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Author Topic: International Rugby  (Read 381548 times)

Offline nordenvillain

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1665 on: April 20, 2017, 11:38:03 PM »
Not too sure what Mike Haley has or hasn't done not to be selected for the Argentina tour. He was one of the standout players on the Saxons tour to South Africa last summer and looks as  good as any other english back up to Brown at full back.

Online Jon Crofts

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1666 on: April 21, 2017, 04:27:24 PM »
Back to the Lions.
10 matches all told, how many do you think they'll win?

If Gatland plays his brand of 'bash it up the middle rugby' then the tests will go 3-0 to the ABs.

Of the other games I'd say 4 of the 7 should be winnable but it will be tough watching some of the talent in the Super Rugby that can't even get near the ABs 15.  Gatland will want to and need to protect his test team.  I honestly think this has the potential to be an embarrassment.

Offline paul_e

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1667 on: April 21, 2017, 06:36:06 PM »
I think that's about right.

I can't see our reserves beating the Crusaders in the match between the first and 2nd test and the chiefs the week before will be a tough game as well because again you'd only expect cameos from his first 15.  The other tough one is the hurricanes who are currently smashing lumps out of teams for fun and look like a very strong side.  On top of that we're playing them early enough that they'll have their international players available and they have a few of the very best.

Offline JD

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1668 on: April 23, 2017, 03:25:34 AM »
I think that's about right.

I can't see our reserves beating the Crusaders in the match between the first and 2nd test and the chiefs the week before will be a tough game as well because again you'd only expect cameos from his first 15.  The other tough one is the hurricanes who are currently smashing lumps out of teams for fun and look like a very strong side.  On top of that we're playing them early enough that they'll have their international players available and they have a few of the very best.

The Crusaders and Chiefs will probably not play their strongest teams or anywhere near it, given in the Crusaders case that most of their forward pack are existing All Blacks and won't be free to play for their province. I would fear for the Lions if the Crusaders were allowed to put their first team out, they're not a bad side .   

Offline paul_e

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1669 on: May 06, 2017, 11:01:30 PM »
Ben Youngs out of the Lions squad in horrible circumstances, thoughts with him and more particularly his brother.

Online PaulWinch again

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1670 on: May 07, 2017, 12:27:53 PM »
Very sad.

Offline cdbearsfan

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1671 on: May 09, 2017, 12:34:40 PM »
The draw for the next World Cup is tomorrow morning (our time).

Offline cheltenhamlion

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1672 on: May 09, 2017, 04:57:37 PM »
My boy at Gloucester is very pissed off about Gatlands meet and greet.

Offline Dante Lavelli

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1673 on: May 09, 2017, 10:35:22 PM »
My boy at Gloucester is very pissed off about Gatlands meet and greet.

Is that deliberately cryptic or am I just being stupid?

Online Jon Crofts

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1674 on: May 10, 2017, 08:50:39 AM »
New Zealand, Wales, Argentina make it happen!

Online Jon Crofts

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1675 on: May 10, 2017, 09:26:15 AM »
Pool C: England, France, Argentina, Americas 1, Oceania 2

Tough but very winnable group

Online Jon Crofts

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1676 on: May 10, 2017, 09:26:52 AM »
Full draw.
Pool A: Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Europe 1, Play-Off winner
Pool B: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Africa 1, Repechage winner
Pool C: England, France, Argentina, Americas 1, Oceania 2
Pool D: Australia, Wales, Georgia, Oceania 1, Americas 2

Offline cdbearsfan

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1677 on: May 10, 2017, 09:53:51 AM »
Decent draw for Scotland but I'm assuming As play Bs in the QFs so we have to finish top to avoid New Zealand. Even then it would be South Africa. Semis look unlikely but you never know.

England should qualify but I can't choose out of France or Argentina. Will likely be Fiji or Samoa in that group, too.

Would be nice to see Georgia or, more likely, Samoa or Fiji, give the Welsh a bloody nose for a laugh.

Could be some one-sided games in Group B with New Zealand and South Africa likely playing the likes of Namibia and Uruguay.
« Last Edit: May 10, 2017, 09:57:10 AM by cdbullyweefan »

Offline paul_e

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1678 on: May 10, 2017, 09:56:52 AM »
Pool C: England, France, Argentina, Americas 1, Oceania 2

Tough but very winnable group

Argentina as the 3rd team makes that comfortably the toughest group because that's 3 teams who expect to qualify, none of the other groups have that.

Online PaulWinch again

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Re: International Rugby
« Reply #1679 on: May 10, 2017, 04:54:47 PM »
Pool C: England, France, Argentina, Americas 1, Oceania 2

Tough but very winnable group

Argentina as the 3rd team makes that comfortably the toughest group because that's 3 teams who expect to qualify, none of the other groups have that.

Nope once again we've got a rough one.

 


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