Off Topic Ospreys, Wales & BIL

After 350 internationals, Mark Davies - who hails from Maesteg - is retiring as Welsh physio this week.

He played for Swansea and had 3 Welsh caps.

 

It's not getting any better for the All Blacks.
Argentina beat the All Blacks for the first time in New Zealand.

Winger Emiliano Boffelli kicked 20 points as the Pumas won 25-18 in Christchurch to pile the pressure on All Blacks coach Ian Foster.

 

I watched it from the 35th minute.

Pumas fully deserved to win

 

Blimey, the cloak of invincibility has definitely gone now. Can't be doing some NZ egos any good!

 

Fully agree Taff. I watched from when the Pumas were 3-0 up lots of ill discipline from the All Blacks and great defensive play by the Pumas.

 

If only Nige was reffing

 

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/lyn-jones-lands-new-international-24912666

 

French and world rugby superstar Virimi Vakatawa has been banned from playing rugby in France due to an unspecified medical condition.

The shock news stunned the sport on Monday amid confusion over whether it means the end of Vakatawa's playing career at the age of just 30. A press conference is reportedly due to be held on Tuesday where Vakatawa will be present.

A Racing 92 statement read: "Racing 92 has just been informed of the decision of the LNR's medical committee to ban Virimi VAKATAWA from continuing his professional career as a rugby player in France.

"Particularly saddened by this terrible announcement, Racing 92 gives its full support to Virimi VAKATAWA and immediately put in place all the arrangements to support its emblematic player as best as possible in these particularly difficult times." The LNR manages professional rugby in France.

The Fijian-born centre played in France's last two matches against Japan and is seen as one of the best players in the world.

 

Well that's all a bit vague and mysterious.

 

The comments are split, what do you make of it Taff?

 

I suspect that the ones on the side of the WRU are Community/‘Amateur’ Game supporters, whilst the ones anti the WRU’s proposal are on the side of the Regions/Pro Rugby.

The reality is that the Community Clubs effectively own the WRU, yet it is the Professional side of the game that generates the vast majority of the Revenue.

At the time of Project Reset, the decision to ‘ring fence’ monies for the Community game was done to try and ensure acceptance from them for upcoming changes, whilst the Regions would share the excess. No one foresaw a pandemic

One of the requirements / demands (of Project Reset) from the WRU was that Regional Benefactors had to write off any loans made by them to their respective Regions (Peter Thomas wrote off in excess of £10m if I recall correctly) .

If the article is correct, it seems bemusing to me that the WRU now wants these same Benefactors to underwrite these new loans - so yet again no risk to the WRU and its member clubs ….

 

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/springboks-statement-two-team-members-sent-home/

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/62827704