Author Topic: General Rugby Union Thread (Read 601541 times)

Trump's tiny tiny hands · « **Reply #7601 on:** May 10, 2017, 10:31:17 am »

Can we expect the same match ups from the pools as the last World Cup, eg Winner B v Runner up C etc?

Ray K · « **Reply #7602 on:** May 10, 2017, 10:35:51 am »

Quote from: Trump's tiny tiny hands on May 10, 2017, 10:31:17 am

Can we expect the same match ups from the pools as the last World Cup, eg Winner B v Runner up C etc?

Tried looking it up on the website, but no details.

Tough draw for your lot - do you think you'll make it out of the group?

Trump's tiny tiny hands · « **Reply #7603 on:** May 10, 2017, 10:39:10 am »

Quote from: Ray K on May 10, 2017, 10:35:51 am

Tried looking it up on the website, but no details.

Tough draw for your lot - do you think you'll make it out of the group?

Works out well. Win or lose against the Boks in the pool, we put ourselves on the opposite side of the draw. Considering how tight knock out games against them can be for us this can only be a good thing.

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #7604 on:** May 10, 2017, 10:41:22 am »

Get to the last 8 and they're probably all tough games but woukd want to avoid the big SH guns. Wales or Scotland/Japan is who most woukd want to face presumably.

Ray K · « **Reply #7605 on:** May 10, 2017, 10:41:24 am »

Quote from: Acton Nick on May 10, 2017, 10:16:19 am

Every World Cup it feels like we have a loaded group or the most dangerous side from the third tier. Wales last time, think Argentina in 2011. Oceania 2 will obviously be one of the big physical Pacific Islanders again. When will we know who that is? Do they qualify or is that based on rankings?

Two Oceania qualifiers: Two teams to qualify for RWC 2019 from a Pacific Tri-Nations championship played on a home and away basis over June 2016 and 2017. They're halfway through and it's currently 1. Fiji 2. Samoa 3. Tonga

Next year's European Rugby C'ship (2nd tier) will confirm the other European qualifiers and the playoff matches.

Trump's tiny tiny hands · « **Reply #7606 on:** May 10, 2017, 10:51:24 am »

Quote from: Acton Nick on May 10, 2017, 10:41:22 am

Get to the last 8 and they're probably all tough games but woukd want to avoid the big SH guns. Wales or Scotland/Japan is who most woukd want to face presumably.

True. Generally, everything tightens up in the knockout games. Its just that Sth Africa seem to add an extra edge and make the ABs clam up even more.

Anyone here tempted to go over for it?

Ray K · « **Reply #7607 on:** May 10, 2017, 10:56:13 am »

Quote from: Trump's tiny tiny hands on May 10, 2017, 10:39:10 am

Works out well. Win or lose against the Boks in the pool, we put ourselves on the opposite side of the draw. Considering how tight knock out games against them can be for us this can only be a good thing.

World Rugby confirm winner of Ireland's pool will face runner up of Pool B, which contains New Zealand and South Africa.

So I assume it's an A/B and C/D split.

QFs based on current ranking:
Ireland v South Africa
Scotland v New Zealand
England v Wales
Australia v France

And hypothetically these SFs are possible:
Ireland v Australia
England v New Zealand

With an Ireland - England final definitely the most likely outcome.

With Ireland to defend their title on home soil in 2023? #NotGettingCarriedAway

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #7608 on:** May 10, 2017, 11:14:29 am »

Ah shit, can't dodge NZ tip the final then? Well just have to come runners up and knock the Aussies out in the knockout stages which is always more fun.

Ray K · « **Reply #7609 on:** May 10, 2017, 11:25:54 am »

Quote from: Acton Nick on May 10, 2017, 11:14:29 am

Ah shit, can't dodge NZ tip the final then? Well just have to come runners up and knock the Aussies out in the knockout stages which is always more fun.

Andrew Sheridan gets a shock recall as England scrum the Wallabies off the park?

Old No7 · « **Reply #7610 on:** May 10, 2017, 11:32:38 am »

Quote from: Acton Nick on May 10, 2017, 11:14:29 am

Ah shit, can't dodge NZ tip the final then? Well just have to come runners up and knock the Aussies out in the knockout stages which is always more fun.

I had a wonderful morning in New York 2007 as that poor side made it's way past Australia & into the semi finals, I was in a bar mostly filled with Scot's or Aussies. I think I returned there later that day to taunt Kiwi's who were being sick at the sight of being done by the French again.

Trump's tiny tiny hands · « **Reply #7611 on:** May 10, 2017, 11:42:04 am »

Quote from: Ray K on May 10, 2017, 10:56:13 am

World Rugby confirm winner of Ireland's pool will face runner up of Pool B, which contains New Zealand and South Africa.

So I assume it's an A/B and C/D split.

QFs based on current ranking:
Ireland v South Africa
Scotland v New Zealand
England v Wales
Australia v France

And hypothetically these SFs are possible:
Ireland v Australia
England v New Zealand

With an Ireland - England final definitely the most likely outcome.

With Ireland to defend their title on home soil in 2023? #NotGettingCarriedAway

Not sure Australia are going to turn it around for the World Cup this time, if their Super Rugby performances are anything to go by. Scotland before England is, hypothetically, decent prep.

Old No7 · « **Reply #7612 on:** May 13, 2017, 05:18:05 pm »

Lovely try Saracens to take the lead

MBL? · « **Reply #7613 on:** May 13, 2017, 05:21:44 pm »

Would love to see Clermont do it but i cant see that happening. Still fuming we drew in our last pool game to lose the home semi.

Think we were the only team in it who could beat this gang.

MBL? · « **Reply #7614 on:** May 13, 2017, 05:22:57 pm »

Was ahead of the kicker for the try and no one has mentioned it.

Old No7 · « **Reply #7615 on:** May 13, 2017, 05:49:41 pm »

Good half of rugby, Saracens threatened to get away but Clermont have come back into it

Ray K · « **Reply #7616 on:** May 13, 2017, 05:51:38 pm »

This is a good game. Not that Clermont are going to win it or anything, but even so.

Old No7 · « **Reply #7617 on:** May 13, 2017, 06:52:14 pm »

What a time to miss a straight forward penalty, very Clermont

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #7618 on:** May 13, 2017, 06:57:38 pm »

Well done Sarries, brilliant stuff.

Old No7 · « **Reply #7619 on:** May 13, 2017, 07:02:59 pm »

Nice to have a quality final, too often they aren't great games.

Old No7 · « **Reply #7620 on:** May 13, 2017, 07:16:41 pm »

Farrell picks up European player of the year, he's had a great season & a half since the World Cup

ABZ Rover · « **Reply #7621 on:** May 13, 2017, 07:27:30 pm »

Great game that.

Big Billy is a fukin beast of a player.

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #7622 on:** May 19, 2017, 08:56:06 pm »

I thought Leinster were meant to be half decent? What's going on here? Or are Scarlets alright these days?

Ray K · « **Reply #7623 on:** May 19, 2017, 09:03:49 pm »

Quote from: Acton Nick on May 19, 2017, 08:56:06 pm

I thought Leinster were meant to be half decent? What's going on here? Or are Scarlets alright these days?

We're playing shite and Scarlets have attacked really well. Our lineout is awful too.
Harsh red for them I thought, and I'm biased.

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #7624 on:** May 19, 2017, 09:11:15 pm »

Quote from: Ray K on May 19, 2017, 09:03:49 pm

We're playing shite and Scarlets have attacked really well. Our lineout is awful too.
Harsh red for them I thought, and I'm biased.

I had it on for a minute but the ruler of the house has emerged and the rugby's gone off again. I've lost interest in my earlier post already.

Ray K · « **Reply #7625 on:** May 19, 2017, 09:37:52 pm »

That was absolutely fucking abysmal from Leinster. Not showing up for one semi could be considered unfortunate. Two looks like carelessness.

sinnermichael · « **Reply #7626 on:** May 20, 2017, 12:42:00 pm »

Premiership semi finals today. As a Tigers fan I just can't see us beating Wasps. It's remarkable that we've got to the semi finals as it is given the utter turmoil at the club this season. If we don't win it I'd like to see Exeter do it. Absolutely sick of Saracens winning everything recently.

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #7627 on:** May 20, 2017, 12:47:49 pm »

Quite fancy Exeter to win with home advantage for some reason. Would be good to give the Sarries Lions an extra week off too!

sinnermichael · « **Reply #7628 on:** May 20, 2017, 04:29:06 pm »

Some finish there. Exeter win it at the death.

archie · « **Reply #7629 on:** May 20, 2017, 06:57:06 pm »

Other semi-final very close.

Great to watch

ABZ Rover · « **Reply #7630 on:** May 20, 2017, 07:48:49 pm »

Two crackin games, hope the final can deliver next week.

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #7631 on:** May 20, 2017, 08:12:59 pm »

Quote from: Acton Nick on May 20, 2017, 12:47:49 pm

Quite fancy Exeter to win with home advantage for some reason. Would be good to give the Sarries Lions an extra week off too!

Of course I didn't put a bet on it.

ABZ Rover · « **Reply #7632 on:** May 20, 2017, 10:22:34 pm »

Quote from: Acton Nick on May 20, 2017, 08:12:59 pm

Of course I didn't put a bet on it.

Who you not betting on to win the final?

Ray K · « **Reply #7633 on:** May 21, 2017, 09:00:37 pm »

Billy Vunipola's out of the Lions tour with a shoulder injury. The Hask to replace him.

I might revise my number of games won on tour to 3 (from my overly optimistic 4).

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #7634 on:** May 21, 2017, 09:06:15 pm »

Quote from: Ray K on May 21, 2017, 09:00:37 pm

Billy Vunipola's out of the Lions tour with a shoulder injury. The Hask to replace him.

I might revise my number of games won on tour to 3 (from my overly optimistic 4).

It was good while it lasted. I think we're doomed.

sinnermichael · « **Reply #7635 on:** May 21, 2017, 09:23:11 pm »

At least Gatland has an excuse to play Faletau now.

Trump's tiny tiny hands · « **Reply #7636 on:** May 22, 2017, 10:39:55 am »

One less fatty lying on the ball then

Old No7 · « **Reply #7637 on:** May 22, 2017, 10:46:19 am »

Didn't catch the semi-finals, disappointed Saracens couldn't do it again but going well in Europe put's you at a disadvantage in the domestic season, or vice versa maybe, it's made very difficult to compete on two fronts. That's to take nothing away from Exeter, their rise is remarkable, most teams who come up from the championship are little more than fodder & many of those sides have had a richer history than the chiefs. Very impressive for them to have stayed up, built on it & established themselves as one of the best sides in England. Hope they beat Wasps, I was amazed Leicester ran them close.

Klippity Klopp · « **Reply #7638 on:** May 22, 2017, 11:59:02 am »

Quote from: sinnermichael on May 21, 2017, 09:23:11 pm

At least Gatland has an excuse to play Faletau now.

Now he just needs the other English players to get injured so he can field the other Welsh lads.

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #7639 on:** May 22, 2017, 01:27:37 pm »

Quote from: Trump's tiny tiny hands on May 22, 2017, 10:39:55 am

One less fatty lying on the ball then

Ripped is our William. He doesn't lie in the ball much in fairness, just a bit if a steamroller. We have strong options there still but think he'll be a big miss.