The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

Well, not the stream I wanted, but not too bad never-the-less... What a game. Incredible battle in the Backrows and loose - turnovers galore!! Our Nige dropped a b*ll*ck at the end of the first half where he should have gone to the TMO rather than ask that Pillock "Welsh Hating" Barnes asking if it was a forward pass... (of course he said no) sorry, the occasion and beer getting the better of me..

The Blackness looking very, very good and the Crims hanging on - their defence is absolutely superb at times. However, they've lost a couple of key players in the first half and I think The Men In Black will turn it on in the final 20......

[redzonerocker]

Australia have NEVER lost a Rugby World Cup match on British soil - that includes the 1991 and 1999 tournaments..

They have now

NZ have never won the tournament overseas..

They have now

Australia have only won once between the two in the last twelve meetings..

Once in thirteen now

Great end to the tournament I must add.
The Aussies looked dead and buried at HT, but with the aid of a NZ yellow card and some terrific rugby they clawed their way back into the game.
Alas, you just knew the All Blacks had something left in the tank and they finished the game off in style.
Deserved champions, great to watch and a step above everyone else.

A great end to a great tournament.

[PeteC]

My problem is that probably forever and a day I'll judge NZ based upon their performance against France in this RWC. Last night was not that and for a time there in the first half I thought someone was greasing the ball, but only when the All Blacks had it! A good and fitting end to a great tournament. Congratulations to all the teams that participated. Pete

[PeteC]

All day today I experienced a dark, growing void in my life. The Europe/UK leagues are on but nothing happening to speak of in the southern hemisphere. Setanta is showing a lot of repeat matches at the moment and I guess it will be that way for some months. They do show some old classic matches from time to time, when the rugby shirts worn were really rugby shirts, and the rules seem nothing like they are today. Pete

[PeteC]

Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks is going to Toulon and I understand it's now, right after the RWC. It will be fun to see how he does in the league and with that team. I would expect some exciting rugby from him. Pete

PS: Hopefully Setanta will have some Toulon matches on.

[PeteC]

What kind of words can be said or emotions felt about this? Williams received a new medal today or yesterday. Really GREAT stuff!

[pharvey]

^ Absolutely - superb gesture by SBW and says a great deal about the man, the sport and the players in general (unfortunately also says something about the odd idiot that stewards the matches ).

He received his "replacement" at the request of his team-mates and management and was presented with it by McCaw at the World Rugby Awards. On the subject of the awards, The Blackness (funnily enough) took the majority of the awards, but they did miss the "odd one" ( ): -

Player of the Year - Dan Carter (NZ)
Team of the Year - New Zealand
Breakthrough Player of the Year - Nehe Milner (NZ)
Coach of the Year - Michael Cheika (Aus)
Try of the Year - Julian Savea (NZ)

Referee of the year - NIGEL OWENS (WALES!!!)


Bit late in the day, but congrats to The Blackness on a deserved victory and making RWC in being the first team to retain their title and in doing so to hold a record three tournament titles...

A big hand to Oz who is this year's HHF Champion - at least you can take that away in your country's defeat..

Thanks to all who took part despite the abysmal captaincy!!

[Big Boy]

Yes, well done oz - whoever you may be

[redzonerocker]

Yes, well done Oz, on your HHF championship winning performance

[lindosfan1]

Well done Oz.

[PeteC]

If you go to the Superbru homepage top left, you can now pre-register for both the Six Nations and Super Rugby (Super 15). They'll then send you a notification when the tournaments open. Some other rugby fantasy and world 7's on there as well. Pete

[PeteC]

What's the secret behind the perfect scrum?

Presented by
Nigel Owens
World Rugby Union referee

http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zwdxp39

[arcadianagain]

The final indignity,on the Qantas plane taking the Aussies home the cabin crew were wearing All Black shirts.

[ozuncle]

Well done Oz.

Yes, well done Oz, on your HHF championship winning performance

Yes, well done oz - whoever you may be

[/quote]

^

A big hand to Oz who is this year's HHF Champion - at least you can take that away in your country's defeat..

Thanks to all who took part despite the abysmal captaincy!!

Thanks Captain and everyone. I enjoyed it.

The better team one but how could THAT pass be missed????

BB I hope to spend more time in our holiday house soon.

The restaurant lease has expired and we are taking that opportunity to retire.

Cheers

[pharvey]

I'd love to know the full (and true) story, but to me this is a joke. I may well be wrong, but the guy makes a fortune (by rugby standards) with a huge sign on fee and annual salary - based on a 3 year contract. Doesn't make it internationally (get's a little cr@p from the press and supporters).... and then decides to walk out on his club and contact. Sounds like he would be perfect for Wendyball...... aside from the fact he's 6' 4", hard as nails and doesn't dive.

The whole thing is a complete farce. What were the RFU playing at?

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/bath-an ... ys-report/