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'We hate losing': O'Mahony silently simmering ahead of England clash

The blindside cut an intense figure as he put the final touches on preparation for the opener.

SPEAK SOFTLY AND carry a big stick.

The idiom always suits Peter O’Mahony, if not the Peter O’Mahony we all see take the field on matchdays.

But after training at the Aviva Stadium today, he personified the expression like never before. The stick of wilful intent was gripped tight in his hand, his low voice took the feel of a calm before a coming storm.

Peter O'Mahony O'Mahony in the Aviva this afternoon. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

A Six Nations opener is always going to bring that determined look to the Corkman’s face, when that opener is England at home, the drive is tenfold.

O’Mahony is cranked up and ready to unleash everything he’s got on England. Because the thought of anything else, the idea of losing, doesn’t bear thinking about.

“Fear is always a factor for us,” says the Munster captain with echoes of Paul O’Connell.

“Fear of letting people down, fear of losing. We hate losing.

It’s always a part (of you), it’s always a little bit there that drives you on and that’s across the board for any competitive athlete, that fear of losing, fear of letting people down, fear of letting your team-mates down is always there and it has to be a bit of a factor.”

That brand of fear grows as the loss ratio decreases. Ireland have only tasted defeat once in the last 19 Tests, a run of form that included a Grand Slam and a win over New Zealand. Yet O’Mahony balks at the suggestion there would be any difficulty in summoning the desire to chase that kind of success.

“It’s the hunger. The hunger you have to play for Ireland. If you don’t have that, you’re not in the right place being in this group,” he said methodically.

“That’s what drives us, having a chance to play in a green jersey. Whether it be starting or on the bench or having aspirations to do it, hopefully, in the Six Nations and beyond, that’s what drives us and drives our group.

Peter O'Mahony The Munster captain at training in the Aviva. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

“Obviously, we’re in the business to win but putting on the jersey every time, that’s the driving factor for this group.”

Asked whether a second consecutive Grand Slam was among the driving factors or targets for this group, the Corkman said:

“You always set goals but we certainly don’t put a huge amount down the line. We know we if we stumble against England at home, we’ll be on the back foot for the rest of the Six Nations.”

“England at home, it just doesn’t get any bigger than that. We know how a big a challenge it’s going to be. The quality across their side speaks for itself with the team they named.

“We’re under no illusions how difficult it’s going to be.”

A quiet word from O’Mahony resonates more than most. A slightly extended exhale, a deliberate pause and that intense look in his eyes only add weight to his sentiment.

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    Mute Anthony Gallagher
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:39 PM

    cometh the hour cometh the man, o Mahony has never let us down yet ,he leads from the front and nevers goes missing.

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    Mute T Dawg
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:31 PM

    This man has turned into one of the most influential players in the world. Himself and Sexton will drive our standards higher and higher this year. Zero complacency in that team. Sitting in a good place for the year ahead!

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    Mute Michael Carey
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    Jan 31st 2019, 10:45 PM

    @T Dawg: Zero Zebo Complacency

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    Mute Brian Les
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    Jan 31st 2019, 11:01 PM

    @Michael Carey: clown

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    Mute Mike Daly
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    Feb 3rd 2019, 11:59 AM

    @Martin Quinn: clown

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    Mute Jonathan Meany
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:21 PM

    The clocks in Peter O’Mahony’s house go forward in both Spring & Autumn.
    …. He doesn’t know how to go backwards

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    Mute Sean
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    Jan 31st 2019, 11:51 PM

    @Jonathan Meany: will he turn up at the game on time so?

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    Mute Carl
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    Feb 1st 2019, 7:29 AM

    The game waits for him and starts when he arrives

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    Mute Bewarethebeardz
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    Feb 1st 2019, 8:05 AM

    @Jonathan Meany: zzzz

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    Mute SPQH
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    Feb 1st 2019, 9:05 AM

    @Sean: he’s there already :)

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    Mute Andrew Hurley
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:39 PM

    If anyone ever worries Ireland might lose in a match, just think of O’Mahony or Sexton, and you just think they won’t allow it to happen. Add in Murray, Furlong, SOB and you have mentally as strong players as there is in the world.

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    Mute Eoin Murphy
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:34 PM

    @Andrew Hurley: and ryan??

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    Mute RhinoDino
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    Jan 31st 2019, 9:43 PM

    @Eoin Murphy: And then think of how Ringrose is a diamond, and then of Stander/JVDF’s grit and workrate or Leavys potential.

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    Mute Toby Fish
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:07 PM

    An out and out warrior for Munster and Ireland. As tough as they come

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    Mute Etherman
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:53 PM

    should have his name stitched on the 6 shirt. Warrior. https://youtu.be/VJ58c-2w_lM

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    Mute Michael Buckley
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:23 PM

    @Etherman: POM looked like he was going to punch poor Reggie. Great video!

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    Mute Etherman
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:48 PM

    @Michael Buckley: to be fair to Reggie he phrased the question clumsily and I’m sure has learned a great lesson. Peter now stands next to comrades in green and will defend them with the same terrifying menace.

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    Mute Andrew Hurley
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:58 PM

    @Etherman: To be fair, nothing wrong with the question – I saw the post match interview recently from Read just after the Chicago win and he openly admitted without prompting that they didn’t bring the right intensity.

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    Mute Sean
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    Jan 31st 2019, 11:51 PM

    @Etherman: I think they use iron on names these days instead of stitching them on.

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    Mute Tony O'Shea
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:11 PM

    Peter O Mahoney gave up smiling for Lent one year. And never has since. Love it!

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    Mute dick dastardly
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:26 PM

    What a servant his been for Munster and Ireland the last number of years,he would go through a block wall for his team.

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    Mute jl
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    Jan 31st 2019, 9:42 PM

    @dick dastardly: who?, Jim?

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Jan 31st 2019, 10:46 PM

    @jl: good man

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    Mute Sean
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    Jan 31st 2019, 11:53 PM

    @dick dastardly: it wouldn’t be advisable for him to go through a block wall. He would get injured and miss the upcoming match.

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    Mute jl
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    Feb 1st 2019, 6:29 PM

    @Jim Demps: lol, thought it was apt considering your setting up of the fantasy rugby and obvious heart on the sleeve munster support

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:06 PM

    Last calls for The 42s fantasy rugby. There’s exactly 50 signed up to it at the moment. Try and use the same user name and pic as here, or whatever. If you’re not interested then don’t bother telling me about it.

    league n°3768 : Demps 42
    Password : EYGMR
    By clicking on the following link : https://fantasy.sixnationsrugby.com/#welcome/register/?parrain=t2eweas&ligue=3768&mdp=EYGMR

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    Mute Xanadu Marmalade
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:22 PM

    @Jim Demps: I don’t know, if Rochelle beats me I could never live it down

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    Mute Adrian Harpur
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:30 PM

    @Jim Demps: good idea, had my team picked but league is full, ah well I’ll just allow I’ve won it anyway. Bring on Saturday!

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:32 PM

    @Adrian Harpur: ah didn’t realise there was a limit to the numbers. Sorry about that.

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:35 PM

    @Jim Demps: Lots of names I don’t recognise in there. Would’ve been good to see some of the regular contributors on here involved.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:37 PM

    @Adrian Harpur: actually it says that there can be a max of 100 people in a league. Send me an email and I’ll see if I can add you.
    Jimdemps1 @ yahoo . Com

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    Mute John Thomas
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:43 PM

    @Eddie Hekenui: I’m in Eddie! Particularly happy with my super sub this weekend

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    Mute John Thomas
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:53 PM

    @Jim Demps: which sites would be comparable to the 42 from the other nations? Would love to read some of the English comments, possibly troll one or two..

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    Mute John Thomas
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:54 PM

    @John Thomas: sorry Martin…

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    Mute jl
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:55 PM

    @Jim Demps: Tried entering, but your league is full! That’s a success so Jim

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:57 PM

    @jl: try emailing me. It says that there should be 100 allowed but there’s only 50 in it.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:59 PM

    @John Thomas: planet rugby used to be good but the comment section was ruined the last time they updated. The BBC rugby pages are normally good for the hardcore rugby fans. They get the biggest traffic anyway.

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    Mute Barry Ward
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:06 PM

    @Jim Demps: same issue Jim. Says it’s full. Did you get more in??

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:07 PM

    @Barry Ward: that’s disappointing. If you email me I’ll try and send you an email invite.

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    Mute Tony O'Shea
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:17 PM

    @Jim Demps: it’s all full Jim! Urgh can you expand it?

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    Mute Adrian Harpur
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:29 PM

    @Jim Demps: email sent Jim

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:34 PM

    @Tony O’Shea:

    Ok I’ve started a second league. It says that there’s 100 allowed but it’ll only take 50. Join that one and I’ll amalgamate the leagues as they go.

    Join me on the league n°7912 : Demps 42 (2)
    Password : SAOEB
    League for the 42 experts
    By clicking on the following link : https://fantasy.sixnationsrugby.com/#welcome/register/?parrain=t2eweas&ligue=7912&mdp=SAOEB

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    Mute Barry Ward
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:38 PM

    @Jim Demps: done Jim. Good man thank you

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    Mute Toby Fish
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:49 PM

    @Jim Demps: hon Jim. Fair play

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    Mute Adrian Harpur
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    Jan 31st 2019, 8:53 PM

    @Jim Demps: cheers!

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    Mute James Thompson
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    Jan 31st 2019, 9:27 PM

    @Jim Demps: sound Jim.

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    Mute William Finnegan
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    Jan 31st 2019, 9:35 PM

    @Jim Demps: good lad Jimbo. Fair play for doing this

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    Mute jl
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    Jan 31st 2019, 9:42 PM

    @Jim Demps: in the second one, thanks!

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    Mute Elliott Sheerin
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    Feb 1st 2019, 10:56 AM

    @Jim Demps: cheers. Best of luck in the league

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Feb 1st 2019, 11:26 AM

    @Xanadu Marmalade: if Rochelle enters the competition as many times she/he/it has profiles on here one of them is bound to beat you

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Feb 1st 2019, 11:27 AM

    @Jim Demps: just delete rochelles 15 entires

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    Mute Fergus Robson
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    Feb 1st 2019, 4:22 PM

    @Jim Demps: managed to get into the second one, cheers jim

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    Mute Niall Monk
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    Feb 1st 2019, 6:25 PM

    @Jim Demps: fair play Jim. Got into this one.

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    Mute Desmond Cassidy
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:33 PM

    This will be a very tight one…

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    Mute Patrick Heavey
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:47 PM

    @Desmond Cassidy: You’re right. England are ranked 4th in the world for a reason. In fact, 5 of the 6 nations are ranked inside the top ten.
    Lovely warm up for Japan!

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    Mute Paul Ennis
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    Jan 31st 2019, 10:13 PM

    @Patrick Heavey: 5 out of 6 are almost always ranked in the top 10.

    Having said that, having 3 in the top 4 is real watershed moment for the 6N.

    Bring it on!!

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    Mute William Finnegan
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    Jan 31st 2019, 9:39 PM

    He’s some man. The last two years he has been on another level. Mean this in the nicest possible way, but id say he is a right C word to play against

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    Mute running man
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    Feb 1st 2019, 6:51 AM

    OMahony vital to the Irish cause, the look in his eyes, just like his fellow Corkonian who won all round him, Mr Keane. Along with Denis Irwin, Ronan O Gara, Donnacha O Callaghan, Sonia O Sullivan, Sean Og, O Donovan Brothers…..There’s something about Cork…..

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    Mute Marv
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:10 PM

    Especially them!

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    Mute Marv
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    Jan 31st 2019, 7:11 PM

    @Marv: to them!

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    Mute Tranceformer
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    Jan 31st 2019, 9:19 PM

    If we had of best Australia in first match would have the record for longest winning streak ?

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    Mute Shcoop
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    Jan 31st 2019, 10:40 PM

    @Tranceformer: Yes we would be on 19 now. I think the record was 18. A bit frustrating isn’t it?

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    Mute Tranceformer
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    Feb 1st 2019, 1:11 PM

    @Shcoop: ah feck !

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    Mute Richard James
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    Feb 1st 2019, 2:12 PM

    @Shcoop: well considering we stopped each of SA, NZ and England from extending their world record streaks I’d say we have a good streak going ourselves. I remember when 5 unbeaten games in a row was phenomenal for Ireland!

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    Mute Rory Craig
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    Jan 31st 2019, 9:59 PM

    Still very nervous. When you have lads like this on the park though…..

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    Mute Sean
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    Jan 31st 2019, 11:55 PM

    @Rory Craig: an ellipsis has three dots. It has meaning. It signifies what has been left unsaid. What you have used is just a random amount of dots. It is without meaning. You disappoint me.

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    Mute StationtoStationWine
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    Feb 1st 2019, 9:34 AM

    @Sean: slang ellipsis. i am woke

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    Mute John kane
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    Feb 1st 2019, 2:48 AM

    We are the new All Blacks!! We hate losing

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