General Rugby Discussion

Fireball07 · 17-04-2015 5:25pm

8/22 does seem very low... has that always been the case? Certain players do need a rest, of course and in general, it works very well but that's not very flexible.

And it's one thing when Irish teams were reaching the HC final and we were also resting players for that. But if Munster and Ulster were forced to rest players as they're attempting to get a home semi-final, just seems a bit silly.

thomond2006 · 17-04-2015 6:03pm

Zebre have signed Luke Burgess on a two year deal. Not a bad signing!

Fireball07 · 17-04-2015 6:15pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Zebre have signed Luke Burgess on a two year deal. Not a bad signing!

The Australian SH? That's a great signing!

bilston · 17-04-2015 8:40pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Zebre have signed Luke Burgess on a two year deal. Not a bad signing!

Flip that is some signing. Leinster wouldn't have turned their noses up at him. Good to see. Zebre seem to be moving in the right direction. Shame Treviso are going the other way.

CatFromHue · 17-04-2015 8:43pm

For Zebre he's a good signing but I'm not sure if he would be for Leinster.

I always found him a bit flaky in the bigger games.

razorblunt · 17-04-2015 8:57pm

So Edinburgh re-train McInally as hooker for two seasons and then throw him in as flanker in the semi final of a European competition.

irishbucsfan · 17-04-2015 9:04pm

razorblunt wrote: »

So Edinburgh re-train McInally as hooker for two seasons and then throw him in as flanker in the semi final of a European competition.

I remember Leinster needed to do the same with Strauss in the ML final against Ospreys. I suppose even if you're being consigned to the ugly depths of the front row you don't lose all of your class and skill overnight.

case885 · 17-04-2015 9:11pm

Did Ross ford ever play in the back row? He's built more like a flanker than a hooker.

razorblunt · 17-04-2015 9:18pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I remember Leinster needed to do the same with Strauss in the ML final against Ospreys. I suppose even if you're being consigned to the ugly depths of the front row you don't lose all of your class and skill overnight.

No, of course not but it's a waste of his skills, I think he played hooker underage but he was a decent flanker and didn't really need the move.
Strange one.

Oh and another thing, hopefully this is the wake up call for Cotter and Co to start SHC, he's a player.

Fireball07 · 17-04-2015 9:25pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

For Zebre he's a good signing but I'm not sure if he would be for Leinster.

I always found him a bit flaky in the bigger games.

You could definitely argue that he's a step above both Reddan & Boss though.

Bazzo · 17-04-2015 9:50pm

b.gud wrote: »

That chart is slightly misleading IMO.

If I knew nothing about Connacht rugby I would read it as Connacht have 7 All blacks when in fact we have 7 New Zealanders but only1 All Black

And of them White and Ah You have been capped for Ireland, Aki is a project player, Muliaina and Nikora are leaving for Zebre at the end of the season.

RobbieRuns · 17-04-2015 9:55pm

Nikora going to Italy as well?

Bazzo · 17-04-2015 9:59pm

RobbieRuns wrote: »

Nikora going to Italy as well?

Not confirmed yet but it seems likely.

CatFromHue · 17-04-2015 10:05pm

Fireball07 wrote: »

You could definitely argue that he's a step above both Reddan & Boss though.

If he is I'd say not by much tbh.

RugbyLover123 · 18-04-2015 4:20pm

Don't know why Burgess wasn't involved more with the wallabies, anytime i saw him he impressed me. Sure he doesn't even start for the rebels which I find odd. Would've been a handy signing for Leinster!

wp_rathead · 18-04-2015 7:40pm

C'mon Chiefs! Their fans are the English version of the Montferrandais - great fun and passionate bunch

total former · 20-04-2015 9:00am

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/32377594

Torn cruciate, poor baxtard.

sydthebeat · 20-04-2015 10:19am

total former wrote: »

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/32377594

Torn cruciate, poor baxtard.

that might sort out a head ache for hansen

would he have brought barrett, carter, cruden AND slade?
now he has barrett as probably the starter with carter and slade vying for a bench position as both cover various positions.
probably Barrett / carter for the big games, but carter will need to up his game considerably and im not sure if he can do that at 12.

sopoaga as a bolter?

Swiwi. · 20-04-2015 10:46am

sydthebeat wrote: »

that might sort out a head ache for hansen

would he have brought barrett, carter, cruden AND slade?
now he has barrett as probably the starter with carter and slade vying for a bench position as both cover various positions.
probably Barrett / carter for the big games, but carter will need to up his game considerably and im not sure if he can do that at 12.

sopoaga as a bolter?

Sort of a blessing in disguise. Cruden is excellent at taking on the line especially behind a dominant pack and his general kicking and defence is fine. But his goal kicking is really poor for an international 10: too inaccurate and not enough distance. My preference is Barrett/Slade.

Curse of the NZ fly halves in rwc year. Again...

irishbucsfan · 20-04-2015 10:51am

Swiwi. wrote: »

Sort of a blessing in disguise. Cruden is excellent at taking on the line especially behind a dominant pack and his general kicking and defence is fine. But his goal kicking is really poor for an international 10: too inaccurate and not enough distance. My preference is Barrett/Slade.

Curse of the NZ fly halves in rwc year. Again...

We're gonna batter yis

.ak · 20-04-2015 10:55am

That makes me feel ill tbh. Can we just put johnny on ice now?

Swiwi. · 20-04-2015 10:58am

irishbucsfan wrote: »

We're gonna batter yis

We'll have lost to Argentina in pool play :pac:

razorblunt · 20-04-2015 11:22am

Just realised (maybe I knew this before and forgot) I've been blocked by Stephen Jones (the journalist not the Wasps coach) on Twitter.
I wonder if it was due to me having a go at his beloved Tom Huddlestone or complaining about the standard of his articles.
Knowing him, it's probably the former.

Teferi · 20-04-2015 11:24am

razorblunt wrote: »

Just realised (maybe I knew this before and forgot) I've been blocked by Stephen Jones (the journalist not the Wasps coach) on Twitter.
I wonder if it was due to me having a go at his beloved Tom Huddlestone or complaining about the standard of his articles.
Knowing him, it's probably the former.

It's a right of passage as an Irish person to be blocked by Stephen Jones.

thomond2006 · 20-04-2015 11:25am

razorblunt wrote: »

Just realised (maybe I knew this before and forgot) I've been blocked by Stephen Jones (the journalist not the Wasps coach) on Twitter.
I wonder if it was due to me having a go at his beloved Tom Huddlestone or complaining about the standard of his articles.
Knowing him, it's probably the former.

Been there, done that!

Actually what I said to him was really mild and I wasn't having a go at him or his work per se.

razorblunt · 20-04-2015 1:12pm

Ah I'm in great company then!

Wang King · 20-04-2015 3:18pm

razorblunt wrote: »

Ah I'm in great company then!

He's got a restraining order out on me

thirteen. · 20-04-2015 4:08pm

Ian McKinley playing for the barbarians tomorrow. Linky.

Clip of him playing for Viadada here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkh4q2BlFs0

bilston · 20-04-2015 6:03pm

Some terrible terrible news here from Australia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32381162

RIP

sydthebeat · 20-04-2015 7:42pm

Jesus, that is deeply saddening

chupacabra · 20-04-2015 8:09pm

Eugh, that's desperate altogether. Recently a m8 of mine here needed surgery on his neck after a bad tackle so with that fresh in the mind this is beyond sad.

RIP to the lad.

ouncer · 20-04-2015 11:26pm

bilston wrote: »

Some terrible terrible news here from Australia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32381162

RIP

This is so sad. Within every aspect of life anything is possible. Its possible to lose your life at motor racing, its possible to lose your life on a ski slope, its possible to lose your life on a farm, its possible to lose your life crossing the road.

stl.ire · 20-04-2015 11:48pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

Sort of a blessing in disguise. Cruden is excellent at taking on the line especially behind a dominant pack and his general kicking and defence is fine. But his goal kicking is really poor for an international 10: too inaccurate and not enough distance. My preference is Barrett/Slade.

Curse of the NZ fly halves in rwc year. Again...

Don't understand all the Barrett love and I'm a Canes fan! He's an incredible athlete but I just don't feel he controls games well enough. He should be leading that Canes team but instead we get one magic moment a game and then he's pretty anonymous. And again I like him!

I think it will end up a Carter/Slade combo unfortunately, with Slade spelling carter when he needs a break. I'd be worried, but then NZ have Aaron Smith at scrum half so no bother. Hansen needs to babysit Smith's every move until the WC. He's irreplaceable. Losing Smith is the equivalent of Ireland losing sexton.

Pudsy33 · 21-04-2015 11:29am

Cooper signed for Toulon according to French media.

thomond2006 · 21-04-2015 11:31am

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Cooper signed for Toulon according to French media.

With Mermoz rumoured to be going to Leicester.

Buer · 21-04-2015 11:37am

I don't think Cooper will particularly benefit Toulon. He's like a more talented and volatile Michalak on the field with discipline issues off of it.

thomond2006 · 21-04-2015 11:40am

Buer wrote: »

I don't think Cooper will particularly benefit Toulon. He's like a more talented and volatile Michalak on the field with discipline issues off of it.

Toulon should have signed Matawalu. The popcorn sales at Mayol would go through the roof with a Matawalu-Cooper halfback pairing.

CatFromHue · 21-04-2015 6:05pm

In fairness to Cooper it's been awhile since he's had any stories in the press about his off field problems.

He is the Anti-Wilkinson in playing style though so that's going to be a funny fit for them.

darragh_haven · 21-04-2015 6:33pm

How is the seeding worked out for the Champions cup next year.

awec · 21-04-2015 6:40pm

darragh_haven wrote: »

How is the seeding worked out for the Champions cup next year.

League position (after the playoffs).

darragh_haven · 21-04-2015 6:44pm

awec wrote: »

League position (after the playoffs).

so even though leinster got to the semi final, if they only finish 5 in the league they'll be what, 3rd seeds?
what if munster finish 2nd in the league but loose their semi final?

awec · 21-04-2015 7:30pm

darragh_haven wrote: »

so even though leinster got to the semi final, if they only finish 5 in the league they'll be what, 3rd seeds?
what if munster finish 2nd in the league but loose their semi final?

Top seed is playoff winner. Second seed is playoff loser. After that it's league position.

If munster finish second but lose the semi they'd be third seeds.

sydthebeat · 21-04-2015 8:38pm

awec wrote: »

Top seed is playoff winner. Second seed is playoff loser. After that it's league position.

If munster finish second but lose the semi they'd be third seeds.

so leinster in 5th puts them into 4th seed? along with the italian winner?

awec · 21-04-2015 8:48pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

so leinster in 5th puts them into 4th seed? along with the italian winner?

Is it not 5th seed?

1. Playoff winner
2. Playoff loser
3. Semi loser with higher league position
4. Other semi loser
5. 5th place

sydthebeat · 21-04-2015 8:58pm

awec wrote: »

Is it not 5th seed?

1. Playoff winner
2. Playoff loser
3. Semi loser with higher league position
4. Other semi loser
5. 5th place

only 4 places per pool??

5 pools of 4?

ie 1 of the 2nd seeds would actually be top seed in their group.. and so on down the line

maybe im asking the wrong quuestion

its_phil · 21-04-2015 9:33pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

so leinster in 5th puts them into 4th seed? along with the italian winner?

They'll be in the third seeds I'm pretty sure for that position

molloyjh · 21-04-2015 9:58pm

Does anyone know how seeding across 5 groups works with 3 competitions? 3 of the top seeds are obvious (one from each league) but what about the other 2? Obviously 1 league is only represented once in the top seed, but how do they select which one? That obviously then applies to 4th placed in the league. A team from one league gets second seed while the other 2 are 3rd seed.

Either way 5th place ensures 3rd seeds. The Italian team will be 4th seed (7th in the Pro12).

|Pool 1|Pool 2|Pool 3|Pool 4|Pool 5
Seed 1|1|1|1|2|2
Seed 2|2|3|3|3|4
Seed 3|4|4|5|5|5
Seed 4|6|6|6|7|PO

thomond2006 · 21-04-2015 10:32pm

molloyjh wrote: »

Does anyone know how seeding across 5 groups works with 3 competitions? 3 of the top seeds are obvious (one from each league) but what about the other 2? Obviously 1 league is only represented once in the top seed, but how do they select which one? That obviously then applies to 4th placed in the league. A team from one league gets second seed while the other 2 are 3rd seed.

Either way 5th place ensures 3rd seeds. The Italian team will be 4th seed (7th in the Pro12).

|Pool 1|Pool 2|Pool 3|Pool 4|Pool 5
Seed 1|1|1|1|2|2
Seed 2|2|3|3|3|4
Seed 3|4|4|5|5|5
Seed 4|6|6|6|7|PO

They did that by draw last time I think?

awec · 21-04-2015 10:56pm

People are confusing seeding and tiers. There are 4 tiers, but there are 7 seeds from the Pro 12. The team that finishes 5th is a 5th seeded team.

Each league has a first seed, second seed etc.

The tiers are done as follows:

Tier one: The top seed of each league, and then a draw to put two of the three second seeds into tier 1.
Tier two: The remaining second seeded team, and then the three third seeds. The final team in tier two is the 4th seeded team from whichever league didn't win the draw for extra teams in tier 1.
Tier three: The two remaining 4th seeds plus all three 5th seeds
Tier four: The three 6th seeds, and two 7th seeds.

So for Leinster, the difference between finishing in a playoff spot and finishing 5th in terms of seeding is that if you finish 5th you will definitely be in tier three, whereas if you finish 4th seed you at least have a chance of tier 2. Teams in the same tier are kept apart.

awec · 21-04-2015 11:09pm

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