The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

LOL - I remember some of those names from the Bog Island Club when I was at college there, and they were always in there - crazy days

"Bog Island" - now there's a blast from the past!!

As coincidence would have it, read an article just this morning that it's getting severe in the Congo after jumping from Angola. I would say a good thing you got the jabs. Let us know if you find some internet. Pete

Can't actually get into the country without a Yellow Fever certificate these days..... Absolute chaos at immigration yesterday!!

Anyway, on the upside the mine has put me into a hotel rather than on the compound and the available Internet is surprisingly good. Unfortunately only caught the last 15-20 mins of the final, but certainly was fairly exciting. Reading reports though this morning, seems Exeter only really turned up in the second half.

With a bit of luck will get back early enough today to catch at least some of the England v Wales match...

[pharvey]

Total cock-up on site today, so managed to get back to the hotel early enough to see the match..... Well, the first half as the power went and we lost Internet Managed to keep up with the score on my mobile.

That said, from what I saw and what I read - certainly not the style of rugby either side will play on tour IMHO.
Good and bad points (from what I saw) from both sides - Beelzebub's XV showing some great attack, BUT kicking possession away at daft moments, God's own making some terrible defensive errors and wasting a number of penalties/territory and possession by simply missing touch! Although they did have some great attacking breaks of their own.

Ford had a very poor kicking day and that would have made the result all the worse for Wales had he had a good one......

The changes made by both sides at the end of the 3rd quarter, goes to show they wanted to give players some game time - despite many saying it was good to have a run-out for players prior to their respective tours, the potential injury to Dan Lydiate makes a bit of a mockery.

Wales were without key players, but then again so were the Lillywhites. The Blackness are going to be giggling to and from the Test matches against Wales along with their supporters based on this display.......

As for England, despite a good win - if they make the same errors against Australia...... they could well be hurt.

[pharvey]

I rest my case.....

"Skipper-for-the-day Lydiate limped off after 24 minutes during the 27-13 loss and coach Warren Gatland has revealed the flanker has suffered hamstring and shoulder problems.

Dan Lydiate is set to miss Wales’ tour of New Zealand having been injured during today’s damaging defeat to England at Twickenham.

And either Ellis Jenkins or James Davies are expected to be called up to take his place in the squad for the trip Down Under."

We now have a third of a back-row (not to mention other losses) and are travelling to New Zealand........ OH SHITE!!

God help us all from the Land of The Dragon!!

[arcadianagain]

One of the highlights for me was Courtney Lawes swatting away Jamie Roberts to set up the last try

[pharvey]

The U20's World Championship kicks off today in Manchester - if anything like the last one, should be a cracker.

It's a superb level of rugby IMHO with some great talent and up and coming stars on show. Certainly looking forward to it!

All today's matches streamed via http://www.worldrugby.org/u20/fixtures

For further info./fixtures for the tournament, see: - http://www.worldrugby.org/u20/fixtures

[PeteC]

Wales leading the All Blacks at halftime! A lot of passing errors and turnovers by the Blacks, but 70% of play in Wales end. Let's see what the 2nd half brings. Almost all matches in this tournament are on Setanta 669 on TRUE. Pete

[dtaai-maai]

How many times have we seen a great performance for an hour against the All Blacks, only for them to step up a gear in the last 20 minutes?

Great performance by Wales, despite the final scoreline, but I knew it was all over when the commentator said, with 20 minutes to play and Wales just 3 up, "Wales are on the brink of rugby history". Silly arse.

Still, there were moments when I wanted to break into Bread of Heaven. Thank God there are no daffs in Thailand...

I just hope England can perform with the same spirit, and a better result, against the Aussies.

[pharvey]

Wayne Barnes......... Don't you just love him ! Muppet decisions as usual, but nothing biased, and unfortunately nothing I can blame against a Welsh loss....

Great game - "The Blackness" deserved wisners, what else?

However, Big, Big hand to Wales to the way they played..

[dtaai-maai]

Waited for a while before posting as I needed a lie down after the England game...

For the life of me, I don't know what your problem is with Barnes, pharvey - if it weren't for his eagle eye the score could have been much worse. My main problem with him is that he walks/bounces on the balls of his feet... (and he's a lawyer)

Anyway, what a fantastic win by England - big hand all round. After 10 minutes I thought Wales would be thrashed, and after 10 minutes I also thought England would be thrashed. Terrific performance, particularly by the forwards.

I'll have to leave Ireland until the morning.

[PET]

Well done the Red Rose - Itoji is becoming world class.

However Wales were good - their best performance for quite some years.

[JimmyGreaves]

The future is green
What a performance by Ireland, their first victory on South African soil and they did it playing with 14 men for 60 minutes Wow, Irelands CJ Stander's was red carded which was very debatable. Remarkable indeed.

what a result. strength in depth. On cloud nine.

Was routing for the Welsh boys earlier, AB Power at the death

[pharvey]

Unfortunately didn't get to see Beezebub's XV vs The Crims or The Paddies vs The Jaarpies............. However congrats to them both on big wins - especially the Boys From The Emerald Isle - MASSIVE performance when down to 14 men for an hour or so!!

As for Wales, beaten yet again by The Blackness, but a huge performance never-the-less. The Men in Back are not number one in the world for nothing. Unfortunately yet another injury to George North could put an end to his tour - an announcement will apparently be made later today.

Let's see what the "Second String" can do on Tuesday.

[dtaai-maai]

Chiefs 40-7 Wales

A bit embarrassing, even allowing for injuries. Perhaps one game too many...

[pharvey]

Chiefs 40-7 Wales

A bit embarrassing, even allowing for injuries. Perhaps one game too many...

Didn't get to see it thank God, but from what I've heard/read it was beyond embarrassing Whilst you need to play the World's top teams, the dangers of tours like these after a long and difficult season is simply demoralising players.........

I fear things are only going to get worse.

[pharvey]

There's been some cracking games in the "Under 20's World Championship" - if you've got any access, well worth the watch!

A fair few available on Youtube.