STW 2014/15 Rugby Thread

Yeah, Leinster didn’t have their normal intensity against the Dragons, but tbf to the Dregs they played well. At least they did in the second half.

Ben Te’o binned for a no-arm shoulder charge. He was wearing his normal huge amount of strapping on his left arm. You’d think that if he needed that amount of protection he’d protect it from impacts but he still likes to lead with that forearm and, early in the game, managed to inadvertently clatter a couple of Dragons players in the head with it. They stayed down for a few minutes. Although he didn’t hit them deliberately I am still deeply suspicious of why he wears this strapping. It looks just like a plaster cast – if he needs that much protection should he be on the pitch? If he uses it offensively, he certainly shouldn’t be on the pitch with it.

Leading with the elbow like he does should be cracked down on and if he was wortied sbout an injury to it, as you say he wouldnt lead with it.

Oh and going back to the irish and their money spending. Hansen was quoted as saying that he expects to lose half his team post world cup to big spending clubs in France, England, Japan and Ireland… cant believe he didnt mention the Dragons!!

Size 21 feet!

Hansen’s running scared ahead of the WC. Wouldn’t be the only kiwi coach to try and play mind games in the media.

But, with the Piautau sighning, just comes down to how clubs structure their squads, in this case Ulster.
And this is the original point I was making with wrecker – agreeing on Glaws as a good rugby investment – Humphreys left ulster in a very strong position by bringing through quality local youth, training and coaching their development to a high standard, and supplementing that squad with a small number of top class imported players. It’s a good model, and one he’s trying to replicate at Glaws – adding relative value to them as a rugby club to invest in.

Next season, Ulster will have him at 15 and Piennaar at 9, with Bowe, Trimble/Gilroy, Payne/Olding, Cave/Marshal, and Jackson between them. Two world class imported talents and the rest an Irish backs line up – mostly Ulstermen from their own youth development.
Maybe other’s will hold different opinions, but I’d be much prefer that sort of structure to one containing this multitude of imported “talent”

Arhip, Ardron, Bernado, Cuvibati, Dirkson, Hassler, Matevasi, Natoga and Steenkamp

in other news, France’s Midi Olympique has published a finance report for 2013/14 season.

Toulon made a profit of 690,00 euros.

Just goes to show that investing wisely can pay off nicely, as long as there’s on field success and bums on seats.

And on Toulon, anyone catch this tackle:

The key is that good teachers don’t necessarily make the best leaders/managers.

I’m sure he’s terrified!!

According to Wiki theres about 8 imports in the Ulster squad and apart from Pienar they are all journeyman pro’s from the souther hemisphere.

@loum – ouch ! Hoping to see Halfpenny at Twickenham on May 2nd

Andy Robinsons son Olly looks like one to watch. 17 tries in 13 games. Bristols top scorer and a real grafter. And he’s got a great big face just like his dad!

As I type,Billy V will be knotting a tie around his huge neck and trying to decide what biscuits suggest respectful without looking too desperate.

He should be fine with a couple of Rich Teas to be honest

http://sport.bt.com/did-vunipola-deserve-citing-for-challenge-on-tait-91363975427283

Colin Slade signs for newly promoted Pau. He’ll be joining Conrad Smith there after the RWC.

Possibly starting to get a bit worrying for the ABs. Slade is only 4th choice FH but with Carter also off to France it does weaken their future options. He’s only 27 and has plenty of rugby in him but is foregoing the possible chances of a Lions tour and Olympic 7s (The ABs want one of their FHs in the squad) in exchange for €660,000 per season.

Not great for the Crusaders as they’ve also lost their third All Black Fly-Half with Tom Taylor signing for Bayonne.

That’s the first time I’ve seen the Billy V one – I think the world has gone mad!

Wales Star Gareth Thomas To Be Portrayed As Irish In Movie, Cos ‘Murica

😆

Thats funny. Big gay irishmen!!! 😉 what will the pope say!

Vinny, no attempt to use his arms in any kind of clear out. Strikes me as a classic forward spots a softie back and tries to dish out some punishment. Definite ban IMHO.

@wrecker – Robinson’s son is the spitting image of his dad.

It’s uncanny!

I would be trying to establish the whereabouts of Saint Johnny 9 months before he was born tbh.

Thats funny. Big gay irishmen!!! what will the pope say!

What parish would you like ?

I see those nasty english are refusing to release their english players for the wales pre world cup training camps…obviously running scared.

obviously running scared.

The PRL? Nothing to do with scared, they don’t care about the RWC. It’s an inconvenience for them. They just want some money from the WRU for player release. I know what you’re thinking; it’s not like the prem owners to angle for money. No, it’s not like them to do that at all……

I know its nothing to do with the england team but was bored oc bitching about the irish, so would you please stop being so reasonable…
on a serious note its the likes of samoa, scotland ( 😉 ) and fiji etc who will get the shit deal!

. Super Gavin Henson
9h9 hours ago
Super Gavin Henson ?@UnrealGavHenson
Just the 20 (twenty) points for Big Gav tonight against Jersey.Then again, those Americans have never been great at rugby.

I couldn’t be there but my mate said he played very well.
Jersey have been a real dark horse this year. Apart form Bristol, they are the only team to have beaten worcs this year (so far; they play pirates today who are quite capable of doing wuss over).

They are playing worcs at six ways in a few weeks aren’t they? I might go along as I am spending a lot of time in kiddie at the moment as my dads ill

Next saturday mate for the last league game (I’ll be there). Then likely again in a few weeks for a leg of the play off final. Hope your dad’s OK.

How come the clermont-Saracens match looks like a clermont home game,doesn’t rugby do an even split of tickets in semis like football? or have Saracens just not got many fans.

Saga end don’t have a massive fan base. Out now too

That was dire. Still, a Scottish team in a European final. More than anyone from England has managed SO FAR!

Well, with Glaws v Exeter tonight………..

Thats funny that putting saffacens into my mums ipad with its annoying predictive text thing comes out as Saga!!

All french final then. Arse.

All french final then. Arse.

Blame Ian Madigan. 😆

Bit of a sad story from down under. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/rugby-union-player-nicholas-tooth-dies-after-suffering-head-injury-20150420-1mopj0.html

Wonder if it was due to second impact syndrome.

Grim stuff. Nothing much else to say. Hope any lessons that cant be are.

How did aston get away with this. A clear pen try surely.
http://www.epcrugby.com/matchdaytv?play=media&id=20756

Compare with this correct and heart breaking decision.

Awful story.

a_a not idea how Ashton got away with that! I do agree that the Williams decision was correct too. These were some blatantly bad examples but it isn’t toooooo different to the modern style of tackling unfortunately of getting your head on the wrong side a la 1/2p and using the body more the arms/ shoulder. There is a fine line in the timing and hand position which seems to leave the tackler either injured or throwing themselves into a no arm tackle more often than not.

Ashton is very lucky he just hits him with the shoulder, should of been sent off for just being Ashton 😆

Pains me to admit it but the Williams one deserved the penalty try 🙁

On 1/2p being a bad tackler, I think he got hurt in the Italy game as it was a last ditch effort. He didn’t have the time to get it right.

All french final then. Arse.

Obviously the optimal would be seeing Toulon beat Saracens again but the right sides are in the final. This will be my third European final and its been Eng v Eng, Eng v France and now France v France.

Ashton should have been carded and penalty try.

Cruden missing out on RWC.

Very sad down in Oz

@aa you can turn off the predictive text

Brown looks to be out for the season. After all the comments re North it appears to be England who did not look aftervtheir players.