The Rugby Thread

[JimmyGreaves]

Well must congratulate Argentina they played very well, at one point I thought that a comeback was on the cards. after going 17-0 down but that was eventually a bridge too far.

A shame Scotland didn't beat the Aussies, ref's interpretations or blindness cost them.

Best Northern Hemisphere team in the competition in my opinion goes to Wales who with a full fit squad from the off could have gone a lot further.

My team to win it All Blacks - Team I want to win it Argentina followed by All Blacks followed by SA ...........

[Takiap]

Ah yes, my mistake. I've just checked now and it seems the All Blacks and the Aussies will be competing for bronze the day before the Bokke send the Argentinians back home.

[pharvey]

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/96575

Clarification on the role of the TMO at Rugby World Cup 2015

Thanks for that DM

1. I for one certainly hadn't realised that was the case.
2. Seems utterly ridiculous not being able to make use of the TMO for such an important/game changing decision. I do not like the "over-use" of the 3rd Official, but when there's any doubt in the ref's mind over a decision of this magnitude, the TMO MUST be brought into play.

The penalty decision is naturally the main talking point, but the yellow card for deliberate knock on also deserves a big mention. Very harsh.

I'd like to be able to look at that again, but can't find anything on the likes of YouTube. The Yellow Card for a "Deliberate Knock-on" is always a tough, tough call, but the rules state it's a Yellow Card - plain and simple. Strangely enough, Matt Banahan of Bath was carded for the same offence on Friday night. Players have to be incredibly careful when going for the intercept. As an aside, the Scottish Captain Greig Laidlaw did not seem to think there was anything wrong with that particular decision in his after-match interview.

I still think the sending off of Warburton in the last RWC was very harsh - but strictly speaking those are the rules when taken in their strictest sense.

[pharvey]

Ah yes, my mistake. I've just checked now and it seems the All Blacks and the Aussies will be competing for bronze the day before the Bokke send the Argentinians back home.

[pharvey]

Some rumours that there are calls for Ireland to rid themselves of Joe Schmidt after Saturday's hammering by Argentina - utterly bl**dy ridiculous! He's been a great coach IMHO and has brought Ireland a long way - now there are 's calling for his head!! Yes, Ireland had a bad day at the office, yes they had a painful beating - but let's be fair, we can do without these idiotic knee-jerk reactions.

Oh, and also rumours of a move to England!! http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/w ... 14535.html

[PeteC]

Is there a Rugby law that coaches have to be in a sky box and not on the sideline? I'm sure I've seen both Union and League coaches along the sideline during Australian matches. Pete

[PeteC]

Some rumours that there are calls for Ireland to rid themselves of Joe Schmidt after Saturday's hammering by Argentina - utterly bl**dy ridiculous! He's been a great coach IMHO and has brought Ireland a long way - now there are 's calling for his head!! Yes, Ireland had a bad day at the office, yes they had a painful beating - but let's be fair, we can do without these idiotic knee-jerk reactions.

Oh, and also rumours of a move to England!! http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/w ... 14535.html

Perhaps Rugby is becoming like football....off with the coaches head.....after a bad streak. Pete

[pharvey]

Perhaps Rugby is becoming like football....off with the coaches head.....after a bad streak. Pete

I certainly hope not Pete. Anyone involved in Rugby Union (at any level) going down the "Wendyball Route" in any way shape or form, should have their testicles pickled in a jar........ only my opinion mind you.

Oh, and let's be fair - 1 match is hardly a streak....... although it appears some muppets disagree!!

[JimmyGreaves]

Some rumours that there are calls for Ireland to rid themselves of Joe Schmidt after Saturday's hammering by Argentina - utterly bl**dy ridiculous! He's been a great coach IMHO and has brought Ireland a long way - now there are 's calling for his head!! Yes, Ireland had a bad day at the office, yes they had a painful beating - but let's be fair, we can do without these idiotic knee-jerk reactions.

Oh, and also rumours of a move to England!! http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/w ... 14535.html

That's just public house talk!!

[PeteC]

Watching a local NZ Union match at the moment, Hawkes Bay vs Bay of Plenty on TRUE 669. If you're reading, it's on now. My point is that they print what any foul is for when it occurs, and it pops out of the score box at the top left of the screen.

Damn good idea IMO and I'll have to watch to see if any other broadcasters do it. Very helpful, at least for me. Pete

EDIT: Setanta 669 is not doing it, they just pick up the local feed so it must be the NZ broadcaster score/info box on the screen.

[pharvey]

Is there a Rugby law that coaches have to be in a sky box and not on the sideline? I'm sure I've seen both Union and League coaches along the sideline during Australian matches. Pete

There are certainly a couple of competitions where coaches are not allowed on the touchline, I think the Championship in NZ being one of them, but on the whole I believe it's allowed in the majority of professional rugby.

The reason for them being in a "Sky Box", is simply a superior elevated view, access to live (and recorded) streams and data monitoring/analysis. You'll see the "box" on the back of the players' shirts (neck area) - this contains GPS tracking and numerous other bits and bobs...... truly getting very technical!

[pharvey]

My point is that they print what any foul is for when it occurs, and it pops out of the score box at the top left of the screen.
Damn good idea IMO and I'll have to watch to see if any other broadcasters do it. Very helpful, at least for me. Pete

Agree, it's a very good idea - and not just for those new to rugby!! The majority of televised matches in the UK have the same system and whilst I might not agree with the ref ( ), it certainly makes it clear why the decision was made.

[PeteC]

^^ Yes, there's been a lot of head coaches "upstairs" that I've seen in the RWC. NZ, SAF, Ireland, Argentina. Probably more but I forget. Some not in a windowed office but sitting alone in a seat up in the corner somewhere.

I had no idea about the GPS box on shirts. I'll have to look for it. Pete

[PeteC]

I don;t think we'll see this guy again in any important matches.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/ ... rt+stories

'Joubert wrong to award penalty'

Referee Craig Joubert was wrong to award a crucial 78th-minute penalty against Scotland in Sunday's World Cup quarter-final defeat by Australia, says World Rugby.

Scotland led 34-32 at Twickenham when Jon Welsh was ruled deliberately offside for playing the ball after a knock-on by a team-mate.

The governing body said that, because Australia's Nick Phipps touched the ball, "the appropriate decision should have been a scrum to Australia for the original knock-on".

Scotland lost 35-34 after Bernard Foley kicked the penalty.

The statement added that South African Joubert "could not refer to the television match official (TMO) in this case and therefore had to rely on what he saw in real time".

[PeteC]

I really like Nigel Owens and hope he's given the Final. Clear, concise style and no nonsense tolerated. Am I in the majority or minority in liking this guy? Pete