General Rugby Discussion II

Yeah_Right · 14-03-2019 3:05pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

With Hansen going I think there a possibility that Akira ioane could get a shot at taking the Jersey long term.

But maybe taufua will take it, or an outside shot of seu.

As a Highlanders fan, I don't think luke whitelock is good enough to be the kiwi 8

I agree. He's a good player. Works hard and tackles everything but isn't ever going to be a long term option for the ABs. Good bloke to have if there's an injury crisis.

hahashake · 17-03-2019 1:06pm

A loss of depth more than a loss of a key player. He's a good role model for younger guys and with the ongoing player drain there aren't too many guys like him left in NZ.

pickarooney · 17-03-2019 1:41pm

Eod100 wrote: »

That's a pity. Hopefully they will find clubs in France if that's where they want to stay. Saw James Coughlan will be forwards coach with Provence next season. Wonder would there be a need for any of them there.

Not particularly, unless their current flankers get snapped up by whoever gets promoted. Not too many non JIFF spots left either I reckon

Eod100 · 20-03-2019 11:07am

Sunwolves being axed from Super Rugby apparently https://twitter.com/JamiePandaram/status/1108192246011056128?s=19

awec · 20-03-2019 11:09am

In a World Cup year in Japan. Nice.

Eod100 · 20-03-2019 11:10am

awec wrote: »

In a World Cup year in Japan. Nice.

Think they will play in 2020 but whole thing seems a mess

awec · 20-03-2019 11:12am

Conference system gone too? Lucky them.

Pro14 need to watch this cautionary tale.

Mike Oxlong · 20-03-2019 11:21am

awec wrote: »

Conference system gone too? Lucky them.

Pro14 need to watch this cautionary tale.

Sunwolves to Pro 14 for a great weekend away!

Former Former · 20-03-2019 11:42am

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-18/andrew-johns-nrl-head-knocks-epilepsy-concussion/10910634

This is horrible to read, but even worse to think that something similar might affect other top-class half-backs with a tendency to get hit high and hard...

Thrashssacre · 20-03-2019 1:40pm

Eod100 wrote: »

Sunwolves being axed from Super Rugby apparently https://twitter.com/JamiePandaram/status/1108192246011056128?s=19

Sad news, what are the realistic options for them now? Joining a European league is out of the question due to time zones and the fact there really not particularly competitive. Is there much money envolved with the club? I know they love to run with the ball from what I’ve seen of them and make for some entertaining viewing so it’d be sad to see them just dissolve.

Eod100 · 20-03-2019 1:46pm

awec wrote: »

Conference system gone too? Lucky them.

Pro14 need to watch this cautionary tale.

I think so

Thrashssacre wrote: »

Sad news, what are the realistic options for them now? Joining a European league is out of the question due to time zones and the fact there really not particularly competitive. Is there much money envolved with the club? I know they love to run with the ball from what I’ve seen of them and make for some entertaining viewing so it’d be sad to see them just dissolve.

Looks like from this they a lot of their first team players will play in Japan's Top League and field a second string team in Super Rugby next season, after that who knows.

Guess this means Pro14 won't be expanded with another SA team anytime soon

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/sunwolves-axed-from-super-rugby-competition-by-sanzaar/news-story/8097928cf4b94aabc02414af1774a1ff

AbusesToilets · 20-03-2019 1:54pm

Terrible decision imo. SANZAAR management has been god awful the last few years. SA are holding the other Unions hostage with their financial strength from sponsorship, meanwhile the Aus union continues to make the WRU look like models of professionalism with how they've run the game into the ground.

Eod100 · 20-03-2019 2:09pm

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Terrible decision imo. SANZAAR management has been god awful the last few years. SA are holding the other Unions hostage with their financial strength from sponsorship, meanwhile the Aus union continues to make the WRU look like models of professionalism with how they've run the game into the ground.

I don't really follow the politics of it, how are SA so powerful? NZ have won most of the tournaments so would have thought they would be strongest. And with SA losing 2 of their clubs with Cheetahs and Kings, didn't think they had huge sway.

AbusesToilets · 20-03-2019 2:14pm

Eod100 wrote: »

I don't really follow the politics of it, how are SA so powerful? NZ have won most of the tournaments so would have thought they would be strongest. And with SA losing 2 of their clubs with Cheetahs and Kings, didn't think they had huge sway.

The SA broadcasters contribute most of the money in terms of viewing rights afaik. Hence the desire for the Pro14 to pull them into their orbit.

hahashake · 20-03-2019 3:39pm

As far as I know the Sunwolves aren't too popular among key people in Japanese rugby either given they already have a decent domestic competition. I think there is more appetite for the mooted international league.

Squidgy Black · 20-03-2019 6:32pm

L'Equipe reporting that FFR are looking to get O'Gara in as a consultant as part of their RWC backroom staff.

stephen_n · 20-03-2019 7:08pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

L'Equipe reporting that FFR are looking to get O'Gara in as a consultant as part of their RWC backroom staff.

He’d be best to stay well away from that sh1t show.

troyzer · 20-03-2019 7:13pm

stephen_n wrote: »

He’d be best to stay well away from that sh1t show.

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swiwi_ · 20-03-2019 7:44pm

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Terrible decision imo. SANZAAR management has been god awful the last few years. SA are holding the other Unions hostage with their financial strength from sponsorship, meanwhile the Aus union continues to make the WRU look like models of professionalism with how they've run the game into the ground.

Not really. The best Japanese players play for their clubs. A heap of the Sunwolves players are basically kiwis, Aussies, saffas and islanders. It’s not really a Japanese club.

thomond2006 · 20-03-2019 8:13pm

I saw a recent starting lineup with only two Japanese players iirc. I think Swiwi is correct. It's a team for bulking up pensions.

Squidgy Black · 20-03-2019 8:14pm

troyzer wrote: »

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ROG has been building up a fairly strong CV in terms of coaching positions with Racing, Crusaders and being involved with the Irish setup under Joe for the summer tour, a stint with the FFR when their shop is still a mess would be a bit of a blemish on it I'd imagine if things go to sh1te as the French have a tendency of doing.

Squidgy Black · 20-03-2019 8:18pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

I saw a recent starting lineup with only two Japanese players iirc. I think Swiwi is correct. It's a team for bulking up pensions.

28 of the 55 players listed in their current squad aren't players eligible for the Japanese national team, and that's not including the handful of Tongans/NZ/Aussies who are eligible for Japan through residency.

AbusesToilets · 20-03-2019 9:00pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

I saw a recent starting lineup with only two Japanese players iirc. I think Swiwi is correct. It's a team for bulking up pensions.

Most of the Japanese players are in national camp at present

AbusesToilets · 20-03-2019 9:03pm

swiwi_ wrote: »

Not really. The best Japanese players play for their clubs. A heap of the Sunwolves players are basically kiwis, Aussies, saffas and islanders. It’s not really a Japanese club.

The fact they have foreign players doesn't make them an inferior club. They play a great brand of rugby, and as this season has shown, are capable of getting results.

It's a terrible look for the sport to talk about cutting them on the eve of Japan hosting the RWC. Makes even less sense financially, given how much greater the Japanese market is than the rest of Sanzaar combined.

swiwi_ · 20-03-2019 9:15pm

AbusesToilets wrote: »

The fact they have foreign players doesn't make them an inferior club. They play a great brand of rugby, and as this season has shown, are capable of getting results.

It's a terrible look for the sport to talk about cutting them on the eve of Japan hosting the RWC. Makes even less sense financially, given how much greater the Japanese market is than the rest of Sanzaar combined.

I agree with your first paragraph. The japanese have not bought into the club however. Sanzaar needs to cut a team i dont see any other contenders.

AbusesToilets · 20-03-2019 9:22pm

swiwi_ wrote: »

I agree with your first paragraph. The japanese have not bought into the club however. Sanzaar needs to cut a team i dont see any other contenders.

Why do they need to cut a team, I haven't seen an explanation for that.

sydthebeat · 20-03-2019 9:33pm

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Why do they need to cut a team, I haven't seen an explanation for that.

Cos they feel the conference system fcuks then over, even though they are generally shi!te .... The lions being the main beneficiary of the other teams being crap

troyzer · 21-03-2019 9:39am

Squidgy Black wrote: »

ROG has been building up a fairly strong CV in terms of coaching positions with Racing, Crusaders and being involved with the Irish setup under Joe for the summer tour, a stint with the FFR when their shop is still a mess would be a bit of a blemish on it I'd imagine if things go to sh1te as the French have a tendency of doing.

I take the Arnie Vinick view. The FFR is a sinking ship. If he jumps on and they have a good world cup, he'll be given all of the credit for saving the day. If they don't, well he jumped on a sinking ship and it sank. It's not his fault.

Clegg · 21-03-2019 9:58am

From Murray Kinsella's latest piece:

At the World Rugby Player Welfare and Law Symposium a law change was suggested to decrease the risk of concussions. The following proposal was a popular one and could.be trialled post World Cup. Would also lead to some very tactical kicking battles.

One of the biggest on-pitch trends in rugby over the past decade has been the increased prevalence of aggressive ‘linespeed’ in defence, with teams filling their defensive line with up to 14 players and rushing forward into tackles – a situation where poor technique is particularly exposed.

Reducing the number of players in the defensive frontline was discussed at the Symposium, leading to the suggestion of a ’50/22′ law for kicking.

This would be a simple tweak whereby a kick from within your own half [your own 50-metre area] that bounces in the field of play before crossing the touchline in the opposition 22 would result in the kicking team getting the throw into the lineout.

An adaptation of the 40/20 kick in rugby league, the hope would be that the threat of these kicks would see defences keep more players in the backfield in order to prevent the kicking team securing an advantageous attacking lineout in the 22.

That, in turn, could produce more space in the defensive frontline and mean fewer tackle events.

https://www.the42.ie/world-rugby-law-trials-player-welfare-4551248-Mar2019/?amp=1&__twitter_impression=true

Thrashssacre · 21-03-2019 10:01am

Clegg wrote: »

From Murray Kinsella's latest piece:

At the World Rugby Player Welfare and Law Symposium a law change was suggested to decrease the risk of concussions. The following proposal was a popular one and could.be trialled post World Cup. Would also lead to some very tactical kicking battles.

https://www.the42.ie/world-rugby-law-trials-player-welfare-4551248-Mar2019/?amp=1&__twitter_impression=true

That sounds awful......

General Rugby Discussion II

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