Aviva Premiership 13/14 season thread

Teferi

I was watching Wasps V Quins there yesterday. Wasps unlucky not to steal a victory tbh, they got a try at the death but Goode missed his conversion. Conor O'Shea looked like he was bulling it at the final whistle, I'd say the lads got a talking to.

irishbucsfan

http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/news/2013/09/bt_sport_heralds_terrific_aviva_premiership_rugby_union_viewing_figures/

Viewership is up 45%

Northampton v Quins was FTA last night, I didn't realise that. Didn't see it myself but supposedly it wasn't the best spectacle due to the weather.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

no thread for this

Strings playing for Bath today, some man

Austin Healy is just after saying he's "the best nine Ireland have right now"

Hagz

The BT Screen. Ew.

irishbucsfan

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057035305

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

irishbucsfan wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057035305

ah jaaayyysus, sorry lads <waits for merge>

Teferi

How dare you.

toomevara

Just seen one of the quickest red cards I've ever seen doled out in the Sarries V Gloucs game, Nick Wood, stamp on the face after about 2 mins....looks rough..and all this on the day he became the cherry and whites most capped front row player.....

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Jesus

rrpc

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Jesus

Long ban in prospect there and rightly so. So much wrong with that not least the very real possibility of blinding the guy. Remember what happened to Ian McKinley and that was just accidental from one of his teammates.

errlloyd

Anyone watching the championship.... Just curious.

matthew8

errlloyd wrote: »

Anyone watching the championship.... Just curious.

Yes, partly. Very funny to see Sky hyping it up so much and sending their best commentators and analysts.

thomond2006

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Jesus

That's a disgrace. At the very least he shouldn't play again this season, something in the Attoub range.

.ak

Christ. On replay the second stamp is actually a jump. Both feet are off the ground. He's literally jumping on his head.

hype101

Eamonn Sheridan had a serious game for L Irish against Worcester.. Two sweet off loads set up two tries in a good win

thomond2006

hype101 wrote: »

Eamonn Sheridan had a serious game for L Irish against Worcester.. Two sweet off loads set up two tries in a good win

It's better for Barnes and Sheridan to be getting regular starts over in England than languishing in a provincial squad. I'm still disappointed Barnes left, who knows if he left because he got a better offer from Newcastle or if Munster simply didn't offer a deal.

Teferi

thomond2006 wrote: »

It's better for Barnes and Sheridan to be getting regular starts over in England than languishing in a provincial squad. I'm still disappointed Barnes left, who knows if he left because he got a better offer from Newcastle or if Munster simply didn't offer a deal.

The way I was reading the statements from the team and general Munster fan comment + opinion it seemed to me like he was released?

thomond2006

Teferi wrote: »

The way I was reading the statements from the team and general Munster fan comment + opinion it seemed to me like he was released?

His lack of gametime last season would suggest he wasn't offered a new deal.

toomevara

Just as a matter of interest what do folk make of the style of coverage BT Sport are going with...i.e. access all areas etc, grabbing managers in the dugout during the game and getting an interview etc... At one point yesterday Austin Healy was blathering on to Mike Tindall as he was trying to warm up with his backs on pitch...Not sure what to think of it...seems quite like NRL coverage in tone and style, but even more intrusive....

.ak

toomevara wrote: »

Just as a matter of interest what do folk make of the style of coverage BT Sport are going with...i.e. access all areas etc, grabbing managers in the dugout during the game and getting an interview etc... At one point yesterday Austin Healy was blathering on to Mike Tindall as he was trying to warm up with his backs on pitch...Not sure what to think of it...seems quite like NRL coverage in tone and style, but even more intrusive....

Yeah not a big fan of it. I don't even like the SH style of interviewing players as they go off for a break at half time. That time is precious and you need to get your head together - plus I don't want to hear some canned response to 'What will your manager be saying in the dressing room?'

Don't get me wrong, I love the advent of technology and how it can improve our view from the couch, but there's more subtle ways of doing these kind of things like; hover cams, ref cams, 3D HD etc., etc.

shuffol

The latest fare from Saracens

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24120369

Gavin Henson: Saracens offer Bath fans refund deal

Saracens will give Bath fans a full refund on their tickets if centre Gavin Henson scores in Sunday's Premiership match between the two sides.

The London side top the Premiership and host third-placed Bath at Allianz Park.

Fans will need a Bath postcode as their home address to qualify for a refund.

"If Gavin Henson scores a point this Sunday we will give Bath fans their money back. It really is that simple," explained Clare Jackson of Saracens Supporters' Services.

Saracens trying to out-do Paddy Power?

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/news/2013/09/bt_sport_heralds_terrific_aviva_premiership_rugby_union_viewing_figures/

Viewership is up 45%

Northampton v Quins was FTA last night, I didn't realise that. Didn't see it myself but supposedly it wasn't the best spectacle due to the weather.

on ESPN's figures, not Sky's.
Still up on Sky, but figure not given.

Weird statistic to fire in there as if it's meaningful! (If Sky's open day viewership was a 44% increase on ESPN's, and BT managed a ~1% increase on top would that sound impressive to anyone?)

justsomebloke

Deleted User wrote: »

on ESPN's figures, not Sky's.

even at that, it suggests that it is only up 45% on ESPN's first season and not their final years figures. So given how many people are been given BT sports free from the start and given where ESPN had to start from 45% is actually a lot lower then I would of expected

irishbucsfan

Deleted User wrote: »

on ESPN's figures, not Sky's.
Still up on Sky, but figure not given.

Weird statistic to fire in there as if it's meaningful! (If Sky's open day viewership was a 44% increase on ESPN's, and BT managed a ~1% increase on top would that sound impressive to anyone?)

I think it's pretty meaningful that more people are watching. No matter how much the increase is. It's good news for the game.

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think it's pretty meaningful that more people are watching. No matter how much the increase is. It's good news for the game.

It's a statistic that's presented as meaningful when in fact it is almost irrelevant.

Y1 : 1m viewers
Y2 : 1.42m
Y3 : 1.425m
Y4 : 1.45m

Would that indicate a 'real' increase? One given by a 45% tagline?

It's sloppy journalistic work at best, and Spin* at worst.

irishbucsfan

Deleted User wrote: »

It's a statistic that's presented as meaningful when in fact it is almost irrelevant.

Y1 : 1m viewers
Y2 : 1.42m
Y3 : 1.425m
Y4 : 1.45m

Would that indicate a 'real' increase? One given by a 45% tagline?

It's sloppy journalistic work at best, and Spin* at worst.

It's clearly an increase of 450,000 viewers!

I don't see what's wrong with pointing out that more people are now watching rugby to be honest.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Jesus, that's genuinely just horrible what Saracens are doing. Not in the spirit of rugby at all, even if it is Henson. Wish they'd take their corporate bull**** and feck off

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

It's clearly an increase of 450,000 viewers!

I don't see what's wrong with pointing out that more people are now watching rugby to be honest.

Does it lead the reader to believe that there has been a massive increase since BT have taken over?

If the year-on-year viewership figures were as I have painted above, then they've not lied by saying a 45% increase, but it wouldn't have the same ring to it would it?

Buer

shuffol wrote: »

The latest fare from Saracens

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24120369

Bizarre. If Bath score a try under the sticks, I hope they give the ball straight to Henson for a tap over conversion.

irishbucsfan

Deleted User wrote: »

Does it lead the reader to believe that there has been a massive increase since BT have taken over?

If the year-on-year viewership figures were as I have painted above, then they've not lied by saying a 45% increase, but it wouldn't have the same ring to it would it?

I don't think they're leading the reader to believe that. They've said it quite clear that its 45% since ESPN started broadcasting the permiership and also up on last years figures.

But even if it was just "up" on last years figures its still good news so I don't see the issue. It'd be nice to see how Rabo viewership is going, that must surely be increasing as well.

toomevara

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Jesus, that's genuinely just horrible what Saracens are doing. Not in the spirit of rugby at all, even if it is Henson. Wish they'd take their corporate bull**** and feck off

Ditto, if Saracens are rugby's future include me out. I reckon Bath would be well within their rights to lodge a complaint and I'd be surprised if the RPA don't get involved..bloody souless 'franchise' in every sense of the world...

thomond2006

Nick Wood gets eight weeks. Should be months rather than weeks...

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

thomond2006 wrote: »

Nick Wood gets eight weeks. Should be months rather than weeks...

8 weeks? Jesus that's ridiculously light

.ak

I suppose there's things to factor in there. He looked genuinely upset afterwards. I'm not so sure he could claim it was accidental as he seemed to be looking down at him, but when you watch it again in full speed Jacques head pops out of the ruck like a spring, it looked like he was rucking against the top of his back and his head popped out under the boot. The whole situation happened in a fraction of a second. His concern for Jacques safety afterwards would probably speak volumes also, you don't see that that often when a player's just been sent off. Presumably he pleaded guilty as well. 2 months is about right IMO.

toomevara

.ak wrote: »

2 months is about right IMO.

Totally agree, I was watching this live..it was the rugby equivalent of a brain-fart. The guy was genuinely distraught afterwards, apologised immediately and admitted his guilt. Factor in his clean record and 8 games sounds good to me....

Buer

Prop with a fairly good discipline record in over 200 appearances for his side stamps on the head of a player that's on the ground. Winds up with 8 week ban. Common opinion is that it's very lenient. It's funny how perception works!

jamiedav2011

Buer wrote: »

Prop with a fairly good discipline record in over 200 appearances for his side stamps on the head of a player that's on the ground. Winds up with 8 week ban. Common opinion is that it's very lenient. It's funny how perception works!

Uh oh!

Buer

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Uh oh!

I know, I know. Can open. Not my intention but it did strike me fairly immediately as a similar scenario and an interesting comparison.

.ak

You know you're on thomond2006's blocked list now, right?

Buer

.ak wrote: »

You know you're on thomond2006's blocked list now, right?

I'd like to think I've been a permanent resident there since an early fishing expedition:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=71419226&postcount=59

.ak

Buer wrote: »

I'd like to think I've been a permanent resident there since an early fishing expedition:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=71419226&postcount=59

Ha! Hook line and sinker.

















.... Banned for trolling though.


:pac:

thomond2006

Yeah feckin' fell for that one.

But good to have you back on the forum Ger!

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Jaysus even I wouldn't have fell for that Thomond!

thomond2006

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Jaysus even I wouldn't have fell for that Thomond!

I was a zealot back then...

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Nick Wood: "Absolutely gutted by my actions on Sunday. No way I would intentionally kick someone in the head."
Apology followed by, denial?

.ak

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Nick Wood: "Absolutely gutted by my actions on Sunday. No way I would intentionally kick someone in the head."
Apology followed by, denial?

I could be sorry for hitting someone accidentally in my car.

toomevara

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Nick Wood: "Absolutely gutted by my actions on Sunday. No way I would intentionally kick someone in the head."
Apology followed by, denial?

I suppose it's a very rare player who sets out, deliberately and intentionally, to stamp on an opponents face prior to a game. There are almost always mitigating circumstances which occur in the heat of a match, (which in no way excuses the act), but they need to be considered in the cold light of day by the disciplinary.

irishbucsfan

Really good game on now between Gloucester and Northampton. Kahn has been pretty shocking. North looks up for it.

Trinder just knocked the ball on over the line, unforgivable.

irishbucsfan

Freddy Burns trying to do a Drico. Chips the ball over the defensive line and then catches the ball on the volley to chip it over Mylers head. Put it a bit too far ahead though.

Gloucester playing lovely rugby in parts. Northampton defending really well

irishbucsfan

George North just made an absolute amazing try out if nothing with 2 minutes left 6 points behind.

He's worth every penny.