Northern Hemisphere Rugby

[Members Section]

In less than 10 years the PRL have lost 5 historically important sides from across the Premiership and Championship: Wasps, Worcester, Irish, Welsh and Leeds. The former four have all been formally expelled or suspended, and Leeds were relegated from National 1 this season: they'll be spending, at minimum 23-24 languishing in National 2 North, the English 4th Tier. That's over a quarter of the teams that "should" be playing in these two leagues.

In the Championship, Ealing is the only team year on year investing in players with the "intention" of being promoted. To my understanding, only Doncaster and Nottingham (maybe Bedford?) have the facilities to be promoted, but have (seemingly sensibly) chosen not to overinvest in player squads to compete with Ealing and a couple of "high achievers" after the horror of the Welsh promotion. That leaves 9 teams in the pyramid with comparatively limited ambitions (win the league sustainably or survive without being relegated) rather than a genuinely competitive structure a la the French systems.

It's scary to look at.

Geez 12 months ago they were on the verge of going to a 14 team comp & ring fencing now its down to 10 & newcastle are running on the smell of an oily rag. So sad to see great historic 100+ yr clubs go under.

Interms of Ollie Hosk, while he loved playing for the wallabies his life now is very much in the UK. His family is all there now apart from his Dad living somewhere in asia. I cant see him "coming home"

 

[Dctarget]

Geez 12 months ago they were on the verge of going to a 14 team comp & ring fencing now its down to 10 & newcastle are running on the smell of an oily rag. So sad to see great historic 100+ yr clubs go under.

Interms of Ollie Hosk, while he loved playing for the wallabies his life now is very much in the UK. His family is all there now apart from his Dad living somewhere in asia. I cant see him "coming home"

I swear only 2-3 years ago some very prominent rugby people were claiming it's the best league in the world and most entertaining.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Some of the footy was very good a few years ago and it seems it's because they were living beyond their means.

 

[Wilson]

I swear only 2-3 years ago some very prominent rugby people were claiming it's the best league in the world and most entertaining.

Certainly it was producing the best referees who were managing many of the most entertaining games. As much as they have stuffed up so much about the league they absolutely nailed the professionalization and development of their referee program.

 

[zer0]

I, for one, am enjoying seeing these English clubs getting slapped by the invisible hand of the market.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I, for one, am enjoying seeing these English clubs getting slapped by the invisible hand of the market.

Oh me too. I've long felt that the NH comps would have a market led reckoning and it appears to have partially arrived.

I do feel sad for the staff and fans of those grand old clubs though. I remember how it felt when the Force got cut from Super Rugby and our history is considerably shorter.

 

[RebelYell]

I, for one, am enjoying seeing these English clubs getting slapped by the invisible hand of the market.

Enjoying it seems a little macabre

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Yeah I have no problem with a bad business being dealt with but I hate hearing about players and staff not being paid which I believe was the case for Worcester. It's the Physios, S&C, Development Coaches, accounts, media staff that bum me out. A lot of these people will move just like players for an opportunity to work in sport at a pro team and finding a new position isn't as simple as some of the Players.

 

[Crashy]

Part of me says 'sucked in' to the English Clubs as they were one of many countries pillaging our talent over the years.
The other part is worried - this is a huge step back in the global game. How could the owners of these clubs possibly think they could keep going with such massive debts and outgoings..
I actually think these days that Australian Rugby is a massive production line of talent - the poaching of our young players by the NRL and the inability to keep a lot of them from going overseas are the killers.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Rugby in Australia is producing talent, that isn't the problem. It's losing it before the national team benefit that is the problem. This includes coaches and the lack of coaching our young talent are exposed to. I just hope like I said in an earlier post that this makes players think about staying a bit more or persisting maybe a season longer in grade instead of taking a professional base contract overseas just because you're then a pro. There are plenty of jobs in Australian Super Rugby sides available if you are good enough. I'd say except for the Brumbies each team here would have 5 players that are grade standard.

 

[Wilson]

Very Australian flavour to the Barbarians coaching team set to play Bristol Bears in September:

Australian quartet Jason Gilmore, Berrick Barnes, Nathan Grey and Laurie Fisher will take charge of the world-famous Barbarians when they take on Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate on Thursday, September 7th.

Given the timing of the game there's probably a pretty good chance we'll see some guys just outside our world cup squad get game time to keep them fresh and in reserve.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Don’t know if this has been taken out of context but it doesn’t sound like what you want leading into your WC prep.

 

[Dctarget]

View attachment 16439
Don’t know if this has been taken out of context but it doesn’t sound like what you want leading into your WC prep.

Though, sounds exactly like what Australia want leading into your WC prep.

 

[Dan54]

Reports from Wales that Cardiff letting Liam Williams go to Japan, help save their wage bill. They certainly turning into basket case unfortunately.

 

[qwerty51]

The Chiefs wouldn't take him back anyway.

Though, sounds exactly like what Australia want leading into your WC prep.

Think the Fijians will be happier.

 

[Dan54]

Italians are dumping Crowley as coach after WC. Seems a bit surprising, but that obviously got something else in the air.

Italian rugby chiefs make shock decision to change head coach after RWC

Kieran Crowley will be replaced as head coach of Italy following the Rugby World Cup in France after the FIR decided not to extend his contract.

www.planetrugby.com

He can come home and help out with the Canes if he wants!! Or even better he could coach Kaponga on the Naki 3rd div!!

 

[Members Section]

Marcus Smith & now Henry Arundell off to racing, its no longer just the odd player off its starting to be a trend the premership is in all sorts! England are serious going to have to look at a gitlaw towards the next rwc.

Its not just the big names as well its now 120+ players who dont have full time professional contracts. I know its not all England player but its got to have a toll.

 

[Wallaby Man]

Add in Wales the mess that is happening there, so many issues up north. The Force and Rebels would prob put 50 on the Welsh domestic sides for next season.

The entire game is close to a massive Super League type shake up. In a decade it will be open boarders everywhere.

 

[Doritos Day]

The entire game is close to a massive Super League type shake up. In a decade it will be open boarders everywhere.

Been saying this. It will probably a private equity firm instead of a television station but there are too many inefficiencies at the club level that defy common sense. Money is being left on the table and the market led by PE overlords will correct itself to find it.

 

[Doritos Day]

The game speaks for itself. One thing I noticed is how cleanly this highlights package was edited. I wonder how many casual fans would get into rugby if this was the standard?

Also who is the commentator - he does a great job.