The Rugby Thread

[dtaai-maai]

I realise this thread appears to have only 3 contributors, but on the off chance that there are some lurkers out there, looking but not touching, let me once again sing the praises of the Premiership website: https://www.premiershiprugby.com/gallag ... hip-rugby/

Over the last 5 days or so I've watched all of last week's premiership matches, and thoroughly enjoyed most of them.

A couple of observations on the new laws: the 50-22 kicking law doesn't seem to be having a major impact (probably just as well), and the law about pinning a player in the ruck (in an attempt to get him penalised for not moving away) seems to have been largely ignored, although it is admittedly quite hard to spot unless the game is going to be constantly interrupted and taken back by the TMO.

[pharvey]

^ Agreed, very good site.

Regarding the new rules, there's a couple I need to get to grips with, but I just wish they would ref the put-in to the scrum. Christ, there were a few (as usual) put-ins to the Second Row!!

[pharvey]

I see that Simmonds has finally been called up to the England squad. I hope he does well.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/58649927

And deservedly so! Ludicrous he's been overlooked for so long. Vunipola is past his best I feel - seems Jones feels the same way nowadays.....

[PeteC]

The All Blacks vs SAF yesterday was not a pretty game to watch. I didn't see all of it but what I did see was filled with handing errors and other unusual play by NZ. It seems they went into the match very stiff with past losses to SAF hanging over them, and they were lucky not to lose again. Perhaps the monkey is off their back now and we'll hopefully see a better performance next week.

Australia on the other hand continues to play exceptionally well.

[dtaai-maai]

Working my way through the weekend's Premiership games. Is there something in the scrum half DNA that makes them such annoying little shites?
While on the subject of no. 9s and annoying little shites, am I the only one who thinks Austin Healey is a classic example? Tries too hard to be funny. Flatman was solo commentating on one of the games: ex pros have a place as pundits and 'guest experts', but many find it hard to drop the cynical old pro habit (Eddie Butler being a notable exception).

[PeteC]

The Rugby Championship Match Centre

Round #6 (all times local AEST)

Saturday 2 October: Argentina v Australia @ CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast (17:05)

Saturday 2 October: South Africa v New Zealand @ CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast (20:05)

[pharvey]

Dear God, that could have ended up alot worse..... Should have been a lengthier ban than the 12 weeks given IMHO....
.

[dtaai-maai]

^^Sheesh, never mind a ban, that's worth a prison sentence!!

[pharvey]

Exciting first half from Bristol v Bath...

Bath certainly have issues in the Front Row, but much improved lineout and attack - Bristol very lucky at the moment due to some "favourable" refereeing decisions....

[pharvey]

Cracking first half with SA vs NZ

Completely different game plan from SA which has led to one hell of an exciting game thus far - incredible play from both sides...

[dtaai-maai]

^^What a game!!

[pharvey]

^^What a game!!

One of the best I've seen for a long while - thank God the Boks have actually started to play "proper" rugby. Great to see the AB's not having it all their own way.....

Can't get over the NZ commentary ("Stan Sport") - you would have thought they'd won!

[dtaai-maai]

Exciting first half from Bristol v Bath...

Bath certainly have issues in the Front Row, but much improved lineout and attack - Bristol very lucky at the moment due to some "favourable" refereeing decisions....

Just watched it, sort of wrapped around the SA/NZ game. Bath played well at times, but they fell away in the 2nd half when Bristol upped their momentum.

[PeteC]

JJBones comes from behind to win the pool with the last match by picking SAF by 4. SAF deserved to win as they out thought and out played NZ. Thanks to everyone for playing.

Pharvey, I'll leave the November Internationals for you to set up. I think it's open already.

phpMofU8eAM.jpg (19.51 KiB) Viewed 201 times

[pharvey]

Exciting first half from Bristol v Bath...

Bath certainly have issues in the Front Row, but much improved lineout and attack - Bristol very lucky at the moment due to some "favourable" refereeing decisions....

Just watched it, sort of wrapped around the SA/NZ game. Bath played well at times, but they fell away in the 2nd half when Bristol upped their momentum.

Well, didn't want to post the result as both I thought you'd be watching later and I was a smidgen PI$$ED OFF!!

Some cr@p refereeing (not just my biassed opinion I might add ), daft decisions by Hooper (his days are or should be numbered) - especially pulling off Underhill early/unnecessarily (man of the match IMO).

Far too many decisions against Bath (what do they need to do), but fair play to Bristol for a cracking second half display.