Comments on: Best Of The Weekend: Upsets Rule In Round 4

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 12:04:26 +0000

Re your last sentence Don P, that was another good example of gutless and one eyed administrators failing to take responsibility for the integrity of the game. We had another one last week when “Cheap shot” Hartley got only six weeks after completing the full set of cowardly assaults on unsuspecting opponents. He, alongside Callum Clarke and a number of others should not be allowed on a rugby field.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 11:56:31 +0000

Spot on Pablito. Ducueng this weekend was moving forward to catch a ball that had been kicked towards him with his eyes on the ball. At the last second Woodburn arrived on the scene jumping in with feet at shoulder height and his back to the potential catcher. He had no care for either his own or Ducueng’ s safety, but it was Ducueng ended up going off. Farcical and needs looking at urgently. As far as the high tackle is concerned there needs to be more flexibility for refs to consider intent and outcome. The alternative is to go back to the below the waist tackle which would certainly speed the game up.

By: Don P

Don P — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 17:24:03 +0000

These rules are designed to combat broken necks & or concussion.

A pivotal moment IMO, was when the ruck was done away with (as per Y Ddraig).

If the ruck were brought back (more chance of L. Lucan turning out to ref the nxt 6N I reckon), then the fwds would have to be fwds & compete @ the BREAKDOWN. This would free the back line from 2 sets of defenders & make the game more of a 1 on 1 CONTEST. It would therefore open up the game & also lessen the no. of head clashes (concussions) by leviathans on Lilliputians to boot.. which is where we came in.

Of course rucks will need to be policed judiciously to prevent players being kicked to bits, but they will also have the benefit of discouraging the current blight of lying on.

Regarding the high ball, a tricky 1 as 1 broken body is 1 too many, but this may happen anyway, rules notwithstanding. The onus has to be on the jumper not catching the ball. However, if 2 players genuinely jump for the pill, then it’s a risk & it’s is part of footy methinks, but it’s got to be policed diligently with reds shown if there’s even bad judgement involved.

So long as refs APPLY the rules evenly, consistently & fairly then they will do their job. Too often, generally, for me they don’t do this. Eg warning 1 side for offside say, but pinging the other for the same offence, or allowing lying on in the tackle & not enforcing separation from the tackle before allowing a player to go for the ball. Grrrgh!

BTW, just as a pt of fact, Umaga & Mealamu were exonerated in 2005.

By: Leon

Leon — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 13:48:01 +0000

Time to concentrate on a top 6/7 finish, top 4 finish is well beyond us unfortunately

By: Dazza (Dazzle)

Dazza (Dazzle) — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 12:21:58 +0000

Hardly a weakened team.

Time to concentrate on the Premiership now than and a top four finish!!

By: Cathal

Cathal — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 12:20:16 +0000

Glasgow do what no team has done in 2016 and beat Leinster in Dublin, funny.

By: Leon

Leon — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 11:11:08 +0000

A.Tuala 1st choice with Fodens form
K.Pisi 1st (North injured)
G.Pisi 1st/2nd choice with Burrell
JJ.Hanrahan 1st/2nd choice with Burrell (Mallinder & Stephenson injured)
T.Collins 1st
S.Myler 1st
N.Groom 2nd behind Kessell
E.Waller 2nd Behind his brother
C.Clare 2nd behind Heywood (Hartley suspended)
K.Brookes 1st
A.Ratuniyarawa 1st
J.Craig 3rd behind Paterson and Lawes
J.Gibson 2nd behind Wood
C.Clark 1st
T.Harrison 2nd behind Picamoles

By: Dazza (Dazzle)

Dazza (Dazzle) — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 09:19:30 +0000

I must admit I only saw the highlights but didn’t hear any names I hadn’t heard before so didn’t understand what all the fuss was about.

Had heard some rumours about Mallinder being replaced by Lancaster though?

By: Joe Large

Joe Large — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 18:01:56 +0000

Solid predictions. I would love to see Glasgow go deep into the competition, they are playing very attractive rugby. I think the failure to get the bonus point at the weekend may cost them a home quarter final spot though.

For me:

Saracens v Connacht
Clermont v Montpellier
Wasps v Munster
Leinster v Glasgow

Saracens v Leinster
Clermont v Wasps

Saracens to beat Clermont in the final.

Still, there have been a number of twists and turns already, and I’m sure there will be plenty more to come.

By: Joe Large

Joe Large — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 17:31:01 +0000

I can’t see him being kicked out mid-season, but if he doesn’t turn their premiership season around, maybe it’s time to go?

I think the weakened team scenario is ridiculous. It’s their prerogative, and if they are already struggling, then why not give some others a taste of the action? They still put in a dire performance though, where other teams gave it a real go anyhow.

By: Leon

Leon — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 16:55:28 +0000

The whole weakened team thing is a bit annoying as everyone does it.

Its not like they stuck out the youth team, the only player who hasn’t regularly been in match day squads this season is the substitute hooker James Fish and Mallider has already said that with the Hartley suspension it puts him in a tough spot because Heywood needs a rest

By: Y Ddraig

Y Ddraig — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 16:55:21 +0000

Yes the game is now in danger of resembling an U11 touch rugby girls tournament.

No-one wants to see spear tackles as per BOD/Lions v NZ in 2005 but it is now becoming quite silly. Any decent tackle where your arms accidentally slip upwards towards the shoulders/neck will see you binned or sent off.

There seems no logic to this really..we are even going to seeing pens if you aimed low with both arms and the player ducks into the tackle.

Coaches will be telling players to ‘duck every time’ in the hope of pens and cards….total nonsense.

Rucking has gone and that has really damaged the game and tackling will soon be banned to!