Summer Rugby International Tours
Discussion
Cheib said:
DocJock said:
One of Eddie Jones' qualities is belief in his decision making. No dithering.
I want to praise two players who I have been critical of in the past, Farrell and Haskell.
Both played great games today. I just wish Farrell would lose his habit of questioning referees' decisions. This isn't football, that's the captain's job.
Best game Haskell has played by a country mile....reminded me of an amazing game Shaw had for the Lions a few years ago. Imperious performance.I want to praise two players who I have been critical of in the past, Farrell and Haskell.
Both played great games today. I just wish Farrell would lose his habit of questioning referees' decisions. This isn't football, that's the captain's job.
I was saying at the end of the 6N that there was no way we could go to Australia with that back row and compete....how wrong I was. Breakdown kept us in the match in the first 20 mins.
I don't want to go too overboard here but there was a sequence where I thought I was watching Richie McCaw again! It happened so fast and looked completely illegal but was just top quality play.
Here's the full game.
https://youtu.be/xWjRZA2n0pw
The bit I was referencing happens 1:35 in, very intelligent play.
https://youtu.be/xWjRZA2n0pw
The bit I was referencing happens 1:35 in, very intelligent play.
DocJock said:
One of Eddie Jones' qualities is belief in his decision making. No dithering.
I want to praise two players who I have been critical of in the past, Farrell and Haskell.
Both played great games today. I just wish Farrell would lose his habit of questioning referees' decisions. This isn't football, that's the captain's job.
well having spent yesterday away from home I managed to miss all the results (no TV news, radio news or news-papers) so I arrived home early PM to settle down to what I hoped were some good matches... boy was I happy! 3 cracking matches.I want to praise two players who I have been critical of in the past, Farrell and Haskell.
Both played great games today. I just wish Farrell would lose his habit of questioning referees' decisions. This isn't football, that's the captain's job.
The Welsh gave it a fair old go but, again, came up short (Naholo's impression of a bowling ball was impressive as was North's skinning Savea). The Irish were incredible... I thought it was going to be hard for them anyway given the amount of missing players and then the terribly harsh red. Well f
k me rigid, they only went and did it!! Amazing!The England game was a cracker (though I was a little concerned after the first 20 I reasoned Wales had done the same 2 weeks ago). Like Doc I am far from a Fazlett fan & also thought that Haskell should have been put out to grass after RWC2015 - guess that's why Jones is a well respected coach and I'm not!
Fazlett did everything that was asked of him and when Burrell was hooked off (is that the end of his England career?) for Ford we just clicked. That being said I do think that Mike Brown was none too good today - is he feeling the pressure form Alex Goode (whom I also dislike as an international - IMO he's just too slow)?Welshbeef said:
Kermit power said:
Alain Rolland was French the last time I checked, but why would you assume that?
I know beating England is the most important thing in World rugby to the Welsh (witness the poster on here trying to argue that knocking England out of the RWC was better than winning the thing themselves!!), but I'm afraid the sentiment isn't really mutual.
That is pure banter and you know it - heck the Stereophonics made that song back in the late 90's "as long as we beat the English". I know beating England is the most important thing in World rugby to the Welsh (witness the poster on here trying to argue that knocking England out of the RWC was better than winning the thing themselves!!), but I'm afraid the sentiment isn't really mutual.
Is it great beating the English? Sure. Why? They have so much more talent in depth so many more players a much tougher league much more money in the sport, head to head we swing a few games ahead each way it's so close and that's the fun about it.
Would I support England v any other team in the 6N nope would I support any team apart from Wales in the 6 N nope. Did I support England and Ireland fully yesterday totally.
Wales need a strong England and France that intensifies the competition - we don't want to beat a woeful side by big margins just a single point in a great test where were the underdogs that's he best it can get.
They always (well, not last time, but almost always!
) seem to go way above and beyond expectations against England, but then consistently fail to really do themselves complete justice against the Southern Hemisphere sides.The Mad Monk said:
Welshbeef said:
Would I support England v any other team in the 6N nope
So If, say, England were playing France, you would support France?If Eng v France were playing then if the result had no bearing on Wales championship position the. I'd not care either way just enjoy it as a neutral (or if watching with a mate toss a coin and support one or the other to make it more interesting). However if the result could mean Wales won the championship I'd support the side needing to get that end result.
Welshbeef said:
No what I mean is if only support Wales in the 6N it's my team.
If Eng v France were playing then if the result had no bearing on Wales championship position the. I'd not care either way just enjoy it as a neutral (or if watching with a mate toss a coin and support one or the other to make it more interesting). However if the result could mean Wales won the championship I'd support the side needing to get that end result.
Oh. Right. Well, I support England first, then if England aren't playing I support Wales. I like to see Italy play and win as I think they need the encouragement. Scotland and Ireland? I support the team they are playing against, if they are playing each other I want them both to lose. If Eng v France were playing then if the result had no bearing on Wales championship position the. I'd not care either way just enjoy it as a neutral (or if watching with a mate toss a coin and support one or the other to make it more interesting). However if the result could mean Wales won the championship I'd support the side needing to get that end result.
Ian Lancs said:
Stander 1 week ban - http://www.rugbydump.com/2016/06/5151/cj-stander-b...
harsh I feel
Welshbeef said:
If Eng v France were playing then if the result had no bearing on Wales championship position the. I'd not care either way just enjoy it as a neutral
fk that and the surrender Monkeys! 
Like a lot of people I have family from every corner of the British Isles, so unless it's England I'd always support the any home nation.
Haven't had chance to reply from the Eng Vs Aus game I didn't get to watch it until Sunday.
Didn't see that result. Why can't Haskell be that good more often?!
Not often I or anyone will say this (especially against Aus) but England were the far smarter team and were clear winner on the penalty count. If EJ can bring brains and discipline to the knuckle draggers we'll be hard to beat. Takes some cojones to sub someone off that early in Burrell but Farrell and Ford were excellent as a pairing.
tarnished said:
This is all looking like EJ's made an incredible difference remarkably quickly.
Can it really be as simple as that?
He would have said himself that the foundations of a good team were already there. They were probably missing that lat 10-15% that a world class coach can bring and a little tinkering with selection.Can it really be as simple as that?
The Springboks as they were once known are history, and for the past few seasons have been peddling on their reputation.
When you consider Montpelier have about 7 good SA players, Sarries about 5, a bunch spread around other Top 14 and Premiership sides, as well as a few in Japan, then take into account those that are playing for other countries through residency laws, the sheer amount of talent drain on South African rugby is a massive obstacle to overcome.
Add to that the limited overseas selection policy and the recent equality changes to selection, and I dont believe the Springboks can ever be the side they once were.
It's a reflection of the state of the country really. Deepening economic struggles, corruption in government and sports, and politics dictating selection, meaning any player in demand would be stupid to not go and ply his trade oversees. Unfortunately the reality has yet to catch up with the international rugby world, so you hear commentators going on about the fearsome, physical Springboks, then they never deliver on that rep because essentially you have your B team on the field.
I believe the Springboks will eventually outlive their old reputation and become a mid tear team, and the talent drain will continue to suck any domestic series dry of potential as well.
It's unfortunate as I always enjoyed watching them play, but those are the facts, and you could pick 15 players to make a top SA team that would only include possibly 4 or 5 players that are currently in the team.
When you consider Montpelier have about 7 good SA players, Sarries about 5, a bunch spread around other Top 14 and Premiership sides, as well as a few in Japan, then take into account those that are playing for other countries through residency laws, the sheer amount of talent drain on South African rugby is a massive obstacle to overcome.
Add to that the limited overseas selection policy and the recent equality changes to selection, and I dont believe the Springboks can ever be the side they once were.
It's a reflection of the state of the country really. Deepening economic struggles, corruption in government and sports, and politics dictating selection, meaning any player in demand would be stupid to not go and ply his trade oversees. Unfortunately the reality has yet to catch up with the international rugby world, so you hear commentators going on about the fearsome, physical Springboks, then they never deliver on that rep because essentially you have your B team on the field.
I believe the Springboks will eventually outlive their old reputation and become a mid tear team, and the talent drain will continue to suck any domestic series dry of potential as well.
It's unfortunate as I always enjoyed watching them play, but those are the facts, and you could pick 15 players to make a top SA team that would only include possibly 4 or 5 players that are currently in the team.
I think the equality rules have kess impact as there are more qulifying players coming through who are worth a place on merit.
The overseas disqualification rule is the real kicker because obviously it is the very best players who are desiable and the Top 14 teams seem to have limitless budgets.
I think the 'Boks are just in the trough of the performance cycle and will be back to their bestfor the next RWC.
The overseas disqualification rule is the real kicker because obviously it is the very best players who are desiable and the Top 14 teams seem to have limitless budgets.
I think the 'Boks are just in the trough of the performance cycle and will be back to their bestfor the next RWC.
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