The Rugby Thread
- Thread starter tototoner
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- #6,062
Great appointment by Wales.
The way things are going, come the World Cup Wales will already be streets ahead of England, and with Pivac in charge they should improve even more.
Arnoldtoo
The thinking ape's ape
- May 18, 2006
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Ye of little faith. Much can happen between now and 2023.
E17yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 21, 2013
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I respectfully disagree and not due to some defence mechanism in case we have a terrible WC and you have a good one. It’s was only 18 month or so ago where we looked a good way behind even Scotland with our evolution in style of play. Yes, we’ve developed well and we look in a god place but shit can change.
Also if you look at your tour of SA individually it’s not as bad as some as making out. Likewise too much has been made of our development squad smashing Argentina (look at what a weak Scotland did to them) but as far as I’m concerned it’s avout seeing where all teams are at after the Autumn internationals (your next 2 games are SA and NZ-Massive bench mark) and then the 6N.
Don’t get me wrong I’m pleased with where we’re at as at last it seems we’ve got some decent depth (which was the big question mark for us)
- Oct 2, 2004
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- #6,065
England just seemed to have stopped getting the best out of lots of their players, and whilst Eddie was fantastic with a fixed squad who he was firmly behind to start with, he's really shown a lack of ability to bring in-form players into the squad when the old-guard were not playing well.
I just think that whilst England have got at least a good a selection of players as most other nations (maybe NZ excluded) we haven't timed it right in terms of bringing them into the squad ready for the World Cup.
Still a year to go so obviously time to turn it around, but England's development has just horribly stagnated at exactly the wrong moment.
As for Wales, Gatland has sort of stumbled into this Scarlets style of play but I think he'll now stick with that but will also be able to bring in some of the players who were injured in the 6Ns.
England should be going into the World Cup much stronger than Wales, but I'm not sure they're going to be.
E17yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 21, 2013
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Obviously Ireland are the top dog in the NH at the moment but I don’t think it’ll be any different going into the WC next year in that there’s not really much between the 3 sides. All can beat each other.
Arnoldtoo
The thinking ape's ape
- May 18, 2006
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A shame when your body lets you down. (Trust me!)
I doubt he'll be lost to Welsh rugby though.
All the best Sam.
E17yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 21, 2013
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Yeah, he was very thankful for all the support Gats and various other people in the Weslsh rugby community have shown him over the years. Would love to see him join Stephen and Adam Jones and get into coaching.
Whilst I was a tad surprised when I heard (as the last time I heard him speak was as a pundit in the 6N and he seemed very keen and optimistic about the season ahead) I can’t say I was shocked as his injury problems have been well documented.
If this had happened 3 years ago i’d be bricking it but I must admit with James Davies, Navidi, Tipuric, Ellis Jenkins, Faletau, Moriarty and Shingler as back row options I can’t say I’m overly worried about not having Sam with us any longer. In fact, though I’m sure his injuries were the main reason he decided to retire, I’m sure he was looking at the form of those players (especially James Davies and Tips as out and out open sides) and thought can I get up to that level again. No doubt when he was fit he was one of the best 7s in the world but sadly he hasn’t been properly fit for years.
teok
Well-Known Member
- Aug 11, 2011
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Incredibly good player but I think it's a really sensible decision. I think we will see players retiring earlier and earlier as the years go on.
Given how many really serious long term injuries england players are picking up (for instance just heard genge is now out until 2019) you do start to worry about the sport is structured. It seems like the players bodies are just at the limit constantly.
Given how many really serious long term injuries england players are picking up (for instance just heard genge is now out until 2019) you do start to worry about the sport is structured. It seems like the players bodies are just at the limit constantly.
Arnoldtoo
The thinking ape's ape
- May 18, 2006
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Fucking idiot.
Danny Cipriani fined for assault in Jersey nightclub
Yeah, how's that going Danny?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-45206046
Danny Cipriani fined for assault in Jersey nightclub
Last week he vowed to "do everything I can" to remain in the England set-up after making his first Test match start in 10 years during the summer tour to South Africa.
Yeah, how's that going Danny?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-45206046
Arnoldtoo
The thinking ape's ape
- May 18, 2006
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I'd like to think so. But he's supposed to be behaving himself and getting fined for assault and resisting arrest does seem to push the definitional boundaries!
Have to wait and see what Jones says, I guess.
E17yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 21, 2013
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Comfortable in the end for NZ. Thought that try from Maddocks might make it an interesting last 15 mins but NZ do what they always do when under pressure, score another 20 tries.
Argentina are shit at the moment. They should just sack their manager and have the Jaguars coach.
Argentina are shit at the moment. They should just sack their manager and have the Jaguars coach.
mpickard2087
Patient Zero
- Jun 13, 2008
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I caught up with it last night. Behind at HT, in a battle, Aussies with their tails up, Backs disrupted by injuries..... And the All Black machine just kicked into gear second half and got the job done pretty comprehensively.
Some things never change.
E17yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 21, 2013
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I know this is a terrible cliche but you really have to take your chances against the AB’s if you don’t you’re fucked. Tbf, Peyper was a bit harsh on the Ozzie’s and lenient on the AB’s especially in the first half but they still squandered a few good opportunities.
They’re just to good.
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