I take the opposite view traeth - you'll find my full thoughts you know where
To take your template:
Quote:
|
Ireland 16 - 11 Italy ...Ireland poor second half , O'Gara struggled to find the touch at Croke Park , ground layout did not suit him.
|
O'Gara wasn't kicking for touch in the main - he was deliberately targeting two Italian wingers who were (a) short and (b) don't like to kick. Ireland certainly not great, but credit the Italian performance
Quote:
|
France 26 - 21 Ireland ...Ireland came into their own in the second half after France had made some substitions to key players
|
Simply not true despite the lazy reporting. Ireland created plenty of problems for France early on, but the French were ruthless and scored 4 long range tries each somewhat against the run of play. Ireland were well on top for virtually all the second half - long before the substitutions.
Quote:
|
Ireland 34 - 13 Scotland ...Scotland were poor , have been poor all six nations and getting poorer every game , O'Gara's kicking from hand was better which is a slight worry.
|
Not true IMO. Easily Scotlands best performance of the season. Ireland ruthless in attack. Lineout disaster and Scottish tactics meant not a lot of the ball, but defence was generally sound and attack very clinical. O'Gara on fire.
Quote:
|
England 19 - 26 Wales ... Great second half performance plus the penalties kicked by Hook led to a long awaited win at Twickers
|
One side of the coin. The other is that England were inept and collapsed. Without both happening Wales would have lost by a lot IMO
Quote:
|
Wales 30 - 15 Scotland... a poor Scotland who never looked like scoring a try , Wales gave away too many penalties
|
Agree, but Scotland very much in the game till the try (which wasn't and shouldn't have been given) for Williams. Strong finish is credit to Wales and consistent with their other games.
Quote:
|
Wales 47 - 8 Italy ...Wales gifted Italy a try but the penalty count was down , Wales scored some great tries but Italy's defence was poor in the second half after having to work so hard in the first half.
|
Wales created very little till the second half. Italians dropped the ball with the line at their mercy and were well in the game till they gave the intercept. Good clinical work by Wales in the second half, but the tired Italians a big factor.
Biggest plus for Wales is their confidence and belief. But this is their biggest test by far. Can't agree that they are they better side. A quick look at the recent record suggest otherwise. By my reckoning the sides have met 13 times in the pro era (since 95), with Wales winning 3. Since O'Sullivan took over in 2001 Wales have won once - in 2005, and been spanked in every other game apart from last year where the margin was 'only' 12 points - in Cardiff.
Disagree about England too - they've been pants IMO and France just have a mental block AND decided to play suicide rugby. England are doughty, brave and physical, but so are Scotland when they play England. And they're at home. You have two sides who are crap at scoring, but Scotland are better at keeping the ball and have a better kicker. Ballsup at fullback is grist to the Scots mill. They're at home. England are a more classy outfit still, but if they win I think they'll sneak it and I wouldn't be going near a nine-point handicap
Six Nations 2008
.GIF "Thumb(1)")
Sharply divided opinion. Love it. Seems only Traeth and I like the away teams. Planet Rugby previews agree with you guys.
