The Rugby Thread

[Cormack74]

Amateur days (sigh), not bothered about trying to psyche out the opponents.

And a profound difference as you said - there's some leg definition from running around but nothing like the frames of modern players. Legs aside, some of those guys almost look malnourished.

[Saveloy]

Totally agree with that. The game has changed and in some respects is still struggling to sort itself out since professionalism. At its best, it is such a phenomenal sport, but, the injury levels are unacceptable, and we are yet to truly see the repercussions of some of the head injuries. I also agree with the replacements, and the 'finishers' has to be something that is looked at.

Just to confirm how far the game has moved (I'm sure I have posted this before) but take a look at the infamous Haka ciirca 1970. This certainly also demonstrates the change in body shape over the last 30 years.

Intimidating

Haka 1973 - YouTube

that's amazing!

The pale blonde bloke looks like The Boy From Space. And who is the little mustachioed chap at the end?

[Kenneth]

The comment.. "Nobody will convince me that this isn't a Monty Python Sketch."

[Rigadon]

The comment.. "Nobody will convince me that this isn't a Monty Python Sketch."

[Cormack74]

that's amazing!

The pale blonde bloke looks like The Boy From Space. And who is the little mustachioed chap at the end?

I think that was Sid (Syd?) Going, a brilliant chippy scrum half.

[Cormack74]

Meant to post this the other day when my memory cogs first turned. Going was first in the line the last one was Grant Batty.

When I checked Wiki to make sure I'd remembered his name correctly I found this quote from Chris Laidlaw who played for the AB's about the same time. Batty was: 'small, stunted and radiating a single message to all around him: "Don't mess with me or I'll punch your lights out."

He was five feet five by the way.

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/simongleave/status/1097257670577455104"]https://twitter.com/simongleave/status/1097257670577455104[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Finn Russell off with a HIA for Racing today

[Saveloy]

Meant to post this the other day when my memory cogs first turned. Going was first in the line the last one was Grant Batty.

When I checked Wiki to make sure I'd remembered his name correctly I found this quote from Chris Laidlaw who played for the AB's about the same time. Batty was: 'small, stunted and radiating a single message to all around him: "Don't mess with me or I'll punch your lights out."

He was five feet five by the way.

[Irishnev]

Jaysus Buzzo...l

[ame="https://twitter.com/ermalex/status/1097268054776516613"]https://twitter.com/ermalex/status/1097268054776516613[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Unreal tournament for us injuries wise.

It’s a testament to the improvement in Scottish Rugby that we can get a competitive team out at all. Considering this level of injuries say, 5-10 years ago leaves me shaking

But I’d say our tournament is done. We need to get these guys fit for the WC.

[Buzzo]

Had a good chat with my Irish amigos when they were up and we were talking about the pro14 and he was saying how the provincial system had allowed the Irish teams to quickly adapt to the format, but how it had taken the Scottish teams longer to catch up, with us having to create teams (and therefor support base) to fit in to the format.

It is only really now that Edinburgh and Glasgow are both established. But we could desperately do with a third team (Borders Reivers sadly didnt work out) but cannot resource it.

The Welsh have had similair issues.

Interesting.

I watched more pro14 over the weekend and it really is a superb competition now, with the Italian teams also no longer being a pushover, despite the internationals (Benetton beat Scarlets).

[Buzzo]

Finn Russell definitely out for the weekend now.

That’s Russell, Hogg and Jones all out from the Ireland game. Arguably our three best players. Definitely our three most creative.

**** sake

[Cormack74]

Yuk.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47309546

A Pro14 rugby player has been banned for 13 weeks after admitting he "cleared the contents of his nose on to the face of an opposing player".

Nico Lee, 24, of South African side Cheetahs, committed the act against back-row Colby Fainga'a in his side's defeat against Connacht on Saturday.

A disciplinary committee found Lee had intentionally engaged in foul play.

"It is difficult to imagine how an act of foul play of this sort could be worse," the disciplinary panel said.

"This is not a case of over-exuberance, or an act which is within the rules of the game going awry. It follows that by its nature this act is one that is deserving of punishment. It is contrary to the spirit of sport."

Lee's suspension runs until 21 July, which means he will miss the rest of the Pro14 season, though he is entitled to appeal against the decision.

Cheetahs are currently sixth in Conference A and still in the hunt for a play-off place.

[Cormack74]

It is only really now that Edinburgh and Glasgow are both established. But we could desperately do with a third team (Borders Reivers sadly didnt work out) but cannot resource it.

Is the so called "super 6" still on the agenda for next season?