The Rugby Thread
Comments
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The lousy weather certainly has something to do with the way things panned out as well.
However, I am sure the French public enjoyed that spectacle more than last night’s travesty.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
So it’s time to kick off the season with a tasty little number.
Bath vs Northampton and I know there is someone on here who’ll be well up for it!
I think I will be watching tonight, too and just keep a check on the Cardiff vs Zebre match.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
On paper, most other clubs appear a little weaker than last season, but Bath a little stronger.
Fingers crossed that comes true. Saints have lost 4 of their first choice pack to departures and Mitchell is out injured tonight. Bath really only missing their 2 first choice 12s.
Sarries have also lost a few starters from last season.
Sale will be strong too.
Be interesting how Cheika gets on at Tigers.
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It’s so depressing, trying to watch the Welsh regions. Cardiff Arms Park is a so muted, it’s a bit like one man and his dog. The quality of the rugby does little to help.
A stark contrast to the Rec. A proper atmosphere with some real skill and intent on the pitch.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Can never avenge the final, but that was a decent statement tonight. Very dominant display, even when having no possession in the 3rd quarter.
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Dear me, after last night’s feast of rugby, Exeter and Leicester are currently serving up starvation rations.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Watching this evening, I noticed that Saracens have an interesting and apt sponsor on the seat of their shorts: it’s Trek.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Gloucester looked really poor until close to the end when they had to chuck the ball around, and even then their accuracy was terrible.
Sarries look strong.
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It’s been quite a scrappy first half hour. At times it’s been like watching a game of football, with so much kicking.
NZ, despite a lot of handling errors, seem a bit more incisive, when it counts.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Well it was a good contest but a poor match, if that’s possible.
England’s in your face defence was excellent, but creativity in attack was almost non-existent.
Three tries to one, so I suppose the result was just about right.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Agree, England showed nothing in attack - quite why Slade was playing after just 50 minutes of rugby this season.
Really dumb Ben Earl no arms tackle.
Replacement front row eaten alive in the scrum.
Blindside defence poor for the first 2 tries leaving Genge with his @rse hanging out.
An opportunity lost, as that was there for the winning today.
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I thought England showed great physicality with Lawrence and the Curry Bros. But as mentioned nothing in attack. Going for the drop goals was desperate, and embarrassing as they didn't go over.
Any Scots here? Should be another good Calcutta Cup in Feb.. When Scotland's backs can rip a defence open. Although doubt they can front up to SA..
2022 Specialized Crux Comp Gravel destroyer
Single speed 46x16 Traffic eliminator0 -
I wouldn't necessarily say embarrassing, in a tight game you have to take whatever option is available, and for England that was a DG attempt. The major issue was that they attempted it from a poor position and the pass into Ford was rubbish, too high and slow which gave NZ the chance to rush. Yes, compared to the 6N England's attack seems to have gone backwards, but more worrying is the fact we can't get over the line now in games we should be winning (Ireland in the 6N aside).
I would say Scotland against Australia is the yardstick. Australia have improved a touch but they are there to be put away, that is the kind of game Scotland need to be winning.
One thing that is noticeable is how much the gap between Northern/Southern hemisphere has narrowed over the last 3-4 years. I would say on any given day, the top 3 sides from both are all capable of beating each other, it used to be that any Northern hemisphere win was a rarity.
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Haven't watched England yet but will do (when it gets pirated onto YouTube tbh)
In the mean time Joe Marler has retired (again). Sad day. One of the few characters left in international sport and one of the few props who could actually give the SA front row a run for their money. For that alone I will miss him...
We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
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The game against SA should be interesting, I was surprised that Fiji didn't give them more of a challenge.
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It was a Fiji 2nd team.
It’s going to be a totally different team against Wales on Sunday, as it falls inside the international window.
Talking of England’s lack of attacking ideas, I am pretty sure that Wales will set the bar significantly lower!
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.1 -
Full stats for Ireland last night against the ABs:
13 penalties conceded
30 missed tackles
21 handling errors
11 turnovers conceded
5 rucks lost
3 lineouts lost
1 scrum lost
Small wonder they lost
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Just went on the bbc to see the score and saw it was being played at Allianz Stadium. What nonsense is this?
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An unbelievable finish.
What a test match. England had plenty to offer in attack today, but fell off so many tackles in defence. When they manage to put both facets together, they will become a formidable team.
Australia didn’t play like the Southern Hemisphere wooden spoonists. It’s now another Wales match that I am not looking forward to.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
England's de3fence was attrocious and the Aussies thoroughly deserved to win.
35 missed tackles. lord knows how many Aussie line breaks. I suspect England's stats were at least as poor as Ireland's.
Slade was woeful at 12.
Suallii is going to be a superstar though
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Argentina take Italy apart.
Northern Hemisphere tier one teams not faring well against these tourists.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Thought we had turned a corner in the 6N. People saying it is a mental block not being able to close games but it is more our inability to defend, shipping easy points and allowing teams back in.
Does seem that the shocking defending has coincided with Felix Jones resigning in the summer. Seems as though there has been some kind of issues with the coaching stuff behind the scenes.
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Had the good fortune to be at Twickenham today. Disappointing result at the last minute but not dull at all.
1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
Seemed a good atmosphere.
But you won't ever win, or certainly not deserve to win, if you miss 35 tackles, and defend as badly as England did.
The presssure on Borthwick is going to grow exponentially if a miracle doesn't happen next week against the Boks
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TBF, we were about 20s away from winning, so we nearly did it but that last try from Australia was well deserved and right in front of where I was sat. Difficult to behrudge them the win.
1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
It appears that Eddie Jones has worked his magic.
So far, they have been awful against France. The handling has been schoolboy (or schoolgirl) level.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Well deserved victory by Fiji.
20 mins to go 😢
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Does Gatland stay or does he go before the 6 Nations?
Sadly none of the Boks backs had to go off today - one day their 7-1 bench split will really bite them hard, next weekend would be perfect timing!
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