[Closed] Rugby Thread 2017/18.

Their problems can't all be laid at the feet of the misguided quota system though, they were actually in the game until NZ scored their second try. The same thing also happens in NZ and has for years,yet they seem to be able to cope; Remember Stephen Donald got a WC winners medal while Nick Evans was at Quins jumping up and down and shouting "pick me!" I wonder if it is a wider reflection of how young talented people in SA see their future prospects?

I am sure AA will be even handed in condemning the ref in the Cardiff/Glasgow game

I didnt think the ref was paticularly biased just usual pro14 shit. His lack of decision making with scrums was a particular highlight as was the "breakdown". But how all the team could miss some of those knock ons was just bizare.
Big miss from McShingler at the end. Blues battled hard and missing all those players out injured doesnt help. Was nice to see Cuthbert actually powering into contact and throwing his weight around in defence maybe he'll come good again.
Glasgows try was a cracker Fin Russel is great on the front foot but does need to play % sometimes, tries too hard on occasion.

They are reaping what they have sewn

Dont get this, they are being negatively impacted by the money in France and England surely? Never been a bok fan but this gives me no joy.

I thought the missed kick was karma after the Blues not going down to 14 a couple of mins earlier!

What was that for I have to admit I was only half watching on my phone.

@aa I think previously talented players stayed for the honour (and money) of playing for the 'boks. I met Neil McDonald in '85 at Uni and he was offered a "job" to stay in UK but was determined to go back and play for SA. Now I think he'd stay. With the selection system and admin above they are saying no thanks. Its been going on in business for many years with the way contracts are awarded, some of my best colleagues came to the uk that way.

I wonder if it is a wider reflection of how young talented people in SA see their future prospects

Indeed but add in the word "white".

Young players in NZ grow up with hope that they'll pull on the black jersey one day.

A lot if young white South Africans don't nurture similar dreams and look at the fairer systems elsewhere.

Nobody in their right mind could ever argue that apartheid wasn't evil but that's 25yrs ago now. Transformation is still unfair.

Sure, the Boks were in the game and the ABs were sublime and the difference isn't as great as the scoreline suggests - but rugby needs a strong Springbok side. Currently it doesn't have one.

The money in europe will mean that soon only nz will have strong domestic sides

An SA friend, whose brother is well connected with SA Rugby, told me there are more than 250 professional SA rugby players plying their trade outside SA now. Rugby is still important there, Schools rugby is still ridiculously serious (an area Australia is struggling with I understand).

I met Neil McDonald in '85

A very different time, pre-professionalism and the old regime was still in power. Big bugger though, difficult to get the ball off.

What was the Boks record coming into the match?

Went to bed after first half. SA in the match for first 10, then a sublime example of ABs ruthlessly punishing mistakes and executing brilliantly - with some artistry from Barrat.

AB were brilliant in finishing but score slightly flattered. To justify headlines I am guessing BOks capitulated in 2H?

To justify headlines I am guessing BOks capitulated in 2H?

Not really, they kept struggling manfully and didn't lay down. Unlike, say, the French did in the RWC.

250 players overseas? I'd read 350 in one article but, either way, it's a lot.

A young Kevin Pietersen was once excluded from the Natal side in favour of a black player so he came to play cricket in England. How many rugby players will do the same?

Glasgows try was a cracker Fin Russel is great on the front foot but does need to play % sometimes, tries too hard on occasion.

Indeed. How many crap gubbers did he put in giving the ball away. Much more professional from the tee. Well below par overall tho. Stilllooks rusty.

I didnt think the ref was paticularly biased just usual pro14 shit. His lack of decision making with scrums was a particular highlight as was the "breakdown". But how all the team could miss some of those knock ons was just bizare.

Glasgow gave 23 turnovers - you can't do that and expect to win too many games.

Nice to see the Weegie from Fiji back and looking lively. Defences seem afraid to get near him sometimes. Boy is he fast

Far too little control from Glasgow. Yes its nice to play high tempo and to run it out from your own 22 - but sometimes it needs to be slowed down and sometimes the clearance kick is worth doing.

Glasgow need to play a bit more basic and controlled game.

Blues lucky to keep 15 on the pitch I thought - punches thrown, high tackles, some cynical play. cuthbert could easily have had two yellows on another day. Somone rattled his cage. Zander could have been carded as well.

Not a great game.

Blues lucky to keep 15 on the pitch I thought - punches thrown, high tackles, some cynical play. cuthbert could easily have had two yellows on another day.

Most of the niggle seemed to come from Glasgow taking players out when well beyond the ruck, both Williams and Cuthbert had words with players doing it

Joe Marler.

What a monumental ****.

A bit of niggle / handbags in the Quins Wasps game between Marler and Haskell leading to a yellow for Haskell - all a bit embarrassing really.

Good game so far otherwise...

I did say Zander could have been carded as well. also don't a lot of teams try to wind opponents up into losing their temper? I thought he had got his niggle under control but maybe not. Just because he is an actual choirboy and a national champ on a mountainbike he really does not need to prove he is a WWF champ as well.

Ref should have had much better control of this whole thing.

That Marler Haskell thing is hysterical and tragic all at once.

Pigface - Member
That Marler Haskell thing is hysterical and tragic all at once.

Agreed - makes me a little nostalgic for the bad old days; you can't imagine the same scenario between Dallagio and Leonard...

250 players overseas? I'd read 350 in one article but, either way, it's a lot.

I couldn't recall the precise number so erred on the side of caution. I presume that this is guys with full time contracts, rather than guys like my niece's boyfriend who are paid to play.

Was at the Wasps Quinns game yesterday - I thought Wasps looked a bit flat really. The big names and internationals didn't really seem to rally people or do much.

Haskell and Marler were silly and a bot childish really. Marcus Smith looks like he could become a very good player one day; its nuts to think that he sat his A Levels a few months ago.

[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41342719 ]Oh dear SOB[/url]

Probably easy to be that outspoken if you aren't in the welsh squad, but the content probably isn't much of a surprise. Lions coaching themselves eh...

Wales would be better in attack without Howley doing the coaching, to be fair.

Howley being shit isnt really news ( although he coached Wales to a win over Schmidts Ireland) but SOB should keep his gob shut really. Also he's making himself look a bit stupid as The Lions were a red card and a dodgy ref decision away from being white washed so trying to make out the coaches were the issue rather than shoulder some blame for the NZ players being, you know, much better is daft.

Who wants a signed Lions shirt?

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-signed-british-lions-shirt#post-8732064

Ospreys being spanked by Treviso
Cheetahs 31-5 up v Leinster!!!

Yeah...carrying on as at the end of last season

Treviso deserve that win....Ospreys seem bereft of ideas

Ospreys are simply shit!!

That too...I'm going to see them play Scarlets in 2 weeks. I might take a book to read.

Wonder if they're regretting giving Tandy a multi-year extension?!

Twodogs - Member
Treviso deserve that win....Ospreys seem bereft of ideas

Glad I wasn't able to watch it, then!

No comment on the England training squad ? I wonder what JJ has done to be dropped, England regular to Lion to nowt in a few months.

No comment on the SOB comments, I am no Galtland fan but the critism was pretty full on. Can’t understad all the Howley hate either

Glasgow set down a marker tonight, still missing Brown, Gray, Seymour and Hogg.

Ospreys are simply shit!!

People calling for Tandy to go, awful result.

Can’t understad all the Howley hate either

I can, but I do think SOB is showing a distinct lack of class and doesnt seem to grasp that The All Blacks were much better on a player v player basis.

Meanwhile

“People ask how you feel about the drawn series and I think we held our own down there. We were unbelievably well prepared when we landed, and whatever we were hit with we were able to throw it back at them. We ticked off everything and we did unbelievably well.

Can’t understad all the Howley hate either

really?

Can’t understad all the Howley hate either

"Hate" is a bit strong, but as a backs coach, or head coach .....no. Wales will have to find someone better once Gatland leaves....

Teachers pet promoted beyond his abilities? He was a cracking player too,unfortunately people are starting to remember his coaching more.

Howley maybe not great but Lions players who bleat about coaches lose some respect IMO. Healey, Charvis, SOB. At least Healey had the balls to do it mid tour, SOB waited until he was well out of Gatlands range. By all means back yourself and say you think we should of won but dont criticise other players or coaches especially as Howley was about the only coach available who would do it he was hardly first choice.

I see that Sinckler has been left out of the training squad, I am a bit disappointed as I liked him on the tour. Is there a good reason for this that I have missed? It was the first tour I have seen as I was fired up by my trip to the prem final this summer.

Scarlets v Edinburgh is a good game

Kings v Zebre was 17-43.

Ouch.

Might give the Scabs second half a watch.

Is there a good reason for this that I have missed

Arrested on the Lions tour? Attitude problem? Not sur how hes playing tbh...

Patchell seems to have hit a run of form!

That just had to be a red. Straight head shot. Utterly stupid.

Arrested on the Lions tour?

Bit daft by SOB and lacks class. As for whitewashing the AB's; I'd love some of what he's drinking / smoking!

JJ has been left out because he has things to work on; Jones hasn't said what they are. There'll be injuries before the AI's so I'm sure JJ and co will come into the reckoning

We now go live to Embra.

[img] [/img]

That just had to be a red. Straight head shot. Utterly stupid.

Indeed kind of spoilt the game too. Patchel was very very good. Best 10 in Wales at the moment if Davies gets picked over him for Wales I shall not be a happy camper

I've not been a Patchell fan, but he looked superb tonight.

Agree that the red skewed the game, but there really was no option sadly.

Some good AP games this weekend- Leicester Quins had some decent tries. Having said that May squandered a great break from Veainu with a poor pass off his left hand - I don't think there're many All Black (or to fair welsh?) wingers that can't pass off their left hand?

Only saw the highlights but the Bath Newcastle game also looked good with a great away win for Falcons.

I don't think there're many All Black (or to fair welsh?) wingers that can't pass off their left hand?

Alex Cuthbert cant pass of either hand

Agree that the red skewed the game, but there really was no option sadly.

I'm amazed that he tried to claim innocence. Utterly stupid thing to do. I'm not sure that it skewed the result all that much - Scarlets were the better side anyway.

Does anyone know what's happening at the Ospreys? Their performances don't just look like the result of poor coaching - they look as if they don't want to be there and are just going through the motions. There was so little intelligent play in the game on Friday that I wonder where all the brains have disappeared. (Biggar gets injured so they carry on throwing the ball around near the half way line, instead of just booting for position, and allowing him to be treated or them to get a sub on. Then the Treviso 15 gets carded so an ideal time to put the ball in the air as they have done many times in the game so far, but no, let's keep ball in hand...)

They look unfit, poorly conditioned and they lack ball skills and tactics. They can't bully anyone else and can't outplay them. I don't think I've ever seen such a poor looking Welsh side, which is saying something.

Billy V out for 4 months 🙁

First game of the year, 70 degrees 🙂 last time I saw this fixture Saint J was rested Freddy started at 10 and Stade won 30+ to zip

[img] [/img]

Billy V out for 4 months

Thats shit for the guy, is it a new injury or the same knee?

Same knee.
Luckily for Eng Hughes is in good form. Really classy from him today protecting Simmons (EXE) on the floor when injured.

17-15 won at the death for Toulon

Waitng dr the wife to pick me me 🙂

[img] [/img]

Moyne Stern is quality

Go Chiefs!

anagallis_arvensis - Member

Scarlets v Edinburgh is a good game

No its not - Even before the red. Two bald men fighting over a comb.. I made the mistake of watching the Glasgow game first. What a cracker and a treat for any neutral. That was a good game. Edinburgh play like mince and drag others down to their level.

Agree that the red skewed the game, but there really was no option sadly.

I'm amazed that he tried to claim innocence. Utterly stupid thing to do. I'm not sure that it skewed the result all that much - Scarlets were the better side anyway.

For me its clumsy and the scarlet milked it 😉 🙄 along with the crowd. But if the ref sees it as reckless or deliberate its a red every time. Stupid thing to do and an identical one in the Glasgow game that was also given red. Hit a player in the head you get red.

The Mrs and I have decided to start watching Pro14.

As an American she's not very well clued up on how typical European sports leagues work. Then I looked up the Pro14 structure and realised I'm not either. Even after having looked it up.

However, Connaught v Blues was a good game.

Cheetahs beat leinster? What happened there?

Edinburgh didnt drag them down much considering they lost 28 to 8!
Last try was a cracker

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41333749

Think you need to open your other eye.

Molgrips - pro 14 is a mish mash 'cos they had to include the South African teams this season. Two "conferences" of 7 teams each who play each other twice and then everyone plays all the other teams in the other conference once plus an extra derby game to make it the right total number of games. Crackpot.

AA = thats not a stuffing cosidering the score when they got the red. Take your word for the good try - I have been away and it clearly wasnt going to be worth watch after the red.

First half both sides made far too many basic errors, knock ons etc. It wasn't good rugby. Scarlet's blew a good few chances with sheer ineptness of their play - chances from field position gained thru Edinburghs own ineptness. Patchell played well I thought tho - tactically controlled it well. After the red its game over and damage limitation and edinburgh must have fought hard not to go 50 pts down

Bonus pt for scarlets?

Scarlets v Edinburgh is a good game

No its not - Even before the red. Two bald men fighting over a comb.. I

Take your word for the good try - I have been away and it clearly wasnt going to be worth watch after the red.

FFS I give up

AA - you have to give me the ineptness from both sides in the first half - yes watching any win for your side is great but it wasn't a great game to watch apart from that. Compare it to Glasgow / Munster which was a cracker

it wasn't a great game

Never said it was, great would be Llanelli beating the all blacks or something.

They werent winning by much when I wrote the comment and yes it was a good game to watch. Obviously Scarlets the Prowhatever champions are not fit to be compared with the mighty Glasgow who have won so many trophies over so many years sweeping all before them.

By the way Watson,who should have been the obvious lions test 7 got outplayed by Boyd who is the back up 7 to a guy who cannot get into the Welsh set up!!

AA sneaky edit then to match yours

We agree. dinnae jump down my throat. *hides from angry welsh flower*

We agree.

Never 👿

Reds seem to impact the game less than they used to. England played 70+ minutes against Argentina a man down to win, and the AB should have beaten the Lions without SBW.

Luckily for Eng Hughes is in good form. Really classy from him today protecting Simmons (EXE) on the floor when injured.

Only just seen this. Superb to see. That sort of sportsmanship, and just general decency, is a fine example to anyone in the game. *Applauds*

Two years ago today!!!

Can't open that link. AA, could you remind us in great detail what happened two years ago? 😆

For me its clumsy and the scarlet milked it along with the crowd.

You really are a twit, tj! The scrum half was cleared out of a ruck with a shoulder in the cheek when he was looking the other way, ball nowhere near him. And it was a proper charge, not a gentle nudge.

Gareth Davies, the 9 in question, left the field immediately.

The scumbag Italian deserves a long ban if he thinks that's a fitting way to play rugby.

I'm not sure what you'd consider a red? I'm also wondering why I'm engaging.

Scamper, this guy describes it well

Just looked at the video, can be no complaints about that, long ban I would hope.