The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Rob ... gby_union)

That guy is waiting in the wings and I'd be surprised if he didn't get the job. He's done an incredible job with the Crusaders for years. If he doesn't get it, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_MacDonald probably will.

Well, New Zealand obviously dropped the ball in ignoring him in 2019 (hindsight is wonderful...). Some interesting comments and Podcast from the man himself below: -

"Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has put the rugby world on red alert by saying he is open to offers to coach one of New Zealand's rivals at the 2027 World Cup.

Despite winning a raft of Super Rugby titles, Robertson was overlooked for the All Blacks job in 2019 with Ian Foster ultimately getting the nod. And, with New Zealand Rugby seemingly set to stick with Foster despite their current struggles, it would appear that Robertson has had enough of waiting for the big job to become available.

Speaking on a podcast with former Scotland international Jim Hamilton, Robertson outlined his desire to win a World Cup with two different countries. That declaration alone will likely catch the attention of many governing bodies in the sport, with England and Wales just two nations who will see their current coaches' contracts expire after next year's World Cup in France.

"If New Zealand Rugby want me, great," Robertson told The Big Jim Show, also adding that his knock-back by New Zealand Rugby after the 2019 World Cup had taught him to "keep your options open".

"If there is another country - I wouldn't go to a club now - I really want to go to Rugby World Cup. I genuinely want to go to a couple. It's one job [All Blacks coach] and when someone doesn't give it to you, you have to think differently about what opportunities are out there.""

More @ https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... n-24597469


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Oh please replace Pivac and co. after France!!

[pharvey]

Well, only time will tell......

Nigel Owens Slams Rugby's New Red Card Tial and Accuses Bosses of Trying to 'Paper Over Cracks'

"The issue of head injuries is front and centre of the rugby agenda right now, with the Rugby Championship to have 20-minute red cards next week.

Nigel Owens believes the Rugby Championship's decision to introduce a 20-minute red card is wrong, but he also insists players should not be sent off for accidental head collisions if they have done everything possible to make a legal tackle.

Owens believes some sense can be brought to rugby's confused disciplinary lottery amid a backdrop of legal action against governing bodies from players suffering the effects of brain damage.

The summer internationals saw a raft of controversial decisions, with some players dismissed and others let off for seemingly similar infringements around the tackle area.

Owens claims introducing the 20-minute red card, which allows teams to replace a red-carded player after 20 minutes, is akin to slashing the punishment for speeding. He says it will significantly reduce the deterrent to players around illegal tackles.

But he is calling for an end to red cards for accidental collisions, saying it is impossible to play a game of rugby without them happening."

Full Article @ https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... w-24619358

[lindosfan1]

A red card should not be for 20 minutes, that idea is daft. The deciding between accidental or deliberate head collisions most of the time it will be obvious, but there will be many borderline cases that will be a difficult decision fo the referee.

[pharvey]

A red card should not be for 20 minutes, that idea is daft. The deciding between accidental or deliberate head collisions most of the time it will be obvious, but there will be many borderline cases that will be a difficult decision fo the referee.

On the Red Card issue, there have been many which are shall we say..... "Borderline". A Red Card can crucify the team and the spectacle, but safety is of course paramount. How can you compare a very marginal "Tip Tackle" with no malice and deliberate gouging or an elbow to the head for example? All of which are of course Red Cards at the moment.

I'm far more in favour of a "Traffic Light System" : -

RED: Out and out off the field - Violent Play, Deliberate Foul Play, Professional Foul Preventing a Score etc.
AMBER: 20 or 25 mins off the pitch. Dropped from RED due to Mitigating Circumstances (NOT INCLUDING VIOLENT PLAY). High/Tip Tackle with zero malice and "accidental", borderline RED etc.
YELLOW: 10 mis off the pitch. Leave pretty much as is......

There are certainly several rules and their interpretations that need to be reviewed IMHO, but simply putting a RED Card to 20 mins is idiotic and opens the game up to more "Professional Play" and could quite frankly make it more dangerous. This is a clear example of the Bean Counters concerned over finances/popularity of the sport rather than Player Safety.

[lindosfan1]

I like the amber idea, certainly the 20 minute red card idea is ridiculous. My other complaint is the amount of stoppages in a game and a bad referee makes it worse. The one that really annoys me is the time taken to take a scrum I know I will get shouted at but in rugby league a scrum is just a quick put it in and it always goes to the side that puts in. Doing that would lessen the injuries and stoppage time in the union game.

[pharvey]

My other complaint is the amount of stoppages in a game and a bad referee makes it worse.

Well, the amount of stoppages comes under the bit where the rules and regulations need to be reviewed IMHO. The game has moved on considerably with regards to physicality and the pure size and athleticism of these guys. Unfortunately, the rules and governance hasn't moved on at the same pace.
As for the refereeing, it can't be controlled by simple rule changes as such, but a simplification of the rules would certainly help.

The one that really annoys me is the time taken to take a scrum I know I will get shouted at but in rugby league a scrum is just a quick put it in and it always goes to the side that puts in.

Well, you said it - "Just a quick put it in and it always goes to the side that puts in"..... There's no such thing as a scrummage in Rugby League. It's 6 blokes having a quick cuddle and a kiss on the cheek before the ball is passed out. It might as well simply be a free-kick/pass.

We all get pi$$ed off at times with the scrummage in Rugby Union and the time it can take (resets etc), but the "Dark Arts" of the Front-Row can be fascinating. Ultimately, it comes down to the multitude of rules involved and the referee's interpretation of them. The scrummage is a huge part of the game and must stay IMHO, BUT rules need to be simplified/reviewed.

[PeteC]

Rugby Championship

Things kick off this weekend, don't forget your picks. We have 8 playing as of today.

Pharvey, please be so kind as to do your normal expert commentary for these matches.

[pharvey]

Rugby Championship
Pharvey, please be so kind as to do your normal expert commentary for these matches.

Oh, far from an expert, but happy to spout some Welsh nonsense from time to time

[PeteC]

Full information about the upcoming Rugby Championship.


https://mailchi.mp/sanzarrugby/the-rugb ... 6a310cf4a1

[pharvey]

Full information about the upcoming Rugby Championship.

https://mailchi.mp/sanzarrugby/the-rugb ... 6a310cf4a1

Thanks for that Pete. Looking forward to the rugby this weekend - 4pm KO for SA vs NZ, 8pm for ARG vs AUS

SA vs NZ is a tough one to call - NZ on a dire run for them and will be going all out to put things right. SA at home and playing at altitude.... Regardless, always close between these two and is going to be a hell of a game - let's see what the new coaching team can do!!

[PeteC]

This could have significant impact on their series with Argentina. He must have some severe problems at home. All the best to him.

Michael Hooper: Australian captain not in right 'mindset' to play for Wallabies

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/62444647

Australia captain Michael Hooper has withdrawn from Saturday's Rugby Championship opener away to Argentina and will return home as he is not in the right "mindset" to play.

Rugby Australia said Hooper had informed the team of his decision.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said Hooper had "shown true courage".

"While this decision did not come easily I know it is the right one for me and the team at this point in time," said Hooper, 30.

"My whole career I've looked to put the team first and I don't feel I am able to fulfil my responsibilities at the moment in my current mindset."

Prop James Slipper will lead the side in Mendoza with Fraser McReight replacing Hooper as flanker.

Hooper, who made his Wallabies debut in 2012 and has won 121 caps, last year passed George Gregan's record for most Tests as captain.

Rennie said: "Michael's one of the most professional and impressive men I've coached - I know this has been a difficult decision for him.

"He's shown true courage by acknowledging where he is at and acting on it.

"We will support him in any way we can and I know the team will be focused on getting the job done tomorrow [Saturday]."

Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos added: "Michael is an incredible leader, it takes a brave man to identify where he's at and come forward while having the best interests of the team at heart.

"His wellbeing is and remains the highest priority right now where Rugby Australia and the Australian Rugby community will do everything to support him and his family."

[pharvey]

^ Certainly a huge loss for Australia.

Wish him the best.

[pharvey]

Well, 5 losses from 6 and their 3rd straight....... At 26-10, the Blackness suffered their biggest defeat against the Boks in nigh on 100 years!!

Crazy penalty count against them and completely outplayed at the breakdown (Marx absolutely immense) - and beaten just about everywhere else. I can't remember ever seeing a run of results like this for the AB's - I'll have to Google-it

Foster however insists it was a big improvement in performance - well, they best had improve some more before next week's match!!

On this performance, they're looking at 4 defeats on the bounce with SA next round, but Argentina at home the following two rounds which they must be favourites for. Will home wins be enough to save Foster - he's certainly running out of lives. His one saving grace is that no-one really wants to change a Head Coach so close to the RWC...... The NZ Rugby Public are bloody demanding though!

Didn't get to see the Pumas vs Aus, so can't comment there.

[PeteC]

Standings Round #1

phpJw3e4uAM.jpg (16.08 KiB) Viewed 339 times

[PeteC]

Round #2 build up:

https://mailchi.mp/sanzarrugby/the-rugb ... 6a310cf4a1