Internatiional Rugby Union Discussion
Discussion
Decided to set up a new thread from the Lions thread as a forum to discuss all things international rugby union. RC kicks off on 17th August with the Aussies against the All Blacks. Would expect NZ to win this again but think 2nd place is up for grabs between Aus and SA but would favour the latter. Argentina will target their home games to get a first victory but would expect them to come last, although they’ll no doubt fancy dismantling the Aussie scrum if they were watching the Lions tour……
17/8/13
Aus v NZ
SA v Arg
24/8/13
Nz v Aus
Arg v SA
7/9/13
NZ v Arg
Aus v SA
14/9/13
NZ v SA
Aus v Arg
28/9/13
SA v Aus
Arg v NZ
5/10/13
SA v NZ
Arg v Aus
Autumn internationals, far too early to comment on form, availability etc at this stage. I was disappointed that a test between Eng and SA wasn’t going to feature as I think we could run them close/run this time around. Eng have a test against Argentina which is from an easy result nowadays particularly as you’d expect them to play their strongest 15 possible. Eng have the Aussies up first and Wales last. You’d have thought both teams would be targeting at least 2/3 wins. Eng now how the ambitious plan of being ranked #2 by time the RWC comes.
2/11/13 Eng v Aus
9/11/13 Wal v SA, Sco v Japan, Eng v Arg, Ire v Samoa, Fra v NZ, Italy v Aus
16/11/13 Eng v NZ, Wal v Arg, Ire v Aus, Fra v Tonga, Italy v Fiji,
17/11/13 Sco vs SA
22/11/13 Wal v Tonga
23/11/13 Italy v Arg, Sco v Aus, Fra v SA
24/11/13 Ire v NZ
30/11/13 Ba Baas v Fiji @ Twickenham. Wa; v Aus, Ire vs Arg
17/8/13
Aus v NZ
SA v Arg
24/8/13
Nz v Aus
Arg v SA
7/9/13
NZ v Arg
Aus v SA
14/9/13
NZ v SA
Aus v Arg
28/9/13
SA v Aus
Arg v NZ
5/10/13
SA v NZ
Arg v Aus
Autumn internationals, far too early to comment on form, availability etc at this stage. I was disappointed that a test between Eng and SA wasn’t going to feature as I think we could run them close/run this time around. Eng have a test against Argentina which is from an easy result nowadays particularly as you’d expect them to play their strongest 15 possible. Eng have the Aussies up first and Wales last. You’d have thought both teams would be targeting at least 2/3 wins. Eng now how the ambitious plan of being ranked #2 by time the RWC comes.
2/11/13 Eng v Aus
9/11/13 Wal v SA, Sco v Japan, Eng v Arg, Ire v Samoa, Fra v NZ, Italy v Aus
16/11/13 Eng v NZ, Wal v Arg, Ire v Aus, Fra v Tonga, Italy v Fiji,
17/11/13 Sco vs SA
22/11/13 Wal v Tonga
23/11/13 Italy v Arg, Sco v Aus, Fra v SA
24/11/13 Ire v NZ
30/11/13 Ba Baas v Fiji @ Twickenham. Wa; v Aus, Ire vs Arg
a311 said:
Argentina will target their home games to get a first victory but would expect them to come last, although they’ll no doubt fancy dismantling the Aussie scrum if they were watching the Lions tour……
I know it wasn't the full teams but England destroyed Argentina in the scrums on this summers tour. Was quite a surprise for a nation that prides itself on scrummaging.No disrespect to England but the Argies were well down on their front 5 and simply don't have the depth England have at the moment. Theres not a massive quality difference between the leading props in England (Corbs apart) but in Argentina their main team is quite a leap ahead. The summer tours used to be big time for the Argies but now they are in the 'Big Boys' tournament their priorities have shifted. I can see them losing quite a few summer tours comprehensively while they try to create a 2nd team.
Yeah, I'd imagine that QC will come back in @ 10 and get given another shot with his old coach in charge of the national team. Having visited Green and Gold Rugby throughout the Lions test I never knew he polarised opinion so much in Aus. They could have a very potent back 3 if Beale sorts his head out for any length of time, there's def a place for Justin Bieber just not at 10. The Aussies are keen to get some guy who's been playing in the S15 eligable for the national side buthis name escapes me but I think he's a winger too.
Although a long way of Englands summer tour next year is to New Zealand whilst Wales travel to South Africa.
Although a long way of Englands summer tour next year is to New Zealand whilst Wales travel to South Africa.
f
k me that England V Australia test will be interesting....England won't have played as a unit for eight months, the Aussies will play much tighter as a team at the end of their season....but they'll be knackered. Amazed England are playing them first up.
That's going to be a very interesting game, I think the Aussies will push England all the way.
k me that England V Australia test will be interesting....England won't have played as a unit for eight months, the Aussies will play much tighter as a team at the end of their season....but they'll be knackered. Amazed England are playing them first up.That's going to be a very interesting game, I think the Aussies will push England all the way.
Im taking my son to the Argie game 
On a separate note, not sure why I've never seen this before but did make me chuckle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDFurMPPzJ8
On a separate note, not sure why I've never seen this before but did make me chuckle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDFurMPPzJ8
QC back in Wallabies squad and Beale out until next year with a shoulder injury.
10 uncapped players named in the squad with all those heading abroad next season not featuring at all (the likes of Berrick Barnes). McKenzie has strongly hinted QC will be in @ 10 and JOC will move to fullback.
I’m tempted to say Aus will finish 3rd in the championship this year. I can see them getting beaten home and away by NZ, winning against SA and the Argies at home but loosing on the road to SA and maybe the Argies away too.
SA are a bit of an unknown quantity for me at the moment, missing a few players and still in a transitional phase still after allot of key retirements. On the road they could possibly falter against the Argies too.
10 uncapped players named in the squad with all those heading abroad next season not featuring at all (the likes of Berrick Barnes). McKenzie has strongly hinted QC will be in @ 10 and JOC will move to fullback.
I’m tempted to say Aus will finish 3rd in the championship this year. I can see them getting beaten home and away by NZ, winning against SA and the Argies at home but loosing on the road to SA and maybe the Argies away too.
SA are a bit of an unknown quantity for me at the moment, missing a few players and still in a transitional phase still after allot of key retirements. On the road they could possibly falter against the Argies too.
Meant to post this up the day it was announced. So Ash the Splash lives to fight another day (yet again) I don't think he deserves his place and maybe knocking him down a peg or two could have sorted him out. Hartley also in which doesn't surprise me. I wonder if Lancaster will have the conviction to maybe drop Robshaw as captain, and go with Wood who was seemingly his first choice when he took over. Robshaw has certainly grown on me as a player and a captain.
Lancaster has said he won't pick his captian or squad for the Autumn Internationals until late October so that suggests he'll pick on form regardless. Kyle Eastmond and wings Marland Yarde and Christian Wade are good moves, I haven't seen much of Eastmond other than the Argentina tour and in RL but looks a good prospect if Bath develop him as a centre. He's a pretty small bloke with with quick feet, can tackle and hopefully offer something different to the bish bash approach. I still think 36 looks a great player so hopefully some fierce competion for places in the centres.
Goode I'll be happy to see relegate to the bench or lower with Foden back at FB-potentially a very exciting attacking backline of Foden, Yarde, and Wade. Back row will be tough, got two very good 6's in the two Toms with each offering something a bit different to the other. Ben Morgan will hopefully keep injury free, Billy V being an awesome impact sub and could push Morgan for a start, still needs to develop some of the skills required form a #8. Will probably see Parling and Launchbury start if fit likewise, Cole, Corbs, and Youngs in the front row.
I'd like to see Burns get more game time and starts but can see Farrell still being first choice. Care and Youngs to push eachother as the starting 9's.
All in all a good blend of experience and potential.
Full elite squad:
Forwards: David Attwood (Bath Rugby), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Alex Corbisiero (Northampton Saints), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), David Wilson (Bath Rugby), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Danny Care (Harlequins), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Alex Goode (Saracens), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby), Christian Wade (London Wasps), Marland Yarde (London Irish), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Lancaster has said he won't pick his captian or squad for the Autumn Internationals until late October so that suggests he'll pick on form regardless. Kyle Eastmond and wings Marland Yarde and Christian Wade are good moves, I haven't seen much of Eastmond other than the Argentina tour and in RL but looks a good prospect if Bath develop him as a centre. He's a pretty small bloke with with quick feet, can tackle and hopefully offer something different to the bish bash approach. I still think 36 looks a great player so hopefully some fierce competion for places in the centres.
Goode I'll be happy to see relegate to the bench or lower with Foden back at FB-potentially a very exciting attacking backline of Foden, Yarde, and Wade. Back row will be tough, got two very good 6's in the two Toms with each offering something a bit different to the other. Ben Morgan will hopefully keep injury free, Billy V being an awesome impact sub and could push Morgan for a start, still needs to develop some of the skills required form a #8. Will probably see Parling and Launchbury start if fit likewise, Cole, Corbs, and Youngs in the front row.
I'd like to see Burns get more game time and starts but can see Farrell still being first choice. Care and Youngs to push eachother as the starting 9's.
All in all a good blend of experience and potential.
Full elite squad:
Forwards: David Attwood (Bath Rugby), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Alex Corbisiero (Northampton Saints), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), David Wilson (Bath Rugby), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Danny Care (Harlequins), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Alex Goode (Saracens), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby), Christian Wade (London Wasps), Marland Yarde (London Irish), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Anyone wake watch the Aus v All Blacks game? 29~47. Was pretty close in the first half after NZ scored in the first few mins Aus got themselves back in the game with a few pens. NZ eventually running away with it in the second half. Sydney isn't a happy hunting ground for Aus 80 odd points conceeded in the last 2 games!
Was very odd watching the new look scrums.
Was very odd watching the new look scrums.
a311 said:
Anyone wake watch the Aus v All Blacks game? 29~47. Was pretty close in the first half after NZ scored in the first few mins Aus got themselves back in the game with a few pens. NZ eventually running away with it in the second half. Sydney isn't a happy hunting ground for Aus 80 odd points conceeded in the last 2 games!
Was very odd watching the new look scrums.
poo - missed this, didn't even realise it was on Was very odd watching the new look scrums.
SA v Arg was probably the most one sided game I've seen in a long time, very dissapointing from Argentina who I was expecting to push on in the tournement this year with at least a victory or two. Couple of injuries but were in touch at HT but got blew off the park in the second half.
Impressed with SA brought allot of physicality to the game. Couple of the new look scrums went against the head, will expect to see more of that this season.
Impressed with SA brought allot of physicality to the game. Couple of the new look scrums went against the head, will expect to see more of that this season.
a311 said:
SA v Arg was probably the most one sided game I've seen in a long time, very disappointing from Argentina who I was expecting to push on in the tournement this year with at least a victory or two. Couple of injuries but were in touch at HT but got blew off the park in the second half.
Impressed with SA brought allot of physicality to the game. Couple of the new look scrums went against the head, will expect to see more of that this season.
I was quite disappointed with the Boks, the forwards looked good, With Alberts, Duane Vermeulen, Bismark DuP, Etzebeth and Louw return, but the backs looked rusty and disjointed considering the ridiculous amount of quality ball they were getting, Fourie du Preez, however, did not look like a player who had not played international rugby in 2 years, lightning quick and accurate service, compared to carthorse Pienaar.Impressed with SA brought allot of physicality to the game. Couple of the new look scrums went against the head, will expect to see more of that this season.
I can only hope for a speedy return of JP Pietersen, as Bjorn Basson is not fit to lace his boots.
Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Sunday 18th August 15:08
irocfan said:
a311 said:
Anyone wake watch the Aus v All Blacks game? 29~47. Was pretty close in the first half after NZ scored in the first few mins Aus got themselves back in the game with a few pens. NZ eventually running away with it in the second half. Sydney isn't a happy hunting ground for Aus 80 odd points conceeded in the last 2 games!
Was very odd watching the new look scrums.
poo - missed this, didn't even realise it was on Was very odd watching the new look scrums.
t. New scrum laws seem like an improvement a lot less collapses but the feed was causing some issues....there was one scrum apparently where the ball went straight through and the blindside picked up and went on a run. Schoolboy rugby!Cheib said:
Spoke to an Aussie mate this morning....said they were st. New scrum laws seem like an improvement a lot less collapses but the feed was causing some issues....there was one scrum apparently where the ball went straight through and the blindside picked up and went on a run. Schoolboy rugby!
They kept with them in the first half, Hooper was pretty impressive for the Aussies, good battle with McCaw who looks like he hasn’t really been away but to look at him looks like his break has done him the world of good. Wasn’t impressed with Tooma @ 10 (don’t know if that’s the right spelling he plays for Brumbies) but then again hard to judge when you’re not getting much go forward. He plays very much in the Jake White style, kicking tactically/for possession etc not sure if it suits what the attacking brand most Aussies seemed to be crying out for under Deans.t. New scrum laws seem like an improvement a lot less collapses but the feed was causing some issues....there was one scrum apparently where the ball went straight through and the blindside picked up and went on a run. Schoolboy rugby!As said in a previous post NZ were a bit sloppy with the pen count in the first half. New scrum laws are interesting, neither side were pinged for blatant crooked feeds then the ref started to penalise. It will be interesting to see how this goes in the NH internationals but one positive is that the NH teams should have had more time to adjust in the domestic season. My interpretation was that the change was to reduce the number of resets, and a safety aspect. I noticed on the call to bind the front rows were still not fully engaged so it does still room to get an initial ‘hit’ in.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff