The Rugby Thread

[Zapater]

On the subject, went to a game of Top League rugby in Tokyo yesterday. Sungoliath vs Kubota Spears. Unfortunately Sam Cane and Kolbe were injured but there was some decent talent on show, still lacks a little something from the other competitions but entertaining none the less.

Interesting cultural differences, there's a different type of stadium atmosphere. The crowd sit in silence and only clap after a big incident or show dismay by gasping. Otherwise you can hear players on the pitch communicating, the impact of hits when it's close etc. Crazy to think you can have approx. 13.5k people in a relatively small stadium and have such relative silence.

They also call the fly half a stand off, which is not a term I hear very often.

[Buzzo]

I can't see why he'd make it up though. That's something very specific to say even if he is exaggerating. And let's be honest, Ireland didn't go out because of complacency, it was razor thin and the ABs edged it, on another day maybe Sexton makes that kick and everything is different. I always say after the big games that they could go either way and that one was no different. Yes, it's desire, determination, fitness, heart but I do think there is a slight bit of luck involved too.

Has anyone else seen Chasing the Sun 2? Some really interesting footage about Rassie ****ing up Vermeulen, Etzebeth and Kolisi after the Ireland game. He thought the team started believing their own hype and didn't go the extra distance which led to the result.

Agreed

Those two 1/4 finals were probably the best two matches I’ve ever watched - particularly the first half of SA v France.

I’ve not watched chasing the sun 2 yet - have heard it’s good tho - not sure what platform.

[Buzzo]

Just about to watch Toulouse v Quins - expecting a good match. Might even swerve the start of the footy for the end of this.

[Zapater]

Agreed

Those two 1/4 finals were probably the best two matches I’ve ever watched - particularly the first half of SA v France.

I’ve not watched chasing the sun 2 yet - have heard it’s good tho - not sure what platform.

No complaints if France won that game or NZ the final tbh. I would have been furious if England had put us out in the semis but on the balance of play they may have just deserved it. The other two I'd have said okay, it's how it goes. Particularly as there was only 1 point in it.

Not sure how it's distributed internationally, I found a link via Reddit. I think the first one is probably better but definitely worth a watch. The management team used a lot of Northern Hem media to hype the team up.

[Buzzo]

Toulouse are phenomenal.

Excellent in all aspects of the game. Brutal up front and slick and flamboyant through the backs.

[Buzzo]

Toulouse appetite to play from anywhere and in doing so to see areas of weakness is just immense to watch. There is no better scrum half to lead the play than DuPont. If you turn the ball over against them pretty much anywhere on the pitch you are ****ed.

31-12 going in to HT

[Buzzo]

Harlequins making a game of it.

31-26

[Irishnev]

Buzzo - I was successful in the Lions lottery for the game vs Arg next summer….. I’ll buy two tickets on Wednesday and see what the story is in a year’s time

[Buzzo]

Buzzo - I was successful in the Lions lottery for the game vs Arg next summer….. I’ll buy two tickets on Wednesday and see what the story is in a year’s time

No way! Where’s it being played?

[Irishnev]

No way! Where’s it being played?

Dublin! Hence why I entered - Dan P said I could stay with him

[Buzzo]

Kinghorn wearing one from yesterday. Not too much sympathy from his best mate

[ame]https://twitter.com/jimhamilton4/status/1787574748043452450[/ame]

[Irishnev]

No way! Where’s it being played?

Bought the two tickets in the range I was "given" - 383e all in for two tickets....... half way line, top stand, 6 rows back. Pricey but I figure if I can't go they'll be taken at face value by someone.......... who knows what the world be like in a year's time though!

[ChesterDave]

Northampton beat Gloucester 90-0 today, missing 4 conversions in the match. Fully expected after seeing the headline would be the case Gloucester had an early red card or similar but apart from 1 sin bin they played the whole match with 15.

[Buzzo]

An absolute mauling but I think it was a second string Gloucester with nothing to play for in the Prem as they have got to the final of the Challenge Cup last week.

90-0 tho…. That’s a doing.

[Buzzo]

What a pass.

[ame]https://twitter.com/nrl/status/1791016487131476038[/ame]