About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

[Grangenders]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

I’ve seen nothing from England to suggest that. Argentina architects of their own downfall. There hasn’t been a decent move in the game. Dreadful.

Yes England made Argentina look like a pub team tonight with a man less too. Not bad considering how Argentina played against the southern hemisphere teams. England’s next difficult match is the semi final where they should lose, but the pre tournament odds of 13/2 to reach the final looks a good punt now.

[MOZZER2]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

I think you are correct.
It’s a game of giants just smashing into each other now.

Seldom do you see great, exciting runs in todays game.

the evolution of the modern day top rugby elite players not just confined to rugby but by all top level athletes today

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/six-nations-2020-how-have-players-grown-in-size-in-the-past-25-years-and-who-is-the-heaviest-player-in-the-tournament-3020300

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12325/10086017/the-evolution-of-the-modern-day-rugby-player

we always have this topic raised on here year on year

i always say i think top level sports athletes have peaked right now in terms of peak fitness. Scary to think what the future holds for top level sports athletes or as i call them now semi robotic elite athletes

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

It was fine. Waist level, and an attempt to dislodge the ball. As big as the tackler is, the opposing player is just as big and able to cope with such a hit.

Since when was a tackle made across the waist?

We were taught to go in above the knees

These players are going in with shoulders and chest to cause player to drop the ball and rough him up at the same time

[Wash DC Blue]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

the evolution of the modern day top rugby elite players not just confined to rugby but by all top level athletes today

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/six-nations-2020-how-have-players-grown-in-size-in-the-past-25-years-and-who-is-the-heaviest-player-in-the-tournament-3020300

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12325/10086017/the-evolution-of-the-modern-day-rugby-player

we always have this topic raised on here year on year

i always say i think top level sports athletes have peaked right now in terms of peak fitness. Scary to think what the future holds for top level sports athletes or as i call them now semi robotic elite athletes

Cyborgs playing for The City!

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Since when was a tackle made across the waist?

We were taught to go in above the knees

These players are going in with shoulders and chest to cause player to drop the ball and rough him up at the same time

Are you serious?

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Are you serious?

Or the chest !

Wtf is all that about

Half these gym bunnies end up in hospital because they are not tackling properly

They seem more concerned with blitzing their opponent , taking them out if you like , rather than legitimate arms around the thighs and drive

If this is modern rugby then the court cases involving players with early onset dementia is going to radically change rugby

To the point where it will be like pass the parcel

[the other bob wilson]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Ah but it was a "monster, showstopping hit" so it's all fine

I didn't watch the last five minutes or so, so maybe I missed something where the commentator got more animated. Utterly predictably, that "hit" was greeted by the greatest show of excitement from the commentary box of the contest that I witnessed and therein lies rugby's problem - brute force over skill with all of the implications for the player's long term health that carries. Meanwhile, on the sidelines, those who follow the sport are egging (see what I did there) the players on to produce still bigger bone and brain shuddering collisions.

[lardy]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Since when was a tackle made across the waist?

We were taught to go in above the knees

These players are going in with shoulders and chest to cause player to drop the ball and rough him up at the same time

You're talking about the way a sport that you completely despise was taught at your school over half a century ago, and yet you seem to be making out that you know better than professionals at the very top level of the game?

[William Treseder]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

You're talking about the way a sport that you completely despise was taught at your school over half a century ago, and yet you seem to be making out that you know better than professionals at the very top level of the game?

You should know by now that Sludge is a self appointed expert on every topic under the sun.

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

If Wales can somehow finish second in their group they will get a right drubbing off England in the quarters. Maybe better to quietly go out in the group stage…

Are you all there?

[Des Parrot]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

And there have only been 5 different finalists. Since the first World Cup only 13 teams have reached the knockouts, with Japan in 2019 the first new team to do so since 1999.

Compare that to the last 9 football World Cups. 6 different winners, 8 different finalists, 16 difference semi finalists and 31 different teams reaching the quarter finals, never mind the round of 16

I like rugby, but international rugby is top loaded, far more so than football

At least it’s not like the US of A where then invent sports that only they play & then declare themselves world champions.

As a footnote, my wife was a world champion in the 1980s in the mixed relay wheelbarrow racing championships.

[MacAdder]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Or the chest !

Wtf is all that about

Half these gym bunnies end up in hospital because they are not tackling properly

They seem more concerned with blitzing their opponent , taking them out if you like , rather than legitimate arms around the thighs and drive

If this is modern rugby then the court cases involving players with early onset dementia is going to radically change rugby

To the point where it will be like pass the parcel

I love the way they come out of the ruck or maul punching the air and celebrating like a weightlifter because the ref spotted an infringement.
Then the crowd lapping it up.

The game certainly has evolved but not for the better.

[Heathblue]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

I wonder if George Ford's performance has ended all but Farrell's England career, they are a better team without him. For the rest of the tournament i would only play Farrell in the dead duck games to protect Ford then put him out to pasture after the WC. Boring but an impressive win V the Argentine.

[John Buchanan]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

At least it’s not like the US of A where then invent sports that only they play & then declare themselves world champions.

As a footnote, my wife was a world champion in the 1980s in the mixed relay wheelbarrow racing championships.

Did they have motorbike engines fitted to them? With the "pusher" on roller skates? Or did I just invent a new sport?