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wrtecker - as far as I can see every leagues fans complain about the reffing - I think its an impossible task really and overall our ref's do a very difficult job well
I think this year has been terrible and I am watching AP games as an impartial.
AA - usually the ref is from another nation its just the TMOs that don't travel?
No, there were quite a few occasions last year where the home team had a home ref.
And almost every year Ospreys v Scarlets at Xmas get Nige as ref. He's from Scarlet country so with the best will in the world is going to be skewed in favour of one team.
usually the ref is from another nation its just the TMOs that don't travel?
Leinster Rugby v Cardiff Blues – KO 7:35pm
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 25th competition game)
AR1: Frank Murphy (IRFU). AR2: Eoin Hogan-O’Connell (IRFU)
TMO: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU)
TG4: 7.20pm
BBC2 Wales: 7.30pm
Read more at http://www.pro14rugby.org/referee-appointments/#ifSrXLA3WLEVcGoj.99
Interesting - the rest on that page are neutral. too many irish ref teams? - that certainly looks wrong
interesting how much more entertaining the ap is compared to a few years ago with much more attacking play and tries being scored. Is it bonus points that have created this or what?
Nice backhanded compliment there...bonus points have been around for a while, even in that backward league that no one watches... 😈
You have to agree tho more tries are being scored and less teams are playing with a defensive " must not lose" mindset? Its certainly how it looks to me and the pundits were saying how many tries are being scored compared to a few years ago. the AP is certainly more entertaining to watch than it used to be in my mind and I wondered why the change?
its just the TMOs that don't travel?
These days, does the TMO even have to be there? Surely he could stay at home and do it from his armchair?
These days, does the TMO even have to be there? Surely he could stay at home and do it from his armchair?
Most seem to do it from the pub
Most seem to do it from the pub
😆
Judging by some of the decisions I've seen - that's probably true!
Captain Hovis out for the rest of the season.
Wales Online disagree.
No they dont.
Big chance for Thomas Young with Jenkins and Davies injured too. Could be looking for a 6 as well especially if Moriarty doesnt make it.. Shingler gets another chance?
Year, not season!
Doh!
😳
Are we getting more and more serious injuries due to the size and power of the players? I thin k both Glasgow and Edinburgh have 25-30% of their squads injured right now and its only 2 games into the seson.
Glasgow last week had all these guys unavailable Rob Harley (foot), Adam Hastings (thigh), Sam Johnson (head), Lelia Masaga (calf), Greg Peterson (knee), Fraser Brown (ankle), Jonny Gray (wrist), Stuart Hogg (shoulder), Paddy Kelly (ankle), Ratu Tagive (achilles), Richie Vernon (achilles) and Samuela Vunisa (knee).
Are we getting more and more serious injuries due to the size and power of the players? I thin k both Glasgow and Edinburgh have 25-30% of their squads injured right now and its only 2 games into the seson.
It's got to be part of the reason - Manu is permanently crocked, Kruis seems to have a lot of injuries at the mo too. There are a lot of AP players missing at the mo.
When the size thing comes up most people think of the collisions but TJs list is fairly typical in that most injuries in rugby are lower limb. You could argue that ligaments and tendons are working beyond capacity for the size of the players but in reality I think almost all would happen regardless of size. Intensity and volume of what these guys put themselves through year round as part of the professional game is a bigger factor IMO
I'd be interested to see the breakdown of % of injuries sustained in training versus games.
In England, roughly 40% training, 60% match though it is perhaps skewed by concussion reporting which is the biggest match day injury (25%). Concussion during match day/ training is roughly 85/ 15 split. Tackle is the biggest injury event in match time, with concussion top for both tackler and ball carrier though significantly higher for the tackler with a higher proportion of upper limb injuries whereas the ball carrier injuries after concussion are most likely to be lower limb. Hamstring, calf and ankle injuries are consistently the most frequent during training. Most studies have football as having more injuries per participant than rugby. Most injuries which cause early retirement tend to be lower limb though it obviously varies by position. Not much ties up with player size
Ulster v Scabs turning in to quite an excellent game!
Meanwhile...
People say you shouldn't tweet during games.People say a 35 year old shouldn't be Wales best number 10.
People are wrong.
@UnrealGavHenson
😀
Good win for Ulster got to feel Scarlets should have done better though.
Treviso beat Edinburgh away put TJ on suicide watch!
FFS. I hate being an Edinburgh fan!
*sulks*
Look out for exploding Cockerills!
apparently 4 scrum pens in the last 5 mins on the treviso line ending up with a sinbinned prop and uncontested scrums with Treviso with 13 players and we still couldn't score
#SafeSpaceforTJ
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*boots kittens over crossbar* 12 pts please!
Am so glad you're back in the rugby thread, TJ. Not just for moments like this, I hasten to add!
😀
Ta CFH - its one of the main things I missed.
Treviso have been looking OK the first couple of games and will beat better sides than Edinburgh this season would be my bet. I had really hoped tho that the first couple of games showed a bit of a renewal in the Edinburgh ranks but from reading comments elsewhere it would seem we had no control all match. Dunno what happened with that final run of scrums tho.
Teams have setbacks. It's early in the season, don't pass judgement just yet!
Quins were crestfallen and resigned to relegation after their loss to the not nots, they're looking OK now. Saints got SPANKED by Sarries, they have now beaten Tigers and Bath.
It's a long season. Lots can change.
Have Treviso ever won an away game other than Zebre before?
So so glad that I went to watch Sale last Friday and not tonight 🙄
Good win for Northampton over Bath, AP is shaping up to be an incredible season.
Tom - I think they have beaten Edinburgh away before. Thats the 6th time Treviso have beaten Edinburgh
Thats the 6th time Treviso have beaten Edinburgh
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Sorry.
(Not sorry!)
😆
I'll remember this you two. See when the MFLs ( metrosexual festival luvvies) beat your team I shall remind you of this
Was at the Sale game last night, was also there last week.
I'm amazed at how much difference a week makes, like two completely different teams.
Last week Newcastle came to play an extremely negative game & were highly effective at it, shutting Sale down.
Last night Irish came to play rugby which allowed Sale to do the same.
Irish came very close to scoring on several occasions, certainly see how they beat Quins on the opening day.
In fact, my only complaint about the evening was the young & inexperienced bar staff who gave me cooking lager instead of the cider I ordered!
Thought Underhill looked pretty good for Barf last night; certainly put himself about in the tackle area.
Lakes looks pretty good again last night.
Jesus H Christ. Not a good day to be a boks fan.
Just watched the ABs absolutely muller the Springboks 57-0.
First full 80 minute performance they've put together for a while. Helped by the Boks' lineout totally imploding and poor Raymond Rhule tackling like a revolving door. If ever there was a player picked due to Transformation it is surely he - whilst the very excellent (and very white) Ruan Combrinck languishes at home.
The Barrett/Milner-Skudder try was totally outlandish and Scott Barrett put in a great shift at No6 but as a team they were ruthless. The last 20 minutes was an exhibition of handling skills.
"Smart people against big oafs" was the Bobby Skinstad verdict.
Reports of the Boks' revival have been greatly exaggerated.
MD the real ale in the tent was quite good. I thought the win was as much to with getting our lineout (nearly) right with the return of Bryn (Wayne Barnes made a joke about how quick he is after his run to the line!!) the amount of ball that our wingers got (even Charnley looked dangerous!) and the fact that Newcastle are simply a better team.
No doubt Sale will move slowly into the middle of the table but that top 4 still looks a long way off.
Just when I thought the Edinburgh performance was poor along come the Boks
Its that supposed to help?
*still sulking*
Maybe they could play against each other. Edinburgh might win! 😆
Don't blame me tjagain I'm waiting for Ballachulish to win a shinty match
🙂
and the fact that Newcastle are simply a better team.
I didn't think they were actually. I think they are getting too much credit due to the result. Sale were more threatening, but they didn't play it quite safe enough given the conditions. Newcastle box kicked the shit out the ball all night and Sale just lacked that final 5% IMHO. I wouldn't be surprised to see Sale do OK this year. Wuss on the other hand.......I hope they get a win soon otherwise it will be very hard to change the habit they seem to have.
Saints revived, very pleased for Jim M, he (along with Baxter) are the two AP coaches who seem to have the most integrity.