Guinness Pro14 Season 2018-2019

Tigerandahalf · 01-09-2018 9:46pm

Just looked at the eir guide there. Highlights are on tomorrow at 15.30 on eir2. Handy.

01-09-2018 9:47pm

Just catching up on the last of the highlights I missed, got to watch a decent few games and that's one of the best opening weekends of the league in recent memory.

Burkie1203 · 01-09-2018 9:56pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Just catching up on the last of the highlights I missed, got to watch a decent few games and that's one of the best opening weekends of the league in recent memory.

If you have a satallite dish you can pick up freesports. Handy channel to have as it will have some games. Zebre v Kings was on last night and repeated this afternoon

thomond2006 · 01-09-2018 9:58pm

Dragons host the Southern Kings next week. Panic stations if Dragons lose that one.

Tigerandahalf · 01-09-2018 10:03pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

If you have a satallite dish you can pick up freesports. Handy channel to have as it will have some games. Zebre v Kings was on last night and repeated this afternoon

Freesports seems to pick up the 3rd game when 3 games are broadcast at the same time. Premier and eir have only the 2 channels.

Freesports is still in SD on fta satellite so the picture is crap. Next weekend I think treviso are home to cardiff on it.

Big game next saturday night is Scarlets v Leinster at 19.30.

Tigerandahalf · 01-09-2018 10:05pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Dragons host the Southern Kings next week. Panic stations if Dragons lose that one.

I see Bernard was on premier last night. Not ideal for a coach to be doing both, but perhaps he knows his time there is short.

Turnipman · 01-09-2018 10:19pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I see Bernard was on premier last night. Not ideal for a coach to be doing both, but perhaps he knows his time there is short.

He did the Cardiff - Leinster game which was played about 15 minutes drive away from Newport (assuming that he lives in Newport). If he hadn't done it for Premier then he'd probably have attended the game in a personal capacity to catch up with his old pals in the Leinster backroom staff.

Neil3030 · 02-09-2018 1:58am

I was surprised to see Jackman commentate on that game too. Not that it impacted his team's preparation, but it just really doesn't look good. Go sit in the stands, and people think you're doing a good job researching future opposition. Go sit in the commentary box and people think you're neglecting your job of preparation for the next day's game. I know it's silly but nobody ever said public opinion is logical.

Utopia Parkway · 02-09-2018 2:37am

Neil3030 wrote: »

I was surprised to see Jackman commentate on that game too. Not that it impacted his team's preparation, but it just really doesn't look good. Go sit in the stands, and people think you're doing a good job researching future opposition. Go sit in the commentary box and people think you're neglecting your job of preparation for the next day's game. I know it's silly but nobody ever said public opinion is logical.

Exactly. If you're in charge of a struggling club it's never a good look to be off doing commentary nixers. In reality it makes no difference but the optics are poor.

Dubinusa · 02-09-2018 3:20pm

The Dragons bought in a load of players. They could get and be competitive. It's only week one.G'wan Jackman

Elvisjuice · 02-09-2018 7:41pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

The Dragons bought in a load of players. They could get and be competitive. It's only week one.G'wan Jackman

yep but none of them are up too much , did you see Richard Hibbard yesterday , jesus hes gone his sell by date

troyzer · 03-09-2018 9:08am

Would it be good for rugby if Mark Alexander got his way and the Super Rugby teams in South Africa merged with the Pro14? It would be a massive tournament, probably too massive and definitely the end of Super Rugby. Without South Africa, the commercial base isn't big enough to sustain Super Rugby.

Winters · 03-09-2018 12:46pm

According to an interview with him at the Pro14 SA launch two new SA teams will be joining the Pro14 either next season or the season after. Its widely rumoured to be the Pumas and Griquas.

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/PRO14/alexander-sa-players-better-off-in-northern-hemisphere-20180830

Buer · 03-09-2018 1:04pm

Jesus. They are not an attractive addition. The two bottom teams from last year's Currie Cup. The Griquas won a playoff to avoid being relegated to D1 Currie Cup (where the Kings associated Currie Cup side plays).

It would purely be an increase in dead rubber games.

thomond2006 · 03-09-2018 1:06pm

Buer wrote: »

Jesus. They are not an attractive addition. The two bottom teams from last year's Currie Cup. The Griquas won a playoff to avoid being relegated to D1 Currie Cup (where the Kings associated Currie Cup side plays).

It would purely be an increase in dead rubber games.

What's really in it for the Pro14 to accept the bargain basement teams? They should be demanding a Western Province/Stormers or Bulls.
As it stands I think we are a few seasons away from accepting new teams from South Africa.

Synode · 03-09-2018 2:43pm

Anyone watch the Eir Sport highlights yet? Was it any use? Have it recorded and will watch later

thomond2006 · 03-09-2018 3:22pm

Oupa Mohoje suffered a suspected ruptured ACL. A sickener for the Cheetahs if he is out long term.

Buer · 03-09-2018 3:26pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Oupa Mohoje suffered a suspected ruptured ACL. A sickener for the Cheetahs if he is out long term.

You wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry if you were a Cheetahs fan.

I suspect results like last weekend are not going to be too unusual for them this season. They've gone from a team in contention to a likely 5 pointer when playing outside SA .

awec · 03-09-2018 3:31pm

Buer wrote: »

Jesus. They are not an attractive addition. The two bottom teams from last year's Currie Cup. The Griquas won a playoff to avoid being relegated to D1 Currie Cup (where the Kings associated Currie Cup side plays).

It would purely be an increase in dead rubber games.

Pro14 chasing the cash and ignoring the solution of their product even further.

thomond2006 · 03-09-2018 3:31pm

Buer wrote: »

You wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry if you were a Cheetahs fan.

I suspect results like last weekend are not going to be too unusual for them this season. They've gone from a team in contention to a likely 5 pointer when playing outside SA .

They did take hockeyings at the start of the season last year, including a similar margin of defeat at Thomond. The mix and match with the Currie Cup can't help matters at all. Like last year their home record will be key.

awec wrote: »

Pro14 chasing the cash and ignoring the solution of their product even further.

Anayi comes across at least as a shrewd operator. The cash won't offset the damage to the reputation of the league if two basement dweller teams join.

Dubinusa · 03-09-2018 4:23pm

The S.A teams appear to be weak. All the good players from the Cheetahs split after last season. It's always going to be a factor for them. The league should push for the Lions or the Bulls. 2nd rate teams will not improve the league.

03-09-2018 4:25pm

How does the amount of travel for the pro14 season for South African teams compare to the level of travel they had when in Super Rugby does anyone know?

Buer · 03-09-2018 4:33pm

Deleted User wrote: »

How does the amount of travel for the pro14 season for South African teams compare to the level of travel they had when in Super Rugby does anyone know?

Far more games outside SA but same time zone. Overall I'd say it's worse for them comfortably. The Cheetahs had 3 games outside SA in their final Super Rugby season.

All about television revenue and the similar time zones. Games in SA, Aus and Argentina were brutal for their television coverage.

03-09-2018 4:36pm

Buer wrote: »

Far more games outside SA but same time zone. Overall I'd say it's worse for them comfortably. The Cheetahs had 3 games outside SA in their final Super Rugby season.

All about television revenue and the similar time zones. Games in SA, Aus and Argentina were brutal for their television coverage.

I was more thinking that the amount of time away is going to be unappealing to some.

When you think about it - you could just up and move to the NH and make a lot more money rather than playing for a SA team and having to travel constantly.

errlloyd · 03-09-2018 4:42pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I was more thinking that the amount of time away is going to be unappealing to some.

When you think about it - you could just up and move to the NH and make a lot more money rather than playing for a SA team and having to travel constantly.

Do you reckon? They probably spend around 11 weeks up here per season. It's less than a quarter of the year. The rest of the time they get to live in Rand Land.

Their best case scenario is definitely some sort of best of both worlds, wage inflation because they're playing in an Euro comp, but SA cost of living. (We're talking about some of the journeymen right, the 100-200k players).

Buer · 03-09-2018 5:02pm

There's no way they're getting those wages because they're now competing in a competition with European teams. You'd have a glut of players knocking down their doors for a contract instead of the dross they were forced to sign.

errlloyd · 03-09-2018 5:06pm

Buer wrote: »

There's no way they're getting those wages because they're now competing in a competition with European teams. You'd have a glut of players knocking down their doors for a contract instead of the dross they were forced to sign.

Oh yeah I know! I am not saying they are getting those wages currently. I am saying that's the best case scenario they are hoping for. They'd need Champions Cup rugby for that.

Tigerandahalf · 03-09-2018 5:20pm

A lot of the Super rugby teams are in poor shape. The Bulls and Western Province have been on the brink of bankruptcy. Other smaller unions have also been in trouble.

NZ rugby will also be in trouble unless more money comes from the next sanzaar deal. This at a time when the S Africans are demanding a fairer slice of tv revenue.

Look up north and many of the English clubs are living in debt while Munster had to be bailed out by the IRFU.

I have always wondered how long the unions will be able to maintain control especially if private backers want to come in and set up separate competitions with their tv deals and not want union dominance.

The 6 Nations and the Premiership have been struggling for sponsoring. So there are a lot of problems all round. Who knows how it will play out.

Homesick Alien · 03-09-2018 5:53pm

Aaaaaand still no highlights up on the YouTube channel! Seriously?

Synode · 03-09-2018 5:57pm

Homesick Alien wrote: »

Aaaaaand still no highlights up on the YouTube channel! Seriously?

Wonder have they been scrapped with the new TV deals and Eir showing a highlights show

ScrubsfanChris · 03-09-2018 6:06pm

Homesick Alien wrote: »

Aaaaaand still no highlights up on the YouTube channel! Seriously?

Munster and Connacht highlights are up on Eirsport twitter. No youtube is frustrating though especially after they had them up very quick last season.

Digifriendly · 03-09-2018 6:06pm

Synode wrote: »

Wonder have they been scrapped with the new TV deals and Eir showing a highlights show

Wonder this myself. Strange as you can access highlights of all English Premiership matches easily and reasonably quickly on their Youtube website.

troyzer · 03-09-2018 6:48pm

Buer wrote: »

thomond2006 wrote: »

Oupa Mohoje suffered a suspected ruptured ACL. A sickener for the Cheetahs if he is out long term.

You wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry if you were a Cheetahs fan.

I suspect results like last weekend are not going to be too unusual for them this season. They've gone from a team in contention to a likely 5 pointer when playing outside SA .

The Cheetahs have fans?

jacothelad · 03-09-2018 7:38pm

troyzer wrote: »

The Cheetahs have fans?

It does get quite hot........:D

Synode · 03-09-2018 9:22pm

Recorded Eir's highlights show at 3.30pm (I think) yesterday. Just watched it and they only showed 3 matches?? Blues v Lei, Ospreys v Edi and Connacht v Glasgow.

Tigerandahalf · 03-09-2018 9:32pm

Synode wrote: »

Recorded Eir's highlights show at 3.30pm (I think) yesterday. Just watched it and they only showed 3 matches?? Blues v Lei, Ospreys v Edi and Connacht v Glasgow.

The other 3 games were on in the hour slot afterwards I'd say. I tuned in after 16.30 and Munster was on.

They really need an hour highlights show on the Sunday night like BT have with the Premiership.

molloyjh · 03-09-2018 9:40pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

A lot of the Super rugby teams are in poor shape. The Bulls and Western Province have been on the brink of bankruptcy. Other smaller unions have also been in trouble.

NZ rugby will also be in trouble unless more money comes from the next sanzaar deal. This at a time when the S Africans are demanding a fairer slice of tv revenue.

Look up north and many of the English clubs are living in debt while Munster had to be bailed out by the IRFU.

I have always wondered how long the unions will be able to maintain control especially if private backers want to come in and set up separate competitions with their tv deals and not want union dominance.

The 6 Nations and the Premiership have been struggling for sponsoring. So there are a lot of problems all round. Who knows how it will play out.

Unions will always have ultimate control. No rugby union team or competition can exist in a Unions country without their say so according to the World Rugby laws.

Tigerandahalf · 03-09-2018 9:59pm

The FA once controlled the premier league.

Cookiemunster · 03-09-2018 10:43pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

The FA once controlled the premier league.

Incorrect. The English Football League is not controlled by the FA. In 1992 the First Division clubs resigned from the Football League and created the FA backed Premier League. They could not have done so without the backing of the FA, so without the FA there would be no Premier League.

Just like in rugby, if the national body doesn't give permission for you to play, then you don't play.

awec · 03-09-2018 11:28pm

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Incorrect. The English Football League is not controlled by the FA. In 1992 the First Division clubs resigned from the Football League and created the FA backed Premier League. They could not have done so without the backing of the FA, so without the FA there would be no Premier League.

Just like in rugby, if the national body doesn't give permission for you to play, then you don't play.

The Premier League was an inevitability. The FA rejecting it would just have been kicking the can down the road, it would have happened eventually one way or the other. And coincidentally, the FA agreed to the Premier League in the hopes that the reduction in games would reduce the demands on England players.

There are a few interesting parallels between the old First Division in the late 80s early 90s and rugby union right now. Big clubs wanting better TV deals, big clubs wanting to spend more, big clubs not wanting to share revenue with smaller clubs, big clubs wanting more control.

Weakening of unions is not an impossibility because ultimately money talks. The game is at an interesting juncture as in the past few years big money has really started to flow into the sport, if it continues then who knows what happens.

CatFromHue · 04-09-2018 1:36am

Brendan Fanning's, Irish, team of the week

15. WILL ADDISION (Ulster) – Best on four quiet full-backs
14. DARREN SWEETNAM (Munster) – Beautiful running all day
13. KYLE GODWIN (Connacht) – Impressive debut in traffic
12. STUART McCLOSKEY (Ulster) – An off-loading menace
11. CIAN KELLEHER (Connacht) – Starting to fulfil potential
10. ROSS BYRNE (Leinster) – Another fine roll of the dice
9. JOHN COONEY (Ulster) – Late match-winner off the tee
1. DAVE KILCOYNE (Munster) – Mixed up his game nicely
2. BRIAN BYRNE (Leinster) – Game-changing bench impact
3. ANDREW PORTER (Leinster) – Another very energetic sub
4. BILLY HOLLAND (Munster) – Keeps maturing like fine wine
5. SCOTT FARDY (Leinster) – Talisman came to the rescue
6. MARCEL COETZEE (Ulster) – Showed why he was missed
7. RHYS RUDDOCK (Leinster) – An end-game powerhouse
8. ARNO BOTHA (Munster) – Played bulldozer on his debut

Tigerandahalf · 04-09-2018 8:17am

The FA knew they had very little control. As Sepp Blatter once said re FIFA if they didn't take the money some other organisation would'

https://www.balls.ie/football/rick-parry-370876

You do wonder what the value of a tv deal would be for a combined British and Irish league.
How sustainable is it for the French to have 14 top division teams.

Digifriendly · 04-09-2018 8:58am

Videos of weekend matches now uploaded on Pro 14 Youtube website.

04-09-2018 9:04am

Digifriendly wrote: »

Videos of weekend matches now uploaded on Pro 14 Youtube website.

Nice! I've been looking forward to seeing the Dragons Benetton game.

jacothelad · 04-09-2018 9:09am

Deleted User wrote: »

Nice! I've been looking forward to seeing the Dragons Benetton game.

Sick.......:D

04-09-2018 11:19am

jacothelad wrote: »

Sick.......:D

Highlights here. Was actually serious, heard it was a good game. Hibbard with what looks to me like a totally intentional hit to the back of the try scorer at 1:45. This absolutely is something that needs to be looked at, lot's of serious injuries happening when players dive on try scorers like this.

I think Beneton are going to make a real run of it this year, that said a lot of teams have recruited heavily - the extra cash from the new pro14 deal seems to be having an impact.

I'll say it again, what an opening weekend.

errlloyd · 04-09-2018 11:44am

Deleted User wrote: »

I think Beneton are going to make a real run of it this year, that said a lot of teams have recruited heavily - the extra cash from the new pro14 deal seems to be having an impact.

I'll say it again, what an opening weekend.

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.

Tigerandahalf · 04-09-2018 11:50am

I saw some of the game live. Bennetton have definitely improved in holding onto the ball for phases. Dragons were awful though, multiple handling errors from simple passes.

I was wondering whether there was dew on the pitch and it might take them a while to get used to the artificial pitch.

thomond2006 · 04-09-2018 12:24pm

Decent highlights clips on youtube. A big improvement on the 1 minute clip following by a 30 second Sky Sports ad.

CatFromHue · 04-09-2018 2:07pm

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.

Guinness Pro14 Season 2018-2019

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