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WHilst I realise you don't rate him AA, Croft at number 6 is going to be almost a certain given the fast pitches they are going to be playing on. He was bloody excellent yesterday as well.
Croft at number 6 is going to be almost a certain giv
I'll be shocked if Croft is picked. He was awful v wales
One bad game doesn't make a bad player.
Just as one good one doesn't make a good player. I'll bet a pint he's picked for at least one test.
Ferris is a girl. The most over rated back rower in the game.
And your reasons for this ridiculous statement are?
I'll bet a pint he's picked for at least one test
done
He was shockingly bad v italy too. He wouldnt have got in the team at all if Wood hadnt shifted to 8 to replace Morgan. He's done nothing of note at international level since the last Lions tour.
Tom B - Member
Surely Waldrom is the stand out 8? He's the sort of athlete that could really excel down underPosted 10 hours ago #
It isn't [s]Mike Tindal's smoker[/s] sorry,the WC, so this time they are going to mostly play a bit of rugby, so no need for the fat bloke on the tour, who doesn't play, but can skull a yard of ale faster than anybody.(every club has one!)Actually yes there is... (tannoy)Jacobson to the departure lounge!
The thought of chunk and fatty bumbum waddling out against the Aussies makes me smile 🙂
And your reasons for this ridiculous statement are?
Pretty simple. He's like Haskell but less intelligent 😀
That's not possible, he'd keep forgetting to breath.
Chunk has been working through his badges as he did the SRU rugby apprenticeship years. I remember being on a course with him a few years ago, two things;1) he is a wide as he is tall,yet strangely quick. 2) He drinks pints of wine.
Somebody has also "updated" his Wiki entry 😀
Allan retired from international rugby on 19/11/2012 [3] and is set to compete at the next winter olympic games in the skeleton bobsled event. His natural streamlined, athletic body shape is sure to make the transition from international rugby to falling down a hill a simple one.
2) He drinks pints of wine.
Is that true? 😯
Pretty simple. He's like Haskell but less intelligent
That made me laugh at least! Fez is a cracking player and if fit would have been a nailed in starter. In every aspect of the game he is very good and excellent tackling, carrying and in the line out. Just a pity he wrecks himself all the time.
Anyway back row of SOB, Tips and Toby for me
excellent tackling, carrying and in the line out.
I can't argue with that, but back row play has evolved. Lydiate, Wood and SOB as smarter players offer more.
My NI family worship him; he comes from the same village as my grandparents lived and went to the same school as my dad, and my cousins currently attend.
Wrecker; it was part of a game...but yes, he wandered about the tables with a pint glass hoovering up. SRU free bar mind so rude not to. Those were the days, now you get drinks vouchers....bah!
So...it was a free bar and he went around minesweeping? Sounds like a hell of a night....
So, the almighty orange one looks set on a move to Bath.
That's a bit too close for comfort (I can see the ground from my house).
My b*** supporting colleague is NOT pleased. 😀
Oh Lordy, that's funny. 😆
So, the almighty orange one looks set on a move to Bath.
really? When he's played this season he has been very good. Hasnt played much
Yep! Can see it as an Oly Barkly type replacement.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22248375
Second Bridge will be rammed with orange hunters!
It seems they view him as a 12. B*** have no need for a 10 with Ford on the way and Heathcote playing well. Mind you, they don't really need a 12; Eastman is a very good player and getting better all the time.
If they want him at 12 I hope his tackling improves. He has been very, very good at times for Welsh any premiership club would benefit from having him playing well and regularly, but he has looked very tackle shy which is actually OK for a 10 who is the only playmaker as he has been at Welsh, you dont want him at the bottom of a ruck but I have my doubts. His passing game is still as good or better than any other player I've seen and he can kick from hand and the deck as well as most. If Bath can keep him away from the ice cube try and uninjured he could be a good signing.
A-A; This season He has been heard to shout "Please God,not the face" before making a tackle. Duncan Weir released from hospital today,surgery successful on his broken leg,poor wee sod. xmas comeback 🙁
He's not been that bad, he certainly hasnt been used as a speed bump like O'Gara gets, when he has to he has tackled but its all round the ankles stuff, no hits. Glad Weir looks to be doing OK. Was meaning to ask you your thoughts on the Hugh Watkins resignation
Finally, spare a thought for Welsh referee Hugh Watkins, who has resigned even before the WRU meted out a 12-week ban for his angry tweet over the appalling tackle in the Fiji v Wales Hong Kong Sevens final."Sorry that's a shocker. Had to be red no other option. We need referees to be consistent in this," tweeted Watkins after he watched Ilai Tinai piledrive Lee Watkins headfirst into the ground. Once again, few could deny he was right.
Watkins has been around for yonks. He's a good official with a good record of long service who was eyeing a well-earned semi-retirement spot in the TMO box. Yet he was not even given the time of day by the IRB, who more or less instructed the WRU to take Watkins to task.
The WRU also failed to recognize Watkins' outstanding long and faultless service giving him a ban the same length as that copped by Jerome Fillol for spitting in Peter Stringer's face. Watkins, disgusted by the whole scenario, resigned for life just before the hearing.
12 weeks? For a tweet? A tweet that reflected public opinion, stated an opinion and not once made any kind of personal attack on anyone involved in the incident beyond telling it as it was: a shocker.
Just for the sake of consistency, we feel we should now challenge the WRU and officially wonder what Adam Jones will get for his tweet of support, which was also a distinctly welcome instance of telling it as it is: 'Maybe If the WRU worried about themselves and the regions sorting their crap out and not banning a ref for tweeting we may get somewhere!'
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16016_8665672,00.html
Hugh Watkins ?@Hughwatkins
For the record I have been given a 12 week suspension by the WRU for a comment on Twitter. Fillol spits in face of player and gets same ban
Hugh Watkins ?@Hughwatkins
Sorry that's a shocker. Had to be red no other option. We need referees to be consistent in this.
This is tweet that got me 12 weeks.
this was the tackle in question
[img] 
[/img]
Got to agree with Hugh but probably best not to slag off your workmates on social media
Jesus, that's a bad tackle. Should have been a red without doubt, but I wonder if the ref contracts have something in them saying "thou shall not criticise other refs elst thou shalt be cast adrift". If so, then stupid man for tweeting what everyone else would be thinking.
However, seeing some refs constant bias / failure to ref certain parts of the game ( different from ref to ref) I do wonder what type of behind the scenes reviews actually happen.
Its not really a slagging though is it more a statement of fact, its not personal
Tinybits my boss is on the 6N ref panel and was at the last World Cup they were all briefed on social media protocol. I'll find out what the craic is. They are all assessed at every match, TJ TMO and all
I agree totally AA but in his role he should have known better
I'm surprised at that, wonder why the inconsistencies then.
Ok I'll try to explain this. The refs when employed by their unions have an obligation to not bring the union into disrepute. However at IRB contracted events like the World Cup and presumably HK 7's there is an obligation to not bring the IRB into disrepute. ie Don't criticise your refereeing panel team mates.
Is George Ford off to Barth then? He's an excellent prospect-it's hard to care where Gavlaa winds up, he hardly plays and is pretty average these days.
Ford is off to b***. Gav has been good when he's played, but that's not been often; started 6(?) games this season. I don't blame him being a bit gun shy, he's made of glass these days.
Whilst I'm no fan of their flanker skaysbrook, I'm hoping Exeter get the HC spot.
Ford's a good prospect but really one of two things are going to happen. He'll either become the 'flair' flyhalf and play against teams that have been worn down by faz, or he'll be on the bench for the rest of his natural if faz learns to run and pass. Either way, a rubbish player to pay high wages for as a club player.
A-A,thoughts on Watkins are as been pointed out. There are very strict lets call them guidelines, on social media. Watkins had a really high profile,so is a sacrificial lamb so all the rest of the refs take the hint.
Those arent your thoughts they are a summary of what happend 😆
The WRU is becoming like the bloody mafia, they really get my goat these days. The epitome of the words self serving.
Thats a good point A-A,and it was subconscious. Fact is that I knocked reffing every week on the head this year. The realisation that a) 3/4 games a season of 5th official/running touch in the Rabo was as far as I was going to get. b)After teaching all week, who needs to spend all day Sat driving down to a Borders town to have somebody refuse to shake your hand after a game? c) My eldest is getting into the hills etc and I would rather be with him.
So now I ref local schools and u18's every couple of weeks, but still have the conditioning to have no real(negative) opinion of another official. It is truly thankless,even at the level he moved in.
Fair points Duckman, shame you get people who are arses to ref.
Seems Wigan have confirmed Powell is off to do some ground shagging.
'ground shagging' 😆
Right, less than a week to go.....one name, who will be lions captain?
My choice: A W Jones
Bookies are usually right so Warburton it is.
My choice would be Adam Jones who I love almost as much as Gav.
POC
I'd have gone for Adam jones too.
Lions captain: AWJ.
Lions captain: AWJ.
I was saying this years ago. I still say it.
A fine player, and deserving of the spot. POC may well push him hard on current form, though! Either way, those two at 4 and 5? Yes, please!
The bookies have [s]two[/s] three players now odds on, so even they're hedging a bit. Truth is , they haven't a clue 'cos every bit of info contradicts another.
I know it's been a while since your post, but Ryan Jones (!!??) is now the current favourite at 3/16 for captain.
But weirdly, he's still only 4/1 to start.
Another vote for AWJ. About time the Welsh got a shot anyway.
Retiring hero! Off to start his own plumbing business. "It's all pipes and leaks, so I have kept my hand in"
[url= http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/kelly-brooks-boyfriend-danny-cipriani-1852316? ]Cipriani v Bus[/url]
What a tit! Why are Sale out doing pub crawls during the season though ffs!
He was obviously hammered, he has spent all season avoiding contact with fast moving objects (centres,No8's etc etc)
IGMC
Sooner he ***** off the better as far as I'm concerned!
As to the rest of the squad, shows why we are so bloody crap! 🙁
@duckman no need to get your coat, it's been more than just this year, his defensive frailties were a major issue in Australia.
As I posted before Warburton as captain for me. Adam Jones is a great player and a first XV choice but I'm not sure he's going to last the the tour physically so not a captain. POC himself says his main argument is "I'm fresh" but he's a big risk fitness wise too, too much to make him captain.
I cannot think of a single reason for appointing Warburton as captain. He was dropped as captain of wales due to poor performances, and isn't (certainly shouldn't be) nailed on for a start. Lydiate is more talented and Robshaw more consistent. Out of his last 8-10 international games, he played well for about 3. It would be a massive shame if he gets it (which he probably will) over someone far more deserving.
To be fair Warburton has come right back to form hasn't he? A consistent player isn't good enough for the Lions test team.
......neither is an inconsistent one. And, in all fairness Robshaw offers a lot more than consistency (not that I'm offering him us as capt).
Hasn't Warburton's inconsistency largely to do with coming back from injury though?
Perhaps, but you have to question the management if they're playing an injured player when other high quality options are available.
Googling "warburton injury" gives results with a lot of different dates. It seems he's a bit fragile.
He's a damn fine player on his day, but those days aren't often enough for me. Not with so many very, very good alternatives.
Pub crawl a couple of days before a game ? WTF.
Warburton hardly ever finishes a game or plays two in a row. However his best is much better than Robshaw at 6 or 7. Adam is much more resistant so not sure i understand the comments above.
However his best is much better than Robshaw at 6 or 7.
We'll have to agree to disagree there. Perhaps his best is better at 7, but at 6? Absolutely no chance whatsoever.
No way on this earth is hovis better at 6 than Robshaw! Robshaw was one of the players of the tournament in the 6n's....Warburton had one great game. Robshaw is very short of form atm though..
Warburton is far better hence wales smashing england senseless a few weeks ago have you forgotten about that. Robshaw was a real weak link in defence in that game. Roberts was running over him for fun.
Robshaw played 7 all six nations, he's not a real 6 😀
I remember that game, and the 7 games preceding it where Warburton was a liability (and got dropped and stripped of his captaincy) and wales got smashed by Samoa (amongst others) whilst Robshaw was on fire and England beat the All Blacks (and Ireland).
got dropped
Got injured actually.
wales got smashed by Samoa (amongst others)
he only played the last 9 mins so I'm not sure we can blame him for that. He did play in the narrow defeat by Aus, who incidently munched england where robshaw got taken to the cleaners by Hooper. More you think about it the more you start to wonder how the norro virus may have helped england.
Could you give me examples of how warburton was a liability in the games wales lost as his play was by no means the reason. Cpataincy could be questioned but the reason for Wales losing was more to do with injuries to others especially Adam Jones and a confidence shot 10.
Do you not remember how england were utterly and completely destroyed in every department by wales?
Do you not remember how england were utterly and completely destroyed in every department by wales?Posted 13 seconds ago # Report-Post
Were they? proof please or it didn't happen 😈 😈
Edit, I am kidding!
Do you not remember how england were utterly and completely destroyed in every department by wales?
Yes, I do. I also remember;
wales got smashed by Samoa (amongst others)
More you think about it the more you start to wonder how the norro virus may have helped england.
That's tired, even the ABs admit that wasn't the case.
How long has it been since wales beat australia again? where is the tour?
some proof, first the build up to wales second try note the ineffectual 7
[img] 
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[img] 
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then a few missed tackles
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
and thats before we even consider the scrums
only got till next tuesday to play this game boys, dont give up too easily 😆
Warburton's not even a first choice flanker for his country any more.
Tipuric's well ahead of him now at openside, and Ozzy pitches and conditions are never going to swing that back in Warburton's favour.
And he only got a Wales game at 6 'cos of RJones' injury.
That makes him unlikely to start, and even if he did, he's proven before that he doesn't always last. At least Robshaw won't be turning up for training with a sicknote from his mom.
IMO, any back row's a bad choice for captain this tour. Don't think any of them (with captain experience) will play all three tests. Too much chance of injury, and too many excellent alternatives.
And front row's too much of a lottery, so for me, AWJ or POC.
Tipuric is good and certainly has had better form for the majority of the season, but Warburton is better at more aspects than Tips when at his best. I agree though that flanker open and blind will be hugely competitive and some very good players will miss out. Less strength at 8 imo. They should make Toby captain, then we wouldnt have to listen to endless drivel in press conferences as he hardly ever seems to speak.
Toby?
TOBY??!
SOB 4 no8 😉
AWJ or Ryan (how is Ryan by the way?) seem like good choices as test captains but I feel they will do far better without the extra pressures.
Someone like POC or BOD will handle this better but may or not play too often on the tour. Whenever the Lions have been mentioned or there has been media around the Lions BOD has been the man fielding the question (of course recent injury did make him more available though)...
To be fair, in recent tours the teams have been rotated quite a lot between tests so it is very hard to predict who will be around for all tests. A "tour captain" such as BOD/ POC could be good...
Lydiate is [s]more talented[/s] recovering from injury and Robshaw [s]more consistent[/s] is a donkey
FTFY
Pub crawl a couple of days before a game ? WTF.
Sale dont play until the 4th so 9 days! I dont think player have to be teetotal for the whole season.
In all fairness being on the lash would explain a bit for Sale this year.
Lydiate is more [s]talented[/s] recovering from injury and Robshaw [s]more consistent[/s] is a donkey
Lydiate seemed fully recovered in the last few games I've seen him play, got plenty of tackling practise too as he plays for the dregs
He's getting some match fitness back but there's a big difference between Pro12 and test match rugby. I'm sure Gatland will have a few surprises for us though.