The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

Well, some unexpected results in R2.....
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Thought France vs the Blackness was going to be the pick of the bunch, but the Baby Blacks were given a bit of a hiding.... Steamrolled at times by the 18 year old Posolo 6'4" 23 Stone Tuilagi (nephew of Manu).
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SA downed by France, Argentina nilled by Georgia....

R3 Kicks off on July 4th (minus the US ).

[pharvey]

This looks a good one to follow - 2 episodes in at the moment, more coming up.... Stars of the future?

Millfield School's rugby programme is undoubtedly the biggest and best in the UK and probably the world. They have a coaching team of +/- 20 and have produced a crop of past and present internationals - including Wales and British & Irish Lions Scrum-half Gareth Edwards.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... y3U84HbRZK

[pharvey]

U20's Rugby World Championship - Live Stream https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/u20/championship

[dtaai-maai]

U20's Rugby World Championship - Live Stream https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/u20/championship

My hero!!

[pharvey]

Some good stuff from Fiji!

[pharvey]

Well, hardly an unexpected victory for defending champions Les Bleus against Wales, but hell it was a bit of a drubbing Down to 14 fairly early on, France just powered over us and it will take one hell of an effort by anyone to overcome this side IMHO. Some bright spots from Wales, but VERY few and far between.... Still, an improvement on their recent 6 Nations display.

The Lillywhites (points difference) join France, Ireland and SA in the Semi's - the "rest" playing for places 5-12 and to avoid possible demotion....
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The above link for Live Stream(s) still applies.

[dtaai-maai]

Thanks mate, I'll have my PA remind me about the France-England game on 9 July.

[dtaai-maai]

<Pressing buzzer> Pietro, please remind me about the France-England game on 9 July.

[pharvey]

<Pressing buzzer> Pietro, please remind me about the France-England game on 9 July.

Heads up though - Round 1 of the Rugby Championship this weekend. Argentina hosting the Blackness and SA home to the Aussies... Some youngsters/new caps in the squads, but strong looking sides. Will be interesting to see how the Pumas do leading up to the RWC.

On Pay-per-View (Sky Sports) or the usual suspects for streaming.....

[pharvey]

I didn't get to watch the Blackness match, but both opening games were a tad one-sided to say the least with virtually identical scorelines. NZ ran out 41-12 against the Pumas, whilst Eddie Jones and Aus were handed their collective arses by the Boks 43-12.

The Wallabies went 5-0 up early on, but it was one-way traffic from then on despite a late, late try against the run of play. Australia gave away two Penalty Tries and two Yellow cards - though it should be said SA failed to score during the 1st Yellow Card period...... the frightening thing for Australia, was that SA made far too many errors of their own and the result could have been worse!

Hopes are Australia will suffer a similar fate at Headingly!!

DM/DM's PA - heads up for the U20's though I guess it will be trumped by the cricket

[dtaai-maai]

DM/DM's PA - heads up for the U20's though I guess it will be trumped by the cricket

Not to mention the British Grand Prix! Still, the weather might be a deciding factor in that decision.

[pharvey]

Sad to see he's not going to make the RWC..

Stuart Hogg: Scotland & Exeter Chiefs full-back announces immediate retirement

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66148182

[pharvey]

As for the Superbru/HHAD Prediction League: -

Round 1 of 3 and BB has already stormed into the lead.... 5 of 8 had the correct results, but only BB took the Bonus and Margin Points. There may well be a "Stewards Enquiry"
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Round 2 is up on July 15th, with NZ at home to SA and Australia hosting the Pumas. The match in Auckland look set to decide the title.

[pharvey]

The U20's Rugby World Championship comes to an end this Friday with the Final, 3rd/4th Place Play-off and the remaining places to be fought over..... Not for nothing, there is Relegation to the "Trophy" at stake for the last placed team. Not so for Wales at least, who face Australia for 5th. The top placed team in the U20's Rugby Trophy (playing later this month) will be promoted to the Championship - hopes are Scotland will make it back...

There's been some good, bad and indifferent games during the tournament, but hopes are the Final will be a cracker (and Wales "do" the Aussies!!).
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All times are BST and the previous link provided still applies.

[pharvey]

Christ, I need to compose myself after the 2nd match today!!

Cracking 2nd Round of the Championship!!