Rugby Union

[Greenback]

There does seem to be affectionate nostalgia for the rugby of yesteryear - but was it really that good? For every "Edwards' try for the BarBars" there were twenty matches dominated by unfit forwards lumbering from set piece to set piece. At its best, as in England/Scotland this year (first half? IIRC) modern rugby is a much more exciting and entertaining spectacle, with all 15 players involved most of the time. I can see the problem of recruitment and retention at lower levels, but I would not welcome a split. So long as players have to tackle and cannot just smash I think there is room for everyone.

Yes, I tend to agree with that. The amount of people refusing to watch and enjoy top level rugby union is, I suspect, pretty small overall (if not minute). But I wonder if numbers will increase over time if thins like the scrums are not sorted out?

Looking back at 1970's matches, the lack of fitness and strength of the players is obvious compared to modern days, but this did lead to a more open game, particularly as defences wer enot organised as they are now. It is liek watching a completely different sport at times, with the heavier ball making goal kicking far more difficult. I suspect it is the sense that it is a different sport that has led tot he diea amongst soem that it might be a good idea to actually have two different sports!

 

[SkinnyDave]

I'm so chuffed for the lions and the next tour in NZ will be tough as based on All Blacks recent text series against France showed, they have serious talent coming through the ranks but then again when don't they.

I am a Scot and disappointed with our representation but rather than join the chip in shoulder gang, (Scotsman Readers) I am really looking forward to next few years as we have really good players coming through the ranks.
Our match against South Africa was immense and I feel Hogg is going to be a Scottish/Lions legend if he keeps developing.

Mon the Lions!!

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

I'm so chuffed for the lions and the next tour in NZ will be tough as based on All Blacks recent text series against France showed,

Text series?? - is Kevin Pietersen involved in that?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I'm so chuffed for the lions and the next tour in NZ will be tough as based on All Blacks recent text series against France showed,

Blessed are the spellcheckers, for they shall bring enlightenment to the lexicologists.

Here ends the lesson for today

 

[Greenback]

I am a Scot and disappointed with our representation but rather than join the chip in shoulder gang, (Scotsman Readers) I am really looking forward to next few years as we have really good players coming through the ranks.
Our match against South Africa was immense and I feel Hogg is going to be a Scottish/Lions legend if he keeps developing.

I do feel that better times are ahead for Scotland on the itnernational stage. I hope so anyway.

 

[Butts]

I do feel that better times are ahead for Scotland on the itnernational stage. I hope so anyway.

Are you taking the pee pee Greenback .....

Certainly couldn't get much worse - at least Richie Gray got on for 10 mins in the last test.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I was wondering how that final 41-16 defeat would affect the Australian team management after the Australian media went into "scathing mode" and New Zealand-born Robbie Deans is no longer is in charge of their national side.

He was the first non-Australian to hold that position.

I see that the former prop and current sepremo of Queensland Reds, 48 year-old Ewen McKenzie has been apponted as his replacement.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Are you taking the pee pee Greenback .....

Certainly couldn't get much worse - at least Richie Gray got on for 10 mins in the last test.

The Scotland game against South Africa was an eye opener for me a couple of weeks ago.. We do have a lot of attack minded players coming through its consistency that the team needs.

The new coach from Clermont when he does arrive will have a good squad to choose from

 

[Johnuk123]

The Scotland game against South Africa was an eye opener for me a couple of weeks ago.. We do have a lot of attack minded players coming through its consistency that the team needs.

I think most neutral observers would say that the Scotland team needs a teeny weeny bit more than consistency to be taken serious.

 

[Butts]

I think most neutral observers would say that the Scotland team needs a teeny weeny bit more than consistency to be taken serious.

More good players springs to mind

 

[SkinnyDave]

I think most neutral observers would say that the Scotland team needs a teeny weeny bit more than consistency to be taken serious.

That is true but I think we have the players that can do the job, Glasgow had a great season and Scotland's Six nations was ok but we don't have an established number 10 and that will halt progress.
Wonder if they will try Hogg at 10

 

[Tibbs]

Some have even called for a split similar to that which saw Rugby League come into existence, so there would be two codes - one amateur and one professional! It would probably be called Retro Rugby!

I think this already exists. I was a mediocre player who became a mediocre referee when injuries took their toll.

The professional game is refereed with only a passing nod to the actual laws of rugby. You only have to look at scrum feeding, the front row bind at the scrum and the position of players entering a ruck or maul to see how the game has changed at the top level.

I've had some time out from refereeing but I'm looking forward to getting back out there and enjoying real rugby - amateurs running round the pitch having fun, then heading to the bar for a few pints and a singsong afterwards.

One of the benefits of being a referee - you get the best view of the action!

Oh and they feed you and buy you beer. Life as a ref can be pretty sweet!

 

[Tibbs]

I think most neutral observers would say that the Scotland team needs a teeny weeny bit more than consistency to be taken serious.

I think Scotland have a pretty good 1st XV, it's their bench that lets them down. Nowadays having 15 good players just isn't enough.

I think it's always been an issue for Scotland, that lack of strength in depth.

 

[Liam]

Wonder if they will try Hogg at 10

I hope Hogg either gets a good run at stand-off to establish himself there, or keeps playing at full back. We can't afford to have another Chris Paterson, who was excellent at full back, but in his early international career was seen as a jack of all trades playing full back, wing and stand-off, done us proud, but never really mastering any of those positions due to being chopped and changed.

 

[Tibbs]

I hope Hogg either gets a good run at stand-off to establish himself there, or keeps playing at full back. We can't afford to have another Chris Paterson, who was excellent at full back, but in his early international career was seen as a jack of all trades playing full back, wing and stand-off, done us proud, but never really mastering any of those positions due to being chopped and changed.

The same happened to Gregor Townsend as well. Another quality player wasted by being played all over the park.

 

[Greenback]

Reminds me of Gavin Henson and James Who? sorry, I mean James Hook...

I do honestly think that Scotland have some good players coming through. The problem for them is that most international sides are developing similar sorts of talent, and ther eis a smaller pool of talent in Scotland due to the fact that football is a lot more popular as far as playing sport goes.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Reminds me of Gavin Henson and James Who? sorry, I mean James Hook...

I do honestly think that Scotland have some good players coming through. The problem for them is that most international sides are developing similar sorts of talent, and ther eis a smaller pool of talent in Scotland due to the fact that football is a lot more popular as far as playing sport goes.

Shinty also has a very large following with a goodly amount of people playing in the northern reaches of the country.

 

[Liam]

Shinty also has a very large following with a goodly amount of people playing in the northern reaches of the country.

By 'very large following' do you actually mean a tiny, really tiny percentage of the population? Shinty, while growing in popularity in recent years, is still very much a minority sport. Areas where shinty is 'popular' are sparsely populated and have absolutely no rugby tradition and heritage. Rugby is only really popular in the Borders and Edinburgh, with significant following elsewhere in the Central Belt and the South-West. There are also Premiership teams in Dundee and Aberdeen. i.e. Rugby is popular where most of the population is, shinty is not. I would guess that at least 85% of Scotland would be unable to tell you how many players are in a shinty team.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Rugby is only really popular in the Borders and Edinburgh, with significant following elsewhere in the Central Belt and the South-West. There are also Premiership teams in Dundee and Aberdeen. i.e. Rugby is popular where most of the population is, shinty is not. I would guess that at least 85% of Scotland would be unable to tell you how many players are in a shinty team.

Well, I did mention it was in the northern reaches where the population density is far smaller than in the main southern areas of population, but the game of shinty is well represented at village level in those northern areas and in certain areas such as Fort William, shinty certainly rivals the interest in the Highland League football club.

They have a national body, the Camanachd Association, set up in 1893, with headquarters in Inverness, who actively foster the game from school level onwards.

 

[Liam]

They have a national body, the Camanachd Association, set up in 1893, with headquarters in Inverness, who actively foster the game from school level onwards.

The Camanachd Association is the World governing body. There are many sports in Scotland more popular than Shinty. Participation-wise, Golf is probably number 2 to Football.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Participation-wise, Golf is probably number 2 to Football.

One would hope that golf would be a pre-eminent sport in Scotland with its historical links to Scotland. However it is not a team sport, where a group of players can make their participation together.

 

[Tibbs]

And with the mention of Gavin Henson he gets punched out by a team mate.

I always promised myself I'd buy Josh Lewsey a pint if I ever met him for knocking out Danny Cipriani, now I owe Fearne a beer too!

http://youtu.be/pdm7vklSh8E

Prima Donnas have no place in rugby.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The England Women team lost the first Test Match to New Zealand Women by 29-10 at the match played at Eden Park in Auckland.
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Cardiff Blues are now worried that the injury suffered by Sam Warburton could keep him out of the game for three to four months.

 

[Greenback]

Cardiff Blues are now worried that the injury suffered by Sam Warburton could keep him out of the game for three to four months.

THat's why the Lions are not universally loved in Wales...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Possibly another side-effect of the London Welsh relegation at the end of last season from the Premiership is that their 21 year old loose-head prop, Tom Bristow, has left the club, having now signed for Leicester Tigers.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

After his performance in the final Lions victory match, when he was selected ahead of Brian O'Driscoll, and noting the sudden interest by French clubs in the Welsh teams, the Scarlets have announced that they are suddenly ready to open talks with centre Jonathon Davies about a new and improved contract.

 

[Greenback]

I am sure he will leave Wales at some point. Ther ejust isn't the money ehre to compete with the French super clubs.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Was anyone surprised to learn that England coach, Stuart Lancaster, has dropped flanker James Haskell from his elite squad and demoted him to the England Saxons side ?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

On the matter of the Premiership 2013/2014 season, Sale Sharks as part of their consolidation, have appointed 32 year-old New Zealand flanker, Dan Braid, as their captain for the coming season. Arriving in the latter half of last season when the amazing "5 win run" that saw them pull away from what looked like certain relegation, he certainly played a major role, so his motivation skills will be a definite plus point.
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Rugby Championship 2013

Australia 29...New Zealand...47

South Africa 73...Argentina 13

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Obituary...Cliff Morgan (1930-2013)

Sad to report the death of one of the most talented fly-halves ever to wear the red of Wales.

R.I.P.