Comments on: Siege mentality

By: Roryinmadrid

Roryinmadrid — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 21:14:12 +0000

Sad, sad sad…reminds me of a Stones song. Love the game, but could never come to terms with what must be the rugby equivalent of “route one” as it is practised by Ireland, or at least was, until quite recently. Fact is we just don’t have the resources to back up a team that relies almost exclusively on its strength, and that was patently obvious in Argentina this summer. Yet, according to BOD (before the deluge) we had to go out and “crush” the minnows to make our mark on this tournament and then everyone was then lost for words when we couldn’t. This team has patently overtrained, that’s what, and now, at the crucial juncture, has no gas left in the tank. Worse still, there evidently is no plan B, if talk of making better use of phase play on Sunday is anything to go by. Well, I’m sure the Argenitinians are going to grant us a special indulgence just to do that. No man, maybe a cleverer use of the backs, a little guile and cunning, feints, up and unders, use of the wings, even belting the effing ball along the ground and chasing after it (For Shame!!) might get us further! Attacking rugby, I believe it’s called.

By: sinclair

sinclair — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:59:53 +0000

Right on ScaryGirl. God knows the results have been disappointing, but having been at all three games, with the exception of the namibia match (which I still can’ get my head around), the team have been flogging their guts out to get this going. In the French match there was no shortage of effort – though why, on why we never compete on the opposition throw in is beyond me, especially when our rucking is not working to plan. I have my ticket for Sunday, and a couple of my friends are fightçing throw the transport booking systems to get across to join me at the match. Of course it will be a struggle – but that is where we are at, and I know this team still have the ability to make it happen. Will they – I don’t know, but I know what I hope. Also, I am looking forward to a large Irish crowd who get behind the team and lift them on Sunday. (and for God’s sake, cut out the whistling when the opposition are taking a kick at goal, this is childish, thuggish behavior, and not representive of our game). And if we win, and get the bonus point, then we face the All Blacks (assuming Georgia don’t beat France – well, there is always hope!), and yes, we can rise to that one as well. Is uit a long shot, yes, but welcome to the world of being an Irish Rugby supporter – and those of us who are, wouldn’t trade it for all the riches in the world. Come on Ireland, you can do it.

By: theswissjob

theswissjob — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:34:22 +0000

I’ll be at the game on Sunday, wearing the jersey and singing myself stupid as well. I’m proud of how the team has tried to meet the huge expectations put on them. I just don’t think they should let things like the French media get in the way of their recovery or worse yet, use it as an excuse for why things are going wrong.

Come on the boys, four tries against the Argies isn’t completely out of the question. Is it?

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:21:32 +0000

AttaGirl !! I agree with every word. Never mind the money (and yes, I’d like it!) those guys play because they are proud to represent Ireland. Keith Wood said last night ‘if you are gutted as a supporter then how do you think they feel?’

Ronan O’Gara and the lot of them have given me and thousands of others massive pleasure over the last few years. Yes, the wheels have come off in spectacular and disappointing style – and it will need savage analysis once it is all over to try and ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

In the meantime I’m off, more in hope than expectation, to Paris for the weekend. And I’ll be making a LOT of noise!

Supporters support; fair weather travellers whinge.

By: ScaryGirl

ScaryGirl — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 08:57:43 +0000

I’m sick to death of people moaning about the team – almost as if their under-par performances were a personal insult to them. The callers into “Drivetime” on Radio 1 were a disgrace – “another anonymous post here – caller says that he’ll never go to another rugby match again”. Great! Can I have your ticket for Croke Park in the new year?

Who are these a**holes? Yes the team played badly but they didn’t look as if they weren’t trying. They looked crushed after the French match – they certainly didn’t look as if they didn’t care. I really don’t want to hear one more comment about “overpaid professionals”. Yes they’re earning more than any Irish rugby player before them, but compared to players in the Premiership or golfers like Harrington or McGinley, they’re only in the ha’penny league. They’re not going to earn enough from ten years in the professional game to sustain them for the rest of their working lives. They’re probably earning a hell of a lot less than Mick from Corporate Finance who is currently slagging them off.

Doesn’t anyone remember the 90’s when they lost game after game? No, because they weren’t there – they were busy climbing on Jack Charlton’s bandwaggon and following the successful Irish soccer team. Yes, the results have been a real downer, the team have played badly and we’re all disappointed. That’s sport – if you played it at all then you’d know that it has the ability to thrill and crush, shock and delight. That’s why the real fans still follow it, still cheer on their team and GET OVER IT when it doesn’t work out the way you wanted. There’s always another day.

By: John

John — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 05:24:55 +0000

Let me be the first to say that how I’m surpise with Ireland performance.

Nevertheless though my beloved Pumas are on fire at the moment, I still fear the worst could happen in the last game.

I’ll writing a preview on that match in my blog soon, so please do check and leave your comments as well.

By: Bluffer

Bluffer — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:22:21 +0000

Enough speculation and mystery! This team has passed it’s peak – no mystery. It’s just a shame that the unravelling has happend at the WC.