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Post subject: Re: Ode to William Webb Ellis (The Rugby Union Thread)
Posted: Mon July 18, 2022 9:16 pm
I've been POOSSTTIiiEEnngeeaahh
Joined: Sun March 12, 2017 3:06 pm Posts: 11865
Where's LetMeSleep? The only other person who posts in this thread is Rangi, who just regurgitates anti-rug sentiment. Disliking rugby is not a personality, Rangi!
Post subject: Re: Ode to William Webb Ellis (The Rugby Union Thread)
Posted: Mon July 18, 2022 9:48 pm
what on earth am I talking about
Joined: Wed January 02, 2013 12:35 am Posts: 35557
Rangi Guy wrote:
Ello Sailor wrote:
New Zealand slips to #4 in the world rankings -- our worst ever -- after losing a test series 2-1 to Ireland. Our first series loss at home since 1994!
Hold me.
My wife told me that I was unpatriotic for saying Ireland would take out the series. It got worse when I told her that I didn't really care one way or the other who won
That last game was probably our best performance ever. Beating the all blacks is a rare occurrence for us (and everyone) but that was world class. And they were so gracious in defeat too.
Thing is Ireland always peaks Mid season and right before a World Cup. We’re ranked number one in the world now. But watch next year in the RWC and we’ll probably struggle to make the quarters. Happens every time. The people in the know say it won’t happen this time and this team and management are special.
Post subject: Re: Ode to William Webb Ellis (The Rugby Union Thread)
Posted: Thu July 21, 2022 10:36 am
Broken Tamborine
Joined: Wed November 13, 2013 4:34 pm Posts: 269
Really sad news about Ryan Jones being diagnosed with early onset dementia at just 41. As a Welshman who has mostly known Gatland as the national coach, Ryan was a huge part of that era. I've met him a few times and he's a lovely man so it really is heartbreaking.
The game appears to be completely unsustainable in the current form. HIA protocols don't seem to be fit for purpose (how Sexton played in the second test v NZ with his record makes a mockery of the new stand-down periods) and there will only be more names added to the list in next 5-10 years. 20st mass monsters running into each other for 80 minutes is making for a poor spectacle that is causing untold harm to these young men. Something has to give.
Post subject: Re: Ode to William Webb Ellis (The Rugby Union Thread)
Posted: Fri July 22, 2022 3:57 am
Posting (live)
Joined: Wed February 06, 2013 2:47 am Posts: 17545 Location: Scooby Doo
Full credit to Ireland, they're a hell of a team.
Can't help but think this sport's a living relic, it's like seeing people smoking or hearing you're old relative make sexist or racist comments. But I'll enjoy it while I can (although seeing that last Aust vs England game was a chore...boring foul riddled shit).
Post subject: Re: Ode to William Webb Ellis (The Rugby Union Thread)
Posted: Sat August 27, 2022 9:52 am
I've been POOSSTTIiiEEnngeeaahh
Joined: Sun March 12, 2017 3:06 pm Posts: 11865
The nightmare continues! We just lost to Argentina again. The Pumas played brilliantly though. They showed a lot of heart to double our tackles made without ever looking like running out of steam. Also, Boffelli has a fucking radar boot. Incredible goal kicker.
Post subject: Re: Ode to William Webb Ellis (The Rugby Union Thread)
Posted: Sat November 05, 2022 8:02 pm
I've been POOSSTTIiiEEnngeeaahh
Joined: Sun March 12, 2017 3:06 pm Posts: 11865
Lots of great rugby happening at the moment. New Zealand Women beat France to make the World Cup final against England next week. Ireland's men just pulled off a narrow win over South Africa in Dublin, which was a great game. Next up is Australia vs. France. Should be a hoot.
Post subject: Re: Ode to William Webb Ellis (The Rugby Union Thread)
Posted: Thu August 24, 2023 7:28 pm
I've been POOSSTTIiiEEnngeeaahh
Joined: Sun March 12, 2017 3:06 pm Posts: 11865
What a ball from Bundee Aki. Amazing.
Yeah, looking forward to the RWC. I think Ireland are going to carve up. All of the Irish I've spoken to refuse to let go of the "quarter-final curse" doomsaying, but I think this time around will be different.
Post subject: Re: Ode to William Webb Ellis (The Rugby Union Thread)
Posted: Thu August 24, 2023 10:21 pm
what on earth am I talking about
Joined: Wed January 02, 2013 12:35 am Posts: 35557
Ello Sailor wrote:
What a ball from Bundee Aki. Amazing.
Yeah, looking forward to the RWC. I think Ireland are going to carve up. All of the Irish I've spoken to refuse to let go of the "quarter-final curse" doomsaying, but I think this time around will be different.
I’m one of them. Something will come up. Or it’s just a mental block. But if they keep playing like they have been, nothing should be too much of a problem. (Nothing meaning France and New Zealand. Hardly nothings)
But we’re playing unpredictably. The whole team. Haven’t seen this since Brian O Driscoll. And he was a talisman and an absolute joy to watch. He’d carve up any team in front of him. Our whole team is doing that now. Let’s see if it’s sticks.
Post subject: Re: Ode to William Webb Ellis (The Rugby Union Thread)
Posted: Thu August 24, 2023 10:27 pm
I've been POOSSTTIiiEEnngeeaahh
Joined: Sun March 12, 2017 3:06 pm Posts: 11865
My only concern is a Sexton injury or similar. Even though there's loads of talent at 10 in Ireland, all of the eggs appear to have been placed in his basket. He's still class, but he's getting on in years. Father time and all that.
Post subject: Re: Ode to William Webb Ellis (The Rugby Union Thread)
Posted: Fri August 25, 2023 12:11 am
what on earth am I talking about
Joined: Wed January 02, 2013 12:35 am Posts: 35557
Ello Sailor wrote:
My only concern is a Sexton injury or similar. Even though there's loads of talent at 10 in Ireland, all of the eggs appear to have been placed in his basket. He's still class, but he's getting on in years. Father time and all that.
That’s just media bullshit tbh.
You could pick a kid from anywhere could do his job.
Our problem is we invest and place too much faith in him and him alone.
He’s just one. There’s a whole team.
That’s why we’re gonna stumble before the end. Long before it tbh.
Post subject: Re: Ode to William Webb Ellis (The Rugby Union Thread)
Posted: Fri August 25, 2023 8:33 am
I've been POOSSTTIiiEEnngeeaahh
Joined: Sun March 12, 2017 3:06 pm Posts: 11865
dimejinky99 wrote:
That’s just media bullshit tbh.
You could pick a kid from anywhere could do his job.
The issue is time spent within the squad. Be that training or game time, a 10 needs to be dialled in to everything. There are incredible 10s lying in wait, but Sexton gets all of the time. Set pieces these days come down to a razor's edge in terms of familiarity and execution. Knowing where your runners are, or where they're going to be. Trusting the seniors in your pack to know what's on without even having to bark it.
They need a wider training squad at this key position. I hope Sexton goes full terminator and I am a fool to have worried, but there it is.
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