Aussies aren't watching their teams play the NZ sides either so there's that. Also I'm sure it would be tough to do without the Supersport TV money.
Rugby 2019 Discussion
- Thread starter unchanged_lineup
- Start date
Mate, i watch a couple of the SA games each weekend. People here make it sound like it's all too difficult. There's nothing to stop people from recording the games and just fast forwarding the dead time in a game. The time zone issue won't stop people tuning in when the Wallabies play the Boks at Ellis Park in July though.
That said, the out of sight out of mind element the SA teams hold in Australia isn't ideal.
The last two grand slam started in France, so the omens are good for England in 2020.
I will admit it's a lot easier for us who simply have to get up early to watch the games in NZ or OZ. Considering the attendances here of late, maybe it's worth playing a game or two at 12 PM SA Time? That would be 9PM in Sydney and surely more manageable.
Well deserved. If he/Wales go deep in this World Cup, can see AWJ winning world player of the year as well. One of the greats.
He scored the winning try at the end of this passage of play too, becoming Connacht's all-time top scorer. There was also a delicious looping skip pass for Matt Healy to score shortly before this. He's in ridiculous form.
Edit: almost forgot, he also kicked a penalty from close to halfway when the game was still all square. His kicking has come on massively.
Last edited:
Some very interesting proposals here. Imagine Ronan O'Gara if the 50/22 rule was used in his era
He'd have been the most valuable player on Earth. Munster circa 1999-2009 would've won 10 Heineken Cups on the bounce. Our pack over that decade with our put in to every lineout Rog pinged deep into the corners would've been unstoppable.
@diarm after last night, we were thinking ye could do us a favour against Cardiff and we'd go to Zebre for hopefully the win, but now
Last edited:
It's not inconceivable that the once mighty Leicester Tigers could be relegated from the Gallagher Premiership. They're 5 points clear of last place with 5 to play.
Why does Super rugby need the sun wolves? I'm all for Argentina getting another franchise.
Waratahs 
I'm bloody nervous about this Edinburgh match. I'd usually back our forwards against anyone but its unsettling to head into a match suspecting that Edinburgh will edge us upfront.
Their backrow in particular is superb and we'll need a huge return to form for our big names if we're going to get through this one. Murray, O'Mahony, Stander, Beirne and Carberry will really need to stand up.
I've never bet against Munster in a European knockout match but my nagging head says Edinburgh by 3 here.
Their backrow in particular is superb and we'll need a huge return to form for our big names if we're going to get through this one. Murray, O'Mahony, Stander, Beirne and Carberry will really need to stand up.
I've never bet against Munster in a European knockout match but my nagging head says Edinburgh by 3 here.
It's looking a bit ominous @diarm
Get in, how did we play
It's ever so slightly cruel but mostly poetic that a moment of stupidity is what leads to the game-winning moment. It's not often you see a moment like that get punished so dramatically. From kickable penalty to conceding a try. Schoeman must feel pretty awful right now.
Bloody hell I'm not sure how we've snuck that win?
Edinburgh the better side for large portions - their backrow and McInally outclassed ours all ends up. Immense defence from our lads (particularly the outside backs from 12-15 and a piece of absolute stupidity from their loosehead, along with the class of Keith Earls has seen us through in the end. I'd be gutted as an Edinburgh fan though.
I'm after chewing the ends of my fingers to the bone.
It was a great away from home win. Could have easily gone the other way but Munster ground it out. The defence during the last passage of play was superb, pushing Edinburgh back from the Munster 22 to the Edinburgh 22.
Darcy Graham for Edinburgh looked absolutely savage too.
Murray looked much better today. I wonder how much pressure was weighing on him in his own mind during the 6N.
Better but still poor by his standards for me. 12 months ago Murray was the best 9 in the world because he did every one of the basics better than any other scrum half. This year he's trying stupid kicks and fancy moves, believing his own hype and trying too hard to be the star of the show.
We'll need to be much better than today to beat Sarries or Glasgow in a semi final.
Agreed on Graham - he looks a real player. Watson, Mata and Barclay were excellent too but if I could have one Edinburgh player it would be McInally. He's world class.
Oh Stockdale
That was a hell of a game. Some level of attrition too though, really thinking of the World Cup there lads
That was a hell of a game. Some level of attrition too though, really thinking of the World Cup there lads
Siya Kolisi is one of the most overrated rugby players ever. Specialist of nothing.
Assuming Racing beat Toulouse tomorrow which I'm pretty sure they will:
Semi finalists:
2018/19: Munster, Leinster, Racing, Sarries
2017/18: Munster, Leinster, Racing, Scarlets
2016/17: Munster, Leinster, Clermont, Sarries
Semi finalists:
2018/19: Munster, Leinster, Racing, Sarries
2017/18: Munster, Leinster, Racing, Scarlets
2016/17: Munster, Leinster, Clermont, Sarries
Some weekend of rugby that.
Can't believe we (ulster) didn't win that. Devastating for stockdale. Missed gilroy there, another threat from the opposite wing would have made a difference i think.
Can't believe we (ulster) didn't win that. Devastating for stockdale. Missed gilroy there, another threat from the opposite wing would have made a difference i think.
Got some big misgivings about the prospect of Matt Giteau possibly being Australia's attack coach at the World Cup. https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/...h/news-story/384c2c1d38973ea3e5c346e2f62513c4
Solid article from long time journo Spiro Zavos on Michael Cheika https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/04/08/belt-up-michael-cheika-is-going-to-win-the-rwc-his-way/
Solid article from long time journo Spiro Zavos on Michael Cheika https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/04/08/belt-up-michael-cheika-is-going-to-win-the-rwc-his-way/
Izzy can't help himself
What on earth.
Specialist in providing our province/country with some comedy gold, with his off field, extra marital antics/drama
"I've just become the leading try scorer in Super Rugby... Now, how should I celebrate?"
Folau has put Rugby Australia in a horrible position considering what happened last year. They really won't want to tear up his contract but these Instagram posts aren't doing him or the game any favours.
He was also active on twitter...
Why would they rip up his contract because of personal beliefs.
Ripping up his contract is unlikely. I got ahead of myself there. It's a bit frustrating when our highest profile player is bringing rugby in AUS negative headlines like this. This sort of stuff happened last year, Rugby Australia wanted him to refrain from making these sorts of social media posts and he's done it again. He's entitled to his beliefs but RA aren't keen or him to make anti gay social media posts.
Not only is it unlikely but it's downright wrong and rightfully can't be done. Sadly for them what they aren't keen on can't be implemented.
Contract terminated. Good.
Yep. The horrible thing is though, he will just walk into the NRL or AFL now.
Is it though?
I obviously dont agree with what he said, but is he not allowed personal beliefs etc even if it does mean he hates a certain member of society?
Or has it crossed the line to a hate crime?
This is his religious beliefs... there could be a law suit coming?
Last edited:
I think it crosses the line into hate when you’ve been warned about it previously but continue to spout nonsense in the way that he is. Absolute plum and only has himself to blame.
Rugby Australia's statement..
“Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union have made repeated attempts to contact Israel both directly and via his representatives since 6.30pm on Wednesday, and at this point he has failed to communicate directly with either organisation,” the statement read.
“Whilst Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport. We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.
“Israel has failed to understand that the expectation of him as a Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs employee is that he cannot share material on social media that condemns, vilifies or discriminates against people on the basis of their sexuality.
“Rugby is a sport that continuously works to unite people. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in our game and no vilification based on race, gender, religion or sexuality is acceptable and no language that isolates, divides or insults people based on any of those factors can be tolerated.
“As a code we have made it clear to Israel formally and repeatedly that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.
“In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.” ]
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/04/11/israel-folau-termination-intention-rugby-australia
“Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union have made repeated attempts to contact Israel both directly and via his representatives since 6.30pm on Wednesday, and at this point he has failed to communicate directly with either organisation,” the statement read.
“Whilst Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport. We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.
“Israel has failed to understand that the expectation of him as a Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs employee is that he cannot share material on social media that condemns, vilifies or discriminates against people on the basis of their sexuality.
“Rugby is a sport that continuously works to unite people. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in our game and no vilification based on race, gender, religion or sexuality is acceptable and no language that isolates, divides or insults people based on any of those factors can be tolerated.
“As a code we have made it clear to Israel formally and repeatedly that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.
“In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.” ]
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/04/11/israel-folau-termination-intention-rugby-australia
Really sad especially when you consider how talented he is. Might still go to the WC and play for Tonga?
Wow, I honestly didn't expect that. I thought there'd be the usual sort of spineless response when a sports superstar is out of line. It seems like they had no choice since he refused to engage with them, though.
Regardless of his personal beliefs, I doubt he has a leg to stand on legally since it's bound to be in his contract about upholding the reputation of club/country.
Regardless of his personal beliefs, I doubt he has a leg to stand on legally since it's bound to be in his contract about upholding the reputation of club/country.
A return to the NRL isn't straight forward for him. They've been desperate to clean up their reputation since over the last 6 months or so.