The Rugby Thread

[Cormack74]

Just saw that.

Took the kids to Murrayfield today. Was pissing down and freezing which ruined the game as a spectacle. Knock on, scrum etc etc.

The Hastings Russell 10-12 thing didn’t work and we scored a try within 5 mins of Russell returning to 10.

First dull game out of the last 12 I’ve been to and we still won.

Overall a decent autumn. Blooded a few new guys increased depth, and had opportunities to win the games we lost.

The Argies were utterly inept weren't they despite having plenty of ball.

Even though the score stayed close throughout, at no point did I think there was the remotest possibility of anything other than a Scotland win.

As you say the Hastings Russell axix didn't really fire although to be honest whilst they were together on the pitch the Scotland backs didn't see a huge amount of ball. And there were several Argentina set pieces where Maitland took the 12 role presumably because GT was concerned about Russell defending that channel. If you have to change the player's positions about in that way then playing that system is probably the wrong option IMO unless there is a significant return on investment, the sort we didn't see today.

[Zapater]

- I went to the Loftus a few times and turned up once in a Munster jersey - the abuse I got from the ‘thoroughbred’ Africaaners was hilarious.

Sorry you had to go through that. The Dutchman at loftus are often the worst. Can't stand those guys. They don't even allow booze in there the last 10 years. The Bulls plummeting has kept them quiet lately. I've seen some **** there at local games between them and Lions or Stormers supporters. So it's not just Munster jerseys.

The girls there are often unbelievably hot though. Met a few stinkers there.

Zap in the crowd today

https://twitter.com/bbcrugbyunion/st...93722563297281

Was so sloshed last night I probably looked like that when I found out the result.

[Irishnev]

Sorry you had to go through that. The Dutchman at loftus are often the worst. Can't stand those guys. They don't even allow booze in there the last 10 years. The Bulls plummeting has kept them quiet lately. I've seen some **** there at local games between them and Lions or Stormers supporters. So it's not just Munster jerseys.

The girls there are often unbelievably hot though. Met a few stinkers there.



Was so sloshed last night I probably looked like that when I found out the result.

As I said I used to go to ZA a few times a year and have some really good friends there (even the Dutch ones ) - the last time I went to the Loftus was the Steyn, Du Preez, Matfield, Botha, Roussow + more side, some team that was.

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/rugby4cast/status/1066479609896681474"]https://twitter.com/rugby4cast/status/1066479609896681474[/ame]

3 Northern H teams ranked in the top 4 right now.

[RichC]

Looks about right at the moment

[Buzzo]

Yeah hard to argue with that (we are better than Aus though beaten them 3 out 4 home and away over 2 years), what is intriguing though is most of the top 8 are capable of beating each other. Also will be interesting to see the World Cup where home advantage isn't an issue, a truly neutral WC.

I cant believe the French lost to Fiji we absolutely blew them away. Neither team has got 80 good minutes in them.

Also the Welsh look annoyingly good just now, when 12 months ago they were despairing.

[Zapater]

As I said I used to go to ZA a few times a year and have some really good friends there (even the Dutch ones ) - the last time I went to the Loftus was the Steyn, Du Preez, Matfield, Botha, Roussow + more side, some team that was.

That team was incredibly good. Spies used to run through people. I'm sure he was juicing in his peak, his physicality and pace didn't seem right. His rapid decline raises more questions about it.

I wasn't having a go at Afrikaans people in general. More so Bulls fans Most of my exes have been Afrikaans and I have some Afrikaans blood myself, not that I speak the language. Also, above was supposed to say stunners woman wise - not sure how predictive text changed it to stinkers...

Yeah hard to argue with that (we are better than Aus though beaten them 3 out 4 home and away over 2 years), what is intriguing though is most of the top 8 are capable of beating each other. Also will be interesting to see the World Cup where home advantage isn't an issue, a truly neutral WC.

I cant believe the French lost to Fiji we absolutely blew them away. Neither team has got 80 good minutes in them.

Also the Welsh look annoyingly good just now, when 12 months ago they were despairing.

Not so perturbed about rankings, but that is an absolute shocker for the French. Unbelievable actually. Low ranked teams have won world cups, 6 Nations and Tri-Nations in the past.

Didn't see the game, but I'm not surprised they're very good. As I stated last week, I didn't have much optimism about the match. Fair play to them. Regardless, it's a pretty awful tour for us. Maybe it's a good thing. Wins perhaps paper cracks.

[Buzzo]

Didn't see the game, but I'm not surprised they're very good. As I stated last week, I didn't have much optimism about the match. Fair play to them. Regardless, it's a pretty awful tour for us. Maybe it's a good thing. Wins perhaps paper cracks.

You guys butchered a lot of decisions in the Welsh 22.

Then kept coughing up pens which kept them just that score ahead.

I'd say your tour was ok. You are only the second team to win at Murrayfield in 13 games, where we have beaten everyone of note (bar NZ and now SA). I've been at all of them, so I'd say that was a good win, and you were a poor decision away from beating England.

The Irish and the AB's are a good way ahead. Everyone else has food for thought.

[Irishnev]

That team was incredibly good. Spies used to run through people. I'm sure he was juicing in his peak, his physicality and pace didn't seem right. His rapid decline raises more questions about it.

I wasn't having a go at Afrikaans people in general. More so Bulls fans Most of my exes have been Afrikaans and I have some Afrikaans blood myself, not that I speak the language. Also, above was supposed to say stunners woman wise - not sure how predictive text changed it to stinkers...



Not so perturbed about rankings, but that is an absolute shocker for the French. Unbelievable actually. Low ranked teams have won world cups, 6 Nations and Tri-Nations in the past.

Didn't see the game, but I'm not surprised they're very good. As I stated last week, I didn't have much optimism about the match. Fair play to them. Regardless, it's a pretty awful tour for us. Maybe it's a good thing. Wins perhaps paper cracks.

Spies - I couldn’t remember his name just that they had an absolute brute at no 8 who looked like he was carved from granite. A def candidate for the juice

Some cracking women down south also - tall blondes, plenty of them. I’ve been lucky to travel a bit over the years and Israeli women (those I met in SE Asia and India) followed by Latino (Argentina and Colombia) were the nicest. In Europe the Polish are right up there

[Irishnev]

You guys butchered a lot of decisions in the Welsh 22.

Then kept coughing up pens which kept them just that score ahead.

I'd say your tour was ok. You are only the second team to win at Murrayfield in 13 games, where we have beaten everyone of note (bar NZ and now SA). I've been at all of them, so I'd say that was a good win, and you were a poor decision away from beating England.

The Irish and the AB's are a good way ahead. Everyone else has food for thought.

I dread the away game in Murrayfield more than any we have in the 6 Nations - your style of play is the antithesis of ours and we never seem in control vs you. That’s why the WC is right in the balance between us.

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/linebreakrugby/status/1066478590903095302"]https://twitter.com/linebreakrugby/status/1066478590903095302[/ame]

[Buzzo]

I dread the away game in Murrayfield more than any we have in the 6 Nations - your style of play is the antithesis of ours and we never seem in control vs you. That’s why the WC is right in the balance between us.

Games v Ireland are ones I enjoy the most as typically we attend with Irish friends. Its almost a free hit for us. You guys are the big dogs these days.

https://twitter.com/linebreakrugby/s...78590903095302

Thats amazing

[Zapater]

World Rugby Awards:

World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year - Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, in association with Mastercard - Jessy Trémoulière (France)
World Rugby Team of the Year - Ireland
World Rugby Coach of the Year - Joe Schmidt (Ireland)
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year - Aphiwe Dyantyi (South Africa)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year - Perry Baker (USA)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year - Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
World Rugby Referee Award - Angus Gardner (Australia)
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service - Yoshiro Mori (Japan)
Award for Character - Doddie Weir (Scotland)
Spirit of Rugby Award - Jamie Armstrong, The Clan (Scotland)
IRP Special Merit Award - Stephen Moore (Australia) and DJ Forbes (New Zealand)
IRP Try of the Year - Brodie Retallick (New Zealand v Australia)

-------

Well deserved for Sexton, Schmidt and Dyantyi.

[Buzzo]

Blow for Ireland.

Joe Schmidt is to stand down as Ireland's head coach after the 2019 World Cup and will be replaced by current defence coach Andy Farrell.

Schmidt, 53, said he had decided to finish coaching and focus on family commitments.

He has been with Ireland since 2013 and this year guided them to their third Grand Slam and a first victory on home soil over New Zealand.

"I feel that Irish rugby is in good hands," said Schmidt.

"The management and players have been incredible to work with and the tremendous support we have had, particularly at home in the Aviva, but where ever we have travelled, has been uplifting."

[Irishnev]

Blow for Ireland.

Been known for a long time Buzzo - he wants to go back home and he'll probably get the AB job. Blow for Ireland but a bigger blow for teams playing against NZ now.

Farrell will be interesting as I think it's his first "main gig" job.