Unlike all you once a year armchair rugby supporters I was at the game in Croke Park on Saturday. What a disappointment on so many levels. There was a lot of of tension in the crowd before the game and during the first 20 minutes, when Wales started strongly, the Irish crowd was virtually silent. They broke into song once in the whole match (about 15 minutes from the end) with a rendition of Fields of Athan Rye but that was it. Amazing considering they were ahead for most of the match. I think it is the fact that the ground is open at one end - the atmosphere just seems to evaporate.
The problem for Wales is their inability to win first phase ball, particularly from line out. This destroys any strategy you might have for getting up field and means you cannot exert continued PRESSURE. Rugby is all about PRESSURE. Also, Wales simply do not seem to have PATIENCE. Time and again they went through phases only for one man to take it on half a second to early, get isolated and concede a penalty and posession, allowing Ireland to clear their lines.
redzonerocker wrote:bit of a mauling for the welsh . . . .again
Nobody has mauled Wales. Going into this game Wales had more line breaks than any other team in the championship and have yet to play Italy. However, their failure to extert continued pressure is their downfall, along with petulance and poor discipline.
If you examined the stats from the Ireland-Wales game and didn't know the score you'd think Wales would have won by about 20 points, as they absolutely dominated both territory and posession in all areas of the pitch. It just doesn't make sense! But the Pressure that Wales were unable to exert whilst in posession was exerted by Ireland without posession. Their defence was immense and were (and are generally) very patient when in posession, scoring three tries from three chances.
Although the referee was VERY inconsistent in the tackle area (how many times did he warn Ireland and yet not dish out a yellow card?), Ireland deserved their victory because they were simply more intelligent in their approach to the game.
redzonerocker wrote:LV cup semi final;
cardiff blues 18-29 gloucester
welsh rugby takes another blow, this time at club level
shouldn't rub it in really, but what the hell
This actually hurt me more than the Wales result as Cardiff are the reigning champions of this event but were missing half their side because of the international. Because of the stupid Sky imposed 12:15 kick off time it meant I couldn't get back from Ireland in time to go to the match. Still, it is one of the few occasions when English sides actually beat us these days and the first time Glaws have beaten us in six games. So I will allow you your moment in the sun, despite us only having half a side out! I prefer to remember the final of the same competition last year, which I also attended, when Cardiff put 50 points on Glaws at the home of English rugby, Twickers, to win the cup!
)
Pete 
yes you did, but i thought you beat wales at croke park 
