The Rugby Thread

[PeteC]

Some exciting NRL rugby going on now. Only about 5 weeks left before the playoffs and several teams in contention. Pete

php1XPM5aAM.jpg (131.08 KiB) Viewed 651 times

[PeteC]

He's doing really well so far. The defense is having a hard time figuring out his running style and moves.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/08/former- ... -for-49ers

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12411 ... oster-spot

[pharvey]

^ He's certainly got a hell of a turn of speed - and at 226 lbs, not exactly a small bloke!

[PeteC]

^ His Dad was some Fiji rugby league star. Runs in the blood I guess.

[pharvey]

A very bad night at the office for the Lillywhites in Paris last Saturday.....

It had to be something close to a first-choice XV, but Satan's Squad were seriously outplayed by Les Bleus. The final scoreline of 25 vs 20 flattered England - they were 25 vs 6 down with just 8 minutes to go. Two late tries making things look a lot closer than they actually were.

Not many highlights for England - Danny Cipriani looked good, but ridiculously was only given 16 minutes on the pitch (still managed to score a decent try in that time!!). Jonathan Joseph again had a good game, scoring England's second try in the dying minutes.

Plenty of "lowlights" though - the penalty count against them was again stupidly high. At this level and with the quality of the goal kickers, it truly is crazy. The forwards were poor, line-out a disaster and the scrum not much better.

God's Own maybe seeing some light at the end of the tunnel based on this sloppy display....

[redzonerocker]

A very bad night at the office for the Lillywhites in Paris last Saturday.....

It had to be something close to a first-choice XV, but Satan's Squad were seriously outplayed by Les Bleus. The final scoreline of 25 vs 20 flattered England - they were 25 vs 6 down with just 8 minutes to go. Two late tries making things look a lot closer than they actually were.

Not many highlights for England - Danny Cipriani looked good, but ridiculously was only given 16 minutes on the pitch (still managed to score a decent try in that time!!). Jonathan Joseph again had a good game, scoring England's second try in the dying minutes.

Plenty of "lowlights" though - the penalty count against them was again stupidly high. At this level and with the quality of the goal kickers, it truly is crazy. The forwards were poor, line-out a disaster and the scrum not much better.

God's Own maybe seeing some light at the end of the tunnel based on this sloppy display....

Hard to disagree with any of the points you make.
I can't remember seeing an England team play so badly, for 70 minutes it was just awful in every department.

I suppose it should be credit to the French, they played extremely well and their gameplan worked a treat.

On the penalty count, England gave away 11 to France's 9.
Problem is where we gave away stupid penalties, most in kickable areas.

One more warm up game to go V Ireland before the competition starts.
Not sure many of these games have a true indication of how the tournament will go.

When it's competition time and results matter, it's a different mindset.
The All Blacks are no doubt favourites again, but any of 6 other teams could win it if they consistently perform on the day.

[pharvey]

^ Must admit I didn't think the penalty count was that close, but as you say those against England were in kickable positions, so probably seemed worse than it was.

Can't disagree with regards to mindset, but Lancaster will be far from happy with this performance.

One of the big differences was Michalak for the French - really played well and controlled the game. For me, when he has an off day, so will the French.

[redzonerocker]

^ Must admit I didn't think the penalty count was that close, but as you say those against England were in kickable positions, so probably seemed worse than it was.

Can't disagree with regards to mindset, but Lancaster will be far from happy with this performance.

The annoying thing with the penalties is they're such basic errors.
Not only that, it's an ongoing problem that never seems to be addressed.

I don't think Lancaster will be to pleased with the performances in both games, the only bright spots being the performances of Burgess, Watson and Slade in the first game.
All 3 would merit a starting place, especially after the paris performance.

Just a mention of the pitch in Paris . . . . wtf?
This is a national sports stadium the scrums were ridiculous and at times dangerous.

[PET]

I would not read so much into this game, England played terrible in the first half but steadily improved and had a great final 10 mins. We have seen them play so much better in all 2015.
What to me was very important was that the referee will be the same in their first WC match and they now know what he will not allow at the break down. Lanxaster WILL take particular notice so forget the penalty count next time they meet up.
Burgess and Slade will need to play very well against the Irish to be selected- personally Burgess at inside centre may happen but his Union inexperience ( a yellow card remember) is worrying.

[pharvey]

Just a mention of the pitch in Paris . . . . wtf?
This is a national sports stadium the scrums were ridiculous and at times dangerous.

Yes - absolutely incredible. The original pitch at the Millennium was awful and deservedly came in for a lot of criticism (thankfully this has now been rectified). However, the way the pitch was cutting up in Paris was on another level..

England played terrible in the first half but steadily improved and had a great final 10 mins.

Coincidently after Cirpriani came on......

[PeteC]

When watching TV here, do not be fooled into thinking that WRU stands for Welsh Rugby Union.

wru.jpg (7.94 KiB) Viewed 556 times

"The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup, and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006."

[pharvey]

When watching TV here, do not be fooled into thinking that WRU stands for Welsh Rugby Union.

wru.jpg

"The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup, and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006."

We've got dibs on it as we were founded 40 years earlier!!

A little over 24 hrs to go now until Beelzibub cuts his squad to 31 for the RWC. The betting is that Cipriani will be amongst the 8 players cut - have to feel for the guy (and the majority of Lillywhite supporters I would think).

[PeteC]

Their logo is interesting and I assume a Maorie war club. Although, it could also be "The Who" guitar smashing logo?

[pharvey]

Their logo is interesting and I assume a Maorie war club. Although, it could also be "The Who" guitar smashing logo?

Looks more like a violin to me.... in which case, I can fully understand the logo!!

[PeteC]

^^^ Danny Cipriani left out of England World Cup squad

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/34066192