The Rugby Thread

[PeteC]

Thanks to you both for the info. It's all putting some structure to things for me now. I've been relying on the BBC rugby site up to now but your link Harvey looks much better at first glance. Thanks again. Pete

[redzonerocker]

London Welsh (to be relegated),

Quite probably with the worst record in rugby history.

I knew they've taken a few thrashings this season, even though I don't really follow club rugby that closely, but I was astounded at how much they have struggled.

Their stats are;

played 19 won 0 drawn 0 lost 19 for 189 against 869 bonus points 1 points 1

[pharvey]

London Welsh (to be relegated),

Quite probably with the worst record in rugby history.

I knew they've taken a few thrashings this season, even though I don't really follow club rugby that closely, but I was astounded at how much they have struggled.

Their stats are;

played 19 won 0 drawn 0 lost 19 for 189 against 869 bonus points 1 points 1

Absolutely.... It's been a disaster season for them, and very sad to see. London Welsh are a great club with a huge history - some of the past players.... J.P.R. Williams, J.J. Williams, Merve the Swerve.... to name but a few. Unfortunately, it comes down to money at the end of the day - and God's Game can't compete with Wendyball..... God only knows why that is.

[PeteC]

I'm finding that rugby is one of the few spectator sports that keeps my full interest from start to finish. Many others concerning TV viewing I find myself drifting off onto some kind of mental safari that has nothing at all to do with the sport I'm watching. Pete

PS: On the channel I watch here they keep mentioning televising matches between Bangkok teams. I've yet to see any, but waiting. I can't imagine how they get through it in this heat and unless they are repeats, it's happening now in the hot season!

[PeteC]

"...Bath (embarrassing for a Welshman, but my team also)...."

How and why has that happened Pharvey? Pete

[dtaai-maai]

I suppose Bath is close enough to Wales (just over the Severn Bridge) to have honorary Welsh status! And they do play some decent rugby now and then...

[Big Boy]

I know he played for one of my son's old rivals, Keynsham. Bath would have been quite good at that time, so probably the relationship grew then .

Be honest, Bath or Cardiff - no competition

[PeteC]

Bath is a town you love, right BB?

[Big Boy]

No, I hate Bath - I almost sidestepped promotion rather than move there. In the end I moved close(ish), and travelled daily.

Reasons would take us right off topic, so I won't go there.

[pharvey]

I lived close to Bath for several years in the 80's and was a member (supporter) of the club. Back then it was Amateur ('ish!) and Bath really were the side to beat - in the professional era they did slip down the rankings somewhat, but are now back to being one of the top sides in the country.

Also in the amateur days, Bath were one of the few English clubs to regularly play the Welsh teams - Pontypool, Cardiff and Llanelli being some of the classic matches. Many moons ago, a local lady donated a doll after watching one of the great encounters between Llanelli and Bath - the doll was dressed in the colours of the winning team and tied to the posts for the next encounter. From then on the game between the 2 sides was always referred to as "The Rag Doll Match"..... (just a piece of useless information for you!!).

[PeteC]

I see this "video referee" in use with the NRL and I think Super 15 as well. Is it in use with the higher UK and Europe leagues? Not having an eye yet for most fouls and infractions, I find it useful. Old hands may not like it though. Pete

[dtaai-maai]

Yes, it is, Pete, and in international matches. Very useful on the whole, for checking tries as well as infractions. My only criticisms would be that sometimes referees turn to the TMO (television match official) when they don't need to, and don't when they should, and that every now and then the TMO takes too long to confirm the obvious.

On the whole, though, I think it's a very positive aspect of rugby, along with the advantage rule, the verbal communication to the players from the referee, the ability to hear the referee's comments and those rules aimed at preventing teams (usually forwards) trying to slow the play down. Oh, and the respect for the referee from the players (if you listen carefully, you'll often hear him addressed as "Sir" by players during the game - wonderful!).

The scrum is the most problematic issue in RU these days, and so difficult to referee that penalties can often be a lottery - one which can decide the outcome of a game.

[dtaai-maai]

double post

[pharvey]

^ Fully agree DM - the Video Ref on the whole has been very beneficial, but has at times been relied on way too much by certain ref's. There have been several occassions where (for example) tries have been scored with the ref close to the play and the linesman with a clear view..... and still the Video Ref is called upon - ridiculous!!

One I do like though, is the "Ref Cam" - absolutely superb for getting close to the action and getting a first hand view of what's going on....... Some problems at times for the studios with live matches and the language of the players though!!

As for the Newport Gwent Dragons last night..... absolutely mullered in the semi-final

[PeteC]

^ Some of those guys no one in the audience will understand the dialect anyway, except the local viewers.