The World of Rugby Thread

[Lewis]

Do you think Australian union would have out-done their offer had he not made himself ineligible with that stupid sevens wheeze? Dan Sarginson was meant to be going out there next season to be their new full-back, so he must be seething. The overrated Cockney wanker.

[Queenslander]

I reckon they would have easily outdone it by letting him play in Japan in the off season.

Waratah + ARU top up + 3rd party + playing in Japan + all the Japanese 3rd party

[Queenslander]

Queensland's greatest ever footballer has signed to play for QLD Country this NRC season.

[ItalAussie]

Who's that?

[Queenslander]

Brad Thorn.

[ItalAussie]

We had him over for dinner once. True story.

[Lewis]

Our series donning of Australia suddenly looks a bit less impressive. Unless we ruined their confidence, in which case today belongs to Sir Eddie Jones. In more distressing news, Jamie Lyon has probably played his last game. In terms of quality (rather than longevity or success), he's the best Super League import ever.

[Baz]

Saints got a good bumming off Wigan last night, I see.

[Lewis]

If Hull win next week Rovers' songbook loses about a third of its content.

[Lewis]

Lee Radford, coaching at Wembley in his 'lucky' polo shirt. Idiot.

[Lewis]

This is the best final since 2005.

[Giggles]

Am I mixing up the rugby's or was that tackle as the game ended not a mile offside?

Not that they were going to score anyway, fantastic game.

[Lewis]

Which one? Tony Smith now, with his patented passive-aggressive praisewhinge.

[Baz]

Oh wanky wanky...

:harold:

[Queenslander]

RIP Rugby Union in Australia.

[ItalAussie]

We're just not very good at the moment. Although I feel like we've been running on fumes for a while?

[Lewis]

Their league poaches are of a decidedly lesser quality these days, to the point where they can only be doing it out of habit. What is somebody like Lachlan Maranta going to offer the Queensland Reds that some youth prospect won't need eighteen months to learn?

[Queenslander]

Maranta has no business playing for the Reds. Brisbane schools spit out potential world class outside backs every year the problem is that most go to League. Our main problem is we just dont have enough quality coaches and administrators to all pull in the same direction. Basically eastern Sydney is again fucking us over and preventing the money that is desperately needed in Western Australia and Victoria to help take to pressue of 2 grass roots pools where all the players come... Brisbane and Sydney.

For Australia to be a top 4 team again our future is dependant on having 50% of our elite players coming from outside of QLD and NSW.

[Queenslander]

We're just not very good at the moment. Although I feel like we've been running on fumes for a while?

That win against England last year was the worst possible result for us going forward this year. Cheika will never drop his Waratah favourites because they beat a rubbish England last year. And this years result is not our fault of course because England had palyed together.

We are just so full of excuses and bullshit at the moment we desperately need Sir Eddie Jones to come home and beat so fucking heads in.

[Disco]

He ours now, we've taught him how to queue and everything.

[Lewis]

Ditching out of the top four forever is a bit drastic, since Wales and Ireland will always collapse when it matters; but is a proper recovery to former glories actually doable, or have demographics killed it? You look at the massive increase of islanders in league (right through all the youth teams), and how did union not stitch those communities up ten to twenty years ago? I can only guess that they got a bit complacent fifteen years ago when they were riding high whilst league was still cleaning up its mid-nineties mess, because all of these islander families would surely have gravitated to union had the choice been there.

[Queenslander]

League has so much money for young players right down to colts teams in the suburban clubs.

The biggest problem Union faces is that most quality juniors are playing both Union an League. Agents are signing 13 year old up and then they are gone unless they get the Wobbly jersey dangled as currency. The reds have a few former under 20 Toyata Cup players that were also Australian Rugby Union school.boys so fingers crossed there.

The ARU fucked up bigtime by not investing heavily in non League States after they made a killing from the 01 Lions series and the 03 World Cup. Union is far more popular than League in the AFL states but they havent done enough to develop those states. Ill say it again but we desperately need Western Australia and Victoria to produce at least 50% of the elite players the will feed into the wobs because NSW and QLD just cant compete with League's aggressive juniors programs.

Also the current mob of Eastern Sydney spivs need to piss off and stop treating the ARU as an extension of NSW Rugby Union.

[Queenslander]

And we have a huge lack of quality coaching and coaching pathways as well.

[Queenslander]

Islanders also make up a huge percentage of some Brisbane Rugby Clubs. Sunnybank, Logan, Souths willnoften field colts and reserve grade teams that would be all Pacific Island Australians. Sunnybank has been hugely dominated by Maori Australians since the 80's and have produced plenty of players that have gone to represent Tonga and Samoa.

[Lewis]

Widnes. :cool:

Highest-earning player in Super League Sam Tomkins is a shadow of the player he was before his knee[s] started falling to bits, but he'll still play for England ahead of about five better options (six if you include Darius Boyd).

[Lewis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIRI9jku7gg

Between them being awesome and Brisbane lurking in fifth, I'm predicting that Wayne Bennett will don them 11-6 in the worst Grand Final in years.

[Queenslander]

Ricky Stuart blowing up by an unjust Grand Final loss would be worth it.

NSW Police havent ruled out the possibility that All Blacks bugged themselves. Jesus

[Lewis]

Rovers getting Tim Sheens is quite a coup. Or it will be if they can also sign eleven new, not shit players for him. Speaking of which, was Warren Gatland talking up 'continuity' an early excuse to pack the Lions with shit Welsh players after England win another Grand Slam?

[hfswjyr]

Anyone know what Eddies record is against NZ? I don't think Gatland has ever beaten NZ from memory.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's easier just to post a list of games New Zealand have lost in the last decade and write the coach next to each.

[Lewis]

Anyone know what Eddies record is against NZ? I don't think Gatland has ever beaten NZ from memory.

Wikipedia says five wins from eleven with Australia (and one defeat from one with Japan), which is pretty respectable, and must be the best record of any non-South African.

[hfswjyr]

Surprised he didn't put his hand up for the Lions role then. It's not like he's going to be around for the next NZ tour in 13 years time.

[Lewis]

Nobody wants to see Cronulla vs Melbourne in the Grand Final, but Canberra deserved to lose for that Icelandic thunder clap shit, and they might be stuffed without Josh Hodgson (England should be alright). 'Mon Queensland (or Penrith).

Leigh. :cool:

[ItalAussie]

Watched the South Africa game last night. Australia let them stay in the game by making stupid mistakes, but did enough in the end.

I was really surprised at how short Owens played advantages. Towards the back end of the game it seemed like any kind of forward movement was counted as the advantage being played.

[Jimmy Floyd]

South Africa really should be better than they are. Does the quota stuff cause them as much grief as it does in cricket?

[hfswjyr]

Maybe not as much, but I do think it's affecting them. They keep playing players out of position (as do the Wallabies actually).

[Queenslander]

Western Australia's school system is filling up South African kids. Be handy if the force chipped in with Bokke type forwad.

[Queenslander]

They have quotas at all levels if i remember correctly.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They have transformation quotas at all levels in all sports (although they don't use the word 'quota', but that's what it is). Rugby and cricket keep getting hammered by the sports ministry for failing at it. In a way it's good as it allows coloured/black players to get the fair opportunities that they never did before, but certainly in cricket, there are white players even at young ages leaving in droves to make careers in other countries.

[Lewis]

Des Hasler is such a fraud.

[Queenslander]

10 years ago Kalyn Ponga would have been the next big thing in Queensland Rugby Union.

Ive heard most of the promising backs running around in GPS open teams this year have already signed with Rugby League player agents.

[ItalAussie]

Australia needs to divert promising athletes away from sports that the rest of the world doesn't care about. :nodd:

[Queenslander]

Western Austrlia and Victoria can save Rugby Union from League raids on Brisbane.

It will be very interesting to see how many NRL players can be shoe horned into next years world cup.

[Lewis]

If they are all being hoovered up by league, is there any scope for approaching rookies as if they were already established players? If I was union I would be throwing every penny I had at that Bevan French from Parramatta and hoping that he becomes Jason Robinson.

[Lewis]

That was good. Hopefully they're too knackered to get through the next one.

[Queenslander]

If they are all being hoovered up by league, is there any scope for approaching rookies as if they were already established players? If I was union I would be throwing every penny I had at that Bevan French from Parramatta and hoping that he becomes Jason Robinson.

The Reds still have a great academy set up but dont have first choice on the best talent coming through anymore.

Schoolboy Rugby in Brisbane is the best in the country. Nice mix of sons of first or second Kiwi and Islander expat kids and local blokes.

[ItalAussie]

Brisbane - North Queensland was an outstanding match.

[Queenslander]

We need a new halfback to replace Hunt. I wonder if Ash Taylor is willing to return home and partner Milford?

[Lewis]

The rest of the top six all have miles better hookers than Brisbane, which almost always leads to him or Anthony Milford either having to do something brilliant against an already set defence or set up a breakaway down one of the edges. We have a few that the England coach could look at, but Greg Eden has probably put them off English players for a generation.

[Lewis]

Josh Hodgson is donning this on one leg. If he doesn't win the Dally M it's a fix.

[Lewis]

Adam Swift Man Of Steel this season.


I'll go Luke Gale.

I was right, but for some reason it's between Gareth Ellis, Danny Houghton, and Denny Solomona. Houghton should win it, but they've been coming out with shitty shortlists for a few years now, presumably in an effort to stop James Roby winning it most years.

[niko_cee]

Jesus. I've not followed much of the NRL this year, but that pass from Maloney (which I saw branded as magic) at 8-0 or whatever it was really does redefine 'flat'. The guy who caught it had to almost jump full length forwards to get on the end of it for fuck's sake. From about 5 yards away. It was so forward even the commentators mentioned the prospect of it being pulled back, which tells you it was essentially a quarterback style effort. If it ends up as a Cronulla v Melbourne final they may as well just blow the stadium up. Fuck the Sharks. 'Mon the Raiders, I guess.

[Lewis]

Do Cronulla excite any feelings from the neutral either way? They strike me as the most nothing club in the league, so Michael Ennis using his last match to get right under Sir Cameron Smith's skin would be worth it.

[Lewis]

Wait. Hang on. There was the drug stuff. And nobody likes Paul Gallen. Still, Ennis. :cool:

[niko_cee]

The shire dwellers are the enemy, but yeah, Ennis is quite entertaining. Such is my ignorance I had no idea he'd left the Bulldogs. Always seemed a good fit for him, but I suppose the Sharks are dirty bastards as well.

[Baz]

I don't even understand Super League anymore. It seems to last forever. Too many games, too many games.

Our Kiz was moaning about it the other day (http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/14758525.Saints_boss_Keiron_Cunningham_calls_for_a _reduction_in_number_of_games/), which I took with a pinch of salt at the time, but he definitely has a point.

Meanwhile, Levy Nzoungou is off to NRL already. I fully expect him to come back in a couple of years and twat the league.

[Lewis]

The new system is good for the actual league, but, yeah, there are too many games. They need to start a couple of weeks later, move the Challenge Cup final back to May, chuck Magic Weekend in the bin, and just have twenty-two rounds with the old six team play-offs that they binned in 2009, as well as some sort of relegation play-offs at the bottom.


The shire dwellers are the enemy, but yeah, Ennis is quite entertaining. Such is my ignorance I had no idea he'd left the Bulldogs. Always seemed a good fit for him, but I suppose the Sharks are dirty bastards as well.

Manly's fortunes appear to be linked to your levels of interest. So well done.

[niko_cee]

Manly's fortunes appear to be linked to your levels of interest. So well done.

It's probably the other way round, but yeah. Not going there/living there anymore means I have much less interest. I would say that if it was on a normal tv station I'd watch it more, but that's probably not true seeing as my morning tv regime is a strict diet of milkshake/Nick Jr these days.

I can only assume Manly being shit is some sort of wider conspiracy to relocate them to the central coast.

[Queenslander]

Manly is another case of too many football men and not enough business men ruining a club.

Canberra v Sharks final is the best for the game with Canberra winning in Golden Point. Hopefully Sticky runs his mouth all week about Cronulla's boring, grubby style of play.

[Lewis]

I think it's a mixture of injuries and Trent Barrett being a clueless berk whose appointment only makes sense if you assume Bob Fulton is the actual coach, but that he relays information via letters posted twenty years ago. Tom Trbojevic is a complete freak though, so there is that, even if nobody seems to realise that Brett Stewart would make a mega stand-off (I said that when Peta Hiku was first threatening to be good, so maybe I should run it).

[niko_cee]

I thought it was more a case of the corrupt estate agent owner being ousted and replaced/usurped by the even more corrupt healthcare mob. Bring back Max!

That, and the leagues club not having enough pokies. And no one ever going there. As opposed to Parramatta (and all the rest I guess), which is a bit like Caesar's Palace (asked to leave due to ripped jeans).

In reality Manly is just a localised Sydney version of what Sydney itself is on a wider sport supporting scale - ie no bugger really gives a toss about it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I had lunch at Penrith Panthers once and the one thing it was not lacking was pokies.

[Lewis]

On that last point, I read something ages ago (I can't find it now) which argued that Queensland is more bothered about internationals than New South Wales because Sydney only wants to bother with sporting events that will enhance its [non-existent] World City status. Is that why they're also desperate to force clubs out of their suburban grounds (that baffles me), because it's an excuse for flashy new sporting infrastructure?

[Queenslander]

Lang Park is a much better night out being an inner City Stadium. The public transport makes it really easy to access for the outer suburbs.

The Wobblies v South Africa in Brisbane wasnt sold out so it's fair to say Brisbane is fickle as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

On a completely unrelated note, Queenslander, tell me about the 'Northern Suburbs' of Brisbane. Nice place?

[Queenslander]

How far North? Most of the suburbs are really old and from memory any further north than Chermside would be pretty boring to live for a single person.

Any suburbs in particular?

[Queenslander]

I went to the Broncos Leagues Club for the first time in years last month. The place a is a massive shithole and hasnt changed since my childhood.

Safe to say the Broncos arent in anyway funded by pokies.

[Jimmy Floyd]

How far North? Most of the suburbs are really old and from memory any further north than Chermside would be pretty boring to live for a single person.

Any suburbs in particular?

Oh I'm not going there, don't worry about that. What is Wooloowin like? Or the general area around wherever that is.

[Queenslander]

Standard old suburb full of Queenslander style houses that would be 100 years old. Good location plenty of really good coffee spots. Probably a bit of wanky old money if not there next too heaps of wealth. Very very white area.

Oh yeah and we keep our illegals locked up there

[Queenslander]

I dont ever go that far north of the river unless I have too. I live inner city south of the river which is far more multicultural and fun.

[Baz]

Meanwhile, Levy Nzoungou is off to NRL already. I fully expect him to come back in a couple of years and twat the league.http://i.imgur.com/yO3zanK.gif

[Lewis]

There are a few French units around these days. It's just a shame Catalans are a mess.

[Queenslander]

Why cant Catalans get it together?

[Queenslander]

Semi would be a great signing for Brisbane and could easly play the Wendell Sailor role. Bennent loves himself massive wingers.

[Lewis]

I don't know. They don't really like playing away (just as nobody likes going to France), and I think they always end up split between the French players and the imports (half of them never settle), so it falls apart at the first sign of difficulties. They're basically the Warriors.

[Lewis]

Wank.

[Lewis]

Rovers getting tonked as well. If they get Salford in the MILLION POUND GAME then they are going down. What a disgrace.

[Queenslander]

Is promotion/relegation helpful?

[Lewis]

In theory, but they have always struggled to find a way to do it without 1) the promoted team being too shit to compete (or bankrupting themselves trying to compete); and 2) the relegated team being set back a decade. The new system will probably address both of those, but Rovers are my side, so... :moop:

[Queenslander]

Ring fencing it would help surely?

Is there a big enough player catchment in Hull for them to bounce back relying on there local area?

League in Brisbane has never been stronger. My local Club Easts and the Junior club at Carina are both enormous.

They could easily afford to run an NRL club alone playing games out of Suncorp.

[Lewis]

You could ring-fence it right now if you went back to fourteen teams with Leigh (who have the support and backing for Super League) and London (to keep the fantasy alive); but they want to have Toulouse in Super League within the next few years, Bradford will be back once idiots stop running it, and obviously Toronto will be a big success, so franchising with twelve would inevitably end up feeling a bit restrictive, and then just inviting another French team in would inevitably get all the short-termists moaning (like how plebs prioritise another Brisbane team over expanding elsewhere because they still have that dominant Broncos mindset from when they had most of the Queensland team without a salary cap).

I think the system works for the moment, and nobody would care if it was Huddersfield going down with their shit fanbase and second rate youth system, but losing Rovers or Salford will be a bit of a blow for the league (to be honest, Super League needs a decent Salford more than it needs Rovers). As for the catchment area. Yes, in theory; but in reality the Super League teams would just pick anybody decent off before they could establish a winning side.

[ItalAussie]

On a completely unrelated note, Queenslander, tell me about the 'Northern Suburbs' of Brisbane. Nice place?
That's my old stomping ground.

Nice, but dull. Basically impossible to get around unless you own a car. Pretty much constructed around three main highways.

Wooloowin is inner enough that you can enjoy it. Much further out than that, and it'll be a bit of a snore. Great place to raise a family though.

[Lewis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZEuYEJNqg8

lol at that voice. He looks like his own son.

[Disco]

I'm almost certain Geoff Parling was in my office today.

[Lewis]

Robbed, Baz. Robbed.

[Queenslander]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZEuYEJNqg8

lol at that voice. He looks like his own son.

What a team that was. Des Hasler looks about 45 and Menzies looks 18. Lol

The 90's will forever be the glory days for me. :nod:

[Queenslander]

I cant think of a more boring grand final than this weekends bore off?

I suppose I prefer a sharks win because it's better for the game overall. Melbourne still havent produced a Victorian player so they can fuck off!

[Lewis]

Plus it will bring Harold Holt back.

Mahe Fonua was their first Victorian, but he's at Hull now, and he's probably been the best import this season. Speaking of which, let's go back to the start of the season:


Glenn Stewart and Justin Horo have joined Catalans, so their pack should be reasonably handy, Frank Pritchard is already a cult figure at Hull, and Keith Galloway is at Leeds until they realise he's the slowest man on Earth. In the backs, Kurt Gidley is at Warrington, and Robert Lui somehow got a work permit to join Salford.

Stewart was killing it for about three months, but he never got to grips with living in France and his form suffered; Horo was average; Pritchard hasn't really done much; Galloway is rubbish; Gidley has been very good and got in the Team of the Year (not least because he does all of Chris Sandow's defending); and Lui had two decent games and stopped trying. Elsewhere, your mate Dave Taylor was a great novelty for a few rounds, but he plays twenty minutes a week, misses as many tackles as he breaks, and Catalans want rid of him. God knows where he goes next, the fat twat.

[Queenslander]

I need to pay more attention.

Taylor is a mess and should be made to play bush football on dusty roads. Are the fans sick of all the NRL dropkicks taking up spots that could be used for local blokes?

[Lewis]

The bigger teams only have about three imports each these days, the French fans would seethe regardless, and the smaller clubs will just treat them as another player as long as they look interested. For example Rovers fans love Terry Campese, even though (surprisingly) he spends most of his time injured, because he comes across as somebody who cares about the club; but Albert Kelly phoning it in all year has seen his chant and his contract consigned to the memory hole.

[niko_cee]

Ouch.

[Lewis]

They deserved that. I think they've lost every match I've been to this season. :uhoh:

[Queenslander]

Im all aboard then Sharkies train today! Looking forward to trolling all the plastic Storm fans aswell.

[Lewis]

That was clever. Melbourne look well off the pace.

[ItalAussie]

Melbourne have been comfortably second best, but they're defending freakishly.

I'm not sure who to pick from here.

[Lewis]

They both look knackered already, so the peptides will see Cronulla through.

[ItalAussie]

I will say that Melbourne still look pretty dangerous when they do get a chance to attack, up until it comes to the kick.

[ItalAussie]

Cronulla are walking wounded now. That could tell in the end. Prior and Bird both in trouble, I think.

[ItalAussie]

I truly despise the spidercam.

EDIT: Melbourne score. I don't see Cronulla getting anymore points.

[Lewis]

I was just posting that Cronulla needed another one and my stream dropped out. There is something to be said for taking drop goals when you've got all that pressure and not scoring tries. It keeps the scoreboard going, and you get the ball back.

[Lewis]

That's some finish with four/five blokes on him.

[ItalAussie]

Fifita just barged over. Wrecking ball. I didn't see it coming (obviously).

Maloney choking? Out on the full, and an easy concession on the final tackle.

[ItalAussie]

Whatever happens in these two minutes, Smith has been the best player on the field.

Melbourne just created something out of nothing, but didn't see the final pass. Grandstand finish.

[Lewis]

Maloney has dropped right off in the second half. I think the Clive Churchill is between Fifita, Smith, and my mate Michael 'Mick' Ennis.

[ItalAussie]

Good weekend of finals for the romantic. :nodd:

Fifita will probably get it. Smith was the best player on the pitch without question, but you really have to win to get that prize unless you do something freakish. Ennis had the ball a lot but didn't really accomplish much with it.

[ItalAussie]

Ennis' interview was a bit hilarious. He doesn't know where he is right now.

Gallen dropped some creative language as well. Great ending.

[Lewis]

Seventy-one tackles from Smith. Jesus.

[ItalAussie]

Smith put in 71 tackles. :cab:

EDIT: And he's not even sucking it down. Fittest man in the country.

[ItalAussie]

It turns out they got the number of tackles wrong.

Smith actually made seventy-four.

[Lewis]

And all with the body of a waiter.

[ItalAussie]

Luke Lewis? OK, I guess.

[Lewis]

He's very Australian.

[ItalAussie]

We played South Africa in the rugby? I honestly had no idea that it even happened.

Rugby is dying a fairly rapid death here. :(

[Queenslander]

Yeah that is a fair call. Luckily club rugby is still strong enough to exist on its own untill Chekia and his cunty mates in Sydney fuck off.

We desperately need an Eddie Jones like outsider to come in and cleanhouse. The dream coach is obviously Graham Henry.

[hfswjyr]

If the Aussies couldn't stand Robbie Deans, I doubt you'd stand for Henry. I'd suggest he's a bit outdated now as well - hasn't properly coached since 2011.

Going to Aus/Arg at Twickenham on Saturday. Should be a good game, but fear the crowd might be quite small for Twickers.

[niko_cee]

Is that a competitive match?

There are probably more match-going Australians in London than anywhere else in the world.

[hfswjyr]

Last round of The Rugby Championship. Wooden spoon match!

[Baz]

Robbed, Baz. Robbed.Genuine fact.

Had already planned a day in Wigan pubs so would've been nice to be a dickhead over the top Saints fan for the day, but now I won't even mention rugby.

[Queenslander]

If the Aussies couldn't stand Robbie Deans, I doubt you'd stand for Henry. I'd suggest he's a bit outdated now as well - hasn't properly coached since 2011.

Going to Aus/Arg at Twickenham on Saturday. Should be a good game, but fear the crowd might be quite small for Twickers.

Can he at least come in and help out QLD with Thorn and Smith?

We are seriously fucked when it comes to competent head coaches atm

[ItalAussie]

They picked four fullbacks for the Australian side, and still somehow managed to miss the best fullback in the competition in James Tedesco. Missing out Fifita is a travesty as well, although that was clearly for the same reason he missed out on the Clive Churchill, which is to say nothing at all to do with his on-field performances.

The Fifita/Clive Churchill medal has been pointed out in at least one newspaper here so far.

[Lewis]

You would have thought Mal Meninga of all people would have noticed the Canberra centres this year as well. I might go and watch Scotland (which idiot included them over France?) vs Australia up the road, seeing as they have seemingly designed the schedule to be a complete nightmare.

[Queenslander]

Fifita was the right call because you cant abuse junior referees and expect to then represent Australia. Him and his brother are grade A grubs.

[Lewis]

Having only one wife basher in the squad must be a record.

[Queenslander]

Doesnt meet our quota which is ashame. Australian League players have top level animals amongst them.

[Lewis]

Wayne Bennett watches children pick a [shit] England team (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4IoBJrC0DU) and wishes he was dead.

'We're from Wigan us.'

[Queenslander]

Is he still a popular choice?

[Lewis]

There will always be a couple of people who wanted an English coach regardless, and there were a few moans when it looked like he wanted to pack the team with Australians (although he never said anything, and it was probably baseless), but yeah Wayne Bennett mate.

[Queenslander]

Blokes a legend and far more likeable than smell my finger.

If England win at Lang Park ill lol and lol and lol

[ItalAussie]

Bennett? Yeah, even I can't help but like the moaning bastard. :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

Watching the All Blacks in Durban. God I hate the Springboks.

[Jimmy Floyd]

All Blacks are so far ahead of the Springboks it's a joke. Absolute light years between them. Who else is good at the moment, England? Jesus.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I also watched the second half of the League grand final. I still don't understand the rules. Also, if that guy is a good player in a title winning side, why is he going to Sale? Is there no money in league?

[niko_cee]

Not really, no.

[Lewis]

There is in the NRL, but their teams aren't going to invest in an English winger when they each have a dozen Polynesian full-backs who will score fifteen from the wing on a minimum contract. Plus he isn't actually that good (his try record is deceptive), which is why Wigan didn't put up any sort of fight to keep him.

[Lewis]

No Australians in the England squad, we're only really crap in one centre position, and West Hull Twitter is in tears because their favourite players missed out. :cool:

[Queenslander]

How many English players will get picked in other teams?

[Lewis]

Scotland announce their squad tomorrow, and that will mostly be English players (and the odd Australian) with whatever qualifies them as Scottish. I think it was owning a set of golf clubs last time.

[Queenslander]

Im pretty sure the NRL, QRL and NSWRL will make up most teams outside the big 3.

[Lewis]

Scotland qualified for this because they won the 2014 European Cup on points difference (of three points) over France, even though Wales won it last year, and even though France actually have some professional teams and all of their players are actually French. They should have just put France in it because we need them in it. But that would have been too obvious.

[ItalAussie]

Scotland qualified for this because they won the 2014 European Cup on points difference (of three points) over France, even though Wales won it last year, and even though France actually have some professional teams and all of their players are actually French. They should have just put France in it because we need them in it. But that would have been too obvious.
International rugby is weirdly run. They seem to want to keep it to three teams plus Pacific Islands, and everything else is sort of an afterthought.

[Lewis]

We tend to instinctively blame the Australians (and they tend not to care), but things like the Semi Radradra bollocks back it up a bit. The NRL should have just given him x amount extra a year and made him the face of Fijian rugby league as part of some twenty year plan to dominate the islands. But no. They hadn't beaten New Zealand for five minutes, so they had to ruin that. Not that us wasting time on Scotland and Ireland helps.

[Queenslander]

The Wobbles are even bigger pricks for taking on Sefu and the Storm winger. Those 2 along with Henry Speight takes their rancid poach up to 3 which is the most in my lifetime.

[Queenslander]

We are going to walk the Australian conference.

Featured: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IAl0rNSlsA&list=PLv_Sl4B6X9i4BunVNyT040z6NWlZzBxD7

[Queenslander]

Lachlan Coote is a good call up for Scotland.

[ItalAussie]

Lachlan Coote is a good call up for Scotland.
Really good player.

Had some dodgy moments in the finals series this year, mind. Nearly handed it to the Broncos on a plate. :D

[Queenslander]

I would happily have him at the Broncos.

[ItalAussie]

I would happily have him at the Broncos.

I'd take him at St George without thinking twice. But that's not a high bar.

He'll probably play Origin soon.

[Queenslander]

How would you go about fixing the Dragons? The club shoulf be competing for the top four every year.

[Lewis]

Come on now. He must be well down the list of potential Queensland custodians. As for Scotland, it isn't a bad squad. It's less Scottish than me. But still.

EDIT: He's New South Wales? Jesus. He must be about fifteenth choice.

[ItalAussie]

How would you go about fixing the Dragons? The club shoulf be competing for the top four every year.

It's hard to tell what's wrong with them, to be honest. They shouldn't struggle to retain players. They develop youth relatively well, and perform well in the youth competition. Coaching seems competent if unspectacular.

It might just be a case of waiting out a talent lull. Sometimes it happens, I guess.


EDIT: I just checked, and we've actually been very up-and-down in the youth competition. Maybe sorting that out properly would be a start. Also, they should be scanning the entire south coast for young players. Penrith have taken advantage of their big catchment area, and St George should look to do the same.

[ItalAussie]

Come on now. He must be well down the list of potential Queensland custodians. As for Scotland, it isn't a bad squad. It's less Scottish than me. But still.

He's not a Queenslander. Very different bar. :D

[Queenslander]

Yeah I just meant club level.

[Lewis]

Yeah, I just corrected myself. Let's see: James Tedesco, Matt Moylan, Jarryd Hayne, Josh Dugan, Brett Morris, Jack Wighton, Tom Trbojevic, Will Hopoate (no Sunday matches), Bevan French... Tenth choice.

[Queenslander]

It's hard to tell what's wrong with them, to be honest. They shouldn't struggle to retain players. They develop youth relatively well, and perform well in the youth competition. Coaching seems competent if unspectacular.

It might just be a case of waiting out a talent lull. Sometimes it happens, I guess.


EDIT: I just checked, and we've actually been very up-and-down in the youth competition. Maybe sorting that out properly would be a start. Also, they should be scanning the entire south coast for young players. Penrith have taken advantage of their big catchment area, and St George should look to do the same.

Too many good old football men around club maybe?

[ItalAussie]

I did some gym classes with this guy the other day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sione_Finefeuiaki

I have never seen anyone that huge in my life.

[ItalAussie]

Too many good old football men around club maybe?

Yeah, possibly. Might need to be swept out from top to bottom, but you feel like that'll crash the club before it fixes anything.

At any rate, Step One is Hold Onto Tyson Frizell.

[Lewis]

It's disgraceful how he's turned his back on Wales.

[Queenslander]

Yeah, I just corrected myself. Let's see: James Tedesco, Matt Moylan, Jarryd Hayne, Josh Dugan, Brett Morris, Jack Wighton, Tom Trbojevic, Will Hopoate (no Sunday matches), Bevan French... Tenth choice.

Yeah that's fair. If I could sign any Queensland fullback it would be Munster.

[Lewis]

I'm looking forward to watching him fumble around at centre next season as Billy Slater chews up half of the salary cap being worse than him.

[Queenslander]

:D

[Queenslander]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_national_rugby_league_team

The 'Italians' should have a good team as well.

[Lewis]

Lebanon could put a half-decent side out these days, unlike when it was Hazem El Masri catching his own kicks.

[Queenslander]

Im definitely going into this League World Cup more excited by the tier two nations than Mal's Kangaroos. Im really sour on him after all the bullshit he spewed trying to justify Semi's call up.

[ItalAussie]

Yeah that's fair. If I could sign any Queensland fullback it would be Munster.

I was perhaps slightly pessimistic about the NSW squad (as history has conditioned me to be :D ) Tedesco should be the starting NSW fullback, without any question. The real challenge will be working out what to do with Moylan.

I'd have Coote sitting about fifth in Lewis' list, but there's still a bunch of strong players in the position. But Coote's a little bit utility, isn't he? I think he can shift around, and therefore should pop up on the bench.

[Queenslander]

Utility sub?

[Lewis]

Penrith apparently see Moylan as a stand-off in the long-term, but he was a bit underwhelming there in game three, and I would pick Mitchell Moses if I was selecting now (especially now he can play for New South Wales and Lebanon).

[ItalAussie]

Utility sub?

Yeah. Apparently he can play in the halves if necessary? Probably need someone who can do that on the bench. Although Moylan can do the same with higher long-term upside.

[Queenslander]

Ive just realised I only really follow Queensland Union and League at the moment. I could not accurately name a form NSW Origin Team and Id struggle to name half the Waratahs.

Im dry as paint with my knowledge of Brisbane Premier Grade.

[Lewis]

No Australians in the England squad, we're only really crap in one centre position, and West Hull Twitter is in tears because their favourite players missed out. :cool:

He bombed about (at least) four very good opportunities, the bald cunt. :moop:

[Queenslander]

Is it too early for you to have an opinion Mr Bennett?

[Lewis]

We were actually very good in most areas. It's just that Dan Sarginson is shit (see above), the laws of the game stipulate that we have to concede at least one stupid try per test match, and Shaun Johnson decided that today was the day to stop being a lazy cunt and living off his 2014 performances. I think the plan was to win today and hope New Zealand beat Australia, so that's that out the window.

[Queenslander]

Any young blokes that could come in for next year?

[Lewis]

Apart from Sean O'Loughlin being injured (he would have played loose forward, with Sam Burgess second row) that was pretty much the full-strength team, and you would expect everyone to keep their places for next year, which will come too soon for our better up-and-coming players. Maybe Oliver Gildart in at left centre, and Ben Currie/Stevie Ward off the bench if (when) he out-plays Mike Cooper all next season; but then Burgess going into second row would force John Bateman onto the bench, which might relegate Currie/Ward. Basically, most of the depth is in the forwards, where we're good to go, and the promising young backs aren't promising enough (yet) to be causing Gareth Widdop any problems.

We could always play as Great Britain again and call up Lachlan McCoote.

[Queenslander]

One thing Bennet is brillian at is creating depth. Eg QAS training squad for Origin.

Probably doesn't have enough time but Wayne coaching for 5 years could massively help in the long term.

[Lewis]

His brief is basically to eliminate the stupid shit that normally costs us these tight games, since we have the forwards and big wingers to play his sort of rugby. In other news, I saw Tommy Raudonikis in Beverley today (or at least his absolute look and sound-alike). I was too busy eating to say alright Tommy mate, but he called the dog a 'beauty'. :cool:

[Queenslander]

Tommy: cool:

Many Australians live in Hull?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I got the option of a ticket to watch England v Australia rugby league at the 'London Stadium'. I declined, firstly because I can't go and secondly because rugby league, but what deludes them into thinking it's ever going to catch on in London? London looks to shit foreign sports like NFL because that's the sort of city it is and they are spectating-only, it doesn't look to embrace the dirty Brexit-voting northern provinces with a sport you'd actually want to play.

[Lewis]

The telly numbers are always said to be strong in the South East, and they always boast about x test match/Challenge Cup tickets being sold to people down there, so common sense would suggest that there must be ten thousand people in a city of ten million who would - in theory at least - go and watch a rugby league side. The problem is that they have never really had the funding that you need for a newer, less-established venture to thrive. They had their best period in the late-nineties when Virgin were the main owners (which sounds a bit bizarre now), but, with the league itself being unwilling to support it like the NRL did with Melbourne and the Gold Coast, it will only ever take off with some wealthy idiot who can secure it a proper home ground and stop moving them around South London every three years (which always halves whatever supporter base they have managed to build). With all that in mind, the ruling bodies figure that having the odd test match down there and 'encouraging' the Southern teams is enough to be seen to be doing something, which is probably about right when there isn't really enough money going spare to sub London a million quid a year with no guarantees that it won't just disappear into a hole. The NRL could do a lot worse than offer to help, but why would they (and the RFL would find an excuse to reject it, probably on the grounds that they would be expected to accept all of their rule changes, which they do two seasons later anyway)?

I always wonder though whether there is a lot of unexplored potential down there player-wise though. There must be hundreds of 'rejects' (for lack of a better word) leaving the union academies every year, and a few of them must have particular skills that might make them more suited to league. Martin Offiah was twenty-three and playing sevens when Widnes signed him, and teams are scouting the lower leagues and university leagues more intensively than ever looking for kids who escaped league academies (both wingers from yesterday were spotted playing Sunday league when they were nineteen); but you wonder whether the inferiority complex prevents anybody thinking about having mass trials of players discarded by the other code, when we could be rolling in mixed race three-quarters. The Canadians are doing something similar looking for freakish athletes left behind by college football, so the idea is clearly sound.

As for Australians in Hull. However many are playing for the two teams, and that poor bastard fifteen year old I met at the gym last year whose parents ruined his life moving to Burstwick. Maybe Tommy was over counselling him.

'Mate, fair dinkum. Mate, fair...'

[hfswjyr]

I'm going to the game at Olympic Stadium. I thought it was being played here just as advertising to the dingo population of London.

[Lewis]

People like to think they're being clever by saying put the London team wherever Australians congregate, but we probably only get the gay ones.

[Queenslander]

We could send you AFL supporters?

[Queenslander]

Ben Tapuai is a very good signing for Bath.

[Lewis]

Wales are hopeless. Good job nobody was there to see it.

[Giggles]

Why are New Zealand playing games in the USA now? Are they that big a draw that they're just touring around like big European football teams?

[Disco]

Because someone paid them enough to go there.

[Giggles]

Because someone paid them enough to go there.

So basically a yes would have done.

[Lewis]

They whacked the Americans a couple of years ago in an exhibition, but I think this is the first time they have played a proper team (presumably carefully-selected to get the NORAID lot out).

[Disco]

So basically a yes would have done.

Only if you assume I know anything about football tours, it's flattering but I really don't.

[Giggles]

Only if you assume I know anything about football tours, it's flattering but I really don't.

I would never doubt you.

[Giggles]

They whacked the Americans a couple of years ago in an exhibition, but I think this is the first time they have played a proper team (presumably carefully-selected to get the NORAID lot out).

Seemingly there's a heap of posh Dubliners and huns over there for it, but not enough to even half fill it I'd reckon so they'd need some passing interest in the All Blacks to make a few bob on it anyway.

[Lewis]

This England vs England D will be a bit crap (and we need to batter them on the off chance it goes to points difference), but Australia vs New Zealand should be mega.

[hfswjyr]

Seemingly there's a heap of posh Dubliners and huns over there for it, but not enough to even half fill it I'd reckon so they'd need some passing interest in the All Blacks to make a few bob on it anyway.

Perfectly timed to play in Chicago when the Cubs have won the World Series for the first time in 108 (?) years.

[Lewis]

It's good to see literally everybody vindicated in their belief that Coventry was a terrible place to host this.

[Giggles]

This hasn't been a bad game. Australia look tidy.

[Giggles]

Are England just basically the GB team or is it a different selection process when they're split up?

[Lewis]

In the other one, are New Zealand precious enough never to risk a neutral venue again if Ireland see this out?

[Giggles]

In the other one, are New Zealand precious enough never to risk a neutral venue again if Ireland see this out?

Just seen yhr score in that on twitter. Is it a real NZ team or some Maori/youth/B selection?

[Lewis]

It's the proper one. Adidas will call in a bomb threat with five minutes to go and get it abandoned.

[Lewis]

New Zealand have been rubbish here. Maybe Stephen Kearney was actually some sort of genius. In the other one, Ireland are BOTTLING IT at an alarming rate.

[Lewis]

Hang on. Shaun Johnson has woken up (with two minutes left).

[Queenslander]

The bitterness is flowing from many plastic All Black fans today.

[hfswjyr]

New Zealand have been rubbish here. Maybe Stephen Kearney was actually some sort of genius. In the other one, Ireland are BOTTLING IT at an alarming rate.

Wait, no one's calling Kidwell a genius are they?

Not seen the other game, but well done to the Irish. What a feeling it must be for those guys on the pitch. 111 years!

[Lewis]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/37886383

Personally, I think his interviews are amazing.

[Lewis]

Wait, no one's calling Kidwell a genius are they?

Not seen the other game, but well done to the Irish. What a feeling it must be for those guys on the pitch. 111 years!

I meant Kearney must have been to make them not totally one-dimensional (that is to say, keep Johnson interested) and don the Australians a few times. Hopefully he can do something with the Warr... Nah, he isn't a genius.

[hfswjyr]

Brian McClennan also won the Tri-Nations, (in fact, he broke the aussie domination) so the benchmark can't possibly be that high.

[Lewis]

He had Ruben Wiki keeping the fannies and the timewasters in line.

[Queenslander]

The Hayne Plain is the best flog in Australia.

How could anyone accidentally show high school students porn?

[Lewis]

You say that, and then Ben Barba goes and Ben Barbas himself.

[ItalAussie]

:face:

"You have a great job, and things are going well. Just don't do anything stupid."
Does the stupid thing.

[Queenslander]

Rugby League getting in its own way again. I wonder if Jason Smith and his cocaine syndicate were involved at all?

[Lewis]

Valentine Holmes into full-back, and enough salary cap room to tie the rest of the squad down for another few years. I bet Michael Ennis spiked his drink.

Jason Smith. :cool:

[ItalAussie]

Rugby League getting in its own way again. I wonder if Jason Smith and his cocaine syndicate were involved at all?

Apparently it was a different Jason Smith? I didn't know about the story at all, and just looked it up then.

[Queenslander]

It was former Queensland legend Jason Smith that sold cocaine to players in AFL and League.

https://www.9now.com.au/a-current-affair/2016/clip-ciqmzsd2500180ip18zi3k44b

[Queenslander]

Valentine Holmes into full-back, and enough salary cap room to tie the rest of the squad down for another few years. I bet Michael Ennis spiked his drink.

Jason Smith. :cool:

Yep and go down to any local suburban club at sign a Fijian winger for food and board.

[Lewis]

Smith was incredible at Hull, and you could make a case for him being the best import of the Super League era with Jamie Lyon and Lesley Vainikolo.

[Queenslander]

Nickname was God? Both him and his brother Darren were favorites of mine during Origin. I think if Jason played for the Broncos he would be spoken of more regularly.

[Lewis]

Yeah. If he was out, Hull lost.

[Queenslander]

One of the last great ball playing locks.

[Lewis]

The press wanted more than two words out of Wayne Bennett, and they got it (http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/four-nations/wayne-bennetts-astonishing-media-conference-20161109-gslv6x.html):


To be candid with you again, I just don't read anything you write anymore. I haven't read it for over a decade now and I don't watch television shows. As soon as I see something on rugby league come on, I turn it off. So I'm immune to anything you say out there. It doesn't interest me... Well if I had a choice, I wouldn't do it (media). It's not what I want to do. I want to coach. That's what my priority is. I see lots of guys doing interviews and they're just wasting your time and your space, not making any sense. They're just playing the game. I can't play the game unfortunately.

:cool:

[Queenslander]

Sir Wayne Bennett

[hfswjyr]

Hero.

[Queenslander]

Hero pwease?

[Lewis]

Lose, lose, or lose on Saturday, his new home under Mal Meninga's skin should provide a few lols over the coming season.

[Queenslander]

I cant wait for the newspaper war of words between the 2.

[Lewis]

'Even if I was seething with Wayne Bennett, which I'm not because he is seething with me, I don't care what he thinks anyway. What have I got to prove?'
'Right, so...'
'Make sure you write that down. "Wayne Bennett is seething". Not me. I'm not even bothered.'

[Queenslander]

I didnt watch the game New Zealoland draw. What happened Lewis?

[Lewis]

By all accounts they just phoned it in and never got going, but lol anyway since they had a strong side out. We only have to win tomorrow to get to the final (I think a draw works, but I can't be bothered to check, since both are unlikely), so Australia ought to do the decent thing and throw the game like they used to blatantly do on Kangaroo Tours.

[hfswjyr]

A draw will see England through.

Sounds like we had a shocker, although the reports are already saying the ref didn't help the situation much.

[Lewis]

It must be up there with the biggest shocks in [international] rugby league (with that time France nearly beat Australia in 2004, and probably some black and white matches), and good for them, but this will just make people think that Scotland deserve resources when it doesn't.

[Spikey M]

Me & the mrs are going to watch England vs Sith Afreeka at Twickenham today. I hope they still have that Regae Sauce chicken van. :drool:

[niko_cee]

You'll be drowned in a sea or boerewors and biltong.

[Queenslander]

Surely Eddie is the man to break the 10 year hoodoo.

[Spikey M]

You'll be drowned in a sea or boerewors and biltong.

No Alan you can't.

[The Merse]

Me & the mrs are going to watch England vs Sith Afreeka at Twickenham today. I hope they still have that Regae Sauce chicken van. :drool:

One of the most Twickers statements I've ever seen, that.

Not exercising my Scotland season ticket today due to being on call so I'll need to wait for next Saturday to take my place at Murrayfield. :(

[Disco]

Me & the mrs are going to watch England vs Sith Afreeka at Twickenham today. I hope they still have that Regae Sauce chicken van. :drool:

I almost went today, unsure whether that's a close shave or a missed opportunity.

[Jimmy Floyd]

England 1/6 to beat the Boks? Have I missed something?

[Disco]

Unbeaten under Lord Jones.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah, but we're playing a proper team.

Rugby really frustrates me. Every time I advance my level of understanding - I now even know what 'crash ball' is - the commentators and analysts seem to add another three levels of complexity on top of what they seemed to be talking about before. Stuart Barnes might as well be speaking Afrikaans.

[Disco]

Courtney Lawes getting his 50th cap today, let's see how many penalties he can give away to mark the occasion.

[Disco]

He's never got that down cleanly.

[The Merse]

Gutted I'm not using my seat today now. To have looked the equals of the Aussies with ball in hand and on he floor in particular and go in 7 up at half time will do nicely.

[Disco]

Jesus.

[Disco]

What a kick that is. Don't agree on the try though, looked like a knock on to me.

[Ian]

I missed the reasoning given for it not being a knock-on, or wasn't it given?

Daly's got some boot on him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I wasn't sure it went forward at that point, but trying to claim that Pat 'pimp my genes' Lambie had got a hand on it was a bit of a stretch from M. Garces.

[Disco]

I'm not sure it was given other than the TMO didn't think it was knocked on. Looked it to me as well as the grounding being dodgy.

[Disco]

I have a growing hatred for all the animated/live action headshots of players, they do it for football too. Mainly because I can just imagine the miserable day spent in your kit posing like a tosser.

[niko_cee]

It's just there to put a dodgy one in the bank to hark back to when England get shafted by Francois Mc(long white)Cleod in a match of consequence.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I have a growing hatred for all the animated/live action headshots of players, they do it for football too. Mainly because I can just imagine the miserable day spent in your kit posing like a tosser.

How must Chris Robshaw feel filming all those adverts in his full kit? You basically can't move in suburban SW London without seeing him come from around a corner promoting some kind of financial product.

[Ian]

Lovely from Youngs. Get bent, Boks.