Rugby Europe Championship 2018

[amz]

Still, it was a match likes of the same ranking at the respective moment don't receive.

 

[amz]

Still, it was a match likes of the same ranking at the respective moment don't receive. I mean, how many times Maoris or even Islanders sides traveled to Europe and played UK/Ireland clubs/franchises when a national side wasn't available? Tonga could have played Leinster/Wasps/Harlequins, whoever was willing as we seen with some traveling sides. Last autumn Tonga played Barbarians in Ireland, Maoris played French Barbarians.

 

[Da Grappla]

As @Osezno says, I'm not counting our chickens before they hatch...Everything's still in the air

 

[Da Grappla]

LOL no problem, is good for Spanish rugby, they have their merits on this that cannot be denied. But all that potential was there all the time and they face the same difficulties with us (niche sports, dependence at least partly on French clubs, competition for other team sports handball, football, basketball) .

I don't know how is it in Romania...In Spain you could make a living out of handball and of course basketball, specially the latter. Few tall guys (over 2m/6'7')' are going to reject joining a basketball team instead of a rugby one if given the chance.

For shorter guys, handball is out there, and we've been World champions (twice), European champions, etc...There's glory to achieve in it.

And of course soccer reigns supreme over anything else but at least doesn't compete so much with rugby regarding certain physical types

 

[Osezno]

Still, it was a match likes of the same ranking at the respective moment don't receive. I mean, how many times Maoris or even Islanders sides traveled to Europe and played UK/Ireland clubs/franchises when a national side wasn't available? Tonga could have played Leinster/Wasps/Harlequins, whoever was willing as we seen with some traveling sides. Last autumn Tonga played Barbarians in Ireland, Maoris played French Barbarians.

Sure, I'm only saying it wasn't a well-planned test match given by World Rugby because they aimed at raising awareness and making business. Simply Tonga was going to be in Spain for one game bankrolled by a private investor and that paved the way for them arriving a week earlier and playing against Spain. If USA-Tonga hadn't been paid by that private promoter, Tonga would have never played Spain.

 

[bakakumon]

Belgium 12-0 Spain
Only 30 minutes to overturn...

 

[bakakumon]

15 point deficit now

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Spain are royally bottling it in Belgium. RWC qualification slipping through their fingers. They must win to qualify.

http://www.rugbyeurope.eu/2018-rugby-europe-international-championships-m6-belgium-vs-spain

 

[bakakumon]

Less than 20 minutes to go

 

[bakakumon]

Finally a try for spain

 

[bakakumon]

Belgium 15-7 Spain
Conversion is successful

 

[Leinster Fan]

Spain are doing a bottle job for the ages here. Is a win enough or do they need a bp?

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Are they copying our chant. We should be the only country allowed to use that unimaginative of a cheer.

 

[bakakumon]

This sport always gives a glimpse of hope and then disappointment
Oh, the Romanian referee has to be protected and escorted

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Damn

 

[Da Grappla]

Oh...we didn't make it

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

surprised a Romanian referee was in charge TBH.

Actually thinking about it more, How the **** was a Romanian referee in charge? why didn't European rugby get a more neutral ref?
Not saying it's the ref fault but it is asking for trouble one way or another.

 

[Da Grappla]

It is said there was bad refereeing but still, we didn't play well. You cannot change how a referee officiates but you can change your playing

Now, repecheage tournament. That could be epic!

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

surprised a Romanian referee was in charge TBH.

Actually thinking about it more, How the **** was a Romanian referee in charge? why didn't European rugby get a more neutral ref?
Not saying it's the ref fault but it is asking for trouble one way or another.

If vdw attending a training is frowned upon I'd think this would be a no go as well.

 

[beerholder]

There's a lot of backlash against the Romanian ref... even his wiki page was vandalized... To everyone who saw the match, were there clear biased decisions against spain?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlad_Iordăchescu