The Rugby Thread

[ROVERT47]

I can't make any sense of the penalties that are awarded in this sport.

 

[Bit on the shaggies]

Unfortunately, neither can half of this England team.

 

[ROVERT47]

Every time it looks like there might be a bit of action the refs got his hand in the air.

 

[jd1981]

Good to see France only turning up for the game against England.

 

[Bit on the shaggies]

Every fucking time.

 

[Bit on the shaggies]

Utter fucking idiots.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I can't make any sense of the penalties that are awarded in this sport.

Most of them at a ruck are given for one of the following reasons:

- Tackled player not releasing the ball
- Player 'off feet' trying to play the ball
- Trying to join the ruck from the side rather than from behind
- Player using their hands to play the ball in the ruck

The default TV angle doesn't give you a great vantage point to see any of that first hand, you have to take the ref's word for it and then the replay normally shows it for what it is.

 

[darlowolf64]

Get in Watson

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Get in Watson

Excellent kick through.

Now don't gift points straight back!

 

[darlowolf64]

Penalty to France straight away

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Like fucking clockwork. Why are we doing the same thing over and over again?

 

[Bit on the shaggies]

Penalty to France straight away

No surprises there...

 

[ROVERT47]

Most of them at a ruck are given for one of the following reasons:

- Tackled player not releasing the ball
- Player 'off feet' trying to play the ball
- Trying to join the ruck from the side rather than from behind
- Player using their hands to play the ball in the ruck

The default TV angle doesn't give you a great vantage point to see any of that first hand, you have to take the ref's word for it and then the replay normally shows it for what it is.

Bloody ell, I bet reading the rules of this game could give war & peace a run for its money.

 

[Bit on the shaggies]

Like fucking clockwork. Why are we doing the same thing over and over again?

Because we are consistently being beaten to the breakdown, French hands are getting on the ball and we're holding on.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

That must be it now. Heavy weather of it yet again but the result on the board. Basically what this tournament has been all about.

 

[jd1981]

Game over now.

 

[jd1981]

There it is best team won in the end you can argue it's been a poor 6 nations but a grand slam is no easy feat.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

It won't go down as a vintage tournament but a Grand Slam is a Grand Slam. We've just needed to be better than everyone else who can be surmised thus:

Ireland - massively in transition after high profile retirements and struggling to define a pattern of play
Wales - absolutely shat the bed for 60 minutes at Twickenham
Scotland - still don't seal the deal when on top and leak points constantly
France - this was their best performance by a distance which speaks volumes for how bad they've been. Worst French performance I have ever seen anywhere against anyone in the game at Cardiff
Italy - struggling to justify their place in the tournament full stop at the moment

BUT - all you can ask is to win five out of five, and we did. Well done Eddie.

 

[Tredman]

Stephen Jones in Sunday Times has written one of the most unbelievably bitter articles I've ever read about last night's game.

Reached third column before there was any mention of an England grand slam. Only 3 English players in his team of the tournament too. Quite amazing that he is still employed.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Fair play to England hard to be believed first Slam one since Johnson/Delaglio etc were in there pomp, must admit I did put a few quid on you at New Year to win the 6N after looking at the fixtures and how the others teams were shaping up.

As DW says it wasnt a vintage 6N bit it never is after a WC, between new coaches, experienced players retiring/cast aside, coaches making an effort to bring new players in, teams adjusting their styles/patterns of play etc, and that's before we get to the tired and injured players after the WC, but that was the same for England as the rest and a Grand Slam is never to be sniffed at.

Despite the calls for a clean out Jones didnt change an awful lot, he was experienced enough to see the parts were there for a successful team but just needed minor tinkering plus Ijote coming in which was a bonus.

Other news just to further dampen our mood over here, rumours spreading (mainly on internet) that Schmidt will leave after next years 6N's when his contract expires for family reasons, looks like he wants to move back to NZ, has a son with severe epilepsy and wants to get him settled over there now (not sure of his age) for school/treatment etc.