Official Rugby Thread

[91Jmay]

Not seen a huge amount of Phipps but he has had a few horror games against England recently. Think the Wallabies look a side rebuilding pretty nicely though actually. Finding the pieces and most crucially depth that they didn't have even in World Cup. Depth in international rugby is now the most important factor in success. Would say England are deep at every position except scrum half and open side. We desperately need to stop playing Danny Care. Just glad Youngs has gone to playing at a world class level, although still don't totally trust his consistency

 

[BoyBrumby]

Paul Rees gives end of year reports for the Home Nations and his Lions XV based on November form:

15) S Hogg
14) J May
13) J Payne
12) O Farrell
11) L Williams
10) G Ford
9) C Murray
1) M Vunipola
2) D Hartley
3) T Furlong
4) I Henderson
5) G Kruis
6) C Robshaw
7) S O'Brien
8) B Vunipola

Any fifteen that can afford to leave out Joseph, Youngs, ***ton, Tipuric, Lawes and Cole must be in fairly rude health.

That's without factoring in chaps like Itoje, Faletau, Watson and WP Nel who missed or missed most of the autumn.

 

[Howe_zat]

It's bound to be a little out there because any right-thinking lions selection isn't based on a collection of playing-well-right-now names. You'd think there would be some form of game plan.

But while we're entertaining the idea, Payne over Joseph is criminal, while Ireland had Henshaw and Ringrose grabbing headlines Payne was just sort of... there. Meanwhile JJ continues to rack up tries.

I expect Johnny Gray to be the Scot in the 23.

Otherwise, not much argument, and one Welshman in it is funny, though that situation will change.

 

[91Jmay]

15) S Hogg
14) G North
13) J Joseph
12) O Farrell
11) L Williams
10) G Ford
9) B Youngs
1) M Vunipola
2) R Best
3) T Furlong
4) A-W Jones
5) G Kruis
6) C Robshaw
7) S O'Brien
8) B Vunipola

They would be my starters as of today.

 

[ripper868]

Huw Jones would be selected in the overall squad I'd think - he looked damn fine in the Scotland matches I saw, think he injured though.

Isn't Vunipola out for the 6 nations as well? Hard to pick a guy that hasn't played - that said, the man who replaced him for the Australia match looks a beast.

 

[Howe_zat]

Huw Jones would be selected in the overall squad I'd think - he looked damn fine in the Scotland matches I saw, think he injured though.

Isn't Vunipola out for the 6 nations as well? Hard to pick a guy that hasn't played - that said, the man who replaced him for the Australia match looks a beast.

He'll miss the six nations but will have the European club finals to prove himself in and they're a pretty high standard given the French money. And Saracens are the new super club.

Tom Croft got in on club form last time after being injured all year I think.

 

[Furball]

Think it's to prevent the potential scenario where a team winning the GS could be pipped to the title by another.

Team A wins the GS with no try scoring bonuses (5 wins @ 4 pts per win = 20 pts)
Team B wins 4/5 games, securing 5 4-try bonus points & a losing bonus (4 wins @ 4pts pw, 5 x try bonus pts, 1 losing bonus pt = 22 pts)

Fair call.

Scotland's to lose this year.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Oh Dylan you so crazy.

 

[Howe_zat]

had a good run

 

[ripper868]

Such a cheap shot as well, just so completely out of character..../s

 

[Furball]

Warriors

 

[Howe_zat]

heh

 

[Francis]

Heeeee''s baaaaaack!

Team of the 2000s

1. Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina)
2. Keith Wood (Ireland)
3. Carl Hayman (*** *******)
4. Martin Johnson (England)
5. John Eales (Australia)
6. Richard Hill (England)
7. Richie McCaw (*** *******)
8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
9. Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
10. Dan Carter (*** ********)
11. Shane Williams (Wales)
12. Yannick Jouzion (France)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
14. Joe Rokocoko (*** *******)
15. Chris Latham (Australia)

Team of the 1990s

1. Christian Califano (France)
2. Sean Fitzpatrick (*** ********)
3. Olo Brown (*** *******)
4. Mark Andrews
5. John Eales
6. Willie Ofahengaue
7. Josh Kronfeld (*** ********)
8. Zinzan Brooke (*** ********)
9. Joost van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
10. Michael Lynagh (Australia)
11. Jonah Lomu (*** ********)
12. Tim Horan (Australia)
13. Frank Bunce (Western Samoa/*** *******)
14. David Campese (Australia)
15. Christian Cullen

Team of the 1980s

1. Topo Rodriguez (Argentina/Australia)
2. Colin Deans (Scotland)
3. Iain Milne (Scotland)
4. Andy Haden (*** ********)
5. Steve Cutler (Australia)
6. Jean-Pierre Rives (France)
7. Michael Jones (*** *********)
8. Wayne "Buck" Shelford (*** ********)
9. Dave Loveridge (*** *********)
10. Mark Ella (Australia)
11. David Campese (Australia)
12. Philippe Sella (France)
13. Danie Gerber (South Africa)
14. John Kirwan (*** ********)
15. Serge Blanco (France)

Team of the 1970s

1. Ian McLaughlin
2. Bobby Windsor
3. Graham Price
4. Frik du Preez
5. Willie John McBride
6. Ian Kirkpatrick (*** ********)
7. Fergus Slattery (Ireland)
8. Mervyn Davies (Wales)
9. Gareth Edwards (Wales)
10. Barry John (Wales)
11. David Duckham (England)
12. Mike Gibson (Ireland)
13. Bruce Robertson (*** ********)
14. Gerald Davies (Wales)
15. J.P.R. Williams (Wales)

Team of the 1960s

1. Jon White (Australia)
2. Peter Wheeler (England)
3. Ken Gray (*** ********)
4. Frik du Preez (South Africa)
5. Colin Meads (*** *******)
6. Jan Ellis (South Africa)
7. Waka Nathan (*** ********)
8. Walter Spanghero (France)
9. Ken Catchpole (Australia)
10. Phil Hawthorne (Australia)
11. I don't know
12. John Gainsford (South Africa)
13. Mannetjies Roux (South Africa)
14.I don't know
15. Tom Keirnan (Ireland)

 

[Furball]

Why the **** can you not type New Zealand like a normal person?

 

[Howe_zat]

Why the **** can you not type New Zealand like a normal person?

It's useful actually, it allows anyone not already familiar with Francis to immediately know the score before engaging with him on anything.

Heeeee''s baaaaaack!

Team of the 2000s

1. Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina)
2. Keith Wood (Ireland)
3. Carl Hayman (I'm a bellend)
4. Martin Johnson (England)
5. John Eales (Australia)
6. Richard Hill (England)
7. Richie McCaw (I'm clearly a bellend)
8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
9. Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
10. Dan Carter (I'm a bellend btw)
11. Shane Williams (Wales)
12. Yannick Jouzion (France)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
14. Joe Rokocoko (Just reiterating that I'm a massive bellend)
15. Chris Latham (Australia)

etc

 

[hendrix]

Rokocoko had such a short peak. Who else was in contention in the 2000s?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Jason Robinson the first name I thought of. Most incendiary attacking talent we've produced in either code in my watching lifetime.

 

[Howe_zat]

 

[Mike5181]

Rokocoko had such a short peak. Who else was in contention in the 2000s?

I always thought Howlett was considered slightly superior to Rokocoko. Better support player.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Leicester sack ****erill.

Pretty huge call from yer Tigers. ****ers is a chap who invariably attracts adjectives like "combative" & "spiky", but he's Leicester to the very marrow.

Mauger takes over in the interim.