The Rugby Thread

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pharvey
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The Rugby Thread

Post by pharvey »

As there's only a few on the forum who follow the game played in heaven, it's obviously better to combine the threads on Superbru etc. and any news to one thread. We have the Autumn Internationals coming up, with England, Wales, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, SouthAfrica all taking part - some great matches ahead.

Sadly for me, I open the thread with news of the death of Brian Thomas - his playing days before my time, but I met him on several occasions when playing in my younger years. A great supporter of youth rugby and a great man who will be sadly missed.

From http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... -31356131/


Neath and Wales rugby legend Brian Thomas passed away this morning, aged 72, following a long illness.

He was among the most famous of hard-core forwards to play for Wales during an illustrious career which brought three Five Nations titles, two of them with Triple Crowns.

Thomas, who could play lock or prop, formed a solid and hugely respected second-row partnership with lineout technician Brian Price, acting as unofficial minder to Wales' main jumper.

He won three union Blues while studying at Cambridge University between 1960-62, wearing their colours against South Africa in November 1960.

Two months later, he went into battle again with the Springboks, this time for a combined Neath and Aberavon side.

Thomas captained Neath from 1966-68 and was in Wales squads that went to South Africa (1964), and Fiji, New Zealand and Australia five years later.

He was the mastermind behind Neath becoming the dominant force in Welsh club rugby during the second half of the 1980s and until union went professional in August 1995 after being appointed team manager.

They were crowned Welsh champions four times and lifted the Welsh Cup twice.

Neath also frightened the life out of a supreme New Zealand team before going down 26-15 at The Gnoll in 1989 and were beaten 16-8 by Australia.

Their 16-13 defeat to South Africa was dubbed the Battle of The Gnoll, following a series of punch-ups as Neath refused to be intimidated by the Springboks.

Thomas, a bright and successful businessman with interests in a number of countries, was assisted by coaches Ron Waldron and Glen Ball during his reign.

Neath rugby secretary Mike Price said: "Brian Thomas was an inspiration of his time and for so many people.

"He had been ill for some time but took a turn for the worst. Welsh rugby has lost another great man, a giant of the game and an inspiration.

"In some ways, he was unique, and he probably had, in modern times, nobody has had a greater influence on Neath than Brian.

"He was a wonderful rugby man and an immense leader, on and off the field.

"Brian had a wonderful ability to bring out the best in people. He was a brilliant academic with a razor-sharp mind, who could get to the root off a problem and find a solution."
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things" - Yma o Hyd.
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Re: The Rugby Thread

Post by pharvey »

BB - I believe you're a rugby fan, albeit not of Welsh rugby ( :neener: ), but are you keeping up with the news on English/Bristol rugby? if so, how so - watching through streams or just keeping up on the Internet?

:cheers: :cheers:
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Re: The Rugby Thread

Post by Big Boy »

I'm watching all of my sport on Thai Expat TV these days, so it's just like being at home in the UK with full UK commentary.

Now that I've moved to Thailand, and because of the time differences, I will only be watching major sports events (regardless of sport) e.g. Sunday evening was taken up by the Grand Prix and the Tennis.

Specifically about rugby, I would expect only to watch the Home Internationals and a few other key matches. Of course, this may develop as the season progresses, and other viewing methods come to light, but I hate watching sport too late into the night. Also, I don't fancy waiting up until the small hours on the half chance that a freebie streaming site might work.

I will keep abreast of things via reading about them on the Internet, but the thing that I'm now resigned to is that I might inadvertently miss a crucial match, because I miss reading about it.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Preston NE :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

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Re: The Rugby Thread

Post by pharvey »

New upload on YouTube - great if you record with YouTube Downloader or similar and watch on the TV via media player/laptop: -

2012 Super Rugby Rd 17 Sharks vs Bulls (Full):


:cheers: :cheers:
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Re: The Rugby Thread

Post by Murray »

This ^ was an awesome game, very unpredictable outcome, but a well deserved win for the sharks!
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Re: The Rugby Thread

Post by Arcadian »

I sometimes watch the Super 15? games live and get confused as to where the teams come from, their names give no indication of city or even country. The only one I do know are the Warratahs as my son lives in Sydney and is a supporter. Can anyone list the teams and origins for me please?
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Re: The Rugby Thread

Post by pharvey »

Arcadian wrote:I sometimes watch the Super 15? games live and get confused as to where the teams come from, their names give no indication of city or even country. The only one I do know are the Warratahs as my son lives in Sydney and is a supporter. Can anyone list the teams and origins for me please?
The Super 15 or as it is now called "Super Rugby", is played by 5 teams from each of the 3 "powers of rugby" - South Africa, Australia and of course New Zealand (Wales just can't be @rsed to travel - the only reason one of our teams hasn't won yet!).

Whilst there is the main league table for all 15 teams, each nation has it's own league/Conference of 5 teams: -

From Australia: -

Reds, Brumbies, Waratahs, Melbourne rebels, Western Force.

From South Africa: -

Stormers, Bulls, Sharks, Cheetahs, Lions.

From New Zealand: -

Chiefs, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Blues.

[EDIT] Team Location Added: -
SR.JPG


:cheers: :cheers:
Last edited by pharvey on Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The Rugby Thread

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New uploads: -

2012 Super Rugby Rd 18 Crusaders vs Force (Full) -

2012 Super Rugby Rd 18 Hurricanes vs Chiefs (Full) -

Enjoy :cheers: :cheers:
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Re: The Rugby Thread

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This week's game - 2012 Super Rugby Qualifier 2 Reds vs Sharks (Full)


:cheers: :cheers:
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Re: The Rugby Thread

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This week's game: - 2012 Super Rugby Chiefs vs Crusaders SemiFinal (Full)



:cheers: :cheers:
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Re: The Rugby Thread

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The 2nd of The Weekend's Semi's: - 2012 Super Rugby SemiFinal Sharks vs Stormers (Full)



:cheers: :cheers:
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Re: The Rugby Thread

Post by MajorBloodnok »

G'day my fellow RUGBY aficionados,

unfortunately never got a chance to play this great game myself.
Also as a one-legged hooker I'd run the risk of being lynched by my
team mates for keeping on collapsing the scrum!

Rugby started in Germany pretty early, but unfortunately never caught
on, and stayed a fringe sport, totally ignored by the media.

I am ashamed having to admit that I started as a fan of American Football.
I got to know and like the sport during my first stay in the States in 1965
at the age of 15.
Those were the days when Vince Lombardi's (Lombardi Trophy) GREEN BAY
PACKERS ruled the NFL.
Nowadays my interest is only historical, confined to the sixties.

When cable tv started in Germany in the early 90s, one of the new specialised
sports channels televised the Rugby World Cup.
I have been hooked ever since!

At best I am an enthusiastic dilettante compared to you lot.
I usually fail to spot the 'advantage", but that does not diminish my enjoyment
in any way.

I have no local or club references.
My interest is therefore confined to Rugby internationals.

Even at risk to my physical well-being I am brave enough to admit
that I usually support the Wallabies.
I have a lot of respect for the All Blacks though.

Hoping to be accepted into the brotherhood nevertheless!

"Mike the Fritz"

Mind you, I would never
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Re: The Rugby Thread

Post by MajorBloodnok »

BB.

as for tv coverage - never could persuade my wife that a Sky subsciption was necessary.

So I always missed out on the overseas fixtures as well as the TRI-NATIONS.

With True Vision Gold that will soon be over!

Have a nice Sunday!

"Mike the Fritz"
A GRATEFUL GUEST OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND & HER PEOPLE
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Re: The Rugby Thread

Post by pharvey »

Welcome Mike, as mentioned in the OP, fans of rugby on this forum are in a very "exclusive" group!! :D

If you enjoy your Southern Hemisphere rugby, watch (or download) a couple of the Super 15 matches posted above whilst awaiting your "Gold Package"....... some great games.

Argentina join Australia, South Africa and New Zealand this season to form "The Rugby Championship" - formally the Tri-Nations. This kicks off on August 18th with Australia taking on New Zealand in Sydney.

For a bit of fun, a Prediction League is normally set up where you simply guess the outcome of each match and points difference - I'll post details on how to join a little later if you're interested!!

:cheers: :cheers:
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Re: The Rugby Thread

Post by MajorBloodnok »

G'day Pharvey,

your kind welcoming reply has really made my day! Thanks! :D
(Actually I had been checking the thread every 30 seconds to see
if there had been any reply. :(

This morning I had been in a very depressed mood, and on the verge of
quitting the forum for good. :(

Fortunately your exclusive club turned out to be NOT that exclusive. :D

Always having been an outsider on account of my exotic, foreign, outlandish
preferences I shall cherish the membership of this club the more. :thumb:

Do you watch games together or meet on a regular basis?

If not, I suggest we start dloing so :cheers: !

Have a nice Sunday all of you!

"Mike the Fritz"
A GRATEFUL GUEST OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND & HER PEOPLE
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