The Rugby Thread

[dtaai-maai]

How old was he when he started playing?

[Big Boy]

Playing seriously? It was 12 or 13.

[pharvey]

Playing seriously? It was 12 or 13.

Late starter then....

[Big Boy]

For the serious game, yes.

[PeteC]

I know the first season in any league is unbelievably tough, but I find myself following the Sunwolves and Jaguars in anticipation each week. The Sunwolves for their first win, and they have come very close, and the Jaguars for more wins than the one they have as they have not only come close but been leading in many and lost it in the last quarter.

They both show a lot of courage and determination and I hope they don't lose their motivation. Grueling travel schedules for both of them. Pete

[PeteC]

^ Never understood why the hell they bother with the scrum in Rugby League - an absolute nonsense. ........

Yes, it is silly. My IMO is that it was agreed when the two styles split and you must have a scrum to still be able to call their game Rugby. The foot tap backwards is also starting to go away. Many times it is just a backwards hand push/roll. The ref is supposed to penalize it but they seldom do from what I've seen. Pete

[dtaai-maai]

Last night, Wasps v Exeter, quarter final of the Champions Cup.

Watch it, if possible without knowing the final score. I shall say no more...

[PeteC]

Last night, Wasps v Exeter, quarter final of the Champions Cup.

Watch it, if possible without knowing the final score. I shall say no more...

A repeat seems to be scheduled on Setanta at 1730 hours today, TRUE channel 669. Good tip DTM, thanks. Pete

[pharvey]

Last night, Wasps v Exeter, quarter final of the Champions Cup.

Watch it, if possible without knowing the final score. I shall say no more...

Yes, a hell of a game - thoroughly enjoyed that one. Two more games today with Leicester Tigers playing host to Stade Francais and Racing at home to Toulon.

[PeteC]

Wasps/Exeter was an outstanding match. I watched a good Challenge Cup match prior, Connacht/Grenoble and unfortunately that original match was after Wasps/Exeter and the commentator started talking about the Wasps/Exeter match! So, I had the result and how it happened etched in my brain before I could change the channel or kill the sound. Connacht should have won that match. http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/c ... 14360.html Pete

[PeteC]

Does anyone know the stat of which position on average scores the most tries, and which position the least? I ask as I've seen some hookers score in the past week or two and it made me think. Dane Coles of the Hurricanes is actually fast as well. Pete

[dtaai-maai]

My guess is winger (most) and prop (least), but it's not as clear cut as it used to be. Plenty of forwards scoring tries these days.

[pharvey]

^ Would agree with DM - back three the most, front three the least, but the game has greatly changed over the years with regards to the fitness, speed and skill of the players. Although Graham Price's (prop) try against France in the '70's is certainly still a memorable one!!

[PeteC]

Should I go out on a limb and predict Racing 92 vs Toulon in the Champions Cup final....with Racing 92 winning? Why not. Pete

I had to resurrect this old prediction from January. ..even though it wasn't the final, Racing got the job done. Let's see what happens going forward. Pete

[PeteC]

It's a whole other world inside a scrum.

Scrum basics: The hit – dark arts exposed

http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/08/29/dark-arts-exposed/

....and the installment that preceded the above: http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/08/06/go ... the-scrum/