The Rugby thread

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And we concede again because no South African team knows how to work a lineout the last few years.
 
sand_man said:
Disappointing result, poor quality game I thought, from both teams....
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Yeah. The red card didn't help us but even so, we were still in it but just couldn't get across the line. Guess that gives NZ the title with one round left to play. Can't see them losing to Australia in the last round.
 
Not sure how much worse a team can play and still come away with a 44 point to 21 point win away from home.

Stormers becoming very frustrating to watch. And then you have those backs that just... Wow.
 
Sometimes fans have to take what they can get.

Later this evening we're off to watch the Dallas Jackals v RFC Los Angeles, at the Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Hoping for a surprise win for the home team.
Should be fun, though. The rugby crowd here in USA are real enthusiasts, and that's always heartwarming.
 
Arthur said:
Sometimes fans have to take what they can get.

Later this evening we're off to watch the Dallas Jackals v RFC Los Angeles, at the Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Hoping for a surprise win for the home team.
Should be fun, though. The rugby crowd here in USA are real enthusiasts, and that's always heartwarming.
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They play Rugby proper in the USA?
 
sand_man said:
Sharks really irritate me, I honestly believe they bad for SA rugby. Let me elaborate.

The Lions, with a modest squad, have been fairly successful over the last couple of seasons. Their secret to said success is retaining the vast majority of their player's for the last 3 to 4 seasons. In doing so they build a strong team dynamic, formulate and strengthen combinations and create an environment where players are happy and playing for each other.

Along come the Sharks and their fat American backed cheque book and they flex their purchasing power by buying the Lions star players, the Tshituka brothers followed by Hendricks, along with a host of Bok stars. Now, if they were dominating URC, I would say money well spent but they absolutely nowhere while at the same time weakening other franchises, notably the Lions.

As a Lions fan this really pisses me off! And apologies in advance if I've insulted any Sharks fans...

The irony in all this is the following, the player of the match in the Sharks last 4 matches is none other than the little known (and no doubt cheaply acquired) Siya Masuku!!
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Sharks losing to Benetton at home does the Lions play off prospects absolutely no favours what so ever!! Just another example of the parasitic franchise it has become...
 
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sand_man said:
Sharks losing to Benetton at home does the Lions play off prospects absolutely no favours what so ever!! Just another example of the parasitic franchise it has become...
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Absolute joke. Your home ground needs to be your fortress but The Sharks made sure it's a free for all and worst part they don't even look concerned.
 
You love it when the sharks fail, only time you'll post @cavedog. Its become very tiresome.

@sand_man, I've always respected your rugby commentary but lately you're being a very bitter ****. Very unbecoming.
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
You love it when the sharks fail, only time you'll post @cavedog. Its become very tiresome.

@sand_man, I've always respected your rugby commentary but lately you're being a very bitter ****. Very unbecoming.
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Sorry bro... If they were winning it would more bearable.. but they disrupting the fragile ecosystem that is the Lions and for what? 13th spot in the URC?
 
elf_lord_ZC5 said:
They play Rugby proper in the USA?
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They sure do!
My grandsons aged 9 and 11 both play rugby in the local junior league - for the Las Colinas Mustangs. Season ended last week. At least three of the local universities here in Dallas have rugby teams. Rugby is the main sport at my nephew's school in Kansas - they've just played in the State champs tournament. Hundreds of schools have rugby as the main sport for boys.
USA are still the Olympic gold medal holders for 15-man rugby union - they beat France in the 1924 Olympics in Paris. After that, 15-man rugby union was dropped from the Games.

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Edit:

One new experience for me at last night's game: first time I've seen a female ref for the men's game. It was very, er, dissonant. A tall blond, she was very conspicuous in a bright yellow jersey. Women generally run differently from men, and this one especially so. Her actual reffing was pretty good. Apparently the Boks will next month play their first game with a female ref. I'm not a fan of this, frankly, though my diffidence has nothing to do with ability, of course. It's just not coherent in a men's contact sport, for all sorts of difficult-to-explain reasons.

Here's a pic of last night's referee at another men's game:

 
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Arthur said:
They sure do!
My grandsons aged 9 and 11 both play rugby in the local junior league - for the Las Colinas Mustangs. Season ended last week. At least three of the local universities here in Dallas have rugby teams. Rugby is the main sport at my nephew's school in Kansas - they've just played in the State champs tournament. Hundreds of schools have rugby as the main sport for boys.
USA are still the Olympic gold medal holders for 15-man rugby union - they beat France in the 1924 Olympics in Paris. After that, 15-man rugby union was dropped from the Games.

---

Edit:

One new experience for me at last night's game: first time I've seen a female ref for the men's game. It was very, er, dissonant. A tall blond, she was very conspicuous in a bright yellow jersey. Women generally run differently from men, and this one especially so. Her actual reffing was pretty good. Apparently the Boks will next month play their first game with a female ref. I'm not a fan of this, frankly, though my diffidence has nothing to do with ability, of course. It's just not coherent in a men's contact sport, for all sorts of difficult-to-explain reasons.

Here's a pic of last night's referee at another men's game:

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They there is hope yet for the Yanks - female referee apart :thumbsup:
 
In rugby, the term sleeping giant often refers to the USA. It has been the case for 30 years plus... yet they failed to qualify for the 2023 RWC. Are they really the sleeping giant?

As for the female refs, they generally outstanding. I have no issues with them and can't understand why anyone would... anyway, as you were...
 
3 out of 4 of the SA teams scoring wins this weekend. Stormers caught a wake up in the 2nd half, Bulls nearly had a good lead slip away before they closed it off. Lions had a tough game but eventually pulled through. The Sharks - I just don't know!
 
Werner1975 said:
3 out of 4 of the SA teams scoring wins this weekend. Stormers caught a wake up in the 2nd half, Bulls nearly had a good lead slip away before they closed it off. Lions had a tough game but eventually pulled through. The Sharks - I just don't know!
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I can only assume the Sharks were distracted by their impending Challenge Cup final in a few weeks time
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
You love it when the sharks fail, only time you'll post @cavedog. Its become very tiresome.

@sand_man, I've always respected your rugby commentary but lately you're being a very bitter ****. Very unbecoming.
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He is entitled to his views as are yours. If he is feeling negative about something why should he not express it? Don't take it personal as it' not aimed at you. Let's not become the thought/freedom of speech police.
 
sand_man said:
In rugby, the term sleeping giant often refers to the USA. It has been the case for 30 years plus... yet they failed to qualify for the 2023 RWC. Are they really the sleeping giant?
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It is an assumption based off of the size of their population and wealth. Reality is, it is what, the 5th or 6th most popular sport with a very small amateur base, let alone established professional structures.

The most successful collegiate sports program in the US - University of Florida Gators - has 234 national titles across multiple sports, but they do not play rugby. This goes for a lot of their top Division 1 colleges; many don't play rugby.
 
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