Brisbane City vs. Sydney Stars - NRC Round 1, 21/08 @ Ballymore

[RugbyReg]

the Brisbane City Victory song. A few reading off their phone (they will learn it soon enough), but I love the passion of Dools!

 

[Rob]

It is not a surprise that Paddy had some troubles since he is an ordinary scrummager. He either stands up or collapses - rarely actually takes the weight and battles it out.

Re the Stars - that was a combination of first grade Sydney uni (who came 3rd or 4th) and second grade Sydney uni (who came 2nd) with some Balmain subbies. They will struggle.

 

[Tomikin]

the Brisbane City Victory song. A few reading off their phone (they will learn it soon enough), but I love the passion of Dools!

Im surprised they needed to read off there phone... It's not like it's a lyrical masterpiece..

But I loved watching the game on fox might have to get to a game if Im not working

 

[Tomikin]

I am personally glad that the ARU has brought in something to bridge the gap between Club and Super Rugby as it was long overdue.

I believe some of the rule changes are "no-brainers" such as, unless you compete at the lineout, you don't get to whinge whether it went in straight.

As for the other variations, especially the conversion/penalty; I am concerned that..

1. could lead to more cynical play in the red zone, unless the yellow card is used more willingly
2. absolutely rewards the try, which leads to quick taps, using the width of the field, end to end rugby, fitter athletes, better spectacle to engage the peripheral rugby supporters, and ultimately suits the natural Australian style of play, on dry, hard, fast tracks. But at what cost to the Tight 5? and as you progress to Test Matches, will you be up to the physical confrontation that is normally associated with the northern hemisphere, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa?

Couple of other points

• game reminded me of a Colts game where defence seemed almost to be optional
• Kuridrani looked slower and bulkier than what I would have imagined
• Frisby controlled the game to the point of overplaying his hand
• Kerevi is suited to the game with the new variations

Overall, it was a good first step in the second attempt at 3rd tier. A vastly different game to watch than that of the North Harbour/Southland game on immediately prior.

I would be 'accidental' cynical in the red zone every time, stop an 8 point try and then they either get 2 points or try and get over the line.

First impressions are good don't like the 3 points for a conversion, Think the points system can blow teams away. I think that all other rules are good.

What's the deal with Brisbane City not going for the bonus point, do you think they forgot about it ?

 

[Tomikin]

Crowd of 3,400, which wasn't too bad for a school night in the wet!

Bloody Jersey's and the ref, looks like Stars have 2 scrum-halfs on both sides of the scrum

 

[RugbyReg]

What's the deal with Brisbane City not going for the bonus point, do you think they forgot about it ?

yeah, really interesting that one. Perhaps it was forgotten about. Never a threat of the Stars getting the losing bonus point so it was an option they should have taken, I reckon.

 

[Braveheart81]

It is not a surprise that Paddy had some troubles since he is an ordinary scrummager. He either stands up or collapses - rarely actually takes the weight and battles it out.

I thought he was fine in the scrum and in the first half the Stars had clear ascendency. He got penalised for intentionally letting the scrum wheel, rather than not being able to take the weight.

 

[Ash]

It is not a surprise that Paddy had some troubles since he is an ordinary scrummager. He either stands up or collapses - rarely actually takes the weight and battles it out.

Re the Stars - that was a combination of first grade Sydney uni (who came 3rd or 4th) and second grade Sydney uni (who came 2nd) with some Balmain subbies. They will struggle.

Paddy Ryan and Tilse got a few good hits on; you could see on immediately on contact when the Stars scrum was just going to shove the City scrum off the ball.

Not sure where/why the inconsistencies in the scrums came from/were there.

 

[en_force_er]

It is not a surprise that Paddy had some troubles since he is an ordinary scrummager. He either stands up or collapses - rarely actually takes the weight and battles it out.

Re the Stars - that was a combination of first grade Sydney uni (who came 3rd or 4th) and second grade Sydney uni (who came 2nd) with some Balmain subbies. They will struggle.

What happened to the rest of the Sydney Uni players? I think it's Sydney Uni 1sts, plus some Super Rugby players and Balmain players who could be playing higher (like the one who has an ITM Cup cap for Waikato).

Obviously some fridge 1st graders, who have played 2nds come in to cover spots with missing players, but there are guys getting picked for Super Rugby out of Sydney Uni's 2nds every year.

 

[Scoey]

yeah, really interesting that one. Perhaps it was forgotten about. Never a threat of the Stars getting the losing bonus point so it was an option they should have taken, I reckon.

It was really odd. I can only imagine they thought they were already three tries up and didn't want to risk conceding a try to lose their BP OR they were still working off the 4 try BP rule and thought is was already in the bag. Given where the penalty was and the rule that they could kick for the corner and still play the lineout it was an excellent opportunity gone begging.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

What happened to the rest of the Sydney Uni players? I think it's Sydney Uni 1sts, plus some Super Rugby players and Balmain players who could be playing higher (like the one who has an ITM Cup cap for Waikato).

Obviously some fridge 1st graders, who have played 2nds come in to cover spots with missing players, but there are guys getting picked for Super Rugby out of Sydney Uni's 2nds every year.

A lot of the Uni guys that would usually return will be playing for other teams. It has put questions on their which they have answered. They have quite a young team that's developing. While I think the Stars may find it a little tough this year but they'll be better next year.

 

[Scoey]

On the points system, I know it's only the infancy stage and I'm certain to be in the minority but I am not convinced it's a good thing.

First things first, I really enjoyed the game last night, but toward the end I was already starting to feel that it was a little one dimensional and it was feeling less and less like I was watching 'Rugby'. One of the things I love about Rugby is the multiple ways to score meaningful points. The penalty kick is effectively gone from the game on the evidence of last night's match. While I enjoyed last night's match I think that there is a real risk that the games will start to become a bit, same old-same old after a few rounds if they follow the same pattern. I'll wait and see how it pans out but.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Google tells me that Sam Quinn has come across from Westlake Boys High School in NZ (Graduate 2011).

He was awarded a Sydney University Scholarship according to this report:
http://www.channelmag.co.nz/communi...5/westlake-boys-celebrates-sporting-successes

If he gets picked up for super rugby, would he be considered a "local" or overseas. I think like Cooper, Kepu, Aussie Mike Harris, he would have the same status as any other registered player in Australia.

 

[Bowside]

QRU really dropped the ball a bit last night with prep for this game.

Ticket and beers lines were far too long. Food options were abysmal.

They should just let street market vendors set up shop at ballymore and charge them a flat rate to operate. Would be a far better option food wise than the dross they serve from the canteen, and would also add a bit more atmosphere to the games.

 

[TheBigDog]

Surprised to hear the lines were long. I thought a crowd of 3,400 would be rather manageable. The Reds trial game I attended there earlier this year was a proper shambles and it would have had at least double the crowd.

 

[Dan54]

On the points system, I know it's only the infancy stage and I'm certain to be in the minority but I am not convinced it's a good thing.

First things first, I really enjoyed the game last night, but toward the end I was already starting to feel that it was a little one dimensional and it was feeling less and less like I was watching 'Rugby'. One of the things I love about Rugby is the multiple ways to score meaningful points. The penalty kick is effectively gone from the game on the evidence of last night's match. While I enjoyed last night's match I think that there is a real risk that the games will start to become a bit, same old-same old after a few rounds if they follow the same pattern. I'll wait and see how it pans out but.

Scoey, funny reading your comments when Son and I were saying exactly same thing, we went to game, thoroughly enjoyed it, but son who has just arrived in country was commenting he thought the players were looking at running more than looking at winning. Once again I will say we enjoyed it, will go again, but wouldn't keep going if all games were like this, almost felt like a Baabaas game, than a comp game. Still good start and hope the teams at some stage get stuck in a little more physical, and crowd will alsoI think engage more with 'their'team as they get to know them.

 

[Train Without a Station]

The reason why there was no shots at goal, less cynical play and so much running rugby was likely because this is still a bit of a new novelty competition.

Obviously teams want to win but it's a bit like when players get together for a rep team. They're not invested in it the same way they are for the regular club rugby competition.

I'm sure as the years progress this will change as the competition gains it's our validity and credibility.

 

[Quick Hands]

Crowd of 3,400, which wasn't too bad for a school night in the wet!

That's a good crowd and I think they got value for whatever money they paid. It was far more entertaining that the Tigers/Bulldogs league over on 9 - and the crowd at the league wasn't much more than our crowd. Well done Brisbane public and well done both teams.

An entertaining match in which the only irritating factor was that both teams wore yellow jerseys. Clearly the refs were the only people in Australian rugby not to know that most teams have a yellow strip, so they decided to wear a fluro green number, which was so close to yellow it wasn't funny.

Every side should have an away strip, but I realise that money is an issue there, but would have been that difficult for the refs to wear, blue, red, white or even a darker green?

EDIT: And I thought the Hoff had a good game.

 

[Pfitzy]

That's a good crowd and I think they got value for whatever money they paid. It was far more entertaining that the Tigers/Bulldogs league over on 9 -

Well, the NRC game could have been a 2-0 drudge fest and it would have met THAT qualification.

I saw bits of it and was thoroughly impressed by the ripping attack on show in the rain. The defence could do with some work, but shit happens you know, and teams are still getting to know each other.

Was it just me, or did the broadcast finish earlier than a typical 7.30 start? I know e.g. Tahs games don't actually kick off until 7.40PM but they're never finished until at least 9.20PM by my reckoning. Is there a shorter halftime? Earlier kickoff? Or are we seeing the benefits of not fucking around at scrum / kick time?

 

[Quick Hands]

Well, the NRC game could have been a 2-0 drudge fest and it would have met THAT qualification.

I saw bits of it and was thoroughly impressed by the ripping attack on show in the rain. The defence could do with some work, but shit happens you know, and teams are still getting to know each other.

Was it just me, or did the broadcast finish earlier than a typical 7.30 start? I know e.g. Tahs games don't actually kick off until 7.40PM but they're never finished until at least 9.20PM by my reckoning. Is there a shorter halftime? Earlier kickoff? Or are we seeing the benefits of not fucking around at scrum / kick time?

You're right, it finished before 9pm I think. Virtually no stoppages - everyone just go on with it - hope that continues.