General Sports Thread

Doing the paper round and in a, sour grapes kind of way, went out on my bike because I know it’s all over!

 

Was kinda willing him to let Bottas have the win today, as last week was a bit unnecessary. But he wasn't really close enough to start that discussion.
Vettel felt apart today, really surprised to see the pressure get to him.

 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/45775842

Southern Hemisphere showing us how rugby should be played. 10 tries in the match. Some 6 Nations sides cannot even produce that number over the entire Championship season. Reason? Look at France v Ireland last season? Not a single try! Too much hoofing the ball such as the box-kick or the long punt downfield.

 

You should try watching some club rugby Ides. The way teams like Exeter, Bristol, and Gloucester are playing at the moment they could give the AB’s a good game, and Bath aren’t far behind.

 

I will take up your advice and watch it on YouTube. I was referring to the National sides in the 6 nations whose games are frankly turgid.

 

The game last season? Wasn’t that in the pissing rain?

Whilst the Rugby Championship is played in reasonable weather.

You’re comparing apples and pears, and if by the fact of the number of tries scored is what you look for, I suggest stop watching NH rugby. The 2 championships (rugby champ and 6N) are totally different. National pride and passion makes the games extremely intense.

I’m sorry, but when you watch SA NZ and see SA natives supporting NZ, it shows that it isn’t the same.

 

I have seen rugby teams play in the pouring rain and still play running rugby

(NZ and Oz are both able to do this) ​

. These guys are professional and should be capable of running with the ball, and catching it regardless of the conditions. Sorry, but it is a poor excuse for playing a kicking game. Are you telling me that the SH teams don´t play with pride and intensity?

It will be good for the six nations teams if NZ, SA and hopefully the Aussies come away having blown away the 6 Nations sides in the autumn internationals by playing an expansive game of rugby. It will forcé the 6 Nations teams into a radical re-think on their game approach.

 

YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!

WIGAN WIN THE SUPER LEAGUE GRAND FINAL

 

Vettel given 3 place grid penalty for US GP.

Could all be sewn up tomorrow...

 

Of course, South Africa and New Zealand have the some close proximity to each other like the majority of 6N sides. If you are comparing their passion and pride to that of say a game between England and Wales, then you’re opinion is from someone who watches rugby from afar. Bragging rights and national pride are at stake, games where trying not lose becomes the priority.

But generalising one game in horrific conditions to the SA NZ game which was played in warm dry conditions is ridiculous.

Go back to 2015, and you’ll find that the last day of the 6N was played in fair conditions, and England ran out 55-35 winners on that day against France.

You do know the 6 nation sides currently hold 3 of the top 4 spots in the world at the moment right?

In the Autumn internationals, if the weather plays nice, I expect you’ll see some expansive attacking rugby. Although SA didn’t play expansive rugby, they played physical rugby with little flair.

 

Which seems strange given that all the semi-finalists at the last World Cup were from the SH!!!!

 

Which was 3 years ago...

 

People outside Wales care about rugby?

 

Yes.

 

Ftfy.

 

Except you left out the hundreds of thousands in the West and South West, and the Midlands, and London, as well as the North, who care about rugby.

 

What’s your opinion on the guy who retired to try and join the NFL? Christian Wade I think his name is. Usually the players who move across are people who haven’t been able to make it in rugby but my understanding is that he is actually pretty good and at 27 is in his prime?

 

The north are more into Rugby League.

 

That's even worse

 

Opinions vary, but a lot of the press are saying it’s because his size ((5’8”, 185lb) doesn’t fit with the modern game, where only the halfbacks can get away with being under 6 foot. His speed and agility will probably make him a decent wide receiver or running back in the NFL, but it does seem a shame.