The Rugby Thread

[dtaai-maai]

1st test NZ v England this afternoon, 2.30 365 Sport 4

[Big Boy]

I've already got our main TV booked

[Bruce]

Captain Doug's Sports Bar in Koh Takiab [opp Anantisila Resort soi] is chnging it's openiing times to 1pm for the next 3 Sats so can watch the Northern nations tours of the South including of course England's 3 tests against the All Blacks,

[dtaai-maai]

Looks like England have lost an awful lot of players to injury and the fact that the premiership final was only last weekend. I'm praying these guys will play out of their skins, but worried we might be in for a right hammering...

[pharvey]

Yep, some good rugby on today - with injuries to some and the unavailability of others, England I feel will do well to keep the score within 20 points. Fairly ridiculous in my opinion for the Rugby Union to schedule the start of the tour so close to the Premiership/League finals.

South Africa vs World XV looks to be entertaining with some class acts on show - will be interesting to see Gorgodze tangle with the Bokke forwards....

Argentina vs Ireland, Australia vs France and USA vs Scotland (Sunday) also on the menu

Of course the premier rugby starts next week when Wales kick off their tour proper against SA.....

[PeteC]

England/NZ just starting now on True channel 669. Pete

[Big Boy]

Well to be level against the All Blacks with 12 minutes to go, and fielding such a weakened side, it doesn't bode well for the remaining games for New Zealand.

[PeteC]

I don't understand that penalty where the England man was sent off after his open field tackle?

[Big Boy]

The referee was Welsh.

[pharvey]

Far from a classic performance by the AB's and a very scrappy game all around - albeit exciting.

Hats off to England though, they certainly went all out and were superb in defence IMHO. Unfortunately Yarde's yellow card late on ultimately cost England dear. A case of what could have been perhaps.....

Well to be level against the All Blacks with 12 minutes to go, and fielding such a weakened side, it doesn't bode well for the remaining games for New Zealand.

To be honest I think you'll see a completely different AB's side next week.

[pharvey]

The referee was Welsh.

Oh dear.........

I don't understand that penalty where the England man was sent off after his open field tackle?

A mile offside, not rolling away when warned by the ref - all in all a professional foul (not to say NZ weren't guilty of similar)....

[dtaai-maai]

I don't understand that penalty where the England man was sent off after his open field tackle?

Once you tackle a man in that way, you have to release him immediately (unless you are on your feet) and he has to release the ball.

Apparently he was off-side as well (in front of the England kicker when he kicked), though we didn't see it (did you have a different angle, pharvey? ).

Yarde will be lucky if he gets another chance on this tour.

Having said that, Owens had two opportunities to yellow card an All Black for professional fouls and refused both. He also had an odd interpretation of the knock-forward law - apparently knocking it backward is illegal now...

Some gritty stuff by England, but all credit to the ABs for going for the try (I thought they were mad not to take the 3 points...).

There are two ways to look at today's result:
1. England will be stronger next week, so watch out the ABs,
2. NZ are unlikely to be so error prone again, so England have probably missed their best chance of a win.

[dtaai-maai]

Wallabies 50 - 20 France

The Aussies put 50 past the French without playing great rugby.
I think the French were missing some players, but they were truly abysmal.

[Bruce]

Nigel Owens in his last year thank God ...why do idiot referees like him ^& Wayne Barnes continue to decide crucial tests they ruin any semblance of equality & worse still stop the free flow of any gane they referee ..why because their ego's take over ..they want to be the centre of attention...god referees are like gold dust ..if you don't notice them then they're actually for once doing their bloody jobs .. !!!!
England were by far the better team but as usual the All Blacks closed the deal in the last 2 mins ..yet again....
But I tell you what when England are at full strength we'll win 1 or even maybe 2 of the remaing tests ...we fronted them,,,were superior to them in all aspects of play ..then Youngs bottled it & started kicking wildly at start of 2nd half ..he & Mays were appalling & Mays IS the weakest link defensively ...goodbye !
Bring on the REAL england team & ten let's see what the Kiwis are made of .

The eye contact,boddy language was all England until Youngs mistakenly lost his bottle[Danny Care wouldn't] & started kicking away possession when the whole WORLD knows you DO NOT DO THAT gainst tthe All Blacks..what a bloody idiot ...unless he was told to do so ..in which case ..Lancaster was a bloody idiot too !
Disillusioned & angry Englishman !

[Bruce]

France were pathetic ...sad to see ..both Aus & France are now 2nd division test teams ..onlyn England & S.Africa can now beat the All Blacks...but I believe England will learn from this trip as the 2003 team did & win the World Cup next yesr.
Comments anyone?
By the way I stupidly recommended rugby supporters join us at Captain Doug's bar in Takiab...forget that bar forever ..he not only didn't turn up but hasn't paid his True tv licence as we waited for 2 hrs for the staff [Doug the bullshit owner switched his phone off conviently leaving us stranded & missing the 1st half ..what a waste of space ...ended up in El Murphys a PROPER Rugby pub ...all those out there AVOID DOUG'S SPORTS BAR -he is a disgrace !