Rugby Union 2017-18

[gawkrodger]

apparently the Scarlets toulon game was the best of the weekend. Will watch the Sarries Saints game in a min.

Oh, and read two articles today which states Howley is firm favourite to take over from Gatland in 2019 What the fuck?!

 

[bendeus]

apparently the Scarlets toulon game was the best of the weekend. Will watch the Sarries Saints game in a min.

Oh, and read two articles today which states Howley is firm favourite to take over from Gatland in 2019 What the fuck?!

Turks could've won that. Think they'll edge the return leg. Impressive result, especially given the number of key players they're missing.

Fixture scheduling might well fuck them, though. It's bloody criminal that they're playing Toulon today and Bath on Friday.

As for Stan, it has always been on the cards. Doesn't make it any less batshit crazy though. Everyone knows he's a shit coach but they're going to anoint him anyway.

 

[J Ed]

This Saints - Saracens quite entertaining so far

 

[gawkrodger]

This Saints - Saracens quite entertaining so far

and it's pretty clear why Sarries are double (at this rate triple) Euro champs

 

[Teaboy]

Well this Rhys Webb think doesn't look great for Wales. I understand its a difficult thing to balance players financial expectations in the modern game with looking to maintain a strong club set-up and presumably the future production line for talent. I just don't think Wales can expect to be competitive if they let players like Webb slip through their fingers because of politics.

 

[bendeus]

Well this Rhys Webb think doesn't look great for Wales. I understand its a difficult thing to balance players financial expectations in the modern game with looking to maintain a strong club set-up and presumably the future production line for talent. I just don't think Wales can expect to be competitive if they let players like Webb slip through their fingers because of politics.

Yeah. We're fucked, basically

 

[bendeus]

Interesting proposal from Moore on how to reduce injuries: change sub laws to ensure players have to stay on for 80 minutes unless genuinely injured. This would have two effects: reduced player bulk to last the distance and fewer massive, fresh players coming on in the later stages to fuck people up. It would also completely screw Eddie's England tactics, which would be no bad thing.
Brian Moore suggests potential solution to the alarming rate of injuries in the Aviva Premiership | Ruck

 

[1927]

Yeah. We're fucked, basically

Atleast Stan has announced he’s goi g when Garland goes, that has to be cause for celebration!

Also, Biggar doesn’t have 60 caps yet. If he gets injured before he gets the required number he’ll be unavailable to us too! And Ross Moriarty is out of contract soon and would also be unavailable. We truly have fucked our selves in the arse with a very big thing!

 

[Teaboy]

Interesting proposal from Moore on how to reduce injuries: change sub laws to ensure players have to stay on for 80 minutes unless genuinely injured. This would have two effects: reduced player bulk to last the distance and fewer massive, fresh players coming on in the later stages to fuck people up. It would also completely screw Eddie's England tactics, which would be no bad thing.
Brian Moore suggests potential solution to the alarming rate of injuries in the Aviva Premiership | Ruck

Genuine injuries only you say?

 

[1927]

Interesting proposal from Moore on how to reduce injuries: change sub laws to ensure players have to stay on for 80 minutes unless genuinely injured. This would have two effects: reduced player bulk to last the distance and fewer massive, fresh players coming on in the later stages to fuck people up. It would also completely screw Eddie's England tactics, which would be no bad thing.
Brian Moore suggests potential solution to the alarming rate of injuries in the Aviva Premiership | Ruck

I know it’s turning the clock back, but I think it’s a good idea!

 

[bendeus]

Genuine injuries only you say?

Yeah, I thought the same. Still, if it disadvantages England I'm willing to put up with almost anything

 

[Teaboy]

Its not inherently bad idea. Problem is suggestions for turning back the clock or undoing stuff are seldom well received. I can't see it happening but I can see why a country that is currently is the process of attempting to disqualify some of their best players would be keen.

Also I think its a bit generous calling it a tactic to have a bigger and better squad. Eddie Jones may have trademarked the whole 'finishers' thing but really its just doing what every other coach does he just happens to have the luxury of a bench which is as good (if not better) than those who started. Its all thanks to a development system he had nothing to do with.

 

[1927]

I’d actually look at other law changes which have impacted on injury rates. Lifting in line out, bring back proper rucking and the need to stay on feet at ruck, and expose neck and back to injury.

 

[OzT]

Not sure what you mean by proper rucking 1927, do you mean allowed to use feet to ruck players out? I am for that by the way, stop lazy getting out the way and slowing down attacks.

Scrums I think have been getting better, still prefer the older style of engaging and no side allowed to push before the ball goes in. Line outs without lifting becomes more of a lottery I think, whereas now it is 90% advantage to the side throwing in.

But I do agree that the tendency now for impact subs are just that, fit strong blokes coming on and hitting the tired starting players. If we are not careful may go the way of Amercian football with virtually new squad every play.

 

[gawkrodger]

Interesting talk of the Scottish Rugby Union buying/gaining a controlling share in Worcester

 

[Mr Retro]

Interesting proposal from Moore on how to reduce injuries: change sub laws to ensure players have to stay on for 80 minutes unless genuinely injured. This would have two effects: reduced player bulk to last the distance and fewer massive, fresh players coming on in the later stages to fuck people up. It would also completely screw Eddie's England tactics, which would be no bad thing.
Brian Moore suggests potential solution to the alarming rate of injuries in the Aviva Premiership | Ruck

I agree with him, would love if they went back to the old rules.

 

[gawkrodger]

Yes! Wasps finally looked like the team of last season (though Le Roux is still mightly off)

 

[Threshers_Flail]

Interesting talk of the Scottish Rugby Union buying/gaining a controlling share in Worcester

Can't see the RFU allowing another union to interfere like that. Plus would provoke a conflict of interest case if Worcester ever play Edinburgh or Glasgow in Europe.

 

[Threshers_Flail]

Also, not wanting to take anything away from the lad but Sam Crosss must have been surprised as anyone seeing himself included in the Welsh squad consider he's only played 80 mins of professional rugby in his career.

Wales Autumn squad.

 

[gawkrodger]

is he the 7s guy who had a cuddle with Faz in the Ospreys/Sarries game?

 

[Teaboy]

Is anyone capable of explaining the decision making process on these disciplinary committees? It appears to the untrained eye that they are just making it up as they go along.

Oh and lol at Wales selecting a kiwi who isn't even qualified to play for them yet. That's beyond needy, that's plain desperate.

 

[OzT]

the barbarians scored an up-the-jumper try against the wallabies and it was disallowed for unsporting conduct.

What a shame, after all, it is a barbarians game, meant for entertinment, crowd loved it, should have stood I reckon.

Good game cause a few ex wallabies against current wallabies, there was more than a bit of bite in the game!! Shame we have lost Dempsey for the tour though, he had been very good for us this season. Not only lost Dempsey, looks like we may lose Tui and Arnold too as well. But will give us a chance to blood newbies on the tour.

 

[bendeus]

Also, not wanting to take anything away from the lad but Sam Crosss must have been surprised as anyone seeing himself included in the Welsh squad consider he's only played 80 mins of professional rugby in his career.

Wales Autumn squad.

Farcical, no? Given the obvious talent of Thomas Young you have to wonder what he's done to piss on Gatland's chips that he'd be overlooked for a sevens player who managed to put in one decent performance in the only full game he's ever played. This squad looks as weak and unbalanced as any I can remember since the dark days of the 90s and early noughties

 

[Reiabuzz]

I see Wales have recruited a kiwi to play for them but won’t let welshmen who ply their trade outside wales into the national team. Bonkers!

 

[Teaboy]

I don't know what everyone else thinks but there feels like a bit of a change happening this AI series, like a changing of the guard and more focus on the next World Cup.

It'll be interesting to see what Jones does with England. He's already excluded Haskell and Tom Wood from the squad it'll be increasingly hard for him to start with Hartley over Jamie George especially after the Lions tour. The same could probably be said at tight head had it not been for Sinckler's suspension. The finishers thing has worked well but there comes a time when you have to start with your best team.

What is certain is that he still hasn't uncovered and decent young flankers and by decent I mean top class. We really struggle in that area and I'm not convinced about Itoje at 6. If we are to win the WC in two years time this is a problem that needs resolving.

 

[Threshers_Flail]

Sam Underhill looks tidy, no?

 

[Teaboy]

Sam Underhill looks tidy, no?

Well this is it, up to this point its been a problem so I'm hoping he can fix it. We'll see when Underhill gets his chance.

ETA: Just done a bit more reading on Underhill's background. Born in the US and went to Uni in Wales, sounds like the perfect fit for England. He did go to the same school as my g/f though which is mildly interesting.

 

[Threshers_Flail]

Yh it has been a relative weak point, prob only area where England are lacking tbh.

 

[flypanam]

Henshaw and Aki for Ireland at 12 and 13. Could be a good autumn for us.

 

[gawkrodger]

interested to see how Aki does on the international stage