Northern Hemisphere/6N Rugby

[Strewthcobber]

What about a two year contract for Chieka replacing Schmidt after Lions/TRC through to the WC?

 

[Wilson]

What about a two year contract for Chieka replacing Schmidt after Lions/TRC through to the WC?

That's exactly the thing I don't think our systems are ready for.

 

[Strewthcobber]

That's exactly the thing I don't think our systems are ready for.

Which systems?

 

[Wilson]

Which systems?

The nascent move to alignment/centralization, contracting systems and policies, how we manage foreign based players under the Giteau law, development flow for players from club through super and Aus A to the Wallabies and even general coaching development. Cheika's all or nothing approach and desire to work without oversight could easily see most of that work undone, at least while it's all still being put in place. Once we've put in place some more concrete foundations it could well be the right move to go with Cheika again, but I don't think that will be until after the world cup.

 

[Dctarget]

Sharks, best team of South Africa, come up against Bordeaux in Bordeaux.. They score two tries but let in ten.. with Damian Penaud getting 6(!) tries. Diabolical.

 

[Derpus]

Sharks, best team of South Africa, come up against Bordeaux in Bordeaux.. They score two tries but let in ten.. with Damian Penaud getting 6(!) tries. Diabolical.

Am I correct in guessing that the French teams are largely pulling away from the rest of Europe, with exception of possibly Ireland? I saw a table with the top two UK teams (think Bath and Bristol) coming last.

Would make sense. The financial doping has to tell eventually.

 

[Strewthcobber]

This final wekend of Champions Cup is always a bit hard to take anything away from as some teams have already qualified etc, but this one did stand out

Touluse 80, Cheika's Leicester 12

 

[Dctarget]

Am I correct in guessing that the French teams are largely pulling away from the rest of Europe, with exception of possibly Ireland? I saw a table with the top two UK teams (think Bath and Bristol) coming last.

Would make sense. The financial doping has to tell eventually.

Yeah definitely. Toulouse just destroyed Cheika's Tigers 80 points to 12. They literally beat the clock. And the Tigers are no easy beats, they're stacked: Montoya, Pollard, Chessum, Perese, Van Poortliet, Jed Holloway, George Martin, Tommy Reffell, Ollie Hassel-Collins and Steward.

Their teams have their ups and downs though, Bordeaux, Toulon and Toulouse are flying high, providing about 75% of the French National team. But La Rochelle are definitely slipping, a near full strength team went down to Benneton which is crazy, first time the Italians are into the QFs of the Champions Cup. Stade Francais and Racing 92 are pretty terrible too. Castres are the typical Top 14 team, win every match at home, not that flashy but somehow in the top 6. Then they go away and destroy Saracens in London. So I guess if Castres are near the average Top 14, that shows you where they are.

Leinster, Toulon, Toulouse and Bordeaux are easy top 4, but the Glasgow Warriors are doing really well and deserve to be in the conversation. They are a threat to anyone.

 

[Derpus]

Its kind of a shame that the French league is becoming the EPL of rugby because, honestly, who gives a fuck (no offence DC - I can't even muster a fuck for Bristol and that's my wife's home town).

 

[Dctarget]

Its kind of a shame that the French league is becoming the EPL of rugby because, honestly, who gives a fuck (no offence DC - I can't even muster a fuck for Bristol and that's my wife's home town).

Aha none taken. I really don't understand why UK can't be stronger and richer, similar size and economy to France they should be so much better.

Japan is the one that really hurts me, so much talent and no one gives a fuck. Surely it's prime for a clever marketing agency to be hired, with a bit of love, restructuring and marketing surely they can make it so much more foreign friendly to watch/engage with. Such potential.

 

[Dan54]

I think perhaps why I enjoy the Investic cup etc, is because I not overly invested in any team, so just enjoy the games? I genuinely will watch games and kind of decide who to support during the game.

 

[Dctarget]

Hah, the R16 games are a bit odd in their organisation.

So despite Toulouse destroying everyone, they didn't get a bonus point away in Durban, so they finish 2nd in their pool to Bordeaux and now they're technically 'fifth' because they're the best team out of the 2nd placed teams from 4 pools. Ulster manage to come fourth in their pool with 1 win and 3 losses. They come 16th and will play Bordeaux.

Only two games, Bordeaux and Toulouse, are easy to predict. The rest are tougher.

Leinster get the benefit of a nice draw, they avoid any of the big 3 French sides till the GF which is.. fortunate. Much easier run than anyone else. Also impressive that Saints can get to the semi final only playing Clermont then Castres.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

Aha none taken. I really don't understand why UK can't be stronger and richer, similar size and economy to France they should be so much better.

Japan is the one that really hurts me, so much talent and no one gives a fuck. Surely it's prime for a clever marketing agency to be hired, with a bit of love, restructuring and marketing surely they can make it so much more foreign friendly to watch/engage with. Such potential.

If there is a way to get League One on FTA (a couple games at least), I think you would have a hit. Its during summer, decent amount of aussies plying their trade and running rugby. Would be an easy win imo

 

[Dan54]

@Dctarget does take a bit of working out doesn't it? Still I know we go into the break for 6Ns and back to URC etc etc, but have to admit I do enjoy Investic cup and will be watching when finals start up. Will be intersted to see how teams perform with returning players after 6Ns as a few of the players sometimes seem to be not quite as sharp.

 

[Dctarget]

Sione Tuipolutu has been ruled out of the entire 6N for Scotland. Massive, massive blow for them. Probably their most important player after Finn. Sad to see him not play, he's a joy to watch. Hopefully he's all good to come to Australia for the Lions because there's a great narrative bubbling away there.

Anthony Jelonch is out of the French 6N team too, for an undisclosed reason so far (suspicious?). France can't replace Jelonch with a player of his calibre but their strengths elsewhere will cover up their weakness. Boudehent has emerged recently and will probably play in the backrow with Alldritt and Cros. Their bench backrow will be super inexperienced though, probably Jegou with 1 cap. So they're one more injury away from some inexperience.

 

[Dan54]

@Dctarget , I would go as far to say losing Tuipolutu is the end of Scotlands chances.

 

[John S]

@Dctarget , I would go as far to say losing Tuipolutu is the end of Scotlands chances.

Yeah, I think I'm in agreement with you here Dan. He was pivotal in their performances last year.

 

[Dctarget]

Handsome Aussie men continue to take over the world, Josh Kemeny is named captain of the Saints to play Harlequins this weekend, after only being in Northampton for half a season. (With fellow handsome man James Ramm at fullback after being in the TotW for last weekend's Champions Cup round).

 

[Dctarget]

Congratulations to Alex Masibaka, former Western Force Perth boy, for being named in Scotland's 6N squad. Apparently he's never been to Scotland before.

 

[John S]

Congratulations to Alex Masibaka, former Western Force Perth boy, for being named in Scotland's 6N squad. Apparently he's never been to Scotland before.

I'm assuming Scroteland are using the ridiculous parent/grandparent rule then