[Closed] 2015-16 rugby, world cup year

I'd have bought in Hook

Well there are some perks to him being left out. [stalker] My wife for one is over the moon to see him pottering around town rather than away at a camp somewhere 😀 [/stalker]

To be fair to Priestland he was very good at the last world cup. Has been shit since though. Maybe Gatland can get him back together.

Priestland IS a fantastic rugby player. The *relative* success of Wales last time around pretty much revolved around him. However, few players continue playing at all after multiple ruptures of the same Achilles, let alone at international level so it is understandable why he lacks the extra something he once had.

Mayfield to Northampton and Andy Goode's knees are calling time on supporting his prop-like frame. I rated him;in an age of gym monkeys he was testament to the benefits of a wee bit of fat in the diet and a quick top two inches.

Priestland was only good for a handful of games four years ago and was never fantastic. People aren't saying he wasn't good for those games but that he's crap now. If he's crap now, why select him? Neil Jenkins used to be good, so select him now... 😀

Priestland IS a fantastic rugby player.

Dan W go and stand in the corner and think long and hard about making daft statements on the Tinterweb

😆

I come at this from a biased Scarlets view but Priestland is actually pretty decent and had a lot of good games at club level before picking up form ahead of the WC. Biggar was always properly sh1t and now look. At least one looks reasonable at the moment 😀

Biggar was always properly sh1t and now look.

No he wasn't, his problem was with his temper. (From a balanced Ospreys view! 😆 )

Bring back Gav!

A Turk calling a Osprey sh1t 😆

Biggar has improved as a player but that is because he is an Osprey 😉 if Priestland could tear himself away from the fleshpots of Furnace he would get better 😆

Priestland could tear himself away from the fleshpots of Furnace he would get better

He can't get around that bloody roundabout at Trostre...

😆

Players like Biggar even Adam Jones get a reputation for being rubbish because they are thrown in early and make mistakes and learn in big games. Jiffy Junior was dog shit awful on his debut. Biggar was always good and has improved but some on here outside of the welsh dont rate him even though he was a stand out player in the last 6 nations.

Jiffy Junior was dog shit awful on his debut.

And for a long time after too for Wales! Kicking was a liability, he didn't fancy tackling, never got involved in a ruck, always seemed to make the wrong decisions... Cracking for the Scarlets but awful at international level. I guess it is credit to the coaching set up to really turn things around for him. Being the right size for Gatland probably helped get the time invested in him 😀

I guess it is credit to the coaching set up to really turn things around for him.

You know, I've NEVER heard that said about the current England coaching team......

Jarryd Hayne makes it on to the 49ers roster. That'll add one extra thing to follow this coming NFL season. They'll probably use him mostly as a punt returner - to start with anyway.

[url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/71794297/jarryd-hayne-real-money-nfl-pay-day-at-40600-a-week-with-san-francisco-49ers ]stuff.nz[/url]

I don't want to be rude* but wtf is Jarryd Hayne? I've googled him and can see no link between him and the RWC other than he used to play the wrong type of rugby? What am I missing?

*meaning I'm about to be rude.. 😛

Well the thread is entitled "2015-16 Rugby, World Cup Year".

So it's about all rugby, not just the RWC. Hayne was a NRL player, so it's league but it's still rugby and we do mention league on here now and again.

Besides, someone else (a_a possibly) had posted a video of him in action so I was just following on that topic of discussion.

Also, it's always interesting looking at successful (or failed) cross code switches. 😉

The link is despite the rugby league types thinking its great I suspect we may see rugby players of both codes scouted now, including at the world cup.

I see Looney Liam is expected to start v uraguay. Good news, he isnt as "safe" as 1/2p but is more of an attacking threat. Hope he is fit and hits form straight away. Big ask for the lad but if he takes his chance and Biggar kicks his goals he could make the position his own.

he could make the position his own.

He could be the Welsh Willie le Roux!

His hamstring was heavily strapped so it kinda fits unfortunately

Lots of activity around Twickenham area, large circus style tent next to Richmond RFC and many cars parked at Quinns and bus stops being setup all along A316. Starting to feel close now.

Oh dear...I played in England on and off for 9 years...I have gone to some grim industrial towns to play rugby with a team that had "Scottish" in its name. In those post grand slam days,some Saturdays were a muddy brawl with a ball in the middle.It was still better than that pish last night,what the actual shag were the England management thinking of? What's next; win an exclusive spa weekend hosted by the back three? Proper rugby players are looking down their badly reset noses,while weeping into their beer. That's proper beer with chewy bits in the bottom.

.It was still better than that pish last night

What did I miss?

+1

Your evening of music to celebrate the launch of England's world cup campaign. Featuring Take That and special guest.Plus interviews with SL,and various members of the England team, all presented by Vernon Kay.

http://www.theo2.co.uk/events/detail/wear-the-rose-live

Take that and Vernon Kay?
You actually went to that? 😆

Did you expect it to be good? If so, which part of Vernon Kay and/or Take that did you misread?

I'm sure that the non-engand fans will find this a bit sickly, but I think it's really quite good!

Well, that's bloody cheesy and awful.

(I quite like it)

Wrecker; I have just checked my wallet and I still have my mancard,so no I wasn't at it. I think rather than "wear the rose" my Jarvis Cocker type protest while wearing a kilt may have dampened the atmosphere a wee bit,had I been there.Alas, it would appear to be worthy of being on Sky News..and a big feature in the Times.

Ah, I misinterpreted. I pleased that you didn't have to suffer that dirge live. I'm still wondering what persuaded you to watch it on the box though?

Good news about the mancard. 😀

Dunno,I was hoping in these troubled times with everything that is on in the middle East and all,that Sky may have had some proper news.

....and got pulled in by Vernon and Gary???
Sorry mate, just teasing.

Meh,I suspect the amount of hype they are trying to build among the general,non rugby following population means that unless they win it by a half century with Sam getting a hat trick,I will be the one doing the teasing.

I will be the one doing the teasing.

Well after watching that video I'm even more sure that we're gonna win the RWC.

I thought #carrythemhome couldn't be bettered as a way for everyone to share in the social media event that will be England winning the World Cup but #weartherose tops it - absolutely brilliant.

Maybe SL will draft in Vernon Kay and a couple of the lads from Take That as injury replacements. THey could come off the bench in the final for a quick prance about once we're 50pts up on the ABs.

I've ordered my 2015 England World Champions T-Shirt already.

On a rugby related note I've just noticed Charles Piutau has signed a short term (6 month) deal with Wasps. That should liven up their backline which looked a bit lacking in attacking talent.....

He's still going to Ulster in July.

He must be the best player not going to the RWC? (After Cipriani of course. 😉 )

I'm not sure if that video is more cringey or creepy 😕

e must be the best player not going to the RWC? (After Cipriani of course.

And Gav

Blah blah Armitage Abendanon blah.

And Gav

Ok serious question how do you think your team will go in the World Cup?

Wales wont get out of group of death 🙁

I think Wales and England will be competing for the bottom then, I can see us getting our arses handed to us by Fiji.

England wont lose to Fiji. Wales wont get out of the group I dont think.

Samson might join Liam in starting v uraguay apparently. Hope they hold together.

England wont lose to Fiji. Wales wont get out of the group I dont think.

I hope you are right.
As long as we beat Wales I'll be happy.

As long as we beat Wales I'll be happy.

Sorry, Edinburgh defence. Genuinely.

I wouldn't be too surprised to see Fiji and Aus qualify. Fiji have been playing some cracking rugby this year and were actually putting away most of their penalties too.

Wales had a tough job getting out of the group before the Italy game, now not a chance. Could have lived with losing Webb just about but 1/2p really messes things up.

but 1/2p really messes things up.

I don't agree. As good a player as he is, if Williams is fit he's a better counter-attacking 15, and Biggar is a consistently good kicker.

Webb has been a stand out player for Wales lately.

The real problem is lack of depth, as usual.

The loss of 1/2p is big, but Biggar is a top quality kicker, maybe 5m shorter in range and he hasnt really kicked in internationals much but I reckon he'll be fine. Williams if fit and on form is more of a threat in attack maybe doesnt have the defensive positioning of 1/2p. 15 is crucial in the welsh system as everyone else defends in the line no ball carrying 8 or scrum half sweeping like england often have.

The forwards will win or lose the game v england I reckon. Hopefully Samson can play a half and AWJ is fit. AWJ would be a bigger lose than 1/2p.

Davies at 9 could be good, could be a nightmare. He's untested at international level due to injuries last season but he's electric ball in hand. Him and Williams certainly will make Wales less predictable.

The reliability of 1/2ps kicking is fundamental to the way Wales have set themselves up. Biggar may be good but psychologically losing a guy that can pretty reliably kick 3 points from anywhere in the oppositions half will be hard to take. I like Williams and if he was fit it might not be too bad but he's not and now he'll be rushed in with not enough game time. If Williams becomes fit it'd have been much better to have him replace Cuthbert on the wing.

Webb has been standout but has only recently replaced Philips (who the rest of the team understand how he plays), and there's a bit more depth in the squad there.

Scotland will finish above Samoa and lose the quarter to Engerland,Engerland. It will be just as tight a game as last time that will be ignored as evidence that you lot aren't very good either.THM will celebrate by mentioning that the closeness of the game will have left him "sweaty" and Zokes will crawl out from under his rock to get AA a ban. Ideally for comedy gold, we will put a dent in one of your centres,forcing you to start Burgess against the AB's in a game that Stuart Barnes thinks you will win.
Ireland are the enigma wrapped in a mystery for the home nations. That half when they destroyed the AB's was the best performance against a SH team since England played with 13.

A very poorly cast nymph......the fish swims serenely past

England will beat Fiji (just) and then Wales before getting mullered by the Wallabies and losing George Ford injured.

SL will say that the team are "improving" despite the loss and that they had a "very good team meeting" after the game.

They will then face Scotland in the quarter, as they've sensationally beaten the Boks, where Owen Farrell stars in a 6-3 trouncing.

On to the semi where the ABs race into a 50 point lead before Cipriani comes off the bench for his first appearance in the RWC (and last ever cap) with ten minutes left and sparks a three try revival as England lose 50-21.

Afterwards SL will say that, despite the loss, we are "improving" as evidenced by "us winning the last ten minutes".

This secures his job until 2019 and we suffer four more years of middle-management inspired mediocrity - securing the runners-up spot in the 6N on annual basis before failing to win the RWC (again).

At least England haven't got to the point where they lose to a very second rate side and sack the coach before he even gets on the plane home. There's time for that, yet.

(I am enjoying the fact that England are doing exactly what Wales (and Scotland iirc) did between about 1995 and 2005. They have now reached the stage of raiding RL because they must be good, yes? Did someone pick up a Welsh coaching manual in the Oxfam bookshop and assume it was gospel? Is there a redeemer on the way?)

😀

As an aside to all the above, I am off to the welcoming ceremony for Japan and Samoa today at Brighton Dome. I expect to feel very very small...

It will be just as tight a game as last time that will be ignored as evidence that you lot aren't very good either

SA will be too good in the forwards,we have very good backs,but SA will just maul us to death.We will beat Samoa,but getting out of the groups is a realistic target for us.

England will top the group winning all their games, beat Scotland or Somoa in the QF and the semi final against NZ will be a very tense affair, too hard to call now

I finally found a video of h/p's injury and either he was hiding something from the coaching staff or they knowingly played him when not fit. He went down untouched, was not moving at any great pace and the adjustment of direction he was making was small. I will imagine Toulon will not be at all impressed.

Jambalaya; does your car have ABS?

securing the runners-up spot in the 6N on annual basis

You'd be lucky 😆

I finally found a video of h/p's injury and either he was hiding something from the coaching staff or they knowingly played him when not fit. He went down untouched, was not moving at any great pace and the adjustment of direction he was making was small.

Few points 😀 First, when a player is fit to play how fit do you think they realistically are? At this level almost all are carrying knocks and managing issues. Evident by the massive strapping of the affected leg in HP's case, but he's no different to anyone else on the pitch. Second, soft tissue injuries are very complex and what might look like a small force can actually be very large when you consider the combination of movements a shift of weight on the "small change of direction", weakness in other areas around the joint, etc, etc.

It's unusual to do your ACL like that as a "fit" pro yes, but not that odd when you consider what these guys (and gals!) put their bodies through day in day out and how everything accumulates. None of them should be damaging their Achilles either but don't tell that to Priestland or Lee

teamhurtmore - Member

A very poorly cast nymph......the fish swims serenely past

Posted 8 hours ago #Report-Post

Wasn't meant to be anything other than based on your posts.

It's unusual to do your ACL like that as a "fit" pro yes, but not that odd when you consider what these guys (and gals!) put their bodies through day in day out and how everything accumulates. None of them should be damaging their Achilles either but don't tell that to Priestland or Lee

This is from the town I grew up in.

Looks good until you realise that a town of c200k residents has no individual school rugby outside of the private school. And at the tournament featured they had to play 12 a side. I was at one of those schools in the 80's;with a smaller roll than today they had 11 teams,or nearly four times more than every school in Dundee can muster. Rugby in Scotland is fubared.

Sounds like Scottish rugby is struggling more than most of us realise. I guess it has got to a stage that will be hard to turn around again???

I saw a full back do his walking back from placing a ball for a penalty. Worst "WTF?" injury I have ever seen was a guy passing a ball and dislocating his hip,that looked SORE.

That sounds a lot like an ACL rupture I saw in pro AFL player... while walking in a lab... taking part in an ACL study as a healthy control participant!

The hip dislocation sounds hard to top though- nasty!

I was at one of those schools in the 80's;with a smaller roll than today they had 11 teams,or nearly four times more than every school in Dundee can muster. Rugby in Scotland is fubared.

So are they playing other sports instead or just none?

Not sure which is sadder another nymph or news in paper that stadia will be ramping up music after tries to make rugby more appealing. Teams will be playing in silly colours next and other marketing BS.

Music "stings" apparently

Webb Ellis will be turning in his grave!

You know what THM,you post your pathetic racist references to sweaty socks on every thread you pollute,don't know why can complain about anybody mentioning it,maybe if you didn't do it in the first place... On thread;
N-buzz:My brother coaches his sons footy team,they were up here recently as there are now Tayside leagues. When I were a lad...3 divisions in Dundee alone at every year from u10-18. Kids up here don't play sport,I would love to know what they do. I boxed until I was 20,6 clubs in Dundee,one left.Barely one u18 side left at rugby FP level. AA posted a cracking link to Melrose rugby on last year's thread,they are one of the oldest,most community based clubs in Scotland and they can't field 3 teams.
Dan; it was in the warm up..Ref was being assessed,so delayed ko by 45 mins and made up play 😥 shorts didn't need washed that week!

@duckman that's lost on me

Yeah Duckman it seems kids are mostly at home on their consoles or smartphones although there are also a lot more sports they can do now easily that they couldn't do before.

Great article about NZ Rugby in the Grauniad - if you've got 15 minutes to spare. [url= http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/sep/11/all-blacks-how-new-zealand-sustains-its-rugby-dynasty ]HERE[/url]

Helps understand how they turn out so many great players and, together with the lack of Scottish lads taking up the game, why so many Kilted Kiwis turn up.

The thing is NMB, they are not, the local community centre is rammed, and all the online stuff the kids I teach do is instant, eg Facebook/Twitter etc. I wonder if there is a sea change in participation that is more noticeable where there are fewer numbers participating. Eg local u18 rugby team needs 25 players to function. 20% wastage over 10 years equals no team at all. Certainly I have seen a survey at some point to say that if you didn't play sport there is a significant reduction in the likelyhood of your kids doing so.
Jambalaya; it's a play on the Anyone But England phrase...

How about a bit of actual rugby?

Cracking try by Waikato in the ITM Cup.

Manu Tuilagi back in the news
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34215507

He seems to be a rival for Andy Powell in brain of britain. Surely saying you lied in court aint sensible?

I know its dissapointing, we are used to players who are lawyers and Drs.

Since 2010, Samoa have played just 39 test matches, compared to NZ playing 73 in the same period. It means they come into this World Cup with their most experienced players with under 40 caps but at their 3rd tournament. Teams like Samoa need more games and more exposure. World rugby would be a poorer place without them

[url=

The tricky thing is lots of samoan players get good contracts in England and France because they dont play many internationals.

How about a bit of actual rugby?

Samoa and Fiji are the Elephants in the room for NZ and AUS. If they played them more often it would be harder to pry away their players

Oof! Ali Willaims hoofs England in the slats 😀

Huh?

All Black legend Williams: big teams all hate England | The Sunday Times
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/public/share/uuid/93c68e80-596a-11e5-9863-4142321c7470
Bearing in mind he will have played against them during the "Mike Tindall's stag" period,at least ONE part of that article is unfair.

Amazing how obsessed non-English people are about the England team

Williams is a poor imitation of Campese - at least Campo's wind ups were amusing

In an interview with L’Equipe, the French sports daily, Williams expresses his “hate” for the English