Yet Another Cycling Forum

Off Topic => The Pub => The Sporting Life => Topic started by: Basil on 01 February, 2018, 11:08:44 pm

Title: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Basil on 01 February, 2018, 11:08:44 pm
No thread yet?
Well here it is.  :thumbsup:

This year.  Scotland not to be winning at half time and then being demolished in the second half as usual.  This year Scotland will be winning games.
The first game of the competition will be tricky for me.  I have to watch it in the pub due to free sodidge and chips at halftime.  Can't miss that.  :P
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 February, 2018, 12:27:30 am
Sodidge? Is that allowed in Welsh pubs now? Or only during the rygbi?
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Basil on 02 February, 2018, 12:43:11 am
OK.  Prediction time.  Who's brave enough?

I'll start.

1.  Engerland
2. Scotland
3. Ireland
4. France
5. Wales
6. Italylandshire.

Now, that's brave.  Don't tell my pub.   :demon:
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Psychler on 02 February, 2018, 01:26:16 am
OK.  Prediction time.  Who's brave enough?

I'll start.

1.  Engerland
2. Scotland
3. Ireland
4. France
5. Wales
6. Italylandshire.

Now, that's brave.  Don't tell my pub.   :demon:

Swap Scotland and Ireland and I think you have it.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Basil on 03 February, 2018, 02:15:01 pm
I seem to be the only person in the pub not wearing a red jersey.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 February, 2018, 02:35:55 pm
I seem to be the only person in the pub not wearing a red jersey.

But the only one wearing red trousers...?
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 February, 2018, 02:51:14 pm
No thread yet?
Well here it is.  :thumbsup:

This year.  Scotland not to be winning at half time and then being demolished in the second half as usual.  This year Scotland will be winning games.

On current showing, Scotlandshire are not bothering to wait until half-time before going to pieces :demon:
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: spesh on 03 February, 2018, 02:59:52 pm
No thread yet?
Well here it is.  :thumbsup:

This year.  Scotland not to be winning at half time and then being demolished in the second half as usual.  This year Scotland will be winning games.

On current showing, Scotlandshire are not bothering to wait until half-time before going to pieces :demon:

"Turnovers are hurting Scotland"

Leave them in the oven for long enough, and yeah, you could put quite a wicked edge on the pastry.   :D


Ayethangewe...
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 February, 2018, 03:08:09 pm
Dwarf bread?
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Basil on 03 February, 2018, 03:11:37 pm
Mmm.  Half time. Sodidge and chips.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Basil on 03 February, 2018, 03:29:36 pm
*starts 3rd helping*
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: spesh on 03 February, 2018, 03:50:47 pm
Dwarf bread?

You mean the Scone of Stone, wot used to be in Westminster Abbey?  :demon:


<Tips virtual fedora to the shade of PTerry>
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 February, 2018, 06:08:55 pm
I see that there is one M. Poirot representing France today. I hope he is picked to play Wales.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Jaded on 03 February, 2018, 06:14:12 pm
How to fall apart after one breakaway try.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Jaded on 03 February, 2018, 06:47:35 pm
Now that is an endgame result  :o
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 February, 2018, 12:33:48 am
Wow! Just watched the highlights of the Welsh game. The best move of the game was one where what was almost a scoring pass was knocked on by the player, in an admittedly very difficult situation. If that had ended as a try it would have been one of the best seen in Cardiff for 45 years...
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: T42 on 04 February, 2018, 01:34:31 pm
Felt a bit sorry for Scotland.  Welsh kicking was brilliant, though.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 February, 2018, 02:39:42 pm
I only saw a very cut-down version of the highlights and I am always doubtful that that gives a true impression of what has gone on. However, it's hard to argue with a scoreline like that.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Beardy on 04 February, 2018, 03:09:57 pm
I have to say that I thought the score line rather flattered Scotlandland.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 February, 2018, 03:14:15 pm
I have to say that I thought the score line rather flattered Scotlandland.

Somewhere in a written report I read, undoubtedly in the Graun as I haven't seen another, Wales could have been "40 up by half time" if they had taken their chances.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: T42 on 04 February, 2018, 03:52:19 pm
That would have been ungentlemanly, though.  Beat them by all means, but don't crush them.  Of course, when point-differences count being genteel goes out the window faster than a politician's promise.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Beardy on 04 February, 2018, 03:55:55 pm
That would have been ungentlemanly, though.  Beat them by all means, but don't crush them.  Of course, when point-differences count being genteel goes out the window faster than a politician's promise.
thatll be why Endlandshire are playing so laid back then!
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 February, 2018, 04:53:57 pm
They appeared to wake it a bit in the second half, mind.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Psychler on 04 February, 2018, 10:26:38 pm
OK.  Prediction time.  Who's brave enough?

I'll start.

1.  Engerland
2. Scotland
3. Ireland
4. France
5. Wales
6. Italylandshire.

Now, that's brave.  Don't tell my pub.   :demon:

Swap Scotland and Ireland and I think you have it.

I'm reviewing the situation...
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Basil on 04 February, 2018, 10:44:56 pm
Me too.  :(
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: pcolbeck on 09 February, 2018, 07:55:17 am
Does Eddie Jones ever stop the sledging?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/08/eddie-jones-wales-alun-wyn-jones

Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Peter on 09 February, 2018, 08:17:08 am
He's an Australian.  On a similar tack, I didn't like it when Kathan Lyons talked before the Ashes of "ending some careers", so was very pleased to see him being hit for 34 in an over by David Willey (a bowler) in a limited overs game.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Jaded on 10 February, 2018, 11:01:51 pm
Tough match but some great play. Fantastic try saving tackle. Good result.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: LEE on 10 February, 2018, 11:15:43 pm
The Welsh "it definitely was a try" ...actually wasn't.

In no way doe s a 3 finger prod, at the side of the ball, constitute controlled downward pressure.


The English team look capable of doing some real damage to other teams if they trust themselves to make riskier offloads.  Watch Farrell and learn.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Jaded on 10 February, 2018, 11:26:30 pm
I thought the same about the Welsh ‘try’. The angle from behind and above showed clearly that the ball was beyond his fingers, but they only played that once and not slowed down.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Basil on 11 February, 2018, 03:06:46 pm
Oh bloody hell.  2 ana bit minutes.   :(
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 February, 2018, 04:43:13 pm
Les Bleus snatching defeat from the jaws of victory again.  Plus ça change.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: T42 on 11 February, 2018, 04:44:30 pm
Oops.

Les Bleues did all right, though.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Steph on 11 February, 2018, 06:35:56 pm
1. That was a Welsh try, so nya. Play the ref, though. His call.

2. Well done you sweaties!
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Steph on 11 February, 2018, 06:43:22 pm
I will also mention the wonderful tries scored by the England centre Kildunne. Stupendous running.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: pcolbeck on 12 February, 2018, 09:31:04 pm
Italy - Oh how I love the way you play, the spirit and the commitment. I want you to win a game just once,
So long as it's not against Ireland because well the ancestral farm is in Mayo or just at the moment Wales because my friend is their tight end prop.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: pcolbeck on 13 February, 2018, 08:51:25 pm
Oops. World Rugby have confirmed to Wales that the television match official Glenn Newman was incorrect in law when he disallowed Gareth Anscombe’s first-half try at Twickenham last weekend.

The referees really should know the laws of the game.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Basil on 13 February, 2018, 11:47:55 pm
Oops. World Rugby have confirmed to Wales that the television match official Glenn Newman was incorrect in law when he disallowed Gareth Anscombe’s first-half try at Twickenham last weekend.

The referees really should know the laws of the game.

*Speaking really quietly*

I know that 'downward pressure' is now not required, but 'control of the ball'?
No.  I don't see it.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: mattc on 13 February, 2018, 11:56:40 pm
Well .... someone has to quote the actual law at some stage in this sort of discussion. I guess it's me this week:

http://laws.worldrugby.org/?law=21

The ball can be grounded in in-goal:

- By holding it and touching the ground with it; or

- By pressing down on it with a hand or hands, arm or arms, or the front of the player’s body from waist to neck.

An attacking player grounding the ball in in-goal scores a try.

DOUBT ABOUT GROUNDING

If there is doubt about which team first grounded the ball in in-goal, play is restarts with a five-metre scrum, in line with the place where the ball was grounded. The attacking team throws in.


Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: DuncanM on 14 February, 2018, 11:09:21 am
I know World Rugby are the experts, but even as a Welshman there looked to be enough doubt to not award the try.
The game was really dull, and England played the conditions much better than Wales. If you build your game on accuracy in handling and offloading then it's not going to work so well with a bar of soap, so you've got to be able to kick it too.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: D.A.L.E. on 14 February, 2018, 11:43:29 am
It was a knock on before that so, ya know.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: LEE on 14 February, 2018, 11:55:26 am
Enough with Scrums.

They just totally waste 5 minutes.  Replace them with a free-kick.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Jaded on 14 February, 2018, 12:33:49 pm
They tie up the forwards, use up their energy.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 February, 2018, 12:37:19 pm
Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.), with his former referee hat on, said he'd have awarded the try...

The main difference between England and Wales in that game signs his post "Owen Farrell".
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 February, 2018, 06:37:41 pm
How utterly splendid!
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: pcolbeck on 24 February, 2018, 06:39:47 pm
Ooh Ireland are still on for a grand slam and England aren't! Well done Scotland.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 February, 2018, 06:40:52 pm
Damn you, Sweaties!  Damn you to hell!

Pity England couldn't have played the first seventy minutes with the same fervour as they did in the final ten :'(
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: andyoxon on 24 February, 2018, 07:06:35 pm
Well done Scotland. Under pressure, England played like bags o' mince; and soooo many penalties.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: simonp on 24 February, 2018, 09:46:28 pm
\o/

The poor dog was not happy.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Jaded on 24 February, 2018, 09:51:39 pm
How utterly splendid!
Indeed, it is lovely to see Ireland win.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: T42 on 25 February, 2018, 08:59:58 am
What happened? I wasn't looking.

Wait a bit...

Oh, I say!

That's all rather splendid, isn't it?
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 25 February, 2018, 08:59:09 pm
It was excellent.

I never like it when one team totally dominates* and I have always enjoyed Scotland's wins over England. Yesterday's was especially toothsome because it was unexpected.

*unless it's Wales of course ;)
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: simonp on 25 February, 2018, 09:48:56 pm
I just watched that back pass from Finn Russell that sent Jones away. The initial thought at the time was “what the hell is he playing at” as the only players near the ball were in white. But Jones running onto it with perfect timing ripped everything apart. And Russell was in the right place at the end of the move to pass the ball out to Maitland to finish it. Perfect.

This is exactly the sort of performance that the Autumn tests showed Scotland are capable and of. The big improvements over the Wales and France games were in accuracy but also winning turnovers and penalties at the breakdown.

Hogg has been quiet in attack but he’s not needed to do anything spectacular because Scotland have try scorers all over the place now. Something we’ve not been able to say in a long time. It’s good because a team is much easier to defend against if they’re predictable.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: mattc on 26 February, 2018, 12:22:12 pm
How utterly splendid!
Indeed, it is lovely to see Ireland win.
Hear-hear!

(I didn't know Wowbagger was an Ireland fan, but you learn something every day.)
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: simonp on 01 March, 2018, 02:39:35 pm
Disappointed to hear about abuse that Eddie Jones received when travelling south after the defeat.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 March, 2018, 08:23:57 pm
How far south? Melbourne?  ;)
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 March, 2018, 05:13:55 pm
Good work Ireland!
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Jaded on 10 March, 2018, 06:34:01 pm
And well done France.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 March, 2018, 06:37:13 pm
If Italy beat Wales Brexit will be complete...
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 March, 2018, 07:43:22 pm
Bit of a typo on the BBC website...

Quote
19:24
Ireland crowned champions
With England's loss in Paris, England have been crowned Six Nations champions for the third time in five years.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/42876785
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 March, 2018, 11:44:56 pm
Les Françaises ont gagné aussi...
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Pingu on 10 March, 2018, 11:51:26 pm
Bit of a typo on the BBC website...

Quote
19:24
Ireland crowned champions
With England's loss in Paris, England have been crowned Six Nations champions for the third time in five years.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/42876785

It's not a typo, it's how all sport will be reported post Brexit. England will win the football world cup, UK will triumph in the super bowl and Prince Charles will win Wimbledon.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Jaded on 10 March, 2018, 11:56:25 pm
England will win all the World Series. Just like America does.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: T42 on 11 March, 2018, 07:30:50 am
What a nice Saturday!
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 March, 2018, 01:10:51 pm
Looking fairly ominous in Cardiff. Italy won the u20 encounter for the first time ever, and the Italian women are comfortably placed as well.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 March, 2018, 03:37:09 pm
All gone quiet...
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: pcolbeck on 11 March, 2018, 03:53:44 pm
Come on Wales, another couple of trys and that would put Wales second in the table going into the last weekend.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 March, 2018, 03:56:46 pm
That yellow card came as a bit of a surprise. I'm not sure how the tackler can cater for that. His player was off balance but that doesn't mean you shouldn't tackle him.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 March, 2018, 03:58:19 pm
BBC pundits are expressing surprise that it wasn't red.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 March, 2018, 04:00:22 pm
They are now. Their first comments were that it was a fair tackle.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 March, 2018, 04:26:57 pm
Why does a player need hi-viz boots? I find them quite offensive.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 March, 2018, 05:00:46 pm
Weird game, that.

Italy seemed to have all the play in the first half apart from two errors early on, each of which ended with a Welsh try. Earlier in I was watching the women's game and there was a spell there in which Wales had two players sin-binned simultaneously.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 March, 2018, 08:36:44 pm
Can anyone throw any light onto the relationship between the TMO and the ref?

During the women's Wales v Italy match, there was an incident in which teh Wlesh tackler clearly lifted the Italian player. At one point, whilst in the air, the Italian's legs were higher than her torso, but when she landed, she didn't land torso first but more or less simultaneously.

The (female) French referee had stopped play for another breakdown and consulted the TMO regarding the tackle. She saw the replay and was going to allow play to continue with whatever it was that had caused the stoppage in the first place, but the TMO (male) persuaded her that it should be a yellow card.

The impression I gained, possibly falsely, was that the TMO was a higher ranking official and that he used that rank to influence the decision.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Steph on 11 March, 2018, 09:07:02 pm
Oddly, I was rather happy with the men's result, especially as George N seems to be coming back to his storming style of play.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 March, 2018, 09:38:44 pm
Well, it was rather satisfying, but all seemed rather low key. I didn't think that this was because the title was already decided.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 March, 2018, 12:59:54 pm
Apparently more than 17000 spectators turnout up to watch the France v England Women's match. That's very encouraging. It was an excellent game as well, so they will have had their money's worth.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: pcolbeck on 12 March, 2018, 03:37:05 pm
The impression I gained, possibly falsely, was that the TMO was a higher ranking official and that he used that rank to influence the decision.

No the ref is the ranking arbiter of all decisions. The TMO is to advise the ref that's all.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 March, 2018, 04:38:25 pm
The impression I gained, possibly falsely, was that the TMO was a higher ranking official and that he used that rank to influence the decision.

No the ref is the ranking arbiter of all decisions. The TMO is to advise the ref that's all.

Yes, I know that's the case in the match, but the TMO was persistent and persuasive. I gained the impression from the interaction between the two that she was bowing to a higher authority. I know she didn't have to, but she did change her mind.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Basil on 12 March, 2018, 05:06:08 pm
OK.  Prediction time.  Who's brave enough?

I'll start.

1.  Engerland
2. Scotland
3. Ireland
4. France
5. Wales
6. Italylandshire.

Now, that's brave.  Don't tell my pub.   :demon:

 :facepalm:  :facepalm:  :facepalm:

I'd stick to my day job.  If I had a day job.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Psychler on 14 March, 2018, 03:38:21 pm
OK.  Prediction time.  Who's brave enough?

I'll start.

1.  Engerland
2. Scotland
3. Ireland
4. France
5. Wales
6. Italylandshire.

Now, that's brave.  Don't tell my pub.   :demon:

 :facepalm:  :facepalm:  :facepalm:

I'd stick to my day job.  If I had a day job.

At least you, and I, had Italy in the right place [along with probably most people].  There's a very good reason that I don't gamble.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 March, 2018, 01:03:11 pm
It's a shame that the Scots match isn't easily available. Spring games in Rome always look so lovely. Looks like a good match too.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 March, 2018, 02:30:14 pm
Cracking game by all accounts! Well done <insert spoiler here...> ;)
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 March, 2018, 03:40:02 pm
Wow! That was inspired...
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: T42 on 17 March, 2018, 04:36:59 pm
Me old pal Harry is dancing in Kelso.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Jaded on 17 March, 2018, 04:49:10 pm
Magnificent Ireland.

My third team  ;D
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: T42 on 17 March, 2018, 04:52:05 pm
Wheeeeee!

@EddieJones: How does that feel? Scummy?
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Beardy on 17 March, 2018, 05:03:43 pm
Not quite the result I was expecting at Twikers this afternoon, though I think by the end most of the Irish pack felt subconscious sorry for the Englandshitere. I’m not sure why Farrell bothered turning up today!
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 March, 2018, 05:59:46 pm
My "inspired" comment earlier was to do with the decision of the Irish players to keep the ball alive even though 40 minutes were up. Many sides would have kicked into touch and taken the lead into half time, but they turned that possession into a try.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Pingu on 17 March, 2018, 07:05:47 pm
OK.  Prediction time.  Who's brave enough?

I'll start.

1.  Engerland
2. Scotland
3. Ireland
4. France
5. Wales
6. Italylandshire.

Now, that's brave.  Don't tell my pub.   :demon:

Swap Scotland and Ireland and I think you have it.

Almost  ;D
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: pcolbeck on 17 March, 2018, 07:15:32 pm
 Francois Trinh-Duc, oh dear ...
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 March, 2018, 09:10:30 pm
Francois Trinh-Duc, oh dear ...

Well, he dropped a goal early on.

Interesting that the kicking today was generally pretty poor, I thought (having watched only highlights of each of the games). England scored 3 tries and converted none of them. Ireland scored 3, converted the lot and added a penalty as well. Did Farrell have any other kicks at goal apart from those three? He has generally proved to be very accurate. All the Ireland tries had something interesting about them: firstly, the full back not managing to ground the ball and the question that was being asked about whether the first Irishman there knocked it on; secondly, the one against the post. I don't remember seeing that before; and finally, the fact that England had asked permission to extend their in-goal area by 3 metres but were allowed only 2. That last try would have been over the dead ball line had they left things as they were. Oh, and Mike Brown's pass/offload for the 3rd try looked decidedly forward.

It looks as though Wales rode their luck a little - 0 points in the second half.

I feel rather sorry for Italy, but congratulations to Scotland for sticking at it.

All in all, a very satisfactory 6 Nations!
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: LEE on 18 March, 2018, 01:49:38 pm
England have a side full of flair and pace but the best teams get the basics, and the ugly stuff, right first.

England seem to have lost the art of doing those two things and "flair" can only get you so far if you constantly hand over possession and penalties.

Ireland were superb at the basics (in defence and at the breakdown) and had just enough flair when needed (throughout the tournament).

I thought Stockdale's try, in the 2 added yards of pitch, was superb.  Talk about chasing down a lost cause, that was true desire.

At no point in the series did I ever think England looked like they may win the tournament.  They seemed 10% off the pace in all areas, all the time.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 18 March, 2018, 02:37:39 pm
...
I thought Stockdale's try, in the 2 added yards of pitch, was superb.  Talk about chasing down a lost cause, that was true desire.

Absolutely. The fact that the move started with a penalty that was awarded within the 40 minutes but taken, with its subsequent line out, after the clock turned red, speaks volumes. Ireland had all the possession and the try was scored 1m 35s later. That shows a hunger for points and a belief that they are good enough to get them.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: LEE on 18 March, 2018, 06:28:08 pm
...
I thought Stockdale's try, in the 2 added yards of pitch, was superb.  Talk about chasing down a lost cause, that was true desire.

Absolutely. The fact that the move started with a penalty that was awarded within the 40 minutes but taken, with its subsequent line out, after the clock turned red, speaks volumes. Ireland had all the possession and the try was scored 1m 35s later. That shows a hunger for points and a belief that they are good enough to get them.

I'm a Man Utd fan and it's what Man Utd used to do in the late 90s.  When you truly believe that you are never beaten until the final whistle then it's worth playing your heart out until the final whistle.  When your opponent knows that's what they are up against then they are already half-beaten.

England played like a team half-beaten for much of this tournament.  Ireland played like a team who knew every second counts.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 18 March, 2018, 08:31:52 pm
Yet ultimately the difference between the sides was goal-kicking. I watched a little of the first half but then had other stuff to do, and I certainly didn't gain that impression from that bit - it was pretty much all Ireland at that stage. But England did cross the line 3 times.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 March, 2018, 01:12:04 pm
Kit question: I noticed that quite a lot of players had a small rectangular bulge in their shirts just below the collar. What's that then?

Edit: found the answer on line. A monitor/GPS tracker to measure stuff like acceleration, tackle impact etc.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: simonp on 19 March, 2018, 01:13:41 pm
Kit question: I noticed that quite a lot of players had a small rectangular bulge in their shirts just below the collar. What's that then?

GPS.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: LEE on 19 March, 2018, 04:21:57 pm
Kit question: I noticed that quite a lot of players had a small rectangular bulge in their shirts just below the collar. What's that then?

GPS.

Exactly.  It's being used more and more to track field sports.  Glad we didn't have it at school or they'd have rumbled me and my mates, stood near the corner flag, avoiding the ball.
Title: Re: Six Nations 2018
Post by: Greenbank on 19 March, 2018, 05:07:30 pm
Often does HR monitoring too.

Here's Polar's offering: https://www.polar.com/uk-en/b2b_products/team_sports/team_pro

(No price info though, usual rules apply, if you have to ask...)