The Rugby Thread

[Big Boy]

WTF

I've just had another look for highlights.......

[Big Boy]

Found them

https://www.premiershiprugby.com/watch/ ... stol-bears

[PeteC]

phpRzowdiAM.jpg (124.12 KiB) Viewed 332 times

[pharvey]

^ Unfortunately, I think this has to be a game to far for the Pumas (hope I'm wrong).... Third game on the trot for Argentina, a break for the AB's who will certainly out to "correct the world order". By AB's standards, they are not on a good run, 2 back to back losses - I had heard that this was a first for 98 tests, but can't find the reference - can't see them having 3 on the bounce.

[PeteC]

phpmV17fEAM.jpg (246.32 KiB) Viewed 310 times

All the big guns are lining up for this one.

[pharvey]

"Rugby City" again tonight and this Saturday

Tonight (UK) - Newcastle vs Sale Sharks.... Will be very interesting to see how Newcastle do.

Saturday (UK): -

The AB's vs The Pumas first thing, Bristol vs Worcester, WALES vs ENGLAND Exeter vs Bath... choices and recordings galore!! Cider and Pizza at the ready, LHG out for the day.... BLISS!! Aside from probable devastation come the result from Llanelli (and Devon)..... I shall however hold faith until then

The WRU offer a free online programme which tends to be very interesting (at least for me). I've not shared this previously as hadn't thought there would be others interested - however, as there's a few Lillywhite supporters, here's the link: -

https://www.wru.wales/wales-v-england-d ... OE,4C578,1

[pharvey]

First game up, oh dear, it's "Wayne Barnes".....

[dtaai-maai]

My problem with Barnes is not his refereeing, but that bouncy ball-of-the-foot walk/run he has. Irrational and probably discriminatory, but for some reason it really irritates me...

[dtaai-maai]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55103616

Only twice in their last 10 meetings has the winning margin been in double digits. They are contests as tight as piano wire, if a good deal less harmonious.

This time, with Wales only halting a run of six defeats last weekend and England steaming in on the back of six straight victories, the bookmakers reckon a 15-point England win is par.

Some in Wales are openly talking about a decent performance being an acceptable outcome, with defeat almost a given.

'As long as we beat the English'? 'As long as we don't get beaten out of sight' has less of a ring.

Aside from probable devastation come the result from Llanelli

All deeply worrying... I pray England don't fall for all this crap and start believing the game is won before it starts!

[PeteC]

All Blacks vs Argentina. They said 37c a few hours before the match, then 33c at start. I hope that the temp on the field and not out in the parking lot. If it is outside, it must be 35+ on the field. First 10 minutes and everyone is sweating buckets. I think they have an every 20 minute water break schedule. It's going to be a test of endurance.

[dtaai-maai]

AB 31-0 Argentina

Normal service resumed. Dominance and pressure from the All Blacks, too many unforced errors from the Argies, in spite of some good defensive work. Their scrum half was abysmal (IMO) in just about every aspect of his game. All Black forward very lucky not to get a red card in the last minute for a forearm to the head, not that it would have changed anything.

[PeteC]

38 - 0. You missed the last try at 85 minutes. . The planet is now spinning correctly again, and the world is in order.

That's the end of the All Blacks short season.

[dtaai-maai]

I lost count!

[dtaai-maai]

Wales 13-24 England (could have been worse if Farrell had had his kicking boots on - 8 very gettable points went a-begging)

Pretty much as expected, sadly. Nothing to write home about, and not much by way of bragging rights for England. Wales were reasonably strong defensively, but had nothing much to offer in the way of an attacking threat. Dour stuff by and large, although it became a bit more entertaining in the final 30 minutes when England decided to open up a bit.

It seems pretty clear that Jones believes this kicking barrage is the way to go, but it doesn't make for a great game of rugby. What's more, England look so much better when they keep the ball in hand! By all means boot it up every now and then, but all the top teams will be expecting that now - maybe that's the secret plan, to lull them into a false sense of security...

I did wonder at one point whether pharvey was going to complain about Wayne Poite refereeing the game, but I think he was fairly even-handed.

[dtaai-maai]

Premiership: Exeter Chiefs 40-3 Bath - Spectacular Tom O'Flaherty try helps Chiefs to victory

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55044842

I didn't see the game, but... oh dear...