He's not so tough
The big news from this game is that the Italians fourth try, eked out from the intense pressure that their scrum could exert on the American set piece. This means that Ireland have no get out clause next week and that, just like we assumed would happen at the beginning of the tournament, we have to beat Italy to qualify* for the quarter-final stage. Continue reading
Five criminals. One line-up. No co-incidence.
The biggest question facing Declan Kidney and the Irish coaching staff as they look towards to the match against the Italian team is who they’re going to select in the No12 jersey. Continue reading
Cliffy at his fearsome 2009 best
Australian No8 Wycliff Palu is out of the World Cup. His hamstring tear seems to have been complicated by a history of similar injuries, and the prognosis of a six-week recovery period means that for him, the war is over. Continue reading
That'll teach you to ferment revolt on foreign shores
Marc Lievremont has crushed the rising at source, dropping noted dissident Damien Traille for the clash with Tonga.
Johno and Freddie in happier times; the dwarf-throwing came later
Freddie Tuilagi has just gone and given every critic of England’s United Nations RWC11 squad some easy copy. Continue reading
Damien Traille looses his musket in the direction of Marc Lievremont
Have the first blows of a revolution in the French camp been struck? Damien Traille, one of the elder statesmen in the French squad at 32 years old and with 85 test caps to his name, has openly expressed his anger and disappointment with Marc Lievremont in the wake of the heavy loss the French suffered at the hands of New Zealand. Continue reading
Jonathan Sexton lines up a kick at something, possible someone standing three metres to the right of the posts
Donal Lenihan was one of a few commentators who said in the aftermath of the RWC11 squad selection that Tomás O’Leary would have been better crying off sick from the warm-up game against France in Dublin. That would most likely have seen him selected ahead of either Isaac Boss or Conor Murray – it was clear that head coach Declan Kidney wanted him in New Zealand. Continue reading
Ireland haven’t scored thirty points or more in an international match since they beat Fiji 41-9 in November 2009. Continue reading
Sporting Argentine philosopher Jorge Valdano. Not pictured: shit on a stick.
Argentina grabbed the win with the only bit of magic in the match. It was leader Felipe Contempomi’s best moment, in conjuction with his conversion, the only mildly difficuly kick he got all game. A wonderful finish to a tight and hard game. Continue reading
Alesana Tuilagi not on the scoresheet tonight, but a big force
A contest that many [including the Mole] hoped would provide a festival of running rugby was instead entirely underwhelming. Continue reading
Digging Like a Demented Mole 