@MajorRage said in Barnes autobiography:

I'm certainly one for thinking rules shouldn't be set for the lowest common denominator (Which they are), but you also can't keep your head in the sand when your changes are blatantly not working. We saw 3 yellow cards and a red in the world cup final for fucks sakes. How can it possibly be explained that the changes are having an effect, when 4 people got sent from the field in the biggest game of their lives for indiscretions? The only thing you can do is actually change the rules and/or the way it's refereed to try and reduce controversy.

💯

WR do themselves no favours by not acknowledging their preferred course of action is clearly not having the desired effect and worse, is ruining the game.

That being said, it would help if the TMO wasn't a 🤡

@MiketheSnow said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:

Interestingly if you asked the casual observer who were the most exciting teams to watch in the RWC then many would say NZ, France, Portugal

And all 3 are in the top 6 of kicking

> Context is everything

Except on the Fern!

@Stargazer said in 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship:

U20 Trophy news

My orange genes are happy.

worldrugby.org Netherlands living the dream after qualifying for World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024 | World Rugby Netherlands living the dream after qualifying for World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024 | World Rugby

A 26-16 win over Lowlands rivals Belgium in the final of the Rugby Europe U20 Championship will see them play at their highest level next year.

Well done Ozzie

@MN5 said in Six Nations 2023:

@MiketheSnow said in Six Nations 2023:

Penaud 2 for me

Then Keenan

Then VDM

What the fuck Mike ? This one was best by far.

Good vision and speed but without absolute amateur 'tackling' from England he's stopped on the gainline

@Chris said in CWC Semi-final 1: India v New Zealand:

next time you are in Brisbane message me and I will run you through the High performance center and show you around

HEY - What about the rest of us?

I'll bring my togs....

The logical conclusion of this race to the bottom will be you can only tackle around the ankles. Then they'll complain about the amount of knee injuries...

I've posted the info about the tackle height rules in the Law trials and changes thread.

147,434 community rugby players in 2023, up 7% on 2022. Women and girls’ rugby participation up 20% on 2022.

Community rugby participation in New Zealand has continued its post-pandemic recovery, spurred by the growth of women and girls’ rugby.

NZR has today confirmed 147,434 players for the 2023 season, an increase of 7% on 2022, with women and girls’ participation up 20% to 29,448 participants.

Teenage participation grew 11% to 34,173 players, community coach registrations increased 4% to 9,242 and referees by 8% to 1,564.

NZR General Manager Community Rugby Steve Lancaster said the results were pleasing given it was the first uninterrupted rugby season since the global pandemic began in 2020.

Community Rugby in New Zealand: 2023 key stats

147,434 players: 7%+ on 2022

9,242 coaches: 4%+ on 2022

1,564 referees: 8%+ on 2022

61,539 junior club players: 1%+ on 2022

34,173 teenagers: 11%+ on 2022

38,015 senior club players: 5%+ on 2022

29,448 women and girls players: 20%+ on 2022

11,540 junior club girls: 36%+ on 2019 (+14% on 2022)

4,515 senior club women: 40%+ on 2019 (+28% on 2022)

49,999 junior club boys: -2% on 2022

140,000 girls’ rugby activator engagements in 2023

Community rugby bounce-back continues, tackle height trial extended Community rugby bounce-back continues, tackle height trial extended

@Bones said in Unlucky : players not picked for the 2024 SR season:

@Stargazer said in Unlucky : players not picked for the 2024 SR season:

@Bones I decided to fact-check that and, unsurprisingly, you're talking out of your arse again.

McClutchie started in 5 games for MP this year and played four of them for the full 80 minutes. In one game, he was replaced by Leuila, not Havili, and that only happened in the 69th minute. Can't have been that bad if Leuila came on that late in the game.

Our of how many games?

8 (of 14)

Leali'ifano started 9 games at 10 and played 6 of those games for the full 80 minutes. The MP coaches clearly didn't use the bench to cover 10, because they had William Havili at fullback, but they never moved him.

Similarities to 2019 are creepy. Pakistan needed to beat Bangladesh by about 300 in their final round robin match to push us out of the semis. Instead we made it and played top seed India.

If we make it, it'll be a remix of the 2015 semis. That time we played South Africa and Australia played India.

Fijian Drua squad

Props: Emosi Tuqiri, Haereti Hetet, Livai Natave, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Doge, Meli Tuni.

Hookers: Mesulame Dolokoto, Tevita Ikanivere, Zuriel Togiatama.

Locks: Etonia Waqa, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Sailosi Vukalokalo, Te Cirikidaveta.

Loose forwards: Elia Canakaivata, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi, Motikiai Murray, Vilive Miramira.

Halfbacks: Frank Lomani, Peni Matawalu, Philip Baselala, Simione Kuruvoli.

First-fives: Kemu Valentini, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Isikeli Rabitu, Caleb Muntz.

Midfielders: Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Michael Naitokani, Waqa Nalaga.

Outside backs: Ilaisa Droasese, Selestino Ravutaumada, Taniela Rakuro, Epeli Momo

Utility: Tuidraki Samusamuvodre.

I'm getting ads for tickets for the HKSB S7VNS1!!!11!!

Get fucked you piston wristed gibbons. Also calling it svns does not make it sound hip and with it

alt text

any day coming out breakeven is a win!

@nzzp said in Foster's Firsts.:

@nostrildamus said in Foster's Firsts.:

@nzzp said in Foster's Firsts.:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Foster's Firsts.:

Disagree with the last part. The RWC showed what these guys are actually capable of.

Counterpoint: who in that squad didn't play better than they had in the 4 year cycle?

Shannon and Sam C have played better.

Which Sam Cane performance was better than his Ireland game?

I thought he was meaning the final only. My bad if entire RWC.

@Chris-B I watched that Proteas v India match and I think the conditions plus a combination of inspiration from the birthday boy had more to do with things.

The wicket deteriorated and the ball was hardly coming on to the bat in that second innings.

@voodoo said in RWC match threads & Tipping:

Pretty pathetic really from @Smuts and @W32 - I’m sure they’d trade the Bok victory for personal success any day

I’ll take both; thanks.

The handling errors were very disappointing after last year watching them play at the speed of light with accuracy that was beautiful to watch.

@Catogrande said in Wayne Barnes gooone!:

@sparky said in Wayne Barnes gooone!:

He was the start of a generation of refs who wanted be the centre of attention. Good riddance!

Steve Walsh says hi. Oh wait a moment, he says get fucked that was me.

yes but he also had better hair.