The Rugby Thread

blazing_saddles

Dorset_Boy said:

rick_chasey said:

OK interesting. But what sport are these 110kg men going into if it's not rugby?!

The professional pathways start at 13/14 when players are put forward for the DPPs by their schools and clubs. So all those in state schools who don't play the game get missed at that point. And then the vast majority on the DPPs don't make it either.

Then there's the discovery of beer and women which means others drop out, and a lot of people (rightly) don't want to play one sport alone for the rest of the lives which takes up 11 months of the year.

Then don't forget they aren't all going to be 110 kg and 6'6" tall, though nor are all the 23 in an international match day squad. It is still a game for (almost) all sizes. (eg SA winger Colby vs Tongan tighthead prop).

They also spend a lot of time in the gym bulking up, so they aren't naturally 110 kg (or whatever weight they bulk up to), so other sports may be options.

And then, how many people are naturally 110 kgs anyway?

Well, I know of one.

I only just realised that Wales and England are on one side of the draw and more importantly, Ireland, SA, NZ and France are all on the other.

Couldn’t ask for better for both teams.

pblakeney

As I said earlier upthread, couldn't have hand picked an easier draw.

Tashman

blazing_saddles said:

Dorset_Boy said:

rick_chasey said:

OK interesting. But what sport are these 110kg men going into if it's not rugby?!

The professional pathways start at 13/14 when players are put forward for the DPPs by their schools and clubs. So all those in state schools who don't play the game get missed at that point. And then the vast majority on the DPPs don't make it either.

Then there's the discovery of beer and women which means others drop out, and a lot of people (rightly) don't want to play one sport alone for the rest of the lives which takes up 11 months of the year.

Then don't forget they aren't all going to be 110 kg and 6'6" tall, though nor are all the 23 in an international match day squad. It is still a game for (almost) all sizes. (eg SA winger Colby vs Tongan tighthead prop).

They also spend a lot of time in the gym bulking up, so they aren't naturally 110 kg (or whatever weight they bulk up to), so other sports may be options.

And then, how many people are naturally 110 kgs anyway?

Well, I know of one.

I only just realised that Wales and England are on one side of the draw and more importantly, Ireland, SA, NZ and France are all on the other.

Couldn’t ask for better for both teams.

I'm completely misreading the draw if that's the case. Looks to me that if Wales win the group then it's one of Samoa, Japan or Argentina in the Quarters, then Ireland or NZ in the Semi most likely.

Dorset_Boy

Tashman said:

blazing_saddles said:

Dorset_Boy said:

rick_chasey said:

OK interesting. But what sport are these 110kg men going into if it's not rugby?!

The professional pathways start at 13/14 when players are put forward for the DPPs by their schools and clubs. So all those in state schools who don't play the game get missed at that point. And then the vast majority on the DPPs don't make it either.

Then there's the discovery of beer and women which means others drop out, and a lot of people (rightly) don't want to play one sport alone for the rest of the lives which takes up 11 months of the year.

Then don't forget they aren't all going to be 110 kg and 6'6" tall, though nor are all the 23 in an international match day squad. It is still a game for (almost) all sizes. (eg SA winger Colby vs Tongan tighthead prop).

They also spend a lot of time in the gym bulking up, so they aren't naturally 110 kg (or whatever weight they bulk up to), so other sports may be options.

And then, how many people are naturally 110 kgs anyway?

Well, I know of one.

I only just realised that Wales and England are on one side of the draw and more importantly, Ireland, SA, NZ and France are all on the other.

Couldn’t ask for better for both teams.

I'm completely misreading the draw if that's the case. Looks to me that if Wales win the group then it's one of Samoa, Japan or Argentina in the Quarters, then Ireland or NZ in the Semi most likely.

Top 2 from Wales's group meet the top 2 from England's group in the QF.
That side is far easier to get to a semi final from, than the other side of the draw where 2 of the top 4 sides in the world will go home after the QF.

pblakeney

Dorset_Boy said:

Tashman said:

blazing_saddles said:

Dorset_Boy said:

rick_chasey said:

OK interesting. But what sport are these 110kg men going into if it's not rugby?!

The professional pathways start at 13/14 when players are put forward for the DPPs by their schools and clubs. So all those in state schools who don't play the game get missed at that point. And then the vast majority on the DPPs don't make it either.

Then there's the discovery of beer and women which means others drop out, and a lot of people (rightly) don't want to play one sport alone for the rest of the lives which takes up 11 months of the year.

Then don't forget they aren't all going to be 110 kg and 6'6" tall, though nor are all the 23 in an international match day squad. It is still a game for (almost) all sizes. (eg SA winger Colby vs Tongan tighthead prop).

They also spend a lot of time in the gym bulking up, so they aren't naturally 110 kg (or whatever weight they bulk up to), so other sports may be options.

And then, how many people are naturally 110 kgs anyway?

Well, I know of one.

I only just realised that Wales and England are on one side of the draw and more importantly, Ireland, SA, NZ and France are all on the other.

Couldn’t ask for better for both teams.

I'm completely misreading the draw if that's the case. Looks to me that if Wales win the group then it's one of Samoa, Japan or Argentina in the Quarters, then Ireland or NZ in the Semi most likely.

Top 2 from Wales's group meet the top 2 from England's group in the QF.
That side is far easier to get to a semi final from, than the other side of the draw where 2 of the top 4 sides in the world will go home after the QF.

...and the 5th already has one foot on the plane.

Tashman

Dorset_Boy said:

Tashman said:

blazing_saddles said:

Dorset_Boy said:

rick_chasey said:

OK interesting. But what sport are these 110kg men going into if it's not rugby?!

The professional pathways start at 13/14 when players are put forward for the DPPs by their schools and clubs. So all those in state schools who don't play the game get missed at that point. And then the vast majority on the DPPs don't make it either.

Then there's the discovery of beer and women which means others drop out, and a lot of people (rightly) don't want to play one sport alone for the rest of the lives which takes up 11 months of the year.

Then don't forget they aren't all going to be 110 kg and 6'6" tall, though nor are all the 23 in an international match day squad. It is still a game for (almost) all sizes. (eg SA winger Colby vs Tongan tighthead prop).

They also spend a lot of time in the gym bulking up, so they aren't naturally 110 kg (or whatever weight they bulk up to), so other sports may be options.

And then, how many people are naturally 110 kgs anyway?

Well, I know of one.

I only just realised that Wales and England are on one side of the draw and more importantly, Ireland, SA, NZ and France are all on the other.

Couldn’t ask for better for both teams.

I'm completely misreading the draw if that's the case. Looks to me that if Wales win the group then it's one of Samoa, Japan or Argentina in the Quarters, then Ireland or NZ in the Semi most likely.

Top 2 from Wales's group meet the top 2 from England's group in the QF.
That side is far easier to get to a semi final from, than the other side of the draw where 2 of the top 4 sides in the world will go home after the QF.

Fair enough, I guess once you reach the semi's that's a good tournament for this current Wales team.

Pross

What the hell is up with Fiji today? They’re terrible and Georgia should be miles in front but for wasted chances.

pblakeney

Pross said:

What the hell is up with Fiji today? They’re terrible and Georgia should be miles in front but for wasted chances.

Raised their game for the big matches and are now dropping the ball. Literally.
PS - I think the leagues will finish as they currently are, with the exception of C. Only interesting group.

secretsqirrel

I was so disappointed with NZ v Italy game last night. The All Blacks were always going to win, but Italy seemed to really have no answer.
I joked with a mate that the loser of the opening game would win. Judging by the ruthlessness coming back into the ABs, I might have been right.

Pross

Shocker of a match. That missed drop goal summed it up.

Dorset_Boy

Italy were dire, so dire I turned over at half time. Didn't help that Matt Carley has rediscovered his empathy bypass, and only reffing the defending side, not the attacking one - 4 offences by the ABs in the 4 breakdowns leading up to their opening try.
Italy then decided it was touch rugby.

Pross

Portugal are so good to watch.

Pross

Costly yellow card that but at least it wasn’t a red.

secretsqirrel

Oh well Wallabies have done their 4 games now. Just have to sit it out next week.

Pross

France looking good and playing confidently but Italy are poor. I’m disappointed with them as they looked to really have improved in the 6N.

Dorset_Boy

Pross said:

France looking good and playing confidently but Italy are poor. I’m disappointed with them as they looked to really have improved in the 6N.

Not sure who are worse, Italy, or Karl Dickson.
Dickson isn't fit to referee Level 3, let alone internationals. He's only looked at Italy and ignored all French offences.

France would still be winning easily because they are very good and playing with a confidence and a joy, but when the 35/65 offences are going against you, it is impossible to get a foothold, or to relax.

Dorset_Boy

France drop a kick, clear knock on ignored by Dickson, but spots something to penalise Italy for. Italians close to taking things into their own hands which would be a bad thing.

Pross

Dorset_Boy said:

France drop a kick, clear knock on ignored by Dickson, but spots something to penalise Italy for. Italians close to taking things into their own hands which would be a bad thing.

Yeah, thought the same. Not sure how he ruled that went backwards. It felt like the crowd was refereeing the game at times.

Pross

Wales are using a few players tomorrow I’d rather see rested to protect them from the risks of injury or suspension.

pblakeney

Pross said:

Wales are using a few players tomorrow I’d rather see rested to protect them from the risks of injury or suspension.

Just need one point to top the group?
Likely but not guaranteed is probably the thinking.

Dorset_Boy

Good win for Wales in the end.
Fantastic first half from Bath for the second week in a row.

Cracking try from Samoa

mrb123

Interesting hair style on that scrum half.

blazing_saddles

Falateau with yet another broken arm.
DB will know about the others.

blazing_saddles

Video ref currently saving England’s blushes.

Dorset_Boy

blazing_saddles said:

Falateau with yet another broken arm.
DB will know about the others.

Oh not, that's a massive shame for him, and a big blow for Wales.

Dorset_Boy

blazing_saddles said:

Video ref currently saving England’s blushes.

Agree.
And then the England backs all stepped up offside before the dropped pass late on but got away with it.
England just have no imagination, don't trust each other in attack.
Complete contrast with France and the ABs.

Dorset_Boy

And on Farrell's penalty:
Shot Clock - do you have to kick the ball before it goes to zero, or start your run up before zero, because Farrell made contact with the ball just after the clock went to zero.....

Dorset_Boy

Pull off Ford and leave Farrell? What game are the coaches watching because it isn't this one.

blazing_saddles

It’s turning out to be a classic game of a team with nothing to lose playing a team with nothing to gain.

blazing_saddles

Quite a few Scots and Irish staying at my hotel, so it should be a good evening.