Rugby - not set pieces
- Thread starter Lee Grant
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Elfster
Alex Ross (28)
Isn't that one of those unspoken Golden Rules (or Laws, as we are talking about Rugby) that if the referee's call benefitted your side then he (or she) did indeed get the call right?
I had the experience of wearing an old Wallaby jersey (of a real old Wallaby!!) a few years back that was not only green (!!), but wool. The mind boggled as to what it would have been like in a wet, boggy game!
As for the footies...snapping your forefoot in half was a real risk with some of the old ones once they were wet.
DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
Remember in 2009, when the Wobs smashed Banahan so much that he had to resort to bombs and chip kicks? That was classic.
Bruce Ross
Ken Catchpole (46)
The Patrick White of rugby journalism continues to produce pearls of wisdom, seemingly effortlessly.
In his latest dissertation, "Waratahs, Reds to lose stars to baby Wallabies", Scoop Growden writes:
"AUSTRALIAN provinces are waiting to find out how many of their best young players they will lose for the final Super Rugby rounds due to a clash with the International Rugby Board's junior world championship. ...
"Waratahs hooker John Ulugia is certainly not a candidate for this tournament, as he is in his 25th year."
Thanks, Scoop, that's one name I already had inked in that I can cross off. That probably also means that Phil Waugh will miss out.
In his latest dissertation, "Waratahs, Reds to lose stars to baby Wallabies", Scoop Growden writes:
"AUSTRALIAN provinces are waiting to find out how many of their best young players they will lose for the final Super Rugby rounds due to a clash with the International Rugby Board's junior world championship. ...
"Waratahs hooker John Ulugia is certainly not a candidate for this tournament, as he is in his 25th year."
Thanks, Scoop, that's one name I already had inked in that I can cross off. That probably also means that Phil Waugh will miss out.
Elfster
Alex Ross (28)
About the only thing you can say about Growden these days Bruce is that he doesn't even hide the fact that he no longer cares about his Rugby articles. I think he is just robotically going through the motions waiting to move on to some other part of the paper where he can better utilise his skills.
Jnor
Peter Fenwicke (45)
The way Fairfax is going I can't really blame him for not giving a toss anymore. It's only a matter of time before they toss him on scrapheap with all the rest of the older, expensive journos.
Can't say I expect Pandaram or Rakic or whoever else they have there now to do any better.
Can't say I expect Pandaram or Rakic or whoever else they have there now to do any better.
Bruce Ross
Ken Catchpole (46)
I must confess, Elfster and Jnor, that I almost felt sorry for Scoop when I read his other effort this morning, "A cross between Benny Hill and mating season for wild pigs - welcome to the modern scrum". Excruciating.
One of his drinking mates should tap him on the shoulder and tell him to leave the satirical stuff to Mike Carlton.
One of his drinking mates should tap him on the shoulder and tell him to leave the satirical stuff to Mike Carlton.
rugbysmartarse
Alan Cameron (40)
am I wrong in saying he is much worse than previously? I dont remember it being this bad 4-5 years ago
Bruce Ross
Ken Catchpole (46)
Unfortunately you're right, rsa. It brings to mind the old saying: "More to be pitied than made fun of."
But as the Brock famously said to John Lambie: "I don't blame you son; I blame the selectors." I don't blame Scoop: I blame Fairfax.
So, is St. Joseph's Nudgee College any good?
Z
Zeno
Guest
Scoop via Bruce said:
Ulugia turned 25 earlier this year, so he's in his 26th year. Poor old Scoop.
evidently not the year Richard went.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Players
• Will Genia was humbled by Nick Phipps on Friday night. He played well enough but in the interviews after the game Phipps got in the word “definitely” three times but Genia could manage only two. Definitely not good enough Will.
• Isa Nacewa of Leinster has been one of the most valuable recent overseas acquisitions for any European club. It was no surprise that he was named in the Magners League Dream Team for this season, nor that he was the Leinster Players Player of the year, nor Ireland's RUPA Players' Player of the year, the first overseas player to be so honoured by his peers.
As of last week he had played for all but one of Leinsters' 28 matches to date and played all 80 minutes in 23 of them. Incidentally: before he left NZ for Ireland he was voted NPC Player of the Year too. Well done that man.
• Schalk Burger – Just as well his attempted trip of Berquist in the Stormers v Crusaders match in the 6th minute didn't connect. Not so well done that man.
Commentators
• Greg Martin Rebels v Reds offering practical advice on how referees can judge if a prop has had his arm on the ground: “The grass on the tape on your elbow would be a give away.” Come to think of it: the tape on Yoda's elbow had a few green patches didn't it?
• Matt Pearce Stormers v Crusaders was lamenting a not straight throw from Stormer hooker, Deon Fourie, and said: “I heard the lineout call from Andries Bekker in Afrikaans: 'piesang', which means 'banana' and that's never straight.” Point: maybe they should have a few calls like: “arrow” or “bullseye”.
Later he and co-commentator Warren Brosnihan got it wrong when they called a lineout to Bekker, not straight. It was for a knock on when Bekker dropped it in the ensuing maul. Didn't look forward to me but Bekker chipped ref Pollock on it and was told if he spoke to Pollock like that again he'd be penalised. Quite right Chris.
• Gavin Cowley Lions v Cheetahs remarked at about the 64th minute: “The Lions are out on their feet – they've made 93 tackles in the match.” This would raise a few eyebrows of our league cousins. Poor lambs, they will be thinking: 1½ tackles a minute.
I'm not sure what the average tackle count in a league game is, but 2 years ago Michael Luck of the Titans averaged 46 tackles a game over 23 matches. Sure, they don't have to do things like ruck and scrummage, but still, I don't think that it's any coincidence that Jarryd Saffy of the Rebels, but last year of the Dragons league team, had the highest tackle count in Super Rugby after Round 12.
Referees
• Stu Dickinson Tahs v Force to some complaining forwards: “Stop whingeing – just get on with the game.” More refs should say that. They should try it with captains who come up to query every single penalty against them. Just my opinion.
• Craig Joubert Lions v Cheetahs when Lions skipper la Grange, a centre, had a whinge about standing up in the scrums. Don't know what he asked specifically but Joubert remarked: “If they show me dominance they'll get rewarded.” Refereeing with the vibe – I like it.
Another time when Wilhelm Steenkamp of the Cheetahs was jabbering when David de Villiers of the Lions was trying to communicate the lineout call, Joubert said: “Give this guy a bit of respect when he's making his call. Just keep it down. Choose your time but not when he's making his call.” More good stuff that Craig.
• Chris Pollock Stormers v Crusaders must have being watching James Jones of Wales in the Magners League. Now he, also, is saying: “Crouch – Touch – Pause – Gage.” Makes sense to use one syllable.
• David Wilkinson Munster v Connacht called over Munster 8. Denis Leamy for rucking somebody. His skipper, POC, fronted too. The conversation went something like this:
Wilkinson: “You can't use your feet; the touch judge has reported you.”
Leamy: “They've done it all night.”
POC: “They shoed Quinny 5 minutes ago.”
Wilkinson: “Do you want me to move you 10 metres?”
Leamy: “Yeah.”
Wilkinson: “Fair enough.”
And he marched them 10. The look that POC gave Leamy was priceless.
• Will Genia was humbled by Nick Phipps on Friday night. He played well enough but in the interviews after the game Phipps got in the word “definitely” three times but Genia could manage only two. Definitely not good enough Will.
• Isa Nacewa of Leinster has been one of the most valuable recent overseas acquisitions for any European club. It was no surprise that he was named in the Magners League Dream Team for this season, nor that he was the Leinster Players Player of the year, nor Ireland's RUPA Players' Player of the year, the first overseas player to be so honoured by his peers.
As of last week he had played for all but one of Leinsters' 28 matches to date and played all 80 minutes in 23 of them. Incidentally: before he left NZ for Ireland he was voted NPC Player of the Year too. Well done that man.
• Schalk Burger – Just as well his attempted trip of Berquist in the Stormers v Crusaders match in the 6th minute didn't connect. Not so well done that man.
Commentators
• Greg Martin Rebels v Reds offering practical advice on how referees can judge if a prop has had his arm on the ground: “The grass on the tape on your elbow would be a give away.” Come to think of it: the tape on Yoda's elbow had a few green patches didn't it?
• Matt Pearce Stormers v Crusaders was lamenting a not straight throw from Stormer hooker, Deon Fourie, and said: “I heard the lineout call from Andries Bekker in Afrikaans: 'piesang', which means 'banana' and that's never straight.” Point: maybe they should have a few calls like: “arrow” or “bullseye”.
Later he and co-commentator Warren Brosnihan got it wrong when they called a lineout to Bekker, not straight. It was for a knock on when Bekker dropped it in the ensuing maul. Didn't look forward to me but Bekker chipped ref Pollock on it and was told if he spoke to Pollock like that again he'd be penalised. Quite right Chris.
• Gavin Cowley Lions v Cheetahs remarked at about the 64th minute: “The Lions are out on their feet – they've made 93 tackles in the match.” This would raise a few eyebrows of our league cousins. Poor lambs, they will be thinking: 1½ tackles a minute.
I'm not sure what the average tackle count in a league game is, but 2 years ago Michael Luck of the Titans averaged 46 tackles a game over 23 matches. Sure, they don't have to do things like ruck and scrummage, but still, I don't think that it's any coincidence that Jarryd Saffy of the Rebels, but last year of the Dragons league team, had the highest tackle count in Super Rugby after Round 12.
Referees
• Stu Dickinson Tahs v Force to some complaining forwards: “Stop whingeing – just get on with the game.” More refs should say that. They should try it with captains who come up to query every single penalty against them. Just my opinion.
• Craig Joubert Lions v Cheetahs when Lions skipper la Grange, a centre, had a whinge about standing up in the scrums. Don't know what he asked specifically but Joubert remarked: “If they show me dominance they'll get rewarded.” Refereeing with the vibe – I like it.
Another time when Wilhelm Steenkamp of the Cheetahs was jabbering when David de Villiers of the Lions was trying to communicate the lineout call, Joubert said: “Give this guy a bit of respect when he's making his call. Just keep it down. Choose your time but not when he's making his call.” More good stuff that Craig.
• Chris Pollock Stormers v Crusaders must have being watching James Jones of Wales in the Magners League. Now he, also, is saying: “Crouch – Touch – Pause – Gage.” Makes sense to use one syllable.
• David Wilkinson Munster v Connacht called over Munster 8. Denis Leamy for rucking somebody. His skipper, POC, fronted too. The conversation went something like this:
Wilkinson: “You can't use your feet; the touch judge has reported you.”
Leamy: “They've done it all night.”
POC: “They shoed Quinny 5 minutes ago.”
Wilkinson: “Do you want me to move you 10 metres?”
Leamy: “Yeah.”
Wilkinson: “Fair enough.”
And he marched them 10. The look that POC gave Leamy was priceless.
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