Guinness Pro14 Season 2018-2019

Tomtom364

Final is on in Celtic Park in Glasgow this season.

molloyjh

I would be in no rush to attend that game tbh. The stadium is grand. The surrounding area less so. Have only been once before, but I wanted to get the hell away from the place as quickly as I could. Was there for Roy Keanes first game for Celtic, and even as an Irishman there with Celtic fans I found the place seriously intimidating.

thomond2006

At least it's not in Ireland again!

molloyjh

thomond2006 wrote: »

At least it's not in Ireland again!

No, it's in Scotland again. Seems we're the only 2 to have any interest in hosting the thing.

awec

molloyjh wrote: »

No, it's in Scotland again. Seems we're the only 2 to have any interest in hosting the thing.

Pretty sure Wales don't like that it was changed from the old format and won't apply for it in protest.

molloyjh

awec wrote: »

Pretty sure Wales don't like that it was changed from the old format and won't apply for it in protest.

I've heard they just get more money from the other events they host in the MS. Wasn't it monster trucks or something like that in May?

I can't see why they'd have a problem with it. They never hosted a final before because they never got top seed. This was always going to give them a better chance at hosting. But then I've stopped trying to figure out the logic behind a lot of the Welsh complaints....

awec

Well I guess it may not be worthwhile.

If they got it in the Millenium Stadium and it ended up there were no welsh teams involved it could be a bit of a damp squib.

Synode

awec wrote: »

Well I guess it may not be worthwhile.

If they got it in the Millenium Stadium and it ended up there were no welsh teams involved it could be a bit of a damp squib.

It brings tourists in which is always welcome

Podge_irl

molloyjh wrote: »

I've heard they just get more money from the other events they host in the MS. Wasn't it monster trucks or something like that in May?

I can't see why they'd have a problem with it. They never hosted a final before because they never got top seed. This was always going to give them a better chance at hosting. But then I've stopped trying to figure out the logic behind a lot of the Welsh complaints....

I definitely recall murmurings of them being unhappy and refusing to bid the first year at least. Nonsensical, but who knows with the Welsh regions...

Eod100

Don't think id be too pushed with that. Might try get to Champions Cup final in Newcastle though

Podge_irl

Eod100 wrote: »

Don't think id be too pushed with that. Might try get to Champions Cup final in Newcastle though

Tickets and hotel booked already :cool:

Rigor Mortis

Podge_irl wrote: »

Tickets and hotel booked already :cool:

Accommodation booked (on a deposit). Not buying match tickets until at least after the group stages.

Glasgow is a fun weekend. Get out of the vicinity of Celtic Park quickly and you'll be grand

Burkie1203

Same day as Scottish cup final. Imagine Munster v Leinster final in Glasgow a few hours after rangers v Celtic:(

Rigor Mortis

Hassler has gone to Harlequins on trial.
Amazing none of the other regions picked him up

awec

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Same day as Scottish cup final. Imagine Munster v Leinster final in Glasgow a few hours after rangers v Celtic:(

I'd love to see a bunch of D4 heads among that sort of crowd.

PMC83

awec wrote: »

Well I guess it may not be worthwhile.

If they got it in the Millenium Stadium and it ended up there were no welsh teams involved it could be a bit of a damp squib.

TBH they should consider Liberty Stadium, at 21,000 it would be a feasible sell out even if no Welsh teams were involved. Would be a similar feel to the final in Kingspan a few years back. The major issue would be accommodation in Swansea, pretty small town.

The Principality just isn't a goer for a PRO14 final, I think you'd struggle to fill it even if Leinster V Munster were playing, nothing to do with the fans but as many who have been to Cardiff would know, they jack up the prices on hotels and accom to crazy prices on big match days! Can be a turn off. Best chance of filling that stadium is an all Welsh final, and I don't see that happening anytime soon

Cookiemunster

PMC83 wrote: »

TBH they should consider Liberty Stadium, at 21,000 it would be a feasible sell out even if no Welsh teams were involved. Would be a similar feel to the final in Kingspan a few years back. The major issue would be accommodation in Swansea, pretty small town.

The Principality just isn't a goer for a PRO14 final, I think you'd struggle to fill it even if Leinster V Munster were playing, nothing to do with the fans but as many who have been to Cardiff would know, they jack up the prices on hotels and accom to crazy prices on big match days! Can be a turn off. Best chance of filling that stadium is an all Welsh final, and I don't see that happening anytime soon

You've forgotten about Cardiff City Stadium which holds 33K.

PMC83

Cookiemunster wrote: »

You've forgotten about Cardiff City Stadium which holds 33K.

Had wondered are they football only?

irishbucsfan

PMC83 wrote: »

Had wondered are they football only?

Had the Challenge Cup final there back in 2011 for sure

PMC83

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Had the Challenge Cup final there back in 2011 for sure

If this is the case then defo a good punt for a Pro14 final, shame they won't put their hands up!

frosty123

what the hell have Celtic FC got to do with rugby??????????????

i protest strongly at this decision, half their supporters are sectarian bigots..do we really want the sport of rugby associated with them?

of all the rugby stadia in the UK surely they could chosen somewhere else

arsebiscuits1

frosty123 wrote: »

what the hell have Celtic FC got to do with rugby??????????????

i protest strongly at this decision, half their supporters are sectarian bigots..do we really want the sport of rugby associated with them?

of all the rugby stadia in the UK surely they could chosen somewhere else

:rolleyes:

ScrubsfanChris

frosty123 wrote: »

what the hell have Celtic FC got to do with rugby??????????????

i protest strongly at this decision, half their supporters are sectarian bigots..do we really want the sport of rugby associated with them?

of all the rugby stadia in the UK surely they could chosen somewhere else

what the hell have Athletico Bilbao or Newcastle FC got to do with rugby??????????????

:pac:

wp_rathead

frosty123 wrote: »

what the hell have Celtic FC got to do with rugby??????????????

i protest strongly at this decision, half their supporters are sectarian bigots..do we really want the sport of rugby associated with them?

of all the rugby stadia in the UK surely they could chosen somewhere else

3/10
Try Harder

Eod100

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

what the hell have Athletico Bilbao or Newcastle FC got to do with rugby??????????????

:pac:

Well some of Shearer's tackles were probably more suited to rugby..! ☺️

frosty123

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

what the hell have Athletico Bilbao or Newcastle FC got to do with rugby??????????????

why didn't they chose Murrayfield ??

arsebiscuits1

frosty123 wrote: »

why didn't they chose Murrayfield ??

Reasons.

Duh

Rigor Mortis

Stadiums bid for these events.

This is most likely the most economically advantageous bid, in other words the one that is giving the most cash to the league. They may have been offered more in Ireland but decided that it is time to move it.

Unless there is a good reason to go to a lower bidder why would you. Not liking Celtic's fans is not a good commercial reason nor indeed a good reason at all.

On a separate note, Celtic Park is a vastly superior stadium to Murrayfield and Glasgow has never hosted a final before, despite being a major team in the competition.

arsebiscuits1

Rigor Mortis wrote: »

Stadiums bid for these events.

This is most likely the most economically advantageous bid, in other words the one that is giving the most cash to the league. They may have been offered more in Ireland but decided that it is time to move it.

Unless there is a good reason to go to a lower bidder why would you. Not liking Celtic's fans is not a good commercial reason nor indeed a good reason at all.

On a separate note, Celtic Park has a larger capacity, is a vastly superior stadium to Murrayfield and Glasgow has never hosted a final before, despite being a major team in the competition.

Murrayfield closer to 70 while Celtic Park is 60 I thought?

irishbucsfan

Murrayfield is class. Won't have a bad word said about it.

There's a tile shop outside it where they serve pints on match days. Collison's Ceramics. What more do you want.

Rigor Mortis

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Murrayfield closer to 70 while Celtic Park is 60 I thought?

You are correct. Still stand by the better venue though.

frosty123

Rigor Mortis wrote: »

Not liking Celtic's fans is not a good commercial reason nor indeed a good reason at all.

well its a good enough reason for me, i don't want a cent of my money going to them

thomond2006

frosty123 wrote: »

well its a good enough reason for me, i don't want a cent of my money going to them

Incredibly, you have the choice to not attend.

ScrubsfanChris

frosty123 wrote: »

well its a good enough reason for me, i don't want a cent of my money going to them

So you're only argument is you don't like the fans/club?

If you want to have a rant about people you don't like then maybe keep it to After Hours.

Dubinusa

Maybe Ibrox soon? That'll piss off those who like Celtic and make the rangers fans happy!
I'd reckon Rome would be a good destination for the final. Or even S.A.

Burkie1203

They wasted loads of space at the bottom. Easily room for 12 more sponsors there

https://twitter.com/DFQClothing/status/1029074026877136897?s=19

Eod100

Burkie1203 wrote: »

They wasted loads of space at the bottom. Easily room for 12 more sponsors there

https://twitter.com/DFQClothing/status/1029074026877136897?s=19

Looks like something a child would come up with.. :P

c.p.w.g.w

Eod100 wrote: »

Looks like something a child would come up with.. :P

12 different sponsors visable in the picture, probably another 3-4 on the back

DGRulz

Eod100 wrote: »

Looks like something a child would come up with.. :P

Ah thats a bit unfair on Venjur, he tries his hardest.

thomond2006

Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs Vodacom Blue Bulls
17 August 2018. Kick-off: 19:00
Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein

15 Malcom Jaer
14 Rabz Maxwane
13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg
12 Nico Lee
11 William Small-Smith
10 Tian Schoeman
9 Rudy Paige
8 Niell Jordaan
7 Oupa Mohoje
6 Junior Pokomela
5 JP du Preez
4 Justin Basson
3 Luan de Bruin
2 Joseph Dweba
1 Ox Nche

16 Jacques du Toit
17 Erich de Jager
18 Günther Janse van Vuuren
19 Dennis Visser
20 Gerhard Olivier
21 Shaun Venter
22 Louis Fouche

The Cheetahs team for their Currie Cup game. I assume this will be close to their Pro14 side.

sydthebeat

some new faces in there.

if they can keep Rudy Paige fit and interested, he has the skill set to be a star for the season

JP du Preez taking over from our Dev as the tallest player in pro 14 rugby??

Tigerandahalf

sydthebeat wrote: »

some new faces in there.

if they can keep Rudy Paige fit and interested, he has the skill set to be a star for the season

JP du Preez taking over from our Dev as the tallest player in pro 14 rugby??

I only recognise 3 or 4 players from last year. Hopefully they will build on last year. If they regress to the Kings type of form the league will look bad.

Burkie1203

Kings have a shirt sponsor on 3 year deal (izuzu)

Positive stuff on the face of it


https://twitter.com/DjRossouw87/status/1031520804192886785?s=19

irishbucsfan

Seems like that could be a huge turning point for them. Great to hear

prawnsambo

It just occurred to me that brexit may pose some problems for the league. Thinking of the issues with visas that Leinster had last season when travelling to SA. There are a fair few fixtures not long after B-day that could potentially fall foul of a lack of preparedness by the UK authorities. And that's just for the players, the fans will be another issue entirely. Any thoughts?

irishbucsfan

prawnsambo wrote: »

It just occurred to me that brexit may pose some problems for the league. Thinking of the issues with visas that Leinster had last season when travelling to SA. There are a fair few fixtures not long after B-day that could potentially fall foul of a lack of preparedness by the UK authorities. And that's just for the players, the fans will be another issue entirely. Any thoughts?

There's quite a few sports teams that will affect across many sports. I'd imagine organisations like UEFA will be all over that.

Worst case scenario would be postponements.

Eod100

prawnsambo wrote: »

It just occurred to me that brexit may pose some problems for the league. Thinking of the issues with visas that Leinster had last season when travelling to SA. There are a fair few fixtures not long after B-day that could potentially fall foul of a lack of preparedness by the UK authorities. And that's just for the players, the fans will be another issue entirely. Any thoughts?

Yeah I think deadline is 29th March 2019 but could well be pushed back. With Pro14 final in Glasgow and Cc final in Newcastle could be tricky. Along with CC qfs and semis, Pro14 league games and knockout games. Dunno how it will pan out!

prawnsambo

irishbucsfan wrote: »

There's quite a few sports teams that will affect across many sports. I'd imagine organisations like UEFA will be all over that.

Worst case scenario would be postponements.

Yeah. Just confined it to the Pro 14 for this thread, but it could also affect the ECC as well. Not sure what any sports organisation can do about it since we haven't a clue what's going to happen. Even at the most basic level of the end of the open skies agreement.

irishbucsfan

prawnsambo wrote: »

Yeah. Just confined it to the Pro 14 for this thread, but it could also affect the ECC as well. Not sure what any sports organisation can do about it since we haven't a clue what's going to happen. Even at the most basic level of the end of the open skies agreement.

Well I mean open skies agreement only affects games which require flights.

Ulster will be going to Glasgow, they can make that trip by bus if disaster strikes and there's no agreement for flights. Same with Munster to Cardiff.

Leinster and Connacht both playing Italian teams so they dodge that bullet.

It is interesting to note that two Irish teams are playing within the EU and the two other teams are playing a closest possible neighbour. Probably the best way to dodge the problem without putting on derbies that weekend!

But if there's still no flights by 5th/6th April then rugby will be way, way, way down the list of priorities!

prawnsambo

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Well I mean open skies agreement only affects games which require flights.

Ulster will be going to Glasgow, they can make that trip by bus if disaster strikes and there's no agreement for flights. Same with Munster to Cardiff.

Leinster and Connacht both playing Italian teams so they dodge that bullet.

It is interesting to note that two Irish teams are playing within the EU and the two other teams are playing a closest possible neighbour. Probably the best way to dodge the problem without putting on derbies that weekend!

But if there's still no flights by 5th/6th April then rugby will be way, way, way down the list of priorities!

Yeah. THe only match that may be affected that weekend is Cardiff away to Munster. the following weekend is a bit more interesting. Cardiff could probably 'stay over' to play Connacht , but Glasgow have to travel to Leinster and Zebre have to travel to Scarlets.

But yes, this would be very much the bottom of the potential pile of manure that would need to be shifted if things go pear shaped.