BS: Rugby Union 2010

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 04:50 PM

Queensland are up to fifth on the Super 14 ladder - a vast improvement on recent seasons.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: GUEST,Allan Connochie
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 04:01 AM

"Not a good weekend for officials"

And at the Melrose Sevens the ref disallowed a winning try for Melrose at the end of the tie against the eventual tournament winners Hamilton (from South Africs) which TV replays showed was a good try. Just about everyone if the crowd apparently could see it was a try apart from the ref and his linesman. What makes it worse here was the the two officials were apparantly from Hawick and Gala respectively who are Melrose's two main local rivals.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 11 Apr 10 - 07:47 PM

Not a good weekend for officials. The Ospreys seem to be justifiably agrieved that George Clancy blew for time when everybody else believed that advantage was being played for a deliberate knock-on, so the lick should have given.

And in the Neath/Newport game the ref awarded a try when the scoring player had clearly lost the ball before the line, then the touch-judges awarded the conversion even though the ball looked at least a foot outside the posts, though this one didn't affect the outcome.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 25 Mar 10 - 08:21 PM

Just a few thoughts.

Why, if Croke Park is a full-size Gaelic pitch (160 yards), did the IRFU have short in-goal areas while they were playing there?

Why do all player's shirts (I refuse to call those things rugby jerseys) have short sleeves, when most of the backs nowadays wear co-ordinated long-sleeve t-shirts underneath?

Why doesn't the IRB adopt the League 40-20 rule? We should see less aerial ping-pong if backs realized they could be conceding an attacking line-out 20 yards behind them if they kick aimlessly upfield.

How can refs tell that a player's off his feet when most of the players with single-digit jerseys look like they're lying on the ground anyway?

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 07:14 PM

Saint-Andre was being quoted extensively in "The Times" on Saturday regarding "Le Wilko", Ben Foden and the forthcoming game in general.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 02:25 PM

hi Dave

I agree - I don't understand the scrummaging laws.....but then I never did when I was a player !! Mind you I didn't play in the pack.

I didn't hear St Andre but he usually makes sense. Wilko is still a great player - maybe not as good in some ways but he still reads the game well and he still has that magic boot !!!

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 12:16 PM

Don't blame everything on the refs - the IRB (and Jonathan Davies) don't understand the scrum either!

I was interested in what Ste Andre had to say about Wilkinson as a playmaker. The difference seems to be that in France, he has players around him who're helping to create the opportunities, while in the England set-up he's expected to do it all on his own.

I saw Alfie's League debut on Friday - ok so far.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 07:05 AM

hi

Dave you can chop up that sofa now.....lol

Scotland beat Ireland and were the better team on the day.

England played the best they have played for two years and lost - the ref was not a lover of the English scrummaging !!

Wales thrashed Italy and looked sharp and could improve now that they seem to have sorted themselves out.

Oggie - you are right about the Union supporters not appreciating League skills. Some of this is snobbery - as remnants of the old " upper-class" Union syndrome still exists but is reducing year on year.

I played my rugby in the North West and we lived hand in glove with League players. As juniors some of us all played together in both codes.

Not many League players have transferred to Union successfully. Whereas there have been several exceptional players gone "the other way". It shows that the skills are different and the tactics and pressures too.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Paul Burke
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 09:44 PM

Ireland defeated: by not playing like Ireland.

France scraped through: France played like England, England played rugby.

Oggie/ Steve has a good point. A lot of RU supporters can't see the skills that of RL.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: GUEST,oggie
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 06:19 PM

Problem seems to be they're all using Rugby League defences without the RL style attack. The ball (in most cases) is taking forever to come back into play by which time the defence is all set again. Rolling mauls are fine from five yards out but otherwise they just give time for the defence to reset itself. The essence of RL attack is the quick play-the-ball.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 11:19 AM

I hope Wales don't need a second-half comeback this week!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 11:02 AM

Hi dave

Steve Borthwick wasn't trying to gouge, was was merely helping Evans with his contact lens....lol

If he was gouging then he should be banned.....no defence for that.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 08:36 PM

Munster v Scarlets (in green) was on earlier, and I was struck by the fact that although the game was played in Cork, Guinness was the only beer advert I could make out. Whatever happened to Beamish and Murphy's?

Going back to last weekend, I thought it was non-discretionary that throwing a punch was carded. And I know I'm Scottish (my wife reckons that nobody needs reminded of the fact), but 2 of the photos of the game in "Scotland on Sunday" showed

1 Max Evans being tackled Steve Borthwick who is holding Evans' head in two hands and his left thumb looks very, very near Evans' eye.

2 Ross Ford with middle finger stuck in his left eye.

If I were French or South African I would be rather upset.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 14 Mar 10 - 05:04 PM

Watched France v Italy. Italy only scored one try against Scotland! Reasons to be cheerful, part ........

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 14 Mar 10 - 03:37 PM

Didn't get to see anything, what with running Faldingworth Live yesterday and going out for Mothering Sunday today.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 14 Mar 10 - 01:10 PM

Hi everybody - just out from behind the couch. No I was down in Putney for my daughter's wedding, then they kicked us out so that some people could mess around inb boats. I've got lots and lots of rugby on my hard disk (five games), so I'm going to sit down now and find out what really happened. I caught a few minutes in the hotel room. It looked like the English backs were confused when Flood replaced Wilkinson - didn't know what to do behind a no 10 who wanted to play some rugby! I also don't know why Lawson came on for Ford in a close game. Robinson should know by now that he always gives away silly penalties! I'll probably have more to say when I know what I'm talking about.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 14 Mar 10 - 06:05 AM

hi paula

You called it about right.

If we had other players of the right calibre we should make changes.....but we don't appear to have them.

I am concerned about the absolute basics that the England backs appear to have forgotten.

The lining up at set pieces is ragged and the result is confusion. The defensive line up is not controlled and this led to several missed tackles.

In attack nobody appeared to be calling the shots and the resultant moves were haphazard and the player with the ball had no-one to pass to.

My fear of England picking a big slow back row showed because Scotland were first to almost every loose ball and they tackled England's backs mercilessly on the few occasions when England got a reasonable ball.

You are right about Care. He is good in the open play but he should be providing speedy long ball out to the backs. At times to me he looks more like a Rugby League scrum half, except that he can't get to play the ball for five tackles in Union. Surely we must have a couple of scrum halves that can at least pass.???!!!

But knowing England they will probably go out and beat France and make us all wonder what the hell is going on....lol

regards

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: paula t
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 04:08 PM

I agree about the score, MikeL2. If Flood had managed that drop goal at the end , I think it would have been an unjust result.

I've been struggling to work out where Martin Johnson starts here. I find it hard to pin down one particular area as the "weakest" or to blame for the performance.

We are still getting slow ball from the breakdown, and then the pass is being telegraphed to the defenders by Danny Care's little shuffle towards the team mate he intends to send the ball to. We have been lucky not to have had more interceptions.

The centres are quite often too far back , leaving the fly half isolated.

There didn't seem to be any energy to chase the ball, until Foden and Moody came on.Foden did a few shaky things ,but settled down well and at least tried to run the ball. I suspect he'll start the next match, and I feel really sorry for Armitage. He seems to have developed a few nerves.I hope he can overcome them because he's a huge talent.Someone in the England camp needs to give him some support and help him to sort the "block."

I didn't think our forwards had a great match. They didn't seem to be working as a unit. I worry about Dylan Hartley. He is so easily riled. He was a lucky boy not to be sent off or to at least have caused the penalty to be reversed.

There are bound to be the usual calls for heads to roll,but I don't know if this is the right thing to do really. Which players.......and, more importantly, who do you replace them with?

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 02:28 PM

hi everyone

Phew.......!!!!

That was close England !!!

Not a good game of rugby but finally exciting for all that.
Although I think that Scotland were slightly the better team I think that a draw was a fair result because neither side really deserved to win.

The game was marred too by some nasty looking injuries. I have heard yet how they have fared but I wish them all well.

Ireland were too good for Wales and won easily enough althoug were beaten both territorily and for possession.

So I think it is back to the drawing board for England.

Also I think that it is time that Johnny Wilkinson is replaced, not that I think he was to blame for the sad performance.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 04:38 PM

It's a bugger becuase I can't watch England. I have to run my concert Venue and need to be there for 5pm. Mind you live music beats anything :-) Well doesn't it.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: paula t
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 02:36 PM

I think the England vs Scotland game could be interesting! Both teams usually raise their game for this one. The Guinness awaits!( I think we could need it!)

Paula

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 02:28 PM

hi villan

England play Scotland. Not a happy hunting-ground for England recently.
In this match the form book seems to get torn up.

Mind you England with two wins have not set the World on fire.

I see that tomorrow England are fielding a big but slow back row that contains 3 No 8's and no wing forwards. Scotland surely will use this to get to the loose ball first.

Dave has saved me a place behind his sofa....lol

I'll take England (just), Ireland and France ( does anyone fancy Italy here??

Have a great week-end

regards

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 01:44 PM

Who are England playing?

Anybody hiding behind the couch then?

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 01:05 PM

Nothing important then :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Newport Boy
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 01:02 PM

Sure is - Ireland are playing Wales, and there's a couple of other matches as well!

Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 12:56 PM

Well hello. Is there any ruggers on this weekend?

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 03:14 PM

hi paula

You may have a good point there.

Mind you when I played it was the opposite way around. The refs all seemed to favour the top sides.

But I think that was politics at works. Because the top sides had more representation on the referees panels than they do now.

regards

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: paula t
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 03:04 PM

hi MikeL2,

Your point about officials reffing Italy at the breakdown was interesting . I wonder if it stems from allowances being made when Italy first entered the competition? They were seen as an amateur team ( and still are by many) and I believe refs often gave them the benefit of the doubt to "keep the game moving".Allowances are still made at times, even though many of their players now play in top teams and know exactly what they are doing. Still, serves us all right for patronising and underestimating them eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 02:37 PM

hi paula

I agree with you entirely about the different interpretations of the rucks and mauls by the referees.

Italy are the worst offenders but seem to be protected by the officials.
It was more blatant on Saturday against Scotland but it was happening all the time against England as well.

As for Adam Jones and his "meandering" around the rucks not appearring to know whether he is onside, offside or just on his side.

He has the look of a bewildered scarecrow that doesn't know what field he should be in.

I think the refs must just think he is harmless and they just let him enjoy himself....bless him....lol

The Irish too are very good at being offside but not being spotted.....but they have been doing it for years and so have perfected it.

regards

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 02:23 PM

Hi mistrel

Great news about Thom Evans. I hope that he is able to recover. Like Paula I think he will be well advised to take a long look at the options if he is declared fit enough to play again. I wish him all the best in whatever he decides.

Now for the serious bit......lol

We here in England don't need you highlanders providing us with any more shocks....we get get enough as it is.....lol

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: paula t
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 01:30 PM

A Wandering Minstrel,

Yes, Thom Evans was lucky that a skilled team removed him from the pitch.Let's hope he is OK.

The breakdown reffing does seem to have been a problem in some games. The referee and linesmen do not always seem to spot the offside players, or the ones taking out players at the side of(unconnected to) the rucks. The ref for the England/ Ireland game filled me with hope at first, because he pinged a player from each side for being offside -next to the ruck - even though they "didn't interfere" directly with play (just "cut the options" for clearing the ball out).However, he then seemed not to be so interested and a number of players got away with it,especially at the end of the match.Incidentally,the Welsh number 3 is very good at this! He is usually to be seen wandering about slowly on the wrong side, looking earnestly as though he is trying to get back onside.I find myself looking for him at every ruck. Try it. It's entertaining!

Paula

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 08:00 AM

According to the BBC, Thom Evans had two operations on his cervical spine, he has movement in arms and legs and there is hope for his full recovery. He is lucky to be alive and credit to the attendants at the game who were able to protect his neck and get him off the field. I know from my own playing days that rugby is a rough old game but the number of injuries and collapsing scrums in that game suggest poor control by the officials.

Thoms absence and that of Patterson were clear in Scotlands poor play on Saturday, though the Italians repatedly coming round or over rucks in attempts to take out Cussiter were not helping (and should have resulted in a yellow card just before half-time).

Holding out a last hope that at least we give England a scare in the Calcutta Cup (again).

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Lox
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 04:38 PM

Dave,

If scotland can get it together for France and England I reckon all will be forgiven.

(nothing to do with it working in Irelands favour of course ...)

Come on you Scots!!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 03:12 PM

Agreed and 100 :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: paula t
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 02:39 PM

Reading the conversation about Scotland made me want to find out how young Thom Evans was getting on. It sounds as though he had a very lucky escape.
I hope he makes a full recovery and then makes a sensible and informed decision about his future.I was really impressed by his attitude to the game. Always willing to get across the gain line and very quick thinking.An exciting young player to watch. It would be a huge loss to the game if he was to retire, but needs to be sure that ha makes the right decision for himself and only returns to the game if it is safe for him to do so. I wish him well.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 10:19 AM

No apologies needed, Mike. I think we'll probably hold our line for over 70 minutes in both the remaining games, but our failure to take our chances will prove the difference yet again.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 06:40 AM

hi lox

<" triple crown for Ireland?">

I can't see why not. England played much better against Ireland and lost than they did against Wales when they won.

And ( sorry Dave ) I can't see Scotland stopping them.

I agree that the England v Ireland game was a bit scrappy but it was played in a downpour which made running and handling very difficult. At least we didn't see the ping-pong kicking that IMHO has ruinously entered the game recently.

The Irish have always been difficult to play against in wet muddy conditions as I know to my own personal experiences. I still have nightmares thinking about having to contend with having to stop fierce Irish foot rushes in boggy conditions......!!

I always loved playing against Irish sides and players. They brought a mixture of passion and humour at the same time to the games.

regards

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Lox
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 09:09 PM

Thanks Paula.

Bloody hell! I can think of a long list of painful things I would be prepared to endure as an alternative to beig kneed in the head by Paul O'Connell running at full tilt.

I liked Sexton, thought he was a cool head in a scrappy game. Bowe was on fire!

It was a competition of fly halves, and O'Gara had a hard act to follow, but the kick to touch that set up the last try was superb.

I feel sorry for Wilko, I didn't think he was the worst player in the England squad, though he did make a couple of bizarre errors.

Triple crown for Ireland?

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:58 PM

hi paula

A half.....hic

You will be slurring tonight....lol

Good luck at the gig

Me ......I have drawn the short straw ....My wife and I are baby sitting one of our grandsons....looks like the heady delights of curling for us. And only that after seeing Toy Story " for the 58th time....lol

regards

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: paula t
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:42 PM

I only had a half!Sorry!

I thought Wilkinson made more ground than the other backs. Much faster ball from the breakdown today, and it made a difference.We just didn't seem able to finish off our chances. Much better performance, although our centres were very quiet.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:32 PM

Hi Villan

Yes I watched with bated breath. I couldn't understand a couple of the ref's key decisions. But Ireland though territorily outplayed took their chances and that is what sport is all about.

I fear that this match will bring out more concerns about Johnny Wilkinson's position. I still feel that he is the best we have at the moment but now that we are out of the running for either the Grand Slam or The Triple Crown it would be a good time to try to blood a younger promising player....but do we have any ????

So congratulations to Ireland.

I am pleased to say that it appears that O'Driscoll has recovered and there is no sign of any serious damage. I suspect that the headache he will undoubtably have in the morning will be as much from Guinness as from that sickening blow.

Best wishes for the match tomorrow and may it be a great game and the best team wins.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 12:49 PM

What a great game. Congratulations to Ireland.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 12:42 PM

Unbeleivable - a try for Ireland 20 - 16 to Ireland :-(

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 12:37 PM

70 mins 16 - 13 to England :-) Good dropped goal.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 12:33 PM

I hope O'Driscoll will be Ok. That was sheer bad luck. Fancy your own player kneeing you in the head.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 12:23 PM

Wow 61 minutes and all square 13 all. Very exciting.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Rasener
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 12:20 PM

What the hell was that reverse penalty to Ireland?

Ireland were clearly preventing England getting on with the game. OK teh English player shouldn't have retaliated, however, I think the penalty should have been to England. Changed the game.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 10:19 AM

I was wrong. Italy won.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 05:53 AM

hi

Phew another nailbiter from woobly Wales.

They contrived yesterday once again to throw away a lead to the opposition but this time they could escape.

France on this showing don't hold any threats in my mind when they play England.

I take Scotland to beat Italy. Could be a forward slog with two teams that really don't easily score tries.

England v Ireland........it's going to be close and I just take England but only because they are at Twickenham.

Both teams have something to prove but Ireland need to prove that they are still a good side.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby Union 2010
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 04:42 AM

You don't realise how much it takes just to switch the telly on sometimes.

Then again, we're not the only ones making things difficult for ourselves. Two interception tries gifted to France last night by Wales!