Official Rugby Thread

[social]

Australia has turned in some really **** performances in the last few years but this is right up there - no discipline, no structure and defense a clun side would be ashamed of

England played extremely well but the real winners were the Parramatta League team - they must be thanking their lucky stars that they didnt sign Quade Cooper

Seriously, how the **** can a player reach international level without being able to tackle?

 

[Francis]

Did anybody see Kurtley's chip over the top try? What a great man. That's vintage Serge Blanco stuff. He's great, and all of you are great too, but not as great as Kurtley Beale.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Brumbles, fancy an avatar bet on the rose-wobbles game? 1 week as usual

Ripper, meet Martin Osborne Johnson; Martin Osborne Johnson, meet ripper:

 

[Hurricane]

Well done ABs. Would like to see Scotland improve - some basic handling errors. Missed tackles.

Anyways - good stuff.

 

[Somerset]

Well done ABs. Would like to see Scotland improve - some basic handling errors. Missed tackles.

Anyways - good stuff.

The irony was that we went into the game expecting a solid performance from Scotland, after their close win against Australia last year and their recent victories over Argentina, but they were quite woeful TBH - the top four ITM Cup teams would probably beat them based on last night's showing.

The standout for me was SBW - his offlines were just sublime, he was a force with ball in hand and equally as good on defence. It was by far the best I've seen him play, and he was quality for 80 minutes. Carter had a great 50 minutes and looked extremely sharp.

I'll comment quickly on the way that Scotland (and to a lesser extent England last week) tried to play the game under the new rules - whilst I admire their attitude its similar to the way Counties Manukau used to play in the NPC, in that if the opposition can contain the first 20 minutes of attack, they'll be so tired after throwing the ball around in the opening stanza that they don't really have anything to offer for the rest of the match. Its a matter of playing with that intensity for 80 minutes and I'm not sure that those Northern teams who have been accustomed to playing a different style are really benefitting, even if it does look more attractive rugby. In saying that, I see England beat Australia overnight so perhaps that contradicts my theory somewhat.

 

[Somerset]

Australia has turned in some really **** performances in the last few years but this is right up there - no discipline, no structure and defense a clun side would be ashamed of

England played extremely well but the real winners were the Parramatta League team - they must be thanking their lucky stars that they didnt sign Quade Cooper

Seriously, how the **** can a player reach international level without being able to tackle?

It really baffles me how Australia could've lost - unfortunately I'll only be able to see highlights because we only have the replay of non-AB international matches in Europe on an extra paid channel. They essentially fielded the same side that beat the ABs in Hong Kong and relatively comprehensively beat Wales last week. I admit England played with a good attitude last week but I didn't really expect them to get close to winning, unless the match was dominated at the set piece.

 

[social]

It really baffles me how Australia could've lost - unfortunately I'll only be able to see highlights because we only have the replay of non-AB international matches in Europe on an extra paid channel. They essentially fielded the same side that beat the ABs in Hong Kong and relatively comprehensively beat Wales last week. I admit England played with a good attitude last week but I didn't really expect them to get close to winning, unless the match was dominated at the set piece.

England were excellent and there was hardly a set piece to be seen

Having said that, it makes it a lot easier when all you have to do to make 20 metres is run at Cooper (plans were obviously a bit more sophisticated than that but you know what I mean)

TBH, Oz were pretty poor against Wales as well but got over them because of a few moments of brilliance and the fact that Wales are, well, crap

 

[TT Boy]

Australia has turned in some really **** performances in the last few years but this is right up there - no discipline, no structure and defense a clun side would be ashamed of

England played extremely well but the real winners were the Parramatta League team - they must be thanking their lucky stars that they didnt sign Quade Cooper

Seriously, how the **** can a player reach international level without being able to tackle?

Timana Tahu did and how long has Ronan O'Gara being playing for Ireland?

 

[Hurricane]

The irony was that we went into the game expecting a solid performance from Scotland, after their close win against Australia last year and their recent victories over Argentina, but they were quite woeful TBH - the top four ITM Cup teams would probably beat them based on last night's showing.

I wanted to make some of these comments but I was concerned about scottish fans feeling bad after the loss. The NZ cricket team looked like that against Bangers at times.

Anyways - to better days ahead for Scotland. Letting in 40 odd points against NZ isn't a big deal as we have been scoring 25-35 points against everyone. Just not enough offence from the Scots.

 

[TT Boy]

Morne Steyn apparently broke the international record yesterday for the most consecutive goal kicks (beating Scotland's Chris Paterson record of 36). Currently Steyn is on 38 with a kicking ratio this year over 96%.

 

[marc71178]

His streak ended last week at 41.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Just watching the highlights (couldn't watch it on telly yesterday cos I was in the west stand at Twickers ); my word, Youngs did well. Such a very unEnglish scrum-half, his ambition earns its rewards. Plays what's in front of him and not the field position. Loved how he sold Cooper a dummy five yards from our try line to free Ashton for his second. 99% of English players would've booted it for touch.

Have to say my ****les were also warmed by the way Ashton stood Mitchell up and then burned him off too. Reminiscent of another wing we poached from league in Wigan. If he's half the player Billy was, he'll do.

 

[GIMH]

Stayed in the marriot in the stadium on Monday. Never been there before, impressive stadium. Not a huge rugger fan but can enjoy. Think I might have to give it a proper visit one day. How much are tix on average?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Stayed in the marriot in the stadium on Monday. Never been there before, impressive stadium. Not a huge rugger fan but can enjoy. Think I might have to give it a proper visit one day. How much are tix on average?

Depends on the game. Paid £62 for mine yesterday, but against Samoa next week you can get them for £25.

The world sevens day are usually only a tenner too.

 

[GIMH]

Cheers for that mate

 

[Somerset]

Depends on the game. Paid £62 for mine yesterday, but against Samoa next week you can get them for £25.

The world sevens day are usually only a tenner too.

Wow, 62 pounds equates to about NZ$130 - was that the price for average seats? IMO thats extremely costly for essentially a one-off test (i.e. not part of the 3/6 Nations) - I'm not sure I'd be prepared to pay even that much to watch All Black RWC matches next year.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Wow, 62 pounds equates to about NZ$130 - was that the price for average seats? IMO thats extremely costly for essentially a one-off test (i.e. not part of the 3/6 Nations) - I'm not sure I'd be prepared to pay even that much to watch All Black RWC matches next year.

Possibly the cheapest I've ever got an autumn test v one of the Tri Nations teams, actually. Paid £85 last year. I'd guess Italy tickets for the 6 Nations cheaper, tbh. Went last year, I think, but can't remember what I paid.

Demand is so high for Oz/NZ/SA tests you have to enter a ballot for them. One of my mates is a member at Leicester Tigers or I'd have slim chance of getting hold of one.

It's a rip, but what are you gonna do?

 

[Somerset]

I'm guessing it was a full house then, and if theres enough demand and people are prepared to pay those prices then I can understand why those prices would be charged. But I'm sure you can see my surprise when you compare the prices to All Black matches in New Zealand against Northern opposition - for the games against Wales at Hamilton this year for example: "Temporary Stand (end of ground) prices range from $50 to $60. Greenzone tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for children." Obviously Waikato Stadium's hardly the pinnacle of sporting arenas but for as little as $35 for a test match its not bad value in comparision to the prices over the other side of the world.

 

[ripper868]

I'd quite happily part with 150 to see Aus vs England at a packed twickers tbh.

Only saw the second half as was sleeping due to work commitments today (woke up randomly in the night and thought **** it, might as well watch the second half...all in time to see Ashton fly 100m...WAFC...that's fast...not ****ing)

England beat us in every facet of the game, though we still had moments of brilliance. Hoping that England continue to play Rugby the way they did, it was completely un england like and ****ing entertaining, and will make for a rip snorter of a world cup next year.

Ripper, meet Martin Osborne Johnson; Martin Osborne Johnson, meet ripper:

Again! Gah!...get something orignal...revenge will be mine...

 

[marc71178]

Possibly the cheapest I've ever got an autumn test v one of the Tri Nations teams, actually. Paid £85 last year. I'd guess Italy tickets for the 6 Nations cheaper, tbh. Went last year, I think, but can't remember what I paid.

I was considering going to the Italy game a couple of years back, but the only tickets left were £90 and they weren't that good seats.