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General Rugby Discussion 3

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    #3302
    pixelburp
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 35,941 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121915045#Comment_121915045

    I'm a bit confused by all this: I see they competed (and won) the Super Cup, which I guess is what I was speculating about, but they were also invited into the Challenge Cup? And I see their games were happening around the same time in Dec. 2023 ... Were the Black Lions then competing in two club tourneys at the same time?

    I do note that they didn't finish last in their group; they won a game, against Scarlets and seemed to run Gloucester close - though no clue if both teams fielded weakened teams or not.



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    #3303
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,481 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121911960#Comment_121911960

    The 6N and RC teams can not be relegated from that league structure.

    It's essentially a sop to a couple tier 2 teams and it is not enough. That being said, it is genuinely difficult to balance all the priorities here. Obviously relegation in 6N is out of the question, and the international calendar is probably overpacked as it is.



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    #3304
    ersatz
    Registered Users Posts: 1,426 ✭✭✭ersatz


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121909270#Comment_121909270

    Bad as Wales are, Georgia would be pummeled in the 6N. Maybe there is a way of improving them sufficiently to get there but they have a very long way to go to compete consistently with 4 or 5 of the top ten teams in the world. It would be counterproductive and pointless. That's the real issue for a neutral about relegation from the 6N. Countries that don't have a competitive professional domestic game just can't hope to produce the 30-40-50 pros you need to play an annual tournament at that level. I see SA in the 6 nations before Georgia or Portugal.



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    #3305
    Exclamation Marc
    Registered Users Posts: 11,373 ✭✭✭✭Exclamation Marc


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121918798#Comment_121918798

    I was only being tongue and cheek.

    Relegation is a horrendous idea and will never happen in any case for the 6N, thankfully.



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    #3306
    ersatz
    Registered Users Posts: 1,426 ✭✭✭ersatz


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121918809#Comment_121918809

    Ah I knew you were kidding but there is often way too much focus on the financial incentive unions have to keep the 6N a closed shop when from a competitive and rugby point of view there are not any other candidates within an asses roar of being viable participants.



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    #3307
    pixelburp
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 35,941 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121918809#Comment_121918809

    It would work if the distance between tier 1 and 2 was close enough that promoted nations could cause a stir, maybe even the odd shock winner; unfortunately we're way off from that, as we all know the drop off in this sport is steep. Even among Tier 1 itself there's a growing gap.



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    #3308
    Exclamation Marc
    Registered Users Posts: 11,373 ✭✭✭✭Exclamation Marc


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121919100#Comment_121919100

    It wouldnt work. If Wales were relegated this season to a second tier, their entire rugby pyramid would collapse. And it's bad enough as it is.



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    #3309
    pixelburp
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 35,941 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121919165#Comment_121919165

    Well that's kinda what I'm saying: if the gap between Tier 1 and 2 wasn't so huge, it would imply the relative health of those countries' unions was strong enough to withstand the up and down. But it's only cos the drop is so insanely steep that absolutely, if Wales were relegated tomorrow their union would collapse.

    Anyway. It isn't that equal and not anywhere close so it's all academic either way 🙂 But if Georgia starts taking scalps regular enough it'll open up the conversation all over again, so doubtless we'll be here again next time they beat poor 'aul Wales.



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    #3310
    AbusesToilets
    Registered Users Posts: 9,990 ✭✭✭AbusesToilets


    It's a terrible concept from a financial perspective. You have acrete wealth when teams are yo-yoing up and down. It's an anachronism from an amateur era, that only works now with a rich owner plowing money into a team



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    #3311
    phog
    Registered Users Posts: 23,770 ✭✭✭✭phog


    Ticket prices for The Lions game v Argentina in the Aviva

    It may well be a sellout but I don't know too many who'll shell out that sort of money


    20240321_203656.jpg




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    #3312
    CatFromHue
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,145 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatFromHue


    That's a spicy meatball!



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    #3313
    Quin_Dub
    Moderators, Politics Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 15,055 Mod ✭✭✭✭Quin_Dub


    Those are crazy..

    I get that it's an opportunity to see the Lions play that some might not get otherwise , but ~€250 minimum for 2 tickets anywhere decent is madness.

    What are the lower prices in brackets (other than being half of the other price)?



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    #3314
    CatFromHue
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,145 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatFromHue


    Those prices aren't doing much to counter the idea that The Lions are only a money making entity.



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    #3315
    phog
    Registered Users Posts: 23,770 ✭✭✭✭phog


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121924482#Comment_121924482

    I assumed the bracketed prices are juvenile tickets



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    #3316
    pixelburp
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 35,941 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    Bloody Eck, that's a big fat no. Was never that big into the Lions as others but while match prices are bad this feels especially cynical - yet the stadium will be full.



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    #3317
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users Posts: 11,174 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    George North ruptured his achilles



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    #3318
    pickarooney
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,167 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    I knew that would happen. Said it on the morning of the game, he'll do an O'Connell and never make it to France.



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    #3319
    AbusesToilets
    Registered Users Posts: 9,990 ✭✭✭AbusesToilets


    No luck like bad luck, awful news for him



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    #3320
    cson
    Registered Users Posts: 14,413 ✭✭✭✭cson


    Jesus maybe the RWC just has me conditioned differently now but those Lions tickets aren't that bad?

    I think its moreso the hotels that get you in Dublin these days, utter shite and 200+



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    #3321
    OldRio
    Registered Users Posts: 5,927 ✭✭✭OldRio


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121928018#Comment_121928018

    Not that bad?



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    #3322
    hold my beer
    Registered Users Posts: 1,690 ✭✭✭hold my beer


    Price of tickets for everything is getting silly.



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    #3323
    phog
    Registered Users Posts: 23,770 ✭✭✭✭phog


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121923768#Comment_121923768

    Ticket Prices in Australia are just as bad

    https://twitter.com/rugby_ap/status/1771410114253332641?t=PZI2zWcc4sSNK5UALaacCQ&s=19




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    #3324
    typhoony
    Registered Users Posts: 1,490 ✭✭✭typhoony


    No thread on the women's 6 nations and I can't even find 1 post about today's game. Looking forward to seeing if they have improved in the professional era, I have a feeling it will be a few years before we are competitive against England and France.



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    #3325
    pixelburp
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 35,941 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    Georgia already making noises about their status in light of Wales' collapse, and I guess eyeing up an upset in Tbilisi to further the narrative - if they can make the match happen.

    “It’s my great pleasure to invite our dear friends from Wales to play Georgia in Tbilisi this autumn,” said GRU president Ioseb Tkemaladze in a statement issued Friday.

    “After a thrilling Six Nations and Georgia’s seventh success in a row in the Rugby Europe Championship, it is the fixture rugby fans everywhere are crying out for, so I really hope the Welsh can take up our invitation. Of course, we would be equally happy to play them in Cardiff — where we won a famous victory in 2022.”

    Tkemaladze added: “There is a strong connection between our two proud rugby nations, and we have had some exciting contests recently. We are rugby brothers.”

    His comments came after Cockerill told AFP in Paris following the Rugby Europe Championship final that Georgia needed an enhanced diet of fixtures against major nations.

    “I don’t know what competition we’re able to join, but certainly we need stronger opposition so we know where we’re at,” he said.

    https://www.the42.ie/georgia-challenge-wales-to-rugby-test-6335046-Mar2024/




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    #3326
    AdamD
    Registered Users Posts: 12,408 ✭✭✭✭AdamD


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121928018#Comment_121928018

    The RWC are important, competitive games and still cheaper than these Lions pre season friendly tickets.



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    #3327
    CMcsporty
    Registered Users Posts: 1,587 ✭✭✭CMcsporty


    Watching Saracens today and I now remember why I couldn’t stand Ben Earl

    Earl was exceptional during the 6N. Didn’t see any of those ridiculous “plastic energy” cerebrations.

    Today back to rubbing opposition's players heads after they missed tackles

    I cannot wait until England next year.

    That defeat in Twickenham and how Earl dominated must have really stuck in the craw.



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    #3328
    OldRio
    Registered Users Posts: 5,927 ✭✭✭OldRio


    I've just read that the GAA Central council has approved use of Croke Park and Pairc Ui Chaoimh for Soccer and Rugby in the coming months.

    I believe the Soccer is for some sort of fans zone for the European final but Rugby?



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    #3329
    Quin_Dub
    Moderators, Politics Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 15,055 Mod ✭✭✭✭Quin_Dub


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121931124#Comment_121931124

    The Aviva is out of action for a number of weeks as they do works to prep it for hosting a soccer European final.

    If Leinster were to qualify for a home Euro semi-final they'd need a venue to play it which following this decision will be Croke Park



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    #3330
    hold my beer
    Registered Users Posts: 1,690 ✭✭✭hold my beer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121932334#Comment_121932334

    Any idea of what exactly they need to do to the stadium?



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    #3331
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users Posts: 11,174 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121934147#Comment_121934147

    The aviva logo in the seats has to go AFAIK



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