The Rugby Thread

[PeteC]

phpC6XPr8PM.jpg (164.67 KiB) Viewed 964 times

[pharvey]

Good news IMHO for the Ospreys and rugby in general as I believe this will lead to further investment in the sport which is desperately needed. We also need to keep the salary cap however so not as to go the way of certain other sports and their overpaid prima donnas.

Full Story: - https://www.planetrugby.com/sports-mark ... n-ospreys/ another link/article @ https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... i-18247447

Sports Marketing Group Takes Majority Stake in Ospreys

"Ospreys announced that an Asian-based sports marketing group, Y11 Sports & Media, has bought a 75.1 per cent stake in the Welsh region.
Ospreys chairman Rob Davies will remain in his role as he and pre-existing shareholders collectively retain a 24.9 per cent stake, with chief executive James Davies-Yandle and financier Donald Tang added as directors on the club’s board.
A new holding company – Ospreys International Group – has been established after the “multi-million-pound” deal, with all the financial benefits made to be put back into the club.
Davies said: “Since the advent of regional rugby, the Ospreys have always aimed to be its pioneers.
“We haven’t been afraid to do things differently and to push the envelope. Today’s announcement is us doing the same again."

[pharvey]

Not a great surprise.... Full Story: - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/ ... july-tests

England and Wales Tours to Japan off After World Rugby Cancels July Tests

* All summer tour matches in southern hemisphere off
* World Rugby to consult on possible autumn switch

"World Rugby has called off the tour matches in the southern hemisphere in July and plans to consult with various stakeholders, including clubs, before rearranging them later in the year when it hopes travel restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus will have eased.

England were due to visit Japan, where Wales were to start at the end of next month before travelling to New Zealand, Ireland had a series in Australia and Scotland were scheduled to face the World Cup holders South Africa."

[pharvey]

Well, we all know I'm completely biased, but this was a period of not only great Welsh players, but also of other nations - Wales just had more of them!!

A 3 part series - unfortunately not great quality picture/video-wise (Laptop/PC only), BUT great quality rugby!!
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ENJOY!!

[pharvey]

Another classic and brutal match - far better video quality and a little less biased!!

[dtaai-maai]

Thanks pharvey , that was a decent way to spend a couple of hours while creating and demolishing a massive fry-up, in spite of the conspicuous absence of England players (which, of course, explains the defeat ).

[pharvey]

Thanks pharvey , that was a decent way to spend a couple of hours while creating and demolishing a massive fry-up, in spite of the conspicuous absence of England players (which, of course, explains the defeat ).

My viewing was enjoyed with a couple of cold ones and a Thai Green Curry courtesy of our Thai next door neighbour...

Some interesting info. from that tour: -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Brit ... ions_squad

[pharvey]

A good idea in principle with much needed funds being raised, but I can't see it happening. There's talk of the Six Nations being moved to April/May which would mean the top players being available for their Clubs/Regions for a longer period/more games. Could you play the Six Nations so close to this tournament? Do you cancel the Six Nations (no way the home unions would give up the financial reward)? And player welfare MUST be considered.

Another 'Rugby World Cup' Proposed Next Year

"An unofficial Rugby World Cup is being proposed for 2021, with claims it could raise up to £250 million for financially hit rugby.

A little under two two years after the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy with their emphatic final win over Eddie Jones' England, another global tournament to be staged in the UK and Ireland has been mooted.

Cardiff's Principality Stadium would be one of the venues used. According to reports other games would be staged at Twickenham, Murrayfield and in Dublin.

However, the matches would force the Lions tour of South Africa to be postponed.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the idea is on the table and has been put forward by Francis Baron, a former chief executive of the England Rugby Union.

The suggestion has already been put before England bosses and World Rugby.

Staged over six weeks in June and July, 16 invited teams would play 31 matches under a plan that has apparently been given the title of "Coronavirus Cup of World Rugby".

Baron told the Telegraph : "I have talked to one or two senior colleagues and they think the country would get right behind it, as they did with the tournament in England in 2015.

“I think the four Home Unions would support it because a number of big matches would be held in each of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

"The key will be winning the support of the southern hemisphere unions but with everyone facing horrendous financial challenges, this is a bold and ambitious plan to raise large amounts of new cash from which they will be major beneficiaries.

“The 2015 World Cup in England generated net profits for the game of around £400million. I believe this proposed special event could generate a net profit for distribution to unions of £200-250m. This would be in addition to the £80m World Rugby support funding package already in place for the global game.”

All profits from the proposed 2021 tournament would be spread around the participating unions, and a support fund started.

"The RFU should take a leadership position and propose to other major unions and World Rugby that a special one-off tournament be held," said Baron."

"Its key selling point is that all the money raised would be for keeping the game of rugby going around the world."


Reported in Walesonline: - https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... p-18315357

[dtaai-maai]

I'm sick to death of just a tad bored with all the ancient videos posted by pharvey of the olden days when Wales used to have a half decent rugby team, so as an antidote I'm watching Building Jerusalem. You don't need me to explain what it's about. I've got it on Amazon Prime, but I'm sure you resourceful non-Amazonians can find a way...

@pharvey - watch and enjoy, my friend!

[pharvey]

Ahh come on DM, I've not been "completely biased" with regards to the best team and country on the planet - we all love "One Kick Johnny", even us God Given Welsh.... Who can argue a World Cup Victory? We (and others) just tend to love to beat you.....

And hey, come one - it's not just Wales: -
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Will certainly have a look at "Building Jerusalem", but can't say I respect Woodward..... You might enjoy this though: -
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[pharvey]

"Former All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter has made a surprise return to New Zealand domestic rugby after an absence of five years by joining the Auckland Blues."

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/ ... ew-zealand

[PeteC]

Yeah, I was just reading about that. Only $18,000 for the season if he stays, backup only and it's going to take him 1 month+ to get into playing condition. It sounds like "I need something to do....". Perhaps a step to a coaching position in a few years.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a ... d=12337052

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/dan-cart ... the-field/

[PeteC]

phpPjA8qMAM.jpg (197.49 KiB) Viewed 249 times

https://www.superxv.com/live-crowds-to- ... by-matches

[pharvey]

This is just ridiculous to me - how in the hell does this help the game?!

An excerpt from: - https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... y-aotearoa

"Super Rugby Aotearoa, comprising the five Kiwi Super Rugby franchises, will also be the first professional competition to allow players to be replaced after they're shown a red card.

Once player is sent from the field, the affected team must wait 20 minutes before fielding a replacement. The red-carded player can't return and will still face a judicial process."

[Dannie Boy]

This is just ridiculous to me - how in the hell does this help the game?!

An excerpt from: - https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... y-aotearoa

"Super Rugby Aotearoa, comprising the five Kiwi Super Rugby franchises, will also be the first professional competition to allow players to be replaced after they're shown a red card.

Once player is sent from the field, the affected team must wait 20 minutes before fielding a replacement. The red-carded player can't return and will still face a judicial process."

I’m not a big rugby follower, so whilst I can understand you not liking this specific rule change, I actually like the idea of an “orange” card, whereby the offending team are penalised for (in this example) 20 minutes, giving the opposition a limited time frame in which to take advantage of the superior numbers. I know a sin bin rule already exists for a yellow card, but this would be a halfway house between yellow and red - I’d definitely like to see this in football (Wendyball)


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