The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

Damian McKenzie out of the WC, he's done his ACL. As much as I hate the ABs, it's a loss to the tournament when players of that quality don't play.

Saw that, even for them it’s a big loss given he can play at 10 also

[Nicey]

Old news but Ireland qualified in Hong Kong for the HSBC World Series Rugby Sevens, The Hong Kong tournament was absolute quality.

[Zapater]

Saw that, even for them it’s a big loss given he can play at 10 also

They may miss Sopoaga, probably not but would be a good option.

[Cormack74]

Admittedly I haven't seen him play in Super rugby (at least not that I can recall) but he's been really poor for Wasps: incredibly disappointing given the build up we were sold.

[Zapater]

Admittedly I haven't seen him play in Super rugby (at least not that I can recall) but he's been really poor for Wasps: incredibly disappointing given the build up we were sold.

Comes across as a pussy. Read his comments about adapting etc. I've lived in both NZ and England and can't say that there's a shocking disparity.

It's strange even from a playing perspective, as stylistically he seems more of Northern Hemisphere styled fly half. He's definitely not from the Dan Carter, Carlos Spencer school of expansive play. Good player though.

I saw Kolbe score a stunning try against Wasps, pretty sure it was Sapoaga that got bumped off in the build up, not that it's something to be embarrassed by, Kolbe is ridiculously explosive despite being a midget.

[Buzzo]

Rumours that Aaron Cruden is going to leave Montpellier for Glasgow to be replaced at Montpellier by Handré Pollard.

Link

Link

[Buzzo]

Jonny Gray posted highest tackle stats in Opta history on Sat v Leinster (Including Pro 14, English Prem and French Top 14) 43 made none missed. Previous highest was 34.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/superhuman-pro14-player-who-posted-16126597.amp

[Cormack74]

Comes across as a pussy. Read his comments about adapting etc. I've lived in both NZ and England and can't say that there's a shocking disparity.

It's strange even from a playing perspective, as stylistically he seems more of Northern Hemisphere styled fly half. He's definitely not from the Dan Carter, Carlos Spencer school of expansive play. Good player though.

I saw Kolbe score a stunning try against Wasps, pretty sure it was Sapoaga that got bumped off in the build up, not that it's something to be embarrassed by, Kolbe is ridiculously explosive despite being a midget.

I can't think of a single positive - not even basic skills. A mate calls him Dropaclanga due to the errors he's made this season. Presumably it's a confidence thing but I suspect he's being paid a pretty significant amount of money and the basic stuff really ought not be something Dai Young should have to worry about.

[Cormack74]

How are you seeing tomorrow Nev?

Whilst Saracens are going to be favourites, I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that they'll will win especially as they don't have the advantage of a plastic pitch.

Also, not playing at (their actual) home and in a bigger stadium I reckon the support could be 50:50 in terms of numbers.

[Irishnev]

How are you seeing tomorrow Nev?

Whilst Saracens are going to be favourites, I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that they'll will win especially as they don't have the advantage of a plastic pitch.

Also, not playing at (their actual) home and in a bigger stadium I reckon the support could be 50:50 in terms of numbers.

Watched it - didn’t go or anything like that. No Earls or Carbury = nothing in the backline and made a tough game almost impossible.

Saracens are superb, so efficiently ruthless and we’re worthy winners. I thought Garces was SHOCKING. Sarries would still have won with a proper ref but he was bordering on diabolical.

[Buzzo]

Yeah I watched the second half. Ref was **** particularly at the breakdown where he didn’t seem interested at all.

Maro Itoje is such a serial offender at the breakdown. Disrupts every ruck.

They’ve pretty much given up on offside in Rugby Union, it’s even more obvious when you are at a game.

Saracens ruthlessly efficient. Hope Toulouse win the whole thing.

Also home crowd looked poor as did venue for such a big semi final.

[Irishnev]

Yeah I watched the second half. Ref was **** particularly at the breakdown where he didn’t seem interested at all.

Maro Itoje is such a serial offender at the breakdown. Disrupts every ruck.

They’ve pretty much given up on offside in Rugby Union, it’s even more obvious when you are at a game.

Saracens ruthlessly efficient. Hope Toulouse win the whole thing.

Also home crowd looked poor as did venue for such a big semi final.

He pinged Munster a few times at the breakdown at they were at odds with everything I have seen in the past. I still think Sarries would have won.

Leinster been off this season but I think they'll win but Sarries will beat them handily in the final. They've about 8 test Lions in their team so that's hard to compete with.

[Buzzo]

He pinged Munster a few times at the breakdown at they were at odds with everything I have seen in the past. I still think Sarries would have won.

Leinster been off this season but I think they'll win but Sarries will beat them handily in the final. They've about 8 test Lions in their team so that's hard to compete with.

There was only one team winning it for sure it was classic Saracens. They are the Man City of RU a tough team to enjoy. Munster looked ****ed final 10-15.

Watch how often Maro impedes the opposition scrum half at the break down and gets away with it.

Good that the Munstermen and women gave Billy V the bird.

[Irishnev]

There was only one team winning it for sure it was classic Saracens. They are the Man City of RU a tough team to enjoy. Munster looked ****ed final 10-15.

Watch how often Maro impedes the opposition scrum half at the break down and gets away with it.

Good that the Munstermen and women gave Billy V the bird.

No Earls or Carbury took away what little we have behind the scrum. I think semi final is the capacity of this side, great heart, strong pack but missing class in the backs.

We need to sign a top class full back or centre....no idea who.

[Cormack74]

No Earls or Carbury took away what little we have behind the scrum. I think semi final is the capacity of this side, great heart, strong pack but missing class in the backs.

We need to sign a top class full back or centre....no idea who.

This was the crux for me. Munster competed brilliantly but at no point could I actually see them scoring a try - it was something of a shock when they did.