If i had to choose a rugby team i'd go for St Helens(cause i like the pies up there),but good on Widnes geting promoted.
Cricket is a majestic game. Born and raised in Liverpool and passionate about LFC, but for me, test cricket is the purest form of sport there is. I'm afraid that corruption raises its ugly head everywhere, including cricket, but if I won the lottery, I would just travel around the world watching cricket. I can't think of anything better. I also think it has a lot to do with what sport you were/are best at. Where's Rusholme Ruffian when you need him?
Substantiate your claims... as if you're talking about what you think you are, then ok, cricket is bent, but rugby? I assume you mean Manu Tuilagi jumping off the ferry, well, he was playing for the English team... and the bloodgate thing was an English club too wasn't it? Just because some dodgy stuff goes on in your camp doesn't mean the rest of the world is at it! In fairness, the blood thing probably goes on elsewhere but the British media love sensationalising things. The famous adage explains all for me; "Football is 90 minutes where people pretend to be injured, whereas rugby is 80 minutes where people pretend to not be injured". I really don't understand how football fans can have a go at rugby fans about ethics and fair play. I love football, but it's so crooked.
Also, a few people have said the 4 nations is more fun to watch than the RWC?! Are you mad?! Ok, going back years the fitness was a massive factor, but now all the union boys are massive. Pretty much to a man, I'd back the Wales team (maybe not the props, thinking about it) to survive in rugby league teams (I'm not completely clueless, I do watch both codes), and I'd say a lot of the things brought up about the way Union is are brought up solely because England play the most mind-numbing, repetitive rugby I've ever seen. I've said for years I'd rather watch Wales throw the ball around and lose (luckily, that's what happens eh? ) than play the way England do (kick, drive, maul). What amazes me most is that everyone, for years, has been incredulous at the displays, as if through some miracle they expected Martin Johnson, the epitome of the old "Grunt-drive-give it to johnny-kick it johnny!" England, to suddenly say "Ok, boys, forget the forwards, let's fling it out to the backs and play some running rugby". It's never going to happen, and I think Wales fitness and performance in the recent RWC is going to serve as a wake up call to northern hemisphere rugby. Unless others improve, we're going to slaughter everyone in the 6 nations.
I'm right here buddy. to the above!! One of the worst things to come out of this is I attended the Edgbaston test of the series in question and we polished Pakistan off comfortably. That young lads bowling was one the only shining lights to their team, but for some slogging by golden boy Dhoni. He is only 19, a career ruined.
I'm sure I know you? Mates with Chris O' Reilly? Anyway, much as I loved the way Wales went about their business in the world cup and as an Englishman who never so much as looked at Union before moving to Swansea I much, much prefer them to the England team that you describe correctly above. However, when it came to three difficult games in the world cup, they lost all three. Some perspective is needed on how good they are. They play the game in exactly the right way though and it is this form of union that pushes league close as far as entertainment is concerned. Club Union is **** though and I know this as I used to go to watch Ospreys and now don't, for exactly that reason.
I am indeed mates with Chris O'Reilly! Small world... I agree, club rugby is ****! Problem is we're only now catching up with southern hemisphere rugby in terms of, well, everything! Wales were damn close, but, ultimately, we lost so we weren't good enough. The team is stupidly young however, so we've reason to be confident. If it was any other team I'd be saying "In 4 years they'll be world beaters", but it's Wales...
I recognised your face from your Movember post. Dai Reed too, or Matt O' Malley? Our paths will have crossed but only in passing I should think. Yeah, got to agree on the current Wales side, very impressive given their youth. Would make them 6 nations favourites even though it was France who reached the final. Shane Williams might take a bit of replacing. You must be looking forward to next Saturday and the first big match of the PL at the Liberty. Still hoping to get a ticket myself.
Don't forget the Welsh lad who drove up the M4 pissed in a golf buggy.The incident in a pub in West Wales.The player who was fighting in a pub in London.The incident with Gavin Henson whilst pissed on a train
Perhaps it really depends upon what you were brought up playing. My school did not play rugby. The first time I played it was at Uni when I occassionally played for the 3rds after our foorball match was cancelled. Bloody put me at 2nd row and I'd spend the whole of the next week trying to move my neck and shoulders! As for cricket, we played it in the street or park but when people started throwing a rock at me at 100 mph I soon lost interest. However I do enjoy an occassional visit to the County Ground, Taunton - the boundaries are short and the bar stays open all day! But I think that the participation element is very important. I love crashing round the cans in a yacht race but it's almost impossible to make it rivetting television - however the bar is also open all day!
rugby is basically a sport made up by a spoilt brat who was **** at football and said **** it im picking it up. utter ****e
