The Rugby Union thread!!

[Halbard]

Good win for Australia. Watching the sheep lovers getting bashed does not get old.

On more important subjects:
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugb...t-2952430.html

I hope BOD returns for one last charge.

[emotion_name]

Same here, Ireland without BOD just aint the same, plus he deserves one awesome season before bowing out!

[Erebus Pasha]

Haven't heard much about Hooky or any of the other exiles to be honest emotion_name.

[emotion_name]

Well, they say no news is good news!

I have heard rumours that Luke Charteris has signed a 3 year deal to join Hooky at Perpignon, whihc starts next season.

If true, its a worrying trend for our top players to be going to France, considering the WRU and Gats stance on playing outside of Wales. Its bad enough Gethin Jenkins has hinted he to will cross the Channel, along with Adam Jones and Alun Wyn, our regions are struggling enough as it is without losing there best players. So far this season i have been to one game that was close to sell-out, which was Blues v Dragons at RP and it was only full because it was the opening of there new stand - it was also called off because of bad weather. The regions need to draw in crowds, they need to keep the big international players to market them and use them to draw in the "fair weather fans".

On the plus side, Gareth "Alfie" Thomas and Stephen Jones both had stints in France and it made them much better players, so there is a small silver lining!

[Azog 150]

I only got to see the highlights for the Tigers-Saints game but it looked like an absolutely amazing match (although I think that was to be expected). Plenty of drama, plenty of tries, two red cards and incredibly close fought.

[Erebus Pasha]

They're usually crackers - Tigers vs. Saints is a real grudge match in the Premiership.

[The Gingie 500]

Losing Chris Czekaj to a hamstring injury and replacement scrum-half Lewis Jones to illness before Kick off didnt help either.

you think that's unlucky? Worcester have five out of nine back row players out for lengthy parts of the season and one struggling with his visa plus we've got 3 loosehead props injured oh well at least we don't have any problems about who to select now

[RTW Fan]

@ RTW Fan - O'Connor sure does look like being something special for a long long time. How old is he, i think he is only young, like early twenties isnt he? As for more tries, there was 5 in this game which isnt bad, the problem was both teams defense were equal to the others attack which nullified things a bit. Saying that, we were only team who managed to score some tries against a full team, wallabies 3 all came when we were down to 14 men, so maybe our defense did slightly better??? (clinging at straws, i know )

Yeah Oconnor is 21 I think. They are all young. Kurtley Beale, Cooper, Genia are all 23 and younger, guys like Barnes and Drew Mitchell 25, Pocock et alia are young too. They all have another world cup in them where they will still be in their peak, some of them 2, as well as forwards tend to peak later in life. I would have to think that the wallabies are odds on favourites to win the next world cup. New Zealand are going to have to start a rebuilding process, guys like McCaw and Carter are that good that they might be around for another cup but the vast majority of their team and hangers on will be well past their peak and will not be good enough at the next world cup.

[emotion_name]

The problem with every RWC, is the form of other teams leading upto it matters not - the AB are considered faves to win every single one and probably always will!

The thing i like about this wallabie team is the forwards, for a few seasons now the aussie pack has been suspect at the set-piece, Robbie seems to have fixed this now though and there backs are getting some quality fast ball.

Will be interesting to see the SA rebuild mind, considering they had the oldest team by some margin at this RWC!


England have confirmed they want caretaker coach for 6N, which makes it seem like Mallett is the man they want (he previously told them after 6N he would probably take the job). John Kirwan has also said he would love to coach the english elite players, and the RFU has said any caretaker coach would be offered full time role if they got the results.

Mallinder for caretaker coach, Mallett afterwards anyone????

[RTW Fan]

The problem with every RWC, is the form of other teams leading upto it matters not - the AB are considered faves to win every single one and probably always will!

The thing i like about this wallabie team is the forwards, for a few seasons now the aussie pack has been suspect at the set-piece, Robbie seems to have fixed this now though and there backs are getting some quality fast ball.

Will be interesting to see the SA rebuild mind, considering they had the oldest team by some margin at this RWC!

A few seasons? Try like a decade since John Eales retired. They had the best backline in the world 2001-2007, but their forwards were ORDINARY.

Beale is probably the best of the backs at the moment, probably the best in the world, but he, like others, has to compensate to allow for Cooper. Beale is probably a better 5/8 than Cooper anyway.

SA will be nowhere for a long while until they stop shooting themselves in the foot with racially tinged selections. Oh they will still compete, but just not be world beaters. Beating the world does not begin with an attitude of entitlement.

[The Gingie 500]

Mallinder for caretaker coach, Mallett afterwards anyone????

Well Mallett would make sense and i'd be up to see him as England coach seeing as how much Italy improved under him although i think Mallett would only take up the job if the job that Rob Andrew was doing goes completely. not sure about Mallinder as interim coach as Northampton will probably fight for him. a more likely caretaker coach would probably be one of the coaches who are still in the set up.

Sad to see that Thompson has had to retire again, but he was lucky to start playing again. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...n/16018570.stm

and seriously i heard that there was another punch up between Ashton and a Tuiliangi but this? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...n/16042053.stm this seems a bit close to the round ball game

[Erebus Pasha]

Well Mallett would make sense and i'd be up to see him as England coach seeing as how much Italy improved under him although i think Mallett would only take up the job if the job that Rob Andrew was doing goes completely. not sure about Mallinder as interim coach as Northampton will probably fight for him. a more likely caretaker coach would probably be one of the coaches who are still in the set up.

As much as I dislike the Saints I think Mallinder has got the experience and the knowledge to become a good England coach. I would prefer to see an English coach instead of Nick Mallett although I accept Mallett's coaching record is very good.

and seriously i heard that there was another punch up between Ashton and a Tuiliangi but this? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...n/16042053.stm this seems a bit close to the round ball game

There was a big brawl after this incident. Ashton should know better than to mess with the Tuilagi brothers by now.

Oh on a final note Sonny Bill Williams is set to fight for the domestic heavy weight title in NZ early next year.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...n/16046939.stm

[Erebus Pasha]

please delete.

[emotion_name]

A few seasons? Try like a decade since John Eales retired. They had the best backline in the world 2001-2007, but their forwards were ORDINARY.

Beale is probably the best of the backs at the moment, probably the best in the world, but he, like others, has to compensate to allow for Cooper. Beale is probably a better 5/8 than Cooper anyway.

SA will be nowhere for a long while until they stop shooting themselves in the foot with racially tinged selections. Oh they will still compete, but just not be world beaters. Beating the world does not begin with an attitude of entitlement.

I agree about Boks, PDV was racially motivated selection as coach and it seems to run right through the team as well.

As for wallabies, i was trying to be nice about there forwards, lol!

Just as everyone who plays Ireland knows to target ROG, everyone who plays Aussies knows to target there set-piece. Thing is, now there set piece is performing these quality attacking backs they have will run riot, which for evey nation apart from aussies is a worrying thing.

Well Mallett would make sense and i'd be up to see him as England coach seeing as how much Italy improved under him although i think Mallett would only take up the job if the job that Rob Andrew was doing goes completely. not sure about Mallinder as interim coach as Northampton will probably fight for him. a more likely caretaker coach would probably be one of the coaches who are still in the set up.

Sad to see that Thompson has had to retire again, but he was lucky to start playing again. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...n/16018570.stm

and seriously i heard that there was another punch up between Ashton and a Tuiliangi but this? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...n/16042053.stm this seems a bit close to the round ball game

Yeah, i feel for Thompson, after coming back from the injury once as well. I heard he had to give £500,000 back to insurers when he came out of retirement last time, so im guessing he been back on the blower to them.

Quite a few of the "Old Guard" are going without the need for a culling exercise by an interim manager or anyone else. Thats Moody, Worsley, Thompson and Tindall gone already.

I dont think Mallett is right for the role, he did good with Italy and SA, but his SA time was 10 years ago now, can he deal with the Egos and the rigamarole that goes with leading England? As for Rob Andrews, i thought he had finally stepped down now??

As much as I dislike the Saints I think Mallinder has got the experience and the knowledge to become a good England coach. I would prefer to see an English coach instead of Nick Mallett although I accept Mallett's coaching record is very good.



There was a big brawl after this incident. Ashton should know better than to mess with the Tuilagi brothers by now.

Oh on a final note Sonny Bill Williams is set to fight for the domestic heavy weight title in NZ early next year.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...n/16046939.stm

I think Mallinder is the right man for the job as well, but i gotta feeling it may end up being John Kirwan.

As for Sonny Bill, i seen some of his fights and he has a good boxing ability, which takes the mick tbh! Is there nothing sports wise this guy isnt good at????

[emotion_name]

Well, the England "mess" is now sorted, for the 6N at least. I have to say im surprised by the selection, but suitably impressed. I think Lancaster, Rowntree and Farrell will do some wonderful things, i reckon they will lay some good groundwork for whoever replaces them post 6N just gotta see if there successor can continue it. How long you reckon before Owen Farrell gets a call-up?

Lancaster wasnt a bad flanker in his day, and he did some stellar work with the Leeds academy bringing through players like Danny Care so he knows how to nurture youth and bring out talent, plus coaching the Saxons for so long he knows who deserves a break and who is just chancing there arm. Rowntree, tbf, is an animal, what he doesnt know about scrummaging isnt worth knowing and im gutted the WRU wasnt able to nab him while Twickers seemed in disarray! As for Andy, he seems to have done the business with Saracens and he defo has respect of the players, so its an interesting mix for sure.

Anyway, enough of England, i came here mainly to gloat about the Blues good fortunes in Europe this season. We are in prime position to advance now, and last night against Edinburgh was sure sign of how we can still grind out a win when needed. Cuthberts try was alright, nothing fantastic in the build up, but there was one piece of play between Gethin, Taufau, Sam and Tito that made me spill me beer over the guy sat in front of me. Roberts had some good breaks, but both teams kicking was sh!t imo, makes me wonder if the Tanned one is gonna get his break at 10!

All i hope is we can put that Leinster drubbing behind us, coz if we let doubts creep in then we are screwed, and im still not 100% certain of Burnell and Baber. I've decided to give them to the end of the season (if they last that long anyway), and ill try to judge them then!

Anyone watching/going to any games this weekend? I went to Blues last night and was gonna travel to see Scarlets tonight, but my head still hurts and i still feel a bit....delicate!

[The Gingie 500]

Well, the England "mess" is now sorted

the England mess isn't an ordinary mess, it is a dynamic mess

[emotion_name]

So, Johnny Wilkinson has announced his retirement from test rugby with immediate effect! Whatever happens, that drop goal ensures his legacy will remain, and i reckon in 20/30 years time there will be many an old englishman sat nursing a pint bemoaning the "current" fly half and how no-one comes close to Johnny!

So, the new look English team is slowly taking shape, im gonna bet that Flood and Farrell are the 10s used in the 6N!

[The Gingie 500]

So, the new look English team is slowly taking shape, im gonna bet that Flood and Farrell are the 10s used in the 6N!

Flood 10, Farrell 12, Hopper 13 = new england backline

[emotion_name]

I dunno, Tuilangi may remain, except for the swimming incident (which tbh is nothing really, as in he didnt endanger anyone or offend anyone) he was one of the few to come out of the RWC English team with some degree of respect.

Hehehe, i see the WRU have become the 1st sporting nation to get a Writer in Residence, part funded by Art Council Wales until end of 2014 season. Owen Sheers i think is the man selected for the 1st year, with the WRU saying the next 2 may not be writers but artists of another "form". The WRU along with Art Council Wales is hoping to portray, through art, the effect of rugby on welsh people and how it shapes our society and culture.

Sounds a load of bollocks to me tbh, but with a £10000 annual stipend and unreserved access to all local, club, regional and international games and stadia, as well as training, plus its not exclusive so he can still do his other writing works and what not making money, it seems bloody nice work if you can get it!

Gethin Jenkins seems Perpignon bound, rumours are rife they are about to table a £500,000 bid for him on a lucrative 2 year deal. Speaking of Perpignon, they have told Hooky they are not releasing him early so he can attend Spala, Poland with the Welsh Team. Normally this would mean he wont make the team, but i got a feeling Spikey Mikey may have saved him, as Biarritz have also refused to release Phillips and i doubt Gats would leave Phillips out considering his form, it would be like cutting off your nose to spite your face imo. So, Hooky may yet make the squad (i really gonna have to dig around and see how he has got on in France).

Adam Jones gave an interview today, basically saying he doesnt have long left on his contract and he has a young family to care for and provide for, and if a French team came in and offered the same type of deals Hooky and Co are enjoying and Jenkins is considering, then Adam would go as well.

A huge exodus to France though, i fear will force the WRU and Gats hands, and i can see them building for the future and blooding youngsters sooner than they wanted to, maybe at the expense of results, so quality players like those i named, as well as Charteris etc will miss out. Worrying times indeed!

(I will probably cry if Jenkins goes to France, stalking him cross channel will not be possible! The WRU are doing a deal where you can pay £20 and have a small 2inch squared pic on the number of a player during the 6N. Blatant money making exercise, but i still did £100 all on Gethins number 1 - least it better be bloody Gethins now! )

[Halbard]

Leinster set to win RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.
For some reason, the "mighty" welsh don't seem to do anything in this kind of rugby.