nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

Child Item

General Rugby Discussion II

awec

Original thread has reached 10k posts.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057240564

Find more posts tagged with

Quick Links

Comments

Quin_Dub

salmocab wrote: »

There’s a whole generation coming through who won’t know the joy of going to work Monday with your back and legs criss crossed with stud marks.

I have a particular personal memory of attending a Black-tie gala with my girlfriend (now wife) sporting a clearly defined boot-print on my face (Adidas Flanker I believe!!).

Suffice to say she was not amused!

salmocab

Quin_Dub wrote: »

To be fair , the man is not wrong about rucking.

The fear of a good shoeing would resolve a whole host of issues.

There’s a whole generation coming through who won’t know the joy of going to work Monday with your back and legs criss crossed with stud marks.

Quin_Dub

To be fair , the man is not wrong about rucking.

The fear of a good shoeing would resolve a whole host of issues.

Squidgy Black

Brief_Lives

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/123005971/rugby-legend-willie-john-mcbride-savages-modern-game#:~:text=Willie%20John%20McBride%20feels%20there,size%20of%20modern%20rugby%20players.&text=%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20terrible%20seeing%20all,no%20difference%20to%20the%20result.

Rugby legend Willie John McBride savages modern game

Irish rugby legend Willie John McBride has savaged the modern game, lamenting the loss of rucking, the lack of space for attacking play, and the obsession with increasing player size.

McBride, who captained the British & Irish Lions and went on five tours with the famous side, delivered his damning verdict on the current game in a foreword he penned for a new book titled “Saving Rugby Union – The Price of Professionalism”.

“Rugby today is nothing like the game I played. It is a mixture of rugby union and rugby league – which is a huge influence on rugby union, with players lined up across the field against each other – and American football, with the obstruction and blocking.

“In the modern game, you can theoretically keep the ball for 40 minutes with endless phases. In the amateur era, once you went to ground you had to release the ball and get away. Players could then drive over the ball rucking the ball.

“Today, when guys go to ground they still hold on to the ball and actually place it back with their hands. It enables sides to retain the ball for phase after phase as it is so difficult for defenders to get hold of the ball at the breakdown. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

“There were never any serious injuries in rucks because you really had to release the ball and get away to avoid being raked back. If you held onto the ball you would be penalised.

“Today there are more and more pile-ups with knees and elbows hitting other players, causing injuries. Referees blow up for a scrum when the ball is buried in a pile of bodies. This simply wouldn’t happen in a ruck situation when I played.

“At the breakdown, I just don’t understand why people are tackling players who haven’t got the ball. It’s not sport – they are just charging into people to take them out. Surely the law says you cannot tackle a player who hasn’t got the ball?

“Any game is all about space. The modern game is all about closing down space with players lining across the pitch because of phase rugby. The one thing that strikes me is why did they change our game?”

McBride felt the use of too many substitutes was increasing the injury rate rather than easing it.

He felt players should be equipped to last an entire 80-minute match and, like in his time, should only be replaced when injured.

“I’ve seen young guys from academies who have been told: ‘You’re too light. You have to put on two stones if you are to be successful.’ Kids are growing. They are fed all these food supplements I call drugs and doing all these weights,” McBride, who played 63 tests for Ireland, wrote in “Saving Rugby Union – The Price of Professionalism”.

“Their bones can’t take what their muscles are demanding. This is wrong. The one thing I was taught when I was growing up was to be supple. They are muscle-bound and more prone to injuries

“It is terrible seeing all these people running off and on the pitch in an international. Recently a player was brought on with a minute to go – it could make no difference to the result.

“I once asked my old adversary Colin Meads how would you feel if they took you off with 20 minutes to go? I can’t repeat what he said, but it was more or less ‘you can stuff the game’.”

McBride, now 80, also hit out at the way players were able to choose their allegiances, with players born in one country playing for another.

He felt a 10-year residency rule was one way of addressing this.

McBride was also disappointed with the way English clubs were dictating the game there and felt that had a bad impact on the Lions.

PTH2009

Anyone know will the new South Africa docuseries been available here???

https://www.sarugby.co.za/news-features/articles/watch-chasing-the-sun-documentary-trailer/

UAEguy2020

Buer wrote: »

England have outhalf talent coming out of their ears. Sheedy was never going to get ahead of Marcus Smith who is seen as the long term English outhalf and Joe Simmonds is still only 23 and likely to steer Exeter to a Champions Cup and league title double.

Like I said I was referring to experience. In terms of long term view he was never going to be viewed ahead of someone like Smith (another I would throw in who I really like is Umaga who has been in the most recent England squad) but I was referring to him not being able to force his way into the current reckoning. I’ll be interested to see how he gets on for Wales as there has been a lot of talk about him for awhile without her much attention at international level.

Buer

UAEguy2020 wrote: »

Be interested to see how some of the premiership based guys get on + English players who moved to Wales & declared due to heritage, Gats law is well and truly dead.

Sheedy most of all I’ll be interested to see, seems to be a player with a lot of talent but I find it quite surprising that he never really got that close to a chance for England in a position of relative weakness (In terms of experience at least as bar Ford and Farrell it does feel very wide open for the third spot).

England have outhalf talent coming out of their ears. Sheedy was never going to get ahead of Marcus Smith who is seen as the long term English outhalf and Joe Simmonds is still only 23 and likely to steer Exeter to a Champions Cup and league title double.

Buer

Looking at the Welsh squad, my first impression was how little new blood they have coming through up front but, when you actually analyse it, this is largely because multiple guys in there with a good few caps are still quite young. Wainwright is still only 23. Moriarty is only 26 somehow. Rhys Carre is 22. Leon Brown is 23.

They got a lot of caps in over the last few years and will probably start to benefit from this now.

UAEguy2020

sydthebeat wrote: »

in rugby news....

wales announce their autumn internationals squad:

https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/wales-squad-announcement%3A-seven-uncapped-players-included/630610

most notably in the backs Callum Sheedy and Ioan Lloyd, the two bristol 10s gets a call up ... sheedy who qualifies for ireland, england and wales.

in the forwards Sam Parry, at 27, gets a nod... looks like the hooker spot in wales is as open as the irish.

WALES SQUAD – AUTUMN 2020

Forwards (21): Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues, 8 Caps), Wyn Jones (Scarlets, 25 Caps), Nicky Smith (Ospreys, 35 Caps), Ken Owens (Scarlets, 77 Caps), Ryan Elias (Scarlets, 13 Caps), Sam Parry (Ospreys)*, Samson Lee (Scarlets, 41 Caps), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues, 26 Caps), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs, 48 Caps), Leon Brown (Dragons, 10 Caps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, 138 Caps), Will Rowlands (Wasps, 1 Cap), Jake Ball (Scarlets, 46 Caps), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues, 7 Caps), Cory Hill (Cardiff Blues, 25 Caps), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons, 21 Caps), Ross Moriarty (Dragons, 45 Caps), Taulupe Faletau (Bath, 76 Caps), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues, 24 Caps), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, 76 Caps), Josh Macleod (Scarlets)*.

Backs (17): Rhys Webb (Ospreys, 33 Caps), Gareth Davies (Scarlets, 53 Caps), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets)*, Dan Biggar (Northampton, 83 Caps), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets, 19 Caps), Callum Sheedy (Bristol)*, Owen Watkin (Ospreys, 22 Caps), Nick Tompkins (Dragons, 4 Caps), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets, 81 Caps), Johnny Williams (Scarlets)*, George North (Ospreys, 95 Caps), Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues, 24 Caps), Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester)*, Jonah Holmes (Dragons, 3 Caps), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets, 89 Caps), Ioan Lloyd (Bristol)*, Liam Williams (Scarlets, 63 Caps).

Be interested to see how some of the premiership based guys get on + English players who moved to Wales & declared due to heritage, Gats law is well and truly dead.

Sheedy most of all I’ll be interested to see, seems to be a player with a lot of talent but I find it quite surprising that he never really got that close to a chance for England in a position of relative weakness (In terms of experience at least as bar Ford and Farrell it does feel very wide open for the third spot).

I would say behind Ken Owens it’s wide open but I still think for the time being atleast Ken has the 2 shirt.

aloooof

https://twitter.com/jaredwright17/status/1313415068202274818

sydthebeat

in rugby news....

wales announce their autumn internationals squad:

https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/wales-squad-announcement%3A-seven-uncapped-players-included/630610

most notably in the backs Callum Sheedy and Ioan Lloyd, the two bristol 10s gets a call up ... sheedy who qualifies for ireland, england and wales.

in the forwards Sam Parry, at 27, gets a nod... looks like the hooker spot in wales is as open as the irish.

WALES SQUAD – AUTUMN 2020

Forwards (21): Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues, 8 Caps), Wyn Jones (Scarlets, 25 Caps), Nicky Smith (Ospreys, 35 Caps), Ken Owens (Scarlets, 77 Caps), Ryan Elias (Scarlets, 13 Caps), Sam Parry (Ospreys)*, Samson Lee (Scarlets, 41 Caps), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues, 26 Caps), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs, 48 Caps), Leon Brown (Dragons, 10 Caps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, 138 Caps), Will Rowlands (Wasps, 1 Cap), Jake Ball (Scarlets, 46 Caps), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues, 7 Caps), Cory Hill (Cardiff Blues, 25 Caps), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons, 21 Caps), Ross Moriarty (Dragons, 45 Caps), Taulupe Faletau (Bath, 76 Caps), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues, 24 Caps), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, 76 Caps), Josh Macleod (Scarlets)*.

Backs (17): Rhys Webb (Ospreys, 33 Caps), Gareth Davies (Scarlets, 53 Caps), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets)*, Dan Biggar (Northampton, 83 Caps), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets, 19 Caps), Callum Sheedy (Bristol)*, Owen Watkin (Ospreys, 22 Caps), Nick Tompkins (Dragons, 4 Caps), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets, 81 Caps), Johnny Williams (Scarlets)*, George North (Ospreys, 95 Caps), Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues, 24 Caps), Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester)*, Jonah Holmes (Dragons, 3 Caps), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets, 89 Caps), Ioan Lloyd (Bristol)*, Liam Williams (Scarlets, 63 Caps).

PTH2009

I'm guessing the 1st Grp A vs 1st Grp B is the Autumn nations cup final and winner gets the cup ?

the other 3 games are basically just run outs

Sheep Shagger

PTH2009 wrote: »

Will the Lions gear be out for Christmas ?

Always buy one of the polo shirts

It will be....not in irish stores yet but the 'supporters range' came out last week - nothing special TBH.

Replica kit and other stuff (polo's etc) due in the coming weeks according to Canterbury on social media.

Presumably Elverys and LSS will have main stuff, Lovell always have the full range

https://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/shop/collection/British-and-Irish-Lions-2021

RugbyLover123

Why are the teams opting to kick to goal for penalties in the Springbok showdown game? All that’s on the line is places in the springbok squad, surely kicking for the corner increases opportunities to impress?

PTH2009

Will the Lions gear be out for Christmas ?

Always buy one of the polo shirts

Squidgy Black

Wigglesworth retiring after this weekend too

Buer

Premiership Rugby have been made aware of further positive tests at other clubs aside from Sale. They're conducting an emergency review and the final weekend may be postponed entirely.

sydthebeat

Canturbury v Wellington home to golden point game

First time in New Zealand rugby

hahashake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB6MUUrGER8

Decent interview with Sean Fitzpatrick about his career.

Buer

sydthebeat wrote: »

I see Brad barrit has officially retired.

Very good hard player.

Savagely underrated. His style was limited but he was incredibly efficient and tough. For Saracens, losing him is as detrimental as losing Billy Vunipola.

If he didn't go off last weekend, I think Saracens are in the final.

sydthebeat

I see Brad barrit has officially retired.

Very good hard player.

Squidgy Black

Stumbled across this on my YouTube recommendations, pretty decent side

Alex Corbisero
Damien Varley
Taoine Vanga
Alistair Hargreaves
Craig Quinnel
Stephen Ferris
Sam Warburton
Jack Clifford
Harry Ellis
Barry John
Luke Fitzgerald
Rob Horne
Tom Shanklin
Israel Dagg
Pat Lambie

UAEguy2020

He is the one England player that is truly irreplaceable, will be a huge loss for England for the autumn probably the 6N. I still think because of his all round quality that he can still make the Lions in the summer though depending on the squad announcement.

Guinness RFC

Edit wrong thread

arsebiscuits1

I wonder if the Achilles is the opposite leg to his problematic groin. Given the complexities of that injury I'd be shocked if there wasn't a knock on effect of over compensation on the other leg or a total change of gait that compounded this injury.

He'll be staring down the barrel of 30 by the time he's coming back from this latest one.

I wonder how much longer he can go on for

Clegg

Tualagi was having his longest run without a serious injury before this one too. And a torn Achilles is especially bad.

https://twitter.com/Nik_Simon88/status/1311625017025867776?s=20

Buer

ongarite wrote: »

9 Racing 92 players test positive for COVID-19.
Weekend game postponed.

9 Racing employees, I thought? No confirmation as to whether they're playing staff or otherwise.

Cookiemunster

Eod100 wrote: »

Wonder has it anything to do with Poite's cough. But then would probably expect Clermont players to have it too by now

That and the fact that Poite didn't have it either......

Eod100

ongarite wrote: »

9 Racing 92 players test positive for COVID-19.
Weekend game postponed.

Wonder has it anything to do with Poite's cough. But then would probably expect Clermont players to have it too by now