However, there has always been a reluctance by refs to hand them out, probably because it is seen as such a monumental decision. I’m wondering if having the new 20 minutes and then a sub coming on means that refs will be more inclined to start handing them out for reckless tackles. If so that may finally encourage teams to change their tackle technique.
Maybe, have to wait and see. Although I expect it will just lead to deflation, it seems the refs can only manage 1 season with any new guidelines before they just seem to slip back to the old ways (more like 3 months for squint put ins at scrums). I am sure the refs are pressured by coaches and the irb or whoever but they need to be backed to stick at it long term.
Watched stormers yesterday and it reminded of the boks in the WC. Are SA teams setting a scrum back from the mark? Opposition props seem to have to overreach.
Stormers tighthead side on the set the props heads are barely side by side whereas first scrum in the series match and scalps are grinding. All it takes is a little lever and the loose head drop to his belly and is pinged for being too long.
Some really decent Champions Cup ties this weekend, really looking forward to Leinster Vs La Rochelle, and Northampton V Bulls. Gloucester V Ospreys could also be worth a watch as likely both teams taking competition seriously.
Talupe Faletau’s first start since breaking arm at world cup. Looks like he has broken it again, could be the end of an all time great. Very sad way to go if it is.
Saints tigers a pretty good game. But Pollard again getting away with shithousery. He likes a shoulder to the ribs after the ball is away. Got Finn Smith with a typical cheap shot.
Some interesting talking points in the Ulster Cardiff game.
It’s illegal to kick the ball out of a player hand in the act of scoring apparently. Not sure this counts but also not sure the video ref or ref knew or looked at it.
Meanwhile, at the end Cardiff scored a try to win it until the video ref went back and deemed this a knock on by Carre, giving Ulster a pen in front of the posts to win. No way is this clear and obvious, could be Carre knocked it into Ulster players shoulder or the Ulster players should hit it into Carre’s hand. Even the Ulster coach said he couldn’t see a knock on.
Is the ITV coverage deliberately a confrontation between one-sided commentators and experts pretending to be blind? It’s almost like someone watched bad American sports coverage and said, “Yes, that’s what I want.”
TNT coverage was decent I thought. Austin Healy can be a bit marmite but he knows rugby and when he doesn’t have skin in the game i.e. Leinster or England playing is very good on co commentary
So it’s Bulls v Glasgow in the URC final today . What’s your thoughts ? Personally I am more than a little surprised that Glasgow got this far, I thought they would reach the quarters or semi finals but go out there. I am obviously wanting warriors to win but with it being at the Bulls ground and having already lost there, my head says it will be the same result. My heart says you did’nt expect to beat Munster either.
Bloody hell is it autumn in June now. I see there’s a Van der Merwe playing for SA this afternoon but it’s not that one. No bulls players either but still a tough match . Good luck
It wouldn’t have made a difference but when the tmo says I am happy with the pass and it’s clearly forward out of the hands to a player in front you have to wonder what the point of a to is.
What a match Warriors 21 Bulls 16 First 30 minutes it looked like Bulls would run away with it.Glasgow got their first points in the final seconds of the first half. Second half Warriors dominated till the last ten minutes
I have to say I thought they’d blown it when some idiot gave away a pen at the breakdown with 40s to go. If a team is just playing one out smash it up as the bulls were, don’t compete in you own half just make your tackles and see out the clock, they had gone nowhere and shown nothing apart from a maul in the second half, why give them a chance!
The Barbarians match with Fiji was a good watch. Lots of flair and sharp passing even though the squad was a real bunch of oddballs.
And my takeaway from the England match was that Ewels should have got 2 red cards for trying to cripple Leach. That was so very nearly a career ending tackle.
Still reeling from the URC final to be honest. What a job the Warriors did, if only the boys on my side of M8 could play with that much grit. But it does seem like there is a cardinal unwritten rule in rugby that if one Scottish team is doing well, the other team must be mediocre at best. ]
Not seen any Scotland side, club or international, play with that much grit and intensity for years and years.
I’d never heard of the latest Welsh player to be called up to the squad in Australia….which isn’t a huge surprise given that he’s not actually played a professional union game yet! 😳
Regan Grace, snapped his Achilles after signing for Racing. Been signed by bath. Played union as a kid before moving to league. Could potentially be quite handy….
Chieka new Leicester head coach, this could be amusing!!
Gah, 1 bloody point. Can’t complain, a very even and edge of the seat match. The England shape looking so much better now. You know it’s good when no one has mentioned Ardie Saveah.