Wales v Ireland, down to the ref.

This will be a game defined by controversial decisions/non decisions by the ref.
Gethin seems to have ironed out whatever displeased the refs rule book. Overall Wales winning without resorting to the dark arts . However, Ireland have had the 'rub of the green' so far in the ref. department, lucky boys! Business as usual.

Will be a shame if the talk is all about the ref. after the game, but I get the feeling this is the game when that will happen. Watch your temper Mike P !!!

Isnt it always the refs fault when Wales lose?

who is the referee?

Isnt it always the refs fault when Ireland win?

Only against wales taff

DOD wrote:Only against wales taff

You are paranoid!I am sure that a ref has helped your lot beat other sides as well.

DOD wrote:Isnt it always the refs fault when Wales lose?

No - sometimes it's the Assistants or the TMO's fault.

Getting your excuses in early gavstar?

Why do Welsh people not realise that the performance of your players can effect a game? Why is it always poor refereeing?

Joubert is ref. From recollection the last time he reffed this game was 2010 6N at Croke when Ireland won comfortably. It was the first game after the new tackle interpretations as well so plenty of annoyed guys on both sides.

Byrne got binned iirc.

I am glad its Joubert rather than Wayne Barnes who is so shockingly biased when he refs Wales.

Shame Wayne Barnes wasn't considered....

no excuses needed, the boys in green have more 'seasoned campaigners' in certain departments. its all part of the game if you can get away with it, our youngsters will learn a fair bit of streetwise for the next match.

YOU SEE!!!! i've been saying this for WEEKS.

And copping a lot of flak.

But have to say I agree. From here on in, the outcome will be determined by either a single overtly wrong call, or the particular interpretation of either scrum or breakdown rulings favouring one team's style of play, or the others.

I was particularly dismayed to see Canada feeding the scrum under the feet of the second row unpenalised for 80 minutes on the weekend. If a referee dares blow up a crooked AB put in during a knock out match, I'm going to be forced to vent on Twitter, drunk or not.

It's o.k, George North will beat them all on his own.

I hope so. It's absolutely impossible to beat Welsh rugby teams without a crooked biased ref. They're brilliant. I've never seen them outplayed.

Wales are never beaten....teams just score more than they do...

who will adapt best to the rule of the whistle, the old heads or the young guns? if its that sort of game,sjones will replace rpriestland. also, if the ball will be smothered by the green, our frustration could lead to a bad penalty count and rog will punish us well.

As daft as it sounds the result could come down who is the best kicker.
In that case i will go with ROG and Ireland to win.

TheGreyGhost wrote:YOU SEE!!!! i've been saying this for WEEKS.

Difference is everyone else has tongue firmly in cheek.

everything i read is about how wales will cope with ireland...i think wales will come out of the blocks like men possessed. If they play with the same guts up front as they did v SA our backline should run amok

Ref - would you mind watching out for sealing off and pushing up at the scrums please, ta awfully much.

DOD you did beat us fair and square in 2002.

best kicker to win the game? you could be right majestic, lets hope the tmo is involved when a kick is close./ any doubt. !!!!

I can honestly say and not becuase Craig Joubert is a south african, that he is and has been one of the most consisitent referees in rugby union.

He has been highly rated on his tri nation performances in the past and loves a free flowing game.

He may perhaps allow little offences to go unpunished for the sake of a fluid game and will punish the obvious. He has a very good demeanor when communicating with players and seems to remain calm even when under pressure.

both Wales and Ireland will be able to maintain rythm in this match and in my opinion got the best referee for the quarter finals.

Neither team should be able to put blame on him after the match.

that's the kiss of death then

for who?

Only teasing, you are right.

great!! what welcome news!! the ref. likes a free flowing game, so slowing the ball, collapsing scrums, etc. will be pinged. my spirits have been lifted!! all two of them--double malt!!

Ireland are apparently going to take the bold step of dropping Heaslip, moving O'Brien to 8 and playing Jennings on the open due to the Warburton threat.

A good ref? That should sort out those cheating paddies. The only way they ever win is when the ref helps them cheat. Their complete lack of pace power and skill will be shown up now. Can't wait.

Jennings will challenge him. O'Brien is to be moved to 8 and Haeslip dropped.

Is Heaslip at the WC?There has been no sign of him hanging about on the touchline.Perhaps he has upped his workrate.