MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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No ‘home’ team gives any money to the visitors
Really? Why do Aus and SA keep playing Wales outside the Nov window then? Charity to Wales?
Ah, but Aus / SA are able to demand payment because it falls outside of the international window. If they play when they can, they can't ask for the money.
So, I guess WRU believes it's worth the circa £750k they have to pay in additional revenue.
Now try that when the players aren't available (as per almost all English ones) and see what your gate sales are and whether you want to bid for a loss making test, then share the loss with the opponents!
It's a none argument AA, all home nations play by the same rules, and the rules need to change.
I thought the reason England have not played NZ recently was that England would not pay NZ a big enough share?
all home nations play by the same rules, and the rules need to change.
That was my point
Why should England pay the AB's? It's not like we struggle to sell out Twickenham against any other team. Do NZ give anyone a cut when they play at home?
Any excuse to have a pop at the English though eh?
NZ wanted money to play, that’s absolutly right. I think they only requested it of England though, not any other nation. England rightly told them to do one. Seems reasonable?
This is coming over a bit anti English AA, I see your post about the rules need to change for all so not sure that’s the intent but it is.
I will admit I thought it was a "good topic for discussion" but the serious point is something that all tier 1 nations ( are Wales still that? ;-( ) need to consider.
I dont know the ins and outs of who pays what and how much. Seems theres a lack of transparency and fairness in the whole thing.
and why would Samoa want to play England if it costs them money and England never go to Samoa?
Presumably because if as a visiting team they aren't earning much/anything then they may as well do it against high profile opponents.
Predictions for the weekend?
England by 25
NZ by 10
Australia by 2
Ireland by 15
NZ by 10
NZ by 25 imo.
I see Hartley is benched
NZ to win but might be close if Wales can remember to go forward before they go wide. Kiwis are missing the "go forward" of Keino and Retallick a lot.
I suspect Hartley is on the bench so that George can get rid of the perma-sub tag. George seems to be the better player, but Hartley first with George as the "finisher" is the best way to cover the hooker position over 80+ minutes. In ye olden days George would probably have been the starting hooker.
I wonder what the evidence is to support the use of "tactical" replacements. It is touted as helping to reduce injuries, but I'm not sure that it does. I vaguely remember that it was introduced after a Saffer admitted feigning injury so that his team could have a fresh player.
England by 20
NZ by 5
Scotland by 10
Ireland by 20
if Wales can remember to go forward before they go wide
We have no decent carriers to use to get go forward! Gone from a massive backline to a midgit backline
Wales: Halfpenny, Amos, S Williams, O Williams, S Evans; Biggar, Webb; R Evans, Owens, Francis, Ball, A W Jones (capt), Shingler, Navidi, Faletau.
Replacements: Dacey, W Jones, Brown, Hill, Tipuric, Davies, Priestland, Roberts.
6 lions in the starting line up and 4 on the bench 😀
I see what you mean, just Faletau and AWJ from the starting XV.
On the plus side Scotland were worse off than that on paper though Gray was much better at carrying than usual. What the Scots did really well was to protect their ball after the carry and get it to Price (cracking good player in the making) quickly, I'm not sure Wales have the back row to give Webb the same service.
A lot of what's been written here and in the press regarding the match fees seems very much the big bad RFU pocketing cash and not sharing it around despite others doing the same.
It needs sorting and the IRU need to pull their finger out and do something about it. What, I don't know because like most things it's probably horribly complicated to get to the bottom of.
Some interesting calls by Jones. I thought Hartley had a pretty solid game last week and whilst I think George is the better hooker, I'm not sure Hartley is suited to being a sub. Plus when he was last a sub for Saints he got banned again....
^ I remember that game....my stream crashed. In the few minutes it took to reboot Hartley had come on and been sent off again!!
For clarity Scotland pay all the teams they play in the Autumn tests. I would imagine it is cheaper to play Samoa than NZ. They still make a lot of their annual budget after paying their opponents. As for telling NZ to do one.
Why would England pay to play against the All-Blacks?
Because that's how it works.
Do NZ pay opponents when they play at home?
Also, worth taking a minute to remember that 14 years ago today we saw the biggest ever achievement in NH rugby.
Duckman - do they? I thought no pay to away teams? Actually interested, not picking a fight!
In other news, George North is like a Ferrari that you’ve lost the keys for.... 🙂
Also, worth taking a minute to remember that 14 years ago today we saw the biggest ever achievement in NH rugby.
No, Llanelli beating The All Blacks was longer ago than that!
^ 😀
Scott Williams is apparently going to get his 50th cap if he starts on Sat- I don't know why but I found that quite surprising
Blimey....don't know too much about him, but thought he'd be on 15-20 tops!
Blimey....don't know too much about him, but thought he'd be on 15-20 tops!
I'm sure Lawes kniws who he is!!
Playing like shit at the moment though 🙁
Is he Roberts replacement then? Got it in my mind that Roberts and JD2 played an absolute bucket load of tests together?
For clarity Scotland pay all the teams they play in the Autumn tests.
What's your source for this?
Do NZ pay opponents when they play at home?
They did give Samoa a "share"(undisclosed sum) recently, but that was dependent on selling sufficient tickets. England paid Samoa the last time they visited. Not sure if anyone else has besides those two.
teams don't visit Samoa due to the lack of infrastructure. Samoa sometimes choose to host home games in NZ. Samoa are a poor union for many reasons, scapegoating and trying to shame England for not doing what nobody else does (and actually doing more than most/all) is crap.
WR need to sort some things, and in all honestly Samoa need to sort some stuff too.
Got it in my mind that Roberts and JD2 played an absolute bucket load of tests together?
One of them is usually injured. I expect lots of Williams caps are off the bench too.
That try against England was in 2012 so he's been around a good while.
Seems to have lost all his pace since being injured v England at last World Cup though.
New Zealand: McKenzie; Naholo, Crotty, Williams, Ioane; B Barrett, Smith; Hames, Taylor, Laulala, Tuipulotu, S Whitelock, Squire, Cane, L Whitelock.
Replacements: Harris, Crockett, Tu'ungafasi, S Barrett, Todd, Perenara, Sopoaga, Lienert-Brown.
Looks shit. Wales by 20+ NZ so desparate they have drafted in Brad Barrett at 10 and he's a shitty lump of a 12 and as for former Cardiff boy Casey Laulala at tight head!!! He must have bulked up a bit since he left Wales.
Think I need a lie down
Looking like a bonus point win for Cheetahs v Edinburgh...pray for TJ!
Had a hunt, can only find that SRFU would not disclose whether they paid anything over ‘hosting the game’ which is all the IRB require.
Suspect England are seen as the bad guys because the union is rich, but everyone else is playing exactly the same game...
anagallis_arvensis - MemberLooking like a bonus point win for Cheetahs v Edinburgh...pray for TJ!
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Here come Glaws. Four in a row which is almost unheard of in recent years and Irish up next at home. Finally look like a team with coaches and leaders with good defence, basics and game plan. A few names still injured too. Top6 is a possibility.
Last time I saw Glaws was at the Sale game.....we've not won in the league since! Was surprised by the scoreline tonight.
Glaws are defending very well. I actually think that they look better without Kvesic. 12T is still shit though.
Ok wrecker "pay" probably isn't the correct sum "% of gate receipts" would be a better way of putting it. I had a conversation with somebody who works full time for the SRU about it last year when Engerland were getting a kicking over paying whatever Island team they played.It used to be quite open knowledge, I don't understand the secrecy around it as tinybits alludes to. Unless it is guilt on behalf of the developed rugby nations over what they share with not just the Island teams,but tier 2 sides from Europe as well. And for clarity, we are all at it.
Good result for Glaws last night...they've discovered their backbone and can actually defend pretty well. Purify was very good last night I though.
Not sure what's happened to Newcastle who looked very good at the stat of the season.
I'd have Kvesic as one of the most over rated players in the league!
England v Tonga in the League WC semi - watch the highlights if you don't know the result. Incredible stuff.
I flicked it on after an hour gone. Mental last 20 mins, certainly no going back to sleep after that!!
Kvesic looked good for Worcester but was pants when he moved to Glaws. Not seen that much of him since his switch to the Chiefs.
Nightmare start for Quinn's - 26 nil down at halftime to Barf. Ouch.
Awesome eh Tim? Final will be tough!
Cracking try from Scotland.
England get the rub of the green on their first try again.
South Africa beating Italy well at the moment.
Red card Kepu, thicker than Francis!!!
Scotland handing out a dicking to Australia. Cheika will no doubt be gracious in defeat...
TJ will be purring.
Slade has looked much better at 13. England are a bit inaccurate but there's been quite a few changes big issue for me is Samoa ruling the breakdown. We're so far behind pretty much everyone in that department.
Bloody hell Scotland! Let's get Hogg fit and start the six nations asap.
😯
Good game to watch as a neutral. There's a lot of Scottish players who played out of their skins. Forwards deserve a beer or two for not giving Aus a look in and totally dominating. Being super critical, Scotland didn't score the points they deserved early on and Russell fluffed too many kicks at goal and to touch to win a tighter game. There were some crucial changes in momentum before the red card which would have usually been key if Aus were not already on holiday lapping up the Scottish sun. When it was 15 vs 15 Aus had their usual knack of scoring quite easily out of nothing but all credit to Scotland for racking up a monumental result! I wouldn't be unhappy if Wales ever played like that!
That's a very, very fine win for Scotland. They'll be relishing the 6N for sure.
Great stuff from Scotland, they have been a real pleasure to watch this season
8 Tries? You score 4 we will score 8? Did I really just see Scotland play?
Scotland have been threatening to give someone a beating. Today they handed it out.
Watson immense at disrupting and stealing. Barclay as well Between them they got half a dozen turnovers. Gray workrate as ever. Price Russell and Horne created space. McGuigan looked the part and backed himself successfully
We have waited a while
Enjoyed that!
Not entirely neutral though - I like to see NH sides beat the SH. Makes world rugby a bit more interesting, and gives me a bit more pride in my hemisphere even if it's not Wales.
Well - not yet... come on boys 🙂
Sheesh. Daly really does have sone gas; that was a cracking try. Slade had a really good game at 13 I thought. Simmonds did OK and played the full 80.
The breakdown really does need some hardwork over the next few months.
And Worcs have just beaten Tigers! Five tries to three, so a maximum five points for them. Hopefully with Hougaard back they can pull themselves out of the relegation battle.
All credit to Scotland. I must say though that the Scottish players could learn a thing or two from Michael Hooper. At least he showed true sportmanship by congratulating the Scots on their win, unlike Scotland when they lost last week to NZ.
Kapa O Pango = still grumpy about the Lions tour !
I missed most of the Scotland match - amazing score line- how big an impact was the red card?
That looked nasty hope Jake is ik soon
All credit to Scotland. I must say though that the Scottish players could learn a thing or two from Michael Hooper. At least he showed true sportmanship by congratulating the Scots on their win, unlike Scotland when they lost last week to NZ.
Is this a serious comment? 😆 😆
how big an impact was the red card?
Pretty big, was a cracking game up to then.
****ing typical!!
My son just asked me who is better than NZ...had to say maybe England....pray for my soul!!
Just told mine only one team has beaten them recently. 😀
EDIT: But they've been there for the taking on this tour. Poor against France, poor against Scotland and poor again tonight.
maybe England
Come on, seriously?
Autumn internationals are one thing, but when push really comes to shove?
Just told mine only one team has beaten them recently
Pleased for you but doubt I'll ever see Wales beat them 🙁
Autumn internationals are one thing, but when push really comes to shove?
Maybe its just because they havent played them recently, but we know NZ are better than all the other potential options
No ref thats 3 in a row not 2 within 5m...surely a yellow
"Pleased for you but doubt I'll ever see Wales beat them "
But if ever there was a time to dream 🙂
🙁
Roberts and Williams had lead boots on then!!
Well I like to dream as much as every other Welsh person, but they just aren't good enough this time.
So much for my predictions, all the results but not even close with the scores. 🙂
So - that's all folks! ( well, apart from Wales who decided their players aren't smashed up enough, so will play a standalone against SA next week 😯 )
What have we learnt?
Ireland - great 1st XV, miss Sexton & Murray if not playing. SoB off Gatlands xmas card list!
England - great depth, scoring some lovely tries. Set piece very good, breakdown STILL a problem.
Scotland - seem to believe they are the NZ BaBa's!!!
Wales - starting to play Welsh style rugby again! If they click - beware!
6N predictions? Who knows!! If it's based on tries scored Scotland could win it but still lose every game!!! France get more woeful every year. Wales will win a few, but probably lose too many. Ireland could crush the life out of everybody, but if England play to their potential, we have a good home draw this year.
But if ever there was a time to dream
It was when Gav kicked us to within 1 point with 5 to go and then Wellues kicked the ball away on 8mins 🙁
Wales havent learnt that Steff Evans is shit in defence, Owen Williams could step up as can Navidi and Rob Evans is a crackin loosehead. However we still have few gainline breakers, tight head props or locks to replace AWJ.
Just told mine only one team has beaten them recently.
Australia beat them last time out. Playground rules mean both England and Scotland are better than the ABs 🙂
Just told mine only one team has beaten them recently.
Australia? 😆
Australia beat them last time out.
Ah, my bad. I was going on the RC...forgot about that third Bledisloe.
Ok, so only one NH team has beaten them recently. I do reckon England would have beaten them on this tour - they've not been great.
Australia? 😆
Sorry, Rich beat you to that one. 🙂
I don't want to talk about rugby today. I had a last minute invitation to watch Wales vs NZ in the box with drinks in the former players bar afterwards.
My wife reminded me that I'd promised to do some decorating this weekend.
My friends are currently texting me photos of famous rugby players who they are drinking with.
Normally I am very happily married.
Wrecker - sounds like you need a new patio rather than decorating
Cracking game today. Scotland should of done a little better in the 1st half, but made the extra man count in the 2nd. Old mate can't complain about the red card either. Silly and dangerous. Great to see a few of the lesser known names coming through from Scotland (or SA!) and putting in the performances. I was worried about or lack of strength in depth, but the replacements are doing a bang up job so far.
dantsw13 - 6N predictions. Italy last, France second last.