Rugby - Hemisphere Wars!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak

Glaws 16 - a deperately unlucky Tigers side 11.

Dean Richards must have been watching a different match:

"We didn't play well on the day and we didn't deserve to win" - Dean Richards.



I suppose he was being polite.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Bearcat
I traded punches with one of their locks (I think it was a lock)

Did you have to stand on a chair to reach his chin? If so, he was a lock.

Great report too!

[finbar]

Damn DP!

[Tamerlin]

Stade Toulousain 26 - Sporting Union Agenais 6

Interesting first half followed by one of the poorest halves I have been given the opportunity to watch at. Fistfights, poor play, a mockery of Rugby in front of a crowd of 18,000 (a stadium "plein comme un oeuf" as we say, "as full as an egg"). The second half was so dull that after 30' of play we could believe the half had just started 2' ago, impossible to remember anything about it to the exception of a tough (but regular) tackle of Ntamack (Stade Toulousain) on an offended Gelez (France and Agen flyhalf), he was "vexé comme un pou" ("offended like a louse") as we say in France.

A great surprise at Montferrand, the Football Club de Grenoble has won against the Association Sportive Montferrandaise 17-14, qualifying itself for the Play-Off (second phase leading to the semi-finals) and "qualifying" the Montferrandais for the Play-Down (leading to Pro D2, second division, for the last two clubs of the second phase to come).

Bearcat, it is good to hear some Rugby news from the USA. It is interesting to note that the number of licensees in the USA is one of the highest in the world though it seems to be mainly a game played in the universities. I have heard that Rugby was starting to attract some audience and was currently gathering more and more followers.

[Havak]

You didn’t pick my use of irony Finbar? I should have out desperately unlucky in quotes?

Well a day later and having watched the game again one has to admit the Glaws scored two beautiful tries and on balance probably deserved the win on the day. If only they hadn’t indulged in the gamesmanship at the death – for what makes it all the more ironic is that it looks like the RFU may well strip them of the win. That distasteful little bit of gamesmanship at the death has caused problems. It seems they may not have told the truth about the experience of the players they had in the front row when the uncontested scrums were ordered. As two scrums then took place right in front of their line and Josh had just been pushed over for a try there is a strong possibility they would have conceded a match losing try. And there in lies the reason the RFU are now involved.

Silly silly stuff Glaws. The options are apparently to do nothing (i.e their cheating was ‘okay’), to order a replay, or to strip Glaws of the win and throw them out the competition. I’m not sure how I feel about it – it strikes a wrong note for me but their fans were so disrespectful of their opposition that I would be happy to see them made sad – plenty and often as they say.

As I write with 15 mins left Northampton are beating London Irish easily (31-9) though their open side has been yellow carded and may be in big trouble as he told Chris White “you are having a shocker” as he went off – and this is not soccer.

White is having a fairly solid game actually – he is letting it flow just right. Oh and Finbar Mark Connors showed great strength to power through for Saints second try. Earning his pension nicely.

Cal I take your point – it is an unusual thread in that we all largely get on and treat banter for what it is – non too serious It’s still likely I’ll stray occasionally into opinions you don’t like to see in the thread. I get little time to post and what I do tends to go to this thread. I don’t see it as a ‘show-stopping’ issue that’s for sure but I may take you up on the PM way to discuss it if I think we are 'getting your goat' again.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
You didn?t pick my use of irony Finbar? I should have out desperately unlucky in quotes?

Irony? Given the context of the rest of the post? Maybe we should invent an irony smilie.

Well a day later and having watched the game again one has to admit the Glaws scored two beautiful tries and on balance probably deserved the win on the day.

That seems to fit with everything I've now read about the game.

It seems they may not have told the truth about the experience of the players they had in the front row when the uncontested scrums were ordered.

If that's the case, they were stupid. It's schoolboy stuff. How on earth could the top side in the comp think their players' experience - or lack of - wouldn't be widely known? So who involved the authorities? This sort of accusation is made from time to time but it's very difficult to prove either way - how much experience is enough experience?

[Bearcat]

Originally posted by finbar
Did you have to stand on a chair to reach his chin? If so, he was a lock.

Actually he punched me off the ground at a ruck. I was standing over the ruck and he was lying down on the ground (hence, why I said I thought it was a lock) and he reached up and punched me on the thigh. I hadn't kicked, hit, touched, or rucked him in any way to make him do it, so I was kind of offended and I started swinging away at him

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Bearcat, it is good to hear some Rugby news from the USA. It is interesting to note that the number of licensees in the USA is one of the highest in the world though it seems to be mainly a game played in the universities. I have heard that Rugby was starting to attract some audience and was currently gathering more and more followers.

Yes, most of the rugby played in the USA is played at the high school (my level) and college level. We do have a fair share of adult clubs though. My region has quite a few. One of our better rugby programs is the University of California at Berkely rugby team. They have been NCAA champions for something like 12 years running, and are coached by Jack Clark who was formerly a lock on the Eagles XV. I'm planning on continuing to play after I graduate high school, but I won't be going to Cal.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Bearcat

Actually he punched me off the ground at a ruck. I was standing over the ruck and he was lying down on the ground (hence, why I said I thought it was a lock) and he reached up and punched me on the thigh. I hadn't kicked, hit, touched, or rucked him in any way to make him do it, so I was kind of offended and I started swinging away at him

If you'd asked him if his name was J**** and he'd grunted in the affirmative, I wouldn't have been in the least surprised.

Yes, most of the rugby played in the USA is played at the high school (my level) and college level. We do have a fair share of adult clubs though. My region has quite a few. One of our better rugby programs is the University of California at Berkely rugby team. They have been NCAA champions for something like 12 years running, and are coached by Jack Clark who was formerly a lock on the Eagles XV. I'm planning on continuing to play after I graduate high school, but I won't be going to Cal.

Bear in mind, Bearcat, if you'll pardon the ripping off of part of your name, that we, of this thread, will support you and your American colleagues in the development of the game in your country. Until you get too good, when we will do our best to undermine you. For example, look at all us SH posters and our attitude to England.

[Havak]

Maybe we should invent an irony smilie.

And given recent events in the thread maybe a red card smilie too?

That seems to fit with everything I've now read about the game.

They enjoyed the upper hand until about the last fifteen minutes when our forwards started to gain the ascendancy. We were camped on their line, they conceded a pushover try, we returned to their line, they gave two penalties away for collapsing the maul then knocked on in contact losing the put in and suddenly – injured prop! Very convenient.

So who involved the authorities?

It seems to have been the media funnily enough. The RFU told the BBC they are waiting for Lander’s report before commenting on the issue. John Inverdale, the BBC anchor yesterday, said he had spoken to ‘quite senior’ RFU officials (whatever that might mean) who indicated tough action might be taken. It could all just be smoke of course.

I found a link that helps - it seems the law in question is a very badly worded one!

find it here

how much experience is enough experience?

Having played in the position in a first class game and lived to tell the tale?

For example, look at all us SH posters and our attitude to England.

Yes all we missed from you SH guys was that phase of encouragement. It went straight from laughing stock to object of hate?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak


And given recent events in the thread maybe a red card smilie too?

Don't get me started on that one.

They enjoyed the upper hand until about the last fifteen minutes when our forwards started to gain the ascendancy. We were camped on their line, they conceded a pushover try, we returned to their line, they gave two penalties away for collapsing the maul then knocked on in contact losing the put in and suddenly ? injured prop! Very convenient.

I also noticed a reference in one of the reports to one of the Tigers players deserving - but not getting - a yellow for deliberately killing the ball near the try line.

It seems to have been the media funnily enough. The RFU told the BBC they are waiting for Lander?s report before commenting on the issue.

The ref made the judgement, didn't he? How culpible is he if, in fact, there were adequate front rowers available?

John Inverdale, the BBC anchor yesterday, said he had spoken to ?quite senior? RFU officials (whatever that might mean) who indicated tough action might be taken. It could all just be smoke of course.

I suspect it will go exactly nowhere.

I found a link that helps - it seems the law in question is a very badly worded one!

I'm baffled twice by the law. What's the reference to "first and second" (or whatever the numbers are) at the beginning of the law? And what on earth does it mean by losing the match? I've never heard of that happening. It has to be some sort of typo.

Yes all we missed from you SH guys was that phase of encouragement. It went straight from laughing stock to object of hate?

You missed the first and last steps - "derision".

[Havak]

I also noticed a reference in one of the reports to one of the Tigers players deserving - but not getting - a yellow for deliberately killing the ball near the try line.

Quite right – and he should have seen one. Mr Kronfeld sadly.

The ref made the judgement, didn't he? How culpible is he if, in fact, there were adequate front rowers available?

Not very I suspect – he has to take the statement of the coach concerned at face value unless he has personally helemd a game where a player played that position I would have thought. Tournament officials present should be verifying off the field of play?

Either way I think the tractors were a little naughty – naughty tactics by players are one thing – avoiding an important part of the game, and unfairly so, just tastes a little wrong?

I suspect it will go exactly nowhere.

By choice as a club we don’t cite for foul play. I suspect this too will be let go. I wouldn’t like to be the Glaws forwards should we meet them in the play off final now though. Revenge is a dish best served cold?

And what on earth does it mean by losing the match? I've never heard of that happening. It has to be some sort of typo.

I think the confusion arises because they are tournament regulations relating to this cup compo rather than laws as I first thought. They should have had a lawyer, or better a writer, read through them before publishing!

You missed the first and last steps - "derision".

[Havak]

Well well. Jonno has twinged his achilles so Wilko becomes Captain for the Italian game Saturday.

This Six nations is really testing our squad depth.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Not very I suspect ? he has to take the statement of the coach concerned at face value unless he has personally helemd a game where a player played that position I would have thought. Tournament officials present should be verifying off the field of play?

Someone should have been verifying it. There are always questions asked when an uncontested scrum is proposed. According to the report you linked to, the two replacement players were a prop and a hooker! All very bizarre. I did once see an uncontested scrum when one of the props was injured but couldn't be replaced because there were no fit replacements.

I wouldn?t like to be the Glaws forwards should we meet them in the play off final now though. Revenge is a dish best served cold?

I genuinely think that's a perfectly appropriate means of dealing with the matter.

I think the confusion arises because they are tournament regulations relating to this cup compo rather than laws as I first thought. They should have had a lawyer, or better a writer, read through them before publishing!

So, in that tournament, a team requiring an uncontested scrum automatically loses the match? I don't believe it. But if it's true - then the law wasn't followed. Very very strange.

[Bearcat]

Originally posted by finbar
If you'd asked him if his name was J**** and he'd grunted in the affirmative, I wouldn't have been in the least surprised.

No, he wasn't bald. Couldn't of been Martin Johnson.

Bear in mind, Bearcat, if you'll pardon the ripping off of part of your name, that we, of this thread, will support you and your American colleagues in the development of the game in your country. Until you get too good, when we will do our best to undermine you. For example, look at all us SH posters and our attitude to England.

That probably won't be for another 10 years or so, when Americans finally realize rugby's innate superiority to football and b*sketball. In any case, I'm sure I'll remember what you said if and when the Eagles ever beat the Wallabies

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Bearcat
That probably won't be for another 10 years or so, when Americans finally realize rugby's innate superiority to football and b*sketball. In any case, I'm sure I'll remember what you said if and when the Eagles ever beat the Wallabies

Needless to say a well known supporter of the Wallabies would explain you have beaten a B Team.