Rugby 2013

[geysir]

That assessment of us not having authority is on the button. Salmon or White line fever would be equally apt.

Thankfully we didn't get punished for it in the end.

Hopefully come next year we'll have copped.

Am I the only one who thinks that Trimble was our MOTM?
From the time they missed that nailed on penalty, we kept giving the ball away and they kept giving it back to us.
I'd say the white line fever was felt by both sides, pretty evenly.

[Stuttgart88]

Charlie, FIRA organises the European Nations Cup and is rumoured to be given control of a third European club competition, but apart from that I agree. I suspect you knew that but were speaking in general terms. FIRA has one vote at IRB council, as opposed to 2 each for the big nations. They could only have any real impact at global level if they collude with the other regional confederations who also each only have one vote. I think Argentina has only one vote too, and as far as I know only the SANZAR unions have control over the new 4 nations championship, I.e., Argentina must put up with what's on offer.

In one sense it makes sense for bigger nations to have more influence but in another it blocks pathways etc., much like in cricket.

[Charlie Darwin]

Charlie, FIRA organises the European Nations Cup and is rumoured to be given control of a third European club competition, but apart from that I agree. I suspect you knew that but were speaking in general terms. FIRA has one vote at IRB council, as opposed to 2 each for the big nations. They could only have any real impact at global level if they collude with the other regional confederations who also each only have one vote. I think Argentina has only one vote too, and as far as I know only the SANZAR unions have control over the new 4 nations championship, I.e., Argentina must put up with what's on offer.

In one sense it makes sense for bigger nations to have more influence but in another it blocks pathways etc., much like in cricket.
I actually forgot about the ENC - I thought the IRB organised it for some reason - but yeah I meant more the fact they don't seem to govern the game in any meaningful sense the way UEFA would. I think rugby is better than cricket in the way that it encourages tier one members to play full tests against tier two sides, but there is the same division between the haves and the have nots. One thing the IRB does is distribute money based on need rather than the ICB's closed shop, in that sense it's closer to the FIFA model.

[BonnieShels]

From the time they missed that nailed on penalty, we kept giving the ball away and they kept giving it back to us.
I'd say the white line fever was felt by both sides, pretty evenly.

But they hadn't a championship to win at that stage; we did. They knew they would get one chance to win the game and there was no point in them running at us as we would punish them for it.

[BonnieShels]

I actually forgot about the ENC - I thought the IRB organised it for some reason - but yeah I meant more the fact they don't seem to govern the game in any meaningful sense the way UEFA would. I think rugby is better than cricket in the way that it encourages tier one members to play full tests against tier two sides, but there is the same division between the haves and the have nots. One thing the IRB does is distribute money based on need rather than the ICB's closed shop, in that sense it's closer to the FIFA model.

But we are getting dangerously close to the glass ceiling scenario for the developing (tier 2) nations. Not quite at Ireland/Afghanistan at cricket levels, but close enough for the odd upset v Scotland or Italy.

There'll be a clamour over the next few years for more link up between the ENC and the SNC. I say few, but maybe 10.

[Charlie Darwin]

But we are getting dangerously close to the glass ceiling scenario for the developing (tier 2) nations. Not quite at Ireland/Afghanistan at cricket levels, but close enough for the odd upset v Scotland or Italy.

There'll be a clamour over the next few years for more link up between the ENC and the SNC. I say few, but maybe 10.
While I think there is a clear division in rugby, I don't think there is a literal (well, not literal, but you know) glass ceiling the way there is in cricket where Ireland have had to smash it to get noticed. Samoa's performance in the RWC 2011 was enough to prompt the IRB to change the scheduling, Italy were admitted to the old 5N and Ireland, for their part, have welcomed Samoa and Georgia in successive years despite the obvious financial hit they'll take compared to an elite SH side.

[BonnieShels]

Links for game v Argentina in here.

http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=264509&part=sports

[Real ale Madrid]

Ireland U-20's are into the semi final of the Junior World Cup in New Zealand after beating Fiji 38-0 this morning. That was after a bonus point win against Wales last Friday and a losing bonus point against France the previous Sunday.

Ireland face England in the semi finals next Sunday morning - live on TG4 / SS1 at 6.05am.

Draw for next years European competition takes place at midday.

[Charlie Darwin]

Missed the two latest games but saw them against France and they were completely outmuscled, so to turn it around in this manner is a fantastic achievement. It's funny they've made it this far as they're probably the weakest group individually we've brought to a JWC in four or five years, but clearly they make up for it in collective effort.

[BonnieShels]

Ireland U-20's are into the semi final of the Junior World Cup in New Zealand after beating Fiji 38-0 this morning. That was after a bonus point win against Wales last Friday and a losing bonus point against France the previous Sunday.

Ireland face England in the semi finals next Sunday morning - live on TG4 / SS1 at 6.05am.

Draw for next years European competition takes place at midday.

That's 1am pour moi. Luvverly stuff. I'll be up World Cupping all night at a patio somewhere.


Missed the two latest games but saw them against France and they were completely outmuscled, so to turn it around in this manner is a fantastic achievement. It's funny they've made it this far as they're probably the weakest group individually we've brought to a JWC in four or five years, but clearly they make up for it in collective effort.

I've seen precious little Junior Rugby in years. Sounds like a super effort from the lads. What ye reckon for the SF v Engerland?

[Charlie Darwin]

I'd be very, very quietly hopeful but England slaughtered them in the 6N and this is a weaker side than played the 6N. The English and French kids are just so big - the Irish players have more skills but size tells at this level. We're just lucky we avoided the Boks.

[Real ale Madrid]

We pretty comprehensively turned around the Wales result 35-21 compared to losing to them 16-0 at home in the 6N so a repeat of that would see us give a good account of ourselves. England are very very strong at this level and we will struggle to contain them at the breakdown I think. We have plenty class out wide ourselves though so we have a bit of a squeak.

It's a peculiar tournament this. The last few years the winning team has lost its opening game. Teams tend to develop as the tournament progresses so it's difficult to call it. Should be facinating.