The Rugby Thread

[Rigadon]

1990

Scotland’s national rugby union side claimed a famous victory at Murrayfield, winning the Calcutta Cup, the Triple Crown, the Grand Slam and the Five Nations Championship by beating England 13–7.

It was the first time Flower of Scotland, by the Corries, was sung by the players as a pre-match anthem.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...peaked-in-1990

I didn't know this (in bold).

[Buzzo]

Yeah, it’s a relatively new song.

Scotland the Brave used to be the anthem for football and it is ****e, plus it doesn’t have lyrics.

I think there were attempts at introducing God Save the Queen - which didn’t go down particularly well

[Red_Polo]

God Save the Queen

What an absolutely ****ing terrible anthem it is. Utterly unsuited to modern England, let alone Britain.

[Cormack74]

What did you guys make of Robert du Preez's spell at Sale? He's considered a pretty dull player in SA, but his consistency and tactical kicking probably makes him a definite Bok candidate for the 10 jersey moving forward.

The other player that seems to be doing quite well who hasn't been in consideration is Cobus Reinach. Always a bit up and down, but great acceleration and heart. Him, Faf and Papier would leave scrum half well covered.

I thought he did pretty well from the games I saw.

To some extent consistency and kicking fitted in well in the Sale back line given there's Faf, Ashton, Solomona and O'Connor to provide the flair.

I like Reinach - probably more than Faf who comes across as being a bit up his own arse and he's also looked good for Northampton. Hougaard's another one who's impressed at 9, although I think I read he'd retired from International rugby a little while back(?).

[Buzzo]

What an absolutely ****ing terrible anthem it is. Utterly unsuited to modern England, let alone Britain.

Dunno which percentage of god fearing royalists it is supposed to appeal to? And any expectation for a song about the Queen to stick up here is incredibly naive.

BTW.

For anyone interested, there is a great Sam Warburton documentary on iPlayer just now.

[Cormack74]

What an absolutely ****ing terrible anthem it is. Utterly unsuited to modern England, let alone Britain.

I'm not a huge fan but equally I wouldn't be inclined to change it. It's a bit banana republic to go swapping the anthem every 5 minutes.

And F of S is only the "sports" anthem so far as I'm aware Buzzo or does it get wheeled out on other occasions?

[Red_Polo]

Dunno which percentage of god fearing royalists it is supposed to appeal to? And any expectation for a song about the Queen to stick up here is incredibly naive.

BTW.

For anyone interested, there is a great Sam Warburton documentary on iPlayer just now.

On the watch list, looks good!

[Cormack74]

I don't seem to have posted on the world league but agree it's a daft idea, insulting to the pacific islands and dangerous to the players. I read that the PI's were threatening to boycott this year's world cup yesterday and good on them for that.

[Buzzo]

And F of S is only the "sports" anthem so far as I'm aware Buzzo or does it get wheeled out on other occasions?

The football team also took it on in the late 90’s.

But it is as you say an ‘unofficial’ anthem due to its antagonistic lyrics. I don’t think there is an official one? Unless it is still Scotland the Brave

[Red_Polo]

I'm not a huge fan but equally I wouldn't be inclined to change it. It's a bit banana republic to go swapping the anthem every 5 minutes.



And F of S is only the "sports" anthem so far as I'm aware Buzzo or does it get wheeled out on other occasions?

There isn't an official one other than at state level unless I'm mistaken - so the UK and GSTQ.

Difficult to change and get it right but an anthem depending on religion and monarchy is ridiculously out of step with society.

[Cormack74]

There isn't an official one other than at state level unless I'm mistaken - so the UK and GSTQ.

Difficult to change and get it right but an anthem depending on religion and monarchy is ridiculously out of step with society.

I should imagine that lots of the world's anthems are no longer relevant; the German one includes "Germany above all . . above all in the world" (albeit I don't think they often sing that bit any more ), the French one talks about slitting people's throats.

Britain is still (notionally) a Christian country, so asking the good Lord to keep an eye on the Monarch doesn't seem especially outlandish, even 275 years on IMO. The tune's **** though.

[Cormack74]

The football team also took it on in the late 90’s.

But it is as you say an ‘unofficial’ anthem due to its antagonistic lyrics. I don’t think there is an official one? Unless it is still Scotland the Brave

F of S is exactly what you need to get a crowd going before a game, that and Land of our Fathers.

[Zapater]

I thought he did pretty well from the games I saw.

To some extent consistency and kicking fitted in well in the Sale back line given there's Faf, Ashton, Solomona and O'Connor to provide the flair.

I like Reinach - probably more than Faf who comes across as being a bit up his own arse and he's also looked good for Northampton. Hougaard's another one who's impressed at 9, although I think I read he'd retired from International rugby a little while back(?).

Thanks. Didn't catch any games this weekend, but he's had a decent start to this Super Rugby campaign.

I understand Hougaard has done quite well there, but he's always been largely **** domestically and internationally here. We all thought he was going to be the next Fourie du Preez, but his best rugby has always come from the wing. At scrumhalf he's never performed. Always promised to be something but it never came, retired for a year or so anyway, so doesn't really matter. On the subject of arrogant pricks, he's definitely one of them. I also think his involvement in the Oscar trial effected him on and off the pitch, if he's doing well away from SA, good for him, because I doubt it would have ever really worked out for him. Hype job.

On the subject of O'Connor, I think it's a pity how things panned out for him. Should be one of the best backs in the world. Could easily have gotten well over 100 caps for Australia. Him and Frans Steyn frustrate me greatly, they have to take some blame, but their unions/coaches could have handled both so much better.

[Buzzo]

F of S is exactly what you need to get a crowd going before a game, that and Land of our Fathers.

Definitely

Been getting louder and louder over the last 4-5 years also.

I love the anthems, but God save the Queen is easily the worst. No passion at all in it.

[Cormack74]

Thanks. Didn't catch any games this weekend, but he's had a decent start to this Super Rugby campaign.

I understand Hougaard has done quite well there, but he's always been largely **** domestically and internationally here. We all thought he was going to be the next Fourie du Preez, but his best rugby has always come from the wing. At scrumhalf he's never performed. Always promised to be something but it never came, retired for a year or so anyway, so doesn't really matter. On the subject of arrogant pricks, he's definitely one of them. I also think his involvement in the Oscar trial effected him on and off the pitch, if he's doing well away from SA, good for him, because I doubt it would have ever really worked out for him. Hype job.

On the subject of O'Connor, I think it's a pity how things panned out for him. Should be one of the best backs in the world. Could easily have gotten well over 100 caps for Australia. Him and Frans Steyn frustrate me greatly, they have to take some blame, but their unions/coaches could have handled both so much better.

Blimey I didn't know he was (previously) involved with Reeva and might have texted her on the night of her murder until I wiki'd him just now

With Worcester he was sensational when he joined towards the end of the 2015/16 season. Unless it was coincidence; he basically saved them from relegation. They won 5 games out of 8 with him in the team having previously won only 2 all season.

(He) They haven't been as good since although I have a feeling he only played about 50% of last season's games and possibly about the same this time round.

O'Connor has properly lost his mojo. I've seen him perform well for Sale but he's not at the level he was - he's not even at the level he was when he came and played for London Irish a couple of season's back. Even then there was pretty much a collective intake of breath every time he got the ball. It's sad . . . but given that he's an Aussie, not as sad as it might be