Mani could have had two tries today. No one else came anywhere near a try scoring opportunity.
The All Purpose Rugby Union Thread (P2)
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Originally Posted by Thomas007:
“England are 2/5 to win the six nations and 6/5 to win the grand slam.
Some great bets there.”
“England are 2/5 to win the six nations and 6/5 to win the grand slam.
Some great bets there.”
I think Wales will beat England in the last game, but England will hold on to win 6Nations championship
Originally Posted by Mike Teevee:
“I think Wales will beat England in the last game, but England will hold on to win 6Nations championship”
“I think Wales will beat England in the last game, but England will hold on to win 6Nations championship”
I would love England to collect the trophy at the millenium!!
Not sure it will happen, France Italy and Wales stil to go. To many tough games in it still.
Originally Posted by sensoria:
“I would love England to collect the trophy at the millenium!!
Not sure it will happen, France Italy and Wales stil to go. To many tough games in it still.”
“I would love England to collect the trophy at the millenium!!
Not sure it will happen, France Italy and Wales stil to go. To many tough games in it still.”
England look solid and workmanlike at the moment (I don't think they're anywhere near as good as the All Blacks result would suggest, but they are very likely the best team in this tournament).
Originally Posted by david1955:
“I haven't the faintest idea why Haskell was sin binned.”
“I haven't the faintest idea why Haskell was sin binned.”
Supposed 'professional foul' is the only thing that I can see. Perhaps the ref was mindful of the various off the ball shenanigans?
Originally Posted by misslibertine:
“Couldn't agree with you more. The only "fans" I know who rate him are the girls in glittery cowboy hats who think he's "mega fit"
He's like a petulant toddler, and I'd be glad to see the back of him sooner rather than later.”
“Couldn't agree with you more. The only "fans" I know who rate him are the girls in glittery cowboy hats who think he's "mega fit"
He's like a petulant toddler, and I'd be glad to see the back of him sooner rather than later.”
No, proper rugby fans highly rate Mike Phillips. He is like a third flanker and he keeps defenders honest. He gets in their faces, he is vocal and he is powerful. He often crosses the gainline and hhas made some great breaks including a 50 metre run in the recent French game. Watch his tries against England in 2008, South Africa Lions 2nd test 2009 and Ireland in RWC 2011 as perfect examples of what he brings to the teams.
Yes he is often guilty of slow ball I admit that, but at times take note of the pods at the breakdown, see how slowly they sometimes form. To distribute the ball before these protective pods have formed correctly would be stupid. T
When Phillips is on form, like he was in the 2008 GS, the 2009 Lions tour and especially the 2011 RWC, he is one of the worlds best scrum halves. To say that Knoyle or Lloyd Williams are better scrum halves is frankly a joke. Quick ball alone is no substitue for what Mike Phillips is able to bring.
To write him off as mere spangly cowboy hat eye candy is completely unfair as well as rather bizarre.
Originally Posted by vaughan6477:
“Well done England. Defended very well and took their chances.
I'm still confident of Wales upsetting their Grandslam chances on the final day in Cardiff though.We've some key players to come back.
Bring it on
”
“Well done England. Defended very well and took their chances.
I'm still confident of Wales upsetting their Grandslam chances on the final day in Cardiff though.We've some key players to come back.
Bring it on
”
One win in 25 for Wales. I don't think England need worry about them. Italy will give them a better game.
Originally Posted by finbaar:
“One win in 25 for Wales. I don't think England need worry about them. Italy will give them a better game.”
“One win in 25 for Wales. I don't think England need worry about them. Italy will give them a better game.”
Have another go: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History...land_and_Wales
Originally Posted by Eurostar:
“England look solid and workmanlike at the moment (I don't think they're anywhere near as good as the All Blacks result would suggest, but they are very likely the best team in this tournament).”
“England look solid and workmanlike at the moment (I don't think they're anywhere near as good as the All Blacks result would suggest, but they are very likely the best team in this tournament).”
They've looked a lot better than 'workmanlike' (mind you, they generally do - it only takes one quieter game for the "typical boring England" lie to reappear) - the conditions yesterday looked awful.
Wasn't able to see a great deal of Saturday's games - unfortunately most of what I did see was from Paris which looked very poor fare.
Re Phillips - for me the key job of the scrum half is to get regular accurate and quick passes away to the fly half. Phillips pass is laboured. If sided can diffuse his power (and most can) he is inceasingky moderate.
Impressed by England's ability to adapt to conditions yesterday - they played about the right amount of open rugby in a situation where much more would have been foolish.
I thought Ben Youngs was MoM personally. Consistently crisp and accurate passing, subtle and varied kicking, read the play well and excellent in defence. Robshaw just keeps having good games, Wood fitted in OK at 8, Goode was excellent.
Also thought the Irish 9 looked good and their blind side went well. BOD was poor though.
Originally Posted by Frood:
“They've looked a lot better than 'workmanlike' (mind you, they generally do - it only takes one quieter game for the "typical boring England" lie to reappear) - the conditions yesterday looked awful.
Wasn't able to see a great deal of Saturday's games - unfortunately most of what I did see was from Paris which looked very poor fare.
Re Phillips - for me the key job of the scrum half is to get regular accurate and quick passes away to the fly half. Phillips pass is laboured. If sided can diffuse his power (and most can) he is inceasingky moderate.
Impressed by England's ability to adapt to conditions yesterday - they played about the right amount of open rugby in a situation where much more would have been foolish.
I thought Ben Youngs was MoM personally. Consistently crisp and accurate passing, subtle and varied kicking, read the play well and excellent in defence. Robshaw just keeps having good games, Wood fitted in OK at 8, Goode was excellent.
Also thought the Irish 9 looked good and their blind side went well. BOD was poor though.”
“They've looked a lot better than 'workmanlike' (mind you, they generally do - it only takes one quieter game for the "typical boring England" lie to reappear) - the conditions yesterday looked awful.
Wasn't able to see a great deal of Saturday's games - unfortunately most of what I did see was from Paris which looked very poor fare.
Re Phillips - for me the key job of the scrum half is to get regular accurate and quick passes away to the fly half. Phillips pass is laboured. If sided can diffuse his power (and most can) he is inceasingky moderate.
Impressed by England's ability to adapt to conditions yesterday - they played about the right amount of open rugby in a situation where much more would have been foolish.
I thought Ben Youngs was MoM personally. Consistently crisp and accurate passing, subtle and varied kicking, read the play well and excellent in defence. Robshaw just keeps having good games, Wood fitted in OK at 8, Goode was excellent.
Also thought the Irish 9 looked good and their blind side went well. BOD was poor though.”
Fully agree about Ben Youngs, some brilliant kicking, knew when to pass and when to kick. Some very churlish player ratings in the Times , for both sides. No-one deserved less than a 7/10 for all the effort they put in in those conditions. Can't we give players some credit Hardly a missed tackle throughout the game , a few handling errors yes , but in the conditions understandable ...
I agree that the marks were harsh although Heaslip would have been marked well below a 7 IMO - dropped high balls under no pressure, blown off the ball more than once and wasn't great going forward.
Ashton also had a poor game but the conditions took away much of the chance for a winger to shine.
Also add that Healey will be lucky to play again in this 6N - I like Fester but his attempt at half time to excuse the stamp was poor. You'd have to be an All Black to have any hope of getting away with that.
Ashton also had a poor game but the conditions took away much of the chance for a winger to shine.
Also add that Healey will be lucky to play again in this 6N - I like Fester but his attempt at half time to excuse the stamp was poor. You'd have to be an All Black to have any hope of getting away with that.
Originally Posted by Frood:
“I agree that the marks were harsh although Heaslip would have been marked well below a 7 IMO - dropped high balls under no pressure, blown off the ball more than once and wasn't great going forward.
Ashton also had a poor game but the conditions took away much of the chance for a winger to shine.
Also add that Healey will be lucky to play again in this 6N - I like Fester but his attempt at half time to excuse the stamp was poor. You'd have to be an All Black to have any hope of getting away with that.”
“I agree that the marks were harsh although Heaslip would have been marked well below a 7 IMO - dropped high balls under no pressure, blown off the ball more than once and wasn't great going forward.
Ashton also had a poor game but the conditions took away much of the chance for a winger to shine.
Also add that Healey will be lucky to play again in this 6N - I like Fester but his attempt at half time to excuse the stamp was poor. You'd have to be an All Black to have any hope of getting away with that.”
Ok , I accept what you say about Heaslip and Ashton.
A different point , but about the colour clash between Italy and Scotland. They both wore similar kits in exactly the same shade of blue.Have New Zealand ever been required to change their kit for an International or are they regarded as so superior to the other nations that they never have to do this .Scotland's traditional navy blue would clash with black, but if they play at Murrayfield I assume it is Scotland who have to change .
Originally Posted by david1955:
“Ok , I accept what you say about Heaslip and Ashton.
A different point , but about the colour clash between Italy and Scotland. They both wore similar kits in exactly the same shade of blue.Have New Zealand ever been required to change their kit for an International or are they regarded as so superior to the other nations that they never have to do this .Scotland's traditional navy blue would clash with black, but if they play at Murrayfield I assume it is Scotland who have to change .”
“Ok , I accept what you say about Heaslip and Ashton.
A different point , but about the colour clash between Italy and Scotland. They both wore similar kits in exactly the same shade of blue.Have New Zealand ever been required to change their kit for an International or are they regarded as so superior to the other nations that they never have to do this .Scotland's traditional navy blue would clash with black, but if they play at Murrayfield I assume it is Scotland who have to change .”
isn't there some weird rule when the home team always changes strip
of course this should mean AB's playing in grey (or whatever) whenever Scotland are touring..... though not sure when they last played in NZ
If I were to pick a current Lions team I'd say I'd go with
15 H'Penny
14 Cuthbert
13 BOD (Capt)
12 Tuilagi
11 Ashton
10 Farrell/Sexton
9 Youngs
1 Healy
2 Best
3 Cole
4 L'bury
5 Evans
6 Ferris (if fit)
7 Tipuric
8 Faletau
Irish perspective. Obviously it's hard to say and a lot will change but thought it'd be interesting. Open to discussion!
The reason I haven't chosen an O/H is I think Sexton should start but this injury won't do him any favours and Farrell is still in the HCup. Healy's (expected) ban won't help him either but he's lucky enough in that Gethin doesn't start for club and Corbisiero is injured
15 H'Penny
14 Cuthbert
13 BOD (Capt)
12 Tuilagi
11 Ashton
10 Farrell/Sexton
9 Youngs
1 Healy
2 Best
3 Cole
4 L'bury
5 Evans
6 Ferris (if fit)
7 Tipuric
8 Faletau
Irish perspective. Obviously it's hard to say and a lot will change but thought it'd be interesting. Open to discussion!
The reason I haven't chosen an O/H is I think Sexton should start but this injury won't do him any favours and Farrell is still in the HCup. Healy's (expected) ban won't help him either but he's lucky enough in that Gethin doesn't start for club and Corbisiero is injured
Well done England yesterday! Ye are in a great position to at least win a championship now. I don't think ye'll win the slam but I think PD will be enough (ye'll batter Italy in Twickenham)
With respect, we're lucky ourselves in that we have Scotland next. Won't be easy by any means but certainly not as daunting as a wounded French side with 2 weeks to prepare and a changed side, or a trip to Cardiff.
Still slight hope of a championship for us but unlikely.
With respect, we're lucky ourselves in that we have Scotland next. Won't be easy by any means but certainly not as daunting as a wounded French side with 2 weeks to prepare and a changed side, or a trip to Cardiff.
Still slight hope of a championship for us but unlikely.
Originally Posted by Mike Teevee:
“isn't there some weird rule when the home team always changes strip
of course this should mean AB's playing in grey (or whatever) whenever Scotland are touring..... though not sure when they last played in NZ”
“isn't there some weird rule when the home team always changes strip
of course this should mean AB's playing in grey (or whatever) whenever Scotland are touring..... though not sure when they last played in NZ”
That is correct , the Rugby Union convention is that the home team changes strip. But France , and Tonga and Samoa I think play in dark colours, they all must have played in New Zealand , but I assume rugby convention doesn't apply to New Zealand.
Very few teams play in all white , but that doesn't stop England from playing in daft colours to please the sponsors .
Originally Posted by david1955:
“That is correct , the Rugby Union convention is that the home team changes strip. But France , and Tonga and Samoa I think play in dark colours, they all must have played in New Zealand , but I assume rugby convention doesn't apply to New Zealand.
Very few teams play in all white , but that doesn't stop England from playing in daft colours to please the sponsors .”
“That is correct , the Rugby Union convention is that the home team changes strip. But France , and Tonga and Samoa I think play in dark colours, they all must have played in New Zealand , but I assume rugby convention doesn't apply to New Zealand.
Very few teams play in all white , but that doesn't stop England from playing in daft colours to please the sponsors .”
The reason for the home team changing goes back to years ago when the home team would have had better access to change kits if there was a clash than a travelling team would.
The All Blacks played in Grey against France in 2007 world cup...........they lost.
Originally Posted by Frood:
“I agree that the marks were harsh although Heaslip would have been marked well below a 7 IMO - dropped high balls under no pressure, blown off the ball more than once and wasn't great going forward.
Ashton also had a poor game but the conditions took away much of the chance for a winger to shine.
Also add that Healey will be lucky to play again in this 6N - I like Fester but his attempt at half time to excuse the stamp was poor. You'd have to be an All Black to have any hope of getting away with that.”
“I agree that the marks were harsh although Heaslip would have been marked well below a 7 IMO - dropped high balls under no pressure, blown off the ball more than once and wasn't great going forward.
Ashton also had a poor game but the conditions took away much of the chance for a winger to shine.
Also add that Healey will be lucky to play again in this 6N - I like Fester but his attempt at half time to excuse the stamp was poor. You'd have to be an All Black to have any hope of getting away with that.”
I have only just seen the Healy stamp, for some reason I was either at the bar or in the toilet and missed the whole thing. Looking at it it is pretty awful, he could have broken his ankle had he made a better contact. Really clumsy thing to do. That said I imagine they will both be wearing 1 and 3 for the Lions in the summer.
I like a bit of footwork in clearing players off the ball, they dont lay there as long if they get some studs on their backsides of backs in the act of clearing them away. That wasnt clearing it was stamping pure and simple.
Originally Posted by Kiko H Fan:
“George North's dad. What a little scamp.”
“George North's dad. What a little scamp.”
That was funny, if it really was his dad.
Originally Posted by Kiko H Fan:
“George North's dad. What a little scamp.”
“George North's dad. What a little scamp.”
parents can be so embarrassing sometimes
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