The World of Rugby Thread

[Queenslander]

The wobblies carrying most of the weight Im sure.


In the three years since the 2015 RWC, the Home Unions + Lions have won 64% of games against The Rugby Championship nations.

Little wonder many say the 2019 Rugby World Cup will be the most competitive ever.

[Lewis]

Good luck to Valentine Holmes putting ten kilos on in four(?) months. Union could do a lot worse than start tapping him up now for when it doesn't happen.

[Queenslander]

He would probably go to Japan for a huge amount.

[Disco]

Owen Farrell determined to throw away one of these tests with his dickhead shoulder tackles.

[Queenslander]

Cheika has it all wrong imo we need all 23 players born and bred in the Eastern Suburbs.
To not play our best Tight head against England or all teams is so infuriating...

Also Quade Cooper lives in the same street as my parents new place and everytime I have seen him he is dressed like a 15 year cashed up youtuber.

I know my kiwi mates have always told but his tantrum and on going fued with Lord Thorn has really outed him as an absolute cretin.

[Disco]

Your pack was a giant orange turd, the prospect of being without Pocock at any point must be terrifying.

And in Paris, even though we've nicked half their players, Fiji managed to beat France. Lol.

[Queenslander]

Your pack was a giant orange turd, the prospect of being without Pocock at any point must be terrifying.

And in Paris, even though we've nicked half their players, Fiji managed to beat France. Lol.

Pocock must be spewing he chose us over South Africa. Luckily we have 4 or so world class no 7s in Queensland atm but Cheika got his mate Hooper a massive 5 year 7 figure contract despite us being broke. The chance of any of our 7s getting a crack is pretty slim untill they move the ARU to a different state.

We have enough quality in the country to be far less shit than we are but Cheika being Cheika wont have any of it. Also our Fijian scrum couch can fuck right off as well. That is right Cheika has a FIJIAN as our scrum and forwards coach.

Shit I didnt know that upset happened.

[Queenslander]

Semi Radradra is the best winger since Lomu.
https://www.theroar.com.au/rugby-union/video/semi-radradra-trucks-the-french-defence-as-fiji-cause-huge-boilover-704523/

[Lewis]

Is there any reason the NRL hasn't hoovered up the entire Fiji sevens system? I read an interview with their old coach recently and it doesn't sound like they earn much.

[Queenslander]

French Clubs have academys over there. They have a Union team in our 3rd tier comp the NRC and the NSWRL comp have a team competing down there as well. The whole country is constantly being harvested from all over the world.

Edit: Also NZ elite high schools.

I reckon it is fair to say that the best NRL 7s type players rarely make thev7's squad

[Queenslander]

https://youtu.be/Ydi5Qr5woSY

Also me when we finally sack Cheika.

[Queenslander]

Brad Thorn has signed Johnny Wilkson's kicking coach.

The Reds are going to be carrying the Wobblies for the next 10 years.

[Ian]

Why is Tony Adams the something or other of some Rugby League organisation now?

[Lewis]

President of the Rugby Football League. It's a ceremonial position (the last one was Andy fucking Burnham), and apparently loads of ex-players use his charity.

[Ian]

Ah alright, so he just long as about, turns up at games and every so often says what a great sport it is?

[Lewis]

That is normally how it works, but league goes extra-large on the mental health stuff, so it might have some actual purpose for once.

[Queenslander]

Dick is rock hard.

http://i67.tinypic.com/2epkobt.jpg

[Lewis]

Canberra have signed Jarryd Hayne's eighteen year old cousin from Fiji who, according to their recruitment bloke, 'did a medial ligament injury, diagnosed it himself, did that on Google, and did all his rehab from Google as well'. Wot. That is already more heart than his cousin has shown in a decade.

[hfswjyr]

Dick is rock hard.

http://i67.tinypic.com/2epkobt.jpg
What's this all about?

[Queenslander]

What's this all about?

Brad Thorn has employed Johnny Wilkinson's kicking coach fulltime at Ballymore.

[Queenslander]

Canberra have signed Jarryd Hayne's eighteen year old cousin from Fiji who, according to their recruitment bloke, 'did a medial ligament injury, diagnosed it himself, did that on Google, and did all his rehab from Google as well'. Wot. That is already more heart than his cousin has shown in a decade.

Have you read that Hayne will get 10 years in jail if convicted of his sex crime?

[Lewis]

I wonder if they would Chris Benoit him from New South Wales/Parramatta highlight reels.

[Queenslander]

Would be the smart move if they did.

[Baz]

https://www.saintsrlfc.com/commercial/player-sponsorships/

TTH to sponsor Dominic Peyroux? £2100 for the season.


The Package Includes:
Company logo on our Player Profile page at saintsrlfc.com
Company logo and contact details on the Player Sponsor pages within the Matchday programme with a distribution of approx. 17,500 copies per season.
For players priced at £1,250 and above, your company will be guaranteed to be chosen as a featured sponsor on one Matchday on both the Player Sponsor page and Commercial Page to promote your business.
For players priced above £750 you can select two complimentary tickets for the 1873 Lounge, again from a choice of category B or C matches.
Company name alongside your player on the official team-sheet distributed to all Hospitality customers within the Stadium, approx. 7,000 per season.
Company name announced when teams are read out within the Stadium and when your player scores to approx. 170,000 supporters during the season.
Company logo included within any player interview within the Match Programme.
Company logo included on Twitter social media posts for team sheet reveal or if your player scores – 98,000+ followers.
Access to one personal appearance by your sponsored player.
Present him with his shirt on stage at our pre-season launch event at the Stadium and receive two complimentary tickets to attend this event to sit at your player’s table.
In return, receive that player’s matchworn shirt back at the end of the season both signed and framed as a thank you for your valued support.
Finally, receive two complimentary places at our End of Season Dinner to sit with your player as our Club awards are distributed across the age groups.

[Lewis]

You do have to wonder what even local companies would stand to gain from any of that. The wonders of the Greatest Game. We should go for the cheapo medical staff.

'Coming on to see why Alex Walmsley isn't moving, sponsored by The Third Half...'

[Lewis]

Super League is BACK, and what better way to herald its latest bold new era than to come back on Six Nations week? Start as you mean to go on. Anyway, there are a few interesting things to watch out for, and if Warrington somehow manage not to walk it then they want shutting down.

[Mike]

I’ve put saints on; they never win if I watch. Was 12 nil when I tuned in.
Soz Baz

[Baz]

Wigan docked 2 points for overspending. They finished 10 points behind Saints last season and still bloody won the thing. :stamford:

[Lewis]

It was for 2017 when they were shit, which was the basis of their defence. Fair play.

[Queenslander]

Ben Barba has been sacked for a serious breach. :lol:

[Baz]

Ben Barba has been sacked for a serious breach. :lol:Assaulted his missus in a casino, apparently.

Odds on him ending up at Wigan? :(

[Queenslander]

Jesus christ! And Flanno gets de-registered for breaking the rules of his suspension. Lol

[Queenslander]

Assaulted his missus in a casino, apparently.

Odds on him ending up at Wigan? :(

He wont be leaving the country this time.

[Lewis]

lol what an absolute mong. Half of Super League would still have him like.

[Lewis]

You beauty. :cool:

[Manc]

France. :harold:

[Jimmy Floyd]

You can always rely on the French.

[niko_cee]

The pass for that interception (well the three running up to it) were things of beauty.

Zut alors!

[Queenslander]

The Wobblies are so fucked.

[Disco]

Never change France.

Now we get to see how terrible Italy can be, just be gentle with Stuart Hogg please.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Are Georgia a lot worse than Italy now? The last game between them (in Italy) was only 28-17 and they beat Samoa and Tonga in their autumn internationals.

[Disco]

I didn't see any of their Autumn games but I'm a firm believer in promotion/relegation in the Six Nations. Not automatic, just a playoff, if only for the possible spectacle of away games in Tbilisi which is apparently a fucking mental atmosphere. They wouldn't do any better than Italy but I reckon they stand a better chance of being more competitive than Italy have ever managed.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The most obvious barrier to that happening would seem to be the media and corporate jolly types not really fancying said trip to Tbilisi.

[Disco]

Quite, the Unions are dead set against any form of relegation and I assume the Italian tv market is somewhat stronger than the Georgian one. Plus I assume there are less jobbing kiwis and saffers with Georgian grans that might give them a bit more strength in depth.

In short Italy is sexier than Georgia.

[Disco]

Lol, how did that finish with only a 13 point difference?

[Disco]

I don't remember the last time we scored a try in Ireland so I can't see this going terribly well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why are Ireland so good? It seems unlikely given that they spent 100 years being crap.

[Disco]

The best generation of players they've ever had and they all play for the same three clubs, plus Peter O'Mahony is an actual robot which helps.

[Kikó]

Probably the game being rife with drugs as well helps.

[Lewis]

I thought we would get molested so went to the gym instead. Lovely stuff.

[Kikó]

Controlled the game. Second half has been near on perfect.

[Kikó]

Other than that try.

[Davgooner]

Fucking hell lad.

[Disco]

We're probably losing to the Welsh now.

[Ian]

:cool:

Didn't see it all but from the highlights that looked deeply satisfying.

[Manc]

Absolute class.

[Lewis]

As lol as it is Ben Barba effectively being banned from rugby, it does strike me as him copping it for all the other off-season idiocy. He won't be the last player to belt a woman, and they won't ban them all.

[Queenslander]

As lol as it is Ben Barba effectively being banned from rugby, it does strike me as him copping it for all the other off-season idiocy. He won't be the last player to belt a woman, and they won't ban them all.

Im a big bore but this should have started with Matt Lodge last year. I expect Hayne to be banned and jailed though.

[Lewis]

Yeah, whether or not he should have been banned, the fact is he wasn't. You could argue that Barba is a habitual fuck-up, but Matt Lodge's ex also came forward and said he was abusive to her, so wait until somebody good gets into trouble and watch the excuses come out. Similarly, shithouse behaviour that isn't necessarily physical assault, like the Dylan Napa stuff, will inevitably invite comparisons when it barely gets sanctioned.

[Queenslander]

Yeah that is another one why do these blokes put themselves in situations where some dickhead can video them? Ill never understand that level of risk taking.

[hfswjyr]

As lol as it is Ben Barba effectively being banned from rugby, it does strike me as him copping it for all the other off-season idiocy. He won't be the last player to belt a woman, and they won't ban them all.

They should.

[Baz]

Less throwing rocks at your missus’ head and more snorting “peppermint powder” is what rugby league needs.

[Baz]

New rugby league club in Liverpool?


Former Salford owner Marwan Koukash is leading a bid to establish a new rugby league club in Liverpool.

The millionaire racehorse owner, who relinquished control of the Red Devils just over 12 months ago, is keen to get involved in the game once more and, after dropping his interest in launching a new club in Cumbria and pulling out of a bid to take over Widnes, has switched his focus to Liverpool.

"The three of us are fairly comfortable financially and we have invested heavily in rugby league in the past in the form of sponsorship or ownership etc.

"We are in discussions with the council and we've got options on a ground, which I think will end up being in the Sefton area of Liverpool.

"We're going to build a new ground and get started as soon as we can.

"We're open to starting in League 1 or the alternative maybe is we are told by the RFL that it might be easier to buy an existing club and re-brand it.

"We hope to launch the project at the Magic Weekend.”

https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/17416498.marwan-koukash-and-andrew-mikhail-planning-to-launch-new-rugby-league-club-in-liverpool/



Also from Matty Costello’s wiki:


Matty Costello holds the record for the greatest amount of freckles on his wang in the Super League, as of January 2019, beating Jonny Lomax who came second place.

[Lewis]

Liverpool seems reasonably well served if you wanted to watch a game. He would have been better off with whatever his weird Lake District idea was, or having another go at buying Bradford.

[Queenslander]

The PPV price to watch Paul Gallen v John Hopoate in a pro boxing fight is $50...

[Manc]

Brexit means Brexit. Let's run these cunts over.

[Disco]

The French have started early I see.

[Lewis]

I saw a bit of 'Ooh you never know with France...' earlier as if it was twenty years ago.

[Disco]

Yeah, Wales are more like the new France and Scotland are now Wales. I guess that makes Italy Scotland.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They keep jizzing over that number 14 on commentary, completing ignoring that we've gone in behind him for about 26 points so far.

[Lewis]

Wigan doing the business.

[Lewis]

I doubt we get that if there was one score in it.

[Lewis]

That one was a bit generous as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nigel must have had a dodgy coq au vin recently.

[Ian]

We've been utter turd this half.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That second half was a cowardly disgrace.

[Manc]

Shocking performance.

[Disco]

We're probably losing to the Welsh now.

Told you.

[niko_cee]

Do they still have that Grand Slam super bonus point in the 6 nations or is there a chance England and Wales could tie on 20 points if results go that way next week?

[Disco]

No, there's a bonus three points for doing the Grand Slam so if you win all your games you can't be beaten/equalled through bonus point shenanigans.

[Lewis]

The Irish will throw it because they are bitter losers.

[Spikey M]

How did Ireland struggle against this mob?

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47547746

This is proper grubby stuff. Two terrible options both powered by desperate, grasping greed and a lack of regard for the sport (rugby isn't my game but I've seen this happen in cricket/F1 and clearly no lessons learned). Why anyone would entertain going anywhere near CVC for the sake of short term money is beyond me. What would rugby even do with short term money?

[ItalAussie]

Im a big bore but this should have started with Matt Lodge last year. I expect Hayne to be banned and jailed though.

The Matt Lodge story seemed awful. Even by the standards of rugby assholery.

There's a man who should have been banned for life instantly.

[Lewis]

The off-season hand-wringing has been a bit much. By all means sanction people, but does it really turn people off the game whenever some idiot does an idiot? They seem to live in perpetual fear that every lol picture that makes its way onto Twitter sends a stand full of families over to the AFL (as if they aren't also a bunch of twats). Grow up Australia. You are the biggest fannies in the Anglosphere.

I was going to go Cronulla for the title this year until Shane 'Flanno' Flanagan was memory holed, so now fuck knows. Wayne Bennett winning it would be top drawer, doing the Roosters 6-2 in the Grand Final or something equally lol. I have no idea. John Bateman is going to don it at Canberra though. :cool:

[Queenslander]

I only care about banning the ones who bash woman and children.

Ricky Stuart has had the best take on how soft and entilted the current crop of players are. You only have to hang out at a local leagues club to get a sense of the absolute flogs that play the game.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/ricky-stuart-has-a-hard-work-fix-for-nrl-bad-boys-imploring-the-nrl-to-take-over-punishment/news-story/a02fe9b950a6d2998360bd6cfbc9a96a

[Queenslander]

Probably more of an Australian problem as whole though. Domestic violence is a huge problem over here Lewis.

[Lewis]

Great Britain's Wayne Bennett calling the other coaches 'drama queens'. Roll on the Grand Final.

[Lewis]

1106657423031451648

The Greatest Game.

[Queenslander]

As in no try zone?

[Lewis]

Wigan are known for their pies, so Warrington always make a big deal out of it. A few years ago they billed a meeting as 'The Big Pie Smash' and released a trailer of new signing Chris Sandow kicking a pie to bits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYhWV97i8TA). Wigan beat them 28-0, and Sandow got this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctFLjW_fnD8) all night.

[Queenslander]

:lol:

That is amazing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ireland can go fuck themselves.

[Manc]

:moop:

[Giggles]

They'll all be crying into their prosecco later :drool:

Ewan MacKenna's Twitter will be glorious reading this evening.


.

[Disco]

Going for a championship and you can't even score a point in 80 minutes, shamefuru dispray.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sexton looked like he'd been on the paddy's day celebrations all last night and most of this morning.

Scotland are a joke as ever.

[The Merse]

There’s no doubt injures plaguing this generation are the biggest factor in this awful 6N, but the selection is also galling. Grigg/Johnson aren’t a pairing that can play at this level, as good as their club game is, the locks rarely compliment each other with Jonny Gray the major issue - he’s spectacularly failed to improve, and is half the influence he was when he was when he was a teen in truth.

Matt Taylor has a big rep but you can’t defend his position as defence coach on these showings this year - right the way back to the Italy game.

[Ian]

This second half. Fuck's sake.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Every time we have a decent first half we just switch off. So lazy.

[The Merse]

Meh. This Scotland team ‘always have that in them’ - they have ever since Toonie pitched up at Glasgow and turned around the back division there. The difference was that in much of 2016-18, Scotland were able to defend and effect the game as a whole, rather than in patches.

[The Merse]

Every time we have a decent first half we just switch off. So lazy.


If you’re going to pack the side out with these horrific, oversized Frankenstein gym cunts that have been slowly eroding the games entertainment value and causing safety concerns and exclusion of talented young players then you need to expect to be shit in the second half. France have been like that for years.

[Waffdon]

England will still win by a decent margin.

[Waffdon]

Absolute state of England

[Waffdon]

How’s that not a penalty lol

[Jimmy Floyd]

We had a penalty in front of the posts at 31-7, kicked it to the corner, far too much of that shite goes on nowadays. Always cheered by the tarquins too like it's some kind of double or nothing after dinner gamble with someone's daughter as the stakes.

[Ian]

We've had form for before in recent years, insisting on going for tries.

[Disco]

Shoot me now.

[Waffdon]

The most Scottish thing ever

[Baz]

:lol:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fuck you, Scotland.

[Manc]

Scum.

[The Merse]

Ffs someone interview that Ozzie bawbag oxygen thief.

[Lewis]

On the one hand, lol at Scotland blowing their World Cup. On the other, what a disgrace.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47603228

BRING ME EILEEN DREWERY.

[Jimmy Floyd]

"It's like we have some hand grenades in the back of a jeep and sometimes they go off when there's a lot of pressure," said Jones.

Yeah, cos we were really under the pump 31-0 up at home to Scotland. It's complacency, which is something that is pumped into you at private schools (I presume everyone in the England team went to some kind of private school).

[Lewis]

At the risk of reducing things to Roy Keane level, we don't have any CHARACTERS for when they start getting it back. There are a couple who can shithouse reasonably well and contribute towards making the other team lose it, but when things take a turn they end up falling to bits themselves.

[The Merse]

Farrell is a big part of that, as captain and someone who is known to set the tone 'culturally' (ugh) within both Sarries and England's camps. He's one of those people that is obsessed with perfection in the minutiae, and happily tells seasoned pro's he thinks they're shit, and hauls people over hot coals in camp. When things go against him, he goes into a spiral. It's not often - the teams he's in and his own qualities means that we don't see that tailspin much - but it's there, and always has been.

[hfswjyr]

How many of the squad are still from 2015?
How is it 4 years on and Eddie is still trying to fix it?

[ItalAussie]

The Guardian said Farrell was easily the best northern hemisphere fly-half. Has he improved dramatically since I've last seen him? He always struck me as serviceable and competent, but lacking any real creativity.

Before anyone points out the obvious, yes "serviceable and competent but lacking any real creativity" is basically Bernard Foley's family motto.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Without wanting to subject my rugby opinions to any scrutiny, I'd say Sexton, Russell and maybe the Welsh ones would all have a claim to being as good as or better than him.

[The Merse]

He has improved since 2015, and he's become a 'real' stand off for Sarries, and is much more of a distributor and playmaker than he once was (Sarries and England's extra firepower in the backs has been a big part of that).

Generally, any non-England fan held Sexton as the best 10 in the NH before this tournament, with a fair few Scots championing Russell. England fans went with Faz in the main. Now, it seems the England experts and ex-internationals are talking up Finn as the best in NH (world has been mentioned, which is a bit much) with Sexton's powers waning (they've been on the way since his Racing stint) and Farrell exosed as some kind of fraud. Truth is fore me, somewhere in the middle of all that - Russell is undoubtedly the most exciting playmaker outside of NZ but remains more mercurial than dominant in many games, Farrell is the best club 10 in the world but still needs some growth (and humility) in an England shirt and Sexton is still a force to be reckoned with, and I can't see Carberry replacing him for the RWC quite yet.

Bigger and Anscombe are both consistent, top level 10's (never saw myself saying that about the latter) but are relatively limited - they looks great in a Gats team, but I'm not convinced they'd improve England, Ireland or Scotland. Farrell on the other hand might just be world class in a Gatland outfit, whilst Finn might be a liability.

[Disco]

I'd have (both now and pre-tournament) Sexton / Farrell / Russell in that order. Farrell is decent enough but he does stupid things far too often (he should be sent off for idiot shoulder tackles once every three tests) and totally disappeared against Wales and Scotland. No idea why he's captain either, he doesn't seem to add a lot in that regard, which is painfully obvious without Hartley there.

[The Merse]

Yeh, it’s surprising he didn’t see red against Scotland. Not for the impact - he couldn’t have prevented that, but for not wrapping and leading with the shoulder. Whilst the ref stated he felt this was to protect himself, and I have sympathy with that, nine times out of ten it’d be a red as the emphasis is on Farrell to protect Graham and the end result is what’s being ref’d, not the intent. I’m not salty about it all, as I say - I understand and sympathise with the call, just still a lucky one for him. As seems to happen a lot - something of the Sexton about him in that respect.

[Disco]

The one on Saturday was the most marginal, there was almost nothing he could have done when you watch it at full speed but there is an issue with how he sets himself when going in for these kinds of challenges. I was there for the one against South Africa and the mood in the stadium was that he was extremely lucky to stay on the pitch. He just doesn't seem to have the temperament to be captain, stick it on some lump in the front five and be done with it.

[Ian]

No idea why he's captain either, he doesn't seem to add a lot in that regard, which is painfully obvious without Hartley there.

I am no expert but this is the conversation I was having with my dad as that second half unravelled and we were still loose as fuck, especially given it seemed to me to be the back line that was causing most of the issues and there, at least, you'd have though Farrell should know what to do.

I think that much as I always feel like central defenders / midfielders in football are better captains I'd tend to want it on a forward in rugby. Although I'm sure there are lots of very effective captains who've been backs and it's Farrell being a bit of a gimp that's the issue.

[Lewis]

I'm all for union, however belatedly, recognising that league gets most of it right, but a 50/22 doesn't strike me as a particularly difficult kick to execute. Plus I don't see how only really having it to remove a defender from the line would reduce the use of big units. Wouldn't it just encourage using them to hammer depleted lines?

[Lewis]

Konrad Hurrell was built for Super League. Rovers. :cool:

[Baz]

Smash Warrington and then destroy Wigan next week. :drool:

I was idly scrolling through the betting market and found “over 9 different tryscorers” @ 125/1

Four so far.

Probably gonna put this bet on every game for the rest of my life, similar to the “both teams to have a corner from all four corners” amazing football bet I recently discovered.

Nice to see Wigan getting a bumming off the wildcats. :)

[Lewis]

It must be ace having James Roby at your club.

[Lewis]

They brought Great Britain back just to pick Regan Grace (lol at Tom Lineham the fat twat). :cool:

[Disco]

Saracens got booed at Bristol today and they played It's Raining Men as they went off the pitch. :D

[Queenslander]

Saracens got booed at Bristol today and they played It's Raining Men as they went off the pitch. :D

:lol:

[Lewis]

I'm not quite having these Greg Inglis tributes. He was clearly a freak early on, and I think he was the best player in the game for a couple of seasons when he first went to full-back; but he hasn't put a consistent season together for five years as his physical dominance has faded, so easy on the Immortal chatter lads.

[Mike]

Good Friday means an Easter egg and Saints beating Wigan. :cool2:

[Lewis]

I went to our derby and shouldn't have bothered.

[Baz]

1119246444387500032

[Jimmy Floyd]

Put the league on while the cricket is on half time, that kid looks a bit sharp. All ruined by that ridiculous post-try music that Sky still put on like it's 1996.

[Lewis]

This is the crappest Wigan in ages. No wonder Shaun Edwards can't be bothered to maintain his reputation.

[Baz]

Put the league on while the cricket is on half time, that kid looks a bit sharp. All ruined by that ridiculous post-try music that Sky still put on like it's 1996.Best piece of music going, that. :cool:

I presume this post was about Regan "Amazing Grace" Grace?

[Lewis]

Elsewhere, Batley won the Heavy Woollen Derby. Unlucky mate (https://twitter.com/DewsburyRams/status/1117796333157519360). No word yet on the egg and spoon race.

[Lewis]

lol at Leeds. John Kear. :cool:

[Queenslander]

Jarryd Hayne has switched codes again to Football/Soccer. I expect some sort of suicide in the next year or so.


https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/former-rugby-league-star-jarryd-hayne-set-to-follow-ben-barbas-lead-and-try-his-hand-at-soccer/news-story/6f2fe5dc3a167004b43813e56b5ecfef

[Lewis]

I don't recall this 'Acknowledgement of Country' in previous series. Is it a sop to the indigenous fellas not joining in the anthem?

[Lewis]

I don't think I've ever seen a forward pass off a drop-out. :cab:

[Queenslander]

I don't recall this 'Acknowledgement of Country' in previous series. Is it a sop to the indigenous fellas not joining in the anthem?

Been doing it for years.

[Queenslander]

Folau getting his go fund me page taken down is just another hilarious turn.

[niko_cee]

Why is Origin at the weekend now?

[Queenslander]

I assume advertising dollars are higher for sunday night? That or Perth people had today off.

[Lewis]

Been doing it for years.

I normally avoid the cringe-worthy dramatic build-up. It's stupid anyway, and lol at everyone if they ever do get their 'war dance'.

[Queenslander]

I normally avoid the cringe-worthy dramatic build-up. It's stupid anyway, and lol at everyone if they ever do get their 'war dance'.

The Indingenous team have been doing the war dance for well over 10 years.

Welcome to country is fine. Ill take that over the war dance anyday.

[ItalAussie]

Welcome to country is basically (and rightly) standard in any public event now.

NSW absolutely whomped QLD though. It's no surprise that QLD were able to get going in Suncorp, but it looks like they're a bit lost without the crowd. Tom Trbojevic was pretty spectacular - I hope that keeps up. You have to think that if and when NSW eventually get Luke Keary on the field they'll be even tougher to beat.

[Lewis]

It strikes me as a pretty bizarre ritual. 'We acknowledge the traditional owners...' Well, you don't, do you? Otherwise they would still be the owners.

[Giggles]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/se%C3%A1n-o-brien-sanctioned-for-dublin-pub-incident-1.3936040

Send some filthy whatsapps = sacked.

Piss on someone in a pub = "sanctioned".

[ItalAussie]

It strikes me as a pretty bizarre ritual. 'We acknowledge the traditional owners...' Well, you don't, do you? Otherwise they would still be the owners.

It's infinitesimally better than nothing (which at this stage is basically saying you specifically don't acknowledge them, given the ubiquitousness of these messages), even if it's a little performative.

It's also important when you consider the popularity the sport has within indigenous communities. Many of them are generally favourable to statements like that, so if they see it as meaning something, who are we to argue? We can't undo the past, but it's important to acknowledge it.

[Lewis]

Why do they need to be acknowledged specifically? They're obviously part of the national story, and ought to be acknowledged as part of that, but you're all just Australians now - for better or worse - so distinguishing people as the 'traditional' anything seems a bit weirdly ethno-nationalist given the make-up of the country and its various waves of immigration.

[ItalAussie]

Why do they need to be acknowledged specifically? They're obviously part of the national story, and ought to be acknowledged as part of that, but you're all just Australians now - for better or worse - so distinguishing people as the 'traditional' anything seems a bit weirdly ethno-nationalist given the make-up of the country and its various waves of immigration.

That hasn't been the case since the Mabo ruling, which legally recognised native title and indigenous land rights. So there is an actual legal distinction there.

This is a relatively painless way of acknowledging that there were people here under a different sovereignty, and while it does not continue in the same form, there is a distinction. As it has largely become the norm in public events in Australia (even including things like Parliament), taking it away would be a very active statement. And given that rugby league is very prominent within many indigenous communities, who have produced many important players, it makes sense that they acknowledge these groups with whom they have so many links.

Also, at this point not having that is being a dick for its own sake. There are a handful of people who would happily do that, but they tend to be of the "they had it coming, and we should've wiped them out when we had a chance" variety. And one or two government cabinet ministers, inasmuch as those two groups don't privately overlap.

[Lewis]

I know they have certain rights over certain territories, so crack on if your public event takes place on those designated areas, but I don't see how, when referring to the whole country, it makes any sort of sense. I get that they might like to hear it (and that white Australians can live with being classed as guests of the 'traditional owners'), but it is meaningless.

[ItalAussie]

You probably have to be here to really get it, I suppose.

[Lewis]

1144343610248314887

:cab:

[Lewis]

Mitchell Pearce should make a massive deal of retiring from New South Wales now. That one man celebration at the winning try is right up there.

[ItalAussie]

It never even occurred to me that NSW would get a last minute try. That just isn't how these things are done.

Great game though. One of the best I can remember for years.

[Lewis]

I think the best thing James Tedesco can do is remain loyal to Italy.

[Baz]

Justin Holbrook to go to NRL? Apparently Gold Coast Titans have approached him. :uhoh:

[Lewis]

He should avoid it like the plague.

[Queenslander]

He should avoid it like the plague.


Burn the club down.


http://i67.tinypic.com/f06pv6.jpg

Since the days of Wally Lewis to modern day the Gold Coast has never been viable for team sports. The Suns are backed by the AFL so they dont count.

30 years of failure. League, Football and Union have all pissed away at least $100 Million.

[Lewis]

Ash Taylor would be a superstar elsewhere, but those other contracts are pretty lol.

[Queenslander]

Ash Taylor would be a superstar elsewhere, but those other contracts are pretty lol.

I take him back at the Broncos on a cut price start from the bottom contract.

[Lewis]

Is it that the area is just short-termers and deadheads? Why can't it sustain anything?

[Queenslander]

Is it that the area is just short-termers and deadheads? Why can't it sustain anything?

It is just suburban sprawl outside of the tourist bits. Not that easy to get around and there are heaps of retirees and Victorians who have no interest. The Gold Coast isnt an actual identity. A person would say I from Burleigh not Im from the Gold Coast.

The stadium is in the middle of no where with nothing to do outside. Either have to get the train or a bus from Robina shopping center. Maybe if the stadium was in the middle of Surfers Paradise they might have some sort following?

Another thing is that the local AFL competition is more popular than the local Rugby League competition from my understanding.

I reckon they should just play out of Suncorp or Redcliffe maybe transfer the licence to the Redcliffe Dolphins who are an actual league town with history and big enough leagues club to have a proper supporter base that will show up week in week out. Also a huge juniors club that is the number one sport in every direction.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redcliffe_Dolphins

http://redcliffedolphins.com.au/

[ItalAussie]

Queenslander: It's great too see Christian Lealiifano back playing for the Wallabies. That guy's been through a massive amount.

To go through leukaemia treatment and then make your way back into the team is amazing. And we're so much better with him on the field, too.

[ItalAussie]

It was odd to see James O'Connor back in the jersey though. He must have rehabilitated somewhat.

[Queenslander]

Queenslander: It's great too see Christian Lealiifano back playing for the Wallabies. That guy's been through a massive amount.

To go through leukaemia treatment and then make your way back into the team is amazing. And we're so much better with him on the field, too.

Great bloke. There is a fair chance we would have won the last Lions series and won at least 1 Bledisloe with him at 10. His pre broken leg/pre leukaemia form was as good as Larkham in his prime.

Instead we were left with scrubs like Foley and Cooper.

[Queenslander]

It was odd to see James O'Connor back in the jersey though. He must have rehabilitated somewhat.

He is 9 months sober so he deserves a chance. His form for Sale was pretty good apparently and the coach spoke very highly of him.

[ItalAussie]

He is 9 months sober so he deserves a chance. His form for Sale was pretty good apparently and the coach spoke very highly of him.

Good for him. I'm glad to hear he got things back on track. Must be a tough road.

[Queenslander]

Good for him. I'm glad to hear he got things back on track. Must be a tough road.

9. White/Genia Genia/White
10. Lealiifano
11. Koroibete
12. Kerevi
13. Kuridrani/Petaia
14. O'Connor
15. Banks

That is a very good backline. Doubt Cheika would pick it though.

[Baz]

He should avoid it like the plague.I wish he’d read your post. :(

[Lewis]

If Shane Flanagan replaces him then they will have done well out of it, and then your bigger problem is him poaching Luke Thompson and whoever else.

[ItalAussie]

9. White/Genia Genia/White
10. Lealiifano
11. Koroibete
12. Kerevi
13. Kuridrani/Petaia
14. O'Connor
15. Banks

That is a very good backline. Doubt Cheika would pick it though.

Yeah. I haven't watched so much this year, but I've been impressed with a number of those guys. I'm not saying we'll win the World Cup or anything, but we're definitely not terrible by any stretch. Looked alright against South Africa from the snippets that I saw.

[Lewis]

This (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/aug/08/tackle-law-rugby-union) sounds like a winner. It sounds like (in the report at least) that 'tackles' are being conflated with 'collisions', in which case both sides going into them with their heads down is hardly likely to improve matters. Mental.

[Giggles]

The irony of Roy Keane helping a team get ready for a world cup in Japan.

[hfswjyr]

This (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/aug/08/tackle-law-rugby-union) sounds like a winner. It sounds like (in the report at least) that 'tackles' are being conflated with 'collisions', in which case both sides going into them with their heads down is hardly likely to improve matters. Mental.

Offloads galore?

[Lewis]

I hadn't thought of that. If you can't wrap the ball up you would be daft to put more than one man into a tackle, so you end up with fifteen vs thirteen (two held back for the 50/22) individual crash battles and what the fuck is that?

[Queenslander]

What do they plan for cleanouts at rucks?

[Queenslander]

Brisbane Lions won again so Ill be dusting off the old scarf come finals time.

[Queenslander]

Ohhh the whinging from the Kiwis is epic.

[hfswjyr]

No complaints from me. Top teams are so close now, down to 14 for 40 minutes is too much to make up.

[Queenslander]

No complaints from me. Top teams are so close now, down to 14 for 40 minutes is too much to make up.

Our struggle to stay 14 in front isnt good news.

Edit: Sorry I meant the blow up over the red card.

[ItalAussie]

I'll be in London during the AFL grand final, and if the Lions are playing I'm definitely finding a bar that'll be showing it.

[ItalAussie]

Also, we're demolishing the All-Blacks. This is a thumping.

[Queenslander]

I'll be in London during the AFL grand final, and if the Lions are playing I'm definitely finding a bar that'll be showing it.

I live at East Briabane these days so the match day crowd has been massive in the pubs.

[Disco]

Also, we're demolishing the All-Blacks. This is a thumping.

Blimey, how has that happened?

[Queenslander]

Blimey, how has that happened?

Less Waratahs.

[Lewis]

What do they plan for cleanouts at rucks?

Playing the ball.

[Queenslander]

Playing the ball.

:D

[Queenslander]

Dan Coles is the most stupid All Black I have ever seen. Can he even write his own name?

[Disco]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/49431626

I'd imagine plenty of people will be looking forward to him inevitably getting his face filled in.

[Baz]

Challenge Cup final on Saturday. Can’t wait. :drool:

It’s on BBC1 too, so Tanya Arnold. :drool:

[Lewis]

1164205859414650881

One of them on someone. Blake Austin is out, so if Saints lose they should change coaches on Sunday.

[Lewis]

lol at them not sending that try to the video. Robert Hicks will be meeting Twitter divs for the rest of the year if they lose this.

[Lewis]

Tanya Arnold Baz.

[Baz]

Tanya Arnold Baz.:nod:

[Giggles]

How come “Ireland” lose a meaningless game vs England and call it a warm up but win a meaningless game vs New Zealand and call it a Test match? Is there a crisis or do teams just suit themselves?

Anyway though, those bandwagon wheels are fairly wobbling now :drool:

[niko_cee]

These are world cup warm-up games, in fairness, although I take your point on why some international friendlies (which is all most rugger games are) are important and some aren't.

[Lewis]

This (https://www.foxsports.com.au/video/league/nrl/cronks-killer-kick!743966) was a decent effort earlier. You should see more of those really.

[Disco]

I can see they really want to go with Cokanasiga but he will be exposed in defence as soon as we come up against any kind of decent opposition.

[niko_cee]

Just turned the NRL on to see Manly have a try ruled out, Canberra go up the other end and score and then Manly put the kick-off straight into touch, so good to see my 'cooling' abilities stretch across many sports.

[Lewis]

It looks like you turned it around for them. Manly have no business being as good as they have been this season. They have about four good players (admittedly really good ones). If there wasn't some inexplicable Manly only being good when coached by Club Blazers complex I would be tempted to withdraw my fraud charges against Des Hasler.

[niko_cee]

I stopped watching and it seemed to work.

[Lewis]

1170351014215639040

The Greatest Game.

[Lewis]

We are staying up. :cool:

Fucking Huddersfield. The definition of an unflushable turd. They're like pre-Moyes Everton. Just fuck off with your ten fans.

[niko_cee]

'mon the Green Machine.

Ugh.

I see we have the hobbits a bit later.

[Lewis]

Manly are dead without 'Tommy Turbo', but fair play bringing Tony Williams back from the dead for an end of season lol.

[Lewis]

John fucking Bateman. :cool:

[Lewis]

:harold:

[Lewis]

https://i.ibb.co/x7sr8kr/507f6a4d0b9bf5e09805befbf9bd6914.jpg

[Queenslander]

Fark me this is a dark day.

[niko_cee]

Does this mean we have to play Melbourne in the next round?

:moop:

[Queenslander]

Im all aboard the Green Machine!

[Queenslander]

The Broncos need to throw the chequebook at Craig Bellamy.

[niko_cee]

Jesus.

[Lewis]

Brisbane have got such a good set of forwards, but one to seven is hopeless. Darius Boyd has had some sort of mental breakdown from Wayne Bennett leaving, and Anthony Milford wants writing off as a bust. They need a Manly-like re-build over the next few years.

[Queenslander]

Ill be tracking down Boyd and Milfords houses this week and leaving burning crosses out. And Seibods the hopeless cunt.

[Lewis]

He has a definite binman whiff about him, and last season was a weird one to be making decisions about coaches from.

[Queenslander]

We have enough money to fuck him off out of the State and throw former Assistant Coach Craig Bellamy all the money in the world.

[Lewis]

They try that every couple of years don't they? Now might be the time though with [Sir] Cameron Smith going before long, unless he wants to prove a point winning it without him.

[Queenslander]

They do but this time we desperately need him especially with the story about Fifita and co monging it up in a pokie room the night before a finals game.

[Queenslander]

Mean while the Reds have Lord Thorn keeping his players in check and incident free.


https://youtu.be/oP5nVQvuDmI

Even with the player drain to League Brisbane Club Rugby provides 40% of all Aussie Super Rugby players.

[Queenslander]

Loving the 245pm kick off for the Wobblies v Fiji. Pocock to play the Fijians off the park.

[niko_cee]

Manly robbed. Moses Suli though. :cool:

[Queenslander]

Brad Thorn and Peter Ryan have been called in to consult at the Broncos over the off season.

Brad Thorn Stadium sounds good to me.

[Queenslander]

Israel Folau to play for Tonga against Great Britain.

[Spikey M]

Is that allowed? Surely there's a rule against representing more than 1 national team.

[Queenslander]

Is that allowed? Surely there's a rule against representing more than 1 national team.

Nah League is a bit of a free for all.

[Lewis]

Salford taking three-hundred fans (who are all retards) to the Grand Final could be a bit embarrassing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is that an actual club, or is it something somebody invented in the 90s to piggyback on Man U?

[Giggles]

Is that the Salford City Reds? They’ve been about around as long as the sport haven’t they?

[Lewis]

Salford were the 'Red Devils' before Manchester United were (they got the nickname off blasting a load of French teams in the thirties), and became the Salford City Reds when Super League came about, but it only became part of the name about five years ago as a way of giving them a bit of a better profile. They're a weird club really. The area produces some pretty good players, but other clubs pick them up first, and nobody can be arsed to go and watch them at their shitty ground in the middle of nowhere.

[Lewis]

Canberra. :cool:

[Queenslander]

I havent been this excited for a Grand Final in a long time.

[Queenslander]

Righto then Tonga is a League Nation.

[Baz]

lol at wigan

[Lewis]

BOTTLING that Challenge Cup final is such a massive shit on Saints' season. You also wouldn't put it past Wigan to come back and do them in the Grand Final, the wankers.

[Lewis]

lol at wigan

:harold:

[Lewis]

Soz ard Baz, but if Salford win it. :drool:

[niko_cee]

That was a fairly spectacular meltdown.

[Queenslander]

Brisbane spits out another potential world class winger.

[Lewis]

Toronto. :cool:

[Baz]

Soz ard Baz, but if Salford win it. :drool:Its gotta happen.

[Queenslander]

Anything like this get played during a Super League game?

https://youtu.be/B_g_hurGKAc