The Rugby Thread

[PeteC]

Five South African sides to play in European competition next season

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/61672195

Five South African club sides will play in European competition next season, organisers have announced.

The Stormers, Bulls and Sharks, who qualified second, fourth and fifth from the United Rugby Championship (URC), will play in the Champions Cup.

The Lions, who finished 12th, will play in the Challenge Cup, while the Cheetahs, who have not played in the URC, have been invited into the event..............

[pharvey]

Well, the Premiership Table at the end of "normal play" - Play-off's and Final to be played: -
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Premiership-Final.jpg (128.38 KiB) Viewed 385 times

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Whilst Leicester held top spot throughout, Bath were an utter disgrace and finish dead last. They have a "free season" as such (2022-2023) for a top-to-bottom clearout and rebuild as relegation/promotion will be reintroduced for the 2023-2024 season. They will not get another "Get Out of Jail Free Card" - they didn't deserve one this season (or next)!!

Leicester vs Northampton & Saracens vs Quins will play the Semi's Saturday 11.06.2022 - two cracking looking games

[pharvey]

Five South African sides to play in European competition next season

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/61672195

Can't say I agree with it to be honest, as IMHO it's ultimately going to lead to SA joining the (now) 6 Nations. Should have really seen it coming with them joining the URC despite assurances otherwise.

The SA teams have certainly brought much needed finances with them to the URC and the Celtic/Italian franchises, but playing in a wholly European club or International competition is another matter - probably a bit of a two-faced opinion on my part though I guess!!

[pharvey]

Match Programme for the upcoming "Super Rugby Pacific Semi-Finals" to be played over 10-11.06.2022: -

https://www.flipsnack.com/tahs2015/srp- ... -view.html

Crusaders vs Chiefs - Friday 10th

Blues vs Brumbies - Saturday 11th

[PeteC]

The Blues (by the skin of their teeth) vs the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific final next week.

[pharvey]

Very sad news - one of true greats of Welsh and world rugby. Will be missed by the rugby community and many more..... RIP "Benny".

Wales Rugby Legend Phil Bennett Dies Aged 73

"Wales and Lions great Phil Bennett has passed away aged 73 after battling a long illness.

The news was announced by the Scarlets, for whom he played 413 games and scored 2,535 points over 15 seasons.

One of Welsh rugby’s finest ever players, he won 29 caps for Wales between 1969 and 1978, featuring in two Five Nations Grand Slam-winning teams. In the second of those, in 1978, he led the side and scored two tries as they completed their clean sweep of victories by beating France in Cardiff.

The diminutive fly-half also starred with the Lions in South Africa in 1974 and skippered the world-famous tourists in New Zealand three years later,

There were also unforgettable deeds for the Barbarians, with the twinkle-toed west Walian triggering the try scored by Gareth Edwards against New Zealand in 1973 that is still regarded by some as the greatest touchdown ever scored."

Full Article: - https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... dium=email

[EDIT] BBC Obituary @ https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/59951331

[pharvey]

Full match programme.

Grand Final - Blues vs Crusaders 18.06.2022

https://www.flipsnack.com/tahs2015/srp- ... -view.html

[PeteC]

Full match programme.

Grand Final - Blues vs Crusaders 18.06.2022

https://www.flipsnack.com/tahs2015/srp- ... -view.html

On live at 1410 hours TRUE channel 669.

[dtaai-maai]

Premiership final, Leicester - Sarries

Not a classic by any means, but I'm glad the better team scraped a win, particularly in the circumstances.

[pharvey]

Premiership final, Leicester - Sarries

Not a classic by any means, but I'm glad the better team scraped a win, particularly in the circumstances.

Far from a classic and certainly didn't live up to expectations IMO. Semi-Final weekend was the better...... Happy Saracens didn't win (can't say happy for Leicester as I'm a Bath supporter!! ).

A fair bit of debate over the Yellow Card handed to Aled Davies. Personally I think the Yellow was fair, but under the strictest sense of the laws, direct contact to the head was made, so it could well have been a Red. Some mitigating circumstances (force etc.), BUT does he wrap his left arm?
.

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[pharvey]

On live at 1410 hours TRUE channel 669.

Didn't get to see it and haven't found a link for the highlights (yet).... How was it Pete?

[PeteC]

On live at 1410 hours TRUE channel 669.

Didn't get to see it and haven't found a link for the highlights (yet).... How was it Pete?

It was terrible. The Blues got their head handed to them on a platter. I don't know if it was nerves, wet weather or what. They couldn't even do a throw in correctly over and over again. Either bad case of nerves, or simply exhausted at the end of the season.

[dtaai-maai]

A fair bit of debate over the Yellow Card handed to Aled Davies. Personally I think the Yellow was fair, but under the strictest sense of the laws, direct contact to the head was made, so it could well have been a Red. Some mitigating circumstances (force etc.), BUT does he wrap his left arm?

For me, it was unquestionably a red as the rules have been interpreted all season. I can understand the reluctance to send someone off in such a big game, but IMO that's all it was.

[pharvey]

A fair bit of debate over the Yellow Card handed to Aled Davies. Personally I think the Yellow was fair, but under the strictest sense of the laws, direct contact to the head was made, so it could well have been a Red. Some mitigating circumstances (force etc.), BUT does he wrap his left arm?

For me, it was unquestionably a red as the rules have been interpreted all season. I can understand the reluctance to send someone off in such a big game, but IMO that's all it was.

He didn't go in with the tackle with any force, though he didn't wrap his left arm and certainly made contact with the head. As per the rules and as per the way things have been refereed this season and previously, it's a Red.

I don't honestly believe there was anything malicious - he didn't go in with any force, reaction time in defence? There's plenty we need to look at with regards to the rules - obviously player welfare is key, but it is after all a very physical game.

[pharvey]

It was terrible. The Blues got their head handed to them on a platter. I don't know if it was nerves, wet weather or what. They couldn't even do a throw in correctly over and over again. Either bad case of nerves, or simply exhausted at the end of the season.

Thanks for the link Pete - spoke to Dai_L later who was at the match. Pretty much a waste of a match in his opinion, though he enjoyed the visit and the beers afterwards!!

He tells me that the ARU and NZRU are banging heads over the Super Rugby Pacific and things could come to an end after the 2023 agreement...

Seems the ARU want to go it alone (stupidity in my book)........