The great rugby discussion

[Guest]

So Laz, whatya predictions for the upcoming Springbucks/Wales clash? I say Wales give the Bucks a whitewash...

So long as they take it easy on us I don't care, but that hammering the Boks gave us a few years ago was really embarrassing.

Maybe it was the thought of facing the Boks again this summer that finally made Rob Howley hang up his international boots last saturday, because despite the fact that he's been around a few years I personally think he's still the best scrum-half in the UK.

Just as a matter of interest back in 98 my local team played two SA teams, Northen Transvaal (who we beat) and Gauteng Falcons ( who we narrowly lost to), so can anybody tellhow they are doing now or even if they are still around ?

 

[Vo2]

Laz, Northern Transvaal aka the Blue Bulls, so you get zero points for beating them. Currently, I think that even if they played against themselves they'll lose! ;D
The Falcons are still around, but are not part of the Super 8.
Now you might be wondering if that should'nt be reading Super 12? Well, NO, 'coz it's the Super 8 and the 4 South African teams. ;D :-[

 

[Guest]

Shows you, miracles still happens. Was very suprised to see the cricket on tv. I was cycling home at 18h00 last night in the rain (Northern Sub's of Cape Town). And it rain like hell.
Suddenly the SA Cricketers get some scores on the board. And we still stick to Telemachus as a bowler. And his fielding counts for nothing. My grandmother is a better fielder. Not only catching but the speed to pick up a ball and throwing in to the keeper. I would like to see Charl Willurby in the team. I think he is a lefthand bowler as well. And faster as the 133km/h of Telemachus

 

[Vo2]

Parking at the stadium: R15.00
Standing Tickets at Castle Corner: R90.00
Beverages and Food: R150.00

Watching SA win anything: Priceless

;D ;D ;D

 

[Guest]

We Won[/siz]


I just had to bring this thread back to life because I need to tell the World the news though they should already know

The Boys done the Business on Saturday and despite being the underdogs won the Cup Final .

It was awesome day and as a result I was in no state to go for a ride on Sunday which was a pity because it was a beautiful day to go riding (warm,not a breath of wind,slighly overcast) but if thats the price I have to pay for my local team to win some Silverware so be it

 

[Vo2]

Hey Laz, way to go! How's the head feeling? ;D

 

[Guest]

Vo2 it's not too bad now

My voice still hasn't come back completely.

Next sunday is the biggest game in the clubs history when they play in the European Shield Final, but I'm flying midnight Saturday and am going to miss it :'( ( and believe my mates are not letting me forget it).

So any UK residents who live around Oxford please go watch the game for me and Cheer my boys on.

Just another thought if somebody can find a pic from the back of "The South Wales Echo " on the 29th April then that's me :-[ with one of my hero's

 

[gavin11756]

I'm getting a bit sick and tired of the Wallaby squad being chosen by automatic quota system. They say you must have New South Welshmen and Quennslanders. Why Queenslanders ? They only have one decent player of test standard. The entire Oz backline should be made up of ACT players. Good for continuity and running rugby.

I have never known an Australian rugby side chosen on talent approriate for team play yet!

Rugby national selectors are akin to enemies od the State and I wish someone would do something about it instead of blaming coaches




Gavin

 

[Vo2]

Originally posted by gavin11756
I'm getting a bit sick and tired of the Wallaby squad being chosen by automatic quota system...I have never known an Australian rugby side chosen on talent approriate for team play yet!
Gavin

Are you saying that there are better players than those that are currently in the Aussie national team? If this is so, then I shudder to think what a full blown Australian rugby side chosen on talent alone will do to other rugby playing nations!

 

[gavin11756]

Gavin here

Hi, Yes, that's what I'm saying. Running rugby is about combinations. For instance, if your best side in your local competition has a running rugby format, such as the ACT, it has a running and passing half back and stand off half that make a great combination. Same with inside centre and outside centre pairings. However the Wallabies are not chosen this way.

The ACT Brumbies would flog the Wallabies, and more Brumbies should be in the side.

The All black showed that a champion team will always beat a team of champions. Once the All Blacks were almost entirely made up of Auckland players. 13 out of the 15.

The Australian first grade suburban team Randwick, famous for running rugby, and before super 12 started, played a full strength All Black side and only just lost. Those Randwick players, which included the present Wallaby coach, Eddie Jones, were unlucky to lose, and most of those Randwick players were not chosen by national selectors.

Also many Union players, until recently left to play rugby league. If we ever get our act together, Australia will be harder to beat.

There's too many well connected types getting gigs in the Wallabies. I also wish we'd get rid of that dread yellow and gree n uniform.

Gavin

 

[Vo2]

I hear your pain, Gavin, but be honest. The Wallabies, even at their worst, are still a formidable team. Judgeing on current form, I reckon the Brumbies would give the Boks a wallop. Teams from down under seem to have much more ball handling and athletic skills than teams from SA, which tend to play "impact" rugby.

 

[Lazy legs]

Originally posted by Vo2
I hear your pain, Gavin, but be honest. The Wallabies, even at their worst, are still a formidable team.

That's for sure!

I reckon the Brumbies would give the Boks a wallop.

So would most of their other "provincial" teams.

Teams from down under seem to have much more ball handling and athletic skills than teams from SA, which tend to play "impact" rugby.

Most of our players can't even catch a dry ball with their new gloves on, never mind a wet ball.

At least we showed "some" improvement in the 2nd test against the Scots, but we still have a long way to go before we can even think about making an impression at the world cup.
We will have to wait and see what happens in the Tri-nations???

 

[gavin11756]

That Sydney club side I was telling you about Randwick, used to win the Sydney club championship end on end, year after year. It is the club which produced the Ella brothers and Simon Poidevin yet only a few of them were chosen to represent on any tour, and that club was world club champons.

I bet rugby fans in others countries are suffering from the same bureaucratic nonsense, and strange selections. The land of Oz is not the only victim. We'll have to get it right to beat England on the weekend.

A few rugby league players are now coming to rugby looking for Wallaby selection.

I heard on the radio the other day the the "boks " are going back to the old school of huge forwards. That may work well for them. The story may be ****, but if true we all better look out. It just may work for S.A. y'know. If you lok back into S.A. rugby history, many of the " bok " forwards are built like a house on legs and quite mobile.

I'd like to see the S.A. provinces use their old names. Famous clubs like Natal, O.F. State, Northern Transvaal etc,

I am sorry to keep *****ing about selection, but it's so bloody frustrating.

Gavin

 

[Lazy legs]

I heard on the radio the other day the the "boks " are going back to the old school of huge forwards. That may work well for them.

True, but the problem nowadays is that all the forwards wants to be running in the backline, I know this is not only a problem that the South Africans have. I have a huge problem with this. The ball have to go through eleven pairs of hands before it reaches the fast guns on the wings, most of the times these backline wannabees has either fumbled the ball or got tackled in possesion. What is the use of having the sprinters on the outside when they never get the ball, or if they do get it by some miricle the opposition are there just waiting for him to take it and be tackled, they never get a chance to show their goods.

I'd like to see the S.A. provinces use their old names. Famous clubs like Natal, O.F. State, Northern Transvaal etc,

It's all about the MONEY mate! They want a brand they can sell to the supporters, I've always said that they fans should be bought on the field with the performance of the team! But money talks!

I bet rugby fans in others countries are suffering from the same bureaucratic nonsense, and strange selections. The land of Oz is not the only victim.

Hey we all suffer the same fate! We have some excelent talent that always stays at home and never get a run in the green & gold, I don't think anything we say or do will ever change that. The human factor in selecting a team is always to big a factor to rule out, the selectors have to satisfy everybody including himself and that is to much to ask of any person or panel. As long as there are team sports we will always have better players sitting on the sideline. THE SUPPORTERS AT HOME AND NEXT TO THE FIELD ARE ALWAYS RIGHT, NOT THE SELECTORS!

 

[gavin11756]

Yes Mike, i guess your right about selections. It's also true about money, the name changes to the teams We now have to pay through the nose to see the game. Going to a rugby international used to be an affordable event. Now it's a bloody luxury.

It is annoying to see forwards running in the backs. Mind you, Aussie wingers have bugger all to do because no one will give them the the ball thanks to all these inside passes that every bugger on the other side knows about.

Sean Fitzpatrick starting that. We call it "seagulling ". Now it's been taken to extremes

gavin

 

[Lazy legs]

I've got no problem with an inside pass, as long as it's to the fullback comming in at speed or to the other wing that doubled around. Passing back to a slower forward is just outright annoying.
Yup!!! its much cheaper to watch a game on the telly at home, with all the money you save you can fill up the coolerbox and watch without any fear of security escorting you out of the stadium!

 

[gavin11756]

Hi there,

Approximately 13 hours before kickoff between England v Australia. There's quite a bit of money of England.

regards Gavin

 

[gavin11756]

The above message should read " money on England "

 

[gavin11756]

England wins! Like I said, selection problems. See you in South Africasoon!


regard

 

[Lazarus-g]

This thread is still alive I'm amazed

I've finally kicked my rugby habit it seems, because when I saw a scoreline of 55-3, the first thought that came into my head was

"Wow what a gear ratio that would make"