Rugby Thread

[Small Town Values]

2018 - Vodafone - Super Rugby - Rnd 1 - Results / Rnd 2 - Fixtures:

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(Rnd 1 - Results)

https://sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/fixtures/

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(Rnd 2 - Fixtures)

https://sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/fixtures/

(Times Listed Are AEST - Check Local Guides / Listings)

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(Standout Game of Round 1)

 

 

(Lions v. Sharks)

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 26, 2018 by Marc MacGyver

[Small Town Values]

Random:

(Kinda cool, I suppose)

It seems Michael Bennett is in New Zealand on holiday. While there he caught up with the Blues rugby team... 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/101567581/seattle-seahawks-star-michael-bennett-declares-nfl-can-learn-plenty-from-rugby

Quote

 

Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks NFL star Michael Bennett loves watching rugby – and not just because he admires the toughness of a code that eschews helmets and pads, and plays through the pain barrier.

Bennett, who attended the Blues' training session in Auckland in Monday while in the city on vacation, spoke glowingly of not just his admiration for the sport of rugby and its finest practitioners, the All Blacks, but also the important lessons it offers he and his fellow NFL players.

So many of New Zealand's professional rugby fraternity closely follow the NFL, and identify with the sport intrinsically as a fellow power code with an array of super-sized athletes. But it turns out that appreciation is a two-way street.

 

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I had no idea that ROG (Ronan O'Gara) is now coaching in New Zealand in the Crusaders assistant role...

 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/100880791/new-crusaders-assistant-ronan-ogara-casts-aside-bad-memories-to-join-mythical-team

(Pretty cool. He's somewhat of a cult figure for various reasons)

[LeeEvans]

Do you believe in miracles!? Yes!

[Small Town Values]

36 minutes ago, LeeEvans said:

Do you believe in miracles!? Yes!

My apologies to the Scots.

I gave up on them prematurely.

Absolutely outstanding performance. Scintillating attack in the 1st half, ferocious defence in the 2nd. A truly complete performance.

Enjoy the Calcutta. 

Edited February 25, 2018 by Marc MacGyver

[LeeEvans]

14 hours ago, Marc MacGyver said:

My apologies to the Scots.

I gave up on them prematurely.

Absolutely outstanding performance. Scintillating attack in the 1st half, ferocious defence in the 2nd. A truly complete performance.

Enjoy the Calcutta. 

It's hard to believe that this is the same side that lost to Wales. In the Wales match they were completely dominated physically and against England they were so strong in the breakdowns. Night and day performances between the two. Away form is still a major problem but what a win. 

[Small Town Values]

On 26/02/2018 at 4:38 AM, LeeEvans said:

It's hard to believe that this is the same side that lost to Wales. In the Wales match they were completely dominated physically and against England they were so strong in the breakdowns. Night and day performances between the two. Away form is still a major problem but what a win. 

Agreed.

Taking into account the result of Scotland's first game, it's quite interesting that the Scots are right back in the thick this competition, heading into the business end. If they can knock Ireland off? (Remembering the Irish were lucky to beat France) - They have a good shot at winning the whole thing.

While Wales after back to back losses are out of the running in 2018.

This Six Nations has certainly been wild.  With only Italy preforming predictably.  

[Small Town Values]

2018 - Vodafone - Super Rugby - Rnd 2 - Results / Rnd 3 - Fixtures:

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(Rnd 2 - Results)

https://sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/fixtures/

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(Rnd 3 - Fixtures)

{Late Post - 1 Game Already Played}

https://sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/fixtures/

(Times Listed Are AEST - Check Local Guides / Listings)

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(Standout Games of Round 2)

 

 

(Highlanders v. Blues)

  (Bulls v. Hurricanes)

 

 

 

Edited March 26, 2018 by Marc MacGyver

[Small Town Values]

2017/18 - Aviva Premiership - Best Tries, RND 16:

 

(Veainu Try -  Voted the best of the round)

[Small Town Values]

2018 - NatWest - Six Nations - Round 3 -  Results / News / Highlights:

(Round 3 - Results)

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/matchcentre/fixtures_and_results.php

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(News)

Ireland great Heaslip announces retirement from rugby:

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/news/32718.php

 

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Ireland and British & Irish Lions No.8 Jamie Heaslip has announced his immediate retirement from rugby after an 11-year international career.

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(Highlights)

 

 

 

(FRA v. ITA)

(IRE v. WAL)

(SCO v. ENG)

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2018 by Marc MacGyver

[Small Town Values]

2018 - Vodafone - Super Rugby - Rnd 3 - Results / Rnd 4 - Fixtures:

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(Rnd 3 - Results)

https://sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/fixtures/#round3

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(Rnd 4 - Fixtures)

https://sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/fixtures/

(Times Listed Are AEST - Check Local Guides / Listings)

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(Standout Game of Round 3)

 

 

(Blues v. Chiefs)

Highlights two posts below. 

 

 

 

Edited March 26, 2018 by Marc MacGyver

[Small Town Values]

2017/18 - Aviva Premiership - Best Tries, RND 17:

 

 

 

(Holmes Try -  Voted the best of the round)

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 9, 2018 by Marc MacGyver

[Small Town Values]

 

Had the privilege of catching two cracking games over the weekend.

 

One absolutely brutal contest from the Southern Hemisphere... (Blues v. Chiefs - Super Rugby) 

And, a belter from the Northern... (Gloucester v. Newcastle - Aviva Premiership)

 

Edited March 7, 2018 by Marc MacGyver

[Small Town Values]

News:

USA get first series win on home soil

https://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/news/317218

Quote

USA beat Argentina 28-0 to win their first Cup final of the season, as Fiji take Bronze at the HSBC USA Sevens

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Great stuff. What an absolute Rugby 7s beast Baker has turned into...

While Seven-a-side rugby is not the full version of the game... Baker gives us a glimpse of the untapped potential the US possesses in terms of pure athletes. 

Easily the most exciting player the circuit has seen since the William Ryder era. Baker is on his way to becoming one of the all-time Sevens greats.   

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Wales to play historic Test match against South Africa in Washington this summer:

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-play-historic-test-match-14340042

Quote

 

Wales will take on South Africa in a ground-breaking fixture in the USA this summer.

They will meet the Springboks in Washington DC on Saturday, June 2, to kick off their 2018 tour, ahead of travelling to Argentina.

It will be the first time they will have played a Test match against a side other than the US Eagles in the States.

 

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Seems like a poorly planned fixture, tbh... Not sure what type of reception this exhibition match will garner, OR - if will receive any attention at all? 

Edited March 7, 2018 by Marc MacGyver

[Small Town Values]

2018 - NatWest - Six Nations -  Round 4 -  Fixtures / Round 4 - Teams:

(Round 4 - Fixtures)

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/matchcentre/fixtures_and_results.php

(Times Listed Are GMT - Check Local Guides / Listings)

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(RND 4 - Teams)

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(IRE)

Starting XV

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 81 caps
14. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 65 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 11 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 5 caps
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 7 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster) 71 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 62 caps
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 76 caps
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 109 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 21 caps
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 6 caps
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 56 caps
6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 45 caps
7. Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster) 7 caps
8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 21 caps

Replacements

16. Sean Cronin (St Mary's College/Leinster) 59 caps
17. Jack McGrath (St Mary's College/Leinster) 45 caps
18. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 5 caps
19. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 36 caps
20. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 18 caps
21. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) 19 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Leinster) 8 caps
23. Jordan Larmour (St Mary's College/Leinster) 1 cap

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/news/32839.php

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(SCO)

Starting XV

15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) - 58 caps
14. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) - 1 cap
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) - 14 caps
12. Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors) - 31 caps
11. Sean Maitland (Saracens) - 32 caps
10. Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) - 35 caps
9. Greig Laidlaw VICE CAPTAIN (Clermont Auvergne) - 61 caps
1. Gordon Reid (London Irish) - 30 caps
2. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) - 15 caps
3. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh Rugby) - 7 caps
4. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) - 21 caps
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) - 41 caps
6. John Barclay CAPTAIN (Scarlets) - 69 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) - 18 caps
8. Ryan Wilson VICE CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) - 35 caps

Replacements

16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) - 29 caps
17. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) - 6 caps
18. Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) - 20 caps
19. Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) - 34 caps
20. David Denton (Worcester Warriors) - 37 caps
21. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) - 14 caps
22. Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors) - 2 caps
23. Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors) - 7 caps

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/news/32807.php

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(FRA)

Starting XV

15. Hugo Bonneval
14. Benjamin Fall
13. Mathieu Bastareaud
12. Geoffrey Doumayrou
11. Remy Grosso
10. Francois Trinh-Duc
1. Jefferson Poirot
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Paul Gabrillagues
5. Sébastien Vahaamahina
6. Wenceslas Lauret
7. Yacouba Camara
8. Marco Tauleigne

Replacements

16. Adrien Pelissie
17. Dany Priso
18. Cedate Gomes Sa
19. Romain Taofifenua
20. Kelian Galletier
21. Baptiste Couilloud
22. Lionel Beauxis
23. Gael Fickou

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/news/32829.php

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(ENG)

Starting XV

15. Anthony Watson
14. Jonny May
13. Ben Te'o
12. Owen Farrell (captain)
11. Elliot Daly
10. George Ford
9. Danny Care
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Dan Cole
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Maro Itoje
6. Courtney Lawes
7. Chris Robshaw
8. Nathan Hughes

Replacements

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Joe Marler
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. James Haskell
20. Sam Simmonds
21. Richard Wigglesworth
22. Jonathan Joseph
23. Mike Brown

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/news/32831.php

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(WAL)

Starting XV

15. Liam Williams (Saracens) (46 Caps)
14. George North (Northampton Saints) (71 Caps)
13. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (3 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (4 Caps)
11. Steff Evans (Scarlets) (8 Caps)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (14 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (30 Caps)
1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (16 Caps)
2. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (5 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (29 Caps)
4. Cory Hill (Dragons) (13 Caps)
5. Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (60 Caps)
6. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (55 Caps)
7. James Davies (Scarlets) (Uncapped)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (70 Caps) (CAPT)

Replacements

16. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (55 Caps)
17. Rob Evans (Scarlets) (23 Caps)
18. Samson Lee (Scarlets) (37 Caps)
19. Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues) (3 Caps)
20. Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (5 Caps)
21. Aled Davies (Scarlets) (7 Caps)
22. Rhys Patchell (Scarlets) (7 Caps)
23. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (76 Caps)

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/news/32808.php

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(ITA)

Starting XV

15. Matteo Minozzi - Zebre
14. Tommaso Benvenuti - Benetton
13. Giulio Bisegni - Zebre 
12. Tommaso Castello - Zebre 
11. Mattia Bellini - Zebre
10. Tommaso Allan - Benetton
9. Marcello Violi - Zebre 
1. Andrea Lovotti - Zebre
2. Leonardo Ghiraldini - Toulouse
3. Simone Ferrari - Benetton
4. Alessandro Zanni - Benetton
5. Dean Budd - Benetton 
6. Sebastian Negri - Benetton 
7. Maxime Mbanda - Zebre
8. Sergio Parisse - Stade Francais

Replacements

16. Oliviero Fabiani - Zebre
17. Nicola Quaglio - Benetton
18. Tiziani Pasquali - Benetton
19. Federico Ruzza - Benetton 
20. Giovanni Licata - Fiamme Oro
21. Guglielmo Palazzani - Zebre
22. Carlo Canna - Zebre 
23. Jayden Hayward - Benetton

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/news/italy/32885.php

Edited March 9, 2018 by Marc MacGyver

[Small Town Values]

2018 - NatWest - Six Nations - Round 4 -  Results / News / Highlights:

(Round 4 - Results)

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/matchcentre/fixtures_and_results.php

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(News)

Ireland crowned Six Nations champions and set up grand slam shot in England:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/mar/10/ireland-win-six-nations-2018-england-lose-france

Quote

Ireland have won the Six Nations championship after England lost 22-16 to France in Paris and will have the chance to complete their third grand slam at Twickenham on Saturday.

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(Highlights)

 

 

 

(IRE v. SCO)

(FRA v. ENG)

(WAL v. ITA)

 

 

 

Edited March 14, 2018 by Marc MacGyver