RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A)
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Seriously, how the hell did this team get to be ranked no 1 in the world?
@antipodean said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
Seriously, how the hell did this team get to be ranked no 1 in the world?
Beating the AB's was one part of it :face_with_stuck-out_tongue_winking_eye:
One does wonder whether they peaked a bit too early?
EDIT: mind you, Eng circa 2003 was also a bit past their peak and still lifted Bill so I'll keep quiet for now
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Seriously, how the hell did this team get to be ranked no 1 in the world?
@antipodean They love to peak before world cups....
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@antipodean said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
Seriously, how the hell did this team get to be ranked no 1 in the world?
Beating the AB's was one part of it :face_with_stuck-out_tongue_winking_eye:
One does wonder whether they peaked a bit too early?
EDIT: mind you, Eng circa 2003 was also a bit past their peak and still lifted Bill so I'll keep quiet for now
@Billy-Webb said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
@antipodean said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
Seriously, how the hell did this team get to be ranked no 1 in the world?
Beating the AB's was one part of it :face_with_stuck-out_tongue_winking_eye:
I'm reliably informed that end of year friendlies don't count.
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great scrambling from Russia.
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Ireland are definitely holding a lot back. None of Schmidt's power plays have been seen over the last few rounds. They will not be easy in the quarters.
@akan004 said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
Ireland are definitely holding a lot back. None of Schmidt's power plays have been seen over the last few rounds. They will not be easy in the quarters.
No-one is going to be easy in the knock-out stages. Sudden death changes how teams play (well, most anyway).
And Ireland have achieved what they needed to here - BP victory.
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Russians look knackered.
But top-class effort from them so far. -
Ireland are definitely holding a lot back. None of Schmidt's power plays have been seen over the last few rounds. They will not be easy in the quarters.
@akan004 said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
Ireland are definitely holding a lot back. None of Schmidt's power plays have been seen over the last few rounds. They will not be easy in the quarters.
Not sure you need power plays to identify space and execute catch, draw and pass... It seems some basic skills and confidence have deserted them.
That said I've been well impressed by Russia in this RWC.
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Russian 7's phone should be ringing off the hook.
@MiketheSnow said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
Russian 7's phone should be ringing off the hook.
Who is he?
Having an absolute stormer of a game. If he doesn't have a professional contract yet, he may well have one soon! -
@akan004 said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
Ireland are definitely holding a lot back. None of Schmidt's power plays have been seen over the last few rounds. They will not be easy in the quarters.
Not sure you need power plays to identify space and execute catch, draw and pass... It seems some basic skills and confidence have deserted them.
That said I've been well impressed by Russia in this RWC.
@antipodean It's their B team though. Wouldn't read too much into this performance.
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@antipodean It's their B team though. Wouldn't read too much into this performance.
@akan004 said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
@antipodean It's their B team though. Wouldn't read too much into this performance.
It's still a crap performance though. Almost matched Scotland against Samoa
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@akan004 said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
@antipodean It's their B team though. Wouldn't read too much into this performance.
It's still a crap performance though. Almost matched Scotland against Samoa
@Victor-Meldrew said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
@akan004 said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
@antipodean It's their B team though. Wouldn't read too much into this performance.
It's still a crap performance though. Almost matched Scotland against Samoa
I think that's being very harsh on Russia.
I have thoroughly enjoyed their commitment - even if they are lacking a bit in skill and polish. -
@antipodean It's their B team though. Wouldn't read too much into this performance.
@akan004 said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
@antipodean It's their B team though. Wouldn't read too much into this performance.
Dry powder everywhere. An Irish team that has Sexton, Aki, Ringrose, Earls and Kearney in its backline should do better against amateurs.
Those stats and that scoreline against a team with that many YCs.
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Ireland are definitely holding a lot back. None of Schmidt's power plays have been seen over the last few rounds. They will not be easy in the quarters.
@akan004 said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
Ireland are definitely holding a lot back. None of Schmidt's power plays have been seen over the last few rounds. They will not be easy in the quarters.
If it’s against the ABs, bring it on.
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@MiketheSnow said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
Russian 7's phone should be ringing off the hook.
Who is he?
Having an absolute stormer of a game. If he doesn't have a professional contract yet, he may well have one soon!@Billy-Webb said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
@MiketheSnow said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
Russian 7's phone should be ringing off the hook.
Who is he?
Having an absolute stormer of a game. If he doesn't have a professional contract yet, he may well have one soon!Tagir Gadzhiev. He’s played all three games and has been a clear standout for them.
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@Billy-Webb said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
@MiketheSnow said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
Russian 7's phone should be ringing off the hook.
Who is he?
Having an absolute stormer of a game. If he doesn't have a professional contract yet, he may well have one soon!Tagir Gadzhiev. He’s played all three games and has been a clear standout for them.
@ACT-Crusader said in RWC: Ireland v Russia (Pool A):
Tagir Gadzhiev
Thanks. I see from his wiki page that he plays for a Russian club.
Wonder if one of the richer leagues will be phoning him soon. They should be! -
Stuart Barnes absolutely gave it to Schmidt and Ireland in the past game. Dour, risk free rugby that's an insult to the players available, and they haven't developed in 18 months.
