[Closed] 2015-16 rugby, world cup year

Players like Biggar even Adam Jones get a reputation for being rubbish because they are thrown in early and make mistakes and learn in big games. Jiffy Junior was dog shit awful on his debut. Biggar was always good and has improved but some on here outside of the welsh dont rate him even though he was a stand out player in the last 6 nations.

Jiffy Junior was dog shit awful on his debut.

And for a long time after too for Wales! Kicking was a liability, he didn't fancy tackling, never got involved in a ruck, always seemed to make the wrong decisions... Cracking for the Scarlets but awful at international level. I guess it is credit to the coaching set up to really turn things around for him. Being the right size for Gatland probably helped get the time invested in him 😀

I guess it is credit to the coaching set up to really turn things around for him.

You know, I've NEVER heard that said about the current England coaching team......

Jarryd Hayne makes it on to the 49ers roster. That'll add one extra thing to follow this coming NFL season. They'll probably use him mostly as a punt returner - to start with anyway.

[url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/71794297/jarryd-hayne-real-money-nfl-pay-day-at-40600-a-week-with-san-francisco-49ers ]stuff.nz[/url]

I don't want to be rude* but wtf is Jarryd Hayne? I've googled him and can see no link between him and the RWC other than he used to play the wrong type of rugby? What am I missing?

*meaning I'm about to be rude.. 😛

Well the thread is entitled "2015-16 Rugby, World Cup Year".

So it's about all rugby, not just the RWC. Hayne was a NRL player, so it's league but it's still rugby and we do mention league on here now and again.

Besides, someone else (a_a possibly) had posted a video of him in action so I was just following on that topic of discussion.

Also, it's always interesting looking at successful (or failed) cross code switches. 😉

The link is despite the rugby league types thinking its great I suspect we may see rugby players of both codes scouted now, including at the world cup.

I see Looney Liam is expected to start v uraguay. Good news, he isnt as "safe" as 1/2p but is more of an attacking threat. Hope he is fit and hits form straight away. Big ask for the lad but if he takes his chance and Biggar kicks his goals he could make the position his own.

he could make the position his own.

He could be the Welsh Willie le Roux!

His hamstring was heavily strapped so it kinda fits unfortunately

Lots of activity around Twickenham area, large circus style tent next to Richmond RFC and many cars parked at Quinns and bus stops being setup all along A316. Starting to feel close now.

Oh dear...I played in England on and off for 9 years...I have gone to some grim industrial towns to play rugby with a team that had "Scottish" in its name. In those post grand slam days,some Saturdays were a muddy brawl with a ball in the middle.It was still better than that pish last night,what the actual shag were the England management thinking of? What's next; win an exclusive spa weekend hosted by the back three? Proper rugby players are looking down their badly reset noses,while weeping into their beer. That's proper beer with chewy bits in the bottom.

.It was still better than that pish last night

What did I miss?

+1

Your evening of music to celebrate the launch of England's world cup campaign. Featuring Take That and special guest.Plus interviews with SL,and various members of the England team, all presented by Vernon Kay.

http://www.theo2.co.uk/events/detail/wear-the-rose-live

Take that and Vernon Kay?
You actually went to that? 😆

Did you expect it to be good? If so, which part of Vernon Kay and/or Take that did you misread?

I'm sure that the non-engand fans will find this a bit sickly, but I think it's really quite good!

Well, that's bloody cheesy and awful.

(I quite like it)

Wrecker; I have just checked my wallet and I still have my mancard,so no I wasn't at it. I think rather than "wear the rose" my Jarvis Cocker type protest while wearing a kilt may have dampened the atmosphere a wee bit,had I been there.Alas, it would appear to be worthy of being on Sky News..and a big feature in the Times.

Ah, I misinterpreted. I pleased that you didn't have to suffer that dirge live. I'm still wondering what persuaded you to watch it on the box though?

Good news about the mancard. 😀

Dunno,I was hoping in these troubled times with everything that is on in the middle East and all,that Sky may have had some proper news.

....and got pulled in by Vernon and Gary???
Sorry mate, just teasing.

Meh,I suspect the amount of hype they are trying to build among the general,non rugby following population means that unless they win it by a half century with Sam getting a hat trick,I will be the one doing the teasing.

I will be the one doing the teasing.

Well after watching that video I'm even more sure that we're gonna win the RWC.

I thought #carrythemhome couldn't be bettered as a way for everyone to share in the social media event that will be England winning the World Cup but #weartherose tops it - absolutely brilliant.

Maybe SL will draft in Vernon Kay and a couple of the lads from Take That as injury replacements. THey could come off the bench in the final for a quick prance about once we're 50pts up on the ABs.

I've ordered my 2015 England World Champions T-Shirt already.

On a rugby related note I've just noticed Charles Piutau has signed a short term (6 month) deal with Wasps. That should liven up their backline which looked a bit lacking in attacking talent.....

He's still going to Ulster in July.

He must be the best player not going to the RWC? (After Cipriani of course. 😉 )

I'm not sure if that video is more cringey or creepy 😕

e must be the best player not going to the RWC? (After Cipriani of course.

And Gav

Blah blah Armitage Abendanon blah.

And Gav

Ok serious question how do you think your team will go in the World Cup?

Wales wont get out of group of death 🙁

I think Wales and England will be competing for the bottom then, I can see us getting our arses handed to us by Fiji.

England wont lose to Fiji. Wales wont get out of the group I dont think.

Samson might join Liam in starting v uraguay apparently. Hope they hold together.

England wont lose to Fiji. Wales wont get out of the group I dont think.

I hope you are right.
As long as we beat Wales I'll be happy.

As long as we beat Wales I'll be happy.

Sorry, Edinburgh defence. Genuinely.

I wouldn't be too surprised to see Fiji and Aus qualify. Fiji have been playing some cracking rugby this year and were actually putting away most of their penalties too.

Wales had a tough job getting out of the group before the Italy game, now not a chance. Could have lived with losing Webb just about but 1/2p really messes things up.

but 1/2p really messes things up.

I don't agree. As good a player as he is, if Williams is fit he's a better counter-attacking 15, and Biggar is a consistently good kicker.

Webb has been a stand out player for Wales lately.

The real problem is lack of depth, as usual.

The loss of 1/2p is big, but Biggar is a top quality kicker, maybe 5m shorter in range and he hasnt really kicked in internationals much but I reckon he'll be fine. Williams if fit and on form is more of a threat in attack maybe doesnt have the defensive positioning of 1/2p. 15 is crucial in the welsh system as everyone else defends in the line no ball carrying 8 or scrum half sweeping like england often have.

The forwards will win or lose the game v england I reckon. Hopefully Samson can play a half and AWJ is fit. AWJ would be a bigger lose than 1/2p.

Davies at 9 could be good, could be a nightmare. He's untested at international level due to injuries last season but he's electric ball in hand. Him and Williams certainly will make Wales less predictable.

The reliability of 1/2ps kicking is fundamental to the way Wales have set themselves up. Biggar may be good but psychologically losing a guy that can pretty reliably kick 3 points from anywhere in the oppositions half will be hard to take. I like Williams and if he was fit it might not be too bad but he's not and now he'll be rushed in with not enough game time. If Williams becomes fit it'd have been much better to have him replace Cuthbert on the wing.

Webb has been standout but has only recently replaced Philips (who the rest of the team understand how he plays), and there's a bit more depth in the squad there.

Scotland will finish above Samoa and lose the quarter to Engerland,Engerland. It will be just as tight a game as last time that will be ignored as evidence that you lot aren't very good either.THM will celebrate by mentioning that the closeness of the game will have left him "sweaty" and Zokes will crawl out from under his rock to get AA a ban. Ideally for comedy gold, we will put a dent in one of your centres,forcing you to start Burgess against the AB's in a game that Stuart Barnes thinks you will win.
Ireland are the enigma wrapped in a mystery for the home nations. That half when they destroyed the AB's was the best performance against a SH team since England played with 13.

A very poorly cast nymph......the fish swims serenely past

England will beat Fiji (just) and then Wales before getting mullered by the Wallabies and losing George Ford injured.

SL will say that the team are "improving" despite the loss and that they had a "very good team meeting" after the game.

They will then face Scotland in the quarter, as they've sensationally beaten the Boks, where Owen Farrell stars in a 6-3 trouncing.

On to the semi where the ABs race into a 50 point lead before Cipriani comes off the bench for his first appearance in the RWC (and last ever cap) with ten minutes left and sparks a three try revival as England lose 50-21.

Afterwards SL will say that, despite the loss, we are "improving" as evidenced by "us winning the last ten minutes".

This secures his job until 2019 and we suffer four more years of middle-management inspired mediocrity - securing the runners-up spot in the 6N on annual basis before failing to win the RWC (again).

At least England haven't got to the point where they lose to a very second rate side and sack the coach before he even gets on the plane home. There's time for that, yet.

(I am enjoying the fact that England are doing exactly what Wales (and Scotland iirc) did between about 1995 and 2005. They have now reached the stage of raiding RL because they must be good, yes? Did someone pick up a Welsh coaching manual in the Oxfam bookshop and assume it was gospel? Is there a redeemer on the way?)

😀

As an aside to all the above, I am off to the welcoming ceremony for Japan and Samoa today at Brighton Dome. I expect to feel very very small...