The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

Cardiff Schmardiff, they're all Welsh, aren't they??

Perhaps I should rephrase oh English pal of mine (?).. Caerdydd, Dreigiau, Y Gweilch and Y Scarlets are indeed all Welsh sides - we could even go as far as to say "nid Saesneg ydyn nhw", but I'm not one to quibble... Is that really a word? (I did have to look it up). Bath of course are not a Welsh side, but benefited hugely through playing the Welsh teams in the amateur days - "The Rag Doll Match", Boxing Day in Cardiff, the warm up match to the season against Pontypool were all massive games and I was lucky enough to see many of them and see some class players from all sides!! Actually some real classics..

Whilst I realise you need to get the Tweed Jacket out of storage and get on down to HQ (well, the neighbours at least), there's no need to pile on the pressure .... Welsh Rugby will be back - and watch out when we are!!

Christ I've got to stop looking at this thread and listening to you before watching the game!!

See? When is a spoiler not a spoiler...?
[/quote]

Oh seriously? I fart in your general direction DM and giggle to myself whilst doing it..... In fact I'm going to giggle some more just thinking about it!!

[pharvey]

Some more cracking rugby coming up - beginning with a "Top Four Clash" with Sale vs Saracens tonight (UK Time). The second "Top Four Clash" coming tomorrow with Bath hosting 'Quins at the Rec. Exeter vs Leicester isn't going to be half bad either methinks!!

Boxing Day brings the Four Welsh Regions with Cardiff taking on the Dragons and Scarlets playing host to The Ospreys. I'm hoping for a decent end to the year with Welsh rugby, but........

More details @ https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-streams/

[pharvey]

Well, the rugby has not disappointed so far!! Enjoyed Friday night's viewing, but obviously the match for me was Bath vs 'Quins on Saturday. Quite a game considering the conditions, though of course I'm biased. I thought the ref had a good game despite missing a few things and I was screaming blue murder at him when a Bath try was disallowed only to bring play back a few meters to award Bath a Penalty and a Yellow Card to Danny Care of the 'Queens - correct under the rules though Had Bath lost out on a Try Bonus or God forbid a victory by a few points, there would be plenty more to say I'm sure!!

Anywho, the match-up between Marcus "Pretty Boy" Smith and Finn Russell went Russell's way... Just. Both had some great moments it has to be said and some of the wayward kicking has to be put down to the conditions - though tactical kicking from both at times was superb. Rather than post a collection, this clip sums up a few things...



Unusually, Bath were a tad slow to the breakdown at times which could have cost them dearly - though Bath's No.8 Alfie Barbearry was again superb - especially in open play. He went off late in the game with an injury to the hand - hopefully not serious as there's a few tough games coming up.

It also seems it's not only the players who will be suffering from the "Bangs and Bruises" for a couple of days.... This from a sellout Exeter vs Leicester: -



Slight difference in the respect shown by Rugby players to the Ref than shown in the Round Ball game sadly......

Plenty of Rugby still to come over the Festive Season though!! Much to the delight of the LHG !!

Completely different time zone from your preferred (NZ/Aus/Super Rugby) PeteC, but are you able to watch any of the Premiership or URC Rugby?

[PeteC]

Yes, I don't have streaming, but I can catch the games from both, as they're played live, or repeated. I caught the second half of the Bath match on replay earlier today. There's no published schedule, just hit and miss. They fill in the other times with games from 5-6 Nations from decades ago. Really interesting to see the scoring, scrum, kicking ...everything differences between now and then. Let's tee up the ball in the dirt on a frozen field! Fun stuff.

[pharvey]

Really interesting to see the scoring, scrum, kicking ...everything differences between now and then. Let's tee up the ball in the dirt on a frozen field! Fun stuff.

Oh Good God, there's just no comparison from "Then & Now" unless perhaps talking the "Halfbacks".... I'd certainly put Gareth Edwards in his prime against any No. 9!! The size and fitness of the guys these days is just incredible - how do you compare a "World Class" 2nd Row player of the 60's/70's/80's to even a modern day Center who's far bigger, far fitter and far faster? Then again the modern day 2nd Row has these same attributes and can handle a ball at speed!!

And yes, the "Kicking Tee" was a tad different in those days!! Which also leads back to a 2nd Row for Wales and Aberavon - Allan Martin who took the Place Kicks/Conversions (With a "Toe Punt" of course)!! Good God, Memory Lane is good, but showing age not so much!!

Happy Christmas & I hope you get to see some top notch rugby!!

[EDIT] Hell, I might just include you in that last comment DM - despite your love of the "Dark Side" and "Oh-so-Lah-de-Dah Land"....

[EDIT 2] Of course the "Happy Christmas" bit applies to all!!

[PeteC]

I'll try....I have the NFL too!

[pharvey]

I'll try....I have the NFL too!

Some big matches on there too I guess - "Monday Night Football" off the schedule (?) does that mean Boxing Day Football this year?

[PeteC]

Sky Fans Try of the Year (2023)

https://youtu.be/JLZmLsJzPew

[pharvey]

^ Certainly some crackers there!!

Some slightly different entertainment at the rugby..... Damn iPhones

[dtaai-maai]

An absolute classic! And so thoughtful of the cl,ub to make the announcement over the tannoy...

[pharvey]

Boxing Day brings the Four Welsh Regions with Cardiff taking on the Dragons and Scarlets playing host to The Ospreys. I'm hoping for a decent end to the year with Welsh rugby......

And so much for that!!

The Dragons were absolutely pummelled by Cardiff in a record score line for this fixture - could have been far worse for the Dragons, but Cardiff eased off considerably in the 2nd half after scoring 7 tries in the 1st!! 45 -7 HT, 55 - 21 FT Very worrying times for the Dragons and Head Coach Dai Flanagan - bottom of the URC Table and showing signs of digging!! Looking at further problems next season when a couple of class players are set to leave at the end of their contracts and the reduced Budgets coming in....

As for the Scarlets vs Ospreys, I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a score line of 0 - 0 at Half Time!! Although there was some excitement..... Ioan Lloyd didn't really do his international chances much good with 11 points missed with the boot and a couple of scoring chances scuppered - though the latter could be said of a couple of Scarlets backline players.

Scarlets just seem to be going nowhere at the moment. Just 2 wins from the last ten games in all competitions - another Head Coach heading for the chopping block being Dwayne Peel. A hell of a player in his day, but that certainly does not make him a hell of a coach!!

The Ospreys seem to be getting things together a bit, but ultimately none of the Welsh Regions are even close to being on a par with the likes of the "URC Table Toppers" Leinster and with the gulf in funding/Budget Caps, things are not looking to get better anytime soon. Budgets may be blamed by many, but are certainly not the entire issue. These matches involved all four of the Welsh Regions, all with the same Budget Caps and all with similar issues i.e. players moving across the border(s) to England, Ireland, France and further afield to Japan, NZ and Aus for better money, lifestyle and WEATHER!! Joking apart, this is also incredibly bad for the international side where players under the 25 Cap Rule are not eligible for selection if playing outside of Wales!!

But back to the main issue. So, why were Cardiff and The Dragons so far apart on the field if having the same financial and player issues?

Certainly more questions than answers in Welsh Rugby at the moment, and certainly for me, very sad!!

[pharvey]

In all honesty, I've been that depressed with the teams and rugby that I support... It's truly been hard to post!!

But let's have a go....

English Rugby and the "Premiership": -

As a start, it's no secret that I'm a Bath supporter and don't consider Harlequins a favourite. So, the last matches were a tad difficult for me....

Rugby's "Wendyballer" Marcus (I adore myself) Smith played an absolute blinder for the 'Queens vs Gloucester - as much as I hate to say it, he put on a class act. There's questions over his temperament and Goal Kicking, but he's a very talented player - of course if picked he will be stuffed when playing against Wales!!

Bath put out a second string to play Leicester at Welford Road - you don't do this and expect any kind of positive result. "Squad Rotation" was the reason given - absolute BS! Yes, rest a few players - but the whole team was rested!! Bath and Johann van Graan are ultimately looking at the Title/Top Four, but players will go "Missing" during the 6N and we do need points on the board.

Welsh Regions/Rugby: -

What a fecking disaster it's been!!

A pitch in Bridgend that sore Ospreys play Cardiff was an utter disgrace - this did nothing to promote rugby.

That said, highlights here and watch the No 8 - 18 years old!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th9ileDj2oI

Scarlets vs Dragons - well, again shite weather and nothing much to be happy about. The 6 Nations is literally weeks away... Oh Dear.
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[pharvey]

THE SIX NATIONS 2024 TOUNAMENT IS (ALMOST) UPON US!!!!!

As such, I've set up the annual "HHF/Superbru Prediction League" - Those who have taken part previously, should have received an invitation by Email, but for those who haven't and are interested in joining, details are below: -

https://www.superbru.com/sixnations/pool.php?p=12736868

or by downloading the Superbru app and searching for the pool with code:

oozycurd

ROUND 1
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6N-R1.JPG (44.39 KiB) Viewed 7154 times

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NOTE: All Times Are GMT

[pharvey]

Potentially some great rugby on this weekend - starting with Sale Sharks v Bristol Bears tonight (UK). Unfortunately, with the recent weather that has hit the UK, many games are going to be in doubt - the "Rec" (Bath) was a couple of feet underwater at last look, so doubtful that match will go ahead come Sunday.

The south-west, south-east and midlands (England) have been hit hard... The Welsh teams were in action last weekend in atrocious conditions and this weekend the weather is bloody clear in Wales... Typical!!

[pharvey]

Well the rugby hasn't disappointed so far - aside from BT/TNT Sports telling me the ongoing scores (without warning) of the other match(es) I recorded!! Absolute tw@ts - but what can you expect from the ex 'Queens/Lillywhite players Christ, the show stopper was Essex vs Northampton and TNT Sports truly ruined it!!

Bristol had a massive win over Sale Sharks last night - very impressive performance and away win. Absolutely chaotic first half it has to be said - Sale will certainly be ruing missed chances/handling errors. Tempers also got the better of a few at HT along the "Player's Tunnel" - made for an interesting 2nd Half! Chaotic, crazy, error ridden match with moments of pure class - great game of rugby!! Bristol putting Sale down have also done Bath a favour!!

Leicester Tigers vs Saracens - No secret I dislike the latter due to the attitudes of certain players and what the club has got away with in the past - feelings against Leicester though is a "Friendly Dislike" as they have been massive opponents of Bath Rugby in the past, back to amateur days!

Big win for the Tigers and fair play to them. Their SA Flyhalf Pollard superb and outperforming Farrell - the latter taking a break from international duties this season and rumours also abound that he'll be joining Racing 92 making him ineligible for England anyway. He's received a fair bit of online abuse, but to be fair you can't say he doesn't deserve a fair bit of cr@p with his style of play and attitude.... Run away poor dear
Sarries certainly suffered with two Yellow Cards - neither of which were undeserved and the first for a "Tip Tackle" could have resulted in a Red given another ref.

Bath to play Gloucester tomorrow afternoon (Sunday UK) dependant on the condition of the pitch. I feel Bath may well regret putting out a 2nd string side against Leicester last weekend rather than doing so this weekend in order to "rest players" - home to a misfiring Gloucester is a different proposition to away against a very much on fire Leicester!! Well, lots to come yet!!