[Closed] Rugby thread 2016/2017

The other big shout of course goes to Big Vern. Got the tactics spot on

If you want to know why we won look at the tackles and breakdowns - the scots guys bounce back to their feet and are back in the line. Wales didn't get a single overlap all game and were always outnumbered cos the scots were quicker so were there to make the tackles and to create the defensive wall

Wales didn't get a single overlap all game

What about on Williams try?

The difference was compsure and taking chances. Wales kept pushing the last pass too much but Scotland took their chances very well.

The pre match stats showed wales' problem. Too much playing not enough scoring. Like Scotland a few years ago where it looked like we couldn't score a try.

I wonder if Biggar is the problem. He's like an unlikeable parissi. He's trying to ref the game but gets more and more frustrated when the ref doesn't agree. His face when he was lying on the ground claiming a knock on when it was obvious he'd gone for the strip was priceless.

I wonder if Biggar is the problem. He's like an unlikeable parissi. He's trying to ref the game but gets more and more frustrated when the ref doesn't agree. His face when he was lying on the ground claiming a knock on when it was obvious he'd gone for the strip was priceless.

The only real negative is that Scotland are still missing a high percentage of tackles; they missed more of less the same as Wales but made/attempted much fewer tackles (according to the match stats).

They'll have a field day at the breakdown against us though.

The press have all but written Italy off wifi ting articles about what they need to do to avoid a cricket score. Hmmmm. Not clever. We'll end up making hard work of it now.

Biggar may be the issue but not for the reasons you highlight. He doesnt play flat enough to draw in defenders and combined with two centres who cant pass we need to bludgeon our way to space and we dont have the forwards to do it. We also dont have any other players to try out.

I was at Murray field yesterday and it was another great match,so many things hinge on the small moments in the modern game, the kick to the corner and the subsequent line out instead of points was one of those points, the transformation of Visser from a player who was unable to catch the ball compete in the air to one who could was immeasurable and fascinating particularly after being picked up and ragged by North.

Personally I thought Price suited the style of Scotland better than Laidlaw, who for all his qualities can be glacial in his passing.
Laidlaw missing meant Russell and Hogg seemed to step up and mature, Russell was excellent and controlled the second half, yes mistakes and errors but they were much less than previous games.

The back row battle was tremendous Barclay was consistent, Wilson made some ground and Watson is outstanding but they played was a unit much more than Wales. Tipuric was lucky by the laws not to be binned, and seemed to lose the momentum of the game. The loss of momentum after 30 Minutes was surprisingly by Wales, yes Scotland raised the tempo in the second half and played tactically better but Wales seemed all at sea at time returning the ball with any shape or form.

Luck did favour Scotland, Davies break and Reece's try not being allowed ( correct decision but sometimes the TMO does spoil the sheer skill and exhilaration of rugby) a couple of scrum decisions but overall the better team won.
Wyn Jones was well off the pace, as were the props, it all felt off after the performance against England.

Well done Scotland.

If anything was proved at Murrayfield yesterday it was that Scotland are better WITHOUT Laidlaw.

Wales were flattered by the score, their try followed a ref mistake as the ball was caught from a kick but the ref gave the scrum to Wales

Welsh sh was dangerous all game

Tipuric and awj should have had cards. Awj tried to kick ickle Johnny head off ( mind you jonny was holding his ankle

The only real negative is that Scotland are still missing a high percentage of tackles; they missed more of less the same as Wales but made/attempted much fewer tackles (according to the match stats).

Not an issue when in their system.
V aggressive def line blitzing almost constantly.
They're going for teams behind the gain line with numbers stepping up quickly. Not unusual for the first player to get stepped when committing like that. system works as long as the next player gets him.
It's about making the highest number of gamechanging tackles, not the most overall %. As in, catching players behind their support. Trade off in stats is not important.
Saracens "wolfpack" defense has similar stats.

Biggar may be the issue but not for the reasons you highlight. He doesnt play flat enough to draw in defenders

Jackson did the same in the Ireland game. It plays into their hands (Scots defense system).

I fear yout TV might be broken tjagain.
😛
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I was at Murray field yesterday

A day that will stay with you for a long time. Well done to Scotland.

That loss to France must really rankle, the team that played Ireland and Wales didn't seem to turn up against Les Blues. All setup for a showdown at Twickenham on 11th.

Wyn Jones was well off the pace

Who is he?

Very well deserved Scotland win

Biggar may be the issue but not for the reasons you highlight. He doesnt play flat enough to draw in defenders and combined with two centres who cant pass we need to bludgeon our way to space and we dont have the forwards to do it. We also dont have any other players to try out.

Spot on a_a but there isn't an alternative as you say. Biggar is solid and fits the defensive game (in fairness not something to be underestimated as he was not at all like this early in his career), and unlikely to lose a game for Wales... but the defenses have all the time in the world to stand of and read what is happening.

Although people are giving pretty boy Finn a bit of a hard time he does take the ball to the line very well and kicked his points. Not perfect and not a Lion, but does get things moving

I'm guessing Bennett is broken but I'd like to see him in as a wildcard Lion. Very talented player

Interesting quote about the kick to touch that shifted momentum... I know it is a horrible place to kick and not the easiest, but the kickers at this level have to back themselves IMO. If Russel can do it I'm sure 1/2p can 😉

Jones, asked whether he might have gone for the points with hindsight, replied: "I would have liked to. The kickers didn't want to, so we went for the corner. Then I got done for blocking at the back of the lift, but I would have liked to have gone for the three."

If Russel can do it I'm sure 1/2p can

I dont understand why Biggar isnt kicking. 1/2p is a bit off his very high standards and Biggar is bloody good.
Having said that the wind was pretty strong and if both of them didnt fancy it then backing themselves to go for the corner is fine by me.

A_A pretty much all the Welsh fans around us clap the decision to go for the corner, it looked and felt a good choice, Wales seemed on top and gaining momentum but it turned out to be a real critical game changer.

Also agree about Biggar both kicking and style, the backs did not seem confident at all. L Williams impressed but should be fullback to give more threat.

Alun Wyn Jones the captain is no where near the lions team , three Englishmen and Jonny gray are way out in front mech. The Welsh lineout was pretty ropey, the Scots pulled the same move three times and it was pretty clear what they were going to do.

Scots defense is pretty outstanding and the stats mean little, from the warm up it was clear what the Scots planned.

Referring caused some outcrys on both side and it will be interesting to see the match back but it did feel ropey especially at scrum time. It was a complete contrast to Romain Poite referring in the Ireland game which was a great performance especially in the speed of setting the scrum.

Been up in Ullapool climbing, just got into wifi again...Did I miss anything?

If Warburton had been captain there wouldn't have been any discussion or disagreement and they'd likely have gone for the three points.

Excellent start by Nathan Hughes 😯

Quite the start from Italy at the Library!

They've come on leaps and bounds to keep the mighty England hemmed in their own half.

Tackle only

Is England confuse?

Tackle only

replacing the choke tackle as the tactic du jour?

The way this is going I'm starting to think the Calcutta Cup might be heading north in a couple of weeks 😀

Haskell confirming for the few who didn't already know it that he is indeed thick as mince.

And then playing like a donkey as well.

H-Ass-k

^Lolz at Haskell!! Can't decide if I'm enjoying this or not!

And a most basic schoolboy error to finish the half.

Italy playing a good basic game here.

Chase penalty attempts. Rebound. Score.

Would you Adam & Eve it?
😆

5-6 would have been fair and can't complain about 5-10 either really. Italy playing well, England well below par. Sums up why I would never part with £90 to watch this fixture.

Someone will have to explain how Italy 9 isn't persistently offside

I'm enjoying the match because Italy are still in it.

A few England players not looking too brilliant. Aside the aforementioned culprits Farrell has been totally pish and why didn't Te'o manage to put May in for a try? Has he been taking tips from Brown?

I'd love to hear EJ's half time talk......

Someone will have to explain how Italy 9 isn't persistently offside

I think the ref has explained that already.....

That was brilliant.

Is anyone remotely surprised that haskell doesn't know the rules?!?

I'm predicting a very, very different 2nd half.....

Someone will have to explain how Italy 9 isn't persistently offside

You are James Haskell, I claim my £5, and suddenly a lot of things I've seen on this forum become clear 😀

[quote=namastebuzz ]
I think the ref has explained that already.....

"I am the ref not the coach"

Brilliant

Don't know why England are so frustrated by that tactic. My understanding is.. No ruck just a tackle you don't have to play the ball and opponents can't come within 1 metre. So do nothing!!!

Brilliant - first advert after the halftime analysis is for confused.com

Maybe the ad agency had a tip off about Thursday's referee's meeting too

So do nothing!!!

That's what England have done so far - nothing! 😆

Nothing indeed...x2

LOL. Sucker punch

Boom.