Rugby

[Hemi]

Crusaders have Kieran Read back but I love the way the young Blues play.  They won't be able to sneak up on the Crusaders (natoriously slow starters) a second time though.

[gbougard]

Just saw that the Blues got sold to an investment fund

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/sprug/1328454046-super-rugby–blues-franchise-secure-til-at-least-2020

I hope this is not the end of NZ Rugby as I have come to appreciate it.
It will be interesting to see if other franchises are going this way and how it will affect the Rugby scene in NZ (and therefore the rest of the world)
It could mean that NZ is able to retain more players if new money is spent on increasing salaries to match France and England…

[Hemi]

Its been on the cards for a while…  NZ Rugby can't survive without some type of private investment, we're just too small.  I think only one Provincial team makes a tiny profit each year and the rest trade at a loss or break even at best.  One of the oldest Unions had to be bailed out last year after facing bankruptcy.

[gbougard]

This side of the universe Toulon beat Clermont in the Euro Cup final. Defense + Wilkinson overcame offense. I was gutted.

Next week semis for the French championship my team Toulouse will probably suffer the same fate vs Toulon, while Clermont will crush Castres. So we could have a rematch of the Euro for the French final.

Anyway, wouldnt it be great if there was a final between the Euro winner and the Super 15? It happened once unofficially in 1997 and the NZ team crushed Brives. And wouldnt it be nice if there was a euro Super 15? These national championships drag on and on and are not as exciting as Eu games…

[gbougard]

Hemi, a quick question for you:

nowadays, we see quite a number of League players thriving (Folau being the latest sensation) in Union.

Do you know if there are similar successes the other way round (Union guys trying League and becoming "superbad" in League)?

Here in France, there is nobody I can think of, and I dont think there are examples in England, where League is a force (unlike here).

[gbougard]

Crusaders: Wyatt Crockett, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Matt Todd, Kieran Read , Andy Ellis, Dan Carter, Zac Guildford, Tom Taylor, Ryan Crotty, Tom Marshall, Israel Dagg. Reserves: Ben Funnell/Laurence Corlett, Dominic Bird, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Robbie Fruean, Telusa Veianu.

Chiefs: Robbie Robinson, Patrick Osborne, Charlie Ngatai, Bundee Aki, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Matt Vant Leven, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (c), Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot,  Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane, Augustine Pulu, Dan Waenga, Lelia Masaga.

any of these would win the 6 Nations easy and would be a contender for at least the semi finals of the Rugby World Cup

Fruean on the bench: fucking frightening! I love NZ rugby

[Hemi]

Most of us grow up playing Rugby and Rugby League here, then you choose one.  The problem with Rugby League attracting Rugby converts (apart from Rugby is now professional) is that there is only one competition that's any good and its in Australia with only one team from Auckland, New Zealand.  Their aren't as many pathways and international League is not as competitive as Rugby in fact we still consider the State of Origin three game series between Queensland and New South Wales as the pinicle of League and NZ's aren't eligible.

But before Rugby went professional many guy's switched to League to earn a living and it was unheard of to switch the other way.

[gbougard]

now, saturday's NZ-France was a bloodbath. inexorability at its best

[Hemi]

The two All Black tries were amazing!  They might play a few more of the inexperienced guys in the last test.

I'm gutted that Louis Picamoles is injured, he's been awesome for the French.

How about the Lions losing to ACT last night?

[gbougard]

cant wait for the trination to start and watch SA-NZ games. Mammoth teams, yet two different approaches to Rugby

[Maynard Friedman]

Hasn't Sonny Bill Williams recently switched to League in Australia?

[Mild7]

Youre right Maynard.  Going to play for the Sydney Roosters i believe.

[gbougard]

ive been watching several NRL games on youtube and it is kinda growing on me
the pace is incredible
Seems a bit too simplistic though

[Maynard Friedman]

I think the simplicity is a strength. It flows in a more continuous fashion, less kicking and break-up of play and more ball in play time (I think). I wish I'd had a go at League in my younger, playing days.

[Hemi]

The NRL is awesome!  Their weakness is the International game which is where Rugby is light years ahead.

[Maynard Friedman]

Do you call it Rugby (Union) and NRL (League) down there? Up here, it's simply Union and League.

[Hemi]

We just call it Rugby and League.  When we talk about league its usually in reference to the NRL.

[Maynard Friedman]

Well done the Lions!!!

[gbougard]

This Lions concept is a nice tradition. I like the fact that they tour only every 4 years, it keeps the idea special.

[Hemi]

Yeah, the Lions Tours are great!

Wouldn't it be amazing to see a proper Pacific Islands Team put together under the same concept with the same resources.  Treatment of the Pacific Islands by the big Nations is one of the great shames of International Rugby.