Rugby Championship 2021 Thread

I have no idea if there's already a thread for this, the site is a disaster.

I know technically this match isn't part of the RC, but it's good to see how Aussie and NZ are shaping up for the competition this year.

It really summed up how much we're missing crowds over this side of the world when the crowd was cheering every time a replay was shown of the ball bouncing straight off the Wallabies fullback's noggin.

So far the goal line dropout has come into play once, but pretty surprised there hasn't been a 50/22 kick, especially when the All Blacks seem to have a pretty favourable wind at their backs.

Hurrache

Certainly a couple of dodgy plays leading to that try but super entertaining all the same.

clsmooth

NZ have looked good. Apart from all the dodgy mullets.

einn32

Playing out similar to the trans tasman super rugby this year. Wallabies full of mistakes, kiwis with disallowed tries and infringements when their line is under pressure. Wallabies start throwing the ball around once they go behind by 10 or 20 points.

Yeah_Right

It's great watching a game with both teams trying to use skill and pace. And crowds!

Hurrache

Intercepted try and poor set kicks by Australia helped NZ to the win, entertaining second half.

Mullets, the official haircut of the all blacks.

Yeah_Right

Maybe that's the problem with Irish rugby. The lack of mullets, taches and beards. 90% of Irish players are clean shaven with skin fades. No creativity or originality. And that shows in how they play 😆

Yeah_Right

Good win by the ABs. Rugby is so enjoyable to watch when both teams actually try to play. It is a shame that the Wallabies have dropped to such a level that they can't even sell out Eden Park.

basill

Read online that decent tickets were over 200NZD. Thats a lot of money to drop two weeks in a row.

Yeah_Right

I suppose playing the same team 2 weeks in a row would be a factor. Especially when the result is pretty much a foregone conclusion. Wouldn't say NZ$200 is that expensive for good seats. Do you know how much the cheapest were?

Its interesting talking to mates back home and they're not really inspired by this ABs team. Some saying it's the worst in 20 years. Don't know if I'd go that far but I have my doubts about the midfield, loose forward combo and the props.

sydthebeat

200 NZ dollars is €120 which you'd easily pay for the best seats during an Ireland England 6n game

Jacovs

2 good tries by SA to lead 18-3 after 26 minutes.

Neil3030

Why do South African home rugby matches always feel like you're in a **** casino in Reno?

Digifriendly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117751700#Comment_117751700

Yes probably not that much if you're a mad keen rugby fan.

Yeah_Right

NZ in lockdown. Possibly the end of the Rugby Championship for 2021.

pickarooney

Over one case... it's getting ridiculous. How many years are they planning on locking down every time a case arises? It's not just going to go away.

From being an example to the world to this, and only 17% vaccinated.

Thrashssacre

Talk of moving the games to Europe Paris, London Dublin and Cardiff to get a double header. Not sure why were being considered when we won't let anyone into the bloody grounds but I'd be delighted if it happened.

molloyjh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117774962#Comment_117774962

We are letting people into grounds. The All Ireland finals will have 40k at it which is half capacity. So they could possibly allow 20-25,000 at these in theory.

Thrashssacre

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117775140#Comment_117775140

Yeah but the possibility of maybe half if we're lucky isn't exactly that enticing for them I'd imagine when they could have a full Twickenham, principality or Murrayfield all of which have 20,000 extra seats then the Aviva off the bat without any restrictions here. I don't see us getting it personally. Government have been very difficult to deal with just look at what happened the live entertainment gig crowd that met them last night with a plan and were told to do one.

Maxxx17

I love watching games like this.

thomond2006

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117775165#Comment_117775165

SA is on the UK's red list. That's why Ireland is a possibility for them.

Thrashssacre

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117775192#Comment_117775192

Ah right that'd make a bit more sense as to why were in the running then. Are France at full capacity?

Yeah_Right

If they are looking for crowds, London makes the most sense due to the expat population there.

Never been to Twickenham but I'd consider going over for it.

molloyjh

I'd imagine NZ and Oz will base themselves in England anyway. Not sure about Argentina. Probably Cardiff? SA will either be in France or Ireland. But with France having no restrictions on sporting events that might swing it their way.

pickarooney

Why would they need big, full capacity stadiums? They play in front of three men and a dog at home. Who's going to full out Twickenham?

Cookiemunster

Lads, the Rugby Championship is as likely to decamp to Europe as the Lions tour was. It would be an even bigger logistical nightmare and it would have to happen by next week. Its not going to happen. It'll end up behind closed doors at worst.

New Zealand have pulled out of the Bledisloe Cup ...& cancelled 2 games against South Africa....that's the championship over now ..can't see nation's keeping their players on ice for a month in the southern hemisphere

Digifriendly

I have found both S Africa vs Argentina games dull to watch tbh. S Africa clearly the better team but neither game inspired me in any way.

swiwi_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117787272#Comment_117787272

Unlike what the lions brought, which was thrill a minute stuff…

i think generally rugby has become rather dull. NZ and Australia play an open game but there is currently too much difference in class between the teams to keep the score lines close and the games interesting.

PTH2009

Could we see a repeat of last year and the Rugby Championship teams won't travel for the November tests

Jordie Barrett red is an absolute joke. Player jumping to catch the ball, falling backwards and has a leg out for balance hits another player in the face and it's a straight red.

At least a red is only for 20 mins, the game would have been destroyed otherwise.

Buddy Bubs

You'll see more red cards now I believe if this new system stays in. I think rugby has gone a little bit over cautious but of all the red cards for a lack of duty of care that one was clear enough in my opinion.

20 mins in the bin then a sub on is a good move in my opinion, too many games ruined after 10 or 20 mins with a man sent off

theVersatile

That's 100% a red, so reckless and no need for it.

Yeah_Right

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117848770#Comment_117848770

That's a ridiculous statement. It was a natural movement but it was dangerous contact to the head so an understandable red. It was the perfect example of why 20 minutes for a red is a good thing. Being a man down for the rest of the match for that would have been an injustice.

Clegg

Don't have an issue with the red card decision. We've seen similar over the last 18 months being given as reds. I don't see why he's so surprised about it tbh.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117848869#Comment_117848869

It's an extremely fine line. Had it been boot to shoulder and not to face, and Jordie was upended, it could have been a red the other way. He was never looking to compete for the ball.

Yeah_Right

Really enjoying watching Akira this season. It's been a breakout season for him and he seems to be finally realising the potential that everyone could see was there. He's been around for a few years now but appears to have matured and could make the 6 jersey his own for a good years. He's only 26.

ersatz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117848973#Comment_117848973

No, Koroibete had stalled and timed his tackle perfectly. Barrett's foot would have been on the ground on impact if he hadn't shoed him in the head. There is nothing controversial about that card and Barrett should be looking at a ban, he could have blinded him.

Digifriendly

Match showed large gulf that still exists between NZ and Australia. NZ have far more strength in depth and without 3 of their front liners still won comfortably. Dave Rennie has his work cut out. NZ vs S. Africa fixtures will probably decide the tournament.

irelandrover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117848537#Comment_117848537

He didn't look off balance to me. He had his knee up and then stuck out his foot which made contact with the face. Players don't normally jump foot out like that so its not like a natural jumping position.

It probably wasn't on purpose but he put out his foot to keep a player at distance and hit him in the face.

stephen_n

There is no question at all about that red. It was a secondary movement by Barrett to bring his foot up. He wasn’t falling backwards and it wasn’t a natural movement. I can understand the instinct but it was a red all day long.

Eoinbmw

No one jumps with and out stretched leg and foot that high I'd even go as far as to say he meant to kick him in the face!

He was only surprise because its the All Blacks and they usually get away with stuff like that!

Judging by the comments here, the entire All Black's team should have been red carded 😂

Jordie was absolutely off balance, and leaning back while twisting, and to outstretch a leg is a natural movement to balance yourself.

Anyway, it's just one of those freak things which you couldn't repeat again if you tried.

irelandrover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117852865#Comment_117852865

This still shows him a lot more straight and also karate kicking someone in the face. It's almost like stills don't show the full thing.

Yeah_Right

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117852414#Comment_117852414

That old tired line. The ABx don't get away with stuff more than other teams. That was the third red against Australia in the last couple of years.

No doubt you will now post a list of AB infringements that you think should have been red cards.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117853031#Comment_117853031

I'm not sure whether you're being serious or not. My still was only to show that he was leaning back. Of course he's more upright in your still, because he put his leg out to help regain his balance 🙄

awec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117852414#Comment_117852414

Players jump like that all the time tbh, and it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.

It wasn't intentional, that flailing leg is a by-product of going for a high ball and misjudging the flight, but it has to be a red because contact to the face with the boot is very dangerous.

irelandrover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117853182#Comment_117853182

I wasn't being fully serious. I just don't think stills show anything.

It's a clear red to me. Barrett jumped to catch a ball, raised his foot and went studs first into another players face. Its reckless and there wasn't any mitigation.

sydthebeat

its a red

but a good example of why the 20 min red is a good rule (though i know the majority are against it)

its caused by poor technique that anything maliciously dangerous.

molloyjh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117853199#Comment_117853199

I didn't see the Barrett incident, but it sounds like a carbon copy of Hastings on Kelleher in the Leinster-Glasgow game last season. Hastings saw red for that too.

Yeah_Right

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117853536#Comment_117853536

It was very similar.

As Syd said, it was poor technique and accidental so the 20 minutes down to 14 was a fair result. The Wallabies still couldn't score any points during that time 🤣