Guinness Pro14 Season 2018-2019

Buer

CatFromHue wrote: »

Dragons got an intercept try in the first min and then scored their second try with 5 to go puts a different slant on the game.

They were comfortably second best on the night. Treviso looked far more cohesive in moving the ball as well as in the tight. If Treviso had converted their tries (0/3), the game would have been dead regardless of the late consolation try.

In fairnsss, the Dragons did show some willingness to run the ball and have a crack but it was all for nothing more often than not and they'd end up spilling it. Jordan Williams is always fairly entertaining to watch running the ball back.

PMC83

errlloyd wrote: »

Marty Banks was SOOOO important to them, and he really ****ed them around for a while then left. But while he was there he was so good.

Whats was the craic with Marty Banks? I 've read a few thing like above. Did he just leave early?

wp_rathead

Gonna be a rough year for Cheetah's you'd fear

https://twitter.com/rpetty80/status/1037320539981967361

Squidgy Black

PMC83 wrote: »

Whats was the craic with Marty Banks? I 've read a few thing like above. Did he just leave early?

He signed a contract with them at the start of 2016, and was supposed to arrive once the NPC finished in October. But he never did, and showed up at the Highlanders for training stating family matters and played another season with them. So his contract ended up only being one year, (no idea how that happened).

thomond2006

Zebre have confirmed Minozzi has had ACL surgery. That's a bodyblow to them and to Italy.

thomond2006

Cracking team try from Dragons.

razorblunt

I didn’t know Frank Murphy was a ref.

Diabhal Beag

razorblunt wrote: »

I didn’t know Frank Murphy was a ref.

He reffed Connacht away in Glasgow last season to the bemusement of the Glaswegians around us.

razorblunt

The Kings game management is just awful. No pressure being built. They get in the Dragons half and get penalised.


Jesus they were all ahead of the kicker at the restart just now. Shambles.

razorblunt

2 tries in 2 mins to make me shut up

razorblunt

Very harsh call there, Kings tried an intercept and the winger was held back when trying to gather. Ref gave a knock on. Pretty blatant.

thomond2006

Kings try. Game on in Newport!

thomond2006

Touchline conversion makes it 17-17.

Cookiemunster

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

He reffed Connacht away in Glasgow last season to the bemusement of the Glaswegians around us.

He's an MAR ref, so he can ref anyone other than Munster.

Kevski

Does any know that the story is with Gavin Henson? Is he injured or just out of favour?

thomond2006

Kevski wrote: »

Does any know that the story is with Gavin Henson? Is he injured or just out of favour?

Dropped I think.

thomond2006

27-17. Dragons can now chase the 4th try.

Tigerandahalf

Good game this. The Kings are putting some phases together.

That Dragons pitch is not 3G as I thought. The Welsh rugby union bought the club and grounds and were hoping to do a 3G pitch but Newport County who share the ground avoided relegation from the Football League and thus they had to lay a turf pitch. The edge around the pitch is 3G.

thomond2006

27-22 FT. Kings earn an unexpected point on the road, they were 18 point underdogs with the bookies. They return home to two tough visitors in Ulster and Glasgow. As for the Dragons, they have a difficult trip next week...

Buer

Two points for the Kings...got the 4 tries.

For the second week running, the Dragons profit from a side not being able to kick their goals. Treviso were 0/3 on conversions last week and Kings were 1/4 today.

thomond2006

Ospreys 19-7 Cheetahs, kicked off at 5:30. 3 tries scored for Ospreys.

Burkie1203

Skullduggery in Benetton v Cardiff game. Clock in red

Burkie1203

Benetton beat Cardiff 27-25. Allan with touchline conversion

thomond2006

In the last play Benetton score in the corner and kick the conversion to win 27-25!

Neil3030

I for one welcome our new Venetian overlords.

thomond2006

They needed the win tonight as their next games are away to Scarlets, Ospreys and Edinburgh.

The Lost Sheep

razorblunt wrote: »

I didn’t know Frank Murphy was a ref.

Been a ref for 5/6 seasons and in 3rd season doing pro12/14 games

Cookiemunster wrote: »

He's an MAR ref, so he can ref anyone other than Munster.

Yeah. Only restrictions for some of the irish refs in past other than their own province is when those who are working as ref development officers and cant ref province they're the ref development officer of as well.

troyzer

The Pumas, Griquas and Cheetahs are comfortably bottom of the Currie Cup this year. One of the Pro14 teams and the two that are rumoured to be making the move up North.

If they can't compete against Super Rugby development sides, how the hell are they going to compete in the Pro14? It's beyond me.

Exclamation Marc

troyzer wrote: »

The Pumas, Griquas and Cheetahs are comfortably bottom of the Currie Cup this year. One of the Pro14 teams and the two that are rumoured to be making the move up North.

If they can't compete against Super Rugby development sides, how the hell are they going to compete in the Pro14? It's beyond me.

Agreed, Pro14 really need to be looking at quality rather than quantity.

thomond2006

https://youtu.be/EtDCb8dKH7s

Some good rugby on display from Benetton.

Tigerandahalf

The Cheetahs put out a 2nd string team in the Currie Cup.
https://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/currie-cup/cheetahs-not-easy-playing-in-both-currie-cup-and-pro14-16967512

troyzer

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

The Cheetahs put out a 2nd string team in the Currie Cup.
https://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/currie-cup/cheetahs-not-easy-playing-in-both-currie-cup-and-pro14-16967512

I know that, but the fact that they're getting battered both in the Currie Cup and Pro14 suggests that they probably should be playing their starters (I.E. the Pro14 team) in the Currie Cup and be nowhere near the Pro14.

It's even worse for the Griqas and Pumas who don't have Super Rugby overlords officially, although the Griqas are also in the Cheetahs catchment area and the Pumas lose their best to the Lions. But the reality is that neither of these teams are likely to improve to Pro14 level.

Tigerandahalf

That is open to debate. Many of the Super SA sides are struggling financially and may struggle to offer good contracts to young players. It is very possible that the Cheetahs and possibly the Kings will be able to sign up this young talent offering them a shop window to European teams. Certainly their agents will be looking in that direction.

It may take a few years but these teams could come good yet especially if they get into the CC and are offered more cash with the CC being televised in SA.

The Currie Cup will probably die off especially if 2 more teams are entered into the Pro14.

troyzer

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

That is open to debate. Many of the Super SA sides are struggling financially and may struggle to offer good contracts to young players. It is very possible that the Cheetahs and possibly the Kings will be able to sign up this young talent offering them a shop window to European teams. Certainly their agents will be looking in that direction.

It may take a few years but these teams could come good yet especially if they get into the CC and are offered more cash with the CC being televised in SA.

The Currie Cup will probably die off especially if 2 more teams are entered into the Pro14.

I wouldn't claim to know what the Cheetah's financial position is now vs when they were in Super Rugby but I agree with you that the allure of playing in Europe with European salaries was a big part of what Mark Alexander was alluding to. It's obvious he sees SARU's future in Europe.

At what point do you see diminishing returns though? Is there really any point adding more ****e teams until we see the Cheetahs and Kings do well?

Dubinusa

If the S.A teams are struggling financially, why invite them into the pro14?
Wouldn't a Georgian side and another Scottish side be better.
To me, it's pointless bringing in fodder from S.A. it should only be a top team like the Stormers and Bulls that are invited. Lower level S.A teams are AIL level. It makes the league no better unless the best teams are involved.

thomond2006

Scott Williams suffered a hamstring injury over the weekend, he is potentially out long-term.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/45461864

bilston

Dubinusa wrote: »

If the S.A teams are struggling financially, why invite them into the pro14?
Wouldn't a Georgian side and another Scottish side be better.
To me, it's pointless bringing in fodder from S.A. it should only be a top team like the Stormers and Bulls that are invited. Lower level S.A teams are AIL level. It makes the league no better unless the best teams are involved.

An extra £6m a year in TV money isn't at all pointless.

Besides the Cheetahs made the play offs last season. Neither Ulster or Connacht managed that. Nor did the Ospreys or Cardiff.

troyzer

bilston wrote: »

An extra £6m a year in TV money isn't at all pointless.

Besides the Cheetahs made the play offs last season. Neither Ulster or Connacht managed that. Nor did the Ospreys or Cardiff.

They're not going to repeat it.

bilston

troyzer wrote: »

bilston wrote: »

An extra £6m a year in TV money isn't at all pointless.

Besides the Cheetahs made the play offs last season. Neither Ulster or Connacht managed that. Nor did the Ospreys or Cardiff.

They're not going to repeat it.

Maybe not. But that £6m in TV money every year keeps them in the tournament.

thomond2006

Eir doing some in depth analysis of the Benetton-Cardiff game on their highlights show. Good to see it's not overly centred on the provinces.

razorblunt

troyzer wrote: »

They're not going to repeat it.

Should learn a lesson from that, ring fence players for the initial 2-3 seasons they are in the league.

Some interesting fixtures this weekend.

Munster have to put Ospreys away and the more convincingly the better. They need a statement after the disappointment of last weekend. Connacht probably not expected to beat Edinburgh but if they can keep the score tight upto the last quarter I think Edinburgh's fitness levels leaves them a bit vulnerable. They've had two away games so this is their first home fixture of the season - I expect it to be a very physical game.

Leinster should beat Dragons at home, Dragons have been very unconvincing in my opinion. They were beaten at home by a decent Benetton team but they didn't put an extremely poor Kings to the sword at home and Leinster could put 40+ on them if we click. As others have said, the optics of Jackman doing commentary the night before a Dragon's game isn't great and a pummelling at the weekend will put him under pressure early in the season.

The Ulster game is going to be a test of depth but will showcase their youth talent which should be interesting. Kings are a better side at home so it could be an entertaining one.

I think Scarlets Benetton should be fascinating. Benetton are 2 from 2 and whilst I don't think they'll have enough for Scarlets away there should be some good scores from the game. Glasgow away to Cheetah's similarly will give us a better picture of where the Cheetah's are at and both teams will be throwing the ball around.

Tigerandahalf

The Scarlets Benetton game could be good alright as both are throwing the ball around a fair bit. I presume Dan Jones will be at 10 with Patchell injured so that could weaken the Scarlets as he struggled with his kicking the last day. Normally he is very good though.

Tigerandahalf

Pro14 Hour is on again now on eir 2.

thomond2006

Benetton leading in Llanelli 12-14 in the first half.

thomond2006

Red card I see for Benetton.

Burkie1203

thomond2006 wrote: »

Red card I see for Benetton.

What for

razorblunt

Burkie1203 wrote: »

What for

Never a red. Herbst off his feet at a ruck, clearly. Made accidental contact with the head of the Scarlet, his elbow brushed the head and I mean brushed.

Even the heavily biased Welsh comms said it was a joke.

Ref was lookin at it in front of him and still went to his assistant to ask about it.

razorblunt

Trevino red card.

https://twitter.com/premiersportstv/status/1041006572649033729

thomond2006

17-26 to Benetton. Woah.