This is not really a thread I ever dip into, but I caught news over the weekend that one of England's players had been ruled out of their next game with "a lacerated eyeball". Holy fuck, that makes me feel sick even thinking about it.

ad hOkocim wrote:


Another one for the WTF thread I think.

Best rugby story of the weekend was the North v South game in Dunedin, New Zealand. It's not like Origin in rugby league, it was just a fundraiser friendly, nothing at stake, so naturally ... there was a big punch-up, and four players have been cited.

There should be more of that. Those half-hearted football testimonials could do with a bit of aggro. "Fans versus Celebs", that would work.

Antepli Ejderha wrote:


To be fair my belief that the All Blacks would stroll their group wasn't that I was taking the Welsh lightly, just that in the existence of the Junior World Cup New Zealand have been utterly dominant. 4 tournaments and the bastards have won all 4 without any defeats.

Unfortunately for the rest of us I think they will still qualify for the semis as the best 2nd place team, so there's every chance they bring home Cup number 5 this year.

The Kiwis do qualify and face Wales again in the semi-final which seems very daft.

Beltrano Carpinteiro wrote:


In the other semi it is France South Africa.

Eurosport two had both of their final group games, the standard was high with France's backs destroying Australia. South Africa were behind to England and getting smashed on the tight head side of the scrums but a change there and some words at half time changed the whole game.

Wales' win was in poor weather conditions I believe but a win is a win and the first at that age level over NZ, time to do it again.

Composure and decision-making let us down when it matters again. Feel sick.

Beltrano Carpinteiro wrote:


Yup.

What Harry said.

Beltrano Carpinteiro wrote:


Always the U20s today Harry.

Ah well. By the way, congrats to Maggie Alphonsi, who got an MBE.

Wales lose by a point in Sydney, 20-19.

NZ 29 Ireland 0, and it's only half time. Ireland play the next 10 minutes without Kearney who got a harsh yellow for a deliberate knock on, harsh and probably wrong.

60-0 final.

It really is not a good idea to get the All Blacks mad.

Meanwhile, someone whipped up a North American summer round robin between us, Canada, Georgia, and Italy.

Lose at Canada by 3, stomp Georgia in Colorado, and get stomped by Italy in Houston 30-10 after playing 15 on 13 for a while.

17,000 plus in Houston, largest rugby crowd ever in the US.

Canada also destroyed Georgia, who weren't playing a number of starters.

Losing to Canada always hurts, but that's a relatively honorable summer for the Eagles. That's far more like the early part of this decade when we were a competitive side than latter years.

The key difference is the Yanks are running the show again. Foreign coaches just don't work for the Eagles, rugby men from overseas just can't deal with the uniquely difficult way you have to handle American talent.

US rugby article.

This is worth a read, apart from the ridiculous idea they can defend their Olympic title.

Antepli Ejderha wrote:


Not really, Nigel Melville is completely full of shit. I don't have time now but he spouts utter bollocks several times in that article.

Franchise rugby whores unfortunately successful.

Beltrano Carpinteiro wrote:


Don't worry, they'll be smashed week in, week out like Rotheram and Bedford before them. Exeter had a proper, longstanding coaching team and a proper following to keep them going.

Deano will do a "Quins" on Newcastle, I reckon. Well, except for the shameful ending. Although it is amazing how few head injuries causing blood subs there have been since our unfortunate series of events.