General rugby thread
Discussion
irocfan said:
OMITN said:
Smollet said:
Also when they have taken on too much League influence. 2015 being a case in point.
Ah, the old "Sam Burgess lost us the World Cup" complaint.Presumably just like Jason Robinson did. 2003 being a case in point.
OMITN said:
Smollet said:
Also when they have taken on too much League influence. 2015 being a case in point.
Ah, the old "Sam Burgess lost us the World Cup" complaint.Presumably just like Jason Robinson did. 2003 being a case in point.
Robinson had played for Bath earlier in his career, then came back to Sale. By the time of the 2003 RWC, he'd already been playing for England for 2 years.
Burgess, on the other hand, was parachuted in to Union, specifically to be selected for the World Cup.
By the time of the 2003 World Cup, Robinson was a nailed on team member on his own merits.
By the time of the 2015 World Cup, Burgess was nothing more than a message to the rest of the England squad to say "you're so crap we're better off bringing in someone who hasn't even played the game before".
Kermit power said:
You might want to check your history books before commenting!
Robinson had played for Bath earlier in his career, then came back to Sale. By the time of the 2003 RWC, he'd already been playing for England for 2 years.
Burgess, on the other hand, was parachuted in to Union, specifically to be selected for the World Cup.
By the time of the 2003 World Cup, Robinson was a nailed on team member on his own merits.
By the time of the 2015 World Cup, Burgess was nothing more than a message to the rest of the England squad to say "you're so crap we're better off bringing in someone who hasn't even played the game before".
as an aside IIRC we were beating the Taffs until he got subbedRobinson had played for Bath earlier in his career, then came back to Sale. By the time of the 2003 RWC, he'd already been playing for England for 2 years.
Burgess, on the other hand, was parachuted in to Union, specifically to be selected for the World Cup.
By the time of the 2003 World Cup, Robinson was a nailed on team member on his own merits.
By the time of the 2015 World Cup, Burgess was nothing more than a message to the rest of the England squad to say "you're so crap we're better off bringing in someone who hasn't even played the game before".
irocfan said:
Kermit power said:
You might want to check your history books before commenting!
Robinson had played for Bath earlier in his career, then came back to Sale. By the time of the 2003 RWC, he'd already been playing for England for 2 years.
Burgess, on the other hand, was parachuted in to Union, specifically to be selected for the World Cup.
By the time of the 2003 World Cup, Robinson was a nailed on team member on his own merits.
By the time of the 2015 World Cup, Burgess was nothing more than a message to the rest of the England squad to say "you're so crap we're better off bringing in someone who hasn't even played the game before".
as an aside IIRC we were beating the Taffs until he got subbedRobinson had played for Bath earlier in his career, then came back to Sale. By the time of the 2003 RWC, he'd already been playing for England for 2 years.
Burgess, on the other hand, was parachuted in to Union, specifically to be selected for the World Cup.
By the time of the 2003 World Cup, Robinson was a nailed on team member on his own merits.
By the time of the 2015 World Cup, Burgess was nothing more than a message to the rest of the England squad to say "you're so crap we're better off bringing in someone who hasn't even played the game before".
Kermit power said:
Possibly so, but given the way he was brought in, he would've had to be Superman for his individual positive impact to outweigh the collective negative impact it had on the rest of the squad.
absolutely. Luther Burrell may not have been the best centre we've ever had but he was by no means the worst and was one of those crapped on from a great height (IIRC his England career never recovered)
From: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50407548
"Journalists were banned from asking director of rugby Mark McCall questions about the salary cap breach during Wednesday's regular media briefing.
...
FTI Consulting, a global business advisory firm, were present at the briefing and will oversee how Sarries manage the situation publicly."
So how exactly do you "ban" a journalist from asking questions?
Why would any journalist worth their salt, honour such a request? (other than Trump-ist fear of being "ex-communicated", but that's more damaging to Sarries, surely?)
Is this the behaviour of an innocent party?
"Journalists were banned from asking director of rugby Mark McCall questions about the salary cap breach during Wednesday's regular media briefing.
...
FTI Consulting, a global business advisory firm, were present at the briefing and will oversee how Sarries manage the situation publicly."
So how exactly do you "ban" a journalist from asking questions?
Why would any journalist worth their salt, honour such a request? (other than Trump-ist fear of being "ex-communicated", but that's more damaging to Sarries, surely?)
Is this the behaviour of an innocent party?
Kermit power said:
You might want to check your history books before commenting!
Robinson had played for Bath earlier in his career, then came back to Sale. By the time of the 2003 RWC, he'd already been playing for England for 2 years.
Burgess, on the other hand, was parachuted in to Union, specifically to be selected for the World Cup.
By the time of the 2003 World Cup, Robinson was a nailed on team member on his own merits.
By the time of the 2015 World Cup, Burgess was nothing more than a message to the rest of the England squad to say "you're so crap we're better off bringing in someone who hasn't even played the game before".
My objection (if you could call it that) was that the issue with that selection wasn’t some malign influence of rugby league, more the wider picture around that England squad (ie something wasn’t quite right - especially with the RFU paying top dollar to bring in an NRL superstar - in the way that it has since proven to be at this year’s World Cup). Robinson had played for Bath earlier in his career, then came back to Sale. By the time of the 2003 RWC, he'd already been playing for England for 2 years.
Burgess, on the other hand, was parachuted in to Union, specifically to be selected for the World Cup.
By the time of the 2003 World Cup, Robinson was a nailed on team member on his own merits.
By the time of the 2015 World Cup, Burgess was nothing more than a message to the rest of the England squad to say "you're so crap we're better off bringing in someone who hasn't even played the game before".
So to be fair I think we all agree - Jason Robinson was amazing (in both codes). And Sam Burgess belongs in rugby league.
Interesting point made by Andy Goode re Sarries:
https://www.facebook.com/1201983276493864/posts/38...
https://www.facebook.com/1201983276493864/posts/38...
After all the bluster when the points deduction and fine were announced, Sarries have effectively admitted their agreement with the findings, by backing down from a review :
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50457698
..apparently accepting it with "humility". Hah!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50457698
..apparently accepting it with "humility". Hah!
DocJock said:
I guess that depends on whether or not the players in question are withdrawing any funds from their 'investments'?
I don't think the players need to withdraw any funds. If the players are getting the benefit of a loan, or a lower interest mortgage, from Mr Wray, then the amount of that financial benefit to that player must form part of the salary cap. XCP said:
Uppy89 said:
So Semi Radradra is moving to Bristol Bears next season. I may be biased as a Bristol fan but it will be brilliant to see one of the best players in the world in the Premiership.
Hear hear. Things are looking very positive for us at the moment.Kermit power said:
XCP said:
Uppy89 said:
So Semi Radradra is moving to Bristol Bears next season. I may be biased as a Bristol fan but it will be brilliant to see one of the best players in the world in the Premiership.
Hear hear. Things are looking very positive for us at the moment.I have heard that Ian Madigan and Charles Piutau are the current marquee signings who sit outside the salary cap with the high earners of Nath Hughes and Steven Luatua sitting inside the salary cap and are affordable as the vast majority of the squad was signed from Championship clubs or come up through the academy and are subsequently on low wages.
Radradra will then replace Madigan as a marquee signing. Don't know how much of the above is true though!
Radradra will then replace Madigan as a marquee signing. Don't know how much of the above is true though!
Kermit power said:
XCP said:
Uppy89 said:
So Semi Radradra is moving to Bristol Bears next season. I may be biased as a Bristol fan but it will be brilliant to see one of the best players in the world in the Premiership.
Hear hear. Things are looking very positive for us at the moment.Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff