The Silver Fern

@African-Monkey said in Autumn Test 2024 : Wales v Australia:

Random thought, but how has Gareth Anscombe only played 39 tests! Thought he'd be between 60-70 tests minimum by now. He's been there forever.

Injured and fucked off for a while

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cn8g2m4e0jvo

A much improved performance by the BFs to beat France 39-14 but this tactic of running everything from your 22 always proves costly.

@Bones said in Springboks v Wales (Twickenam):

@MiketheSnow said in Springboks v Wales (Twickenam):

@Bones said in Springboks v Wales (Twickenam):

@MiketheSnow said in Springboks v Wales (Twickenam):

PSDT hand on the floor at nearly every scrum

Haven't watched the video so maybe missing something, but not sure I follow what the issue is unless he's moved to prop?

Perhaps I don’t know the laws

Hands on floor allowed during set up

From engagement, no?

I'd always assumed binding on the opposition is only the front row, never considered flankers weren't allowed their free arm to be on the floor.

Same. Would be odd to penalise that. No advantage achieved if a flanker has his hand on the ground.

@Daffy-Jaffy I really can't stand that Irish commentator. Not sure why, but he really grates me. No doubt, he's a massive Ireland fan and commentates exactly as one, but I don't have a problem with other countries commentators who do this (Oz, England, Safa).

I think he just commentates like Ireland are better at absolutely everything and the opposition should almost feel honoured to be allowed to play them.

Maybe it's just me.

@MN5 said in 6N 2024:

@Catogrande said in 6N 2024:

@MN5 said in 6N 2024:

@MiketheSnow said in 6N 2024:

Although we had a disappointing season - aspects of which were to be expected based on the personnel available for selection - I'm still glad I'm not Scotland or Italy

6N.jpg

That’s the reigning five nations champions you’re talking about there

And I was going to accuse @MiketheSnow of clutching straws

It’s just how Scots Rugby fans roll.

Between that and the Black Caps being inaugural World Test Champions I have both sports covered.

Well, you always have this to keep you warm...

Rob Robertson  /  Mar 19  /  news Scotland accused of 'arrogance' as Sam Warburton calls out post-match behaviour Scotland accused of 'arrogance' as Sam Warburton calls out post-match behaviour

The Wales legend made the claims but refused to name the players involved in the celebrations.

@MiketheSnow

Looking at it short term, I sort of agree with you, in that if we made the SF it would be above immediate expectations. However, in truth, with our resources, a SF place should be a minimum. We have so much going for us, numbers, funding, support, but we seem to have this handbrake applied about 80% of the time and an acceptance that this is ok and “the done thing” 90% of the time. It ceased to be amusing some years ago.

@MiketheSnow

I'm not sure how feasible individual insurance would be for these guys. Going back to my days working in risk the issues with income replacement would be the work undertaken - ie how likely is an injury going to be and what are the potential consequences of an injury. For a rugby player the answers would be high and high. Add to that the payout would be linked to immediate pre-injury earnings and dictated by the length of contract, then for someone like Hawkins there would be no real safety net. Group risk - ie employer sponsored for the squad as a whole is much more feasible as the risk is spread - not everyone is going to get a career threatening injury. However this would again be limited to paying out the contract. A short term contract or no contract at all represents a huge risk for the individual. Less so for the club/region.

I’m going to both SF as well

Wales best game of the tournament, but not enough to beat a strong and confident French team. N'tamack was sublime. Is he the world's best 1st Five ? Russell can be brillant but is rocks and diamonds. You rarely see N'tamack make blunders.

Never tire watching that try. Awesome!

@MiketheSnow said in Wales v Argentina 12 Nov 22:

I must have been watching a different match

When the stadium announcer said ‘and today’s MOTM is…’

Everyone around me said Tomos Williams

He is everything wrong with Welsh rugby

Faletau put a tremendous shift in

But Tompkins MOTM for me

Without him we don’t look like scoring

North must be pound for pound the weakest player in the Welsh team

Dyer went well again

LRZ looked very comfortable at 15

Terrible coaching putting Rowlands back on

Or maybe gunshy from all the head knocks ?

@TeWaio said in Scotland v Fiji:

Based on how Scotland looked, we should have a similar scoreline against them next week as today against Wales.

Yeah, but last night suggests it was the unbeaten record against Scotland that Foster has his eye on, not the 50 year old Welsh record. Our Foster aims high don't forget.

@MajorRage said in O Captain! My Captain!:

@MiketheSnow said in O Captain! My Captain!:

In my experience as a player and a watcher, the best captains are either

The hardest fluffybunny in the team
The best player in the team, and the higher you go at least the best player in their position

Every once in while, the stars align and the fella you follow is both

Unfortunately, Cane is neither

Discuss

I would actually say Cane is the hardest guy on the team.

Doesn't mean I think he should be Captain or starting though.

Might be the hardest but not the hardest fluffybunny.
We don't really have those, maybe Coles (more the latter) or Scott.

@profitius said in 6N 2022 : Wales v Italy:

It's not a great time for Welsh rugby. They've an aging team, their u20s only beat a rabble of a Scottish side and all their regions look like missing out on the top 8 of the URC. Meanwhile the WRU have just built a hotel. Priorities!

If five of our best performers this 6N had been selected to start - Francis, Rowlands, Basham, Cuthbert, Liam Williams - the result would have been very different

And Scott Williams should have been brought in at 12 from the start

Colin Charvis speaking on BBC Wales Scrum V was correct

You don’t become a shit team overnight

A better game plan with the players we have and we get different results

For that reason, the first to go is Pivac

NOW

Shit selections
No real, modern game plan

Then Jones
Unless he’s toeing the Pivac line

And the new hotel is magnificent and a far better return on investment than Pivac

I think this game suggests you can gas the big French forwards. Biggar's kicking game was superb and turned around the big munters at times.

@mikethesnow said in 6N 2022 : England v Wales:

@mariner4life said in 6N 2022 : England v Wales:

@mikethesnow said in 6N 2022 : England v Wales:

However, despite gaining loads of metres when he was brought down it either resulted in turnover ball or a penalty for holding on.

i noted a couple of very good Welsh breaks came to nothing because the support play was absolute zero. There were white jerseys everywhere scrambling, and not a red jersey in sight.

Cuthbert the best line breaker on the day and the worst culprit of running away from support

That game epitomised Cuthbert for me. All the physical attributes but just not very bright. Also i think that England missed an opportunity to put the ball behind him as his positioning is a bit suss and he has the turning circle of a supertanker.

@Billy-Tell said in The Darts:

Yeah thats not bad but I would still back myself to take him at my place, home ground advantage and all of that

Some beautiful tries in that match.

Red was 100% from the highlights vid.