Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
What about a two year contract for Chieka replacing Schmidt after Lions/TRC through to the WC?
Northern Hemisphere Rugby
- Thread starter Dctarget
- Start date
Wilson
Rod McCall (65)
That's exactly the thing I don't think our systems are ready for.
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
Which systems?
Wilson
Rod McCall (65)
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.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
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
Simon Poidevin (60)
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
Touluse 80, Cheika's Leicester 12
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
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.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
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.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
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.
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!
Frank Row (1)
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