2014 QBE Internationals [EOYT] England

[thechosenfamily]

Yep, the Owens thing made Rugby headlines here in Nz too. Very unfortunate, and I can only hope it's not something he continuously has to deal with at games.

Don't personally have a problem with the fans singing swing low or booing during the haka. That's their business, not mine. Different cultures and different venues respond in a number of ways, none surprise me any more. Kind of fun when theres a reaction of some kind actually.

I think some of the issues with the crowd re. the Haka came from some of the New Zealand players saying that some responses from the teams disrespected it, so the teams stopped doing anything and I think the crowds have taken up the torch as it were.

I don't agree with booing that's is just crass IMHO but, and I was at Twickenham last year, Swing Low being sung by almost all the crowd was a goose bump moment and should be encouraged.

Failing that England should do a Morris dance at the same time as the Haka, that would mess the tension up nicely

 

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/19389/exclusive-samoa-strike-threat-to-england-test/

 

[thechosenfamily]

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/19389/exclusive-samoa-strike-threat-to-england-test/

That's not good at all.

Can the RFU get involved in this does anyone know??

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Hopefully just a bluff tactic as I have tickets!

Although something needs to be sorted in SRU would be nice if they could get a big sponsor.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Someone get on the blower to the Barbarians!

 

[j'nuh]

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/19389/exclusive-samoa-strike-threat-to-england-test/

Argh - I am in two minds over this.

On the one hand, fair play to them. I can't bring myself to hold anything against players trying to highlight corruption. If they succeed in this and there are some positive organisational changes to the SRU, it will have been well worth the risk.

On the other hand, Samoa have put in so much work to get to the point where they get big games against Tier One opposition. From a financial and developmental POV, these games are crucial to Samoa. If they were to not to send a competitive team for this game, it might put off other Tier One opposition from scheduling games in the future.

On the whole, I am supportive. Although I think demanding the removal of people involved in SRU might be too insurmountable for the IRB in the time provided. A review would probably be needed first, and the process would take longer than the time available I would guess. Demands have to be achievable, or else there's a risk that the IRB will say that there's nothing that they can do about it. Demanding an immediate, independent review of the SRU would have been a better demand I would think. That said, they have the support of the players' association, so perhaps they were advised that the demand was achievable. Not too sure.

 

[Patchey]

As a terribly left wing type I can't bring myself to be angry at people for striking. Instead, down with the Samoan Rugby Union etc etc.

I'dbe sad for the game not to happen, from the point of view of it both being a good spectacle, a great chance for Samoa and scheduled as a dry run for England's late kick offs in the RWC.

I do like Ollyy's idea though! Bring back Kirwan, the Blues' pre-season can wait!

 

[goodNumber10]

It's resolved.

 

[Patchey]

Smashing. Back to rugby!

 

[j'nuh]

I forgot to say this - people keep saying that Billy Vunipola looks tired. He's only played 7 games for Sarries this season? A bit worrying if it is a case of fatigue this early in the season?

 

[Patchey]

I forgot to say this - people keep saying that Billy Vunipola looks tired. He's only played 7 games for Sarries this season? A bit worrying if it is a case of fatigue this early in the season?

Didn't Sarries spend a chunk of their pre-season messing about in the US and stuff? Might just not be conditioned rather than fatigued.

(That's not a dig at Sarries, genuine question).

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

It's resolved.

Sauce?

 

[goodNumber10]

Sauce?

http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediaz...id=2073430.html#irb+statement+regarding+samoa

 

[ratsapprentice]

Doesn't surprise me that TRP still published it as if it was still a live threat...

 

[j-dawg]

Re the haka - It's not some sacred ritual that must be endured with awe and religious silence by all and asunder. It is a privilege that the rugby world allows the all blacks to perform, as per some aspects of their culture. When they started thinking the haka is above the sport God only knows. Should British teams reply in their 'traditional' form; muskets at 100 paces?

If they are going to get so touchy about how others react to it then they should have that privilege revoked.


P.s Its hard to show respect to 20 odd blokes making throat slitting gestures your way

 

[goodNumber10]

Doesn't surprise me that TRP still published it as if it was still a live threat...

they are still tweeting it, even though someone has pointed out to them it's resolved.

I used to like TRP but it seems to have gone qite trahsy over the last year, the few times i've got it (hard to get in france) i've juts not been able to read past the game reviews.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Should British teams reply in their 'traditional' form; muskets at 100 paces?

I know it's completely irrellevant - but I do hate the assertion that Morris dancing is our equivalent... the fact is we don't have a traditional war-dance. Not that I'm aware of anyway.
It's not far off the 15th century English equivalent of break-dancing...

Anyway... who was that supposed to be addressed to, j-dawg?

I agree with that gn10 - it does seem to have become a bit of a wannabe tabloid recently.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Our traditional equivalent would be sending millions of young men over the top to their deaths in a hail of shells and machine gun fire, no? That would be a hell of a spectacle at Twickenham, blow the Haka right out the water.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Our traditional equivalent would be sending millions of young men over the top to their deaths in a hail of shells and machine gun fire, no? That would be a hell of a spectacle at Twickenham, blow the Haka right out the water.

It would also help us so much, I doubt even the best ABs would want to charge our defence if armed with some machine guns. Reminds me of a bit from Blackadder:

Ah, nonsense you'll pull through! I remember when we played the Old Harrowians back in '96, they said we'd never break through to their back line, but we ducked and we bobbed and we wove and we damn well won the game 15-4.
Yes sir, but the Harrow fullback wasn't armed with a heavy machine gun.
Good point make a note, Darling.
Recommendation for the Harrow governors: heavy machine guns for fullbacks.
Nice idea, Blackadder.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Sod machine guns, we've got an actual tank commander in the squad