RUGBY, the thread.

[Trevor33]

Last year was our building year in terms of bringing in new players but this season has been about playing under a new coach, we've also been building for the world cup. After beating Aus in 2011 some of actually believe we have a chance to reach the final next year. I think a lot depends on the draw but I think it's possible, no way we can beat New Zealand, ever and it showed a few months back. Not only did everyone in Ireland know NZ they going to score a last min try and beat up, so did the players on the field.

We're a nation of chokers. Which has been proven time and time again over the last 10 years in the 6 nations. Remember we only won our one title because of a last min missed kicked by Wales.

Agree about England though, they're getting better and have a real chance for the 6 nations and maybe the world cup next year. If they lose lineouts to Ireland it will cost them.

BTW I don't think you can question the fact that Wales have been the best team in Europe for a number of years. This season it's just a Lions hangover, they'll be back next year.

[betiko]

We don t mind sucking. The more we suck the more unpredictable we are and we bite your throat until you choke.
That last world cup was a joke... We were so terrible, so criticized and at the end of the day with a bit more luck on our penaltys in the final we could ve been world champions.
We fear NZ only in test match, if it s a WC it s doable.

[Army of GOD]

How did Italy ever find their way into the Six Nations? They seem so out of place.

[betiko]

How did Italy ever find their way into the Six Nations? They seem so out of place.

They are getting better and are clearly the 6th best rugby nation of the northern hemisphere. It took like 40 years for france to win a first 5 nations. This is a unique oportunity to make rugby more competitive and popular in italy, but it s nowhere as popular as it is in france for example.

It s been discussed a lot to include argentina in the southern hemisphere tri nations.

[Lootifer]

How did Italy ever find their way into the Six Nations? They seem so out of place.

They are getting better and are clearly the 6th best rugby nation of the northern hemisphere. It took like 40 years for france to win a first 5 nations. This is a unique oportunity to make rugby more competitive and popular in italy, but it s nowhere as popular as it is in france for example.

It s been discussed a lot to include argentina in the southern hemisphere tri nations.

They're already in the tri-nations (now called the Rugby Championship or something equally lame).

And its done wonders for the sport. Both Italy and Argentina have excelled since being included. Sure they take the odd thumping, but overall its better for the game.

[iAmCaffeine]

Italy have one of the best #8s in the world, if not the best. They're improving.

Thankfully Hartley starts over Youngs and all of his line-outs were stellar against Scotland. Hartley and Lawes make a good combo for England since they play for the same club.

England have a good chance at 6N and WC. If we play NZ I wouldn't be worried much. In the right frame of mind we will beat them, it's just their incredible ability to make a comeback out of nothing, but our defense is strong.

My least favourite team is SA simply because of their dirty play. Nobody else plays like that to the same degree so why do they need to?

[betiko]

in fact scotland is probably way worse than italy.
I heard a few years ago that there were only 850 players registered in the scottish rugby federation. That means you have a chance/25 or so to go to a 6 nations if you play rugby and you're scott?

[iAmCaffeine]

Scotland are the worst team in the 6N, no doubt.

Number of players in the Scottish Federation isn't really reliable though, just like the Welsh Federation which is a total mess. Lots of their best players are in England.

[Lootifer]

Bring back Big Gav eh?

Also when we're on form no one will beat us. Not being arrogant, but when the ABs fire, well, the 38-27 win in South Africa speaks for itself really.

However we are known for mis-firing in WC pressure situations so yeah

Where is the next WC anyway?

[iAmCaffeine]

Bring back Big Gav eh?

Also when we're on form no one will beat us. Not being arrogant, but when the ABs fire, well, the 38-27 win in South Africa speaks for itself really.

However we are known for mis-firing in WC pressure situations so yeah

Where is the next WC anyway?

Agreed. On form NZ are close enough to unbeatable.

However, how many of your players are actually from Samoa/Fiji/Tonga etc?

[Trevor33]

Haha how many Englishmen are in the English Cricket team? Steal other players and they still suck

Scotland are at rock bottom, there's no question. But look at Ireland 15 years ago, fighting with Wales for the wooden spoon, how times can change.

Bit unfair to compare Argentina with Italy, Italy are progressing from the bottom, Argentina reached the semis of the World Cup long before entering the tri-nations. If anything they joined it much later than they should have, might be better now. Fecken Argies knocking us out of two world cups, they should have stuck to polio.

[iAmCaffeine]

Don't have a clue, I don't care about the cricket. You helped my point though.

[betiko]

Haha how many Englishmen are in the English Cricket team? Steal other players and they still suck

Scotland are at rock bottom, there's no question. But look at Ireland 15 years ago, fighting with Wales for the wooden spoon, how times can change.

Bit unfair to compare Argentina with Italy, Italy are progressing from the bottom, Argentina reached the semis of the World Cup long before entering the tri-nations. If anything they joined it much later than they should have, might be better now. Fecken Argies knocking us out of two world cups, they should have stuck to polio.

Hey, we WON the wooden spoon last year, times change quicker than that!

[Lootifer]

Agreed. On form NZ are close enough to unbeatable.

However, how many of your players are actually from Samoa/Fiji/Tonga etc?

HAHA, might pay to do your research before saying silly things my man... (I didnt know what the results were going to be before I started searching but they are hilarious!)

Out of the extended 42 man 2013 squad the following players were born outside of New Zealand:

Tawera Kerr-Barlow - Born in Austraila
Frank Halai - Born in Tonga
Ben Franks - Born in Austraila

On the other hand, according to the wiki page, the current extended 36 man English squad contains no less than 2 kiwis, 3 germans, 1 aussie and 1 south african.

[iAmCaffeine]

I asked the question, nothing more. Interesting though. Germany? Lolwut.

[betiko]

3 germans???

We used to have the south african born De Villiers. But that name is as french as it can be lol.
Other than this i don t remember players born and raised "foreigners"

[Lootifer]

Yeh the germans made me lol. I am guessing it's because there's probably a few decent german rugby players (they have the build for it) but leave germany cause they don't have a rugby team.

[iAmCaffeine]

Yeh the germans made me lol. I am guessing it's because there's probably a few decent german rugby players (they have the build for it) but leave germany cause they don't have a rugby team.

Pretty much.

[Trevor33]

Yeh the germans made me lol. I am guessing it's because there's probably a few decent german rugby players (they have the build for it) but leave germany cause they don't have a rugby team.

Or they were army brats born in Germany to English parents and adopted the German passport rather than British. Or they're just seen to be German for being born there... somehow I doubt all of them are of German parents.

[betiko]

we need inspector colombo on that case. i can't imagine a german guy any close to a rugby ball.

[iAmCaffeine]

YES YES YES FUCKING YESSSSSSSSSS.

Before this game I said the winner would win the 6 Nations. I think we can.

[betiko]

YES YES YES FUCKING YESSSSSSSSSS.

Before this game I said the winner would win the 6 Nations. I think we can.

are you welsh?

[iAmCaffeine]

YES YES YES FUCKING YESSSSSSSSSS.

Before this game I said the winner would win the 6 Nations. I think we can.

are you welsh?

Am I f*ck Welsh! I'm English mate.

[Fruitcake]

Some great games this weekend.

The England/Ireland game was pretty epic imho.

[Lootifer]

Any of you northern hemisphere monkeys follow super15?

#gothechiefs