[Closed] Rugby thread 2016/2017

We where all taught to jump to catch the ball and to bring your knees up to "protect" yourself / knee the other guy in the head / intimidate him. I played on the wing.

And I am sure you were better trained and more skillfull than George North. How old were you when you made your international debut younger than 18 I expect and I expect you scored a hatrick rathercthan just two! Did you score on your Lions test debut too?

[img] [/img]

Reminds me of Sexton trying to yank Barretts head off. TMO spends so long trying to look for a grounding that they miss the fact its a clear pen try and maybe a yellow!

North was out cold. Irresponsible to put him back on the pitch.

North was out cold. Irresponsible to put him back on the pitch.

Are we suggesting that the Dr who assesed him was lying? He says he was worried about his neck so lay still, Dr assessed him and said he was ok..I dont know but what I do know is that they would know more than I did.

So you DONT think he was unconscious?

No idea from the video I saw, looked like it but hard to tell.

To be clear even if his neck was the problem and he had no head injury it was still ****ing stupid letting him play on.

Are we suggesting that the Dr who assesed him was lying?

To be clear even if his neck was the problem and he had no head injury it was still **** stupid letting him play on.

To be fair medical teams have let him play on before, which is part of the reason he has problems.

The difference in this case is that he was taken off an assessed in the case with Wales he stayed on. Mind you I can still recall George Smith stumbling off v Lions and then coming back on!!

he could be looking at a short career.

Did George leave the field? The clip I saw (was at the shed on the piss all day), he was being given a once over, nodded a bit and ran off!

Dont know I thought I read he was assessed and past fit. I've only seen that clip.

North, 24, left the field for a mandatory head injury assessment before returning to the action

From beeb

Lydiate to miss rest of season having done acl. Had some shit luck with injuries that bloke.

Yep, he left the field actually looking fine and looked ok for the rest of the game too.

If there's a suspicion of unconsciousness the player stays off.

I'd say there was definite suspicion of loss of consciousness.

He should not have been on the pitch after that. follow the lead of the scottish teams - I have only once seen a player come back on after an HAI and he clearly wasn't knocked out at all but still had one after a heaqd blow.

I feel sorry for North - his employers have done him a huge disservice and he really should think about stopping playing if he wants to have a healthy life after rugby. How many concussions has he had now?

Irish papers reporting Pat Lam to leave Connacht at the end of the season to join Bristol. Big loss to irish rugby. Having a 4th team to bolster the Irish squad has made a big difference to Irish strenght and depth. Without it several of the current squad would have fallen through the net, including Ultan Dillane

Reminds me of Sexton trying to yank Barretts head off. TMO spends so long trying to look for a grounding that they miss the fact its a clear pen try and maybe a yellow!

TMO can only answer the refs question, so if the ref dont ask.

On another note, why was Dan Cole on the pitch, is his propping really that good that he needn't even try for the rest of the game

TMO can refer foul play to the referee

Yup, but in respect of awarding a try or not, I think they have to answer the questions the ref asks. That's said, if he said try yes or no, he could have said no because of the foul play. If it was to check grounding then that's that I 'think'

TMO can only answer the refs question

TMO's can highlight foul play so he could have done. Neck rolls were only in vogue for about 3 months though! I'd like to see the clear out from that game towards the end that ended with a Aussies legs flying through the air!

AA - we only won because of the ref - no need to labour the point. It happens all the time.

Reading and understanding was never a strength of yours was it.

No true, very easy to misunderstand - "Aus have been raped by this ref!" - isnt it? So please excuse me.

Still where would an England win be without some clips of cheating/foul play/referring incompetence/ etc to add some insight? We are all the better for it.

It was a shame that it was Aus not Eng who were only 3 pts up at half time. I was looking forward to comments about a world class team butchering so many scoring chances, but we had to do without this time.

Aus have been raped by this ref!"

They were, doesnt mean the better side didnt win though. Every 50:50 decision went to England. Missed forward pass led to england try, vuniopla being off side led to another. Ref managed to be poorly placed for all the Aus scoring chances in the first half which meant the question was always try yes or n rather than any reason not to. Not to mention Yardes try being very touch and go but I suppose rightly BOD was given to the attacker. Shame said BOD wasnt awarded to Aus. The yellow at the end was a joke too but the game was done and dusted by then.

I was looking forward to comments about a world class team butchering so many scoring chances, but we had to do without this time.

What are you dribbling on about?

Do.Not.Feed.The.Troll.

😀

The yellow at the end was a joke too

Indeed, especially as it was on Mike Brown who's obviously attended the Yoanne Huget school of acting.

Browns a **** isnt he!! I'd love him if he was welsh but alas he's just a ****!!

[quoteI'd love him if he was welsh

All you need to know about AA in relation to the Rugby threads in one sentence. Everytime he pokes you with a stick repeat that sentence on your head.

He's going to be a nightmare after England win the 6N.

He's going to be a nightmare after England win the 6N.

Great lets hope they dont then!

Trying to be as impartial as possible, that was a clear yellow IMHO. Late, no wrap just an out and out shoulder charge. If Lawes had done it, non-englanders would be saying it was filthy.

Trying to be as impartial as possible,

No place for that filth on this thread!

I was impartial too. ****ing hate the Aussies!!
Greenwood had a right old rant about it on Sky....

If there's a suspicion of unconsciousness the player stays off.

I'd say there was definite suspicion of loss of consciousness.

It seems the club now agree. North's off for an independent assessment and they've released a statement saying to don't have access to the same replays in on the touchline that the TV does. If they'd seen the footage on the day that they've now seen he wouldn't have continued.

[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38227807 ]http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38227807[/url]

Greenwood had a right old rant about it on Sky....

He was ranting that the act [b]shouldn't[/b] have been a yellow card not that it [b]wasn't[/b]
The rant was aimed at world rugby, not the ref. The ref did what he's been instructed to do, nothing more.

As for North - it's exactly the same as Gatland did, and it was crap then as well. I can't believe they didn't know and given all of the monitoring and that they have a team sat there, glued to laptops etc that someone didn't spot it. FFS it's even shown on the big screen in the sodding ground!

And don't get wound up by AA, he trolls this thread mercilessly looking for anyone non welsh to have a pop at. I think he's quite harmless really.

Oh, and Lydiate out until next season, that's one less Lion...

Feeble excuse about North. He needs to find himself a decent employer

North himself may not have known either..at least he is being checked.

And don't get wound up by AA, he trolls this thread

So discussing rugby on a rugby thread is trolling? Not sure I understand. Mind you its funny when you say something about Brown being a **** who I'd love if he was welsh and Kryton gets his knickers in a right old twist about a complement!! I hated Martin Johnson too and that Dilly Dally ****. Always like Dan Luger though!

My knickers aren't in a twist, thats so 2015.

I merely made a comment based on my past experience. By father, son and hold ghost you are forgiven AA, I hold no malice but merely observe your predujice.

t seems the club now agree. North's off for an independent assessment and they've released a statement saying to don't have access to the same replays in on the touchline that the TV does. If they'd seen the footage on the day that they've now seen he wouldn't have continued.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38227807

Sounds like backpedaling to me; there's been a lot of discussion about it and they're now think 'oh balls'. I struggle to truly believe that they weren't aware of it or able to see it.

There's been too many players retiring because of concussion, hopefully he won't be the next.

AA - you must admit to a little one eyed ness and a delight in poking folk on rugby threads? Its fine tho - its what many of us are like when it comes to rugby - somewhat tribal

AA - you must admit to a little one eyed ness and a delight in poking folk on rugby threads?

Of course thats the point!! Most people who actually like rugby and watch more than just the England games understand it.

BTW - AJW and North are poopie!

😉

Did anyone ever hear what happened to the Welsh medics who "didn't see it" last time?
Kept their jobs?
Or moved with him to Saints?

BTW - AJW and North are poopie!

You beast!! I picked Fin Russel as my Lions 10 a few pages back and Hogg at 15... consider my supports for the Scotch players removed!

🙂

The tribal stuff should stay with the wendies, but rugby wouldnt be the same without imagining what AA's scarlet-tinted (or should that be fake-tanned tinted) observations would be each match, let alone the clips!!

Who needs the TV pundits with their unbiased, dull analysis?

Will Skelton to Saffarcens on a short term deal!

The tribal stuff should stay with the wendies, but rugby wouldnt be the same without imagining what AA's scarlet-tinted (or should that be fake-tanned tinted) observations would be each match, let alone the clips!!

On the George front, good. I'm pleased that it's being taken seriously. On the saints front, they are no worse than any other "employer" in rugby. In fact Jim Mallinder is far more palatable than most.

And achingly sexy......

Although apparently his genitals are not orange. Bitter disappointment.

Sadly I am hearing whispers that he may not play again (not Pat, Gav)
Shame, because he's in great nick, still fast, still sharp

Sad but he must be pushing 35 now isnt he? I was suprised he came back from his leg break. That 20 mins before Marler took him out showed what could have been.

From Stuff.co.nz

I loves Loopy Liam as he is our **** but not sure he'd be in my world 15, not sure about Dagg either. Obviously Henson would replace Faz if fit.

1. Jack McGrath (Ireland). The Irish loose-head has been building for a few years and enjoyed a breakout November as the Irish scrum took a major step forward under coach Greg Feek, the former All Black.

2. Dane Coles (New Zealand). Coles' work around the park is a bonus, albeit a sizeable one. His base game, his set-piece work, is outstanding. His lineout throwing in particular puts him ahead of Agustin Creevy.

3. Owen Franks (New Zealand). The most dominant scrummaging tight-head in world rugby, Juan Figallo, didn't play a test this year because of Argentina's selection policy and Franks added enough to his all-round game to head the rest of the field.

4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand). He's not just the world's best lock but he's been in the top three players in the world for the past three years. On his way to a special place in All Blacks history.

5. Maro Itoje (England). Attitude, aggression, size, agility and intelligence. He bossed the Wallabies in June and is a certainty to tour with the Lions in 2017.

6. Chris Robshaw (England). Exceptional work rate makes him vital to resurgent England. Lesser players would have disappeared after the World Cup shambles.

7. David Pocock (Australia). There are better all-round No 7s - Sam Cane, Sean O'Brien - but I'm not sure they've quite put together a sufficient body of work in 2016. Pocock was hindered by being continually picked out of position but he's still a rock.

8. Kieran Read (New Zealand). It's true he's not at his peak, but give me Read over Billy Vunipola over 80 minutes any day. Undeniable, though, that a queue is forming behind Read with Vunipola and Taulupe Faletau at the front.

9. Conor Murray (Ireland). Big, physical, lump of a player in the flesh whose ability to put Ireland in the right part of the paddock is outstanding.

10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand). Game management has improved out of sight and his ability to manufacture points out of nothing has set the All Blacks apart.

11. Liam Williams (Wales). This year represented a lull in the age of the power winger. Had to find room for this fellow because he has it all.

12. Owen Farrell (England). Mental toughness to rival the best because physically he is unremarkable. The world's best at building scoreboard pressure.

13. Jonathan Joseph (England). Defensive work has gone up a gear or two and he is now a real intercept master in the midfield of the type not seen since Jean de Villiers left the arena.

14. Israel Dagg (New Zealand). Isn't really a wing but that's fine because wings aren't really wings these days anyway. Reads the game instinctively and has somehow found a yard of pace previously thought lost.

15. Ben Smith (New Zealand). Liam Williams could have deposed him here but Smith's understanding with Beauden Barrett at No 10 was a thing of wonder.

I loves Loopy Liam as he is our **** but not sure he'd be in my world 15, not sure about Dagg either.

They've based that on the NZ/Wal series where Liam was outstanding. You couldn't really leave Dagg out, he's been consistently brilliant since coming back this year. It was a big mistake to rest him for the Chicago game where his ability to field high balls and to read the game well enough to know when to counter (and when not to) might have got them out of a hole.

I'd have picked Henshaw over Farrell, Vunipola over Read and any number of tightheads over Franks.

No comment on Howley in Lions - how odd? 😉

Hearing that London Irish have gone into liquidation - anybody got any news on that?

London Welsh I think are in trouble
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2016/12/06/exclusive-london-welsh-will-go-business-next-week/

any number of tightheads over Franks.

This one for a start!
[img] http://img2.thejournal.ie/inline/3091778/original/?width=700&version=3091778 [/img]

After clarification from my source (MsD) it's definitely London WELSH not Irish!

Maybe Sarries can lend them a few quid

London Welsh have been in trouble for a while....writing has been on the wall. Was the prem a poison chalice for them?

Wasn't there talk of them and London Scottish trying to join the Pro 12? They'd be better value than both of the Italian clubs that's for sure!

There was talk yes - but its never going to happen for a multitude of reasons. The RFU / PRL would not allow it. There is no room in the calender for more games as that would take the pro 12 to 14 teams. There is no desire in the pro 12 to do so. London Scottish are used as a feeder club by the SRU and we would lose that.

BBC reporting its L Welsh

Having watched Bath again last weekend I have to say Faletau was superb for the 20 mins he played. Probably couldn't have done much more other than score a 80m breakaway try! Outstanding player and by all accounts an all round nice bloke.

Vunipola over Read

It a tough choice and it will mirror the choice the Lions will need to make if both Vinipola and Faletau are fit. Read and Faletau the better all round players lineout option, tackles, turnovers, link play all above what Vunipola does but he carries so so well. Reminds me of 2001 Lions when Dilly Dally and Quinnel went it was all lined up to be a massive selection and then Dilly Dally got injured!

London Welsh are always in the shit.

Jersey too.

It a tough choice and it will mirror the choice the Lions will need to make if both Vinipola and Faletau are fit. Read and Faletau the better all round players lineout option, tackles, turnovers, link play all above what Vunipola does but he carries so so well

All good points but based on the recent internationals Faletau has been missing injured and Read has not been his normal self. He has not been getting involved in link play and popping up in the wider channels, probably because he's been doing more of the gruntwork.

Faletau and Read are both classier all round players than Big Billy but for sheer impact, over the past year, he's been the man.

For the Lions? Who knows? Faletau starting and Billy off the bench? Or maybe, as per 2001, one or both might go down injured and we'll have Heaslip and Nathan Hughes instead......

Heaslip has also been excellent this season too.

I think Vunipola would suit Gatlands style. He is an interesting one. completely predictable in what he will do but still very hard to stop

Billy's a more intelligent player than he gets credit for. His positioning is spot on. Heaslip does offer a lot around the park though, a great all-rounder even if he doesn't quite have the punch that not toby and billy offer.

Welsh really in the shit,unlikely to finish the season. Same foolishness as London Scottish 20 odd years ago.I had some cracking,cracking times playing at dead deer park. Just over the wall from Richmond and they were our real derby, you saw so much of the Richmond boys you struggled to stamp on them with a clear conscience. You played Welsh and they(London urbanites or not) turned into a valley 15, all fury and 30 man brawls. Gawd knows what they did to Richmond as they had the double whammy of being both a derby AND English. But then in all fairness AA seems to hate us all equally so maybe they were the same. 😛

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Not a bad team. To be honest I think the 2nd 11 will be pretty strong this time too.

No Itoje is a bit special!!

anagallis_arvensis - Member
No Itoje is a bit special

Only when you take it out of context. That was his lions xv from the AIs and Itoje didn't play so isn't eligible to be in it.

McGrath
Ford
Cole
Itoje
AWJ
Robshaw
Haskell
Faletau
Youngs
Sexton
Trimble
Farrell
J Davies
Watson
Halfpenny

Ain't a bad reserve team!!

With Howley as backs coach, it'll be a blood bath whoever plays if the Welsh attack this autumn was anything to go by!

It'll be interesting to see who they pick.

Was interesting to see the NZ guys pick a few English backs like Farrell (who has been very good out of position).

Hasn't Farrell always played Eng age rugby at 12 outside Ford?

He's played 10 as well I'm sure - in fact I think he was playing 10 for England whilst playing 12 outside Hodgeson for his club...

Lions still too far away, the 6 nations form will decide (possibly due to who's left standing!)