ @stodders
