Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:34 pm  

Catalancs wrote: Awfully quiet on here considering we're in the middle of the pinnacle of the game Newcastle Falcons revising policy on signings. Concentrate on staying up first Taity. Rugby World Cup: Australia back New Zealand over cost of participation. 'We are unable to continue making these significant losses.' Speaking of Newcastle and relegation- what the hell has happened to Leeds?

Catalancs wrote: Awfully quiet on here considering we're in the middle of the pinnacle of the game Newcastle Falcons revising policy on signings. Concentrate on staying up first Taity. Rugby World Cup: Australia back New Zealand over cost of participation. 'We are unable to continue making these significant losses.' Speaking of Newcastle and relegation- what the hell has happened to Leeds?

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:43 pm  

The World Cup is a facade. NZ rugby is in trouble. A view from New Zealand. Urmston Wire wrote: Speaking of Newcastle and relegation- what the hell has happened to Leeds? Second bottom of Division 2 with one win from four. I said last year that if they went down this time they wouldn't be back for a goodly while and it's certainly looking that way at the moment. Crowds have dropped off and they're struggling to get over 2,500. I don't know if it's true, but someone told me the crowd for the cup game against Yorkshire rivals Rotherham was three-figures.

The World Cup is a facade. NZ rugby is in trouble. A view from New Zealand. Urmston Wire wrote: Speaking of Newcastle and relegation- what the hell has happened to Leeds? Second bottom of Division 2 with one win from four. I said last year that if they went down this time they wouldn't be back for a goodly while and it's certainly looking that way at the moment. Crowds have dropped off and they're struggling to get over 2,500. I don't know if it's true, but someone told me the crowd for the cup game against Yorkshire rivals Rotherham was three-figures.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Sep 29, 2011 7:01 am  

Disgraceful behaviour

Disgraceful behaviour

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Sep 29, 2011 7:24 am  

Catalancs wrote: The World Cup is a facade. NZ rugby is in trouble. A view from New Zealand. I had several sessions with Chris Rattue on the 96 GB tour & played against him in a press match (I was a guest). He was one wild child.

Catalancs wrote: The World Cup is a facade. NZ rugby is in trouble. A view from New Zealand. I had several sessions with Chris Rattue on the 96 GB tour & played against him in a press match (I was a guest). He was one wild child.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:08 am  

Conroy wrote: Disgraceful behaviour I went to college with Stridgeon and while he's a good lad I'm not that surprised he did something like this. You break the rules in the world cup and the governing body take no action? Surely Wilkinson knew what was going on.

Conroy wrote: Disgraceful behaviour I went to college with Stridgeon and while he's a good lad I'm not that surprised he did something like this. You break the rules in the world cup and the governing body take no action? Surely Wilkinson knew what was going on.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:57 am  

Catalancs wrote:

Surely Wilkinson knew what was going on.

To suggest any such thing is treason.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:56 am  

Urmston Wire wrote:

Speaking of Newcastle and relegation- what the hell has happened to Leeds?

Basically, lost any good players they had left at the club when they got relegated and Caddick is refusing to continue bankrolling signings and salaries.

They need to consolidate in the second tier for a couple of seasons and concentrate on developing young players who don't just see the club as a stepping stone to bigger and better things - yes, I'm talking to you Messrs Care, Crane and Clark...

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Sep 29, 2011 3:24 pm  

That's it. Leeds haven't recruited particularly well and have lost a lot of players to bigger teams. They got beat 52-10 at the weekend. They have a couple of Sale players at the moment who are dual registered. Iain Thornley seems to have gotten some game time but I'm not sure about Will Cliff. Cliff is a great scrum half and will be a good player at that level.

Catalancs - I think I'd like to take you up on your Newcastle getting relegated bet. I think they'll finish bottom but they won't get relegated. Seeing as only Leeds and Bristol will probably be able to get promoted on ground rules and neither of them winning the play-offs for me, I can't see anybody going up this season.

Cracking start for Sale. 3 wins from the first 4. We've got 11 players missing to The World Cup and if we can win now then we should be looking for mid table at the least when the big names return.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Sep 29, 2011 6:47 pm  

Catalancs wrote: The World Cup is a facade. NZ rugby is in trouble. A view from New Zealand. This guy is a fruit loop. Both on SKY Sports (Pay TV).... RWC 2011 Live: 221,380 (7:30pm - 9:20pm) Italy vs USA NRL Live: 200,150 (9.55-11.35) Warriors v Storm Yes, League is getting itself in better shape, but the crowds at Mt Smart a pretty static if you don't count the Eden Park opener. Yes, the club are on the money with the way they are growing things, but League will get buried this weekend by the TV ratings for the RWC.

Catalancs wrote: The World Cup is a facade. NZ rugby is in trouble. A view from New Zealand. This guy is a fruit loop. Both on SKY Sports (Pay TV).... RWC 2011 Live: 221,380 (7:30pm - 9:20pm) Italy vs USA NRL Live: 200,150 (9.55-11.35) Warriors v Storm Yes, League is getting itself in better shape, but the crowds at Mt Smart a pretty static if you don't count the Eden Park opener. Yes, the club are on the money with the way they are growing things, but League will get buried this weekend by the TV ratings for the RWC.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Sep 29, 2011 7:53 pm  

I can’t find it in the on-line version but an article quoting Shontayne Hape in the Standard tonight made me smile

“We have a big game this weekend but the New Zealand Warriors have a bigger game”. Seeing as though a 7 point loss without a bonus point would see England exit the world cup, I’m sure the England staff see it as a bigger game!