• TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
  • Follow
    • Follow
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • google+
    • instagram
    • youtube
Hearst Corporation
  • TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
Forums
  • Register
  • Login
  • Forums
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
The All Purpose Rugby Union Thread (P2)
<<
<
76 of 234
>>
>
Mike Teevee
20-09-2013
as the thread seems slightly awake today, what are people's thoughts on the whole Heineken Cup breakaway competition that English and French clubs are proposing.

I don't think it will work if it's just clubs from those two nations, but it will be hard to persuade Celtic and Italy clubs to join (especially if there are limits on club participation).

It will be interesting to see if South Africa clubs go through with their veiled threat to quit Super Rugby in 2016, maybe they could be tempted to join (time zones wouldn't be a problem for matches).
Sideburns57
20-09-2013
Originally Posted by Mike Teevee:
“Presumably Hartley should be nowhere near the England squad then, as his disciplinary record is way worse than Manu (who's biggest crime on the pitch is punching Ashton).

Manu's actions and to a lesser extent the England squad during RWC are overplayed by the media. When it came down to it England team were guilty of being in bar where there was midget wrestling (not dwarf tossing as keeps getting trotted out), going on a bungee jump during the tournament and Manu taking a 10 minute swim to shore.

Compared to the ignored actions of All Black Zac Guildford, that very tame.

Sorry didn't mean to throw the whole role model comment at you specifically, meant it as those in the media who use that as a stick to bash sports stars

”

No one here has asked for Manu to be excluded, speaking for myself I just happen to think the one off with Cameron was not the brightest thing to do and he does not appear to be the sharpest tool... That is all.
Pendragon579
20-09-2013
Originally Posted by Sideburns57:
“No ne here has asked for Manu to be excluded, speaking for myself I just happen to think the one off with Cameron was not the brightest thing to do and he does not appear to be the sharpest tool... That is all.”

Wish he put as much effort in learning to pass [and catch ] as he does with his pranks!

Someone had a go at Brian Moore the other day about castigating modern players, pointing the hypocrisy of the Pitbull doing this when he was no angel himself and Moore's EXCELLENT comeback went like this: he was an amateur player on tuppence happeny expenses only, whereas today's players are paid good money and thus rugby is their job, hence they should adopt a professional attitude when effectively at their workplace. Ouch!
Pendragon579
20-09-2013
Originally Posted by Mike Teevee:
“as the thread seems slightly awake today, what are people's thoughts on the whole Heineken Cup breakaway competition that English and French clubs are proposing.

I don't think it will work if it's just clubs from those two nations, but it will be hard to persuade Celtic and Italy clubs to join (especially if there are limits on club participation).

It will be interesting to see if South Africa clubs go through with their veiled threat to quit Super Rugby in 2016, maybe they could be tempted to join (time zones wouldn't be a problem for matches).”

Wasn't there a breakaway/pullout/toys out of pram incident back in 1998/99 when the European Cup duly went ahead without the English clubs? Think the English clubs would be in a better position to dictate terms if they had actually WON the Heineken Cup recently [Wasps in 2004 the last one to my mind]...
Sideburns57
20-09-2013
Originally Posted by Pendragon579:
“Wish he put as much effort in learning to pass [and catch ] as he does with his pranks!

Someone had a go at Brian Moore the other day about castigating modern players, pointing the hypocrisy of the Pitbull doing this when he was no angel himself and Moore's EXCELLENT comeback went like this: he was an amateur player on tuppence happeny expenses only, whereas today's players are paid good money and thus rugby is their job, hence they should adopt a professional attitude when effectively at their workplace. Ouch! ”

Said like a quick thinking ex-lawyer that is Moore!
Pendragon579
20-09-2013
Originally Posted by Sideburns57:
“Said like a quick thinking ex-lawyer that is Moore!”

His verbal put-down of Delon Armitage is already reaching legendary status of course
Kierenj
20-09-2013
Originally Posted by Mike Teevee:
“as the thread seems slightly awake today, what are people's thoughts on the whole Heineken Cup breakaway competition that English and French clubs are proposing.

I don't think it will work if it's just clubs from those two nations, but it will be hard to persuade Celtic and Italy clubs to join (especially if there are limits on club participation).

It will be interesting to see if South Africa clubs go through with their veiled threat to quit Super Rugby in 2016, maybe they could be tempted to join (time zones wouldn't be a problem for matches).”

I think it'll work in as such that the English and French clubs will get what they want which is really a larger share of the money.

From what I've read (and heard) so far over 75% of the money created by the HC is from English and French participation... but they split just 50% of the money that it brings in. Now we could go all marxist about it and say that's the best for the overall game development in Europe, but rugby is now a business with millions of pounds at stake and that won't cut it.

Added to that the Celtic league teams know they don't actually have to do anything to get their share of the money means they aren't driven in the same way where as the English and the French have to qualify in large leagues.

I think there is something in there around salary caps for English teams as well... I think they want to double the cap size.

Regardless, I just want them to sort it before 2014 starts... if the Welsh, Scottish or Italian teams won't come in I'm not that fussed, the Irish would be a massive loss. That said I know that those 4 RFUs will stick together as it's the only way they will keep some semblance of power.
Sideburns57
20-09-2013
Originally Posted by Pendragon579:
“His verbal put-down of Delon Armitage is already reaching legendary status of course ”

Another with a screw a little loose is our Delon - roughing up a drug tester at one stage!
Pendragon579
20-09-2013
Originally Posted by Sideburns57:
“Another with a screw a little loose is our Delon - roughing up a drug tester at one stage!”

Think that's why he is not being considered for England at the mo - attitude problem
Mike Teevee
20-09-2013
I think it's more to do with him playing in France, as his brother is being ignored too (no issues around Steffon)
Pendragon579
20-09-2013
Originally Posted by Mike Teevee:
“I think it's more to do with him playing in France, as his brother is being ignored too (no issues around Steffon)”

Indeed, but [Saint] Jonny [of] Wilkinson played for England while at Toulon, so it's not an automatic bar per se.

There are allegedly attitude issues with Steffon as well... on a happier note I am assuming now that Kvesic stays at 7 [a genuine openside playing for England at 7, who would have thought it ] and Robshaw moves to 6 what with Croft being on the long-term injured list once more... Works for me
apaul
20-09-2013
Why should Robshaw move to 6 when Wood is a far better player in that position?
Kierenj
20-09-2013
Originally Posted by Pendragon579:
“Indeed, but [Saint] Jonny [of] Wilkinson played for England while at Toulon, so it's not an automatic bar per se.

There are allegedly attitude issues with Steffon as well... on a happier note I am assuming now that Kvesic stays at 7 [a genuine openside playing for England at 7, who would have thought it ] and Robshaw moves to 6 what with Croft being on the long-term injured list once more... Works for me ”

I think it'll be Robshaw and Woods, Kvesic will remain on the bench unless he starts off like a train this season. That said it's a tough Autumn schedule so I wouldn't be surprised to see an injury somewhere.
Pendragon579
20-09-2013
Originally Posted by apaul:
“Why should Robshaw move to 6 when Wood is a far better player in that position?”

Sounds like the argument about Tipuric vs Warburton all over again
Pendragon579
21-09-2013
England won all 4 Sevens matches in Bucharest today, including a 40-7 victory over Wales (never a bad thing )
Sideburns57
21-09-2013
I have a feeling Robshaw won't make the starting XI come the internationals - and Wood will be captain (as he was meant to be before Robshaw got the job IIRC)
Pendragon579
21-09-2013
Originally Posted by Sideburns57:
“I have a feeling Robshaw won't make the starting XI come the internationals - and Wood will be captain (as he was meant to be before Robshaw got the job IIRC)”

Good point, though if we turn up with XI it may be a little difficult whoever we put out
Sideburns57
22-09-2013
........um, showing football is my first sport. I will get my coat!
Pendragon579
22-09-2013
Originally Posted by Sideburns57:
“........um, showing football is my first sport. I will get my coat!”

No worries, was just being playful
Pendragon579
22-09-2013
England win the Bucharest 7s and are crowned European champs, sadly their unofficial team had to pull out of the 7s in Kenya due to the al Qaeda terrorist atrocity in Nairobi
Mike Teevee
23-09-2013
England unveil new change strip

Loathe as I am to agree with anything the Daily Mail says, I think they've got a point about how bad this kit is
Cissy Fairfax
23-09-2013
Originally Posted by Mike Teevee:
“as the thread seems slightly awake today, what are people's thoughts on the whole Heineken Cup breakaway competition that English and French clubs are proposing.

I don't think it will work if it's just clubs from those two nations, but it will be hard to persuade Celtic and Italy clubs to join (especially if there are limits on club participation).

It will be interesting to see if South Africa clubs go through with their veiled threat to quit Super Rugby in 2016, maybe they could be tempted to join (time zones wouldn't be a problem for matches).”

I dont know enough about the money breakdown but the grumbles about place allocation was ridiculous. They get 6 or 7 spots each. That is ample, if you finish 8th, tough you generally have played pretty average. Of course 10 or 11 of the Celtic League get in as there are not any more than 4 teams from any nation. All are needed.

Of course, it could be easily solved by having 32 teams instead of 24. Its still the same 6 group games but without the 2 'best runner up' spots which means nothing and is more dependant on who is in your group.
bluesdiamond
26-09-2013
I am not sure the break down of the 20 teams that the new competition would have.
Five pools of 4

Pool A
ENG 1
FRA 1
IRE 1
SCT

B
ENG 2
FRA 2
IRE 2
WAL 1

C
ENG 3
FRA 3
WAL 2
ITA

BUT what of the Pool D and E
I doubt the idea is 7 FRA and 7 ENG clubs,
Reading the plans it is seems that Qualification is an issue

Though it may not happen my dream

Pool D
ENG 4
FRA 4
Holders
Qualifier 1

Pool E
ENG 5
FRA 5
Qualifier 2
Qualifier 3

Qualifying Round
Club, Representative of National Side from
Georgia. Romania, Russia, Portugal. Belgium and Spain (current 6 Nations B, though by next season a Nation will be relegated, promoted so as it stands Spain will be replaced by Germany).
Wonder how the idea of Germany v Harlequins sounds.
Northampton v Russia..etc.
Kiko H Fan
26-09-2013
Originally Posted by Pendragon579:
“Wasn't there a breakaway/pullout/toys out of pram incident back in 1998/99 when the European Cup duly went ahead without the English clubs? Think the English clubs would be in a better position to dictate terms if they had actually WON the Heineken Cup recently [Wasps in 2004 the last one to my mind]... ”

Also, what games do rugby fans really want to see?

Leicester v Ospreys
Saracens v Leinster

or

Worcester v Oyonnax
Sale v Grenoble
Mark F
26-09-2013
So is this new proposed completion just going to have all the English and French teams in almost like a mini league.
<<
<
76 of 234
>>
>
VIEW DESKTOP SITE TOP

JOIN US HERE

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Hearst Corporation

Hearst Corporation

DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

© 2015 Hearst Magazines UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Complaints
  • Site Map