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by mdaclarke
Sat Apr 06, 2024 7:14 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: 2023/2024 European Champions Cup
Replies: 1412
Views: 69462

Re: 2023/2024 European Champions Cup

I hate consolation trys
by mdaclarke
Fri Apr 05, 2024 7:13 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: How will the South African General Election impact South African rugby
Replies: 19
Views: 516

Re: How will the South African General Election impact South African rugby

booze wrote: Fri Apr 05, 2024 6:56 pm What potential impact would the general election have on rugby in South Africa?

Have there been pledges made by any party relating to rugby? Good or bad?
https://www.capetownetc.com/uncategoris ... must-fall/
by mdaclarke
Fri Apr 05, 2024 1:20 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Official Pints thread
Replies: 38
Views: 991

Re: Official Pints thread

Wine Wednesday. Even if I don't drink any other day, wine Wednesday breaks the week up a treat. I have met with my friends every Wednesday evening for a few pints down my local for 20 years. It breaks the week up, and also ensures that I keep in touch with my small circle of closest friends. We als...
by mdaclarke
Thu Apr 04, 2024 10:38 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The Official Irish Rugby Thread
Replies: 528784
Views: 28848096

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Limited number of NIQ slots. Furthermore, Munster already have an NIQ centre, so they won't be allowed to hang two. NIQs need to be spread around the positions, the IRFU won't sanction multiple in one position in a club. Interesting, I have just read Rassie’s autobiography and he was saying that no...
by mdaclarke
Thu Apr 04, 2024 10:07 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: How will the South African General Election impact South African rugby
Replies: 19
Views: 516

How will the South African General Election impact South African rugby

Looks like the ANC will need to into coalition with either the EFF or DA. I assume that an ANC/EFF coalition would be bad news, yet it must have been priced in by the investors in the Unions and the returning players like Andre Esterhuizen, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Willie Le Roux, Jannes Kirsten...
by mdaclarke
Thu Apr 04, 2024 9:26 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The Official Irish Rugby Thread
Replies: 528784
Views: 28848096

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

The latter. One of the reasons I don’t like project players or residency qualification. In 9 times out of 10 they are only going down this route because they aren’t good enough to play for their home nation. How is Frisch declaring for France bad news for Munster? Limited number of NIQ slots. Furth...
by mdaclarke
Thu Apr 04, 2024 9:00 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The Official Irish Rugby Thread
Replies: 528784
Views: 28848096

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

No surprise. Why? Because you feel he is being ignored by Ireland or because you believe he always would have preferred France (he is French as well) The latter. One of the reasons I don’t like project players or residency qualification. In 9 times out of 10 they are only going down this route beca...
by mdaclarke
Thu Apr 04, 2024 1:49 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Chasing the Sun 2
Replies: 146
Views: 19176

Re: Chasing the Sun 2

Any news about when this will be on UK TV?
by mdaclarke
Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:20 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Greatest Lock Eva retiring from all rugby.
Replies: 90
Views: 1960

Re: Greatest Lock Eva retiring from all rugby.

That's a funny way of spelling Eben Etzebeth.
by mdaclarke
Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:19 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

Enzedder wrote: Wed Apr 03, 2024 11:55 pm I feel that the problem World Rugby faces is that there are 2 factions, maybe 3, that all want different things.
Add a 4th, people who are generally happy with how things are (save for the abomination that is the Goal Line Dropout), and just want the current laws to be enforced.
by mdaclarke
Wed Apr 03, 2024 3:29 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

Under the current laws. Define "positive" throwing it about endlessly like Super Pacific Rugby, which doesn't seem to be faring that well with crowds? A good scrum and a strong maul is positive, and often leads to exciting backline attacks as there is more space and front-foot ball. Baxter is right...
by mdaclarke
Wed Apr 03, 2024 10:40 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Snyman's not forever ...
Replies: 295
Views: 13845

Re: Snyman's not forever ...

The Springbok is believed to be battling an illness is now at risk of missing this weekend’s Champions Cup round of 16 playoffs. Snyman's part of an Elite Club. Only 44 players in the history of the game has won gone on two win multiple World Cups and of those a whopping 25 are South Africans. And ...
by mdaclarke
Wed Apr 03, 2024 10:21 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Snyman's not forever ...
Replies: 295
Views: 13845

Re: Snyman's not forever ...

The Springbok is believed to be battling an illness is now at risk of missing this weekend’s Champions Cup round of 16 playoffs. Snyman's part of an Elite Club. Only 44 players in the history of the game has won gone on two win multiple World Cups and of those a whopping 25 are South Africans. And ...
by mdaclarke
Wed Apr 03, 2024 10:20 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

While I agree generally with Baxter that the laws are changed far too often, scrums are a blight, for the professional game at least. Getting rid of the hit should get rid of time wasted setting and resetting scrums while keeping it as a scrummaging contest. Just have the front rows engage first, w...
by mdaclarke
Wed Apr 03, 2024 9:40 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

That’s not an argument for changing the rules. That’s an argument for making sure it’s on free to air TV. You’ve highlighted the correct problem but come up with the wrong solution. The beauty of Rugby Union is that there are 1000’s of different styles that teams can play. The same cannot be said f...
by mdaclarke
Wed Apr 03, 2024 8:10 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

You think that people who have slowly drifted away from Rugby over the years, or even worse were never Rugby fans in the first place because it's hidden away on Pay TV here, are somehow trying to "mess with union"? Are you right in the head? That’s not an argument for changing the rules. That’s an ...
by mdaclarke
Wed Apr 03, 2024 8:06 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

Matt To’omua was saying on a podcast this week that it is a well-understood tactic in teams he’s played in to use the scrum to waste time in the final minutes or when a player is in the bin. Shirley it takes nothing away from the importance of the scrum to stop the clock for each and every one. Thi...
by mdaclarke
Wed Apr 03, 2024 7:48 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

They are welcome to go and watch League, maybe they will stop trying to mess with Union. Calling people Trolls is just a lazy way to try and shut down debate. People are free to disagree with you no matter how much you dislike it. You think that people who have slowly drifted away from Rugby over t...
by mdaclarke
Wed Apr 03, 2024 7:37 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

They are part of the game. Surely you should go and watch sevens or league ... Or basketball rugby ... if you don't like it. Can we just stop regurgitating all the braindead "go watch league" comments every time a law change(s) is mooted that you don't wholly approve of? When people do that they're...
by mdaclarke
Wed Apr 03, 2024 7:30 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

“But rugby union is a game for all shapes and sizes" is getting pretty tedious to hear too. Evolution under professionalism will eradicate the obese and the less athletic/skilled players over time anyway, so it's a load of bs. Frans Malherbe does ok and the game has been pro for 28 years. Again, pe...
by mdaclarke
Wed Apr 03, 2024 7:28 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

Rugby2023 wrote: Wed Apr 03, 2024 1:42 am Thread is giving me real ELVs deja vu.

How about they undo being held up over the line meaning a goalline dropout first? terrible law that takes all the heat out of the game.
Agree 100%
by mdaclarke
Wed Apr 03, 2024 7:25 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

Look at the old games. Scrums took no time. The ball was in and out. These days roided up orcs take minutes per scrum. I hate to think how much of the game is taken up by scrums and scrum penalties. They are part of the game. Surely you should go and watch sevens or league ... Or basketball rugby ....
by mdaclarke
Tue Apr 02, 2024 10:27 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Kitshoff back to the Stormers?
Replies: 38
Views: 1268

Re: Kitshoff back to the Stormers?

Done deal according to the Irish Times

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... he-season/

Is the Irish Times a reputable newspaper?
by mdaclarke
Tue Apr 02, 2024 10:04 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

My worry with the scrum change (and I speak as someone who weighs a whopping 73kg) is that we'll end up moving to a lighter and much more mobile front row (just accept the free kick against you at the scrum and look to win your own lineout) so we end up with even less space in the backfield. That's...
by mdaclarke
Tue Apr 02, 2024 3:13 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

I think Baxter makes a key point about stability. In a sense, it doesn't matter if individual changes are good or bad, if there are too many, too frequently, the constant change is bad for spectators, especially newer ones. Also, he is correct about maul defence - you can always stop it by throwing...
by mdaclarke
Tue Apr 02, 2024 2:58 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

Eggchasers Rugby view on the new law changes below. He has some valid points except for the skipping Italy games comment. https://youtu.be/z4G89rQ-mGY?si=lpH1_CQrp_DgV3L1 I agree with him. Just enforce the rules as they are. Also interesting that his opinion is that the goal line drop out was intro...
by mdaclarke
Tue Apr 02, 2024 2:37 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

lilyw wrote: Tue Apr 02, 2024 2:35 pm
True Blue wrote: Tue Apr 02, 2024 2:29 pm The scrum was designed to restart the game not be a random penalty magnet
Is it a restart or a contest?
Exactly
by mdaclarke
Tue Apr 02, 2024 2:37 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

Incorrect, rugby league has scrums. Rugby will still have scrums, mauls and lineouts. I love both mauls and scrums. There is far too much bullshit around the scrum than the actual act of scrummaging itself. The laws are not depowering the act of scrummaging. Mauls are too favoured towards the attac...
by mdaclarke
Tue Apr 02, 2024 1:43 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

And how do the proposed law changes actually weaken the scrum? How do they weaken the maul? Do you have an actual though in your head or are you hear just to copy and paste? Because nothing in the law changes looks like it will have an adverse effect on the actual art of scrummaging and the maul wi...
by mdaclarke
Tue Apr 02, 2024 1:23 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

And how do the proposed law changes actually weaken the scrum? How do they weaken the maul? Do you have an actual though in your head or are you hear just to copy and paste? Because nothing in the law changes looks like it will have an adverse effect on the actual art of scrummaging and the maul wi...
by mdaclarke
Tue Apr 02, 2024 1:03 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Re: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

Don’t think Rob Baxter is South African. Reported in Planet Rugby now https://www.planetrugby.com/news/respected-premiership-boss-angered-by-world-rugby-madness-over-law-tinkering Don’t care, he has completely misjudged what they are trying to achieve, as you have as well Has Nigel Owens also compl...
by mdaclarke
Tue Apr 02, 2024 11:36 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul
Replies: 105
Views: 1589

Rob Baxter to World Rugby, Stop messing with the scrum and maul

I agree with Rob Baxter. Especially about the scrums and mauls. This has vibes of the failed attempt to force through waist high tackling. I’m beginning to think that the scrum and maul changes won’t get through. I also wish all the administrators championing this change would fornicate off and go a...
by mdaclarke
Tue Apr 02, 2024 1:18 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Chasing the Sun 2
Replies: 146
Views: 19176

Re: Chasing the Sun 2

mr bungle wrote: Tue Apr 02, 2024 12:46 am Seeing snippets on Twitter is about all I could stomach of Rassie the “incredible man motivator”. “You lied, you f**king lied” :roll:
Seems to work though
by mdaclarke
Mon Apr 01, 2024 7:01 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: URC 2024/25: Centurioni Roma.
Replies: 5
Views: 253

Re: URC 2024/25: Centurioni Roma.

I know it’s an April Fools but it could work Add 2 South African Teams, Cheetahs and 1 other (Griquas) Have 3 shields 1. South Africa. 2. Ireland and Scotland 3. Italy and Wales. Each Team plays 22 games, 10 home and away against own Shield. 12 against the other 12 teams. I would bin off the Scarlet...
by mdaclarke
Sun Mar 31, 2024 9:58 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Official Pints thread
Replies: 38
Views: 991

Re: Official Pints thread

Tbh I've fallen out of love with alcohol altogether probably because of the hangover which takes a couple days to get over these days. I've drunk a total of three bears since new year. I bought a box of beer for the start of super rugby, haven't touched it. I'm getting old :( I stopped going out we...
by mdaclarke
Sun Mar 31, 2024 8:59 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Official Pints thread
Replies: 38
Views: 991

Re: Official Pints thread

Wine Wednesday. Even if I don't drink any other day, wine Wednesday breaks the week up a treat. I have met with my friends every Wednesday evening for a few pints down my local for 20 years. It breaks the week up, and also ensures that I keep in touch with my small circle of closest friends. We als...
by mdaclarke
Sun Mar 31, 2024 7:31 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The Official Welsh Rugby Thread
Replies: 37960
Views: 2644049

Re: The Official Welsh Rugby Thread

Struggling to fit them all in. Surely the solution is to be a better team and improve their marketing and reduce ticket prices etc. Seems a bit defeatist to just give up and leave. Also where would they go? St Helens? The Gnoll? They’ve tried all the marketing but the people of Swansea are just not...