General Rugby Discussion II

04-12-2019 8:32pm

I think Connacht did the right thing with Reece. He and NZ would probably agree having said that.

04-12-2019 11:23pm

Prediction. Townsend will be gone after the six nations either sacked or moved into a Director of Rugby role.

He has to be in uncomfortable territory having had an utterly shambolic world cup. The best thing that ever happened to Townsend's coaching career was Japan beating Ireland. Had Ireland come out on top of that Scotland would have had no excuses.

Edinburgh this weekend just couldn't overpower a very green and extremely inaccurate Munster. Munster shave a couple off the top of that massive missed tackle count and they win that game by a score.

And Glasgow were completely shown up by Leinster. They put down a marker for the first 30 minutes and then got absolutely bullied for the remainder. I was very surprised at full time, more at Glasgow than Leinster.

Townsend looks like he has a very out of form group of player to choose from, he has struggled to innovate Scotland's style of play since 2017 and they look like a team that's been found out and are struggling for confidence.

If you were to predict Scotland's six nations right now, it would not be pretty and they've a HORRIBLE run in. They start away to Ireland in Ireland's first game under Farrell. Scotland aren't winning that game. Then they host England who (if both teams play to current form) will utterly hose them. Then they've to travel to Italy and I reckon this is the game which will decide Townsend's fate, if the two opening games go as I would expect.

I reckon that last weekend will be a meeting of the Desperado's for Scotland and Wales. I have my doubts that Pivac will transition to International level and with Wales injuries and the form of the Welsh pro14 teams they aren't in a much better position than Scotland, albeit Pivac is in a very different position to Townsend.

That reminds me, I can't wait for the six nations.

Buer · 05-12-2019 10:43am

I'd agree largely except with your assessment of how Edinburgh's win in Cork will be perceived. There's not a hope that any win for Edinburgh away to Munster will be viewed as anything but a significant success. The only person I've seen talk it down outside of Ireland is Cockerill.

05-12-2019 5:19pm

Buer wrote: »

I'd agree largely except with your assessment of how Edinburgh's win in Cork will be perceived. There's not a hope that any win for Edinburgh away to Munster will be viewed as anything but a significant success. The only person I've seen talk it down outside of Ireland is Cockerill.

No doubt that on paper it looks a good result, but that might just be one of the weakest Munster teams I've seen in a long time. Loads of talent and some good performances on the day - but quite a few players who have yet to be tested properly at this level and Edinburgh were still found largely wanting.

Dubinusa · 06-12-2019 6:22am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Prediction. Townsend will be gone after the six nations either sacked or moved into a Director of Rugby role.

He has to be in uncomfortable territory having had an utterly shambolic world cup. The best thing that ever happened to Townsend's coaching career was Japan beating Ireland. Had Ireland come out on top of that Scotland would have had no excuses.

Edinburgh this weekend just couldn't overpower a very green and extremely inaccurate Munster. Munster shave a couple off the top of that massive missed tackle count and they win that game by a score.

And Glasgow were completely shown up by Leinster. They put down a marker for the first 30 minutes and then got absolutely bullied for the remainder. I was very surprised at full time, more at Glasgow than Leinster.

Townsend looks like he has a very out of form group of player to choose from, he has struggled to innovate Scotland's style of play since 2017 and they look like a team that's been found out and are struggling for confidence.

If you were to predict Scotland's six nations right now, it would not be pretty and they've a HORRIBLE run in. They start away to Ireland in Ireland's first game under Farrell. Scotland aren't winning that game. Then they host England who (if both teams play to current form) will utterly hose them. Then they've to travel to Italy and I reckon this is the game which will decide Townsend's fate, if the two opening games go as I would expect.

I reckon that last weekend will be a meeting of the Desperado's for Scotland and Wales. I have my doubts that Pivac will transition to International level and with Wales injuries and the form of the Welsh pro14 teams they aren't in a much better position than Scotland, albeit Pivac is in a very different position to Townsend.

That reminds me, I can't wait for the six nations.

That's possibly true. Except if they beat us and at least stay in with England for 50 minutes, he most likely would stay.
The 1st couple of paragraphs would be on us, if J.S had stayed. Similar concept, shambolic year, ended like a whisper. The difference would be that the provinces are going well. Except that's nothing to do with J.S.
It's remarkable, the similarities.

Shefwedfan · 06-12-2019 8:15am

Dubinusa wrote: »

That's possibly true. Except if they beat us and at least stay in with England for 50 minutes, he most likely would stay.
The 1st couple of paragraphs would be on us, if J.S had stayed. Similar concept, shambolic year, ended like a whisper. The difference would be that the provinces are going well. Except that's nothing to do with J.S.
It's remarkable, the similarities.

Townsend has won a Pro 14

Joe record at club and country is a tad but better

I don’t see any similarities. Townsend has delivered nothing since he took over Scotland

stephen_n · 06-12-2019 9:01am

Dubinusa wrote: »

That's possibly true. Except if they beat us and at least stay in with England for 50 minutes, he most likely would stay.
The 1st couple of paragraphs would be on us, if J.S had stayed. Similar concept, shambolic year, ended like a whisper. The difference would be that the provinces are going well. Except that's nothing to do with J.S.
It's remarkable, the similarities.

Except that Scotland have been pretty poor for all the seasons before, where as Ireland and J.S. Has pretty much the perfect season in 2018, something Scotland haven’t even come close to.

Eod100 · 06-12-2019 12:23pm

Nakawara sacked by Racing.

errlloyd · 06-12-2019 12:27pm

If it's true that Nakarawa didn't come back to Racing because he was helping his family build a house in Fiji then I salute him. What a champ. Money and fame ruins some people, but he's one of the best players in the world and seemingly put family first.

Legend.

sydthebeat · 06-12-2019 12:27pm

Eod100 wrote: »

Nakawara sacked by Racing.

so is he off to Sale then i wonder?

Eod100 · 06-12-2019 12:29pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

so is he off to Sale then i wonder?

No clue. Only saw the news there. Be gas if it was Bristol!

Eod100 · 06-12-2019 12:30pm

errlloyd wrote: »

If it's true that Nakarawa didn't come back to Racing because he was helping his family build a house in Fiji then I salute him. What a champ. Money and fame ruins some people, but he's one of the best players in the world and seemingly put family first.

Legend.

Seems a fairly nuclear option by Racing. He will be snapped up

aloooof · 06-12-2019 12:32pm

Will he be eligible for Europe? Presumably Racing had him added to their Euro squad, how does that work now?

Squidgy Black · 06-12-2019 12:37pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

so is he off to Sale then i wonder?

Toulon and the Japanese were on to him as well apparently.

sydthebeat · 06-12-2019 12:45pm

Leinster could use a replacement if they arent going to renew Fardys contract

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

salmocab · 06-12-2019 12:57pm

I’d say his agents phone is absolutely hopping.

Felix Jones is God. · 06-12-2019 2:52pm

An absolute beast of a player, wouldn't be at all surprised if there was interest from the provinces also

Former Former · 06-12-2019 3:31pm

errlloyd wrote: »

If it's true that Nakarawa didn't come back to Racing because he was helping his family build a house in Fiji then I salute him. What a champ. Money and fame ruins some people, but he's one of the best players in the world and seemingly put family first.

Legend.

You'd have to wonder if his family wouldn't be better served by Leone still getting his fat Euros paycheque and employing a builder.

jacothelad · 06-12-2019 3:39pm

Former Former wrote: »

You'd have to wonder if his family wouldn't be better served by Leone still getting his fat Euros paycheque and employing a builder.

Exactly what I was thinking. Pay professionals = probably a days wages from his salary would cover it twice over.

Yeah_Right · 06-12-2019 3:52pm

I love the PI boys for this sort of stuff. I remember Rupeni Caucaunibuca showing up to his French late and about 15kg overweight after going back to Fiji to play a couple of tests. Or something like that. I think Ben Tamaeifuna got suspended from Racing for coming back after the RWC 20 or 30kg overweight.

Eod100 · 06-12-2019 4:05pm

Former Former wrote: »

You'd have to wonder if his family wouldn't be better served by Leone still getting his fat Euros paycheque and employing a builder.

Guess hindsight is a great thing but would think returning back later was partly based on getting more rest after the RWC too

Dubinusa · 06-12-2019 4:20pm

A great player! Would command a big salary. Also seems to be fairly nonchalant about his job. I can see him staying in France.

Buer · 09-12-2019 10:16am

There's no way a province touches him.

He'll either stay in France with a big club who have the depth and money to accommodate him or end up as a marquee player for a mid-level Premiership side.

Exclamation Marc · 09-12-2019 1:28pm

Midi reporting that Leone has verbally agreed a deal with Glasgow. Would be massive for them if true and it pans out. Bayonne also trying to sign him.

salmocab · 09-12-2019 5:14pm

I think he might be in a good position to take a short term payday move until the end of the season and give his agent time to get a strong deal, obviously risk of injury in the meantime might see it blow up but it might be a shrewd thing to do.

09-12-2019 5:17pm

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

Midi reporting that Leone has verbally agreed a deal with Glasgow. Would be massive for them if true and it pans out. Bayonne also trying to sign him.

Interviewed after their win in La Rochelle, Dave Rennie stated that they had been in touch with him and were hopeful.

They badly need a boost to move them up the table or they won't make the Pro 14 playoffs.

Quin_Dub · 10-12-2019 11:24pm

171170 wrote: »

Interviewed after their win in La Rochelle, Dave Rennie stated that they had been in touch with him and were hopeful.

They badly need a boost to move them up the table or they won't make the Pro 14 playoffs.

How would that work for Europe ?

Would they be able to add him to the squad ?

Burkie1203 · 11-12-2019 7:04am

Quin_Dub wrote: »

How would that work for Europe ?

Would they be able to add him to the squad ?

Yes they would as he hasn't played in the comp this season

sydthebeat · 11-12-2019 9:04am

Ian Foster gets the all black job.

In other news, water is wet

Sabre0001 · 11-12-2019 1:55pm

Nice attempt

https://twitter.com/andymcgeady/status/1204673530933235712

sydthebeat · 11-12-2019 2:02pm

the ref was giving it until the players complained !!

Buer · 11-12-2019 2:25pm

That referee won't be progressing much further in his officiating career....

Yeah_Right · 11-12-2019 3:00pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

Ian Foster gets the all black job.

In other news, water is wet

Not sure how I feel about that.

Quin_Dub · 11-12-2019 3:02pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

the ref was giving it until the players complained !!

Buer wrote: »

That referee won't be progressing much further in his officiating career....

How on earth did he do anything other than mark it down as a missed kick and give a 22M drop out?

11-12-2019 3:40pm

Quin_Dub wrote: »

How on earth did he do anything other than mark it down as a missed kick and give a 22M drop out?

Because that's not what you do after a missed penalty. If the ball goes dead it's a 22, if the ball doesn't go dead then play on.

blackwhite · 11-12-2019 3:52pm

It's actually a bit of a gap in the laws.

There's provision that "If the team indicates to the referee the intention to kick at goal, they must kick at goal" - however there's no defined sanction, or next action, for the referee to follow if a team fails to kick at goal.

Dave_The_Sheep · 11-12-2019 3:59pm

Suppose they can use the catch-all 9.27:
A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship.

I.E. If you say you're going to attempt at goal, you have to actually make a proper attempt on goal and not 'miss horribly' on purpose.

ScrubsfanChris · 11-12-2019 4:26pm

Actually reminds me of something I used to do in Rugby 2004
The mechanics of kicking a penalty to touch from ball in hand were so bad I used to just opt to take a penalty kick at goal and send it up the touchline instead. Much more accurate

Captain_Crash · 11-12-2019 5:56pm

I remember years ago we were playing in a gale and had a penalty from the right hand touchline. Our kicker had the wind was at his back so I just waited on the far wing for him to kick it and sure enough, the wind took it directly across the pitch and nicely into my arms for a try in the corner.

The other team (Swords if I remember right) went chicken oriental saying we cant do that, but according to our captain the ref said it was a legitimate attempt at kicking for goal so the try stood.

He missed the conversion tho lol

Bazzo · 11-12-2019 10:28pm

Tommy Seymour has announced his retirement from international rugby.

Squidgy Black · 11-12-2019 10:33pm

Bazzo wrote: »

Tommy Seymour has announced his retirement from international rugby.

John Barclay retired last week too. Not ideal for Scotland considering the patch they're going through.

RobbieRuns · 12-12-2019 2:44pm

They need to rebuild after the RWC. Start afresh could be good for them

sydthebeat · 12-12-2019 2:51pm

RobbieRuns wrote: »

They need to rebuild after the RWC. Start afresh could be good for them

The need to do an ulster on it and look south of the border for better players

thomond2006 · 12-12-2019 2:51pm

Seymour is quality. That's a big loss.

jacothelad · 12-12-2019 3:00pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Seymour is quality. That's a big loss.

Ulster should have made him an offer he couldn't refuse before he left for Scotland. It was so evident he was going to be a high quality player....but of course that was in the days when Ulster was run by reading chicken entrails. Wings in the centre, centres on the wing, full backs in the centre , centres at full back and feck knows how they ever won any games. Some of the signings were so dreadful it bordered on criminal use of funds. Talk about taking the piss. I can see why he took the chance to leave.

16-12-2019 2:06pm

Rob Howley banned from involvement in Rugby for 18 months.

Over 300 bets.

He's done in pro rugby.

razorblunt · 16-12-2019 2:12pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Rob Howley banned from involvement in Rugby for 18 months.

Over 300 bets.

He's done in pro rugby.

BetWay blew the whistle didn't they?
Still think their timing was a bit suspect.

Zzippy · 16-12-2019 2:17pm

razorblunt wrote: »

BetWay blew the whistle didn't they?
Still think their timing was a bit suspect.

Maybe so, but let's not do a Trump and blame the whistleblower to minimise Howley's actions. He bet on the first tryscorer in a Wales game where it's quite possible he made the call for the play which the try was scored from. He will be lucky if that isn't investigated by the police.

ionadnapokot · 16-12-2019 2:19pm

razorblunt wrote: »

BetWay blew the whistle didn't they?
Still think their timing was a bit suspect.

Agree. They must have known what was going on.
They probably had a big pay out to him. & can now claim it all back on insurance.
"Howley used his WRU mobile and email address to place bets and lost £4,000 amid personal bets."
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/dec/16/wales-rob-howley-banned-18-months-rugby-betting

Terribly sad.
As in this isnt down to stupidity. its either an addiction or something else is going on. Or both

Squidgy Black · 16-12-2019 2:50pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Rob Howley banned from involvement in Rugby for 18 months.

Over 300 bets.

He's done in pro rugby.

He's probably done in amateur rugby as well. There'll be a lot of attention no matter where he goes and accusations of match fixing even if he was to be involved in youths rugby.

General Rugby Discussion II

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