The Rugby Thread

[dtaai-maai]

Eddie Jones...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55114763

"I wouldn't say it [the style] is boring. If you don't like scrums and line-outs, go and watch rugby league," he added.

The problem is that people might just do that...

[Big Boy]

A nice compromise for watching Gallagher Premiership this week (hopefully all season). The Gallagher Premiership website shows the entire game (after the event). It could become a Sunday morning thing from now on if we can avoid the scores.

[dtaai-maai]

A nice compromise for watching Gallagher Premiership this week (hopefully all season). The Gallagher Premiership website shows the entire game (after the event).

Good info, thanks BB, I'll watch the Exeter game in the morning. Just had a very brief look at the website, are all the games replayed in full?

[Big Boy]

Only looked briefly this morning, but my son thinks so .

[pharvey]

I did wonder at one point whether pharvey was going to complain about Wayne Poite refereeing the game, but I think he was fairly even-handed.

Well, as not to disappoint, I think he interpreted the scrummage incorrectly at times which understandably, England took full advantage of (winning several penalties). He missed a blatant penalty when Biggar was taken in the air leading up to England's first half try. This was identified by the Assistant Referee whom Poite chose to ignore (even refusing to review the footage). Also seems that Genge will be cited for foul play - although this was missed by all initially.

Before I hear the deafening tones of "Sour Grapes", far from it. Wales were second best by some margin and the Lillywhites fully deserved their win. We didn't help ourselves with handling either, if spilling the ball was the object of the game, we would have won hands down. There were however some positives from Wales especially in defence and Botham impressed in the Backrow. Given the (very) rare chance, Rees-Zammit showed he's going to be a class act at this level, Williams also doing well in the Center. Unfortunately, still far too many negatives - Biggar still way below his best in particular. Injuries to key players have certainly played their part in both selection & (so called) "tactics", but Pivac and co. are simply leaving us completely bemused as to what the hell they are trying to achieve. They need to a significant improvement..... and quickly.

England were forced into some errors by the Welsh defense, but as mentioned by DM kicked far too much out of hand - though in some cases forced to do so. All in all, they're looking very strong throughout - Wales have a lot of "catch-up" to do to come close.

Sad day in Wales, but it could have been a lot worse.....

[pharvey]

Premiership: Exeter Chiefs 40-3 Bath - Spectacular Tom O'Flaherty try helps Chiefs to victory

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55044842

I didn't see the game, but... oh dear...

Made for very painful viewing - Far from the best of days of rugby (result-wise) for me... Exeter look frighteningly good again. Great skills by O'Flaherty for his try....

Bath were missing key players, but so were Exeter - goes to show the relative squad strength. Bath have a lot to work on after back to back losses. Exeter look good for another double....

[lindosfan1]

pharvey I am not a expert on rugby, when I watched the Biggar tackle, he came running in leapt to catch the ball and got caught by the English player.The English player seemed to be stationary so Biggar collided with him, why is that an offence, also Biggar looked to have one foot on the ground. Just curious to why it should have been a penalty.

[dtaai-maai]

Before I hear the deafening tones of "Sour Grapes", far from it.

I'd never accuse you of that, you're far too realistic. Pivac, however...

Premiership: Exeter Chiefs 40-3 Bath - Spectacular Tom O'Flaherty try helps Chiefs to victory

Made for very painful viewing - Far from the best of days of rugby (result-wise) for me... Exeter look frighteningly good again. Great skills by O'Flaherty for his try....

Bath were missing key players, but so were Exeter - goes to show the relative squad strength. Bath have a lot to work on after back to back losses. Exeter look good for another double....

Just watched this game... oh boy! Exeter are a side you definitely want to be playing for rather than facing.
The O'Flaherty try (is he Irish by any chance?) was amazing, but to be fair it was probably a one-off.

[pharvey]

pharvey I am not a expert on rugby, when I watched the Biggar tackle, he came running in leapt to catch the ball and got caught by the English player.The English player seemed to be stationary so Biggar collided with him, why is that an offence, also Biggar looked to have one foot on the ground. Just curious to why it should have been a penalty.

I've tried to find a clip online, but haven't managed to find one yet - I'm sure there'll be a few options available shortly though. In my mind and that of many others it was a clear penalty - both feet off the floor. There was obviously no malicious intent and I'm sure he (and others) would have felt hard done by if the penalty had been given. Rules are rules however and ultimately this was a period of play that resulted in a try. It made zero difference to the result at the end of the day, so I believe the majority of Welsh fans will not be too upset other than being frustrated at inconsistent refereeing.
That said, (embarrassingly) it seems Pivac is going to make an official complaint to World Rugby - some in Wales would be pleased that Pivac does indeed have tactics, beit bitching and complaining over the officiating of matches...

Before I hear the deafening tones of "Sour Grapes", far from it.

I'd never accuse you of that, you're far too realistic. Pivac, however...

Premiership: Exeter Chiefs 40-3 Bath - Spectacular Tom O'Flaherty try helps Chiefs to victory

Made for very painful viewing - Far from the best of days of rugby (result-wise) for me... Exeter look frighteningly good again. Great skills by O'Flaherty for his try....

Bath were missing key players, but so were Exeter - goes to show the relative squad strength. Bath have a lot to work on after back to back losses. Exeter look good for another double....

Just watched this game... oh boy! Exeter are a side you definitely want to be playing for rather than facing.
The O'Flaherty try (is he Irish by any chance?) was amazing, but to be fair it was probably a one-off.

I've no desire to watch it again, that's for sure!

Despite the name, O'Flaherty is English.... Though obviously learnt his trade in Wales where he went to uni (Cardiff) and played for Bridgend and Ospreys.

[pharvey]

Well that's cast a shadow over performances in this year's Tri-Nations.....

Argentina Sack Pablo Matera Over ‘Xenophobic’ Tweets

"Three weeks after guiding his nation to one of the biggest upsets in Test history, Pumas flanker Pablo Matera has been sacked as captain, the Argentine Rugby Union announced on Tuesday.

Matera, as well as two of his team-mates, Guido Petti (second-row) and Santiago Socino (hooker), are also set to miss the Tri Nations finale against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday for xenophobic comments made on Twitter in 2011 and 2013.

“The Argentine Rugby Union strongly repudiates the discriminatory and xenophobic comments published by members of the Los Pumas team on social networks and meeting urgently, the Board of Directors resolves: First, revoke Pablo Matera’s captaincy and request the staff to propose a new captain to the Board of Directors,” read an Argentine Rugby Union statement.

“Second, suspend Pablo Matera, Guido Petti and Santiago Socino from the national team until their disciplinary situation is defined.”

Matera has since taken the Tweet down and suspended his account."

Full Story @ https://www.planetrugby.com/tri-nations ... ic-tweets/

[PeteC]

I was anticipating an even match this weekend but with this development it probably leans heavily towards Australia taking it.


Edit: But FFS, it happened in 2011 and 2013. People change, people grow up. Some of this stuff they treat like a war crime.

[pharvey]

I was anticipating an even match this weekend but with this development it probably leans heavily towards Australia taking it.

Yes, will certainly hit Argentina hard, and Australia will also be out to prove a point. You also have to factor in that Australia have had a break, where this will be Argentina's fourth game in as many weeks. Sadly, I can see this being a convincing win for Australia.

[pharvey]

Edit: But FFS, it happened in 2011 and 2013. People change, people grow up. Some of this stuff they treat like a war crime.

The way things are in this day and age, there wasn't really going to be any other outcome - and I'm probably racist for saying that......

[PeteC]

These holier than thou judges and jury need to remember, "Those who haven't sinned throw the first stone." It's absolute BS to punish a person for something they said as a teenager.

I probably need to resign as a moderator, tear my Thai visa out of my passport and go to a mountain top and flog myself for the rest of my life for what I said as a teenager.

[PeteC]

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