New Zealand vs Ireland RWC Quarter Final,19th October 2019 match thread.

JJJackal

Donnielighto wrote: »

They are ranked 6th

They werent ranked sixth before they beat us...

You get a good few points for beating a team ranked well above you

Necro

OldRio wrote:

Agreed. 100%. Not only are people who hate the sport loving that Ireland got beat. Their even upset about how some supporters react. Talk about sad sacks. Anyway let them drool over their English Premiership Millionaire Soccer players or worry if their GAA team will defeat the small parish down the way. Nothing wrong with any of that if that floats your boat But to get satisfaction from the defeat of the Irish rugby team takes a special kind of mental gymnastics.

Genuinely best to not even engage imo it's the same in every sport non-fans want to put a downer on actual fans. Can be frustrating I know.

I've only a casual interest in rugby, just follow Ireland myself (don't follow club rugby at all) so wouldnt have a huge knowledge but i enjoy the intensity of international rugby.

Shame about yesterday but from my perspective we seem to be constantly peaking a year too early in WC cycles, so that likely needs to be the first thing we try to adjust.

Quite how, i haven't a balls notion.

Danthemanhere

JJJackal wrote: »

They werent ranked sixth before they beat us...

You get a good few points for beating a team ranked well above you

A team ranked number 1! Japan were 13th.

JJJackal

TeddyTedhead wrote: »

Poor old Rory

Great ambassador but past his Best (sorry)

Fook it lets get over it quickly, not many could have handled the ABs today - Sean Fitzpatrick won't say it's their best performance in seven years (or something like that) for no reason - in fact NOBODY could have handled them today, at all - so let's bin it and see the bigger picture

Having re watched the highlights, we made it very easy for NZ to score the first 3 tries.

Plus didnt find touch with penalties

And also gave away a silly penalty (POM) when near their try line.

Some will say they played well (they did), but we made it easy. If you miss touch with I think 3 penalties, you are going to be punished. Instead of playing inside the opposition half you are defending your try line (energy sapping).

I doubt this was the best New Zealand performance in 7 years.

JJJackal

Danthemanhere wrote: »

A team ranked number 1! Japan were 13th.

Exactly

fullstop

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Some reaction there, best fans in the world.

We really love to give ourselves this title, don’t we? Like getting pissed and singing lots at tournaments makes us great when the Aviva is like a morgue for most rugby and soccer matches.

gormdubhgorm

OldRio wrote: »

Agreed. 100%. Not only are people who hate the sport loving that Ireland got beat. Their even upset about how some supporters react. Talk about sad sacks.
Anyway let them drool over their English Premiership Millionaire Soccer players or worry if their GAA team will defeat the small parish down the way. Nothing wrong with any of that if that floats your boat
But to get satisfaction from the defeat of the Irish rugby team takes a special kind of mental gymnastics.

Not completely because many view it as as societal/class division issue.

GAA = Cluchies - Rural
Soccer = Working Class - Urban
Rugby = Privileged Class

Then when something like this happens people love the chance to stick the boot in if they see it as chance to attack another demographic.
This happens all the time between cohorts of those who have biases against one/two of those three sports above.
It is not just a competition between sports for some, it is a competition between different strands of society and identities.

The middle ground are the people who follow all three sports - but there are always going to be fringe elements - who see thier one sport and the 'one true faith' and the exclusion of all others.

The Rape of Lucretia

einn32 wrote: »

The ABs execution of the basics is sublime. It's like muscle memory.

It's not like muscle memory. It is muscle memory. It come from the top quality coaching NZ players get en masse from oung whether they eventually make AB level or not. Only a small part of our rugby players get something similar - those going to about 10 schools on the whole island.
The rest, are fine athletes and good rugby talent, but cannot fully close the gap when they only reach elite level after school.

lord quackinton

What happens now is crucial to Irish rugby.
Gaa and soccer have more genuine followers then rugby.
What I mean by that is many rugby fans are on the bandwagon.
What had happened Munster could easily happen to Ireland.
Rugby has grown greatly in last 20 years but only in the heads not in the hearts
If Ireland become an average 6 nations side which could easily happen then I think the “fans” will disappear first followed by the money.

To turn the gaa man who is a bandwagon rugby fan into a real fan you need to win but you also Cannot be boring
Ireland Style under Schmidt in reality is despised by the average non Irish rugby person. Dreadful to watch for the neutral.

Irfu hopefully understand that everything that has been built could be as easily knocked down
Something tells me Irish rugby will need its real supporters now more then ever

splinter65

threeball wrote: »

No one wants them to start crying but going mental like you've brought it back to a one score game when instead you've just scored a consolation try is just ridiculous. By all means go out and have a good night out but singing and dancing in the stadium after that performance is just ridiculous

That’s what happens when people jump on the bandwagon regarding a sport.
If you went out there primarily to see Japan, have a great time, travel with your friends, have it to say that you went to major sport tournament and watch a bit of rugby ( in that order of importance) then you didn’t really feel the intense crushing disappointment that devoted Tipp fan feels when Galway knock them out of the All Ireland in the QFs.
Or that obsessiveLiverpool fans felt when their lead slipped away to Man City after being so far ahead.
You’re just looking to have a good time and you’ll cheer anything really.
Real fans are too destroyed inside to react other then to stare balefully at the opponents till the match is over.

einn32

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

It's not like muscle memory. It is muscle memory. It come from the top quality coaching NZ players get en masse from oung whether they eventually make AB level or not. Only a small part of our rugby players get something similar - those going to about 10 schools on the whole island.
The rest, are fine athletes and good rugby talent, but cannot fully close the gap when they only reach elite level after school.

You see the style of rugby through the schools over there. Rugby pitches are everywhere and kids walking around with rugby balls. If they are going for a kick about it's a rugby ball. It must make a difference. Another thing evident this year in super rugby and the championship is tackling the ball with a view to the attacker losing it or ripping it off them.

The Rape of Lucretia

einn32 wrote: »

You see the style of rugby through the schools over there. Rugby pitches are everywhere and kids walking around with rugby balls. If they are going for a kick about it's a rugby ball. It must make a difference. Another thing evident this year in super rugby and the championship is tackling the ball with a view to the attacker losing it or ripping it off them.

It's more the coaching level through NZ rugby rather than the numbers of players or the lower competition from other field sports.
Approx 1/3 of our international ream comes with anything like the similar background.
Count the numbers of players year in year out on the Ireland team that come from about only 6 schools. It's extraordinary. They look 'talented', 'naturals', 'rugby brain', 'instinctive'. But that 'natural' look all comes from the coaching and lifelong high level coaching. Like all 15 on an NZ team.

Burkie1203

physioman wrote: »

You obviously didn't watch the game. We won 15/15 of our lineout and stole one. If that isn't functioning well I'm not sure what is. It was our backline which was malfunctioning when they got the ball

Winning 15 lineout is great. But most of that ball was at the front of the lineout. That adds 10m to the pass to the 10/First receiver. That gives the defence an extra 1 or 2 seconds to get forward. That puts the backline under significant pressure, and the errors came as a result. It narrowed our attack which defences will gobble up.


Our lineout has been a significant issue because we are a set piece team.

honestbroker

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

It's not like muscle memory. It is muscle memory. It come from the top quality coaching NZ players get en masse from oung whether they eventually make AB level or not. Only a small part of our rugby players get something similar - those going to about 10 schools on the whole island.
The rest, are fine athletes and good rugby talent, but cannot fully close the gap when they only reach elite level after school.

The muscle memory comes from doing it when you are 2 years old and being raised in a culture where it is spoken about at the dinner table, at school, in the work cafeteria, at the local mart, etc.
Taking guys at 12 years of age in one of the 10 elite schools will never provide a supply on innate, naturally skilled rugby players. The schools cup win at all costs mentality drives the development of the big brute over skill enhancement.
Need to take a leaf out of hurling and gaelic football approach.

gormdubhgorm

splinter65 wrote: »

That’s what happens when people jump on the bandwagon regarding a sport.
If you went out there primarily to see Japan, have a great time, travel with your friends, have it to say that you went to major sport tournament and watch a bit of rugby ( in that order of importance) then you didn’t really feel the intense crushing disappointment that devoted Tipp fan feels when Galway knock them out of the All Ireland in the QFs.
Or that obsessiveLiverpool fans felt when their lead slipped away to Man City after being so far ahead.
You’re just looking to have a good time and you’ll cheer anything really.
Real fans are too destroyed inside to react other then to stare balefully at the opponents till the match is over.

Yeah no matter what the sport, real fans are sick after a big/major defeat.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup-2019/neil-francis-a-moment-in-the-67th-minute-summed-this-disaster-up-ireland-were-outfought-and-outthought-38611748.html

Neil Francis -

'As for Ireland, the post-mortem is for another day. I am too depressed to take out the scalpel now.'

--

That is a real fan, that is fella that is hurting.
Others can move on to the next in thing or 'event'
Similar or the likes of me who would only have a passing interest in rugby - when the 'big games' are on. Not much interest in watching Ireland v Scotland / Ireland v Italy in the six nations etc.

But the real fans are left with the emotional scars, as they are completely invested in it. They really feel the highs and lows. They follow the journey every step of the way.
For others it is just a game.

TeddyTedhead

EGOS MUST NOT BE SHOWN RESPECT

If we are to move forward quickly, people like Farrell, Conway, and Beirne need the full backing of their new coach

We played like a down to Earth club side - clueless and rattled, daunted by the occassion and by the ABs simple direct high tempo game, we had no zip - while NZ were all about zip and neat, tidy basics

Deaf student

It's Schmidt who picked players on reputation rather players on form plus he allowed players with injuries to travel with team. Noticed Cronin was sent home quickly than others just uttering my thoughts here.

Henshaw body language yesterday wasn't great as he wasn't 100%fit. Suspect some players were especially Sexton as he looked off.

It was players on the bench who played well and improved Ireland's play.

What does it say about Ireland's selection on reputation rather than on form?

Schmidt did v good job on Ireland over the years as its a shame that team fell apart yesterday re their unforced errors.

Tbh with you, don't think Andy Farrell is the answer cos he was involved in yesterday game re defence.

I found myself cheering Japan this morning who style and speed whhich was good to watch.

boardise

Ireland's World Cup hopes lie in schmidereens

TeddyTedhead

Sheep breeder wrote: »

NZ against England is going to be the best game of the WC.

How do you know that?
It could be pretty tight and dull, NZ can only play what's in front of them, England will not be naive enough to let them run riot like we did

TeddyTedhead

Deaf student wrote: »

Tbh with you, don't think Andy Farrell is the answer cos he was involved in yesterday game re defence.

That's nonsense
Our win in Dublin against them was 100% Farrell's baby
And when a team is that naive and plays that poorly it has nothing whatsoever to do with the defence coach.
How can the coaches be to blame for us making schoolboy errors like continually dropping the ball and not finding touch with hugely important kicks?
I live there and grew up watching Farrell senior in league, he is PRECISELY the guy we need he won't take any sh1yte from the IRFU and the infighting politics, he is his own man and will do things his way and won't respect players egos and will shake things up.

fullstop

boardise wrote: »

Ireland's World Cup hopes lie in schmidereens

You’ve posted this on 2 threads now. I know you probably spent the last 24 hours trying to think of some witty pun, but that was hardly worth posting twice!

FarmerBrowne

When you think of teams that are the biggest teams of chokers and bottlers ever it has to be the Ireland rugby team, in 9 attempts they have never made it past the last 8 in a sport where there is only 8-10 decent teams. I have nothing against rugby and would watch it if it was on, but for a so called top team why have they never got past the quarter finals?

Niallof9

People who say that Schmidt’s announcement and garland, Hansen announcement have similarities forget A) how detail focused and dictorial joe is and they didn’t have their successors working with them

tritriagain

TeddyTedhead wrote: »

That's nonsense
Our win in Dublin against them was 100% Farrell's baby
And when a team is that naive and plays that poorly it has nothing whatsoever to do with the defence coach.
How can the coaches be to blame for us making schoolboy errors like continually dropping the ball and not finding touch with hugely important kicks?
I live there and grew up watching Farrell senior in league, he is PRECISELY the guy we need he won't take any sh1yte from the IRFU and the infighting politics, he is his own man and will do things his way and won't respect players egos and will shake things up.

Farrell has had 2 disastrous World cups in a row.
Di you think if the Job was up for grabs now he would be no1 choice?

TeddyTedhead

tritriagain wrote: »

Farrell has had 2 disastrous World cups in a row.
Di you think if the Job was up for grabs now he would be no1 choice?

The coaches shave and bathe the players, tuck them in and read them bedtime stories do they!?

TeddyTedhead

FarmerBrowne wrote: »

When you think of teams that are the biggest teams of chokers and bottlers ever it has to be the Ireland rugby team, in 9 attempts they have never made it past the last 8 in a sport where there is only 8-10 decent teams. I have nothing against rugby and would watch it if it was on, but for a so called top team why have they never got past the quarter finals?

Steady on

Last one in 2015 for starters we were absolutely munched to the core by injuries

It isn't tiddlywinks and you have said yourself you are not a rugby person who doesn't understand what it's like to play

I can tell you for a fact that every week players are carrying painful knocks, and without real squad depth like NZ have you can quickly run ragged relying on a strong 15 players only

(It emerged this morning in the English papers that many players were carrying knocks, which begs the question why the phook weren't they dropped for more in form, healthy players anyway)?

Niallof9

tritriagain wrote: »

Farrell has had 2 disastrous World cups in a row.
Di you think if the Job was up for grabs now he would be no1 choice?

Not only that he has no head coach experience...brilliant when u think about it. Not only a new job experience...a 4 year deal!! Classic cart b4 the horse from Irish sport -

Eddie - 2007 new contract b4 wc
Deccie - new contract b4 2011
Soccer -
Mick, same back in the day, Staunton, trapattoni, Martin

It’s some sort of loyalty illness we suffer from. Same with huge central contracts for average players or form.

Niallof9

TeddyTedhead wrote: »

The coaches shave and bathe the players, tuck them in and read them bedtime stories do they!?

The buck stops with them. It’s an accepted part of being a coach ffs

Nermal

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

But the real fans are left with the emotional scars

Italian fans must need therapy so, do they?

Total nonsense.

It *is* only a game. If you don't have the emotional maturity to take pleasure in the success and keep the chin up after a loss, you are more or less a giant baby.

Ballso

Nermal wrote: »

Italian fans must need therapy so, do they?

Total nonsense.

It *is* only a game. If you don't have the emotional maturity to take pleasure in the success and keep the chin up after a loss, you are more or less a giant baby.

This is the nub of it. Irish Rugby simply isn't on terms with the importance of other sports in people's lives. It appeals to a more casual sports consumer type. This is why the Rugby team gets off so lightly in terms of criticism from its 'fanbase'.

Of course the average Irish Rugby fan won't get it and doesn't even understand why sports like football and GAA are so important to people.

Niallof9

Nermal wrote: »

Italian fans must need therapy so, do they?

Total nonsense.

It *is* only a game. If you don't have the emotional maturity to take pleasure in the success and keep the chin up after a loss, you are more or less a giant baby.

U think that’s how the players are feeling. Mike Ross has said it will haunt them for months like 2015. Only a game for you fair enough

Niallof9

Ballso wrote: »

This is the nub of it. Irish Rugby simply isn't on terms with the importance of other sports in people's lives. It appeals to a more casual sports consumer type. This is why the Rugby team gets off so lightly in terms of criticism from its 'fanbase'.

Of course the average Irish Rugby fan won't get it and doesn't even understand why sports like football and GAA are so important to people.

Yeah this is true. I think any person who has played rugby in a club was utterly gutted yesterday. I’m still depressed. bandwagon fans could be seen on the Telly laughing and joking. Look at Ferris yesterday his face was the true rugby fans face.

I’m also a Liverpool fan. I left Anfield one day and an 80 year old female scouser was on her phone berating a poor Liverpool display. It’s night and day in other sports.and yeah the Vodafone tweet really opened my eyes to the bs around it all. “ still the team of us” imagine that if Dublin lost to Cavan or something. The only reason we played nz is because we lost to Japan. Which the narrative is becoming sure isn’t it ok, Japan are class.

It’s a dangerous path I think. The irfu really need to get a grip. Sure it’s onlt the competing that counts have they forgotten their genesis reports.

I know for the players this isn’t the case which is the one saving grace. They will go back to world class club cultures shortly. I know jono Sexton and he will be angry, depressed as he is the Roy Keane type.

Anyway for me this is all on the IRFU, Joe, Andy, central contracts, lack of minutes, over saturated marketing hype. The players for me r blameless. Like it’s not Rory bests fault he was picked at 37 or Kearney over larmour, that’s on the coaches.

If the players have one thing to be at fault for it’s maybe not using their voice.

Brendan fanning has a story that an insider was telling about an open session under Schmidt , The players are **** scared of him. There’s 5 minutes left of his career and they were still afraid yesterday to move away from the game plan.

Easy stories that confirm this are the Andrew Trimble keycard story and the Zebo z thing and his joke with Ross about celebrating.

If anybody has watched joe in the warmups in the Aviva u will know what a terror he can be. He’s not the fuzzy joe we see.

Sexton is also like this. I heard he once balled mike Ross out of it up in Leinster and he was nearly in tears. Two peas in a pod really.

Huge change needed now.

OldRio

Ballso wrote: »

Of course the average Irish Rugby fan won't get it and doesn't even understand why sports like football and GAA are so important to people.

Massive assumption. Or did you do a poll.

Deaf student

Niallof9 wrote: »

Not only that he has no head coach experience...brilliant when u think about it. Not only a new job experience...a 4 year deal!! Classic cart b4 the horse from Irish sport -

Eddie - 2007 new contract b4 wc
Deccie - new contract b4 2011
Soccer -
Mick, same back in the day, Staunton, trapattoni, Martin

It’s some sort of loyalty illness we suffer from. Same with huge central contracts for average players or form.

THIS.

'still team of us' smacks of marketing and branding hype etc.

salmocab

Deaf student wrote: »

THIS.

'still team of us' smacks of marketing and branding hype etc.

Because that’s all it was.

salmocab

Ballso wrote: »

This is the nub of it. Irish Rugby simply isn't on terms with the importance of other sports in people's lives. It appeals to a more casual sports consumer type. This is why the Rugby team gets off so lightly in terms of criticism from its 'fanbase'.

Of course the average Irish Rugby fan won't get it and doesn't even understand why sports like football and GAA are so important to people.

Utter nonsense rugby is exactly the same to people as other sports. Some love some hate some care a little some care a lot and everything in between. This is true of most sports all over the world.

irishbucsfan

Ballso wrote: »

This is the nub of it. Irish Rugby simply isn't on terms with the importance of other sports in people's lives. It appeals to a more casual sports consumer type. This is why the Rugby team gets off so lightly in terms of criticism from its 'fanbase'.

Of course the average Irish Rugby fan won't get it and doesn't even understand why sports like football and GAA are so important to people.

Yeah, how could someone like me whose been a member/player of my midlands rugby club all my life ever understand or appreciate Sean from Stoneybatter's connection to manchester united

Muahahaha

Redqwerty wrote: »

We wouldn't have beaten France, SA or Wales based on todays performance.

Nor England or Australia. Id even say if we played Japan tomorrow morning we'd likely lose that too.

fryup wrote: »

watchin the pundits on the highlights show on ITV4 and irish fans in the background still singing...good god we must be the only country to celebrate mediocrity

Just watching a replay of the game now and this stood out to me, 22-0 down and you've this muppet whose acting like we're 22-0 ahead.

[IMG][/img]

lawred2

Ballso wrote: »

This is the nub of it. Irish Rugby simply isn't on terms with the importance of other sports in people's lives. It appeals to a more casual sports consumer type. This is why the Rugby team gets off so lightly in terms of criticism from its 'fanbase'.

Of course the average Irish Rugby fan won't get it and doesn't even understand why sports like football and GAA are so important to people.

I would consider that a load of shoite

It's more than likely a perspective thing. And maybe reflective of a wide healthy balance of interests and responsibilities.

Someone overly preoccupied with the goings on of a professional football club (or any club) in Britain (or anywhere) hasn't really got a whole lot else going on.

That's my two cents. Feel free to consider it a load of shoite.

Fandom is stupid anyway. Success is empty as ultimately you're just wrapped up in the successes of other people. You'll still have to wake up tomorrow and go about your own entirely unrelated business.

letowski

Ballso wrote: »

This is the nub of it. Irish Rugby simply isn't on terms with the importance of other sports in people's lives. It appeals to a more casual sports consumer type. This is why the Rugby team gets off so lightly in terms of criticism from its 'fanbase'.

Of course the average Irish Rugby fan won't get it and doesn't even understand why sports like football and GAA are so important to people.

Can't agree with all of that. Just because rugby isn't played as much as GAA/soccer does not mean it doesn't have the 'same importance of other sports in people's lives.' Growing up close to Limerick city, albeit from Clare, in the 90's you could see the massive crowds, rivalries, celebrations, etc. there would be between the clubs in the city. It was their lives and meant everything to them. There are loads of rugby clubs all around Ireland that play an important role in their communities. There are just as passionate clubmen in my rugby club (St. Senan's in Shannon town) as there are in my local GAA club.

JJJackal

Muahahaha wrote: »

Nor England or Australia. Id even say if we played Japan tomorrow morning we'd likely lose that too.




Just watching a replay of the game now and this stood out to me, 22-0 down and you've this muppet whose acting like we're 22-0 ahead.

[IMG][/img]

He probably spent close to 5k to support the team. Probably a bit drunk realises he is on tv, gives a roar....

Niallof9

JJJackal wrote: »

He probably spent close to 5k to support the team. Probably a bit drunk realises he is on tv, gives a roar....

He's hardly the only lad that was at it...

The journal has a better pic of two totally dejected fans. A rarity even alluded to in the caption.

Ardillaun

Redqwerty wrote: »

Let's just hang around the streets like drunken fools singing "stand up for" and sure on the flight home we can have another sing along with "Irelands call". Sure Ireland are great craic.

Will sackcloth, ashes and widespread garment-renting produce better results on the pitch? For spectators, sport is ultimately entertainment, a performance where the script is improvised. We shouldn’t take it too seriously.

Niallof9

Ardillaun wrote: »

Will sackcloth, ashes and widespread garment-renting produce better results on the pitch? For spectators, sport is ultimately entertainment, a performance where the script is improvised. We shouldn’t take it too seriously.

Try telling that to the lads involved. I know one and they are devastated. For me that is a big sea change at least.

sure look it if its good enough for you fair enough. Its not for others. A lot of people in St Mary's would be hurting for Jono, his family etc. Yeah too serious maybe for you...

We can't quote your man but i think Roy still has enough skin in the game, despite his bluster, that he was right with this mentality. People cheering as Delaney throws his tie, as football rotted at home....but its all craic.

Like anything there is balance...otherwise what is the point.

We could all head to the airport en masse and cheer. That could be a massive uplifting boost and act of kindness or it could be us subconsciously cheering failure and enforcing it. Everyone is different players included. Some would like that others would cringe. I'm not saying its right or wrong. I believe its cheering failures. We see it on here. Critics labeled as trolls etc.

fryup

fryup wrote: »

watchin the pundits on the highlights show on ITV4 and irish fans in the background still singing...good god we must be the only country to celebrate mediocrity

thomond2006 wrote: »

If they are miserable instead would that make you feel better?

no, i'd just prefer they'd stop acting like morons ole ole ole :rolleyes:

Redqwerty

Ardillaun wrote: »

Will sackcloth, ashes and widespread garment-renting produce better results on the pitch? For spectators, sport is ultimately entertainment, a performance where the script is improvised. We shouldn’t take it too seriously.

That's the problem, we dont take anything serious......

Redqwerty

Niallof9 wrote: »

He's hardly the only lad that was at it...

The journal has a better pic of two totally dejected fans. A rarity even alluded to in the caption.

Seen that, drowning their sorrows in a drink....:)

Yeah_Right

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Righto guys (and girls) on the Dart heading to the pub for the match. Just wanted to say that it's been fun playing the villain for the week. Cheers for the entertainment and thanks to those of you who took it in the humour it was intended. I have to say its ****ing tiring being that one-eyed, so juvenile, talking that much ****e and refusing to actually engage in a rugby conversation. I don't know how some of you do it every inter-pro.

Anyway, its game day. Let's hope it's a great match. Good luck and I'll raise a pint to y'all. See you on the other side.

Good luck in the semi-final. It hardly needs to be said the better team won.

I have to say as a committed fan of Irish rugby since I was a wee lad I'm desolate that we fell so short of giving New Zealand a match. It will take a very long time to get over this one. I can only imagine how badly the players, coaches, support staff feel. It's hard to see what should happen next in regard to the Ireland rugby team, but life goes on. I feel bad for the people who have given us some great days and nights. I feel bad for the legit fans, especially those who believed as I did that we had a puncher's chance and would at least give NZ a game.

I cringe a bit at the idea of talking about the game with the I-told-you-so brigade at work, elsewhere. Fck them. They don't know what it's like to support a team. But, frankly, when it goes down like it did yesterday, you feel a bit of a mug. I mean what can you say. It's not the same as being disappointed at a loss. It's hope dashed, and the source of hope crushed.

Until now I felt our world cup disasters were just a series of separate misadventures, coincidental and not systemic. I don't feel like that after yesterday. I'm starting to think the RWC tournament environment exposes us badly.

We may just not be all that good, when playing against unfamiliar opposition who have prepared well and primed themselves for the tournament, contrasted to playig in the familiar 6N structure against familar teams with handy rest weeks, home/away in a set pattern, all the analysis done just needs to be freshened up since last year. Then playing fatigued SH sides with one eye on their developing players at home in the Autumn tests is clearly no real measure of how we will measure up when a RWC comes around.

Anyway this was not meant to be a therapy session. Well done and good luck to you, friends in NZ. The match versus England is very hard to call but I think they will have your number this go-around. I'm old school and will be cheering the NH sides left in it but mostly hoping for two more weekends of good rugby, and that the best teams on the day win their matches.

martingriff

Niallof9 wrote: »

Try telling that to the lads involved. I know one and they are devastated. For me that is a big sea change at least.

sure look it if its good enough for you fair enough. Its not for others. A lot of people in St Mary's would be hurting for Jono, his family etc. Yeah too serious maybe for you...

We can't quote your man but i think Roy still has enough skin in the game, despite his bluster, that he was right with this mentality. People cheering as Delaney throws his tie, as football rotted at home....but its all craic.

Like anything there is balance...otherwise what is the point.

We could all head to the airport en masse and cheer. That could be a massive uplifting boost and act of kindness or it could be us subconsciously cheering failure and enforcing it. Everyone is different players included. Some would like that others would cringe. I'm not saying its right or wrong. I believe its cheering failures. We see it on here. Critics labeled as trolls etc.

It could also be cheering the team saying we will still support you through the good and bad. You can still feel devastated by the loss.

Just because they do not go by your code for a loss does not mean they are all bandwagon supporters. I am a season ticket holder for Munster and when the lose I feel bad and sad but guess what I do not go around like it is the end of the world hell I may even going out afterwards and we talk about the game while drinking. I am sure people will feel sorry for the players but also they may feel angry at the players for how they played.

Yes if you are a critic of someone who does not act like you when we lose yes I will call you perhaps a troll and very high opinion of themselves. This happens in all sports not just rugby and quiet frankly if I was looking to get in to a sport those type of comments would have be right off from following.

Also at the end of the day as a fan while I am down and sad I realise the world is still turning and tomorrow will still come

funkey_monkey

Muahahaha wrote: »

Just watching a replay of the game now and this stood out to me, 22-0 down and you've this muppet whose acting like we're 22-0 ahead.

Could be worse. There could be a video of eejits singing the Our Father to a nun on a train!:pac: