General Rugby Discussion

irishbucsfan

CatFromHue wrote: »

It's a fair bit of hindsight here as how could Wales have known they'd be drawn against England before the game?

England could have been a tier 1 team, and they could have still drawn them. I think it's a bit early to be "counting the cost"

I do disagree with the 4th AIs, but I think I don't really doubt their profitability too much, or their value to the national squads.

aimee1

irishbucsfan wrote: »

It's not quite clear yet whether or not they're counting the cost, but yeah I remember that was being discussed here very briefly at the time.

They could go ahead and win the pool still, would they lose money in that case? Maybe I'm missing something there.

they cant get pre world cup games with england because they are in the same group. So they lose out on huge TV money, i am assuming they would not have been drawn with england in the group if they had not played that game against australia

Ah it's a total hindsight article obviously. But still, quite a 'funny' set of circumstances.

aimee1

irishbucsfan wrote: »

England could have been a tier 1 team, and they could have still drawn them. I think it's a bit early to be "counting the cost"

I do disagree with the 4th AIs, but I think I don't really doubt their profitability too much, or their value to the national squads.

the 4th game is used to service the debt for the millenium stadium?

CatFromHue

I'd imagine when they were arranging that fixture Wales were 6N Champions so it's a silly article.

total former

Tom Varndell is moving to Bristol next season, along with Tomasso Benvenuti. Building a decent squad there, should be competitive if promoted.

irishbucsfan

aimee1 wrote: »

the 4th game is used to service the debt for the millenium stadium?

Yes, outside the international window.

RugbyLover123

Haven't seen it up here yet but presume everyone knows Gopperth is going to Wasps and JJ Hanrahan is off to Northampton next season

total former

RugbyLover123 wrote: »

Haven't seen it up here yet but presume everyone knows Gopperth is going to Wasps and JJ Hanrahan is off to Northampton next season

After an exhaustive search of the forum...

RugbyLover123

total former wrote: »

After an exhaustive search of the forum...

What relevance has your post got to do with rugby? Was there any need?

Journeyman_1

In fairness, its pretty much all that's been talked about in the Leinster/Munster(/Ireland?) threads.

total former

RugbyLover123 wrote: »

What relevance has your post got to do with rugby? Was there any need?

Probably not, apologies, it was just a gag.

irishbucsfan

He's not total legend, he's a very naughty boy.

sydneybound

Not getting World Cup games could actually benefit Leicester in the long road. They hope to add an extra 3,000 seats to the stadium. If planning is approved and given theres a five month break they could have it done before the start of next season. If so I'm sure they'll be pushing season tickets like mad during the WC when the games getting loads of exposure. They certainly do their work bit by bit and have done a great job on the stadium over the years. It was a sell out last weekend against Bath.

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-Tigers-unveil-latest-8-million-phase/story-25819129-detail/story.html

phog

From Twitter

gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) tweeted at 7:08 AM on Fri, Jan 09, 2015:
The big news in @midi_olympique is confirmation that Mario Ledesma is joining the coaching staff of the Wallabies

thomond2006

One year extension for Kurtley Beale means he's a free agent after the World Cup. Hopefully he comes to Europe and not Japan where players become invisible.

case885

Australia are really spoilt for choice in the backline its crazy,
9. Phipps, Genia
10. Foley, Cooper
11. Speight, Cummins
12. Toomua, Lealiifano
13. Kuridrani, Horne (munster bound)
14. AAC, O Connor
15. Folau, Beale

The best thing about those backs is their versatility

errlloyd

case885 wrote: »

Australia are really spoilt for choice in the backline its crazy,
9. Phipps, Genia
10. Foley, Cooper
11. Speight, Cummins
12. Toomua, Lealiifano
13. Kuridrani, Horne (munster bound)
14. AAC, O Connor
15. Folau, Beale

The best thing about those backs is their versatility

Meh, you could play Matt Giteau in any one of those positions and you'd improve that backline. (Actually if you could play him in all 7 it'd be pretty class too!)

case885

errlloyd wrote: »

Meh, you could play Matt Giteau in any one of those positions and you'd improve that backline. (Actually if you could play him in all 7 it'd be pretty class too!)

He can do a job at scrum-half, he'd be a handy player knocking around the squad alright..

errlloyd

case885 wrote: »

He can do a job at scrum-half, he'd be a handy player knocking around the squad alright..

I could very well be thinking of the game Rugby 08 where he was listed as a Scrumhalf / Outhalf / Centre.

But I think Giteau has some caps at 9.

.ak

The issue with their versatility is sometimes their undoing. At times Australia's backline can run a try in from anywhere, but often they lack cohesive structure. They need a couple of guys who have clearly defined roles and not to move them about so much.

case885

.ak wrote: »

The issue with their versatility is sometimes their undoing. At times Australia's backline can run a try in from anywhere, but often they lack cohesive structure. They need a couple of guys who have clearly defined roles and not to move them about so much.

Kuridrani and Toomua played great together last season, if they keep starting together along with Foley at fly half they will be looking good but if there is too much change with Beale and O'Connor coming back in it could disrupt them as you say.

RugbyLover123

case885 wrote: »

Kuridrani and Toomua played great together last season, if they keep starting together along with Foley at fly half they will be looking good but if there is too much change with Beale and O'Connor coming back in it could disrupt them as you say.

Bar injury or serious lack of form Toomua or Kuridrani should start considering how well they went last year. Foley will most likely keep his place unless Cooper was to have a super rugby campaign like he did in 2011.
Can only see O'Connor getting one of the wing positions, and best Beale can hope for is the 23 Jersey!

Fireball07

errlloyd wrote: »

I could very well be thinking of the game Rugby 08 where he was listed as a Scrumhalf / Outhalf / Centre.

But I think Giteau has some caps at 9.

When he first broke through to the Australian squad, I'm pretty sure it was as a backup 9 to Gregan.

sydneybound

For anyone interested Gloucester V Saracens will be shown for free tonight if you already have Sky TV, probably the same with NTL.

http://sport.bt.com/rugby-union-hub/rugby-union/gloucester-v-saracens-available-to-all-S11363949971851

Should be a good game.

ionadnapokot

Fireball07 wrote: »

When he first broke through to the Australian squad, I'm pretty sure it was as a backup 9 to Gregan.

Yea, he started his career as a scrum half. Plucked from club rugby into Eddie Jones squad for the NH tour in '02. But benched for his first 10 caps or so, coming on at fly-half.
In '06 he was played at SH for the NH tour. In between and afterwards he alternated between fly-half and second five-eighth.

http://www.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/14078.html?class=1;template=results;type=player;view=match

ionadnapokot

Giteau is an interesting case of the Australian "utility player". The Wallaby backs in recent history have very good ball skills and hand/eye coordination. Helped no doubt that nearly all kids in Australia grow up with an oval ball in their hand. This lends itself to their versatility in a number of positions.
I don't think the utility player has been a hindrance to the Wallaby's and it could be argued has actually assisted them come WC time. With a number of players able to slot into positions if required.
Conversely it probably hinders the development of the players as a specialist in one particular position. Taking Giteau as an example again. He is only now considered one of the best fly-half's in the world. But Wallaby fans hated seeing him in the 10 jersey. Thinking that second five-eighth was his best position. And he started as a scrum half!

thomond2006

Delon gets 8 weeks on appeal.

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/european-rugby-champions-cup/2014-2015/champions-cup-toulon-la-suspension-de-delon-armitage-reduite-de-douze-a-huit-semaines_sto4540477/story.shtml

ionadnapokot

yea, depressing.
They should be able to lengthen bans when appealed. For D Armitage anyway
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/european/2015/0109/671566-delon-armitage-ban-reduced-to-eight-weeks/

sydneybound

Good game here Gloucester 6 - 7 Saracens after 20mins gone. It's on BT Sports which is showing for free if you have Sky.

irishbucsfan

sydneybound wrote: »

Good game here Gloucester 6 - 7 Saracens after 20mins gone. It's on BT Sports which is showing for free if you have Sky.

Also online

The Lost Sheep

Good score by Gloucester SH to end first half. 13-11 to Sarries half-time.

matthew8

Amazing try by Robson. Great use of advantage.

irishbucsfan

matthew8 wrote: »

Amazing try by Robson. Great use of advantage.

Wasps have a great player there. Huge mistake in letting Robson go by Gloucester IMO, Laidlaw is not worth losing him from the squad.

Would have been a brilliant signing for Leinster actually! Remember him outclassing certain young Irish 9s in Adam's Park for the u20s not too long ago...

matthew8

Saracens are pretty out of sorts. If Munster can play to their potential they have a brilliant chance there. Not sure I like Hook at 10 really think he prefers the 15 spot in the attacking line.

irishbucsfan

You can spot Laurie Fisher from a mile off, with those mad hats of his...

irishbucsfan

matthew8 wrote: »

Saracens are pretty out of sorts. If Munster can play to their potential they have a brilliant chance there. Not sure I like Hook at 10 really think he prefers the 15 spot in the attacking line.

Saracens are very well coached though, and that's what I think it may come down to. Munster will need to be very clinical and take advantage of anything they get from them.

sydneybound

James Hook has missed three kicks two of which he should have got, no wonder Gatland doesn't fancy him.

Although he made a great break in the middle of the half, Saracens did miss so many tackles.

.ak

sydneybound wrote: »

James Hook has missed three kicks two of which he should have got, no wonder Gatland doesn't fancy him.

Although he made a great break in the middle of the half, Saracens did miss so many tackles.

He wouldn't place kick for Wales though.

sydneybound

.ak wrote: »

He wouldn't place kick for Wales though.

And I suppose he doesn't place kick for Gloucester too it was only as Laidlaw got injured in the warm up. Still he missed a few bad ones.

Tox56

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Wasps have a great player there. Huge mistake in letting Robson go by Gloucester IMO, Laidlaw is not worth losing him from the squad.

Would have been a brilliant signing for Leinster actually! Remember him outclassing certain young Irish 9s in Adam's Park for the u20s not too long ago...

I was never really impressed by him when I've seen him for Gloucester at least, Leinster should be looking for someone with experience (and they should definitely be looking for someone)

irishbucsfan

Tox56 wrote: »

I was never really impressed by him when I've seen him for Gloucester at least, Leinster should be looking for someone with experience (and they should definitely be looking for someone)

I would say he's the best 9 playing professional rugby at his age, can't really think of anyone else at his age or younger who is on or near his level currently, but that will be clearer if he gets more time with Wasps.

Leinster won't be able to sign an experienced 9, so that certainly won't be an option.

sydneybound

Looks a good little ground, fancy watching from the shed sometime. Anyone know is Gloucester a good night out?

matthew8

sydneybound wrote: »

Looks a good little ground, fancy watching from the shed sometime. Anyone know is Gloucester a good night out?

Gloucester's not a great town nor is it the most glamorous area but Kingsholm isn't a bad stadium to go to.

Must be so frustrating to support Gloucester.

Tox56

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I would say he's the best 9 playing professional rugby at his age, can't really think of anyone else at his age or younger who is on or near his level currently, but that will be clearer if he gets more time with Wasps.

Leinster won't be able to sign an experienced 9, so that certainly won't be an option.

Marmion is the same age as him, he is at the very least on the same level

Why couldn't Leinster sign an experienced 9? I didn't say top class but someone with experience, not that I personally know where the hell to get that, but I don't see how getting that is a no go for Leinster

matthew8

Missed chance for Gloucester. If they time that pass right it's a definite try.

irishbucsfan

Tox56 wrote: »

Marmion is the same age as him, he is at the very least on the same level

I would have Robson above him, for sure.

Tox56 wrote: »

Why couldn't Leinster sign an experienced 9? I didn't say top class but someone with experience, not that I personally know where the hell to get that, but I don't see how getting that is a no go for Leinster

We can't afford (or even find) a good 9 with experience in the current market, and we don't a poor 9 with experience (we should just keep Reddan/Boss if that's all we can get). To sign a 9 we're either going to need to pick one up in Ireland or else pick up a young 9 from abroad (most likely SH).

Tox56

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I would have Robson above him, for sure.

Really? Marmion has been very good for Connacht for the last two and a bit season and has been outstanding in some big games like away to Toulouse and home to Saracens. Robson has spent most of his time on the bench this season. Id definitely not have Robson ahead

irishbucsfan

Tox56 wrote: »

Really? Marmion has been very good for Connacht for the last two and a bit season and has been outstanding in some big games like away to Toulouse and home to Saracens. Robson has spent most of his time on the bench this season. Id definitely not have Robson ahead

Marmion has done brilliantly and is much better than when they played each other, but the fact he's been playing while Robson hasn't is purely circumstancial. Robson is quicker and his passing is of a better quality, and if their places were switched neither of those things would change.

Tox56

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Marmion has done brilliantly and is much better than when they played each other, but the fact he's been playing while Robson hasn't is purely circumstancial. Robson is quicker and his passing is of a better quality, and if their places were switched neither of those things would change.

Well you could argue potential is different, a lot of players have that, but based on what theyve actually done Id consider putting them even on the same level to be a stretch