Rugby Union RWC and Season 2011-12

Posted by: JWM on 13 July 2011

Seems a good idea to turn over to a fresh page for the coming excitement!

We have got some months of RWC warm-up matches and the RWC itself, before we descend into the usual Wasps vs Tigers obsession

But to get us started, here's the fixture list for 2011-12 http://www.leicestertigers.com/rugby/fixtures.php

Posted on: 17 October 2011 by PJT

Originally Posted by JWM:

One more RWC game to go, and then back to the serious stuff.

Yeah Right

Posted on: 18 October 2011 by JWM

You missed the humour??

Posted on: 18 October 2011 by PJT

Originally Posted by JWM:

You missed the humour??

No, I wrongly assumed that everyone is aware of the TUI YEAH RIGHT ad campaign.

Tui is promoted through a humorous advertising campaign which uses stereotypes, heavy irony and the phrase Yeah Right. These advertisements have caused some controversy, such as a billboard in Wellington stating 'Camilla for Queen? Yeah Right' and one stating 'Aucklanders are people too. Yeah Right'.

Posted on: 18 October 2011 by King Size

My suggestion for a Tui Billboard would be

"Bryce Lawrence didn't play for the All Blacks... Yeah Right!'

BTW - being pedantic there are actually two more games to go.

Posted on: 18 October 2011 by A funny thing happened on the way to the

Yes, the final and the "bronze" final, a chance for a loser to be a winner, but a winner that nobody will remember and the losing side really gets it hammered into them that, actually , they really are a bit crap.

I went to the 1999 "bronze" play off In Cardiff, great ground, but the All Blacks couldn't even win that.But I was drinking beer called "Brains" that I thought was quite funny. I like Cardiff's idea of banging the rugby ground right in the of the city, and surrounding it with pubs selling Brains.

I think the Welsh will win if they can keep everyone on the ground.

Posted on: 22 October 2011 by deadlifter

Well hooray,at last normal service has resumed with Glaws drubbing although it should have been 40-7as vainakolos try was rather suspect to say the least

Posted on: 22 October 2011 by Bruce Woodhouse

Assuming the inevitable tomorrow the score throughout RWC is: Northern Hemisphere 1 Southern Hemisphere 5 (if we only consider 6 nations teams and NZ/Aus/SA).

Much as Wales have impressed they have also lost 3/4 games against the
'first rank' teams. Not quite sure they should overdo the bunting at the Millenium.

Bruce

Posted on: 22 October 2011 by Chillkram

Sorry that Wales didn't make it. I think that kicking cost them today.

Let's hope NZ finish the job tomorrow.

Posted on: 22 October 2011 by deadlifter

Let's not, France all the way

Posted on: 22 October 2011 by Chillkram

Non! Absolument non! Allez les Kiwis

Posted on: 23 October 2011 by deadlifter

Do i sense some trouble with swallowing,maybe choking in progress

Posted on: 23 October 2011 by Bruce Woodhouse

You can smell the anxiety from the other side of the globe....

Posted on: 23 October 2011 by deadlifter

Well i honestly think that France were cheated out of that by the ref who missed three high tackles that were right in front of him

Posted on: 23 October 2011 by BigH47

Obviously the refereeing has been consistent throughout the tournament then? Crap!

Posted on: 23 October 2011 by Bruce Woodhouse

Not a fine dsiplay by the AB's in the face of some gallic bloody-mindedness. Refereeing aside, France had a kick or two to edge it second half. I'm sure NZ were the best team in the competition, but not perhaps by the such a margin.

They surely have to create a rule when the ball is available at the base of a ruck limiting the time it can just be held before playing. The last few minutes were fairly unedifying and I've seen it a fair bit before. Ref should give them 5 secs and then yell 'play it' or something.

Bruce

Posted on: 23 October 2011 by deadlifter

This is what happens in the premiership,the ref will shout use it.

Posted on: 23 October 2011 by A funny thing happened on the way to the

I was lucky enough to go to the game, Great atmosphere and a feeling of relief rather than joy at the final whistle. The Joy kicked in later. The French played really well and quite easily could have nailed it. NZ was down to their 4th ranked no. 10 and managed to hold them out . A great night

Posted on: 24 October 2011 by graham55

Originally Posted by Bruce Woodhouse:

I couldn't agree more. Compare the levels of skill on display in this rather dull spectacle with those displayed by FC Barcelona in just about any match they play, and it's not hard to see why rugby remains a sport of limited appeal even in the few countries in which it's played (NZ excepted).

It just wasn't interesting to see the big meaty NZ blokes keeping the ball dead in an endless series of mauls for the last five minutes of the match, particularly as the rules of the game didn't permit the equally big meaty French blokes to do anything about it.

I'd rather watch the diminutive Messi and and chums exercising their sublime skills.

(And, incidentally, when was the prohibition of the forward pass abolished in rugby? I clearly wasn't paying attention when they slipped that one through!)

Posted on: 26 October 2011 by JWM

Hi guys. Caught a bit of the game from Belgium! The best bit by the sound of things, upto the AB's Try.

Rugby finals are, sadly, quite often not sintillating spectacles (tho the 2009 GP Final was a corker). Too much at stake, anxiety about turning over and it leading to a winning score by the opposition. The closer the game the more likely I fear (eg 2008 GP Final).

The ref does have a duty to ensure that the game is being played - at all, as well as fairly. As DL says, "use it" is frequently heard in English domestic games. Is this only an English nicety?

Posted on: 27 October 2011 by JWM

Congrats and best wishes for a good game to Leicester Tigers' Hooker George Chuter on his 250th 1st XV appearance, and Back Row Tom Crofts on his 100th, at Sale on Friday 28th October (live on ESPN at 7.45pm).

George has been an excellent team player and character, who has shown a total commitment to LT after sensibly moving on from Saracens in his very early days. Now in his late 30s, GC is not the man he is, perhaps, not quite the player he once was, but his experience, personal example, tenacity remains a wonderful spur and example to his teamates and up and coming players. Not least, that there's still a place for a sense offun in first class rugby, even in the professional age.

Posted on: 06 November 2011 by deadlifter

Well after complete domination of London Irish yesterday at Welford Road we threw it away and gave them a draw within the last ten minutes . I would say that the ref [Pearson] had a half decent game although he missed a couple of high tackles under his nose,but the linesman on the Cat stand side ignored a blatant straight throw to the Irish front man in the lineout which resulted in a try for the Irish, it was absolutely unbelieveable and right in front of him.Roll on the use of the TMO if they decide to use it that is.

Posted on: 06 November 2011 by flyfisher

Really looking forward to Saturday 26th November when GLAWS take on 10th place Tigers in the AVP.

Perhaps Tigers need to change their coaching/management - RC for MJ and JW and do England a favour too!

Posted on: 07 November 2011 by deadlifter

hmm, be carefull what you wish for

And no we will keep Cockers, but maybe Johnno should come home and we will find a good use for him

Posted on: 16 November 2011 by JWM

Well, Johnno has stood down. Hardly unexpected, but strangely I didn't anticipate feeling quite as sad as I do about it. (Perhaps because Mr Squeaky Clean has wrongly kept his job.)

Posted on: 16 November 2011 by Chillkram

I think Johnno made the right decision, but it is not without sadness that I see him go. He has been a true hero for England and has done his best in the role. I just think it was too early for him and he should never have been put in that position.

Rob Andrew should definitely now go but the RFU won't have the 'nads.