General Rugby Discussion II

Squidgy Black

This is a bit mad. They've 13 players making their debut in the 23 because most of the European players were unavailable for selection because it's a single test so they didn't travel.

swiwi_

Squidgy Black wrote: »

This is a bit mad. They've 13 players making their debut in the 23 because most of the European players were unavailable for selection because it's a single test so they didn't travel.

Rugby has such a credibility problem at the moment. I might watch the highlights. Yet more dross though.

Paul Smeenus

swiwi_ wrote: »

Rugby has such a credibility problem at the moment. I might watch the highlights. Yet more dross though.

That's frigging dreadful.

By which I mean the situation.

swiwi_

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

That's frigging dreadful.

By which I mean the situation.

Honestly I have no interest watching a full strength nz side playing nz club players with Tongan heritage. I think I recognise one name: ex highlander manu nasi who is in what is known as the “twilight” of his career. Just total yawn.

Former Former Former

Squidgy Black wrote: »

This is a bit mad. They've 13 players making their debut in the 23 because most of the European players were unavailable for selection because it's a single test so they didn't travel.

It's very unfortunate but I don't agree with this guy that it's a reflection on the state of the game. Just a reflection of the impact of Covid.

Squidgy Black

Former Former Former wrote: »

It's very unfortunate but I don't agree with this guy that it's a reflection on the state of the game. Just a reflection of the impact of Covid.

I think from the point of view of the state of the game in terms of the Pacific Islands it's valid.

Most of the European players turned down the call up because they won't get paid for representing, or if they do it'd be a pittance. And since it's only one test, with Covid protocols plus the travel, it's not worth their time.

Paul Smeenus

swiwi_ wrote: »

Honestly I have no interest watching a full strength nz side playing nz club players with Tongan heritage. I think I recognise one name: ex highlander manu nasi who is in what is known as the “twilight” of his career. Just total yawn.

A bit of money will be made, but this must be insanely dispiriting for Tongan (and Kiwi) fans of the game.

I can't foresee any circumstances in which either set of fans is enthused, proud or basking in any kind of afterglow after the game. Painful.

clsmooth

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

the coach made a mess of it.

Spot on. What was even more puzzling that day was selecting ROG for his place kicking and then deciding to go to the corner repeatedly when we had an option for the posts.

Yeah_Right

All Blacks team to play Tonga.
The team is (Test caps in brackets. New Test caps in bold):

1: Karl Tu’inukuafe (17)
2: Dane Coles (74)
3: Angus Ta’avao (14)
4: Scott Barrett (40)
5: Samuel Whitelock (122) – captain
6: Akira Ioane (2)
7: Dalton Papalii (4)
8: Luke Jacobson (2)
9: Brad Weber (7)
10: Richie Mo’unga (22)
11: George Bridge (10)
12: Quinn Tupaea (new cap)
13: Rieko Ioane (33)
14: Will Jordan (2)
15: Damian McKenzie (27)

16: Asafo Aumua (1)
17: George Bower (new cap)
18: Tyrel Lomax (6)
19: Patrick Tuipulotu (35)
20: Ethan Blackadder (new cap)
21: Finlay Christie (new cap)
22: Beauden Barrett (88)
23: Jordie Barrett (23)

icdg

RugbyPass picks up the All Blacks incoming series rights,
for three test matches & as a bonus Maori All Blacks v Samoa.

Edit: I didn’t read the mail properly - its €10 per “match day”, so actually €30. So yeah…that may or may not be good value from your perspective, depending on how much you want to see the All Blacks put over cricket scores against the opposition concerned.

Doesn’t look we’ll be seeing Australia’s match’s v France, unless worldrugby.com steps in again.

icdg

For those of you who are able to watch rugby at 11am on a Wednesday, Australia v France has now been picked up by Sky Sports. No idea about the Wednesday thing …

Burkie1203

https://twitter.com/WalesRugby/status/1410983321996300290?s=19

Thrashssacre

Burkie1203 wrote: »

https://twitter.com/WalesRugby/status/1410983321996300290?s=19

The Welsh not turning out to support their team, as someone who watches the pro infinity i am shocked..... Not.

Dave_The_Sheep

Has the Ireland-Japan game sold out?

aloooof

Thrashssacre wrote: »

The Welsh not turning out to support their team, as someone who watches the pro infinity i am shocked..... Not.

Whatever about the Welsh supporters attitude to the regions, I’m a bit surprised about this for a Test match.

Squidgy Black

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

Has the Ireland-Japan game sold out?

There's only 3k supporters allowed in, 300 were given to frontline workers, can't imagine the other 2.7k lasted long

Sheep Shagger

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

Has the Ireland-Japan game sold out?

A handful of tickets were on ticketmaster yesterday and today.

3k capacity tomorrow.

Exclamation Marc

The majority of tickets were given to rugby clubs and to players families and then the rest went online so I'd say there was no more than 200/250 available when they went up on ticketmaster.

Dave_The_Sheep

I'm not interested in going myself, not being vaccinated and all, I just want to be sure before I get bolschy about it online to others.

Thrashssacre

Watching the maori all blacks and there playing a loosehead prop who's 145 kg and he's 20 jesus bloody christ.

fitz

NZ on track to put 100+ on Tonga.

Thrashssacre

fitz wrote: »

NZ on track to put 100+ on Tonga.

Be closer to 200 if they keep as there going!!

fitz

fitz wrote: »

NZ on track to put 100+ on Tonga.

Depressing

Thrashssacre

Thrashssacre wrote: »

Be closer to 200 if they keep as there going!!

Mounga wasting too much time kicking, only to miss.

Thrashssacre

Basil3 wrote: »

Mounga wasting too much time kicking, only to miss.

Should be taking a quick drop, every run they make in open play looks like there a phase from going straight through.

Thrashssacre

19 tackles made by tonga 11 missed. Christ

Thrashssacre

I wonder will the all blacks be told at half time to dial it back a bit. This just isn't a good look for the sport.

Thrashssacre

Thrashssacre wrote: »

I wonder will the all blacks be told at half time to dial it back a bit. This just isn't a good look for the sport.

Tongans will inevitably tire as well. Could be slow going!

Thrashssacre

Richie not giving his test 10 chances any favors, absolutely electric playmaker but his place kicking has been well below the level required.

pickarooney

Thrashssacre wrote: »

Richie not giving his test 10 chances any favors, absolutely electric playmaker but his place kicking has been well below the level required.

They've no shortage of kickers at FB