The World of Rugby Thread

[Baz]

If that happens, I'll get his name tattooed on my neck. Lilley, that is.

[Lewis]

This reminds me actually. I need to order my derby ticket before they sell out. I was thinking of giving it a miss, but Tony Christie is the pre-match headliner (what a sport), so now I feel like I have to.

[Queenslander]

41 years old and going strong. It'd be a shame if he was shit and ruined his legacy, although I suppose he knows that's the risk and he simply doesn't care about that stuff and is only interested in playing for his love of the game.

He has been very impressive with the Reds under 20s for what it's worth. I predict that he wont be playing just training.

The bloke is a legend in Brisbane and could easily have his own statue outside of Suncorp Stadium.

[Lewis]

Is the 1998 or the 2000 team considered the best?

[Queenslander]

I had to go back and check but I reckon 2000 was the more impressive Grand Final win.

Brad Thorn

Brisbane Broncos, 1994 Rookie of the Year[20]
Brisbane Broncos award for Best Forward, 1997, 2000 and 2006[20]
Brisbane Broncos award for Most Consistent, 2005[20]
Brisbane Broncos award for Defence Play of the Year, 2007[20]
Identified as one of the Broncos' 20 best players to play for the club[21]
Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia's international standing in rugby league

[hfswjyr]

And in the other code, Super Rugby title winner and World Cup winner.

Not a bad career really.

[ItalAussie]

I had dinner with Brad Thorn at his place once, when he played for Brisbane. He was sort of an extended friend of the family for a bit.

[Lewis]

If you exclude the nobodies and the loonies, Keith Galloway is on track to be the worst import we've had in a long time. They gave him a three year deal as well. Christ.

[Queenslander]

Is Rugby League slowly getting less juniors coming through? Lewis?

[Lewis]

Super League seems to be producing more decent youngsters than ever. Leeds signed Galloway (if that is the connection) because they wanted an experienced forward to replace Jamie Peacock. Peacock was pretty much the best forward we've ever produced though, so looking for any sort of replacement was a bit of a waste of time.

[Disco]

This is going to be perfectly set up for us to throw it away in the second half.

[Lewis]

BOTTLING IT is a thing of the past. Or it will be until we bin it against France.

[Disco]

Itoje is an absolute monster, the RFU need to grow a few more like him.

[Lewis]

That half was pretty perfect.

[Disco]

The fabled Welsh pressing defence has half shat itself too, which is enormously amusing.

[John Arne]

Wales look to be offside 50% of the time.

[Lewis]

Send him off. Ban him forever. Get lost, Natalie Bennett.

[Lewis]

'Time-waste! Time-waste! Time-waste!'

[Disco]

Stick it up your jumper and ruck them to death.

[Disco]

Lol at the ITV commentators, they spent the last 10 minutes wondering why Wales didn't play that way earlier in the game. I wonder if it had anything to do with the man advantage that corresponded exactly with that period of play. It's as if they aren't even watching.

[Queenslander]

What is the opinion of Eddie Jones at the moment?

[Disco]

Four from four and if we beat France it's all ok with me, a promising start all things considered.

[Queenslander]

Has battled with the media and the clubs?

[Disco]

Leicester weren't thrilled that Tuilagi was brought back so soon after his injuries but that's been about it.

[Queenslander]

The tour of Australia should be pretty brutal.

[Waffdon]

Is there any reason not to go huge on France @ just over Evens?

[Lewis]

They're France.

[Disco]

Scotland have never beaten them in the 6 Nations but then again France have never been this bad.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is truly a sight for sore eyes. Pile on the misery please.

[Ian]

Cheers, Scotland.

[The Merse]

Scotland have never beaten them in the 6 Nations but then again France have never been this bad.

This is a half decent French team by recent standards, they get the ball wide and into the bet back line they've had into a whole very quickly and are competent in defence. Their pack is, as ever, monstrous. Make no mistake, whilst not one of the great French teams it's not one of their worst either.

Atmosphere in Edinburgh is better than ever, obviously. Nearly missed it. I was taking my mum this time and she bailed at the last minute due to an infection so instead of having her stay over and an early night, I went on the sesh and got to bed about 4 hours before I was due to leave the house. Bad choice. Had 3 sausage sarnies in the airport whilst queuing for the plane as o turned up with 30 mins to go.

Would not have missed this one for the world. Huge shifts by Richie, Hardy, Barclay and Taylor but Hoggy made everything tick. Especially important too was Horne playing well when Russell went off so early, when he's really very much a 12 that can cover 10 rather than an out and out stand off.

Party time.

[The Merse]

Is there any reason not to go huge on France @ just over Evens?

Supporting Scotland. You horrible little shit bag.

[Waffdon]

Supporting Scotland. You horrible little shit bag.

I didn't touch it. Fuck Scottish Rugby and everything that comes with it, though.

[The Merse]

I didn't touch it. Fuck Scottish Rugby and everything that comes with it, though.

Is that a specific complaint you harbour towards Scottish rugby or the game in general?

Genuinely interested.

[Lewis]

I bet you've already started building your hopes for next year.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is a half decent French team by recent standards, they get the ball wide and into the bet back line they've had into a whole very quickly and are competent in defence. Their pack is, as ever, monstrous. Make no mistake, whilst not one of the great French teams it's not one of their worst either.

They are fucking shit.

I've seen a few things recently with Scottish people tearing into their rugby for being posh or whatever. That's all very well, but it doesn't explain their football away.

[The Merse]

I bet you've already started building your hopes for next year.

What you on about Lewis? I'm partying like it's 1999 (well not really, that was vintage) since we're finishing top 4. I don't need optimism, we've climbed eversest and landed on the moon in a single swoop.

[The Merse]

They are fucking shit.

I've seen a few things recently with Scottish people tearing into their rugby for being posh or whatever. That's all very well, but it doesn't explain their football away.

1. No, they're not. Livremonts France and the first three years of st Andre were worse.

2. I wondered if he was getting at that. In north and east of Scotland it's very posh, absolutely, but in the west of Scotland (outside Glasgow - I.e. Ayrshire, cambuslang, etc) it's not at all posh, just massively outnumbered in terms of active spectators and participants by football. But a Glasgow Warriors game is attended by normal, working class folk in the main.

In the true rugby heart land meanwhile - the borders, it's like Wales, in that it is class-less and their main sport and a huge part of their cultural identity.

[Waffdon]

Is that a specific complaint you harbour towards Scottish rugby or the game in general?

Genuinely interested.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdcESoOXEAED-VV.jpg:large

fags

[Lewis]

Shit for France means being functional. This lot might never hit the lows of some previous French teams, but you could never imagine them bothering a proper side.

[The Merse]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdcESoOXEAED-VV.jpg:large

fags

Some of those are my heroes - Irvine, Hastings, JB snr, Nicol... The fuck makes them 'f.. Pretty sure this is still an infraction and for good reason... Gs)

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was literally about to post that rugby people probably voted no before he posted that. What a stupid, petty country.

[The Merse]

Totally missed that.

Fair one.

But I will point out that the SNP had a strong showing at rugby games around 12/13 and that he's posted a pic of 18 of Scotland caps from a pool of around 700 that are still alive. And of them, 5 are making money from British broadcasters and so have an invested economic interest.

[The Merse]

The more I reflect and watch highlights over, the more convinced I am that his round was the best in the 6N for some time. 21 tries, Ireland somehow being entertaining again, the Welsh in one of their classic last 20 minutes 'plan A hasn't worked so let's actually play some heads up rugby' performances falling short for once, England bringing the most abrasive performance of the tournament with plenty of attacking spark and of course Scotland v France being littered with excellent attacking invention and a couple of the tries of the tournament with Hoggy's inspired over the head for Visser and Taylor's 60 metre tap and go.

Itoje is something else. Never mind people questioning how Youngs beat JJ to the MOTM award, Itoje was frighteningly dominant. A one man platform with his carries, line out, maul work and clearing out rucks like a man 6 inches shorter. His body positioning with and over the ball is the best I've ever seen from a lock. England are sorted at 5 for the next decade with him.

Interesting battle for a few Lions shirts. Hoggy is nailed on for 15, I'd take Itoje and JJ as well, but they're less safe. Biggar is unopposed at 10.

At scrum half its anyone's guess. Youngs has put his hand up, but Laidlaw and the two Welshmen aren't far off, whilst if Murray can rediscover his form, he's probably the most natural 9 in the NH.

8 is a fascinating battle between Vunipola and Faletau. In the front row there's not a Welshman to be seen, which is odd. Gats is picking again obviously so Wales will have far too many representatives.

[Lewis]

He's 'nailed on' if Leigh Halfpenny dies.

[Toby]

I was literally about to post that rugby people probably voted no before he posted that. What a stupid, petty country.

I'd expect only to the same extent they correlate with posh schools and upper class areas.

I can't really comment on the rest of Scotland but rugby was a complete non-entity here until about six or seven years ago. It's slowly been growing in popularity since - not least because the newly energised club were awarded funding to employ a "development officer" / schools botherer - but it's still mostly played by people who were either shit at football. I should probably take it up, tbh.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not liking a sport because of the way you perceive its participants to vote in a referendum is pretty odd. Cricket is packed full of communists, so I guess I should be packing my bags.

[Toby]

Not liking a sport because of the way you perceive its participants to vote in a referendum is pretty odd.

It's Waffelz, I wouldn't take it so seriously.

[Giggles]

Rugby is the same here. Only for the privileged and West Brits but they're making hay at the moment due to all the bandwagon jumpers of late who are trying to believe they belong to that.
I actively want 'Ireland' to lose every game they play so its new found popularity can die the death it deserves. Plus, the involvement with that shower to our north just makes it doubly sickening.

[Waffdon]

It's Waffelz, I wouldn't take it so seriously.

I wasn't really being serious, but my reasoning is viewed on by a lot of folk fwiw.

I just don't really like Scotland doing well in any avenues . Too many bawbags in our beautiful country.

[John]

I wasn't really being serious, but my reasoning is viewed on by a lot of folk fwiw.

Take a mulligan.

[Disco]

God I hate it when other people enjoy things.

[The Merse]

He's 'nailed on' if Leigh Halfpenny dies.

He might as well be already. Since arriving in Toulon he's hardly been available and will struggle to oust Williams in the Welsh side at 15 now hat he's established. With Biggar at 10, there's no need for a kicking 15 though I see him taking 14 from Cuthbert when fit.

[Ian]

Waff is right, more miserable pessimists is what the Scots need.

[Disco]

I love the way he just stops mid-sentence. Mate.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35834956

[Lewis]

I bet the RFU has been in MELTDOWN all afternoon.

[Disco]

We need Harold back to tell us if Gypsy is a race or not.

[Queenslander]

As if any Australian coach is ever going to feed the media with more talking points for that 7 day old story. Go Eddie!

[The Merse]

Eddie Jones is such a prick. Prick at the world cup, prick at Saracens (well, that's hardly out of place).

Smarmy uber-Australian prick.

[Queenslander]

:D

A lot people in Australia think the is a prick as well just quietly. He fucked over the Reds really badly in his only season with us by treating younger players like shit and scaring off Pocock, O'Connor and Mowen.

Quality International coach now though and I hope he returns to the Wallabies one day.

[Disco]

I've never had much of an opinion on him but I'm quite ok with him being a prick for us.

[Lewis]

The referee has already ruined this. Still, the pre-match had Mr. Italy dismissing criticism of their participation by pointing out that they're better than Scotland, and Warren Gatland convincing himself that they were better than England (which bodes well for the Lions selection).

[Disco]

If they were going to get rid of teams for being shit we'd be down to England, France, and maybe Ireland by now.

[GS]

The Italians are genuinely dreadful though. Losing to them would be a disgrace for any team which isn't Scotland.

[Lewis]

Weren't Ireland only about Scotland-level until the last decade? Their application to join the Three Nations would be pending.

[The Merse]

Gatland, with O'Gara and O'Driscoll made Ireland a force only just over a decade ago. They had previously traditionally hopped around 3rd, 4th, 5th always with 3 or 4 world class players (Willie John McBride and Keith Wood were both probably the best players in their position, in the world in their day) but never really a title challenger.

Scotland up until the 6N were traditionally a top 3 team, with a title once a decade or so.

Wales were pretty damn shite until that Twickers win - a lot like France, lot's of good players but utter bottlers and lots of in-fighting between the Neath and Swansea and Cardiff and Ponty boys. The regions put an end to that too, obviously.

[The Merse]

Worried here. Johnny Gray is a big loss, one I feel Ben Toolis would have largely mitigated (particularly in disrupting Best's throw and showing Toner is all size and no technique), but Harley I think might struggle. He's not a lock. Swinson off the bench will weaken the line out too. I also wonder whether giving 20 odd kgs up in the second row at scrum time is why Wilson is preferred to Strauss at 8.

Russell's absence is alsos likely to be felt, Weir is in great form since announcing he's off to the Library next year but he's a very different player, won't play flat and fix a defence in the way that Finn would or that Horne did last week. The latter off the bench if we're losing with 20 to go, no doubt.

[Waffdon]

Cracking play acting from Sexton.

[GS]

Excellent.

[Lewis]

This has been a bollocks game (the five minutes of rugby between scrums has been alright), but GRAND SLAM.

[Lewis]

http://i68.tinypic.com/2pplm4g.jpg

[Lewis]

'I'm Owen Farrell. I'm from Wiggin me.'

[The Merse]

Cheika. Another uber-Aussie prick.

Stiffed us properly over Taquele Naiyarovoro who will unboubtedly end up no closer to the Aussie XV, but hey - he wants him on the fringes so you we have him.

It's a good vintage for England, to state the obvious, to think Jamie George is on that bench...

[GS]

What a shit year of rugby that was.

[Queenslander]

Eddie V Chieka in June :drool:

[Lewis]

lol at Semi Radradradradradra threatening to go to union if he can't play for New South Wales/Australia (French/Japanese union as well, since he isn't eligible for Australia with his sevens caps). lol also at me spending actual money on a derby ticket. They're going to get felt right up.

Easter rugby. :cool:

[Baz]

Easter rugby indeed. :cool: Saints vs Wigan on Good Friday should be as fiery as ever.

[Queenslander]

lol at Semi Radradradradradra threatening to go to union if he can't play for New South Wales/Australia (French/Japanese union as well, since he isn't eligible for Australia with his sevens caps). lol also at me spending actual money on a derby ticket. They're going to get felt right up.

Easter rugby. :cool:

He would have to be up there with Julian Savea as a destructive outside back.

The new Origin eligibility stuff will mean he has no chance at getting what he wants.

[Lewis]

Well that was special.

[The Merse]

Huddersfield v Salford. Fuck.

Looks like The Salford players that jumped in are being backed up by eye witnesses as trying to protect their kids. Scrapping with their own fans after a win must be unprecedented surely?

Mancs.

[Lewis]

Never a dull moment at Salford. Still, at least they won and kept Rovers off the bottom (for now).

[Queenslander]

The man looks great in Reds gear.

https://www.facebook.com/QldReds/videos/10153920762000236/

[ItalAussie]

It's difficult to see beyond the Broncos this season. Way too much talent, and Milford is really turning it on.

Their match against North Queensland was spectacular. The Broncos aren't unstoppable, but they have to slip up themselves and the opposition has to be at their best, I think.

[Queenslander]

I think Parra have chance if they are lucky with injuries and they keep passing the ball to Semi Radradra.

[Lewis]

I've never seen a twenty-one year old doing what Anthony Milford does (and certainly not with his consistency). He's ridiculous, and he should be playing 'rep footy'.

Broncos > Josh Hodgson > Bulldogs > Penrith > Everyone else > Warriors > Trent Barrett

[Queenslander]

Milford is banned from Origin this year for breaking curfew at a pre season origin camp. lol

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin/anthony-milford-ben-hunt-dylan-napa-among-queensland-stars-set-to-be-banned-by-qrl/news-story/9b64c17b53667e1b46ae60e5f96cc22f

[Lewis]

Oh yeah. Well, just Australia then. They should really be phasing the likes of him (and James Tedesco, and them Yugoslavs at Manly) in for 2017, but I bet they're still counting on Billy Slater and Paul Gallen.

[Lewis]

Who gets nilled at home by Catalan? Fucking hell. I saw Ben Hunt was back on it today. Give them the trophy now.

[Queenslander]

Broncos to win all their Origin games. :drool:

[Lewis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aljeQAHl4fI

This sort of dominance usually ends up with a salary cap scandal. 2001 Parramatta are the embarrassing exception, since they somehow save those for being terrible, but their points record is at risk at this rate. Mental. Unless both halves get run over, everyone else might as well start planning for 2018.

[hfswjyr]

Do we not care about head high tackles in league anymore? He might have prevented the try if he went mid-height actually.

Also first time I've seen a lady touch judge in league. Well done to her.

[Baz]

Nice to see Jordan Lilley having an absolute stinker of a game. The useless shitbag.

[Lewis]

He's donning it, and no less an authority than Stevo has just tipped him for Young Player of the Year.

[Queenslander]

They will struggle to keep Matt Gillet I reckon but Bennet usually has set prices for props and wingers so it's fair to say it should be under control. They have lost a lot of players over the years though. Also they have like 3-4 feeder clubs in the Queensland Cup with plenty of talent on the books.

The Broncos have been a tad dodgy before paying shit blokes through the Leagues club but players have signed on for less money to be around Bennett and a winning Broncos team in the past.


Brad Thorn has signed his first Bronco for the Reds recently as well. Caleb Timu was a beast as a Union school boy player.

[Lewis]

When you look at the squad there won't actually be that many big earners, since the likes of Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday will come with a load of salary cap exemptions (plus half their income will be third party stuff), and Darius Boyd probably plays for free so his head doesn't melt. I bet it's only the two halves on major money, and as long as they keep them together I could probably look decent at left centre.

[Queenslander]

It's a shame the Jack Reed isn't working out, they definitely need to get a sports science bloke to work on his speed.

[Lewis]

His defence is solid, and he knows his limitations, so hopefully he is fit for the Four Nations. It will be a nice change for Ryan Hall not to have a complete pleb throwing the ball at his head or getting slammed into touch. Again, not that it matters. I could look good at stand-off provided all of our forwards are fit.

8. George Burgess
9. Josh Hodgson (fresh from his Dally M victory)
10. James Graham
11. Sam Burgess
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Sean O'Loughlin
14. James Roby
15. Tom Burgess
16. Chris Hill
17. John Bateman

:cool:

[Queenslander]

Pretty mean forward pack and could easily bash the Kangaroos around.

[Lewis]

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/may/07/toronto-rugby-league-team-talks-join-england-league-1-canada

That should be interesting.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What sort of nutter is going to fund that? Just shelling out for the Rochdale Hornets to go on a jolly.

[Lewis]

Probably Luca. The Toronto Gook Wranglers, with him screaming on the badge.

[Queenslander]

That sounds like a silly way to burn a pile of money.

[Lewis]

The Toronto Wolfpack. :cool:

My name was better, but they've got an all-black kit, will play home and away in blocks of five, and they're going to pay for the other teams to travel, so this is exciting and/or mental. On the other hand, they've given Brian Noble a job, which these days is the rugby league equivalent of hiring Harry Redknapp (although Paul Rowley is the actual manager)

[Queenslander]

Blocks of 5 makes it very interesting actually and is exactly what super duper 18 should have tried to do with the Japanese and the Argies.

Will they be invited into the Super League if they have a few good seasons?

[Lewis]

They will need to get promoted through two divisions, but if it works (and looks sustainable) they will probably end up finding a way to invite them in.

I think the distance issue is being over-stated, seeing as London (or Hunslet) to Toronto is only the same as Auckland to Perth. It's simply a case of whether they have the finances to establish themselves, since you would expect them to be able to attract a better standard of player than their immediate competition. Either way, I think I'm going to buy one of their shirts. If it works then my hipster credentials are secured, and if it flops I will always have a shirt from that lol attempt to get a team going in fucking Toronto.

[Lewis]

Oh yeah, and lol at everybody pretending that they support Kieran Foran. You can't miss a test match, let alone bail on the team you captain, because your lass dumped you. Ray Price must be spewing.

[Queenslander]

:D

I don't see how it could work out unless they sign a bunch of English, Australians and Kiwis with Canadian passports. Good point about the travel that shouldn't be an issue at all because It's the amount of time zones crossed that is a huge bummer for travelling teams.

I was going through the USA Pro Rugby Union teams the other day and noticed Timana Tahu was playing for one of them. He would be perfect for that Toronto mob.

[Queenslander]

Im pretty confused about bloody Aussie Semi being allowed to play for the Kangaroos but not allowed to play Origin. Off the top of my head I think he is the first bloke to pull that off.

[Lewis]

Jamie Peacock claims to have been approached, so it will presumably be a mix of jobbers, local union crossovers, and the odd big name (Willie Mason's involvement is surely inevitable). Their plan is to have about six local players at first, but they would obviously need more to sustain themselves and get into Super League.

Picking Radradradradradra is a joke, and Corey Oates must be seething.

[Queenslander]

It just shows that the NRL gives zero fucks about International League. They could have easily used the WARCHEST and used Semi as the face of Fijian Rugby League.

Regional mentality continues to prevent League from being relevant outside of QLD and NSW.

[Lewis]

It's difficult to get right as far as the actual rules go, since making them too restrictive would only prevent the likes of Fiji and Samoa calling Australians up and fielding competitive sides; but how hard would it have been to just not pick him (and paid him to promote Fijian league, like you said)? The quote about the Palestinians 'never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity' describes league perfectly. Once the broadcasting and season ticket money is already in the bank, everything else is fair game to be ballsed up.

[Queenslander]

League just can't get out of it's own way. Victoria still hasn't produced one professional league player despite being around for almost 20 years and there are plenty of Sydney clubs scratching to break even.

The NRL is bloody lucky with grass roots in New South Wales and Queensland. It feels like every suburb in Brisbane has a junior leagues club with at least one field and pokies room attached as standard.

[ItalAussie]

:
I was going through the USA Pro Rugby Union teams the other day and noticed Timana Tahu was playing for one of them. He would be perfect for that Toronto mob.
That's fantastic. :D

I'm going to State of Origin I this year. Get to watch NSW get battered.

[Lewis]

I think the nature of league as a lesser-known sport leads it to being run by 'passionate' people rather than people who actually know what they're doing, and it's noticeable what happens when you either get a smart chairman (Leeds, Wigan) or somebody comes in from outside and starts asking questions. Having said that, the English clubs are currently said to be more profitable than ever. It's probably because the salary cap has barely increased in a decade, and because expensive imports are all but finished, but the general feeling is that they have finally (twenty years on) hit upon a sustainable system.

[Lewis]

I would fancy New South Wales if they picked the Canberra halves and James Tedesco. Which they won't (Tedesco might be injured anyway).

[ItalAussie]

Picking the Canberra halves would be the best imaginable choice.

[Lewis]

It would, but Mitchell Pearce is back tomorrow, so...

[ItalAussie]

Wash your mouth out.

[Lewis]

Mitchell Pearce and Josh Reynolds, with Robbie Farah kicking the goals. Speaking of kicking goals, Jordan Lilley was class again tonight, Baz. He looks like the best young half since Sam Tomkins, so get on board before it's too late.

[Queenslander]

That's fantastic. :D

I'm going to State of Origin I this year. Get to watch NSW get battered.

He could have been a 50 cap player for Wobs if he wasn't a bit of a dill.

[Queenslander]

I think the nature of league as a lesser-known sport leads it to being run by 'passionate' people rather than people who actually know what they're doing, and it's noticeable what happens when you either get a smart chairman (Leeds, Wigan) or somebody comes in from outside and starts asking questions. Having said that, the English clubs are currently said to be more profitable than ever. It's probably because the salary cap has barely increased in a decade, and because expensive imports are all but finished, but the general feeling is that they have finally (twenty years on) hit upon a sustainable system.

That's the big issue isn't it no one ever asks the hard questions. The biggest thing that comes to mind at the moment is why doesnt anyone question the culture of treating the refs like cunts? The culture of expecting perfect refereeing is beyond a joke and the leeway that Trent Robinson got with going all out on the number 1 ref in the game is bizarre. He can't ref them anymore because it will be weird and he can't not ref them because it sets a precedent for dickhead coaches going forward.

[Baz]

Hard to be pissed off at that annihilation, because that Talanda finish was boss.

Fuck off Lewis etc

[Lewis]

Keiron Cunningham is so far OUT OF HIS DEPTH that you feel a bit sorry for him.

[Mike]

My building is named after him. :D

[niko_cee]

Jarryd Hayne's off to play sevens for Fiji in the Olympics then.

:cab:

[Queenslander]

Drug testing questions and fitness questions come to mind. He couldn't make the Aussie 7's team let alone the best team in the world.

[Lewis]

Then onto the Roosters for the end of the season.

[Lewis]

Marwan Koukash, legendary Salford owner who interacts with his own parody account and offers a fifteen per cent discount at his plush hotel if you sign a declaration that you 'hate the RFL' (seriously), has reacted to being docked points for salary cap infringements by gathering support for a vote of no confidence in the governing bodies. :cool:

[Lewis]

There seems to be a widespread sense of 'You wot mate?' over this New South Wales squad, and rightly so. Planning to every game 4-0 didn't work last year, so this year let's go for 6-0 by picking proper kickers.

[Queenslander]

That's a good way of putting it. Nothing of threat in the halves and no creativity in the backrow and Jennings would be the only centre/wing that could beat a first tackler.

Sterlo is right and they need to move on from the Gallen years and have a go with a young team for once.

[ItalAussie]

They've gone with a newish team, by the looks of it. No Bird, no Morris, no Pearce. Jennings is still there, of course.

Truthfully, there's just not the talent to beat Queensland, no matter what they do. Even if they got every selection right, as long as Queensland don't implode, NSW won't get near winning.

[Queenslander]

Im pretty sure Bird is there.

Blake Austin, Lachlan Coote, James Roberts on the wing and Junior Paulo should be considered surely?

[Lewis]

I disagree with that. New South Wales could field a much stronger set of forwards if a normal person was selecting them (and still will), and, unless Josh Dugan is allowed to shit up the centres with his refusal to pass, they are as strong from one to five seeing as Billy Slater is dead. It's only in the halves that they trail, but, seeing as the current Queensland pair always seem to stifle each other, somebody like Blake Austin could have caused them all sorts of problems like Josh Reynolds did in 2014. No Michael Ennis is the real crime though.

[ItalAussie]

Those are all changes that could have happened, but let's face it, players like Ennis aren't going to change the result. He's a good player and all, but he's not going to create anything other than a bit of aggression and quick darts at the line.

Blake Austin is the only one that could matter at all, and even that's not nearly going to bring them into the ballpark. Forwards are important, but it's a back's game. And saying that Josh Reynolds caused "all sorts of problems" is definitely reading a little too much into his roles. He was alright, but let's not go overboard.

Forwards keep you in the game, but backs win it.


EDIT: Bird is there, but as 18th man. He won't be on the pitch. Just sharing his professional expertise, presumably. Teaching them how to hold the bottle so it doesn't shatter in your hand. Stuff like that.

[Queenslander]

They need take more of a risk with players who can take the creative pressure off 6 and 7. It just feels same old same old and very safe.

[ItalAussie]

Do we even have decent-quality creative players elsewhere on the park? I mean, I assume that's why they called up "utility player" Dylan Walker. But if that's the point in the barrel we're scraping, then I'm honestly not sure it matters who lines up next week. They could have a dozen do-overs with a dozen different teamlists, and NSW simply won't find the creativity to get close. I mean, maybe they should have selected Jarrod Croker, who can play the ball a bit. But really, there's just nobody sitting on the sidelines good enough to tip the balance.

[Queenslander]

That's true and I dont watch close to enough NRL to comment. Just going from the gut... :cool:

The gut is saying too many props and that Dugan and Ferguson are pretty meh.

[ItalAussie]

St George have lost every game that Dugan has played at center. He's a very adequate fullback, but he's just not a ball-handing player.

Ferguson is meh, but at least decent meh. The tragic thing is that if you start identifying problems in the team, it'll be a while before you get to him.

[Queenslander]

Back in the good old days Semi would have played for the Blues and the team would looked far more positive on paper.

[Lewis]

From what has actually been selected they can still field a pretty creative side provided Dugan and his METERS (he doesn't play against Greg Inglis every week, stats) aren't allowed to ruin it.

Moylan
Mansour
Jennings
Morris
Ferguson

That is probably better than whatever Queensland will put out. Throw in Greg Bird playing as an actual ball-playing (English-style) loose forward, rather than somebody driving it in every time as will actually happen, and there is some potential there. But yes, they've picked the wrong halves so it probably won't matter. This is basically how England have approached every test since we last had two decent halves in 1990.

[ItalAussie]

Morris is 18th man.

Also, that's not better than the Queensland side. There's a reason the Broncos and Cowboys are running the competition. Blake Austin isn't going to change that. He's part of the "right halves", but he's not nearly so right as to be the difference. Not unless he's secretly reincarnated Andrew Johns or something.

[Lewis]

Exactly. Morris should be playing because 1) he is an actual centre; and 2) he is a proven big game player, in which case you would get:

Moylan > Boyd-Bennett
Mansour > Oates
Jennings < Inglis
Morris > O'Neil
Ferguson > Gagai (although they are both meh)

You can write the halves off, but the forwards could still make the difference. Brisbane and North Queensland are the best teams because they have the best halves pairings (pairings who complement each other), but the latter was given the edge by their forwards in the Grand Final, and the last two Sydney champions won it on the back of their forward strength. It's also why New Zealand have been molesting the Australians recently.

[ItalAussie]

That's very harsh on Stacey Jones.

I truly wish that Moylan and Mansour would come out ahead in those comparisons, but I truly don't believe that they do. Would be happy to be wrong.

And most importantly, the forward strength will give you an edge if you're in the same halves ballpark. But New South Wales aren't even close, even if they picked their best possible combination - whoever that happens to be.

[Lewis]

Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling.

[Queenslander]

I really would have preferred Inglis at fullback with Boyd-Bennett on one of the wings and Chambers playing right centre. Dickhead Myles is bloody lucky that LOYALTY is still a thing because McGuire is clearly a much better player.

Gagai is there because that Holmes bloke broke Kevie's curfew.

[Lewis]

Having previously been his biggest fan, I've come to dislike Inglis at full-back. He doesn't score or create enough tries to be an excellent attacking full-back (at least not with any consistency), he doesn't chew up the meters like he should, and, whilst his tackling is brilliant, he doesn't defend well enough to be a completely dependable last man. I want to see him at thirteen like a fat Brad Fittler.

Michael Maguire stuck Sam Tomkins at full-back and wrecked his knees, so there might be a pattern there.

[Queenslander]

13 would be ideal but he's a bit fat for a
Proper workload. I just like the idea of him hanging around the ruck like a good running fullback.

He definitely goes missing in the centres though and hasnt got the passing game to be a 6 at origin level.

Maybe put him on the wing and come in for work?

Sam Tomkins should be a lesson to all English Super Stars to play in Brisbane or Sydney and no where else!

[Lewis]

He should just stay at centre. Even when he has a quiet game there it basically negates his opposing centre and winger because they're too busy marking him to have any attacking effect.

Canberra seems like the place to be at the moment. :cool:

[Queenslander]

That's true.

What's happening in Canberra?

[Queenslander]

Can someone please give me an update on Leroy Houston's form? Word on the street is that he has signed for the Reds and will be called up to the Wobs for the English series.

[Queenslander]

Australia squad for England Test series:


Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Adam Coleman, Scott Fardy, Liam Gill, James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Michael Hooper, James Horwill, Leroy Houston, Sekope Kepu, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith

Backs: Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Nick Frisby, Mike Harris, Dane Haylett-Petty, Rob Horne, Karmichael Hunt, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Samu Kerevi, Luke Morahan, Eto Nabuli, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell

The forwards pick themelves no idea what the backline will look like though.

I'd like to see this backline at some stage.

9. Phipps
10. Foley
11.Kurindrani
12. Kerevi
13. Folau
14. DHP
15. Hunt

[Lewis]

Donning the Welsh with ease, and Eddie Jones reckons English rugby became corporate and 'soft' after 2003. He's so ace.

Dugan is out of game one as well. Happy days.

[Queenslander]

I watched Canberra yesterday those blokes to win 2 titles in the next 5 years.

[Lewis]

I've always associated Ricky Stuart with his 2008 MELTDOWN and BOTTLING a couple of premierships at the Roosters (and called him a chancer), but they are donning it. He loves a Super League signing as well. :cool:

[ItalAussie]

I would love to see Canberra back at the top of the competition.

Imagine if they'd kept Milford. :cab:

[ItalAussie]

Josh Mansour is the only member of the Blues backline who would get near the QLD side. And as usual, having better forwards proved to mean absolutely nothing.

The halves were insipid. Moylan was an accident waiting to happen. Centres were anonymous. Farah was the only back who even tried to achieve anything, and he just wasn't very good at it (although I dread what would have happened if his at-least-attempts at ball-playing were replaced by two dozen Ennis dummy-half runs). Dylan Walker giving the game away was a particularly embarrassing piece of theater.

[Lewis]

I missed it, but the highlights and stats make it look like the platform was there had some of the backs (not the halves) not shit the bed. At least Jarryd Hayne will be back next year.

[ItalAussie]

I missed it, but the highlights and stats make it look like the platform was there had some of the backs (not the halves) not shit the bed. At least Jarryd Hayne will be back next year.

Nah, that doesn't tell the real story. Neither team were letting anyone get through on the run. Lots of forward hit-ups, but that doesn't mean anything if the defences are locking the runners down. Both teams were only really trying to score off kicks by the second half, but neither side really brought their kicking game. The halves basically did what they were told to do, which was risk-free kicks on the fifth play. But the other side was almost always there to counter it, because it was clear that neither side were any threat if they ran the ball.

QLD were the tireder of the two sides in the second half, and basically slowed the play down dramatically from the 41st minute onwards.

You didn't miss much.

[Lewis]

I saw James Tamou going to loose forward at the last minute (although he claims to have known about the change since last week) and sighed. The loose forward is there to play the ball a bit, Australia. Otherwise you would just have three second rowers.

[Queenslander]

If Laurie Dailey doesnt pick Junior Paulo for the next game then he needs to let Phil Gould take over the coaching duties.

[Queenslander]

George Smith has signed for the Reds next season. The tight forwards have Brad Thorn coaching them and the loose forwards have George Smith as a player coach :drool:

[Lewis]

I'm looking forward to these tests. How do you see them going?

[Queenslander]

I really have no idea. If I were Eddie I'd tell England to kick for the corners in this test because Folau's kicking will give England great feild position for attacking lineouts.

The key for us is our backrow and our centre pairing. Kerivi and Kurindrani are both beasts at breaking the line.

[hfswjyr]

How is George Smith still playing? He's about 60 by now surely?

I assume each series is 3 games?

NZ 3-0 Wales
Aus 3-0 England
SA 2-1 Ireland

[Queenslander]

He is up there but to be far he was one of the best players in Europe this year. This biggest excitement for me is that Stephen Moore, Brad Thorn and George Smith will be training all the young players at Ballymore next year.

[Ian]

Looking forward to this. No idea if it'll be a good game or not but it's the start of day of England sport so I'm well game.

[Lewis]

Every test match should be opened by a rambling old woman.

[hfswjyr]

Every test match should be opened by a rambling old woman.

I don't know anything about Australian history, but that all seemed very awkward.

[Lewis]

This is going well.

[Queenslander]

Fuck Folau you shit cunt!

[Lewis]

Soft, corporate England would have folded at 10-0.

[Ian]

Yeah I didn't expect us to turn this around. Still plenty of time for a fuck up but it's nice to see a bit of grit.

[Lewis]

Sky really have spared no expense here.

[Ian]

Flipcharts. :drool:

[Lewis]

I reckon Clive Woodward is actually frozen in 2003. His post-rugby career fried his brain, so he uses a Motorola flip-phone with a dead number and watches a massive silver telly.

[Queenslander]

We really need a second kicker in the backline preferably at fullback

[Ian]

I expect that Australia will come back into this and at least make the score more respectable but I'd love us to do the highly un-English thing and push on for a properly big result here.

[Queenslander]

Yikes Sio can't start next week. Dumb scrummaging against a much better bloke.

[Disco]

Blimey, this is score I like waking up to.

[Queenslander]

Hopefully Cheika will realise kicking is vital outside of 10.

[Ian]

Under the cosh as soon as we're a man up. How very English.

This should be an interesting finish.

[Disco]

:cool:

[Queenslander]

You blokes should just play the All Blacks next week.

[hfswjyr]

Honestly thought Australia would be better than that. Super Rugby has been superb this year, but it's clearly not translated into international form yet. Same with the All Blacks.

[Ian]

Could've done without the megawobble but I was pleased as punch when that last try went over.

[Lewis]

Eddie Jones, the Emperor of Lang Park. :cool:

[Lewis]

What was that South African clown doing? He just has to run straight into the corner and back his finishing, but he comes inside and tries to carry the defenders over with him. Dickhead.

[ItalAussie]

That was a bit rotten from Australia. At least you know they have better in them than that.

Pocock is a huge blow though.

[The Merse]

A few great performances in that Aussie team nonetheless, this England team is just scarily good. Best lock partnership in the world allied to a quality front row with ridiculous replacements (Jamie fucking George on the bench?!) and an electric back line. If Ford keeps his form then him and Farrell at 10-12 are up there with the best too. And the ages of the cunts?! It's phenomenal. These lot will make a RWC final at least within the next 7 years and should have a grand slam or two in them.

Wales aren't bringing through that kind of quality (their best prospect is a former England U20 player too), France continue to dwell in the dark ages (oddly, considering their Maverick past) and Ireland, whilst boasting some very special young centres and back rows in their ranks are devoid of balance and ambition.

Basically, England are sickeningly good.

Having said all that, any white Saffer with a British granny or time to kill (3 years) will be over in the UK soon enough getting capped by the Pro 12 nations due to the new SA rules. That could help out any team that has a few gaps (a la WP Nel).

[Queenslander]

We need a couple scrum halves, no 8's and locks if any of them care to head to Perth for a 3 years.

[The Merse]

What's the Aussies view on project players?

[Queenslander]

They are more than happy for Western Australia to have a few because they arent quite there yet with their own pathways. I think everyone else is allowed one project player but I dont think anyone has takilen advantage for a few seasons.

Henry Speight is the only current player i can think of who was signed as a project poach.

[Queenslander]

Development players.

Reds - JAMIE-JERRY TAULAGI

WA - Brynard Stander, Chris Heiberg , Francois van Wyk, Albert Nikoro, Marcel Brache, Semisi Masirewa, Ryan Louwrens

JJ at the Reds is a very good ball runner but flaky as fuck in defence and the WA lot offer nothing as project poaches. None of these blokes will ever come close to playing for the Wobs.

[hfswjyr]

Waikato Chiefs 40 - 7 Wales

Both with their b teams. Shows how strong super rugby in NZ is at the moment.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wales could play a 101 Test series there and lose the lot, as could any of the northern hemisphere sides.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Having said all that, any white Saffer with a British granny or time to kill (3 years) will be over in the UK soon enough getting capped by the Pro 12 nations due to the new SA rules. That could help out any team that has a few gaps (a la WP Nel).

This is going to hurt them in rugby a lot more than it has in cricket, where it's basically been a good thing, by and large. RIP Springboks.

[Queenslander]

Semi has walked away from the NRL and signed with a French Rugby club :D

[Lewis]

His try against Souths was mental, but it will probably end up working out if it releases the salary cap space to bring Hayne back.

Try!

[Queenslander]

Foley kicking well again...

[Queenslander]

Playing 100kg notta at no. 8 was an awesome call

[Queenslander]

This is the most disgusting pitch in memory.

[Ian]

Really looks like they've just turfed over some sand for the most part.

[Queenslander]

It's disgraceful and I hope no one does a knee.

James Slipper is being completely outclassed and refusing to adjust his bind.

[Queenslander]

His try against Souths was mental, but it will probably end up working out if it releases the salary cap space to bring Hayne back.

Try!

I didnt think of a Hayne return. Surely he would have much better offers from Japanese and French rugby?

[Lewis]

I don't know. If Parramatta could put a million a year up would they better that?

[Queenslander]

Japan could easily they throw stupid money around plus endorsements. Im not he who have the name recognition in France.

[Lewis]

He could presumably walk [back] into a load of third party/media things in Sydney, so maybe a year in Japan while they sort themselves out and sack half the players.

[Disco]

We can't do this for another 20 minutes can we? One of these is going to go over.

[Queenslander]

You're fine, Foley is truly awful at 10.

[Ian]

Fucking get in.

:rave:

[Disco]

Have it ya bastards!

[Queenslander]

Cracker series so far from England.

[Ian]

Smash and grab. :cool:

[Queenslander]

Eddie Jones to coach the English dominated Lions to a series win next.

[Ian]

What a week. Grit out this game to take the series and nab a late winner against the Welsh.

Anything we can beat the Scots or the French at while we're at it?

[Sam]

Fantastic. :D

Line up the Scots next please. Wales, Australia... we need to be a ticking a few off whilst we got this momentum.

[Disco]

Who cares about the Celts, let's get at the Saffers and the Kiwis (I would say France but what's the point at this stage).

[Queenslander]

Feel free to take our place in the Rugby Championship. Cheika's current state will just embarrass if this squad stays as is for the All Blacks.

[hfswjyr]

Phipps was awful. Every time you were close to the line, he choked and threw terrible passes.

Australia looked really lost on attack. Always hitting the first man. That's not hard to defend against. To defend against it for basically 80 minutes is pretty good though. Back to the England of old.

[The Merse]

England were pretty excellent again, can't help but wax lyrical about that 23 (and it's very much that, rather than just the starting 15).

Scotland did the job against Japan, not bad but Ruaridh Jackson looked rusty at 10 and the game would've benefitted from Horne starting 12. Also a shame that Cummings didn't get the nod over Swinson for the bench spot, as the latter still isn't and never will be, an international class lock whilst the former looked every bit the spiritual successor to Al Kellock whilst playing for GW in the Autumn and Spring of last season.

[niko_cee]

Not a good day to be an Irish.

[Queenslander]

Eddie Jones played another blinder by inviting Joey Johns into camp. Plenty of people are a tad upset lol

[Disco]

I notice he made sure it was somewhere with photographers. :D

The Australian attitude to this tour continues to be pretty shameful in places.

[Queenslander]

It's bloody embarrassing reading the News Limited papers and Fox Sports has turned into hysterical footy show types. The most frustrating thing atm moment is that most punters have still not read a single page of the rule book especially in regards to the scrum.

[Queenslander]

Wayne Bennett is trying to convince the Morris twins and Trent Hodkinson to play for England.
Lewis Thoughts?

[Lewis]

You would like to think that the people in charge would veto that farce, but wouldn't it rule them out of future Origin selection? We practically offered 'DCE' the coaching job in 2011 when he was eligible, but he told us to piss off because he wanted to play for Queensland and couldn't do so whilst representing another proper country. It might be different if they have already done so, but that could cause a load of problems down the line.

Not that any of them would get a game. Maybe Josh Morris, but we're set for full-backs/wingers, and Trent Hodkinson (he wanted to play for us before) is crap.

[Queenslander]

I think the rules are a bit more flimsy for the World Cup.

Bennett is a bit of a rude cunt if he thinks he can bring his own players into a National team. Id sack him for even suggesting player poaching.

[niko_cee]

Presumably Darius Boyd's papers are being rushed through and record expunged as we speak.

[Lewis]

Well in, New South Wales. Geoff Toovey IN.

[Queenslander]

Would have been a huge all in if Woods connected.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/video/league/state-of-origin/woods-elbow-kos-farah!530443

[Ian]

"Teams that I think are dull throw it around a little bit more because they've won the series," Cheika said.

"Eddie and me play different footy. We are not set up to play kick and chase footy. We play running rugby."

Mate.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Cheika is a total wanker.

[Lewis]

Douglas Carswell must really be sick of having to clarify things Nigel Farage has said.

EDIT: Well that's in the wrong thread. Onya, Eddie, mate.

[Queenslander]

When you blokes are done with Eddie can we have him back please?

[Lewis]

Andrew Johns will have corrupted the entire camp, so give it a year.

[Queenslander]

I think the plan for Joey is to splt time between those duties and being Gus Gould's understudy in a new and improved Blues coaching team. Old mate Gus speaking out against Gallen and Bird is pretty surreal as a Queenslander,

[Lewis]

What a legend he is. Donning all these scandals because grow up mate he's the best ever.

'No, no, no, no, no.'

[Queenslander]

If Gus were a Queenslander he would have a statue next Lewis.

[Lewis]

It was all before my time, but how come he hasn't coached for a decade? Channel 9 must pay him loads, but even then he still finds time to don it at Penrith.

[Queenslander]

It was all before my time, but how come he hasn't coached for a decade? Channel 9 must pay him loads, but even then he still finds time to don it at Penrith.

He went out on top with NSW and thought his legacy was good enough.

I also think he had had enough of the coaching life and preferred his media gigs. I dare say he he had falling out with NSWRL hierarchy behind the scenes as well.

[Disco]

I quite like Nowell but he's missing too many tackles here.

[Queenslander]

Good to see Cheika not learn anything as a coach this series.

This England won its first ever game in Brisbane, first series in Australia and are the first team from memory to win 3 nil in a series down here.

[Lewis]

I missed the second half. Did we 'throw it around a little bit' like he wanted?

[Queenslander]

Yeah a bit more. There is a lot left in that backline so I reckon Fiji are in for a touch up.

If he manages to install Randwick rugby in the backline you blokes will be in for a treat. The shape and style will see more cut and loops and the 10 attacking outside channels.

Between him and Ella it will be interesting to see what develops

[Lewis]

In other news, Wayne Bennett was over last week, and he's apparently wound everybody right up with his 'requests' about 2017 World Cup preparation. He never met any coaches (other than Widnes coach Denis Betts, who will be his assistant), he wants a two week camp right before the season starts, and he wants to take them all to Dubai mid-season for an international, presumably against New Zealand during the Origin period. The Super League clubs are all seething, since he presented it all as an ultimatum, but fucking he... Let him do what he wants, you small-time twats.

[Queenslander]

He is going to QLD Origin camp them.

[Lewis]

If it stops us falling to bits in the last ten minutes of matches then send them all to live with him.

[Queenslander]

:D

[Lewis]

Former sevens star Jarryd Hayne is off to the Gold Coast (lol) for Sam Burgess money, and Parramatta Twitter is spewing. I blame Kieran Foran.

[Queenslander]

They might finally sell out their stadium.