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Rugby Union 2014-15

Very impressive from the Chiefs today. One and a half* wonderful tries from Dollman.

*Great run from his pick-up, with the tiniest of knock-ons.
 
starfish said:
Great games over this weekend.
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I really don't think Leinster v Toulon was that great, only if you were fortunate enough to only turn on the TV before extra time.

Leinster were dreadful, their pack matched Toulon's but the backs were wank. Ian Madigan LOLZ.

And I am loving the irony of the wage gap being oh so apparent when the brave English and Irish teams fail to beat the French clubs, yet never really getting a look in when Newport Gwent fucking Dragons manage to get a win of the season against Leinster B team. I know I am just another bitter Welshman but fair dinkum's you're not going to see a Welsh team sign a Pitau or a Sailililililili any time soon.
 
Armitage had a telling impact on the game after appearing off the bench in the 36th minute to replace South African back row Juan Smith, who departed with a knee injury.

The English openside flanker won three turnovers on the deck, adding to his pre-existing tournament tally of 15, the most by individual player.

“Yeah, well it’s completely illegal,” said Leinster’s O’Brien of Armitage this afternoon in UCD. “You know, there was three instances where he’s completely illegal, his elbows were on the ground actually.

“He is very strong, so when he gets over the ball he’s very hard to shift, him and Chris Masoe. That’s one of the things we have to try, I’ve said it before, we have to take the ref out of the equation, Myself included, I missed a barrel one time on him and was there that second too late.”

When asked by The42 whether Leinster had looked to flag the issues around Armitage with referee Barnes during the game, O’Brien said:

“No, you can’t say anything to that man. He’s not open to any kind of feedback, we’ve learned that in the past. So it was just one of those things where you get on with it and try and sort it out yourselves.”
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http://www.the42.ie/sean-obrien-wayn...60812-Apr2015/

Gold. Precious, wonderful gold.
 
bendeus said:
http://www.the42.ie/sean-obrien-wayn...60812-Apr2015/

Gold. Precious, wonderful gold.
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Kinsella is excellent. One of the best young analysts around.

If you want a really good take down of the Leinster Coach head to Demented Mole's blog. Impressive stuff.

Threshers_Flail I can't believe we got Piutau I think Kiss may have been pushing that through with the Ulster Branch and IRFU, though I'm pretty sure we could of got some of the young players from another province instead.
 
flypanam said:
Kinsella is excellent. One of the best young analysts around.

If you want a really good take down of the Leinster Coach head to Demented Mole's blog. Impressive stuff.

Threshers_Flail I can't believe we got Piutau I think Kiss may have been pushing that through with the Ulster Branch and IRFU, though I'm pretty sure we could of got some of the young players from another province instead.
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This is a really good follow up: a balanced weighing of facts which would both appear to support and undermine SOB's statement
 
Commiserations to my home town club GHA who lost the Premiership playoff match yesterday to Stirling 'bloody' County 39-22. Perhaps a blessing in disguise as the last time they were in the top division they lost every match iirc. Still, was a bloody good effort to finish second in a very tough, competitive league.
 
Sarries-Exeter was a frantic start, but it fell off a bit in the second half.

Still, the final round next weekend.
 
That first try from Beaumont was lovely for Sale, completely shocking Nowell with his pace. Exeter turned it up in the second half though and will be a bit gutted to be the ones that miss out.

Bit gutted for Mark Cueto, finishing his career with a yellow card 8 minutes from time. A sort of low-key Zidane moment.
 
I know 7s isn't the most popular hear but USA won their first 7s series title at Twickenham at the weekend, with Fiji taking the overall title.

Rugby in the USA seems to be getting a lot of momentum at the moment and over the next 10 years I think they'll start knocking on the doors of the tier 1 nations. They're in the process of setting up a professional league and already got some brilliant XVs players (Chris Wyles, Samu Manoa).

Interesting times anyway.
 
Won't most Americans of the right size and ability gravitate towards gridiron though? Plus there's the saturation of the other three team sports already huge in North America.
 
stavros said:
Won't most Americans of the right size and ability gravitate towards gridiron though? Plus there's the saturation of the other three team sports already huge in North America.
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Rugby in the US is also targeting those who don't make it to NFL. Some VERY talented athletes don't make it too. Already have a few converts playing.

I know people who have personally moved to the USA to help develop the sport. There's also the likes of the great Waisale Serevi starting his own company there, mainly aimed at helping the sport grow in the US.

I don't think they even need rugby to be a top 5 sport for them to be competitive internationally.
 
stavros said:
Won't most Americans of the right size and ability gravitate towards gridiron though? Plus there's the saturation of the other three team sports already huge in North America.
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American Football at adult level is only played in the franchises though so the actual adult playing population is tiny. I think the other sports are so different to rugby that those who loved American Football are more likely to move to Rugby if it is viable.

Sleeping giant for sure
 
ReturnOfElfman said:
I don't think they even need rugby to be a top 5 sport for them to be competitive internationally.
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Well they've got a much bigger population than any serious rugby-playing country, and their football team can live with most international sides in a much more global sport, so you're probably right.

Does anyone see past a Bath-Saints final by the way?
 
stavros said:
Well they've got a much bigger population than any serious rugby-playing country, and their football team can live with most international sides in a much more global sport, so you're probably right.

Does anyone see past a Bath-Saints final by the way?
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I'd never write Tigers off, and Sarries will be in there too. I think it's up for grabs.
 
Mr Retro said:
American Football at adult level is only played in the franchises though so the actual adult playing population is tiny. I think the other sports are so different to rugby that those who loved American Football are more likely to move to Rugby if it is viable.

Sleeping giant for sure
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Agree with this completely. Whether rugby can break through as a TV sport depends very much on networks and marketing. It won't happen overnight but given that rugby is custom-made for a significant number of disenfranchised people who don't cut it in the NFL, it will only attract more and more people. Already there have been sell-out crowds for Eagles matches in Chicago and California and the sevens circus draws big crowds in the US. That plus the fact, as mentioned, that a number of US internationals are currently playing professional rugby in Europe.

This summer Leicester Tigers will play in the professional US launch against the Rough Riders, a team of former NFL and college players.

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/22668.php

I can see other Aviva Premiership teams following Saracens down the path of playing fixtures overseas in the future. Kind of like a mirror of the current NFL arrangement of playing games in European cities.
 
BandWagon said:
I'd never write Tigers off, and Sarries will be in there too. I think it's up for grabs.
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I have had a bet @10/1 on Tigers to lift the prize :facepalm:. That's my heart, my head is telling me that this could well be Bath's year if Tigers don't muzzle Ford early on and close down his distribution and kicking game.
 
Mr Retro said:
American Football at adult level is only played in the franchises though so the actual adult playing population is tiny. I think the other sports are so different to rugby that those who loved American Football are more likely to move to Rugby if it is viable.

Sleeping giant for sure
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Melville has talked in the past that Grid-Iron players don't have the fitness, so they are looking at Basketball players from schools getting them to colleges on rugby schloarships for their speed, hand skills and overall fitness. Probably looking lacrosse players too.
 
flypanam said:
Melville has talked in the past that Grid-Iron players don't have the fitness, so they are looking at Basketball players from schools getting them to colleges on rugby schloarships for their speed, hand skills and overall fitness. Probably looking lacrosse players too.
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Very interesting. Would have thought that fitness is the least of their worries as anybody can get fit.
 
flypanam said:
Melville has talked in the past that Grid-Iron players don't have the fitness, so they are looking at Basketball players from schools getting them to colleges on rugby schloarships for their speed, hand skills and overall fitness. Probably looking lacrosse players too.
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How about the medium-sized sluggers who don't make the MLB? They've got pretty good speed and not just in a straight line.
 
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