The Rugby Thread

[E17yid]

Jesus, some of the rugby from NZ today was unbelievable even for them. That last Barret try. Incredible

Basically Ireland, England Wales or whoever think they have even the faintest shot of winning the WC need 4 things to happen:

1. NZ pick up about 12 really bad injuries in the next year. Franks, Taylor, Ratallik, Whitelock, Cane, Reid, A.Smith, B.Barret, B.Smith, Noholu, J. Barret, Mackenzie,

2. You hope that whoever is left is playing at around 60% and hits a bad bit of form when you play them.

3. You have a ref who is incredibly generous towards you throughout the whole 80 mins and literally makes 2-3 horrendously bad individual decisions in your favour

4. You play the best possible game you can, going full pelt for 80mins, taking every chance you have. Basically be in unbelievable form.

If all of those 4 points are met we might, just might, have a chance at the WC. If not we might as well just give it to them now.

 

[teok]

Yeah international rugby, as much as I enjoy it, is really stale. In most sports you sort of get teams that dominate for a period of time and then a new generation comes up some where else.

In rugby I just don't see any thing changing.

 

[E17yid]

The Argentina V SA was a good game of rugby. Much needed win for the Argies.

On the subject of NZ dominance, Ireland are definitely the best equipped team to beat them not just coz they’re the number 2 ranked team in the world (coz they’re still a good level or 2 below NZ) but because of the style of rugby they play.

Ireland are extremely effective at retaining possession and have a solid set piece. You can’t give the ball away against NZ, and as we saw in the 6N, Ireland are so good at suffocating teams with a clever kicking game from Murray and Sexton which makes sure they play rugby in the right areas and when they do have the ball they don’t give it up easily and are happy to go through the phases. If both teams played each other tomorrow I wouldn’t expect NZ to win by more than 10 points (though I wouldn’t be shocked if they did, obviously)

However, what ref you have and how he officiates the breakdown has a lot to do with how much possession you have. The Wales V Ireland game in Dublin in last years 6N is a good example. We didn’t deserve to win that game but we were so harshly penalised in that first half with some inconsistent calls which resulted in us having something ridiculous like 19% possession during the game. Now, even though we were in Dublin and had less than 20% of the ball we scored, I think, 3 tries that day pretty much every time we got into Ireland’s 22 with ball in hand. This is why I mention the ref as as good as Ireland are at retaining possession I don’t see them getting 80% of the ball against NZ but you never know.

Doesn’t bode well for Wales though. I like out high intensity offload, throw it about game we’re playing at the moment but it’s a bit like spurs trying to our Barca Barcelona. Sometimes you need to be savvy and pragmatic like the Irish.

 

[Thewobbler]

Yeah international rugby, as much as I enjoy it, is really stale. In most sports you sort of get teams that dominate for a period of time and then a new generation comes up some where else.

In rugby I just don't see any thing changing.

Whos fault is that though?

NZ keep churning out great players, maybe other teams styles need to change to compete.

 

[E17yid]

Whos fault is that though?

NZ keep churning out great players, maybe other teams styles need to change to compete.

I don’t think it’s necessarily a style thing. Like you say, they keep churning out world class player after world class player.

I think the only fair comparison with NZ is Wales coz they both have a similar population and they’re the only 2 countries who live and breath rugby. It certainly helps NZ that they have the Pacific islands on their door step but you’ve got to look at NZ school boy rugby and the level they play at to really understand why everyone is so far behind them. Like with most things the grass roots is extremely important.

Let’s also not forget that NZ have been pretty dominant for the last century so this is nothing new and I can’t ever really see it changing.

That’s not to say they’re unbeatable and, on a whole, the NH is better than the SH but in terms of other teams trying to catch NZ I just can’t see it.

 

[mpickard2087]

I wouldn't say NZ make it boring or stale. You have to appreciate what they do - on and off the pitch.

It does help that it's the national sport, but they have a set-up that is completely joined up in it's thinking. A lot is geared towards looking after the national team and aiding their recent dominance, but still allows NZ franchises to dominate at Super Rugby level, and below that also have a great competition at provincial/club level in order to allow young/club players to transition to the professional/Super Rugby ranks and so means they cope with players getting lured overseas, and even at the grassroots great structures that start the pathway.

And they all have a defined way of playing that then allows the national team to be seamless, highly skilled which allows them to play under pressure, and at times make it look too easy.

It's up to other countries to catch up, rather than complain about one team setting standards of excellence.

 

[E17yid]

I could watch NZ play all day. Love them.

 

[E17yid]

Can’t wait for the Ireland NZ game this Autumn. England too. While you’d have thought the latter will really struggle (20-30 point loss) I reckon they could make a good go of it but I thought Australia would (technically they did for 65 mins and England will to until the inevitable kiwi gear change kicks in around the hour mark)

Ireland will be the test for them.

 

[Thewobbler]

I like the fact NZ will play ball anywhere on the field. Just keep it alive trying to find the break instead of kicking to touch or downfield most of the time.

 

[Japhet]

I like the fact NZ will play ball anywhere on the field. Just keep it alive trying to find the break instead of kicking to touch or downfield most of the time.

That's what really stood out for me. Time after time NZ ran the ball where England would 100% have kicked it. They were patient in possession and prepared to keep plugging away for small yardage until the big holes opened up and they were away.

 

[Japhet]

I don’t think it’s necessarily a style thing. Like you say, they keep churning out world class player after world class player.

I think the only fair comparison with NZ is Wales coz they both have a similar population and they’re the only 2 countries who live and breath rugby. It certainly helps NZ that they have the Pacific islands on their door step but you’ve got to look at NZ school boy rugby and the level they play at to really understand why everyone is so far behind them. Like with most things the grass roots is extremely important.

Let’s also not forget that NZ have been pretty dominant for the last century so this is nothing new and I can’t ever really see it changing.

That’s not to say they’re unbeatable and, on a whole, the NH is better than the SH but in terms of other teams trying to catch NZ I just can’t see it.

South Africa aren't far off that. I spent a fair bit of time out there in my youth and they're obsessed with Rugby.

 

[E17yid]

South Africa aren't far off that. I spent a fair bit of time out there in my youth and they're obsessed with Rugby.

True and I’ve always thought it one of the toughest places to play rugby as their fans are great (always generate good numbers in the stadiums too)

I wouldn’t quite put them on the same level as NZ or Wales though. Like you say, not far off, though, for sure.

 

[SlickMongoose]

Much as I hate the Bears branding, when we're beating Bath, I really don't care.

C'mon Bris.

 

[teok]

Check out this pass by cips from the glos vs northampton game.

 

[E17yid]

2 tries for North on his Ospreys debut. Literally won us the game.

 

[teok]

Higher quality:

 

[E17yid]

Higher quality:

Did you watch the game? If so how did Biggar do on his debut?

@Japhet what say you?

 

[teok]

He was good defensively. Saints were a bit stodgy in attack but that wasn't just his fault. They have a new coach etc.

 

[Japhet]

Did you watch the game? If so how did Biggar do on his debut?

@Japhet what say you?

Missed the game although I had a ticket. Family problems take priority. Sounds like Northampton did OK ish from post match interviews but shipped a boatload of penalties which was a major issue last season.

 

[E17yid]

Missed the game although I had a ticket. Family problems take priority. Sounds like Northampton did OK ish from post match interviews but shipped a boatload of penalties which was a major issue last season.

Hope fam is ok

Keep me posted on future games. Interested to hear how he gets on. The 1 and only write up I’ve read said he did well but was outshone by Cipriani but that was a worldly pass so understandable.