Good Rugby Reads
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/UnrealGavHenson?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author'>https://twitter.com/UnrealGavHenson?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author</a></p>
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<p>Its almost worth following this.</p> -
<p>whiffofcordite.com is also good; it can seem a bit "pally" to begin with - lots of player nicknames, inside-ish jokes - but it is quite good. Ireland-based.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="521984" data-time="1443696048">
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<p>Shit that D'arcy writes well, so much better than any ferner could ever hope to ( obviously ) but also better than any other 'expert' or journo I can think of.....</p>
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<p>Even better than the professional writers on here? I thought his analysis was great but the structure so-so.</p> -
<p>Interesting take on the Robshaw 'decision'</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/01/the-breakdown-rugby-world-cup-warren-gatland-wales-stuart-lancaster'>http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/01/the-breakdown-rugby-world-cup-warren-gatland-wales-stuart-lancaster</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nostrildamus" data-cid="522014" data-time="1443707737">
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<p>Even better than the professional writers on here? I thought his analysis was great but the structure so-so.</p>
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<p>That's a bit harsh on a current professional rugby player isn't it (albeit someone who may have been born into priviledge and educated in fine schools)? It reminds me of a comment Stephen Jones wrote (I know I shouldn't have read it) during the Lions' tour in 2005 about the late John Drake's newpaper articles "Good commentator, can't write for toffee".</p>
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<p>I'd read D'arcy all day if he continues to produce analysis like that.</p> -
<p>Some scrum analysis for those so inclined...</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.the42.ie/italy-ireland-scrum-analysis-2361982-Oct2015/'>http://www.the42.ie/italy-ireland-scrum-analysis-2361982-Oct2015/</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nostrildamus" data-cid="522014" data-time="1443707737"><p>Even better than the professional writers on here? I thought his analysis was great but the structure so-so.</p></blockquote>
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Well if any ferner has played more tests in the international midfield I might change my views....until then though..... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="522123" data-time="1443736467"><p>
Fucken literary critics are we now?<br><br>
At least it is all a damn sight better than the lightweight crap being written in Stuff and the Herald and it isn't Ratpoo or Reason style clickbait.</p></blockquote>Well yeah it's a guy who has been there and done that for so many years. For that reason I also enjoyed Will Greenwoods stuff...as a player D'arcy was always second fiddle to BOD but so what? Is anyone better equipped to write articles that insightful on midfield play? I'll forgive a few 'jumpy' paragraphs here and there. -
<p>This was a good article from earlier this year from Murray Kinsella explaining Baths rugby league style diamond attacking formation.. </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.the42.ie/bath-analysis-diamond-structure-shape-ford-joseph-2137439-Jun2015/'>http://www.the42.ie/bath-analysis-diamond-structure-shape-ford-joseph-2137439-Jun2015/</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="profitius" data-cid="522144" data-time="1443745537">
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<p>This was a good article from earlier this year from Murray Kinsella explaining Baths rugby league style diamond attacking formation.. </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.the42.ie/bath-analysis-diamond-structure-shape-ford-joseph-2137439-Jun2015/'>http://www.the42.ie/bath-analysis-diamond-structure-shape-ford-joseph-2137439-Jun2015/</a></p>
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<p>That's a good article although I found it a bit funny that what is being touted as clever and revolutionary is, in reality, the simple attacking method of ensuring that the ball carrier has options left, right and behind. The 'clever' part is doing this after each ball transfer to keep the options going rather than just a one off to create an opportunity.</p>
<p>It's a well drilled extra to the basic backline attack structure of having either of your centres straighten the line. If it is 12 the 10 and 13 provide the left/right option with 15 coming up from behind. If it is 13 then 12 and 15 provide the left/right with 10 looping in behind.</p> -
An interesting take....<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/106561">http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/106561</a>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="524154" data-time="1444070041">
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<p>An interesting take....<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/106561">http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/106561</a></p>
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<p>Agreed but it isn't as successful for Scotland and Italy.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="524156" data-time="1444070625">
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<p>Agreed but it isn't as successful for Scotland and Italy.</p>
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<p>I think i's rather misleading myself. I'll agree that players may be more used to playing with each other but you really need to boil things down to useful combos.</p>
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<p>Combos with AB yes or No</p>
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<p>Front Row (no)</p>
<p>Locks (no)</p>
<p>Loosies (only 7&8 but then it's actually rare that they play in this combo)</p>
<p>8/9 (no)</p>
<p>9/10 (no)</p>
<p>12/13 (yes)</p>
<p>back three (sometimes)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="521962" data-time="1443689431">
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<p><a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/11901963/England-v-Australia-Five-areas-Stuart-Lancasters-side-must-get-right-to-keep-Rugby-World-Cup-dream-alive.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/11901963/England-v-Australia-Five-areas-Stuart-Lancasters-side-must-get-right-to-keep-Rugby-World-Cup-dream-alive.html</a></p>
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<p><em>The Telegraph</em> used to have outstanding sports coverage but has dropped away considerably in the last few years and is now very poor. with loads of click-bait</p>
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<p>The Guardian has run a series of articles on RWC 2015 on individual countries Rugby culture which have been really good. Here's some examples </p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/sep/11/all-blacks-how-new-zealand-sustains-its-rugby-dynasty'>http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/sep/11/all-blacks-how-new-zealand-sustains-its-rugby-dynasty</a></p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/sep/10/fiji-samoa-tonga-x-factor-rugby-world-cup'>http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/sep/10/fiji-samoa-tonga-x-factor-rugby-world-cup</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="522123" data-time="1443736467">
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<p>Fucken literary critics are we now?</p>
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<p>At least it is all a damn sight better than the lightweight crap being written in Stuff and the Herald and it isn't Ratpoo or Reason style clickbait.</p>
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<p>You all misunderstand me (apart from Bones, which is worrying in itself). Yes it is great analysis, no it isn't great writing.</p>
<p>Excellent article, not an excellent example of <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.google.com/search?q=writing'>writing</a>.</p>
<p>And yes great <em>writing</em> falls under the label of <em>literature</em>.</p>
<p>I'll collect my book token now, thanks.</p> -
<p>something a bit different.. Canon are posting blogs of the photographers up at the RWC.</p>
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<p>my mate Phil is there covering the AB's for Getty Images. Ran 7.5k's covering the AB's argies games. Great job to have.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/photographer_blogs_from_2015_Rugby_World_Cup/all_black_in_business.do'>http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/photographer_blogs_from_2015_Rugby_World_Cup/all_black_in_business.do</a></p> -
<p>Nice article on the AB's coming to a a rugby outpost in Northern England</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11909889/Rugby-World-Cup-2015-Darlington-the-latest-stop-on-this-tour-of-wonder.html'>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11909889/Rugby-World-Cup-2015-Darlington-the-latest-stop-on-this-tour-of-wonder.html</a></p>
