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E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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Marler back for england. That is great news meaning we don't have to run mako into the ground.

What’s going on with this, mate? I haven’t heard/seen anything.

Would be great news for you if he was.
 

teok

Well-Known Member
Aug 11, 2011
10,836
33,607
What’s going on with this, mate? I haven’t heard/seen anything.

Would be great news for you if he was.

Nothing really. He was added to the EPS. He was the form LH in the prem at the end of the season. He is quality player.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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30,494

Yeah, there’s been a few recently. Saracens have taken Rhys Carre, who’s a very highly regarded loose head, and similar to this case, Cardiff offered a really good deal to keep him (they actually offered more money than Sarries) but he still left.

There was one English/welsh kiddy who’s in school on England who’s coming over to the Scarlets next year so it’s not all one way traffic but it does seem that way.

I don’t mind if this Christ kid goes to Exeter for a few years to develop as long as he does what Rhys Carre did and still commits to Wales
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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In other news it looks like Gatland is going to be the next Chiefs coach (not Exeter the NZ Chiefs) aftervthe WC taking a year break to coach the lions and then going back to the Chiefs until 2022/2023

The Chiefs are kinda my SH team so I’m pleased. Will be good to see him in Super Rugby.

Talking of the Chiefs did anyone see the news that Retallik is taking 2 years out of the international game as he’s going to play in Japan. He plans to come back to NZ after his 2 year contract finishes. Money is obviously a big motivator I’m sure but he says he’s doing it to look after his body and prolong his career so fair play to him.

One of my favourite players and while it’s a shame I won’t be able to watch him in an AB jersey I hope he comes back better than ever. When you’re as good as him though you don’t have to worry about winning your shirt back, though Scott Barrett will see it as an opportunity to sure up his spot alongside Whitelock
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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How proud would you be if your 3 sons were Beauden, Scott and Jordie Barrett, by the way.

Ridiculous.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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30,494
Anyone watch the SA v Oz and Argentina v NZ games?

NZ definitely out of sorts recently. Look beatable.

Australia without Folau and Pocock are pretty average (even though it was great to see Banks get his first test start with Folau out of the picture. Good player.) Hooper is the only elite level forward in that pack. Kepu is a class act though, tbf.

I underestimated South Africa’s progress but I’m still not scared of them. Having said that, while they look beatable, If we do play them in a semi final (If results go how you’d expect them to in the group then it should be a SA v Ireland QTF) it’ll be a 50/50 game no doubt.

Argentina looking good. In England’s group, obviously.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,512
Anyone watch the SA v Oz and Argentina v NZ games?

NZ definitely out of sorts recently. Look beatable.

Australia without Folau and Pocock are pretty average (even though it was great to see Banks get his first test start with Folau out of the picture. Good player.) Hooper is the only elite level forward in that pack. Kepu is a class act though, tbf.

I underestimated South Africa’s progress but I’m still not scared of them. Having said that, while they look beatable, If we do play them in a semi final (If results go how you’d expect them to in the group then it should be a SA v Ireland QTF) it’ll be a 50/50 game no doubt.

Argentina looking good. In England’s group, obviously.


All Blacks took a real mix and match team to Argentina to be fair to them, rested all their Super Rugby winners and gave several debuts. They aren't coming into this World Cup in such a position of settled strength compared to previously - there's selection issues at 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, and you can definitely get at them and they are far looser in their play than the all conquering versions of their side - but still the team to beat.

I think South Africa are starting to look much better and will be a threat to anyone at the World Cup. Erasmus seems to have given them much better focus and direction and a team that is the sum of its parts.

Australia look the opposite, some great talents there but too much chaos around the entire set up. It would be like them though to get it together suddenly just in time for the tournament.......

Argentina are going to be a tough team in the group stages, certainly compared to even just 12 months ago. This set up where the team is basically playing together all year round (either with the national team or the Jaguares) seems to have started working for them at both national and domestic level.
 

E17yid

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Jan 21, 2013
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Looks like Cipriani has been dropped. What a weird situation.

Player of the year gets called up to the training camp, gets told he has to train separately to work on strength and fitness then gets dropped before the warm weather training camp.

Either Eddie wasn’t happy with his fitness or he had no intention of picking him anyway in which case why take him? I guess there’s another possibility that he did/said something during camp that pissed Eddie off but I find that hard to believe seeing as he was just training with Watson and 1 other player (Underhill I believe).
 

'O Zio

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2014
7,405
13,785
Looks like Cipriani has been dropped. What a weird situation.

Player of the year gets called up to the training camp, gets told he has to train separately to work on strength and fitness then gets dropped before the warm weather training camp.

Either Eddie wasn’t happy with his fitness or he had no intention of picking him anyway in which case why take him? I guess there’s another possibility that he did/said something during camp that pissed Eddie off but I find that hard to believe seeing as he was just training with Watson and 1 other player (Underhill I believe).

He's always seemed like a bit of a prick so maybe Jones have him a chance based on the season he had, but in the end he just didn't fit in with the rest of the squad/didn't get on with people so was dropped? I suppose at the end of the day there's more to picking a squad than just selecting the 30 (or whatever number it is) best players.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,335
54,968
I don't like jumping to largely uninformed opinions, but Retallick's arm looked the wrong shape as he went off just now. He would be a huge loss ...
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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30,494
As far as playing your first 2 international games Herschel Jantjies hasn’t done to bad has he. Him and De Klerk are 2 great 9s to have for the WC.

Hansen was obviously giving the dual playmaker thing a go by playing Mo-unga but, for me, you play Beauden at 10 and Ben Smith at 15 (he’s wasted on the wing)

Shame for Retallik if he is out.
 

DaiT

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2011
374
698
As far as playing your first 2 international games Herschel Jantjies hasn’t done to bad has he. Him and De Klerk are 2 great 9s to have for the WC.

Hansen was obviously giving the dual playmaker thing a go by playing Mo-unga but, for me, you play Beauden at 10 and Ben Smith at 15 (he’s wasted on the wing)

Shame for Retallik if he is out.
Just a trial having Beauden at 15 I think poss looking at cover situations. Ben Smith will start at 15 in RWC. Retallick dislocated shoulder. Never seen AB's drop so much ball. Wont happen at RWC .
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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Just a trial having Beauden at 15 I think poss looking at cover situations. Ben Smith will start at 15 in RWC. Retallick dislocated shoulder. Never seen AB's drop so much ball. Wont happen at RWC .

You’re probably right. They got quite a few players who look a bit off the pace, though. Ioane definitely does but he’s had injury problems this year and probably just needs more minutes. I think Reid looks off it too, and Perenara and a few others. Even Ratallik wasn’t up to much before he got his injury. They’re still clear favourites, like you say, come World Cup, they’ll sort it out.

Got to give massive credit to SA, though, especially that defence. Incredible at times. Going to be a great group game between them in the WC.
 

DaiT

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2011
374
698
Retallick update. No structural damage to shoulder joint so Hansen very hopeful he will be fit for RWC.
He is not even going to have a scan. Bit surprised at that. I would have thought that would have been a routine diagnostic tool.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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Retallick update. No structural damage to shoulder joint so Hansen very hopeful he will be fit for RWC.
He is not even going to have a scan. Bit surprised at that. I would have thought that would have been a routine diagnostic tool.

He’s a beast.

Would have been a real shame him missing the WC especially considering he’s taking 2 years out of the international game after this WC.

It was a little bit naughty that clear out, imo.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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I think this WC is one of the most open in years. I wouldn’t be surprised if any of NZ, SA, Wales, England or Ireland won. In fact, on current form, there’s not a lot between all those teams.

Funny how open this WC is and how any of the above teams have a great chance of winning it but, at the same time, I wouldn’t (and I think a lot of people would agree with me) put Australia on that list.

If I believed in jinxes then that comment would’ve just guaranteed us getting done by them in the group.
 

SugarRay

Well-Known Member
Jul 6, 2011
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11,110
I predict a dominant Southern Hemisphere showing with NZ v SA in he final.

The rugby championship is going to have them all battle hardened and ready to rock and roll from the off.

The Northern Hemisphere sides are all susceptible to dropping a bollock at some point. I have little faith in England giving a good showing. They always find a way to balls it up at some point. I genuinely think we could well suffer another group stage exit which would be another embarrassment!
I believe the Argies will qualify so it’s out of us and France as to who can hold their nerve and produce. You’d make England favourites but Jones’ most recent fixture in the six nations shows exactly why this England side can’t win the World Cup.
 
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