Official Rugby Thread

[Smudge]

Yes, but Donald is unadulterated **** at international level. As can be evidenced in the Munster game and the Hong Kong Bledisloe fixture.

And Brett is well off international class - would you really want Schalk Burger running at him?

The key is it's a holding pattern until Carter gets back - while Achilles are often a slow-recovering injury, I would be hopeful it won't be a full six months. In which case, they just have to get us through the June tests and maybe a couple of rounds of the Tri Nations. Maybe Donald/Brett can get away with some of the June games, but unless they lift their game considerably, I can't have them for the Tri Nations...

 

[ohtani's jacket]

The All Blacks need a back-up first five not a stop gap. It's hardly imperative that the All Blacks win the Tri-Nations. Playing Weepu at first five lacks foresight.

Personally, I'd bring Carter back in the Air NZ Cup and take him on the end o f year tour. I don't see the point in rushing him back into the Tri-Nations.

 

[Smudge]

And my point is Weepu is a better option - stop-gap or otherwise - than Donald or the incredibly flaky Brett. If someone else puts their hand up during the Super 14, give them a go. But Donald in particular is a ****ing failure.

 

[BoyBrumby]

What happened to Gopperth? Probably not AB class, but is a specialist 10 at least.

Failing that Spencer has just got the arse from Saints because he costs too much in the current cash strapped climate we've got a promising new kid who's somehow seen as a better option and has signed a short-term deal with Gloucester 'til end of (our) season. Not a long term option, but that isn't what's needed

 

[Perm]

Fair victory for England in the 7's, I thought they played quite a bit better than us (barring our explosive start) and were deserving winners. Really stoked that PG got on the scoreboard.

 

[TT Boy]

South Africa, winners of the last two 7’s rounds lost to Kenya.

 

[Perm]

There were some pretty big upsets tbf, Wales beating NZ and USA taking down Fiji being a couple, along with that SA game.

 

[Craig]

Hey Brumby, have you seen Gasnier play since his move to French rugby, and if so, how has he been?

 

[Somerset]

What happened to Gopperth? Probably not AB class, but is a specialist 10 at least.

Failing that Spencer has just got the arse from Saints because he costs too much in the current cash strapped climate we've got a promising new kid who's somehow seen as a better option and has signed a short-term deal with Gloucester 'til end of (our) season. Not a long term option, but that isn't what's needed

Wellington didn't even want Gopperth for the NPC so he transferred to North Harbour and is now playing for the Blues mainly because they've got no other options for first five - I think that sums up his chances of an AB selection, i.e. next to zero.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Hey Brumby, have you seen Gasnier play since his move to French rugby, and if so, how has he been?

Only saw him coupla times in the Heineken Cup tbh. Has been shunted onto the wing and was fairly anonymous both times. Work in progress I'd say.

 

[Perm]

Yeah, Somerset's spot on about Gopperth. Has some skill, but not likely for higher honours. I mean, Tasesa Lavea is playing 10 for the Blues this weekend. And he's absolute trash.

 

[Smudge]

Looks like our 10 woes will be solved anyway...

The Press Association: McAlister's heading home

 

[Craig]

Just proves the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Farrell to quit

From the BBC.

Fair to say union never saw the best of the big fella. Great player in his day (and in his code) tho.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Bloody one-dimensional Welsh squads. Cardiff leading by a pen against Toulouse.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Looking like a Leicester-Cardiff semi, James going missing and giving away stupid pens. 0-6 down without Leicester being closer than 40 yards...

And James kicks the first pen chance to the corner flag. Then a penalty touch in-goal from halfway out. Wtf.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Just back from the Leicester v Bath game, actually. More than slightly pissed.

Tigers tried their hardest to lose, but couldn't quite manage it.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Tigers tried their hardest to lose, but couldn't quite manage it.

No way they'll beat Cardiff. Were they ever in the 22 before that last-minute chaos?

 

[BoyBrumby]

No way they'll beat Cardiff. Were they ever in the 22 before that last-minute chaos?

Rarely. Bath's indiscipline cost them. Kept giving away silly penalties from kickable range and Vesty was in fine form with the tee. Lovely try from Dupuy to win it at the end tho; classic double bluff. Vesty dropped back into the hole for the drop goal, Bath sat back expecting the punt and the sub scrum-half did the rest.

Were missing quite a few players tbf tho. No Moody, Corry or Mauger who probably have in excess of 150 test caps between them.

 

[BoyBrumby]

More of a classical Tigers performance today. Not over yet as they're down to 13 men, but they are 14 points ahead with ten mins left.

Geordan Murphy & Tom Croft both amply shown what the Lions will be missing too.