General Rugby Discussion

Hagz · 07-09-2014 12:52pm

That is the funniest thing I've seen on a rugby field. Ever.

bilston · 07-09-2014 12:55pm

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

This amused me.

Mainly this part:

On a less easy-pickings note, I was the same at the start of the playoffs for the Celtic league, but now (even though Leinster haven't always been served well) I really like the idea. It adds a bit of meaning to the later games in the season.

Ha not sure what to make of it. For me the play offs add a lot. I used to be of the opposite view but after a couple of years of them being used in England I was crying out for them to be introduced in the Pro 12. Actually there are more suitable to the Pro 12 than the AP because of the number of games where teams aren't at full strength in the "regular" season.

Anyway it is nice to hear that Saracens aren't solely about the money, I wonder how they would feel if they had won the last two Play Off finals?

irishbucsfan · 07-09-2014 1:26pm

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

This amused me.

Mainly this part:

On a less easy-pickings note, I was the same at the start of the playoffs for the Celtic league, but now (even though Leinster haven't always been served well) I really like the idea. It adds a bit of meaning to the later games in the season.

The problem is it's not only done purely for money reasons, as he tries to argue.

It's about ensuring as much of the depth of the league are playing for something for as long as possible throughout the season. The playoffs increase the quality of the premiership in the exact same way that European qualification this season (and to a lesser extent last season) increases the quality of the Pro 12. If anything an expansion to the playoffs (like the barrage) would be the next step for Premiership rugby.

thomond2006 · 07-09-2014 4:10pm

London Welsh 0-52 Exeter, ouch!

Morf · 08-09-2014 2:07am

*insert Piri Weepu weight/fitness joke here*

sydneybound · 08-09-2014 9:31am

thomond2006 wrote: »

London Welsh 0-52 Exeter, ouch!

Such a shame London Welsh got promoted over Bristol. For their first home game back in the Prem that got a gate of 2,500 and lost 52-0. That brings nothing good to the Aviva Prem.

Bristol got 8,500 at their new ground Ashton Gate and have a much better squad. They would get over 10,000 if they were playing in the Prem.

08-09-2014 9:46am

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

This amused me.

Mainly this part:

On a less easy-pickings note, I was the same at the start of the playoffs for the Celtic league, but now (even though Leinster haven't always been served well) I really like the idea. It adds a bit of meaning to the later games in the season.

I like the playoffs, but I think that they should be somehow separated from the League.

League winners should get a trophy. That is, the team at the top of the league table at the end of a season.

We could still have a playoff with a Shield/Cup/Trophy on offer though. In effect, winning a League/Shield trophy would be akin to a double.

The pro12 that Munster won against Leinster in the final was a clear case of this. Munster were head and shoulders league winners that year. It felt quite 'just' that they won the final, because it would have rang a bit hollow with me otherwise.
http://www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/table.php?includeref=11189&season=2010-2011

08-09-2014 9:46am

thomond2006 wrote: »

London Welsh 0-52 Exeter, ouch!

No easy games in the Premiership

irishbucsfan · 08-09-2014 9:57am

PRL have a real problem with london welsh. They're clearly not good enough, they're in a financial mess they have a squad of journeymen and they're miles away from any fans they had. The RFU made the completely right decision in denying them a license but now it's out of their hands because of the legal system. Hindsight showed that the blazers knew what they were doing in taking the decision they did, but that licensing system needs an overhaul. I could see it leading to the implosion of Welsh unless they turn things around.

Winters · 08-09-2014 10:48am

With the introduction of the playoffs I would see the league more of a race to the playoffs rather than a competition in itself eventhough it used to be that way.

I wouldn't like to see a separate trophy for league winners and playoff winners as I think it would devalue the competition overall. Each supporter, player, coach and administrator knows the story before the season starts. Saracens are just sore losers as usual. That BBC article really is bizarre, there seems to be a strange culture in that club of going against the norm and publically slating anything that doesn't suit them.

London Welsh pride themselves on maintaining an amateur ethos. Well with no home, no developed catchment area, such low gates and no developed players it's hard to see how being a professional club is sustainable for them. And if it does become sustainable what they would bring to English rugby?

Awkward Badger · 08-09-2014 1:06pm

Maybe its been discussed already but I just seen this.

’Tongan Thor’ Taniela Tupou set to snub New Zealand and defect to Australia

What do people make of it ? Wise to keep his options open without committing ? Gotten too big for his boots at 18 to think he can play hard ball with the All Blacks ?

former legend · 08-09-2014 1:36pm

Awkward Badger wrote: »

Maybe its been discussed already but I just seen this.

’Tongan Thor’ Taniela Tupou set to snub New Zealand and defect to Australia

What do people make of it ? Wise to keep his options open without committing ? Gotten too big for his boots at 18 to think he can play hard ball with the All Blacks ?

I'd like to know what that 'NZRU loyalty agreement' entails, maybe not the sort of thing an 18-year old wants to be getting himself into.

CatFromHue · 08-09-2014 1:55pm

Winters wrote: »

With the introduction of the playoffs I would see the league more of a race to the playoffs rather than a competition in itself eventhough it used to be that way.

I wouldn't like to see a separate trophy for league winners and playoff winners as I think it would devalue the competition overall. Each supporter, player, coach and administrator knows the story before the season starts. Saracens are just sore losers as usual.

That's why I like that the highest placed team in the Pro12 playoffs gets the home game/final. There is a real incentive to finish first and not just in the top 2 or 4.

ssaye2 · 08-09-2014 3:55pm

Missed this

http://zippy.gfycat.com/FaintHelpfulArgusfish.webm

http://balls.ie/rugby/hell-try-allowed/

errlloyd · 08-09-2014 3:56pm

I feel the league needs to balance the two aspects of a good club, the first is having a good squad who can get you into the top 4, and the second is having a good first 15 who can win knockout matches.

If the league was just a league it would be weighted in Leinster's favour too much (for example). Because Leinster have a massive squad.

sydthebeat · 08-09-2014 3:56pm

ssaye2 wrote: »

Missed this

http://zippy.gfycat.com/FaintHelpfulArgusfish.webm

http://balls.ie/rugby/hell-try-allowed/

that ref should get a slap across the face with a raw haddock !!!

English Lurker · 08-09-2014 6:50pm

Got to love the way Mele nips in to nick the try off of him though.

And yes, London Welsh are an embarassment, and yes, the world would be a better place if Saracens simply didn't exist.

CatFromHue · 08-09-2014 6:59pm

I dunno if Welsh are an embarrassment as they've done everything correct to get in to the Aviva.

What happens from now on might be tho.

Swan Curry · 08-09-2014 7:12pm

You can call London Welsh an embarrassment,but even after Bristol tried to buy a team to get them promoted they still lost both legs of the playoff final.How much better would they have done?

English Lurker · 08-09-2014 8:15pm

To get there, only to crumble like that, is embarrassing imo. We'll see how they go from here - there is quality there if they gel - but right now I think the guys at London Welsh must be feeling embarrassed. Nobody wants to start their season like that.

And yes, I believe Bristol would have done better; ignore their habit of crumbling in play-offs, they were simply a better team than London Welsh last season and wouldn't have had to pull apart and put together a squad over a summer to compete at the next level up.

09-09-2014 9:13am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll7OyV6q4NA

ssaye2 · 09-09-2014 2:02pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V71N_lG5uws

09-09-2014 2:24pm

Deleted User wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll7OyV6q4NA

Hate to be that guy but...

The commentator says "...great mind, great vision...", how about passing it inside to score under the posts rather than stepping three players?

The Lost Sheep · 09-09-2014 3:10pm

Aviva A Premiership starts tonight. Some clubs have their teams named. Plenty of Irish players involved

http://www.fifteenrugby.com/pro-rugby/news/aviva-premiership/school-leavers-dominate-aviva-a-league-squads-on-opening-night/

Callum Sheedy who played u18 clubs two seasons ago and u19 and for the u19 7s team last season is on the bench for Bristol
Shane Monahan starts on the wing for Gloucester against Northampton
Kieran Treadwell who had played for Irish Youths before playing for England u18 is on bench for Harlequins
Danny Barnes is starting on the wing for Newcastle A and Jerry Sexton starts in the second row for Exeter following his recent move there from France

Teferi · 09-09-2014 3:43pm

Pretty interesting video on the tackling techniques employed by the Seahawks, emphasizing safety and inspired by rugby.

This is something I've been interested in over the last year playing in the Irish American Football League. In the games I've played you can tell who has rugby experience by how they tackle and it tends to be a lot safer.

I don't know how this would be taken by NFL fans if the league as a whole was to emphasize the safer tackle as many of the fans like the big, highlight reel hits. Watch any game and I'd say 80%+ of the tackles made would be illegal in rugby.

I think football and rugby have plenty they could learn off each other. I noticed that around the time of Joe taking over Leinster how he was employing a certain amount of agility and footwork drills that were at the very least inspired by football. I've also noticed in general how certain football agility/footwork drills are starting to seep down to the local amateur teams too.

09-09-2014 6:58pm

Damn this is a good standard of School's rugby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS_kQ7EqIbA

Hooker's stepping at ~ 03:45 is disgracefully good.

They appear to score 412543 trys against the blue&white striped team.

duckysauce · 09-09-2014 11:41pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Damn this is a good standard of School's rugby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS_kQ7EqIbA

Hooker's stepping at ~ 03:45 is disgracefully good.

They appear to score 412543 trys against the blue&white striped team.

class stuff

Hagz · 09-09-2014 11:55pm

I wonder were any of them playing for the Australian schools side that came over here last season.

EDIT: Seems there's only 1 player from Scots college in the Australian school side this season.

sydneybound · 12-09-2014 11:26am

So I see Wasps have dropped 'London' from their name.

The permanent stadium move to Coventry to the Ricoh Arena is a step closer.

irishbucsfan · 12-09-2014 12:36pm

sydneybound wrote: »

So I see Wasps have dropped 'London' from their name.

The permanent stadium move to Coventry to the Ricoh Arena is a step closer.

Well they don't need to move to justify dropping London from their name, it's been incorrect for years!

I hope they don't move, I like having them around the corner from me.

matthew8 · 12-09-2014 1:11pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Well they don't need to move to justify dropping London from their name, it's been incorrect for years!

I hope they don't move, I like having them around the corner from me.

Putting aside personal preferences, do you think High Wycombe is a good place for a premiership side?

Winters · 12-09-2014 1:39pm

What's their catchment area? I wonder how Coventry RFC feel about the possible move.

irishbucsfan · 12-09-2014 6:47pm

matthew8 wrote: »

Putting aside personal preferences, do you think High Wycombe is a good place for a premiership side?

There is a lot of rugby around this area, a lot of traditional clubs and some of the most historic. Adams Park is a good ground as well.

I don't know what Coventry is like, so I can't really say if moving there would be a good idea.

matthew8 · 12-09-2014 9:59pm

Leinster's Europe opponents Quins nilled 39-0 at home to Saracens tonight. Spent half the game in Saracens 22 but hopeless once in there. Probably had around 10 mauls from within 10 metres but Saracens seemed to know where the ball was going every single time. Could have spent days on the line without scoring. Evans is in terrible goal kicking form there. Sarries barely had to break sweat for their points too.

Leinster should be able to beat them twice.

molloyjh · 12-09-2014 10:01pm

matthew8 wrote: »

Leinster's Europe opponents Quins nilled 39-0 at home to Saracens tonight. Spent half the game in Saracens 22 but hopeless once in there. Probably had around 10 mauls from within 10 metres but Saracens seemed to know where the ball was going every single time. Could have spent days on the line without scoring. Evans is in terrible goal kicking form there. Sarries barely had to break sweat for their points too.

Leinster should be able to beat them twice.

It's a long time to the Christmas back to backs....still though that's disappointing for Quins.

awec · 12-09-2014 10:04pm

Being nilled is more than disappointing, especially at home!

thomond2006 · 12-09-2014 10:08pm

I'm going to Munster vs Saracens in October. If we get nilled at home to that shower...

12-09-2014 10:12pm

No easy games in the premiership

molloyjh · 12-09-2014 10:45pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'm going to Munster vs Saracens in October. If we get nilled at home to that shower...

You'll become a full-time dyed in the wool hardcore Leinster fan?

irishbucsfan · 12-09-2014 10:53pm

molloyjh wrote: »

It's a long time to the Christmas back to backs....still though that's disappointing for Quins.

To underline that point, check out the footage of Northampton in September last season, on that form they would have been far better against us than they ended up being, due to their injuries by the time we faced them. Quins aren't quite at that level at their best, but they'll push us at home.

English Lurker · 13-09-2014 6:19am

Not sure I'd read too much into the Quins result. Recently, they've had a thing both for starting slow, and for being Saracens' bunnies. The captain Marler thing seems to be taking a while to settle in as well.

It's entirely possible they'll repeat last season's stunt of radically picking up and having an alright season after all, in which case Leinster will have to work for any wins to say the least. Then again, this could be the season that relying on a geriatric 10, Academy players over proven pros and skill and fitness over bulk finally comes unstuck.

Think the key either way is Evans.

CatFromHue · 13-09-2014 5:22pm

Bit better from London Welsh this week.

They lost 53-26 away to Bath!

matthew8 · 13-09-2014 5:25pm

They did very well in attack but defended horribly.

former legend · 14-09-2014 7:37pm

I'm sick of Warren Gatland at this stage. Stop moaning.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/12/rugby-world-cup-2015-wales-draw-warren-gatland-england-australia

molloyjh · 14-09-2014 7:45pm

Ah ffs he's being ridiculous here. The draw wasn't too early. It was too early for Wales. They went through a bad run and now he's pissed there were consequences. Tough Warren. Thems the rules. They're the same for everyone. Get over it.

English Lurker · 14-09-2014 7:58pm

Speaking of Leinster's HEC opponents this year, I feel Wasps will need watching. They nearly did Saracens and have just done Saints. I was very impressed with their recruitment over the summer, there's been some really clever signings and their first choice pack now looks really strong. Worries over mental and defensive strength remain, but beating Northampton in the manner they did should ease those a little. I wouldn't be too surprised if they gave Leinster quite a lot of trouble.

Tox56 · 14-09-2014 8:19pm

English Lurker wrote: »

Speaking of Leinster's HEC opponents this year, I feel Wasps will need watching. They nearly did Saracens and have just done Saints. I was very impressed with their recruitment over the summer, there's been some really clever signings and their first choice pack now looks really strong. Worries over mental and defensive strength remain, but beating Northampton in the manner they did should ease those a little. I wouldn't be too surprised if they gave Leinster quite a lot of trouble.

I think the goal will be to win all the home games well and then we can afford an away loss and still get the home QF. The group will be a tough but Castres have had a pretty shocking start to the season (apparently Quins have been poor too), and I'd be very disappointed if we don't get a home QF. From there we can just see how things go

Winters · 15-09-2014 10:11am

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9471322,00.html

So, Delon is a galatico now?

PRL clubs to increase their salary cap by half a million again. BT money coming into play or is it the RFU RWC compensation put into the salaries?

15-09-2014 10:15am

Winters wrote: »

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9471322,00.html

So, Delon is a galatico now?

PRL clubs to increase their salary cap by half a million again. BT money coming into play or is it the RFU RWC compensation put into the salaries?

Add the addition of the "Galactico" and it's more like a £1m -> £1.5m increase.
Absolutely huge increase.

Although, as Birch has pointed out, just means that all players are worth more. And in 4/5 years another increase needed in order to give more purchasing power. Rinse repeat, wage inflation, rinse repeat.

molloyjh · 15-09-2014 10:30am

Winters wrote: »

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9471322,00.html

So, Delon is a galatico now?

PRL clubs to increase their salary cap by half a million again. BT money coming into play or is it the RFU RWC compensation put into the salaries?

It's the BT money. This is exactly what the PRL have been after as they are looking to compete with the French clubs.

Deleted User wrote: »

Add the addition of the "Galactico" and it's more like a £1m -> £1.5m increase.
Absolutely huge increase.

Although, as Birch has pointed out, just means that all players are worth more. And in 4/5 years another increase needed in order to give more purchasing power. Rinse repeat, wage inflation, rinse repeat.

Yeah, not the most sustainable of models. But then I thought that might have been made painfully obvious over the last few years generally.

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