Monthly Archives: September 2011

Mallett battling to keep emotions in check

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Brendan Fanning

  Whatever you do, don’t sleep it out on Sunday morning – the opening exchanges of Ireland’s head to head with Italy will be every bit as intense as tonight’s bitter contest between Samoa and South Africa.  I went to … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy rugby, Rugby World Cup, South Africa rugby | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

O’Sullivan does Ireland a big favour

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Brendan Fanning

You’d swear Eddie and Deccie were best buds so intense was the US effort against the Italians in Nelson tonight. Its effect will be seen here in Dunedin on Sunday when Nick Mallet has to use much the same side … Continue reading →

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O’Gara in the zone, but he wants the pitch

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Brendan Fanning

Right on cue Ronan O’Gara gets the man of the match award against Russia as his tussle with Jonny Sexton takes on soap opera status. As his name was read over the PA near the end of tonight’s game the … Continue reading →

Posted in Irish Rugby, Rugby Opinion, Rugby World Cup | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lucky break in Rotorua

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Brendan Fanning

  With a minimum five different stops on this tour – and forIrelandthis is a tour as well as  a World Cup – we get to have those ‘hotel moments’ which are part and parcel of any trip. We can … Continue reading →

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O’Gara sent out to take one for the team

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Brendan Fanning

GUBU would be an inaccurate description, for it was neither Grotesque nor Unbelievable, but certainly it was Bizarre and Unprecedented. We’re talking about the press conference earlier today NZ time when Ronan O’Gara was rolled out to face the media. … Continue reading →

Posted in Irish Rugby, Rugby Opinion, Rugby World Cup | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Strange goings on in Auckland

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Brendan Fanning

  There’s something not right about this. It’s 8.30 on an Auckland Sunday morning where it has yet to rain. By the time I’ve finished this that may have changed. And by then hopefully the following has changed as well: … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Irish Rugby, Rugby Opinion, Rugby World Cup | Tagged | Leave a comment

Make or break time for Kidney and Ireland

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Brendan Fanning

    The last time we were in the Crowne Plaza in Auckland it was the Lions tour in 2005. And the memory is clear of going across the road to the Convention Centre where the NZ rugby union made … Continue reading →

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Kidney will stick with same soldiers

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Brendan Fanning

  Declan Kidney will announce his team tomorrow to play Australia on Saturday and I suspect it will see him showing faith in Keith Earls, Gordon D’Arcy and Jonny Sexton, all of whom were under pressure after the win over … Continue reading →

Posted in Irish Rugby, Rugby World Cup | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Ireland still a mile off the pace

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Brendan Fanning

I won a modest sum of money on this. Very modest. But between the rain chucking down in New Plymouth and an Irish side with no form, and short on fitness, the handicap of US plus 30 points was too … Continue reading →

Posted in Irish Rugby, Rugby Opinion, Rugby World Cup | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Murray’s progress makes for positive news

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Brendan Fanning

  Four years ago in the World Cup Eoin Reddan jumped from third choice to first as Eddie O’Sullivan tried to plug holes in his sinking ship. It was hard on Isaac Boss, who had been in second place, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Irish Rugby, Rugby Opinion, Rugby World Cup, Sports Comment | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment