http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/ Rugby 101 and straightforward rugby commentary from a North American perspective Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:21:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/comment-page-1/#comment-12734 Vic Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:59:48 +0000 http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/#comment-12734 Ya, there's not too many of us (Blogroll updated). Welcome! Ya, there's not too many of us (Blogroll updated). Welcome!

]]> http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/comment-page-1/#comment-12733 Jason Gatties Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:51:57 +0000 http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/#comment-12733 Stumbled upon your blog for the first time today. Outstanding. Glad to see another U.S. based rugger blogger. I'll add your site to my blog roll. Keep up the great work. Stumbled upon your blog for the first time today. Outstanding. Glad
to see another U.S. based rugger blogger. I’ll add your site to my
blog roll. Keep up the great work.

]]> http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/comment-page-1/#comment-12730 Ray Schwartz Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:53:18 +0000 http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/#comment-12730 Eddie helped bring a more competitive nature to Irish Rugby.  If not great success, he set a foundation for the success we now see.  He's a tireless, dedicated innovator, who perhaps "hit a wall" in the year before the RWC '07.  Eddie will help set this foundation for success in America now, if at all possible.  The pool of athletes to draw from is obviously larger, but without a professional game in America, it will be near impossible to attract and hold the athletes needed to succeed at the highest levels.  Still, look for the Eagles to soar! Eddie helped bring a more competitive nature to Irish Rugby. 
If not great success, he set a foundation for the success we now
see.  He’s a tireless, dedicated innovator, who perhaps “hit a
wall” in the year before the RWC ’07.  Eddie will help set
this foundation for success in America now, if at all
possible.  The pool of athletes to draw from is obviously
larger, but without a professional game in America, it will be near
impossible to attract and hold the athletes needed to succeed at
the highest levels.  Still, look for the Eagles to soar!

]]> http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/comment-page-1/#comment-12728 Josh Houston Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:53:32 +0000 http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/#comment-12728 Yeah, again. Apparently he really likes the US. He's a quality coach and will do well for the US players. Yeah, again. Apparently he really likes the US. He’s a quality
coach and will do well for the US players.

]]> http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/comment-page-1/#comment-12727 Vic Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:37:31 +0000 http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/#comment-12727 FYI: <a href="http://usarugby.org/Information/DisplayFullStory.asp?NavPageID=69784&ItemID=277597&ReturnURL=javascript:history.go(-1)" rel="nofollow">Eddie O'Sullivan Named Eagles New Head Coach</a> FYI: Eddie O'Sullivan Named Eagles New Head Coach

]]> http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/comment-page-1/#comment-12700 Josh Houston Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:43:40 +0000 http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/#comment-12700 He followed Warren Gatland's lead by injecting some youth into the team and retiring some of the old household names.  Clearly a recipe for success. He followed Warren Gatland’s lead by injecting some youth into the
team and retiring some of the old household names.  Clearly a
recipe for success.

]]> http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/comment-page-1/#comment-12699 Vic Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:59:52 +0000 http://www.whatisrugby.com/2009/03/03/was-osullivan-really-the-problem-all-along/#comment-12699 Great post, and it's hard to disagree. O’Driscoll has indeed found his form again. I also think the success of the Welsh has helped Ireland. They are definitely playing better defense, which is essentially why I think Wales won the Grand Slam in 2008. Watching the IRE v ENG match this past weekend, the Irish defense made contact so far behind the English gain-line that there was no time for anything. Most players took the ball from a standing start and immediately got tackled. Ireland seems to have learned that lesson from Wales, and added the agression you noted. Great post, and it's hard to disagree. O’Driscoll has indeed found his form again. I also think the success of the Welsh has helped Ireland. They are definitely playing better defense, which is essentially why I think Wales won the Grand Slam in 2008. Watching the IRE v ENG match this past weekend, the Irish defense made contact so far behind the English gain-line that there was no time for anything. Most players took the ball from a standing start and immediately got tackled. Ireland seems to have learned that lesson from Wales, and added the agression you noted.

]]>