The Rugby Thread

[teok]

Are Australia bad at the moment? With the side we've selected, especially the front row, I don't see us winning by more than a score if we win.

They have some seriously talented backs but ireland's style should hard counter it.

 

[E17yid]

Murray is, but Sexton isn't. We're also playing our 2nd sting loosehead (though there isn't much between McGrath and Healy) and, at best, our 3rd string hooker and tighthead. Missing one or two others too.

Looking forward to see how Carbury goes though.

Yeah, just had a look at the team. You should win but will be a good contest. Awesome match up in the back row with Pocock and Hooper against POM and Murphy.

Crazy that Hooper is only 26. He’s been around for years.

 

[UncleBuck]

Just wondering if any of you chaps can offer any advice on junior kit.
My lad starts contact next season (hoorah!), any advice on decent headgear and gumshields would be greatly appreciated so I can pass onto the rest of the squad.
We also need to get tackle pads so if anyone can recommend a supplier or where we can get some from it’d be greatly appreciated!

 

[SugarRay]

All blacks benefit from dodgy ref shocker!

Never a yellow for France when the score is 11-11. All blacks then score two quick tries, the second one only having two passes in the build up that Tom Brady would be proud of!

Some things never change

 

[teok]

Hoping this aus/ire game is a fun one for the neutral. Want the aussies to chuck it about a bit and least put up a good fight.

 

[WorcesterTHFC]

Just wondering if any of you chaps can offer any advice on junior kit.
My lad starts contact next season (hoorah!), any advice on decent headgear and gumshields would be greatly appreciated so I can pass onto the rest of the squad.
We also need to get tackle pads so if anyone can recommend a supplier or where we can get some from it’d be greatly appreciated!

Speak to a dentist about gum shields. It's too important to leave to a lay person.

 

[E17yid]

All blacks benefit from dodgy ref shocker!

Never a yellow for France when the score is 11-11. All blacks then score two quick tries, the second one only having two passes in the build up that Tom Brady would be proud of!

Some things never change

That was a ridiculous yellow. First tier 1 game for that ref, apparently. Still, you can’t put the entire result on the ref.

My boy Damian Mackenzie, though. What a player.

 

[teok]

Well done to the aussies, they kept the irish quiet and then took their chances. I was expecting more of a late surge from ire.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Boks v England getting interesting

Almost turned off at 25 mins

 

[SugarRay]

England aren’t very good. First twenty flattered them

 

[SugarRay]

Jones will be under serious pressure if this series ends 3-0. Defensively England look as bad as I’ve ever seen in that half!

 

[teok]

We go from playing locks in every position to having one on the pitch.

 

[StockSpur]

shocking we lose again due to ball turnover and poor discipline, shit team, overrated.

 

[E17yid]

Great game for the neutral. Bad day for the NH.

 

[TheHoddleWaddle]

Hopefully Wales put in a good performance, that's from an England & France fan.

I was disappointed in the English performance. Although, i wasn't overly surprised as form has dropped a lot over the last 6 months. Jones record is still pretty good, but I am starting to wonder if his man management may be an issue. Reminds me of Mourinho a bit in that respect.

 

[Japhet]

A few pluses from England. Glad to see Slade get a run out and Shields did pretty well. SA predictably targetted big runners at Ford (and why wouldn't you?). The Saracens contingent looked completely spent though (apart from Billy V).

 

[E17yid]

Great performance and result from Wales can’t say I was expecting it to be that comfortable. I think we’re the only touring side that’s purely got the WC in mind. Got some really good depth now.

What England would do for one or 2 of Warburton, Tipuric, Navidi, James Davies, Ellis Jenkins. Wish we could spread some of the embarrassment of riches we have at 7 into some other areas of the squad.

 

[SugarRay]

Great performance and result from Wales can’t say I was expecting it to be that comfortable. I think we’re the only touring side that’s purely got the WC in mind. Got some really good depth now.

What England would do for one or 2 of Warburton, Tipuric, Navidi, James Davies, Ellis Jenkins. Wish we could spread some of the embarrassment of riches we have at 7 into some other areas of the squad.

Curry has massive potential from what I’ve seen but he’s getting zero help for the balance of the backrow. Billy V looked way off being match fit and even then, wasn’t being utilised at all from an attacking perspective anyway. Robshaw is ready for the knackers yard.

Next week I’d like to see Shields start in his correct position, Curry keep the 7 shirt and whoever is the fittest out of Billy and Hughes at 8. No more square pegs, round holes bollocks.
Sinkler was disappointing as was Itoje.

I’d go Mako, George, Williams, Itoje, Launchbury, Shields, Curry, Billy, Youngs, Ford, May, Farrell, Daly, Solomona, Brown.

Sinkler, LCD, Genge, Isiekwe, Hughes, Cipriani, Slade, Robson.
That keeps Daly involved in games, sures up the scrum and set piece and the backrow actually resembles something of a complimentary unit, which would be a major surprise to see in an England team!

 

[E17yid]

Curry has massive potential from what I’ve seen but he’s getting zero help for the balance of the backrow. Billy V looked way off being match fit and even then, wasn’t being utilised at all from an attacking perspective anyway. Robshaw is ready for the knackers yard.

Next week I’d like to see Shields start in his correct position, Curry keep the 7 shirt and whoever is the fittest out of Billy and Hughes at 8. No more square pegs, round holes bollocks.
Sinkler was disappointing as was Itoje.

I’d go Mako, George, Williams, Itoje, Launchbury, Shields, Curry, Billy, Youngs, Ford, May, Farrell, Daly, Solomona, Brown.

Sinkler, LCD, Genge, Isiekwe, Hughes, Cipriani, Slade, Robson.
That keeps Daly involved in games, sures up the scrum and set piece and the backrow actually resembles something of a complimentary unit, which would be a major surprise to see in an England team!

I forget that you’ve got Underhill (though I think he might be more of a 6) too and he’s a great prospect. Like the look of Curry but it’s never easy making the step up to international rugby when you’re in your teens but especially hard when your pack isn’t playing well.

I must admit I know you’re not in great form but I thought you’d walk this series 3-0 (with 1, perhaps 2 close games) but you’d have to put the Saffers as favourites now.

Shields has to start the next game, for sure.

Maybe this dip is happening at exactly the right time for you. Time will tell. You need to start winning games, though.

 

[SugarRay]

I forget that you’ve got Underhill (though I think he might be more of a 6) too and he’s a great prospect. Like the look of Curry but it’s never easy making the step up to international rugby when you’re in your teens but especially hard when your pack isn’t playing well.

I must admit I know you’re not in great firm but I thought you’d walk this series 3-0 (with 1, perhaps 2 close games) but you’d have to put the Saffers as favourites now.

Shields has to start game, for sure.

Maybe this dip is happening at exactly the right time for you. Time will tell. You need to start winning games, though.

It’s still there for the taking.
Underhill is a 6 I think.

Thing is, there’s actually a fair few English 7’s in the aviva but they’ve not been given a shot. Too late now though as it seems to be considered for openside you either need to be a blindside, number 8 or be under 20 years of age.