General Rugby Discussion II

hahashake · 16-10-2020 6:56pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I think Haha is a fellow kiwi. We're doing alright on the covid front ðŸ˜

Though living in this corner of the world for the foreseeable.

I'm suprised a saffa would get defensive about my comment, in my experience most South Africans from all backgrounds and persuasions tend to agree with that assessment.

Tigerandahalf · 16-10-2020 7:51pm

Cheetahs just after beating the Bulls 19 - 17 in their own internal competition.
Cheetahs must not be too bad afterall. Bulls had Steyn and Vermuelen playing.

They might be some nice games televised around our own peak times.

mfceiling · 16-10-2020 9:17pm

Zzippy wrote: »

My old club played a Junior F hurling final (Division 10!)!

More importantly....did they win?

Zzippy · 16-10-2020 11:09pm

mfceiling wrote: »

More importantly....did they win?

Of course they did!

pickarooney · 18-10-2020 10:00am

So Caleb Clarke has been promising big things this year. Safe to say he's arrived on the international scene.

swiwi_ · 18-10-2020 11:07am

The ABs have a better winning record at Twickenham and Newlands than Wellington (Caketin). Eden Park on the other hand...

hahashake · 18-10-2020 1:25pm

pickarooney wrote: »

So Caleb Clarke has been promising big things this year. Safe to say he's arrived on the international scene.

Injury enforced yet almost everyone could see he was an obvious pick. Feel sorry for Bridge but he must have been the least exciting AB 11 for a long time. Clarke isn't massive but he has incredible power and perhaps more importantly, has the desire to squeeze out every last drop of it.

Yeah_Right · 18-10-2020 3:05pm

hahashake wrote: »

Injury enforced yet almost everyone could see he was an obvious pick. Feel sorry for Bridge but he must have been the least exciting AB 11 for a long time. Clarke isn't massive but he has incredible power and perhaps more importantly, has the desire to squeeze out every last drop of it.

Loved his work rate. One incident that stood out for me was when Clarke cleaned up a loose ball near the touchline and with 2 Aussies on him, he not only kept away from the touchline, he actually pushed infield and upfield.

PTH2009 · 18-10-2020 3:34pm

New Zealand and the Aussies looking very sharp, no doubt South Africa will be strong too although how they survive almost 2 years without a test game will be interesting. Hard to see a non SH world cup win in 2023

There's a fly on the wall doc out on South Africa's 2019 world cup win but so hard to find. Chasing the sun its called

hahashake · 18-10-2020 4:05pm

PTH2009 wrote: »

There's a fly on the wall doc out on South Africa's 2019 world cup win but so hard to find. Chasing the sun its called

Most interesting part for me would be the build and reaction the pool game against the ABs. Both teams wanted to avoid Ireland in the quarter and both assumed a win in that game would be enough - not to mention no team had a lost a pool game and then went on to win the whole thing. We know how that turned out (on all fronts) but it was a completely different perspective at the time.

PTH2009 · 18-10-2020 4:22pm

hahashake wrote: »

Most interesting part for me would be the build and reaction the pool game against the ABs. Both teams wanted to avoid Ireland in the quarter and both assumed a win in that game would be enough - not to mention no team had a lost a pool game and then went on to win the whole thing. We know how that turned out (on all fronts) but it was a completely different perspective at the time.

Looking forward too watching it when I hopefully find the series

swiwi_ · 19-10-2020 9:11pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

Delighted, very good player. I'd still keep Mikele-tui as the 8 but put Himeno in at 6.

Still need a head coach though

And it’s the Brown-Meister...

sydthebeat · 19-10-2020 10:39pm

swiwi_ wrote: »

And it’s the Brown-Meister...

Sense of inevitable

It will be interesting to see who he gets around him.
Mauger and hammett are big presences to replace.

OldRio · 20-10-2020 3:34pm

To lift the spirits and for something to look forward....

This weekend consists of wall to wall Rugby.

Friday to Monday.

Six Nations, Pro14, Internationals, Women's Six Nations, Super Rugby, Mitre10, Bermuda 10s (?) and the English Premiership Final featuring Exeter v whoever.

OldRio · 21-10-2020 9:24am

Lions to play Japan at Murrayfield in June.

awec · 22-10-2020 1:54pm

Clegg wrote: »

This is an interesting award, but the idea is flawed. McCaw and Carter are the two best players I've ever seen. But both were finished as test players in 2015, halfway through the decade. Same with Dusautoir. The winner really should be Read or Retallick. Consistently great performers over a decade.

https://twitter.com/WorldRugby/status/1316666222260506625?s=19

I see Sexton is leading this, proof that putting these things to a public vote is absolutely daft. The Leinster twitter was even promoting people to vote for him!

While Sexton is a great player, labelling him as player of the decade is a laughable notion, particularly when you consider what the other candidates were.

sydthebeat · 22-10-2020 2:03pm

awec wrote: »

I see Sexton is leading this, proof that putting these things to a public vote is absolutely daft. The Leinster twitter was even promoting people to vote for him!

While Sexton is a great player, labelling him as player of the decade is a laughable notion, particularly when you consider what the other candidates were.

basing it on honours in the decade then sexton would be right up there

Grand slam : 2018
6 Nations: 2014,2015, 2018
HC winner 2011, 2012, 2018
Challenge Cup: 2013
Celtic league: 2013, 2018, 2019

However of all options Read is actually the one i would choose

2 RWCs 2011, 2015
TRC 2010, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
super rugby 2017, 2018 + 2019

while Mccaw and Carter are the obvious "best player" choice.... theres an argument to be made that both basically stopped their top level career from 2015 onwards.

22-10-2020 2:09pm

awec wrote: »

I see Sexton is leading this, proof that putting these things to a public vote is absolutely daft. The Leinster twitter was even promoting people to vote for him!

While Sexton is a great player, labelling him as player of the decade is a laughable notion, particularly when you consider what the other candidates were.

How do you see the current tally?

awec · 22-10-2020 2:22pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

basing it on honours in the decade then sexton would be right up there

Grand slam : 2018
6 Nations: 2014,2015, 2018
HC winner 2011, 2012, 2018
Challenge Cup: 2013
Celtic league: 2013, 2018, 2019

However of all options Read is actually the one i would choose

2 RWCs 2011, 2015
TRC 2010, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
super rugby 2017, 2018 + 2019

while Mccaw and Carter are the obvious "best player" choice.... theres an argument to be made that both basically stopped their top level career from 2015 onwards.

Read was my vote too. It's a pure popularity contest now.

McCaw and Carter may have stopped in 2015, but both of them were more influential players than Johnny Sexton and both played for a big chunk of the decade.

Deleted User wrote: »

How do you see the current tally?

There was an update on twitter.

It was Sexton, McCaw and Carter 1/2/3.

The NZ vote getting split by too many candidates. TBH I'd have all of Read, McCaw, Carter and Retallick ahead of Sexton.

22-10-2020 2:26pm

Same thing happens with many online votes for soccer. The team/player with most social media sway usually wins out.

Sexton would benefit from both the NZ vote being split, and also the anyone-but-NZ vote. He's on to a winner.

hahashake · 22-10-2020 2:44pm

He's a worthy candidate but he might be feeling a bit sheepish if he wins. Making a popularity contest is a terrible way to decide a winner.

sydthebeat · 22-10-2020 2:51pm

Johnny Mc Sexton face??

Yeah_Right · 22-10-2020 4:04pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

basing it on honours in the decade then sexton would be right up there

Grand slam : 2018
6 Nations: 2014,2015, 2018
HC winner 2011, 2012, 2018
Challenge Cup: 2013
Celtic league: 2013, 2018, 2019

However of all options Read is actually the one i would choose

2 RWCs 2011, 2015
TRC 2010, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
super rugby 2017, 2018 + 2019

while Mccaw and Carter are the obvious "best player" choice.... theres an argument to be made that both basically stopped their top level career from 2015 onwards.

If its the same criteria they use for Player of the Year then the club stuff doesn't count.

McCaw and Carter were GOATs but were only around for half the decade. Dusautoir and Du Toit had one good year in the decade. Barrett has never really nailed down a position in the ABs yet still has 2 POTY awards. Rettallick has been consistently outstanding since his debut in 2012 but I can't see a tight forward winning it. Sexton and Read were both at the top of their game for the whole decade. I'd go with Read. But it will be McCaw because he is McCaw.

sydthebeat · 22-10-2020 4:25pm

Fair point, but as its a public vote all criteria goes out the window

OldRio · 22-10-2020 5:17pm

So the BaaBaas v England could be off.
Some players not observing protocols

Burkie1203 · 22-10-2020 5:29pm

OldRio wrote: »

So the BaaBaas v England could be off.
Some players not observing protocols

https://twitter.com/FoyChris/status/1319313422429945858?s=19

Winters · 22-10-2020 5:31pm

Calum Clark probably twisted someone's arm to go drinking.

StackSteevens · 22-10-2020 6:08pm

Winters wrote: »

Calum Clark probably twisted someone's arm to go drinking.

Bless your memory!

Dave_The_Sheep · 22-10-2020 6:12pm

Twelve players needed to supplement the Barbarian's ranks, apparently.

Buer · 22-10-2020 6:18pm

OldRio wrote: »

Lions to play Japan at Murrayfield in June.

I would love to have been a fly on the wall in the room when that was decided.

"Hey, you know what this season needs? More games! Lets make them late in the season too!"

thomond2006 · 22-10-2020 6:21pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

https://twitter.com/FoyChris/status/1319313422429945858?s=19

Ah yes. Having a Barbarians game, whose ethos is to go out and get wasted during the week of the game, was definitely a great idea.

salmocab · 22-10-2020 6:53pm

Buer wrote: »

I would love to have been a fly on the wall in the room when that was decided.

"Hey, you know what this season needs? More games! Lets make them late in the season too!"

In fairness it’s the most likely Lions game to happen

Bazzo · 22-10-2020 10:36pm

Wayne Barnes has tested positive for covid so obviously won't be reffing the premiership final.

OldRio · 22-10-2020 10:40pm

Baabaasgate, the truth is out.

Robshaw and a group of Saracens players, including veterans Richard Wigglesworth, Jackson Wray and Sean Maitland, left the team hotel in Mayfair on Wednesday night without the permission of team officials to go for a meal at an Italian restaurant.”

Its par for the course for Robshaw and Sarries.

Dave_The_Sheep · 22-10-2020 10:57pm

Until Ferg is confirmed to have not been involved, I'm going to avoid taking the high ground here...

... once/if he is, then full on high horse mode can be engaged.

thomond2006 · 22-10-2020 11:07pm

OldRio wrote: »

Baabaasgate, the truth is out.

Robshaw and a group of Saracens players, including veterans Richard Wigglesworth, Jackson Wray and Sean Maitland, left the team hotel in Mayfair on Wednesday night without the permission of team officials to go for a meal at an Italian restaurant.”

Its par for the course for Robshaw and Sarries.

Saracens: The gift that keeps on giving.

Richie_Rich89 · 22-10-2020 11:23pm

I voted for Dusautoir as player of the decade, Ashton's try against Australia as try of the decade and Magali Harvey's try as women's try of the decade.

Haven't watched enough 7s or women's rugby, so I didn't vote in the other categories.

pickarooney · 23-10-2020 7:31am

Mmmm, Magali Harvey. Hard not to love everything about her.

sydthebeat · 23-10-2020 7:38am

pickarooney wrote: »

Mmmm, Magali Harvey. Hard not to love everything about her.

She got my vote too

Buer · 23-10-2020 8:39am

thomond2006 wrote: »

Saracens: The gift that keeps on giving.

They are to rugby what Millwall was to football in the 1970s and 1980s.

"We are Saracens. Nobody likes us and we don't f*cking care."

Clegg · 23-10-2020 11:27am

David Pocock has retired. The best player over the ball I've ever seen and one of the all time greats. He's only 32 as well. He played in the most physically demanding position in rugby and picked up a lot of injuries.

On the topic of Australian opensides, they've had an almost unbroken run of world class players. George Smith to David Pocock to Michael Hooper. The careers of all three overlapped too. Which is pretty incredible.

https://twitter.com/pocockdavid/status/1319522303374286848?s=19

StackSteevens · 23-10-2020 2:12pm

OldRio wrote: »

Baabaasgate, the truth is out.

Robshaw and a group of Saracens players, including veterans Richard Wigglesworth, Jackson Wray and Sean Maitland, left the team hotel in Mayfair on Wednesday night without the permission of team officials to go for a meal at an Italian restaurant.”

Its par for the course for Robshaw and Sarries.

Whatever about the club and players that - according to the great rugby guru Gerry Thornley - we are all expected to hate [although my understanding is that we are still allowed to give Mark McCall a free pass], in what way is this incident "par for the course" for Robshaw?

Pelezico · 23-10-2020 2:15pm

Clegg wrote: »

David Pocock has retired. The best player over the ball I've ever seen and one of the all time greats. He's only 32 as well. He played in the most physically demanding position in rugby and picked up a lot of injuries.

On the topic of Australian opensides, they've had an almost unbroken run of world class players. George Smith to David Pocock to Michael Hooper. The careers of all three overlapped too. Which is pretty incredible.

https://twitter.com/pocockdavid/status/1319522303374286848?s=19

Everyone who retires nowadays is considered to be an all time great.

That currency is pretty devalued. He was good. Lots of players are good.

OldRio · 23-10-2020 2:20pm

StackSteevens wrote: »

Whatever about the club and players that - according to the great rugby guru Gerry Thornley - we are all expected to hate [although my understanding is that we are still allowed to give Mark McCall a free pass], in what way is this incident "par for the course" for Robshaw?

Robshaw?
I'm not one for gossip but I have friends who are neighbours of the Robshaws. 'Par for course' is all I'm saying.

sydthebeat · 23-10-2020 2:24pm

Pelezico wrote: »

Everyone who retires nowadays is considered to be an all time great.

That currency is pretty devalued. He was good. Lots of players are good.

not many "good" players get nominated for world player of the year on 3 separate occasions.

in fact only 5 others players hold that honour
O driscoll, McCaw, Carter, O Farrell and B Barrett

not bad company to be in

yerrahbah · 23-10-2020 2:26pm

https://twitter.com/FoyChris/status/1319628417982222344

Dopes

mfceiling · 23-10-2020 2:30pm

Buer wrote: »

They are to rugby what Millwall was to football in the 1970s and 1980s.

"We are Saracens. Nobody likes us and we don't f*cking care."

Stephen Jones (I know I know) wrote about them a few weeks past in the Sunday times and to be fair to them they have done a lot for the local community as a club.
From youth foundations to helping ex prisoners find employment etc it seemed to paint them in a decent enough light.
Their wage policy though was a joke but outside of that a lot of clubs could do worse than implement some of their better ideas. No?

Dave_The_Sheep · 23-10-2020 2:33pm

https://twitter.com/therugbypaper/status/1319628669179072514

Reporting the Baabaas/England game is off.

molloyjh · 23-10-2020 2:36pm

mfceiling wrote: »

Stephen Jones (I know I know) wrote about them a few weeks past in the Sunday times and to be fair to them they have done a lot for the local community as a club.
From youth foundations to helping ex prisoners find employment etc it seemed to paint them in a decent enough light.
Their wage policy though was a joke but outside of that a lot of clubs could do worse than implement some of their better ideas. No?

And remember some of their terrible ones. Piping music over the speakers to drown out opposition supporters. The pathetic fat lady nonsense. The ticket refund stunt re Gavin Henson.

There are plenty of reasons that people dislike the club even before the salary cap stuff.

Pelezico · 23-10-2020 2:38pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

not many "good" players get nominated for world player of the year on 3 separate occasions.

in fact only 5 others players hold that honour
O driscoll, McCaw, Carter, O Farrell and B Barrett

not bad company to be in

If you want to make a god out of this lad go ahead. He never won much and was injured all the time. Never rated BOD.

General Rugby Discussion II

Comments