Rugby News from unexpected places
- Thread starter p.Tah
- Start date
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^^^^^^ you seem to be implying that someone may have put something on the Internet that may not be 100% factual. Shame on you, Sir! Shame!
The torpedo
Peter Fenwicke (45)
A few key points from the article (translated by google, may be a few translation errors):
- Russia protested the eligibility of the players
- 10th of May is when the decision is made and announced
- WR (World Rugby) discussed holding a mini-tournament between Spain, Russia, Belgium and Romania before deciding against it
- Romania pulled out of the Pacific Ocean Cup and Samoa will replace them
- Russia now gets the grant that Romania would have gotten for being in the RWC
- Russia protested the eligibility of the players
- 10th of May is when the decision is made and announced
- WR (World Rugby) discussed holding a mini-tournament between Spain, Russia, Belgium and Romania before deciding against it
- Romania pulled out of the Pacific Ocean Cup and Samoa will replace them
- Russia now gets the grant that Romania would have gotten for being in the RWC
Russia could qualify due to being the ones following the rules.
Irony is dead.
Irony is dead.
jimmydubs
Dave Cowper (27)
Actually most winter Olympic athletes have been cleared by CAS. Hasn’t been reported widely in the West as everyone is on a ‘Russia is evil’ trip where facts don’t matter. There was only ever the word of one guy who probably shouldn’t have been listened to. But it was too juicy and the yanks wanted to believe.
USARugger
John Thornett (49)
CAS did not investigate whether there was a state-run doping program. They investigated whether or not there was sufficient evidence against the individuals to justify stripping their medals/lifetime bans. Only 9 of 13 medal disqualifications were overturned and another 11 athletes were still banned from the next Olympics, just not for life. Squeaky clean. The IOC is also appealing on all of the cases CAS cleared.
It was also literally a front page article on USA Today but don’t let that spoil your narrative. There’s not a ton of noise made about it because people don’t really care about the Olympics here anymore - especially not the Winter games. Coverage the last few times has been remarkably poor here and between the off-hours competitions and the glut of domestic sports here it’s just not a very big deal anymore.
Your assesment of the evidence of the state run program is also completely and totally wrong. If you actually think that this was entirely built on solely the testimony of Rodchenkov then you need to stop talking about this subject because you are at best Unintentionally spreading false truths.
jimmydubs
Dave Cowper (27)
What was it based on?
USARugger
John Thornett (49)
The three years of Moscow lab data that was released over a year ago.
jimmydubs
Dave Cowper (27)
I’m failing to see any evidence of as you put it ‘a statewide doping program’ that maclaren claimed included 1000s of athletes. Instead we have the majority of the 10s of athletes being cleared including the vast majority of medal winners.
We’re left with, at most, potentially an organised and selective hiding of positive results (not a doping program at all). And a handful of dirty athletes. The first of those two is cause for concern. The second is the same in every country.
The narrative of 1000s of athletes in a state sponsored doping program has no evidence or basis in fact but that’s what was trumpeted and adds to the current Russia bashing that is so popular.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
The LSR confirmed to be launching in 2020. Which makes a lot of sense in regards to getting all the necessary pieces in place.
p.Tah
John Thornett (49)
Can you remind me what LSR stands for?
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Liga Sul-Americana de Rugby. It's apparently the working title of the league at present. It will feature 10 teams. Four from Argentina likely from outside of BA. Two from each of Brazil and Uruguay and one from both Chile and Paraguay. Early suggestions that it will be a full home and away league. Whether that's a straight round robin or broken into two pools of five. Details haven't been released in that regard yet.
Early reports had Colombia looking to get involved but they've decided to hold them off to start. Which going from the Colombia/Uruguay game overnight might actually be misguided. They got a pretty good turnout at the stadium in Medellin.
chibimatty
Jimmy Flynn (14)
Only one from Chile and two from Brazil? Is this a population-over-quality decision, or has Brazil gotten better than Chile in rugby recently?
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Brazil have gotten the better of Chile fairly regularly over the past 5 years. They actually just beat them over the weekend. But the number of teams comes down to financial resources and the Brazilian Union has access to more of them.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
The third round of MLR has been completed. A really good weekend of matches. Highly competitive across the board with improving standards all round. The first game of the round was on Friday (Thursday evening Austin time) between the Austin Elite and New Orleans Gold. This game had the widest margin of the round but it was a lot tighter than it appears. Austin emerged victorious at home against NOLA 30-16.
In the second game. San Diego hosted Houston in what turned into a thriller and contender for game of the season. They went toe to toe with one another for 82 minutes with Houston holding a 4 point advantage until San Diego were given an opportunity when Australian Matt Trouville infringed at the ruck resulting in an early shower. From there San Diego worked the Houston line before driving over to send the very vocal locals into raptures. The try was converted and San Diego won their second game at home 35-32.
Earlier today Utah hosted Glendale in another highly competitive match. In their first match between the two sides back in the pre-season Glendale were a class above. But Utah have finally started to improve their accuracy of play and really put it to Glendale who without some individual brilliance were arguably the lesser of the two sides. But in the end the home side fell short 29-36.
In the second game. San Diego hosted Houston in what turned into a thriller and contender for game of the season. They went toe to toe with one another for 82 minutes with Houston holding a 4 point advantage until San Diego were given an opportunity when Australian Matt Trouville infringed at the ruck resulting in an early shower. From there San Diego worked the Houston line before driving over to send the very vocal locals into raptures. The try was converted and San Diego won their second game at home 35-32.
Earlier today Utah hosted Glendale in another highly competitive match. In their first match between the two sides back in the pre-season Glendale were a class above. But Utah have finally started to improve their accuracy of play and really put it to Glendale who without some individual brilliance were arguably the lesser of the two sides. But in the end the home side fell short 29-36.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Washington DC as been confirmed as an entrant into MLR in 2020. Full press release due out tomorrow.
neilc
Bob Loudon (25)
Does DC have a decent rugby community? How many teams are expected to be in the MLR by 2020?
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Around 190 clubs and 7500 active players from what I have found. So that should provide a solid base to build from.
Omar Comin'
Chilla Wilson (44)
One thing not mentioned on this thread last weekend was that Brazil beat Argentina XV 36-33. They actually pipped the Crusaders for the biggest comeback of the weekend as they were down 33-3 at half time.
I don't know exactly how strong the Argentinian side was but it contained at least 3 capped Pumas, including Tomas Cubelli. Huge result for Brazil and a good sign of competitiveness for this South American professional league starting next year.
I don't know exactly how strong the Argentinian side was but it contained at least 3 capped Pumas, including Tomas Cubelli. Huge result for Brazil and a good sign of competitiveness for this South American professional league starting next year.