The new doco on the referees from the 2023 World Cup is pretty remarkable. Only available on RugbyPass TV at the moment: https://rugbypass.tv/video/578207?showInterstitial=false

Here's the trailer:

Just watching the U/19s bat against India
Jones has his off stump cleaned up first ball.
Reddy gets hit on the pad first ball doesn’t read the inswinger
Then plays all over a straight one LBW 2nd ball.
NZ 2 down for 0
Terrible to watch not a decent batting technique to be seen.

@booboo said in Big Bash League 23/24:

@mariner4life said in Big Bash League 23/24:

while they may not be "as big as they used to be" they are still bloody good.

30 games, 19 with more than 20,000, six with more than 40k
Only 5 had less than 10k, and 4 of those were in Tassie

A quick squiz at the crowds for say BBL 5 sees them not significantly different except for the 1 game that got 80k. The final was a couple of thousand more, but Sydney v Melbourne at the 'G will pull more than Sydney v Brisbane in Sydney

Fair call

Still remain Grumpy, and maintain it's not as good or as popular as it used to be.

@Donsteppa said in Black Clash:

I did wonder for a while if Reuben Love had picked the wrong sport for his day job.

He was Under (what ever age) NZ team for cricket I think

@DaGrubster said in RWC 2023:

@booboo

That’s the travesty of that final. It was completely ruined because one side got treated to being reffed like it was a crime scene.

Completely ruined it for me and everyone supporting NZ.

I wonder if World rugby have the self awareness to realise that the game they have created is one of the reasons for their officials getting pilloried on social media. It is certainly one of the causes

It’s easy to get caught up in the officiating in the final because it IS the final but it is a general blight on the game and of course it affects every team’s journey within the tournament. One can argue about a particular incident or even how a whole game was officiated (I can’t say reffed anymore because he is no longer the arbiter), but for me the biggest thing is the constantly changing interpretations. It seemed clear within the tournament that the thresholds for reds and yellows were a lot lower in the pool games and then a collective “let’s move the goalposts” in the knockout phases. Which is shite for the players, coaches and fans.

Another park effort from professionals.

ABs unbeaten

@Billy-Tell said in The Darts:

Yeah thats not bad but I would still back myself to take him at my place, home ground advantage and all of that

Not Russia, but drugs.

World Cup winner Jantjies given four-year doping ban World Cup winner Jantjies given four-year doping ban

Elton Jantjies, who won the 2019 World Cup with South Africa, is given a four-year ban from the sport having tested positive for Clenbuterol.

@Smuts said in Rugby Stats:

I’d also like to see rucks that ended with no offensive player on their feet per team

that one is easy, just look at the total ruck stats

Not MLR, but cool

The smoking hot Constance Nunes and her custom car company sponsor the local rugby side.

Sponsors functions I would actually attend

Leading into RWC2027. Nice.

BBC yesterday: Murray hoping for no long matches.

Nek minnit …

Feel a bit for him. Britain’s best and a superb player. But played in the Fed / Nadal / Djok era.

I half watched that game as I worked so probably missed a bit

Coles was good in general play and picked up a couple of tries

Ardie was excellent. He had 7 on his back but packed down at 8. Scored a try from the back of the lineout and his support play was a big part of the last Steelers try in the ~75min

Commentators made a lot of noise about Laumape but I didn't really notice him do anything. Ran straight and was generally contained. Maybe I missed something? The noise to output is way off on this guy. Little subbed on and immediately made a break and got a jackal turnover in his 15mins

Decent game won by the Spears 38-34 a couple of lead changes in the last 5mins

@MiketheSnow After twenty years of gradual decline, they are in the rapid decline phase.

@Higgins dusty...

@sparky said in TSF Team of the Year:

The big upset of 2023 was France not winning the RWC. So many class players, at home and yet they froze in the last 20 minutes of the QF against South Africa.

South Africa did one hell of a job winning three World Cup knockouts by a single point, mind you. I don't think we will ever see that again.

Hopefully, we don't see SA winning 3 RWC knock outs in a row full stop! At least for a while 😉

I'd like to thank @Crazy-Horse for his contribution

@Darren said in Whats your "second team" in Super Rugby?:

I don't have a second team, but I support any NZ team playing any overseas team.
But if 2 NZ teams play each other and It's not the Canes I'll just enjoy the game

I'll add the caveat, in the case of 2 NZ teams playing I will enjoy game but chher for who will help the Canes on table , or another NZ team get further up ladder.