The Rugby Thread

[PeteC]

We'll probably never know the full results concerning Jonah Lomu's death but IMO it looks so much like DVT. The pattern is most often after disembarking from a long flight. I had a good friend in his 40's who died from that in exactly the same way and timing after leaving a flight from HK to Rome. Lomu's kidneys were bad, but reports stated cardiac as the cause. Pete

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_vein_thrombosis

[pharvey]

Big send off for the big man at Eden Park: -

[pharvey]

Pity he couldn't have made the century. Has been a great player and servant to Welsh rugby - deserves to finish his career making a few quid in France..

" Mike Phillips, Wales' most-capped scrum-half, has announced his retirement from international rugby.
The 33-year-old Racing 92 player has appeared in 99 Tests - 94 for Wales and five for the British and Irish Lions.
He scored nine tries for his country and was a key member of the teams that won the Six Nations title in 2013 and Grand Slams in 2008 and 2012.
"This is a chance for me to bring this chapter of my life to a close," said Phillips in a statement."

Full Story: - http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/34966525

The documentary The Real Mike Phillips to be shown on the 7th could be worth a look.

[arcadianagain]

Pity he couldn't have made the century. Has been a great player and servant to Welsh rugby - deserves to finish his career making a few quid in France..

" Mike Phillips, Wales' most-capped scrum-half, has announced his retirement from international rugby.
The 33-year-old Racing 92 player has appeared in 99 Tests - 94 for Wales and five for the British and Irish Lions.
He scored nine tries for his country and was a key member of the teams that won the Six Nations title in 2013 and Grand Slams in 2008 and 2012.
"This is a chance for me to bring this chapter of my life to a close," said Phillips in a statement."

Full Story: - http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/34966525


I think we should have a new thread "The Welsh Rugby Thread"

The documentary The Real Mike Phillips to be shown on the 7th could be worth a look.

[PeteC]

There's a world sevens series going on in Dubai and all of it seems to be televised on Fox Sports. Better than the 7's I've watched between only Asian teams, but not by a lot so far. If one team is dominant it's just try after try non-ending, and the lack of defense doesn't make it too interesting to me.

It seems they play 7 minute halves, and the scoring team kicks off to the other team. I like that and IMO that's the way it should be in all forms of the game. It still bewilders me why a scoring team would be given possession of the ball straight away again.

Anyway, I watch and learn and see if I can come to enjoy 7's. Pete

[PeteC]

Ma'a Nonu is now at Toulon and Carter is at Racing 92, but I haven't seen either of them play yet. Should be interesting once they do.

Also, what kind of team will the All Blacks be this next season. A lot of questions there I would think. Pete

[pharvey]

There's a world sevens series going on in Dubai and all of it seems to be televised on Fox Sports. Better than the 7's I've watched between only Asian teams, but not by a lot so far.

Wait until the "Big Guns" of 7's rugby meet each other after the Pool Stages. There's been some hard hitting and exciting games between the likes of NZ, Fiji, Samoa, Australia and SA in the past. Also teams like Kenya have been both successful and exciting (....and damn quick ).

God's own have been a completely mixed bag over the years as the WRU don't really put the investment there (which is a big error in judgment IMHO). Occassionally we have a couple of "star players" and progress well. Unfortunately in Dubai thus far, we've been turned over 26-5 by Beelzibub's Boys and absolutely annihilated 43-0 by the Crims. Next up Kenya.....

Beelzibub's crew have made a big investment into 7's and in the past they have been up there with the top teams and have taken several tournament titles. Certainly one to watch...... even for a Welshman

It seems they play 7 minute halves, and the scoring team kicks off to the other team. I like that and IMO that's the way it should be in all forms of the game. It still bewilders me why a scoring team would be given possession of the ball straight away again.

It's 7 minutes each way in the Pool stages, and 10 minutes each way in the Final (can't honestly remember if it's 7 or 10 in the Quarters and Semi's). If a player is Yellow Carded, it's 2 minutes in the Bin.

With regards to the Re-start, certainly in 7's the kicking team is near as damn it certain to give possession and a fair amount of ground away. In the 15 a side game, it's somewhat different in that whilst the receiving team are likely to take possession, a) there is some chance of a turnover and b) the receiving team is likely to kick either in-field or for touch, returning possession. In 7's, it is very rare to see a team kicking possession away - a big mistake.

Anyway, I watch and learn and see if I can come to enjoy 7's. Pete

I do enjoy International 7's, but as you say, some matches can be very much one-sided and quite tedious (or an embarrassment in the case of God's Own vs The Crims ). Anyway, hope you get to see and enjoy the latter stages of the tournament.

[EDIT] Visit http://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/stage/1611 to keep up with tournament info.

[pharvey]

Also, what kind of team will the All Blacks be this next season. A lot of questions there I would think. Pete

Simple answer - it will take alot to knock them off their Number 1 spot!!

God's Own are to play a 3-Test Series against the Blackness and a one off game against the Waikato Chiefs in June 2016.... Oh dear.

[pharvey]

BIG congrats to the USA on an incredible display to stun The Blackness 14-12!!

The win enabled them to pip France to the Quarter Finals on points difference, where they will meet defending champions South Africa. Lovely to see the Blackness beaten for once!!

Complete Quarter Finals of the Cup are: -

Fiji vs Australia, New Zealand vs Samoa, England vs Argentina, South Africa vs USA

[arcadianagain]

There's a world sevens series going on in Dubai and all of it seems to be televised on Fox Sports. Better than the 7's I've watched between only Asian teams, but not by a lot so far. If one team is dominant it's just try after try non-ending, and the lack of defense doesn't make it too interesting to me.

It seems they play 7 minute halves, and the scoring team kicks off to the other team. I like that and IMO that's the way it should be in all forms of the game. It still bewilders me why a scoring team would be given possession of the ball straight away again.

Anyway, I watch and learn and see if I can come to enjoy 7's. Pete

Rugby League experimented with the scoring side kicking off a few years back. Also Pete, playing sevens on a full size pitch is absolutely knackering, that is a British technical term.

[PeteC]

HSBC World Series 7's from Dubai on today from 1220 to 1530 hours, TRUE channel 689. That seems to be the daily televised time slot through to the finals. Pete

[pharvey]

Christ almighty..... First they shock The Blackness and then they take care of the Jaarpies - defending 7's World Champions no less!!! USA 21 v 19 RSA

Unfortunately not getting to see much, but have been able to check the scores in the site office at least!!

Suspect you're enjoing 7's now Pete!!

[PeteC]

I probably would have if I watched it. I'll have to pick it up on the rerun if they have one televised, or from the internet. Pete

[PeteC]

World Sevens Series: England lose to Fiji in Dubai final

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/35016402

England lost 27-18 to Fiji in the final of the Dubai Sevens as the reigning World Series Sevens champions won the first leg of the new season.

England, who beat the United States 24-19 in the semi-finals, struck first with a Tom Bowen try but then conceded 28 unanswered points by the break.

England, four-time winners in Dubai, replied with tries from Bowen and Phil Burgess but never looked like winning.

Australia won the women's final while England beat France 10-5 for third.

Fiji's victory is the first time they have beaten England in a men's World Sevens Series final and they are set to be one of the favourites for the title when the truncated version of rugby union makes its Olympic bow in Brazil next summer.

England got the perfect start when Bowen chased down a Dan Bibby 60-yard kick to cross the line.

But their hopes were dashed as Fiji racked up four tries in a devastating five-minute spell as England made too many handling errors.

Savenaca Rawaga, Jasa Vermalua, Isake Katonibau and Jerry Tuwai scored Fiji's tries.

England regrouped at the break and Bowen scored his second try to hint at an England fight-back, but Fiji looked comfortable and there was only 40 seconds remaining when Burgess reduced the arrears further.

England coach Simon Amor said his team was "running on empty".

"Fiji were so dangerous and they retained possession so well we just didn't have the guys to make the tackles," he added.

"We blooded two debutants in the final so overall I'm delighted."

Earlier, United States beat New Zealand 31-14 in the third place match.

South Africa won a thrilling Plate final with a 19-14 extra-time victory over Australia, while France beat Scotland 24-14 in the Bowl final.

The 10-leg series moves on to Cape Town on 12-13 December.

[pharvey]

This could be interesting!

Mike Blair First Rugby Player To Wear A Mic Tomorrow (06.12.15)

"Glasgow Warriors are playing at home against Leinster tomorrow. However, there is one abnormal feature of what promises to be a cracking game, weather dependent. Glasgow scrum-half Mike Blair will be wearing a player microphone throughout the game.

This is not unique to rugby, as it is frequently seen in the NFL. Nonetheless, it will make for interesting viewing in the aftermath of the game.

The Warriors’ website announced the news, and it is set to make its debut tomorrow.

The Pro 12 director, David Jordan, spoke of his excitement at the prospect."

“Sky Sports are the first of our broadcasters to take advantage of Player Microphone, others will undoubtedly follow.

“The GUINNESS PRO12 had performed test broadcasts in conjunction with Sky Sports with Stuart McCloskey of Ulster and Jon Barclay of the Scarlets wearing a Player Microphone earlier in the season as part of its application to World Rugby. The reaction from fans and our clubs was extremely positive. Thanks too are due to Glasgow Warriors for facilitating the next step.”

FULL STORY: - http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/bbarry ... -tomorrow/