Rugby Union

[DB83]

Good result for Ireland today. Was unable to see the 2nd half and when I was able to view the game was over. Another close result from a quite fascinating series.

One could sense it would not be SA's day today when those tribal warriors came on to the wet field and promptly landed on their back-sides Not a day for running rugby and England played the conditions better than the hosts. I would guess a massive sense of relief at the result.

Been watching Scotland's game against the Pumas as I compose this. Was their team much different this week to last ? Did not recognise many of the players yet they made light work of the game.

[judy84]

So many injuries in rugby nowadays. Often these are the result of dangerous tackles. I would support a rule about tackling below the nipples or waist. It would allow more offloads, for sure, but would be the same for both sides and allow more skills and less disputes about laws at breakdown.


Nice to see the world leaders in rugby discussing this:


http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...kids-off-rugby

[rupertramjet]

Thank you judy for that link, I am in total agreement, in my day if you caught someones head it was always unintentional, and sadly, I was in at the birth of what he calls 'The Warrior Tackle' against what was then Western Samoa, BUT, those tackles, although they rocked us backwards, were never aimed at the head, and certainly not designed to injure, afterwards we all bloody ached though!

It had been a very interesting couple of weeks for Northern Hemisphere Rugby, Wales are without doubt the unsung 'winners' of the period, beating the Bok and Argentina, twice, I do not think Argentina has had such a spate of getting hammered since The Falklands, sorry!!, but sadly frailty has shown up with the Scots and they still seem to lack depth, that said, I thought they were superb last night, until the last twenty minutes, when some of the replacements were just not quite the done deal.

England, well there are problems, I am not sure what they are, but I have said before, and will again, the leadership is a huge problem, and Farrel is not temperamentally the man to lead an International side, yesterday England did two things they have not done for a while, they tightened up on discipline, and they shut their bloody mouths!

As for France, well I think the link mentioned above says it all, the brutality of the All Blacks has in my view degraded steadily since the Lions tour spear tackle of a few years ago, to the point where I suspect if nothing is done the AB would start carrying knuckle dusters! I blame a hell of a lot on this on the referees, they are almost scared to blow against an All Black, they permit off sides, deliberate blocks, knock ons, and in ruck and maul almost always decide for the AB, what I found most interesting about the article, was that it was written by a kiwi! A very experienced referee, and his comment about New Zealanders become disgusted by the style of the AB is very very telling!

[DB83]

Nipples ? For one moment I thought I was in the wrong topic

[footstep]

3 Tests matches for us and the song remains the same.

[DB83]

Announced yesterday, actually, that 'Big Sam' aka Sam Warburton has announced his retirement from rugby.

One of the truly few successful captains of the British and Ireland Lions.

Easily a loss to Rugby and, in particular, Welsh Rugby.

But full credit to him for realising that the sprit (post injury) may be strong yet the body may be weak.

Which merely adds to the debate that the rigours of the modern game simply fuels the debate that the career of the current player could be significant shorter than one's 'heros'

[DB83]

Hello !! Is this topic still active ?

Well this Saturday I was able to watch in full both the England and Wales games.

But going back a week for just a minute, Wales actually secured their first win in an Autumn test opener for many a year. Ok. It was against a depleted Scotland but it's still a win

But before I go on just a word about Doodie Weir. There's a guy who looks death in the face but works to secure the future for others. Total admiration.

Tin hat on but I do believe that England were lucky to get the win against S.A. Yet there appears little consistency with on-field decisions. I really thought you had to tackle with your arms. Maybe the shoulder from Farrell which could have resulted in a result-changing penalty was not proportunate but there were still no arms.

Roll on a week and England suffer from the TMO. I read that Lawes was barely offside leading to the charge-down and the, probable, match-winning score. But rules are rules. But they were poor in the second half so hardly deserved to win against an untypically poor All Blacks team. The friggin' weather hardly helped either.

But racing down the M4 after that one Wales finally secured a victory against Oz in more matches than I have fingers. Another controversial incident late on in that one. The authorities really needs to get their act together.

[haroldeye]

Farrell attempted a proper tackle and tried to put his arm around his opponent. The TMO gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Lawes looked onside to me as he moved once the ball was picked up. All the experts in the studio called it onside and there was a definite silence when the TMO said it was offside.

Afterwards Farrell said 'That's Rugby' and the Blacks Captain said much the same. Play your best and hope for decent officials (of which there are very many).

[george anson]

Originally Posted by judy84

So many injuries in rugby nowadays. Often these are the result of dangerous tackles. I would support a rule about tackling below the nipples or waist. It would allow more offloads, for sure, but would be the same for both sides and allow more skills and less disputes about laws at breakdown.


Nice to see the world leaders in rugby discussing this:


http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...kids-off-rugby

Players are retiring left, right and centre with injuries to their necks and of course and rightly so on medical advice concussive impacts to the brain. Sam Warburton being the most high profile retiree. Expect this to happen more and more often although the IRB is clamping on contact to the head.

Italy overcame Georgia 28-17 but Georgia have a very promising u20 group and developing backs and they should be admitted to the 6N in due course I feel as they won't improve by playing in the ENC which they win at a canter.

I do feel for Fiji although Scotland were mightily impressive with ball in hand. In the past PI's have mysteriously been unavailable for these Test windows and indeed World Cups. Only to magically reappear for their club side when the window closes. Tuisova and Nadolo in this case from Toulon/Montpellier.

A Samoa B team came a cropper against the USA and their union is in a shambles. Australia are definitely the weakest SH team at present. Argentina's summer results against Scotland were misleading given the players were trying to get Hourcade removed which they eventually did.

A very impressive performance against the world number two team in Ireland. Ledesma has done a great job but the scrum needs a great deal of work. The reason being that in domestic junior rugby in Argentina due to some serious neck injuries pushing is allowed for just one metre before a call of penalty is awarded. Ledesma is seeking to return to the old coaching methods for juniors.

Given that ten first choice Pumas like Facundo Isa were also missing being contracted to European clubs but available for selection in Japan it was a very decent result. Ireland have also amassed great depth and that showed when the bench emptied. It is really a 23 man game now. The quality of benches, discipline and place kicking is all vitally important.

NZ do look a bit jaded and England were fractions from beating them. Sam Underhill, the Curry brothers and Sam Lewis are incredibly bright prospects for the back and second row.

It will all be different in Japan. A lot of pre tournament training, differing squads and much fresher players but I still think NZ are favourites with Ireland, England there or thereabouts and perhaps a shock run for Argentina.

[seldomseen]

What a great win for Ireland tonight.