The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

Been reading quite a bit of the UK and Ireland's response to the WC and I must say, I'm pretty disappointed how bitter and twisted comments from respected people are. Sour grapes everywhere. I expect it from England, but wtf is up with the other home nations, didn't realise they loved England so much.

Guscott saying there shouldn't be that many subs as it gives one team advantage over the other All teams have the same number of subs, it's upto everyone individually to how they use their squad effectively (see Jones' comments about a squad). The fact that that we have more depth in the forwards isn't our problem, each team had 15 players on the pitch. If anything with the way the game is going there should be more speed with all of the collisions and its intensity.

Won only because we were bigger and stronger than everyone else. Wales tight 5 were about 40kgs more than SA's and I think their scrum outweighed us by 15kg and England's scrum was 20kg more than ours. Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story, as the Boks skilless neanderthals just smashed whatever was in front of them. Not one word about Kolbe's quality etc either.

Neil Francis and other pricks implying of steroid abuse. Come on now, that's a joke, yes I'm sure there are many players using performance enhancers in the world (SA included). Referencing individual cases to try to say everyone is doing it is just madness. Unless there's categorical proof, it's complete hearsay.

Anyway, rant over, just a bit bemused about the reaction.

A prick is the right word - he is contravertial for no reason other than to be heard. Him and Stephen Jones are dinosaurs

[Buzzo]

Can't stand Stephen Jones or Stuart Barnes.

[Buzzo]

Dave Rennie leaving Glasgow at the end of the season to be the new Aussie coach.

[Cormack74]

Been reading quite a bit of the UK and Ireland's response to the WC and I must say, I'm pretty disappointed how bitter and twisted comments from respected people are. Sour grapes everywhere. I expect it from England, but wtf is up with the other home nations, didn't realise they loved England so much.

Guscott saying there shouldn't be that many subs as it gives one team advantage over the other All teams have the same number of subs, it's upto everyone individually to how they use their squad effectively (see Jones' comments about a squad). The fact that that we have more depth in the forwards isn't our problem, each team had 15 players on the pitch. If anything with the way the game is going there should be more speed with all of the collisions and its intensity.

Won only because we were bigger and stronger than everyone else. Wales tight 5 were about 40kgs more than SA's and I think their scrum outweighed us by 15kg and England's scrum was 20kg more than ours. Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story, as the Boks skilless neanderthals just smashed whatever was in front of them. Not one word about Kolbe's quality etc either.

Neil Francis and other pricks implying of steroid abuse. Come on now, that's a joke, yes I'm sure there are many players using performance enhancers in the world (SA included). Referencing individual cases to try to say everyone is doing it is just madness. Unless there's categorical proof, it's complete hearsay.

Anyway, rant over, just a bit bemused about the reaction.

All the coverage I've seen post WC has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact on BT Sport (where all Premiership and Champs Cup games are shown in the UK) it's been an extended SA love in.

I don't agree with the way that Guscott is framing his point (and generally he is regarded as a dick), but I do think there is a case for less subs; absolutely nothing to do with the WCF but to reduce injuries in the game.

Once upon a time most of the players were going to play the full 80 mins and their size reflected that.

Now almost half are only going to play between 40 and 60 minutes so they can be bigger. And bigger players = bigger collisions = more serious injuries.

World Rugby keep trying to tinker with the rules to make the game safer but the size thing isn't going to go away in terms of its' contribution towards people getting badly hurt.

That and the reffing of the ruck area which is almost never reffed to the parameters laid down in the Laws of the Game - even by the very best officials.

[Cormack74]

Watched Munster and highlights of the other Irish provinces. It was a typical ground out Munster away win and v happy to get the bonus point.

Sarries and Racing in the group make it tough especially with Racing thumping the Sarries third team ......not sure how the World Cup will affect teams but it seems more open this year. If Sarries regroup they are the side to beat......yet again

I've finished my catch up although I did watch a couple of games on x 2 e.g. Leinster's match against the nobodies

I think the tournament is going to be pretty open this year. Sarries have to concentrate on domestic survival so presumably there 2nds / 3rds will get more game time over the coming weeks which may prove costly unless they can scrape through and then pick the first team in the QTR's.

Munster look solid as you say Nev and I was impressed by Glasgow even if the score line didn't reflect their dominance.

Ulster did better than I had anticipated as did Northampton. The Saints are not going to win it but they continued to look like a reasonable bet to challenge domestically this year.

Exeter will need to show a bit more consistency than in recent years but obviously their win over LR was noteworthy. I can't help thinking though that if Slade hadn't caught the interception and scored then LR would have had a try of their own and all the momentum going into the last part of the match. It's amazing how these games change on a matter of inches.

[Zapater]

Guess I was wrong about what's has been reflected, but it seemed every third day there was some controversy re a journo or ex player coming up with some bizarre call, claim or knock. Guess that kind of thing filters through more so as it makes more of a splash. The discussions of sour grapes from the North has definitely been had a few times here; rightly or wrongly.

It's all about perception and framing I suppose when it comes to media and comms if you want to get technical haha.

I don't agree with the way that Guscott is framing his point (and generally he is regarded as a dick), but I do think there is a case for less subs; absolutely nothing to do with the WCF but to reduce injuries in the game.

I can understand the argument for that, but I'm not too sure about it. There are so many specialist forwards who aren't built to last for more than 20-40 min. They'd be ineffectual if that were the case and we'd be looking at more rugby league styled players which would result in a number of excellent players being practically obsolete. Imagine Steven Kitshoff playing 80.

Dave Rennie leaving Glasgow at the end of the season to be the new Aussie coach.

No huge surprise there, but excellent appointment. Could really get them firing. Although could also be another Robbie Deans. Although he should be good for them, a strong Wallabies team is good for the sport regardless of how insufferable they are.

[Buzzo]

Troubling news about ex-lion Tom Smith

Didn't get himself checked straight away apparently.

[ame]https://twitter.com/5liveSport/status/1197395214232514560[/ame]

[Cormack74]

Here you go Zap . . more SA related stuff on the BBC for you to enjoy; like I said a love in

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50519816

[Cormack74]

Hogg apparently fit to start for the Chiefs against Glasgow today Buzzo.

You'll be wishing him well no doubt?

[Buzzo]

Definitely.

Should be a cracking match.

There was a decent interview with him in the Guardian saying he is loving it down there so far.

I was at Murrayfield last night for a stodgy Edinburgh game v Bordeaux (second in Top 14) A 16 all draw which Edinburgh should have won. Still a few players to return but my son got a pic with one of them, Darcy Graham!

[Buzzo]

Finn Russell again. Meg grubber try..!

[ame]https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1198299901081407490[/ame]

[Cormack74]

Definitely.

Should be a cracking match.

There was a decent interview with him in the Guardian saying he is loving it down there so far.

I was at Murrayfield last night for a stodgy Edinburgh game v Bordeaux (second in Top 14) A 16 all draw which Edinburgh should have won. Still a few players to return but my son got a pic with one of them, Darcy Graham!

I wasn't sure if Scottish club trumped Scottish player.

Glasgow excellent for a half but then tried to play too much rugby in the wrong areas whilst the Chiefs started playing like the Chiefs after the break.

If Exeter were consistent they would look good for a decent run in the competition, but they can't play averagely and win like the very top teams are capable of doing.

[Buzzo]

Watching the Munster Edinburgh game, a decent game, with one of the most one eyed biased Irish commentators I've ever listened to

13-10 with about 30 to go.

[Buzzo]

Edinburgh win 18-16.

They even gave the MotM to Munster FFS

[Irishnev]

Watching the Munster Youths Edinburgh game, a decent game, with one of the most one eyed biased Irish commentators I've ever listened to

13-10 with about 30 to go.

Corrected it for ya - they even played it in Musgrave. A biased Irish man - we’ll i never