You’re right, It’s hard to see past Ireland winning it, defence is absolutely solid.
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
Should have taken 3 when first offered in front of the posts. Crazy decision.
HeftyHacker
Well-known member
Christ yeah, I forgot they had a penalty as well!
Right now, Ireland are an absolute machine
.For anyone to beat them at this tournament it's going to take either an exceptional performance or for Ireland to have an off day. Probably a combination of both.
Piece
Tour Winner
Ireland 
are absolutely clinical, showing their no. 1 credentials.
are absolutely clinical, showing their no. 1 credentials.
Captainron
Big Hitting, South African Sweary Person
So it’s Ireland v New Zealand and France v South Africa in the quarterfinals.
They really should be the semi finals. The system has failed there.
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
I think we'll get Fiji? Madness...we don't belong in the same company as the others.
I had to chuckle at the var ref when he told the on field ref after a 5 minute push and shove, including one guy going over a hoarding, that he had reviewed the footage and saw nothing 
. Even the on field ref did a double take at that 
. Even the on field ref did a double take at that
HeftyHacker
Well-known member
I had to chuckle at the var ref when he told the on field ref after a 5 minute push and shove, including one guy going over a hoarding, that he had reviewed the footage and saw nothing
Hahaha I had the same reaction. I got binned for doing exactly the same thing a few years back (putting someone over the hoardings)
.
GB72
Money List Winner
My only worry for Ireland is that they have had the first team on the pitch since match one. Risk of them getting leggy by the later stages. Plus beating NZ is never an easy task
Captainron
Big Hitting, South African Sweary Person
New Zealand have had 2 extra days to prep and rest too.
Captainron
Big Hitting, South African Sweary Person
Scotland have been bloody shocking tonight.
Ireland are a quality outfit. Playing brilliant rugby which is a thing of beauty.
They can play both slow and dirty as well as fast and expansive with a seamless switch between the two.
Ireland are a quality outfit. Playing brilliant rugby which is a thing of beauty.
They can play both slow and dirty as well as fast and expansive with a seamless switch between the two.
HeftyHacker
Well-known member
The break after the SA game will have been very welcome I imagine.
Teams who beat NZ in the knockouts don't tend to do so well in the next round - it generally requires a WC final performance from them to best the all blacks and its hard to replicate that the following week. See England in 2019, France in 07 as examples.
That said this ireland team looks something special and they've brought off all their big guns already.
I was checking the times and dates of the knockout stages and realised I will be out for both semi finals and also the final 
. Absolute shocker 
. Absolute shocker Draw is an absolute joke in my opinion, the draw needs to be made closer to the time, with opposite seeds on either side of draw.
bladeplayer
Money List Winner
Good few got rested early tonight . We have more strenght in depth than we ever had. But Irl , NZ ,SA, France will all fancy winning this and on their day theres only a bounce of a ball , yellow/red card between them
bladeplayer
Money List Winner
Rush to sell tickets before Olympic tickets went on sale seemingly
Grizzly
Well-known member
There are two ways of looking at this; beating New Zealand will in some way be their final - Ireland have never got past the QF stage, and the All Blacks, rightly or wrongly, are still perceived as being the pinnacle. It would be entirely reasonable to see a tail off in performance/adrenaline levels for the next game.
On the other hand, the quirks of the draw mean the next game is likely to be either Wales or Argentina...neither of whom are the 2019 Boks!
HeftyHacker
Well-known member
This Fiji v Portugal game isn't the most clinical but my god its breathless. Both sides looking to play from absolutely everywhere. Cracking to watch.
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