Rugby Union

[IloveGilly]

I found the kicking hilarious The way both teams played almost looked like a stalemate. Even though it was a pretty scrappy match, it was an entertainment blockbuster.

The flow of the game wasn't right at all but both teams still managed to get quite a lot of points on. Latham wasn't at his best at all IMO he should have contributed more and Mortlock had a pretty good game but well short of his best

 

[James219]

Bit of aerial ping-pong happening there, eh? A very traditional, and ugly may I add (particularly in the first half) contest, and a scrappy victory, but a victory nonetheless. Not the spectacle of last week by any means, but still an intriguing match. SA bounced back in any way they could, with both sides looking second rate for the most part, really. I would've liked to see SA complete the turnaround and take the match, but you can't have everything! Larkham was way out of his depth in just about every aspect of his game, and Gregan wasn't scintillating either. Mortlock stood out in a lacklustre outfit, and Phil Waugh injected an air of action in the side after replacing Smith. A nice final try, with Rogers making it as difficult a conversion as possible. HAHA......at Gerrard's little fumble, too!
I heard the crowd was poor, but 65,000 isn't bad at all considering the last meeting in which SA were absolutely demolished. They haven't done too badly, bar that first encounter, actually, as they do have eight injuries.
I wish I could've gone, but tickets are pretty darn expensive.....my sister went, albeit because of work commitments (part-time hospitality job at Telstra Stadium)

 

[aussie1st]

Interesting hearing former coach Eddie Jones saying Giteau should play halfback. It appears that Josh Holmes might get a chance on the bench with Sam out injuried along with Valatine.

 

[Milo_LCCC]

even though i come from a strict rugby league town, st helens the home of saints. I love rugby union and i wish i got more of a chance to see it. especially the international games they can be very exciting to watch. i also wish i got more of a chance to play it but the rugby coach at our school said he would never teach us union and i ended up arguing with him does anybody have any suggestions of how to persuade him to play union even if it is for one lesson any help would be great

 

[evertonfan]

even though i come from a strict rugby league town, st helens the home of saints. I love rugby union and i wish i got more of a chance to see it. especially the international games they can be very exciting to watch. i also wish i got more of a chance to play it but the rugby coach at our school said he would never teach us union and i ended up arguing with him does anybody have any suggestions of how to persuade him to play union even if it is for one lesson any help would be great

Yeah teachers can be a bit stubborn sometimes. If you are so desperate to be taught Rugby Union then maybe you should take some incriminating photographs of him/her.

I've never played Union either, which is a shame, but I love watching the Tri Nations and the Six Nations.

 

[DJ Ager]

Wales 2005 Grand Slam. I also support Sale Sharks

By the way does anyone know how to send a private message to all users on Planetcricket.

 

[jazz]

Interesting hearing former coach Eddie Jones saying Giteau should play halfback. It appears that Josh Holmes might get a chance on the bench with Sam out injuried along with Valatine.

Well Eddie Jones should just shutup his not incharge of Australia now

 

[aussie1st]

Quite the opposite, Jones has spoke up about a heap of things lately. The one hitting the headlines last week was Gregan and some other senior players told the ARU to sack Jones or they would only play Super 14.

Either way hes entitled to his own opinion as heaps of former coaches speak of changes that should be made. On Giteau I would keep him at 12 and hope the Wallabies will give him some ball cause hes been non existent since his first game.

It appears now that Sheehan will get the reserve halfback spot which seems more risky than Holmes or Giteau at halfback cause his passing could well lead to an ABs try.

 

[James219]

Sailor's appeal has resulted in another failure.....really, I can't see the logic behind the steps he's taking at the moment. What, is his entire case gonna be centred around "oh, it's only a recreational drug, it couldn't possibly enhance my performance or anything...?" He committed the crime, now he may as well do the time (quality cliche, by the way ).

 

[obelisk]

Sheehan is terrible. Gits should be the 3rd halfback in the world cup squad if Gregan and Cordingley are injuried/ need a rest. Otherwise keep him at 12.

 

[aussie1st]

Didn't hear anything on Sailor which is exactly the way it should be. Hes no longer a rugby player for 2 years so I don't expect to hear his crap anymore.

Agreed on Sheehan, hes like Kelleher/Weepu strength wise but his passing is shocking and I don't think he has a kicking game.

 

[James219]

Sailor's going back to league after his ban, anyway, or so I hear. Speaking of RL, the Titans actually want Tuqiri to revert codes; I doubt that'll happen.
Weepe and Kelleher are very strong for halves, yes, but that doesn't detract from their speed around the ruck, and their passing is reliable. Sheehan, on the other hand, despite being fairly experienced (well, RL wise anyway), is pretty rugged around the rucks and mauls and has a shifty passing game, as mentioned above- Giteau's the better option, in my opinion, as when he's involved, he can add that extra spark to a backline, irrespective of his position (well, those within reason, anyway).

 

[aussie1st]

The halfback curse Forget Sheehan hes injuried too. I'm hearing Henjak may get a run :s For me either put Holmes in (probably won't get much game time if any, anyway) or use Giteau. He did quite well with the Brumbies when he moved into halfback and I guess it will mean we can bring up another player hopefully Norton Knight.

 

[James219]

What? Sheehan's injured too? I thought it was just Cordingley who was ruled out with the foot injury...
Josh Holmes is very, very inexperienced and, as Larkham said, the gap between Super 14 and test rugby is big enough, let alone a direct leap from grade.

 

[aussie1st]

I think hes been cleared now so he probably should be fine to take the backup spot. Giteau went the same route where he didn't even play Super 14 when he got his Wallaby debut. He didn't go so well but look where he is now. May as well see what Holmes can do, if he can handle the pressure then you know we have something special if not then a Giteau like road is likely.