Posted on 09/09/2023 21:58
After a good win for France against NZ last night, there have been relatively easy victories for Ireland, Italy and Australia today. This evening's game was supposed to be a close match. With England's Tom Curry being given a red card within the first 5 minutes it looked as if they were up against it, however George Ford has worked his magic and with 27 points sunk the Pumas. What a victory!!v
Posted on 23/10/2023 20:17 by nelliethehookermicky, I think that player safety is now a huge issue, with the increase in bulk of players, particularly in the front row, and also the big jump in fitness, of all the forwards in particular. I played in the front row as hooker for our first team, weighing no more than 11 stone wet through, between props who were not a lot taller than me at 5'9" but a fair bit heavier!! Nowadays there will be very few forwards who stand under 6' even at the junior club level.
Posted on 23/10/2023 20:46
Agreed. This Nellie is partly the reason why the tackle laws have changed. Currently I’m told there are over 40 ‘incidents’ of brain injury under ‘investigation’ that involve the RFU. As said, the profession game has change the game considerably. Player safety is now equally of paramount importance in today’s professional and amateur clubs. My seven year old grandson is coached and ‘playing’ with his local club and I’m very mindful of the dangers but it’s a junior club like that of all my adult playing days. I’d love him to go on and enjoy the sport as much as I have done. I hope he can do so as safely as possible.
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Posted on 24/10/2023 10:54 by mickysfWell at least one Englishman will be taking the field at the final on Saturday. Good luck Wayne Barnes, you may just need it!👍
Posted on 28/10/2023 08:19 by RufsWell England just about scraped home to bag 3rd place, played really well during the first half but second half was a bit ragged, you could say Argentina were a little bit unlucky
Posted on 20/10/2023 22:36 by Freddy55For me, the game of the tournament was France v South Africa - the irresistible force against the immovable object, spectacular. That would have made an enthralling final. My money (I don’t gamble 🙂) is on South Africa to be champions.
Posted on 29/10/2023 08:06 by Rufs"Looking forward to tonight's game, and hope the All Blacks win in an close encounter"
wasnt to be NH. have to say i got bored half way thru and switched over to BBC2 Lulu at the BBC much better entertainment
Posted on 29/10/2023 20:22
I disagree as I think it was a real contest which could have gone either way. The 'Boks prove what an immovable object they are. It is a pity that there were the sending off but player safety is paramount. Roll on the next one, when hopefully there will be more open rugby played with a bit less tactical kicking.
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Posted on 29/10/2023 23:20
Now that the dust has settled, a little, I was impressed with Ian Foster’s final interview as head coach of the All Blacks. He acknowledged the absolute honesty and integrity of Wayne Barnes but lay the failures of the modern game at the feet of recent rule changes and the new systems of administrating these in game time. As a result I’m becoming a supporter of the 20 minute red card idea where the offending player is not allowed to return but can be replaced following a sending off. The game we love needs some radical changes if it is to flourish and of course player safety is paramount and this needs to be addressed in those changes.
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nelliethehooker
Caravanner from Cumberland