General Rugby Discussion 3

CatFromHue · 07-10-2025 01:18AM

Jim Hamilton has a vid up on his Youtube channel of his yearly appointment at a clinic to collect data on dementia. It's 15 mins long and light enough but still an interesting watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xcZo1uin8c

FtD v2 · 07-10-2025 04:18PM

Strong statement on R360 from the national rugby unions of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France & Italy:

Assorted snippets:

"We are urging extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining..."

"we welcome new investment and innovation...but any new competition must strengthen the sport as a whole, not fragment or weaken it."

"R360 has given us no indication as to how it plans to manage player welfare; how players would fulfil their aspirations of representing their countries, and how the competition would co-exist with the international and domestic calendars..."

"The R360 model...appears designed to generate profits and return them to a very small elite, potentially hollowing out the investment that national unions and existing leagues make in community rugby, player development, and participation pathways."

"...those behind the proposed competition have not engaged with or met all unions to explain and better understand their business and operating model."

"Each of the national unions will therefore be advising men's and women's players that participation in R360 would make them ineligible for international selection"

Podge_irl · 07-10-2025 04:54PM

Well that is that stupid idea dead in the water. Can go to its early grave beside Rugby 12s

fitz · 07-10-2025 05:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123886492#Comment_123886492

Yeah, that should be it, and good riddance, tbh. Nothing but a vehicle for sportswashing.

swiwi_ · 07-10-2025 06:13PM

It’s annoying when you have former rugby internationals such as Mike tindall leading this kind of thing. Don’t think there is any fan interest out there in any case.

Podge_irl · 07-10-2025 06:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123886702#Comment_123886702

Interesting listening to the GBR podcast. They gently rib him on it, but I get the impression they genuinely think it is a terrible thing that he shouldn't be involved in.

sprucemoose · 07-10-2025 08:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123886702#Comment_123886702

its annoying when you have former rugby internationals such as mike tindall

can end the sentence there to be honest, hes an absolute pain in the arse. he was trying to shill some sort of crypto/ fx scam a few years ago too

ersatz · 08-10-2025 07:06AM

Tindall really is the worst sort of scoundrel, also an absolutely useless pundit/analyst/commentator. He is only there because of who hes married to.

CatFromHue · 08-10-2025 02:05PM

It sounds similar to Kerry Packer's failed World Rugby Corporation idea except that we already have a professional league so why would the players take such a huge risk and move?

Quin_Dub · 08-10-2025 02:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123888912#Comment_123888912

I can see a purely financial attraction for high profile guys at the end of their careers.

For example , it could have been a nice payday for someone like a Conor Murray or POM (not saying they'd do it at all though , just that type of guy) - 12 games over 6/8 months for loads of money. The same for the AB's and Aussies that go to Japan at the end of their international careers today.

But anyone in their prime? Not a chance..

Even if they were to get current players it was never going to fly , just can't see how it makes money..

phog · 08-10-2025 02:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123888912#Comment_123888912

I don't follow golf but isn't that what LIV is/was?

Also take someone like Coombes who can't get a cap or Sexton when he felt the IRFU didn't value him, or someone coming to their end and getting a lower CC offer, would that category of player not be someone who might be tempted by the big money.

breezy1985 · 08-10-2025 02:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123887044#Comment_123887044

I think it was a recent Guardian article that said the top 8 to 12 (can't remember) people at R360 are already drawing a salary.

I get the feeling it's all a con and they would sht themselves if the unions actually said work away.

FtD v2 · 08-10-2025 03:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123889048#Comment_123889048

Not if they have an agent worth their salt advising them.

It simply looks completely unsustainable and they have provided zero detail on how it will become so.

At least LIV is effectively underwritten by Saudi state, but even they could pull the rug out in the morning if they chose to do so. This doesn't have the quality or depth of financial backer (in terms of resources). It's also worth noting LIV is a relative commercial flop, losing hundreds of millions a year and still has no meaningful sponsorship or broadcast partners.

The sales pitch they were floating around to people was forecasting revenue of some £275m in its first year, rising to £540m after 5 years. A comment I saw from some potential investors noted that over the past 25 years the only 'start up' competitions that have generated over £100m a year in revenue are the Indian Premier League (cricket), Sail GP and Formula E.

Of their year 1 revenue projections, they forecast £180m of that via ticket revenues. At an average price of £60 a ticket, that requires them to shift 3 million tickets.

It's absolute pie in the sky stuff. We already have the Barbarians around for this kind of rugby, and over the past 15 years or so the general public tend not to give a **** about that hugely either.

7s is a good comparison for this in terms of proposed structure, but 7s doesn't even wash its own face financially, and that's in a scenario where the players earn a pittance. If you factor in the supposed "big money" contracts for players here there is almost no way to make the numbers make sense.

In the examples you cite - there is already a tried and tested route for those guys to get paid if they choose to do so, in Japan or France or wherever. It's got much less risk attached to it than this.

Quin_Dub · 08-10-2025 03:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123889048#Comment_123889048

It might well be attractive to them , but in terms of the "Product" that they are promoting , having those "lower tier" players isn't going to work.

The (flawed) thinking was that they'd have the ~250/300 best and most well known players in the world, travelling around the world F1 style and landing in exotic locations to play a series of games and do loads of promo work to generate revenue.

A bunch of has-beens or almost/never weres doing that won't fly for their already incredibly tenuous business case.

It was never truly viable , but without access to current high-profile players it's deader than dead in the water.

StevenToast · 12-10-2025 01:55PM

Keep Cardiff and the Ospreys....get rid of the Dragons and Scarlets.

FtD v2 · 13-10-2025 06:59AM

Carter Gordon has resigned for the Wallabies and after a fairly brief sojourn to league.

Good signing, good chance he might be the one to claim the 10 shirt.

TheRona · 13-10-2025 02:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123900849#Comment_123900849

Resigned from league, re-signed for union 😁

Looking forward to seeing how Aussie go in these Autumn Internationals.

FtD v2 · 13-10-2025 02:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123902150#Comment_123902150

yeah, sorry was typing on the phone, so missing the hyphen.

If they manage to bring Mark Nawaqanitawase back as well, they have a lot of weapons in their backline all of sudden.

AbusesToilets · 13-10-2025 03:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123902158#Comment_123902158

back next season right?

FtD v2 · 13-10-2025 03:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123902327#Comment_123902327

Nawaqanitawase?

Widely reported to be on the verge of happening, but not confirmed yet.

Podge_irl · 13-10-2025 03:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123902327#Comment_123902327

Yeah, I think so. But probably not back to Super Rugby, but Australia will still have access to him.

AbusesToilets · 13-10-2025 03:24PM

Is it wrong I'm hoping that Ioane has some issues that voids his contract so Leinster throw a bag at Nawaqanitawase?

FtD v2 · 14-10-2025 07:59AM

All Blacks have named their squad for the November series. No real surprises in there - they're missing Tupou Vaa'i, Tyrel Lomax, Noah Hotham and Emoni Narawa through injury.

George Bell comes back into the squad as the third choice hooker, Tevita Mafileo comes in for the injured Lomax at THP and Josh Lord comes back in at lock for the injured Vaa'i.

All Blacks squad

Forwards: Codie Taylor (Crusaders and Canterbury), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs and Waikato), George Bell (Crusaders and Canterbury), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders and Southland), Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders and Canterbury), George Bower (Crusaders and Otago), Fletcher Newell (Crusaders and Canterbury), Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes and Bay of Plenty), Tevita Mafileo (Hurricanes and Bay of Plenty), Scott Barrett (Crusaders and Taranaki, c), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues and Auckland), Fabian Holland (Highlanders and Otago), Josh Lord (Chiefs and Taranaki), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs and Waikato), Simon Parker (Chiefs and Northland), Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika and Wellington), Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes and Wellington), Wallace Sititi (Chiefs and North Harbour), Peter Lakai (Hurricanes and Wellington), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs and Waikato)

Backs: Cortez Ratima (Chiefs and Waikato), Cameron Roigard (Hurricanes and Counties Manukau), Finlay Christie (Blues and Tasman), Beauden Barrett (Blues and Taranaki), Damian McKenzie (Chiefs and Waikato), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs and Waikato), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes and Taranaki), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs and Waikato), Billy Proctor (Hurricanes and Wellington), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders and Tasman), Rieko Ioane (Blues and Auckland), Caleb Clarke (Blues and Auckland), Sevu Reece (Crusaders and Southland), Leroy Carter (Chiefs and Bay of Plenty), Will Jordan (Crusaders and Tasman), Ruben Love (Hurricanes and Wellington)

FtD v2 · 14-10-2025 08:04AM

Wallabies have also named their squad for the November series.

Carter Gordon, just announced as re-signing from NRL is named in the squad, as is Aidan Ross at prop, who was capped for the All Blacks v Ireland in 2022.

Tom Lynagh, Tom Hooper and Will Skelton miss out - Lynagh supposedly being given time to recover from multiple injuries. Hooper misses out after signing for Exeter - he wouldn't have been available till game 3 of the tour, and Skelton is supposedly dealing with injury issues too. Neither Lynagh nor Skelton have been included in the 'unavailable for selection' category though.

Australia squad:

Forwards (19): Allan Alaalatoa (#896, West Harbour Juniors, ACT Brumbies, 85), Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 44), Josh Canham (#987, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 1)*, Nick Champion De Crespigny (#991, Canberra Grammar School, Western Force, 2), Matt Faessler (#969, USQ Saints, Queensland Reds, 15)*, Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions, ACT Brumbies, 34), Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies, Queensland Reds, 35), Josh Nasser (#979, Easts Rugby (Brisbane), Queensland Reds, 8), Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles, Queensland Reds, 16), Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 16), Tom Robertson (#898, Dubbo Kangaroos, Western Force, 36), Aidan Ross (uncapped, Bond University, Queensland Reds, 0), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Randwick, Queensland Reds, 43), Pete Samu (#920, Moorabbin Rams, NSW Waratahs, 33)*, Carlo Tizzano (#982, University of Western Australia, Western Force, 11), Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane), NSW Waratahs, 65), Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 57), Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers, Western Force, 20), Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils, Queensland Reds, 31)

Backs (15): Filipo Daugunu (#931, Wests Bulldogs, Queensland Reds, 15), Tane Edmed (#990, West Harbour Juniors, NSW Waratahs, 4), Josh Flook (#972, Brothers Rugby, Queensland Reds, 5), Carter Gordon (#967, Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Queensland Reds, 8), Jake Gordon (#925, Canterbury Juniors, NSW Waratahs, 32), Max Jorgensen (#984, Balmain Wolves, NSW Waratahs, 17), Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 45), Ryan Lonergan (#993, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 2), Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 32), Dylan Pietsch (#979, Leeton Phantoms, Western Force, 7), Harry Potter (#989, Moorabbin Rams, Western Force, 7), Hamish Stewart (#986, Toowoomba Bears, Western Force, 2)*, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, The Kings School, NSW Waratahs, 14), Kalani Thomas (uncapped, Springfield Hawks, Queensland Reds, 0), Corey Toole (#992, Wagga Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, 3)
*denotes also part of the Australia A squad

Unavailable for selection: Charlie Cale, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Tom Wright

ruggedguy · 14-10-2025 08:58PM

Patrick tuipolotu is now out. Replaced by Sam darry who should've been picked ahead of Josh lord imo

Heroditas · 16-10-2025 06:28AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123902343#Comment_123902343

God no, I'd love to see that too. He's an incredible player

PTH2009 · 16-10-2025 07:56PM

https://super.rugby/therugbychampionship/news/sanzaar-confirms-new-and-exciting-international-rugby-calendar-2026-2030/

Not sure if thread on it but wow this is all $$$ driven

I presume its the Argentina vs Australia championship next summer as well as that All Blacks vs South Africa stuff ?

Is the 6 Nations no in danger ?

ersatz · 17-10-2025 05:39AM

BOD ffs

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/10/16/pro-palestine-activists-disrupt-brian-odriscoll-speech-over-company-links-to-israeli-army/

Jacovs · 17-10-2025 06:06AM

I see Rassie wants the Rugby Championship to be played in February/the same time as the 6 Nations.

icdg · 17-10-2025 06:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123911471#Comment_123911471

Official confirmation as well of the long talked about “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” Lions-style tours between NZ and RSA in 2026 and 2030.

https://www.allblacks.com/news/rugbys-greatest-rivalry-announced-all-blacks-and-springboks-reignite-traditional-tours

Though it does look like “News of my death has been greatly exaggerated” for the Rugby Championship, if they are doing a full double round robin version in 2027 instead of the shortened version that usually happens in RWC years.

General Rugby Discussion 3

Comments

All Blacks squad

Australia squad: