Rugby 2018 Discussion

unchanged_lineup said:
I see some people asking on twitter, does the ref on the field have to make the final decision? He didn't see it either.
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I've always been of the belief that the ref and TMO consult one another in the decision making process but the ref has the final decision.
 
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That knock on decision was curious for sure, dunno what angle he was on about

Even so, there was a lot of confidence from the Irish I know that this would be no problem, game on eh?
 
@Xaviesta yeah I assume they seen some foul play, just curious because I thought they always showed the angle on TV once it was found.

Anyway I really did think we'd whitewash the series considering the form of the 2 teams. This makes it very interesting, especially the next game where I assume Aus will go for the kill. I hope Aus and SA can build well for the World Cup. It's not the same without either team on form.
 
I can't believe that an attempt at a tackle by Green 12. Disgusting.
 
Absolutely battering SA.
 
And now have fallen apart off the back of two really basic errors.
 
Great half of rugby to watch but terrible mentality from England to let a lead like that slip. Earnt the lead and gifted the theirs.
 
We're pretty shit. I don't see anyone challenging NZ for next year's world cup.
 
20 seconds left, it's your lineout and you lose it. Crazy.
 
Ellis Park has hosted some terrific games of rugby over the last 5 years or so. Yesterday's game was no exception. Both sides will want to work on their defense. Next week won't be as high scoring.
 
8 changes for Ireland for Saturday, none for Australia.

Ireland team to face Australia: Rob Kearney; Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls; Jonny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Niall Scannell, Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Devin Toner; Peter O'Mahony (capt), Dan Leavy, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Beirne, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour

Australia team v Ireland: Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Samu Kerevi, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Sekope Kepu, Izack Rodda, Adam Coleman; David Pocock, Michael Hooper (captain), Caleb Timu.

Replacements: Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Lukhan Tui, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Reece Hodge
 
unchanged_lineup said:
8 changes for Ireland for Saturday, none for Australia.

Ireland team to face Australia: Rob Kearney; Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls; Jonny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Niall Scannell, Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Devin Toner; Peter O'Mahony (capt), Dan Leavy, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Beirne, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour

Australia team v Ireland: Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Samu Kerevi, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Sekope Kepu, Izack Rodda, Adam Coleman; David Pocock, Michael Hooper (captain), Caleb Timu.

Replacements: Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Lukhan Tui, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Reece Hodge
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With regards to Australia, they're unchanged for the 1st time in Michael Cheika's 46 game reign. Still a bit iffy on the 'Pooper' combination but until it is exposed Cheika will stick to it.
 
Xaviesta said:
With regards to Australia, they're unchanged for the 1st time in Michael Cheika's 46 game reign. Still a bit iffy on the 'Pooper' combination but until it is exposed Cheika will stick to it.
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It's an interesting decision indeed to make no changes. I like that Ireland are treating this series as a squad tester considering the WC ahead - this is not something that Schmidt has done in the past and has been criticised for not squad-building.

That was a fecking tough match last weekend and I'd be surprised if there isn't a bit of a drop in intensity for some Aussie players trying to make the same level of hits as last weekend. They were massively physical and I'd say it's very hard to do that 2 weekends in a row.

How's it looking there are regards predictions for this test?
 
unchanged_lineup said:
It's an interesting decision indeed to make no changes. I like that Ireland are treating this series as a squad tester considering the WC ahead - this is not something that Schmidt has done in the past and has been criticised for not squad-building.

That was a fecking tough match last weekend and I'd be surprised if there isn't a bit of a drop in intensity for some Aussie players trying to make the same level of hits as last weekend. They were massively physical and I'd say it's very hard to do that 2 weekends in a row.

How's it looking there are regards predictions for this test?
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Hard to tell really what's going to happen. Consistency in performance and result have proven problematic for the Wallabies since the last World Cup.

Ireland will be better - i can't see them kept try less two weeks running. The ironic thing about keeping the Irish try less last week is that Australian teams conceded 21 tries the week before in super rugby. 15 of those 21 tries came in the Reds vs Waratahs Aussie derby.

The Wallabies will look to have more of the ball and more territory too. Last week was based on defense, i think this weekend they'll be more ball in hand. If your blokes are going to win nullifying Pocock is a non negotiable.

Australia by 3 .
 
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Congratulations to Grant Nisbett, the voice of Kiwi rugby, who commentated on his 300th All Blacks test. Shame there aren't two RWC 3rd place playoffs in there haha.

It was a game that will be quickly forgotten. France did well to avoid a humiliation. The All Blacks were sloppy and that's being nice.
 
Streaming the Socceroos game via a laptop and got the Wallabies vs Ireland on the TV.
 
Ireland beat Australia 26-21. Better team won. Peter O'Mahony and Dave Pocock were both immense. Sadly for the Wallabies it took them until time was up to start playing well. Series is level, decider in Sydney next Saturday.
 
Highlights from the All Blacks game against France. They make the game look good i'll tell you that much.

 
Fecking hell that was tense. That was more like the controlled game Ireland have been playing of late. The yellow in the first half was decisive, Ireland made great hay out of them.

Ref had an absolute shocker on the other yellow cards though, Aus deserved at least one more which probably would have meant a few more Ireland scores..
 
Xaviesta said:
Ireland beat Australia 26-21. Better team won. Peter O'Mahony and Dave Pocock were both immense. Sadly for the Wallabies it took them until time was up to start playing well. Series is level, decider in Sydney next Saturday.
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I'd say it was more that Ireland didn't let them play this week. Peter O'Mahony had an absolute blinder at the breakdown and Ireland managed to mostly nullify Pocock. Ye definitely kicked better last week though, Earls and Kearney dominated it this week.

Delighted that it goes to a decider. Can't wait.
 
Australia Ireland match was a belter of a game. Both sides were superb but with our big guns in, we managed to control the ball and in the end, the game. Bloody hell but Australia are lethal though! We gave them absolute scraps to work with and they still managed to out try us 3 to 2!

What a weekend of sport this is!
 
I'm only a casual watcher of Union. Can someone explain to me what is going on with this England side? Obviously they have serious talent, but seems to be spiralling at the moment.
 
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ivaldo said:
I'm only a casual watcher of Union. Can someone explain to me what is going on with this England side? Obviously they have serious talent, but seems to be spiralling at the moment.
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Talent in certain areas. Rugby matches are won in and around the breakdown.

Since the last members of their world cup winning side retired, England have focused on size and power in their backrow and totally neglected the balance of having grafters, runners, linkers and fetchers in their loose forwards.

They're still big and mean but everyone in rugby is big and mean nowadays and other sides are just outsmarting them. When they can't blow sides away with their excellent tight forwards (front row and locks) or exceptional talents like Billy V, Farrell, Joseph, Daly etc, they lack the loose forwards with the skill and dog to find another way.

They grow frustrated and tend to lose their discipline which has been a huge issue, even through their successful spell a year or so ago. When Eddie first came in, they caught a lot of sides at the beginning of their world cup prep cycle and that run of wins probably papered over the cracks that many of us knew were always there.
 
Anyone ever talk League in here?

Disappointing to see how England have fallen away these last few months (back on the Union).
Can only be down to the manager surely? There is no less talent available. Or have the others just pushed on where we have stood still?
 
StuCol said:
Anyone ever talk League in here?

Disappointing to see how England have fallen away these last few months (back on the Union).
Can only be down to the manager surely? There is no less talent available. Or have the others just pushed on where we have stood still?
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I think there was a League thread, but to be honest I've no interest in League.

I think the point that others have made that others have pushed on in their WC cycle is part of it, plus poor play and coaching by England.

This guy's videos are a bit of a headwreck, but he has some good points about England's decline.

 
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