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That ref in the muns/leics game was terrible. He missed the big stuff, let the TMO tell min what to do and penalised the shit out of the game for trivial stuff. I did enjoy that last kick though.
Agreed in full!
That last kick...the sound of the "thwack" as he hit it, I just knew it was over! Not quite a Thorburn, though....
With an old, heavy ball, this was one hell of a hoof!
Pah, kickers like that are 2 a penny in Wales!!
AA - that Earles one looks clear cut red to me.
Leicester did Glasgow a huge favour tonight. Ta chaps
Here is a rea time giff the video has itvslowed down. Its a red I suppose in the same way as that bloke slapping Pape was a red but the reality is its a joke. You can see it happen in most games.
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Saints could be in trouble for putting out such a rubbish team last night. The review is on the same day they find out much much trouble they're in for the handling of the North situation.
Unless they put out the Youth team surely they can select whoever they like from the first team squad??
Great brave win for Scarlets v Toulon.
I thought Toulon had ground the win there, but fair play for holding on. It's a much better competition this year for all the different winners.
I see Bowe got two tries for Ulster. Anyone watch it? Could be useful to the Lions having him back at his best.
ref-oops:
http://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/epcr-statement-connacht-rugby-v-wasps/
EPCR would like to clarify an issue arising from yesterday’s European Rugby Champions Cup, Round 4 match between Connacht Rugby and Wasps at The Sportsground.The assistant referee, who had taken over as match referee following an injury to Jerome Garces, awarded a penalty to Connacht after time had elapsed. Connacht kicked the ball into touch and from the resultant line-out, scored a converted try to win the game 20-18.
However, as time had elapsed, Connacht should not have been permitted to take a line-out throw-in once the ball had been kicked into touch as stipulated in Law 5.7 (e) of World Rugby’s Laws of the Game.
EPCR would like to thank all parties for their understanding and would also like to confirm that the result of the Pool 2 match stands
That he was an assistant ref should not matter since he is as qualified as the main official.
Big oops.
I watched a bit of the Ulster game amidst family duties. The Bowe try I saw wasn't anything extraordinary - I've seen him play a lot bette.
A short vid of Russell taking Racing apart. Nice watching for those who like to see an old skool fly half or for the doubters. See how hard he works. One passage he was involved five times in under a minute. Even rucke a racing forward off the ball
Bloody good play, and incidentally, some great editing on that video, TJ.
Clearly he put the tape on his head and thought he was a forward, so started playing properly! 🙂
Not my vid. Stolen from a rugby forum
The tape is to stop his brain falling out otherwise he would become a forward 😉
In reality it appears to be holding some impact protection in place on his forehead following the nasty head injury he got - an attempt to prevent another concussion in the same part of his head
The cut on Russell's head was horrible, he still wears a dressing on it to help it heal when he isn't playing. I saw him at Murrayfield a wee while back and he was wearing some rab c affair to reduce the swelling/damage between games.Still; 4 years ago an apprentice stonemason in darkest Ayrshire. Now; Scotland,possible Lion and dating ex Ms Scotland...Fin,Fin...Where did it all go so wrong? 😆
Replacement Ref at the Connacht-Wasps game is a very experienced Ref apparently. He was the Ref at the All Blacks Ireland game in the US and is/was down to officiate on the Calcutta Cup game.
Wasps have issued a statement.
Wasps have issued the following response to EPCR’s statement yesterday, which clarified that a mistake was made by match officials in Wasps’ game against Connacht on Saturday, when Connacht were allowed to take a lineout after time had elapsed, that resulted in the winning try:Wasps’ pitchside officials immediately stressed to the 4th official that Connacht could not take the lineout, as the referee had indicated time had gone beyond 80 minutes. Wasps’ players on the pitch also emphasised to the referee that time was up. Despite several protests, the lineout was still allowed to be taken.
We all understand referees are only human and mistakes do occasionally happen. However, for a referee and 4th official to get the laws of the game wrong at a crucial stage of a big match is hugely disappointing. The error made could have serious repercussions in terms of Wasps’ qualification hopes or the prospect of securing a home quarter final.
EPCR have stated that the result stands. We congratulate Connacht after a hard fought contest and we will now move on to the final rounds, after tough Premiership games against Bath, Newcastle and Leicester Tigers.
Not surprised that Wasps are a bit cheesed off. Its a poor showing that neither the ref nor the fourth official knew the laws of the game. Hopefully Wasps will still qualify.
Seems more and more likely that Ford is leaving Bath at the end of this season with Sale the most likely to sign him. Tigers and Saints are sniffing around too, although I'm not sure their playing style would suit him. I wonder if he is leaving that means that Bath are likely to sign Slade from Exeter after all.
From beeb.
FFS
Northampton Saints will not be sanctioned following the investigation in to their treatment of George North's latest head injury, but it has been ruled that the Wales wing should not have returned to the field of play.
8 weeks for Earle after he failed to take the right biscuits!
Lenient for a face rake. He must have had the right biscuits.
I know you think accidental so not even a red but nowadays in rugby its what happens that counts not what the player meant to happen
Like Rory best on the eye of the Clermont prop that wasnt even cited. Its a ****ing farce of epic proportions.
1 hr 3 mins in
George Earle accidental contact with eye, no harm done no previous 8 weeks. Dylan Hartley deliberate blow to the head knocks out player, lots of previous 6 weeks. Rory Best accidental contact with eye, cuts to eye area of player treated on field..not noticed by 3rd official and not cited..the system is broken
No - just sometimes there are errors. Its far better than it used to be
watching that vid tho that should have been cited - its just an error -
So why wasnt it. If I can spot it live why cant the people checking for it. Its not an error its a ****ing farce. It cannot be an error its just unacceptable inconsistency. I am all for cracking down on reckless play but it has to be done consistently, if its seen it must be dealt with.
As I said - its much better than it used to be. No system can be perfect. why did the coach not refer it to the citing commissioner - they can IIRC
Coaches cannot refer now I thought to prevent tit for tat citings.
Guess the number of weeks here
Lenient for a face rake
Could someone tell me what a face rake is please 😉
Google gives me this;
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[img] https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxkcHgZ4W5f1xX-3p6Qu0CkNpUAm1OwKHdBTkxM5bRbjeW9Xv1 [/img]
Guess the number of weeks here
This one makes me very angry.
Agree that it's a farce. Disagree that Hartley knocked anyone out!
As I've said before I don't believe rugby can withstand this level of slow motion video refereeing and remain a viable game. If you looked at every tackle and ruck in slow motion from every available angle I reckon you could find around 5 red cards a game using the current criteria.
The drive for player safety is laudable but unachievable via penalisation imo when players are constantly getting more powerful and a slip means that a legal hit into the chest / ribs becomes an illegal hit to the head. I think a better solution would be to force players to become less powerful by making the game more aerobic - if everyone lost 5-10 Kg to allow them to perform for longer at their anaerobic limit I suspect we'd see less injuries.
I think a better solution would be to force players to become less powerful by making the game more aerobic - if everyone lost 5-10 Kg to allow them to perform for longer at their anaerobic limit I suspect we'd see less injuries.
And you could do that by getting rid of substitutions - then we wouldn't have 130kg props who can only play for 50 minutes.
I agree whole heartedly, and you'd get back to the Lomu style of freak battering ram, and the Shane Williams little wizard style where you're not either one of 4 18st wings or smashed so hard by the gym monkeys in the first 5 that you're unable to run for the remaining 75 and there's genuine excitement every time the ball is sent thier way...
I agree with this idea but I dont think it addresses the lack of anything even approaching consistency of law application.
I see The Sinners have blamed the poor wifi for George North being sent back on and have recieved no sanction.
Can someone explain to me how this is different to when George got knocked out and allowed to play on for Wales?
I seem to remember there was a lot of discussion around "the medical team assessed him and declared him OK" which is pretty much what happened here is it not?
Wasn't that KO his first one, which could be argued was the precursor to his current woes.
Can someone explain to me how this is different to when George got knocked out and allowed to play on for Wales?
Pretty much the same, but after the Wales one the rules were changed to allow the medical team to see the tv images. This time the Sinners say the wifi went down so they couldnt see it.
Gotcha. From memory, wasn't the wales incident repeated in slow-mo quite a lot at the time though?
I remember watching it and thinking "that bloke is not at all well"
Peter Stringer possible ACL injury 🙁
Saw him in pain after an innocuous passage of play which usually indicates something serious. He got up and played on possibly not realising the seriousness.
At 39 it will be tough for him but If anyone wants to wager a fiver for their favorite charity against it, i will take the bet.
If you're not watching wasps vs bath TURN IT ON!!!
Pah fizzled out.
Great furst half. Got to go out now 🙁
Wade on one wing Giles on the other for The Lions!
Ospreys win in the paddling pool that is Rodney Parade
Bad times at Sale 😯
A resurgent Bristol?
Looks like getting rid of that b**h bloke was a great move.
Siale piatau arriving soon too.
Manu in.... aaaaaand immediately out again.
Bye bye Cock
Feel a bit sorry for Cockerill. It's their backs underperforming, which is Maugers area. He was obviously told the Sarries game was last chance saloon. A couple of bad decisions just before half time cost them the game, and him his job.
What dan says. His track record has been pretty decent and to go after a narrow loss to a dominant Sarries team is a bit bizarre.
Agree, a shame. I've always liked Cockerill, and thought he'd done a good job overall. Met him in a pub once, and he was very nice, despite the conversation of a not as-funny-as-he-thought-he-was-drunk-student spoiling his quiet pint.
I'm surprised that Cockers lasted as long as he did given how they have performed over the last two or three seasons. They've lost good players and not really replaced them plus they spunked a huge amount on Manu the sick note. But I'm equally surprised that they did it half way through the season.
The writing was kind of on the wall with reports about the coaching set up being 'toxic'. The way they've played has bs led this up; they've loked rudderless. On top of that they e been humped by Glasgow and humiliated by Munster in Europe.
They've sacked coaches in the past for better performances than Cockers has achieved this season.
On top of that they e been humped by Glasgow
We can ask Dan Carter about that feeling too
Mindmap has it. I'm an avid Leicester and indeed, Cockers fan from way back as a player. Loved him as a coach in the past but Tigers look clueless, not just in their individual and team performances, but also in any form of improvement plan or direction.
Wonder how good Mauger is as a coach really!
We'll find out!
It's a good sign for home nations rugby.
I think it shows that teams like Glasgow have stepped away from the big contact "win the contact" to play smart, hit the holes rugby. Yeah they have to be physical enough to compete in all aspects but like the ABs it's about playing rugby not wrestling and big hits.
Tuilagi out for the rest of the season.
/career?
Him and George North should start a business together.
It looks like a long road back for Manu now with these constant injuries. He's not an automatic pick for England any more with JJ playing well.
From a Tigers point of view, it was possible not the best bit of business either!
Bloody Not Toby broken too. ****ing Bath he never got injured before he joined that lot!
Sad about Manu, whats he done? Him and Ashley Beck would make an awesome midfield for 1 game a season!
Bloody Not Toby broken too. **** Bath he never got injured before he joined that lot!
Sad about Manu, whats he done? Him and Ashley Beck would make an awesome midfield for 1 game a season!
Manu has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament.
Interesting article on the Telegraph were Mauger basically says that Cockers got the heave-ho because the two coaches were on different pages.
No fan of Delon but this looks like a bloody harsh yellow card!
http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/adrumm/watch-delon-armitage-sin-binned-hand-off-top-14-encounter/
Agree that's ridiculous - the laws (or "guidelines") have become completely farcical.
Fin Russell off to bath with a huge contract buy out is some scuttlebutt doing the rounds.
I hope not - he would be daft to do so
Why would he be daft? Big club in a proper league with much more money.
He is on 375k at Glasgow, is he going to earn much more than that?
He would be daft because Bath will not look after him like Glasgow does
I expect he would be getting much more money if he went to Bath. Earning time of a pro rugby player is short, he'd be a bit daft to not maximise his earnings.
Ford has has the yips with his goal kicking tonight; two really really bad misses. Farrell will have to have a place for England until we find another kicker or Ford sorts his shit out.
Cockers working with Toulon until the end of the season. That didn't take long!
AA - so he could have a long career being a star in a big team with a chance of winning silverwhere where he will be well looked after - or go down south for possibly more money, poorer welfare and no guarantee of regular first team rugby. Its not as if Glasgow stint on saleries. I really think he would be very foolish to go south now - he is still young and still developing as a player. In a few years go south for the money yes - but not now. too many Scotland internationals have ruined their careers chasing money down south
Whatever makes you think that B*** or any AP team don't look after their players as well as any scottish club does?
Considering the amount of money they pay the players, it makes no sense at all.
Whatever makes you think that B*** or any AP team don't look after their players as well as any scottish club does?
I was wondering about that.
he could have a long career being a star in a big team
I thought he played for Glasgow?
These new tackle laws eh...two soft as shit yellows in the Scarlets Ulster game. Mitrea is a shite ref though so have to see how it goes. Had no clue in the scrums or rucks tonight.
They play fewer games and on borderline injuries the SRU ensure they don't play. Nobody;certainly not the established internationals, is ever "carrying a knock" for Glasgow or Edinburgh. Russell doesn't seem to have developed too badly playing for Glasgow judging by his performances.
Russell doesn't seem to have developed too badly playing for Glasgow judging by his performances.
Can't (and didn't) dispute that. Wanting a talented scottish player to remain playing in scotland is a very valid reason for not wanting him to leave, but to suggest that players in the AP don't get well looked after or suffer poor welfare is daft.
G and E might be under SRU ownership at present, but as we have seen in the last few months, that might not remain the case.
Compare the treatment of North and Russell with head injuries?
Because the SRU control the teams they ensure that the players are well looked after. I think in 3 - 5 years time Russell should be looking for another club. Not now. Then he will be right at his peak and could command big money. Now he would be better off staying at Glasgow. I would expect him to get an offer similar to Hogg who got £325000 per year. Would Bath really go much higher? Russell would also have better release for internationals staying in Scotland and Glasgow still have unfinished business in the European Cup that I would think Russell would want to be part of.
North worth was no better treated by wales than Saints.
I would expect him to get an offer similar to Hogg who got £325000 per year. Would Bath really go much higher?
Well they must, or he wouldn't be tempted to move. Priestland is reportedly earning £290,000 and he's hardly played AND he's just re-signed!
Not sure tonights loss to newcastle would have been enticing though.....especially with those sitters missed by flakey ford.
Saints team vs Bris tomorrow;
15 Ben Foden
14 Jamie Elliott
13 Luther Burrell
12 JJ Hanrahan
11 George North
10 Stephen Myler
9 Nic Groom
1 Alex Waller
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Kieran Brookes
4 Courtney Lawes
5 Christian Day
6 Tom Wood (capt)
7 Teimana Harrison
8 Louis Picamoles16 Charlie Clare
17 Ethan Waller
18 Paul Hill
19 James Craig
20 Jamie Gibson
21 Lee Dickson
22 Harry Mallinder
23 Juan Pablo Estelles
HOLY CRAP!!!!!
I feel our winning streak (albeit a small one) might be coming to an abrupt end!