The Rugby Union Thread

Gassage

So- one of the most amazing moments of my life- got to ask Siya Kolisi the first Q of the presser at the biggest rugby event in history.

2.03 in.

guitars4you

@gassage - So much time for Kolisli - I'd be amazed if he did not go into politics - He is so humble - talks so much sense and speaks for his people 

Blaendulais

guitars4you said:

@gassage - So much time for Kolisli - I'd be amazed if he did not go into politics - He is so humble - talks so much sense and speaks for his people 

In which case is he badly suited ?

rsvmark

Wayne Barnes announced his retirement from refereeing

tbm

Warmed to Barnes over the years. 

 I remember Leinster v Clermont ERC group game  from about 10 years ago with some genuinely baffling decisions, but he's certainly one of the best refs around. I think he was the first one I heard using players names in play, like "use it now Conor!" "No Peter, NO!". It annoyed me at first but I got to quite like it.

ewal

I didn't like the way he used player's names, because clearly he didn't/couldn't know everyone's names, only the 'big' or players he'd ref'ed a few times. As such, he had a different relationship with some players than he did with others. Which is wrong basically.

p90fool

And it's cringey. 

BluesLover

Well done Red Roses, beating NZ 33-12.

fretmeister

ewal said:

I didn't like the way he used player's names, because clearly he didn't/couldn't know everyone's names, only the 'big' or players he'd ref'ed a few times. As such, he had a different relationship with some players than he did with others. Which is wrong basically.

Or he learned them for the match.

Schnozz

The English women's rugby league team savaged the Welsh 60 - 0

rsvmark

Interesting that many players from the RWC played yesterday. Some were rested. Not that anything nefarious is going on because they were everywhere so it must have been permitted under the guidelines but isn’t this another example of piss poor player welfare?

Mnay of the players went straight from the end of the domestic season into training camp. Those that didn’t were still playing in the prem final iirc. So they had the summer in training camp, then went to France. While my thoughts are obviously around England players, I am not so sure the Welsh or Irish players had a break. Under normal circumstances I think players have a mandated rest period of 6 weeks over the summer.

Am I right in this or over thinking it. 

exocet

Schnozz said:

The English women's rugby league team savaged the Welsh 60 - 0

Hardly a surprise, a bit like commenting on Man City thumping a non- league team. Womens Pro Rugby League in Wales is less developed even  than RU (and that only became Pro in the last couple of years). England Women have played in a RL WC as "England" since 2008. Welsh Women's RL only became a thing in 2019 according to Wikipedia?

sev112

So Wales have apparently now run out of fit fly halves

What happened to Sheedy - he looked a very good prospect?

sev112

Sunday night wacky idea

Team reduced to 11 players

6 forwards , by “removing” the two wing forwards

5 backs - whether remove 1 half back and 1 centre, or 2 wingers, or whatever you want


integrity of game maintained, scrums backs and forwards, but create space on the pitch 

crunchman

sev112 said:

Sunday night wacky idea

Team reduced to 11 players

6 forwards , by “removing” the two wing forwards

5 backs - whether remove 1 half back and 1 centre, or 2 wingers, or whatever you want


integrity of game maintained, scrums backs and forwards, but create space on the pitch 

Not so good at lower levels.   The players aren't fit enough to cover that amount of ground.  There is a reason a sevens match is only 14 minutes long.

exocet

sev112 said:

So Wales have apparently now run out of fit fly halves

What happened to Sheedy - he looked a very good prospect?

He doesn’t play in Wales and doesn’t have enough caps to qualify. I can’t remember what the cap rule was reduced to but pretty sure he’s under it. That said, if there’s no one else in Wales that is suitable, I suspect he’ll be given another call up.

Schnozz

exocet said:

Schnozz said:

The English women's rugby league team savaged the Welsh 60 - 0

Hardly a surprise, a bit like commenting on Man City thumping a non- league team. Womens Pro Rugby League in Wales is less developed even  than RU (and that only became Pro in the last couple of years). England Women have played in a RL WC as "England" since 2008. Welsh Women's RL only became a thing in 2019 according to Wikipedia?

Excuses, excuses... The game has been around since the 1800s, so more than enough time for them to sort their shit out.

Savaged 'em

fretmeister

PSA:

ITV are showing Saints -v- Chiefs today for free.

drofluf

fretmeister said:

PSA:

ITV are showing Saints -v- Chiefs today for free.

Thanks

Gassage

Just had an amazing hour interviewing Mike Tadjer, the incredible Portugal hooker- one of the characters of the Rugby World Cup- on his retirement. What an inspirational man. He plays classical guitar and has a beautiful Alvarez.