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Post by colebridgebull on Sept 14, 2020 19:31:56 GMT
Shame about the rugby though.
Gloucester have been dire first half
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Post by glawsterwhite on Sept 15, 2020 8:22:41 GMT
Yes we were truly yesterday awful last night - quins didn’t do much to win that really in terms of attacking rugby. Worst game we’ve seen from cips ....
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Post by somnambulist on Sept 26, 2020 9:37:49 GMT
Is Pat Lam the best thing to happen to Premiership Rugby for a long, long time? On the basis of last night's performance it's hard to disagree. Bristol's unrestrained, attacking verve is an absolute joy to watch, and doesn't seem to be tempered by any sense of jeopardy.
It'll be interesting to see which way Cardiff-born Sheedy goes. He qualifies for three home nations and on this form would walk into all three squads.
And to throw you Gloucester boys a bone, I like the look of Lloyd Evans too. I've only really noticed him since the lockdown but he's putting in some great performances.
Really enjoying the end to the season; far more so than the football.
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Post by colebridgebull on Sept 26, 2020 9:59:53 GMT
Lloyd Evans has been around the first team squad for some years without ever really getting a run of games. His Dad was on the board for a while so that led to suspicions of nepotism (see also Todd Gleave). He is a good all round sportsman (he hit the longest six ever seen at Westbury on Severn Cricket Club) a few years back, but seemed to lack the quality to make it at Prem level.
The departure of the injury prone Owen Williams “promoted” Lloyd to Cipriani’s deputy last season. He’s beginning to finally look the part and there are many who are now seeing him as a very decent alternative, not least as DC’s head often seems elsewhere (his appalling mind farts against Harlequins were by no means isolated incidents).
The fag end of this season is seen by many as a decent pre-season which has given the new coach an opportunity to look at a few options. Evans, Varney, Clement and Reid have all taken their chances well, while Polledri has been a revelation at 8.
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Post by colebridgebull on Sept 26, 2020 10:05:06 GMT
Going back to Som’s point about Bristol-they are exceptional. Good combination of stardust and solid Prem players. And Lam has taken several Glos “rejects” -Randall, Dan and Yan Thomas, Purdy- coaching them into first team regulars.
They’ll be up there with Exeter next season.
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Post by somnambulist on Sept 26, 2020 10:17:46 GMT
Lloyd Evans has been around the first team squad for some years without ever really getting a run of games. His Dad was on the board for a while so that led to suspicions of nepotism (see also Todd Gleave). He is a good all round sportsman (he hit the longest six ever seen at Westbury on Severn Cricket Club) a few years back, but seemed to lack the quality to make it at Prem level. The departure of the injury prone Owen Williams “promoted” Lloyd to Cipriani’s deputy last season. He’s beginning to finally look the part and there are many who are now seeing him as a very decent alternative, not least as DC’s head often seems elsewhere (his appalling mind farts against Harlequins were by no means isolated incidents). The fag end of this season is seen by many as a decent pre-season which has given the new coach an opportunity to look at a few options. Evans, Varney, Clement and Reid have all taken their chances well, while Polledri has been a revelation at 8. Just come across this. www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/unheralded-welsh-qualified-outside-half-18997041It's a strange that so many in form Welsh-qualified outside halves are playing in England at the moment. Priestland is probably the pick of the bunch on current form. Karma to all those blow hards who help drive him out of the Wales set up.
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Post by somnambulist on Sept 26, 2020 10:21:37 GMT
Going back to Som’s point about Bristol-they are exceptional. Good combination of stardust and solid Prem players. And Lam has taken several Glos “rejects” -Randall, Dan and Yan Thomas, Purdy- coaching them into first team regulars. They’ll be up there with Exeter next season. They are such a pleasure to watch. Randall was sharp last night.
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Post by singe on Sept 26, 2020 11:05:18 GMT
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Post by eggchaserbull on Sept 26, 2020 11:47:41 GMT
Lloyd Evans has been around the first team squad for some years without ever really getting a run of games. His Dad was on the board for a while so that led to suspicions of nepotism (see also Todd Gleave). He is a good all round sportsman (he hit the longest six ever seen at Westbury on Severn Cricket Club) a few years back, but seemed to lack the quality to make it at Prem level. The departure of the injury prone Owen Williams “promoted” Lloyd to Cipriani’s deputy last season. He’s beginning to finally look the part and there are many who are now seeing him as a very decent alternative, not least as DC’s head often seems elsewhere (his appalling mind farts against Harlequins were by no means isolated incidents). The fag end of this season is seen by many as a decent pre-season which has given the new coach an opportunity to look at a few options. Evans, Varney, Clement and Reid have all taken their chances well, while Polledri has been a revelation at 8. I've rated Evans ever since he made his debut, but he's sometimes flattered to deceive; a lot of excellent work, often not noticed, combined with some moves that if performed by an established star would be replayed on rugby magazine progammes ad infinitum, then spoiled by some poor decision making. This then seemed to deflate his confidence. This end of season, however, apart from one poor game, he has started to demonstrate how good he is; it's just his self belief that needs work on. As you say, Owen Williams' departure may be the catalyst required to cement his place in the 23.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2020 12:54:33 GMT
Go Hawkes Bay! Funnily enough, I was looking through the Ranfurly Shield winners list earlier today (inspired by mention of Pat Lam earlier in this thread) and realised how much I miss NZ Provincial rugby. I also note with familiar disappointment that North Harbour is winless.
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Post by eggchaserbull on Sept 26, 2020 15:55:07 GMT
Is Pat Lam the best thing to happen to Premiership Rugby for a long, long time? On the basis of last night's performance it's hard to disagree. Bristol's unrestrained, attacking verve is an absolute joy to watch, and doesn't seem to be tempered by any sense of jeopardy. It'll be interesting to see which way Cardiff-born Sheedy goes. He qualifies for three home nations and on this form would walk into all three squads.And to throw you Gloucester boys a bone, I like the look of Lloyd Evans too. I've only really noticed him since the lockdown but he's putting in some great performances. Really enjoying the end to the season; far more so than the football. I didn't think Sheedy played as well as he has been playing, last night; however, his opposite number, Jalibert, ooh la la! That kid is mustard, pity he got injured and had to go off. The blind side flanker, Woki, was also a bit special; some excellent talent coming through the young French ranks. Dan Thomas also showed why it was a great pity that Gloucester let him go. I think it was Laurie Fisher who didn't think he was much of a flanker; how wrong he was. Enjoyed the game, but, and this probably puts into context how little rugby knowledge I have, I thought it was made a lot looser than it should have been by the referee's laissez faire attitude to the breakdown. Also, how the feck did Ben Kay pick Max Malins as the MOM?
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Post by somnambulist on Sept 26, 2020 17:25:31 GMT
Is Pat Lam the best thing to happen to Premiership Rugby for a long, long time? On the basis of last night's performance it's hard to disagree. Bristol's unrestrained, attacking verve is an absolute joy to watch, and doesn't seem to be tempered by any sense of jeopardy. It'll be interesting to see which way Cardiff-born Sheedy goes. He qualifies for three home nations and on this form would walk into all three squads.And to throw you Gloucester boys a bone, I like the look of Lloyd Evans too. I've only really noticed him since the lockdown but he's putting in some great performances. Really enjoying the end to the season; far more so than the football. I didn't think Sheedy played as well as he has been playing, last night; however, his opposite number, Jalibert, ooh la la! That kid is mustard, pity he got injured and had to go off. The blind side flanker, Woki, was also a bit special; some excellent talent coming through the young French ranks. Dan Thomas also showed why it was a great pity that Gloucester let him go. I think it was Laurie Fisher who didn't think he was much of a flanker; how wrong he was. Enjoyed the game, but, and this probably puts into context how little rugby knowledge I have, I thought it was made a lot looser than it should have been by the referee's laissez faire attitude to the breakdown. Also, how the feck did Ben Kay pick Max Malins as the MOM? You're right, it wasn't Sheedy's best game, though he still played well. The previous week against Dragons he really looked a class act, though he had a bit of an armchair ride compared to poor old Sam Davies opposite him. Any post-match comparison between the two Welsh hopefuls (in Sheedy's case perhaps not so hopeful) were invidious. I like the way Sheedy plays. He reads the game well, is tactically astute, but there's also a fluency to his play. And though he doesn't seem to have blistering pace he does possess an eye for a gap. And usually to good effect, putting team-mates away. It's early days for him, but he is playing very well. I'd be disinclined to leave Bristol if I was him, even if it complicates his international aspirations in the short term. Thomas played well when he came on, as he invariably does. Didn't he make a crucial turnover in extra time? The hooker Thacker also seems to be having a new lease of life by all accounts. Wasn't he surplus to requirements at Leicester? Lam must be doing something right.
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Post by singe on Sept 26, 2020 20:49:28 GMT
Go Hawkes Bay! Funnily enough, I was looking through the Ranfurly Shield winners list earlier today (inspired by mention of Pat Lam earlier in this thread) and realised how much I miss NZ Provincial rugby. I also note with familiar disappointment that North Harbour is winless. No, they won it about 15 years ago in a very famous win over Canterbury. If I remember correctly it was the last game of the season so they held it over the summer before losing half way through the next season when Waikato demolished them. If Otago win it today in their challenge against Taranaki, we get to challenge for it next week. We last won it 5 years ago and held it for ages - it really galvanises everyone. You're right, NZ provincial rugby is just brilliant. Everyone's buzzing this morning after last nights game.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2020 22:38:26 GMT
Sorry Singe, I was 'tangentalising'. Remember the North Harbour Ranfurly win well and very excited we were. North Shore busses emblazoned with "welcome to shield country" for a summer and a bit. Winless so far this season though...
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Post by singe on Sept 26, 2020 23:18:50 GMT
Indeed, though Harbour were unlucky against Southland yesterday losing by a point. Bloody freezing day in Invercargill always works well for the local team. Spent a couple of years down there in the '90s. Incidentally, the policeman sadly shot in Croydon yesterday was from Hawkes Bay, from a big rugby family.
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Post by singe on Oct 4, 2020 5:29:41 GMT
Did it! The shield is back in the Bay! Only 35% possession in first half and massive penalty count against, but they went south and are bringing the shield back to Hawkes Bay!!!
Richard, the first game after is always a compulsory defence and, by coincidence, we have to front up at North Harbour away a week on Friday!
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Post by colebridgebull on Oct 4, 2020 7:42:10 GMT
Funny old season has finished prematurely for Gloucester, with the cancellation of our game against Northampton. Saints played Sale in mid week, with Sale subsequently declaring 16 positive tests for COVID, resulting in Saints players having to self isolate and them not being able to raise a team. Default means we leapfrog them into 7th place.
Sale meanwhile are still saying that they can play (not sure how but they’re regarded suspiciously by many) with the League postponing their game against Worcester to Wednesday. Sale have been told that they can’t register any more players and if they can’t fulfill they will have to default. The main difference is that their game is not a dead rubber as Sale can still qualify for the play offs, probably at Wasps expense of results today go their way. All pretty unsatisfactory.
Gloucester showed glimmers of extra resilience in the season’s recent coda. They were excellent for 60 mins against a strong Bath team and mullered Harlequins (apart from the score....). Some good experience for some Academy prospects and a couple of astute signings give hope for the next season which starts in six weeks.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2020 8:10:43 GMT
I was listening to HFC on H&W and they were talking about the last knockings of last season still to be played out. How is that all going to work/finish? And how is 21/22 going to work. Don't Rugby players have some kind of workload protection with a maximum allowable number of games a season?
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Post by glawsterwhite on Oct 4, 2020 8:55:21 GMT
Re rugby players limited games nan bread - Add in the upcoming nations cup and 6 nations and you’ll understand why youngsters and “squad players” will get a lot more game time as they have been since the restart post covid. The new normal is bound to involve more youngsters as clubs certainly wont be able to afford the expensive squads of yesteryear. I think there is genuine concern over the pro game if the pandemic is with us too much longer. As for yesterday ... same old sale, always cheating 😏😁😁 seems incredible to bend the rules of competition like this so they will know exactly what they need to do to make the play-offs on Wednesday .... Funny old season .. glaws finish 7th but in reality 9th given today’s points and saracens punishment. Let’s hope we learn how to hold on to a lead next season ...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2020 9:51:39 GMT
Did it! The shield is back in the Bay! Only 35% possession in first half and massive penalty count against, but they went south and are bringing the shield back to Hawkes Bay!!! Richard, the first game after is always a compulsory defence and, by coincidence, we have to front up at North Harbour away a week on Friday! Fantastic. Congratulations to Hawkes Bay. I note that North Shore has come into form with a win against Tasman. Should be a cracker.
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