The Rugby Thread

[dtaai-maai]

I'm watching Bristol-Sale. I'm all for 'line speed' in defence, but there seems to be an awful lot of offside IMO, particularly when defending on or near the try line. Alomost impossible for the referee to spot, but surely the TMO should be able to step in.

[pharvey]

I'm watching Bristol-Sale. I'm all for 'line speed' in defence, but there seems to be an awful lot of offside IMO, particularly when defending on or near the try line. Alomost impossible for the referee to spot, but surely the TMO should be able to step in.

Have not seen it yet (recorded) as I was watching Glasgow vs Scarlets

The "Rush Defence" these days seems to have players constantly offside - another simple rule along with feeding in the scrummage and players in front of a kick/kick-off that is being ignored by referees. Either referee the rule/law correctly or scrap/change it!

It's difficult when the game needs to be quick and "stoppages" reduced, but something needs to be done - clear and definitive applications of the rules/laws for one!

[pharvey]

Could be interesting!!

"The Barbarians will take on a World XV on Sunday 28 May 2023 at Twickenham Stadium in London. Ex-England boss Eddie Jones will coach the Baa-Baas while former All Blacks boss Steve Hansen will coach the World XV."
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[pharvey]

Something had to be done that's for sure - and this seems to be a sensible approach for once!


New TMO Bunker System Could be Trialled in Test Games Before World Cup

"A so-called television match official bunker system to review contentious on-field incidents could be trialled at Test level before the World Cup in France later this year. This season's ongoing Super Rugby Pacific tournament is trialling the innovation, and that will now extend to the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in South Africa this summer, World Rugby said.

World Rugby added that consideration will be given to furthering the trial in the Test arena ahead of the World Cup "if the trial is deemed successful and further adoption is supported by the elite rugby stakeholders, including importantly match officials, players, unions and competitions".

Clear and obvious red cards for foul play, including contact with the head, will receive a red card from the match referee resulting in the player being permanently removed from the game and unable to be replaced.

But for any incident where a red card is not obvious, a yellow card will be issued with the player being sent to the sin-bin while dedicated foul play reviewers in a central bunker look at the incident using all available technology and footage. Once 10 minutes has elapsed, the yellow card is either upheld and the player returns to the action, or it is upgraded and the player permanently leaves the field, unable to be replaced.

The idea of the initiative is to speed up the game by reducing the number of on-field replays of incidents, while also dealing with contentious decisions, such as the dismissal of England full-back Freddie Steward against Ireland during this season's Guinness Six Nations. Steward was controversially sent off for a dangerous challenge on Hugo Keenan during the March 18 encounter in Dublin, but the card was subsequently rescinded by a disciplinary panel.

England international number eight Zach Mercer experienced an identical disciplinary outcome after he was red-carded for a dangerous tackle during Montpellier's Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 defeat at Exeter earlier this month."

[pharvey]

OUCH!!
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[dtaai-maai]

^^Yes, I was watching that live and felt it! When I'm watching rugby my... is it called body memory? nerve memory?... kicks in. Whatever, even after all these years I find myself moving into a tackle (strangely, not too many sidesteps...). With this one I almost fell off my chair!

That for me is what the game is all about.

[pharvey]

It's taken me a few days, but I've finally got around to watch the 'Quins vs Bath match that I had recorded... The LHG and I were at a family gathering for my sister's birthday - unfortunately my tw@t of a brother had actually gone to see the match and gave away the result upon his return from "HQ"

Seriously entertaining match though! "Dead Rubber" to the majority (aside from Bath supporters), but a spectacle that could and should bring more support for the game as a whole.

The 'Quins players and coach were seriously pissed off with the result as obviously it was their "home game", they were +15 points by the bookies and hell, the arrogant 'stewards only had to turn up!!

As much as I loved the result (Bath's 3rd on the bounce), Bath Hooker Dunn's dummy of the Prima Donna Marcus Smith made my day!!

Bath have been re-building for a lot longer than I would like, however now they have put some power in the pack (Front 5), things are looking far more positive. For the first time in quite a while, I feel they will be competing for a Top Four finish next season!!

[pharvey]

Some potentially cracking rugby comming up this weekend with the Semi-Finals of both the European Champions and Challenge Cups being played over Saturday and Sunday. Leinster vs Toulouse should have been the final really, and is going to be a corker!!

Times shown are UK and again www.cricfree.tv is normally a good source: -
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Happy viewing!!

[pharvey]

pitsch has raised an issue on another thread that access to cricfree.tv may be a problem. Below are some possible alternatives for streaming the Baku race and more: -

https://www.vipstand.st/
https://buffstreams.sx/
https://myp2p.biz/index.php?part=home
http://www.sportp2p.com/live-sport/

[pharvey]

More worrying news for Premiership Rugby and London Irish. The news is all the more sickening when it comes just after it was announced that Ronaldo's earnings over the past 12 months was £108.7 Million. To put that in perspective, Irish's TOTAL annual player salary is in the region of £6 Million!!

London Irish: Players and Staff Yet to Receive April Wages

"London Irish players and staff have yet to receive their April wages amid concern about the Premiership club's financial future.

The players were told on Tuesday they would be paid that day, but funds had still not arrived on Wednesday morning.

London Irish are in the process of a protracted takeover by an American consortium.

The players have been called to a meeting on Wednesday lunchtime for a further update.

Wages were due on Monday, with the delay being attributed to a bank holiday, new company bank accounts and money being transferred from the United States.

But the situation is reminiscent of what happened at Worcester and Wasps earlier this season, with both clubs struggling to pay wages before going into administration and subsequently out of business.

However, the chief executive of Premiership Rugby, Simon Massie-Taylor, is confident Irish can move forward if the takeover goes through.

"I do think it's different [to the situations at Worcester and Wasps]," he told BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday.

"Between Premiership Rugby and the RFU (Rugby Football Union), we've been engaged for quite a while with both the current ownership and the future buyers and there are lots of very positive signals coming from both sides.

"It's been reported that the new ownership have been in front of the players and the staff last week and today [Tuesday], which is a positive signal of their intent.

"And if it comes off then clearly you've got a new breed of investor. They're from across the pond and they've got interest in other sports so it is a positive news story.""

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65469633

[pharvey]

A fair few games on tomorrow (Sat) with the Premiership matches and also URC QF's being played.

I for one will be watching Bath vs Saracens with some interest... Bath finally on a winning streak, but at the end of the day some way short and of course playing the Table Toppers 8 places ahead. "Dead Rubber" it may be for Saracens, but Bath are going through huge changes - 4 coaches leaving, 7 "significant" player signings coming in and several leaving. This game as a comparison to what we have (early) next season could be interesting to say the least!!

Other stand out matches IMHO: -

Leinster v Sharks
London Irish v Exeter (with the well known Welshman Immanuel Feyi-Waboso making his debut..... and he truly is Welsh! ).

[pharvey]

Not something you see everyday at a rugby match!!

"There were remarkable scenes ahead of the Super League clash between Catalan Dragons and St Helens on Friday night as a bull ran riot during the pre-match warm-up.

The animal charged at red-shirted Catalan players as they ran to safety, with some jumping over advertising hoardings to get away.

It was one of three bulls inside the Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan as part of the pre-match festivities. Catalan Dragons owner Bernard Guasch, who is head of a local meat processing company, arranged a bull parade to celebrate the quality of beef in the region. The club confirmed before the incident that "three prize-winning bulls, as well as two cows from the same Gascon breed, will perform a lap of honour during the warm-up"."

[dtaai-maai]

Hilarious! I particularly like the way it trots proudly back to its handler when it has had its fun...

[dtaai-maai]

A fair few games on tomorrow (Sat) with the Premiership matches and also URC QF's being played.

I for one will be watching Bath vs Saracens with some interest...

I've turned over to the Bristol game after 3 mins. It's the Sarries Colts side, and it should be a slaughter.

[pharvey]

I've turned over to the Bristol game after 3 mins. It's the Sarries Colts side, and it should be a slaughter.

Erm.... Nope! Colts or not, they're playing well - add to that some daft errors from Bath and...... FFS, we're trying for a Top 8 finish and Championship rugby next season lads!! A tad more needed in the 2nd half...