Planet Rugby Forum

Rugby2023

I think its a shame for England that Finn Smith isn't playing this match. It's probably the last opportunity for him to face NZ before the 2027 RWC (at which George Ford would be 34 years old). I can see the commercial reasons why Ford is picked ahead of him for this friendly where ticket fees of ~...

Rugby2023

Is Edwards still France defence coach? If so, he'll expect a response.

France by 10

Rugby2023

I'd not heard the 'have 8 but only use 5' suggestion before, but it sounds good. I might go even lower to 4. I have seen games where more than 4 players in one side have been injured, but they are rare. It avoids the potential fake injuries of injury only replacement , whilst at the same time reduc...

Rugby2023

england starting pack weaker than the bench, plus slow and cumbersome backline i guess the hope is they are within a score at about 50 min and able to finish strong, it's a big gamble Sound observation. Borthwick will get it in the neck if England are too far behind on the scoreboard by the time th...

Rugby2023

Let's hope they're still in touch on the scoreboard by the time the bench gets on.

Would've gone F. Smith over Ford but it is what it is.

Rugby2023

Wales a tier 2 nation at best now. I think the future looks very bleak. How long will their reputation keep them in the 6n as a commercial force? Well Rome kept Italy in it for 20 years. It will be a drag on the comp if they don't improve though. I thought they should've hired a better head coach t...

Rugby2023

Sprint races are a lifeline for Verstappen's title challenge? otherwise Norris would only have to score 24 points across the 3 remaining races to finish ahead of Verstappen (assuming he won all three).

Rugby2023

They're upping the license fee too, aren't they?

Rugby2023

You're obviously young and don't remember when no subs were allowed except for injuries. I do (vaguely) remember when subs were just for injuries, but I also remember "bloodgate", and I think injuries are more common now. I'm struggling with the concept of having 8 subs but only 5 being available t...

Rugby2023

Ford or Smith v NZ?

Rugby2023

eirambler wrote: ↑Sun Nov 09, 2025 6:00 pm Wow, 50. And Argentina were last in the Rugby Championship.

Australia lost to Italy, scraped Lions tour win devalued.

Rugby2023

I'd not heard the 'have 8 but only use 5' suggestion before, but it sounds good. I might go even lower to 4. I have seen games where more than 4 players in one side have been injured, but they are rare. It avoids the potential fake injuries of injury only replacement , whilst at the same time reduc...

Rugby2023

I cannot believe that the smaller nations aren't making more of a fuss about it. It's stacking the deck. Strongly favours Boks, England, France and to an extent, NZ. Huge advantage to those with existing playing depth , which makes it harder for those who lack it,.to bridge the gap. It takes an une...

Rugby2023

Should Wales count? I mean, c'mon...

Rugby2023

Rugby2023 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 08, 2025 10:36 pm It was permanent red but I would've liked to have seen who was the better team, 15 v 14 for a half won't reflect that.

Well I take this back, if the 14 win, there's really no arguing about who is the better team.

Rugby2023

It was permanent red but I would've liked to have seen who was the better team, 15 v 14 for a half won't reflect that.

Rugby2023

Derwyn wrote: ↑Sat Nov 08, 2025 8:19 pm Just flicked on Italy vs Australia.

The shrieks of a woman commentator is enough for me to turn that off!

Yea, caught a clip of that squawking on X, off-putting. I don't mind them in the studio, or even on co-comms at a stretch, but lead commentary is too much.

Rugby2023

More selection questions than answers for the England selection for NZ.

Nevertheless, a good win, albeit the scoreline slightly flattering.

Who taught Fiji how to maul? They can do it fairly effectively

Rugby2023

Arundel pace

Rugby2023

Fiji No.5 rekt Waboso

Rugby2023

Italy winning?

Rugby2023

Fiji's kicker cost them 6 points

Rugby2023

Lovely build-up play, Lawrence has put his hand up for the NZ match.

Rugby2023

Plastic Sarrie wrote: ↑Sat Nov 08, 2025 7:23 pm
RodneyRegis wrote: ↑Sat Nov 08, 2025 7:20 pm Surely an upgrade, that's a horror challenge.
Looked terrible but landed on front rather than head or neck so might not be? Only because he went through him and put him through a 540 virtually

Has to be red, has to be.

Rugby2023

RodneyRegis wrote: ↑Sat Nov 08, 2025 7:20 pm Well that's red and game over.

Only 20 min red.

Lol @ waboso running on, should've played advantage

Rugby2023

Didn't think Aussies got triggered by "crim".

Anyway, have Italy ever won this fixture?

Rugby2023

Healey correct, England playing Fiji's game. Scabnose not learning.

Rugby2023

2 tries to 1 Fiji but their goalkicker costing them

Rugby2023

Maul try to Fiji

Rugby2023

Fiji in blue sucks.

Rugby2023

Sounds like I missed a decent second half

Rugby2023

Last Line wrote: ↑Sat Nov 08, 2025 5:04 pm The record will remain intact. Scotland couldn't score in a brothel.

They got over the line twice in fairness, held up and that crappy law means no second bite at the cherry.

Rugby2023

So NZ win the yellow card period.

Pretty useless from Scotland, they wouldn't go 17-0 down at home with an extra man against any 6N team.

NZ might be better than 6N but still, not clever.

Rugby2023

Need to get rid of the goal-line drop-out, crap rule/law.

Rugby2023

Russell is lame (in a literal sense).

Rugby2023

redderneck wrote: ↑Sat Nov 08, 2025 3:40 pm Hmmmmm. If they get close enough we can get the hoors Irish-qualified.

They're quite small by all accounts, like Peter Stringer.

Rugby2023

For both Eng and SA this choice represents an accurate assessment of who their best players are, where their strength lies. Not really sure it is more significant or difficult than that No doubt, I guess a team like Georgia would benefit too. But it's not about specific teams, the question is wheth...

Rugby2023

You just beat me to the edit!

Rugby2023

I never believed in "aliens" until recently when Harald Malmgren died (see wikipedia). He basically confirmed Roswell et al was real and that he held part of an alien spacecraft in New Mexico. He also saw video of the US interrogating one of the surviving aliens, told to his daughter on his deathbed...

Rugby2023

England won the game with a 6-2 split of forwards to backs, forward depth won the day. Nothing wrong with that on the face of it, SA have obviously utilised it too to great effect. But, does it improve the spectacle? Do the matches get more or less exciting with forwards coming on instead of backs? ...

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