Autumn International Rugby 2024

[Petcha]

Fiji have a side in super rugby now. I think that shows. Playing at the top level every week against top all blacks and wallabies. Really pleased for them as a nation, the rugby side is their pride and joy.

 

[bendeus]

Not a shock either, Gatland is going to be in big trouble as frankly I don’t see them beating Australia or South Africa though I expect both those teams to try and “manage” the Wales game with a weaker team

Our next seven games:

Australia
South Africa
France (A)
Italy (A)
Ireland
Scotland (A)
England

We are realistically looking at targeting the summer tour of Japan in 2025 for what is likely to be our first win in two years. The WRU have so much to answer for.

 

[bendeus]

Fiji have a side in super rugby now. I think that shows. Playing at the top level every week against top all blacks and wallabies. Really pleased for them as a nation, the rugby side is their pride and joy.

25% of their population is a registered rugby player and they play the game sublimely. I'm pleased for them, too. Long may they prosper

 

[starfish]

Well thats been a frustrating half of rugby.

 

[Elpenor]

Expected more from this Scotland back line, someone should tell them they’re playing England

 

[Elpenor]

Our next seven games:

Australia
South Africa
France (A)
Italy (A)
Ireland
Scotland (A)
England

We are realistically looking at targeting the summer tour of Japan in 2025 for what is likely to be our first win in two years. The WRU have so much to answer for.

Oof that’s a tough run. But I suppose if struggling for form then they’re all tough matches

 

[bendeus]

Oof that’s a tough run. But I suppose if struggling for form then they’re all tough matches

Struggling for form, confidence, physicality, talent, experience and modern coaching. But yeah, they are.

 

[Petcha]

25% of their population is a registered rugby player and they play the game sublimely. I'm pleased for them, too. Long may they prosper

They really do have to work on some of their tackling styles though. It's always been a problem. You do actually need to use your arms, not just monumental shoulders...

 

[Petcha]

Anyone know why today's game between the NZ B side and Georgia was played in Montpellier? It was a sold out crowd as it's NZ but why not play it in Georgia?

Did the fans think they were buying ticket to the actual all blacks?

 

[Elpenor]

Anyone know why today's game between the NZ B side and Georgia was played in Montpellier? It was a sold out crowd as it's NZ but why not play it in Georgia?

Did the fans think they were buying ticket to the actual all blacks?

Commercial reasons I expect.

Possibly logistical too, a lot of Georgian players play in France, plus NZ are next playing in France so they can keep their squad together

But yeah, basically no one wants to go to Georgia

 

[Elpenor]

Scotland keep choking in the final 10 metres, have played some wonderful stuff tho

 

[Petcha]

Commercial reasons I expect.

Possibly logistical too, a lot of Georgian players play in France, plus NZ are next playing in France so they can keep their squad together

But yeah, basically no one wants to go to Georgia

A pint in tblisi is about a quid, last time I was there.. i'd go. But if they want to be taken seriously as contenders to take Italy's place in the 6N then maybe not host your games on the other side of the continent.

 

[Elpenor]

A pint in tblisi is about a quid, last time I was there.. i'd go. But if they want to be taken seriously as contenders to take Italy's place in the 6N then maybe not host your games on the other side of the continent.

I don’t they get much choice in where their games are played unfortunately. I reckon they were told that if they wanted the match it had to be in France

They play Italy next week, that’s also an away game

 

[Petcha]

I don’t they get much choice in where their games are played unfortunately. I reckon they were told that if they wanted the match it had to be in France

They play Italy next week, that’s also an away game

Well. Anyway, I watched most of the game and they have some very impressive players. Dunno what the final score was but it was 20 odd to NZ when I turned over to the Wales game. They've got some pretty sharp backs as well as those enormous forwards. Can we make it a 7 nations?

 

[Elpenor]

They can have Wales place?

 

[Elpenor]

South Africa singing Zombie

 

[Petcha]

Look like we've reverted to normality. The Southern Hem is back.

 

[Elpenor]

Hopefully Georgia turn up against Italy and get a decent result as that will be a good talking point for the future

 

[fucthest8]

Well I was wrong, it seems that Bealham wasn’t up to it. Our back five too old or out of form, Crowley unsettled Frawley not up to it and the aerial contest is a great leveller. A rebuild is on the book for the summer and I’m expecting 3rd or 4th in the 6N.

Liked for the honest analysis, not the content.

Ditto on Elpenor's post, England have a real problem in the last 20.

Meanwhile, much as I'm happy with thrashing Japan, I didn't watch the game so not sure how good we really were. The All Blacks next, our first real test in a while (and since some of our players turned out to be fucking arseholes on the tour of Argentina FFS). I think it will be very tight, but only because NZs form is a bit iffy.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Well. Anyway, I watched most of the game and they have some very impressive players. Dunno what the final score was but it was 20 odd to NZ when I turned over to the Wales game. They've got some pretty sharp backs as well as those enormous forwards. Can we make it a 7 nations?

Should be a play-off between wooden spoonists of the 6N and winners of the Tier 2 comp.

Will never happen cos money.

 

[Petcha]

Liked for the honest analysis, not the content.

Ditto on Elpenor's post, England have a real problem in the last 20.

Meanwhile, much as I'm happy with thrashing Japan, I didn't watch the game so not sure how good we really were. The All Blacks next, our first real test in a while (and since some of our players turned out to be fucking arseholes on the tour of Argentina FFS). I think it will be very tight, but only because NZs form is a bit iffy.

Iffy? They've just beaten England and Ireland, in their fortresses...

Been a strange autumn. I agree NZ haven't looked good but give them a moment and you're fucked. But yes, France are their nemesis, so you never know.

 

[Elpenor]

Twickenham is very far from a fortress these days

 

[sleaterkinney]

We have a big problem at outhalf and across the front row. I’m not sure what’s coming through the provinces as I’ve lost touch a bit but the average age of that team must be in the 30’s. Interesting times ahead for a squad that peaked last year.

I’m not sure about Doris as Captain, reminds me of Heaslip, he doesn’t have enough dog in him.

 

[Smangus]

Twickenham is very far from a fortress these days

Certainly won't be when the Saffas turn up.

 

[mx wcfc]

Twickenham is very far from a fortress these days

The Allianz curse?

 

[Petcha]

Is the Irish song the same as the Welsh?

Both terrible... but identical?

 

[starfish]

Is the Irish song the same as the Welsh?

Both terrible... but identical?

Which one? And. Which one?

 

[starfish]

A well deserved try for Portugal right at the end of the first half.

 

[Petcha]

They should have had one before that when the winger was away and the ref ruled it was knocked on. It wasn't. It came of the player's head, not his hands.

Four amateurs in the side, love it.

 

[Elpenor]

And another. A mate is in a box there. Lucky sod