Finnegan Posted 28 October 2013 Posted 28 October 2013 What the actual shit is going on? James O'Connor signs for London Irish. To put that in to context for football fans, that's a bit like Thiago Alcantara or Mario Gotze signing for Crystal Palace... on a free transfer. Does have a few alcohol related off-field issues but is one of the brightest talents in the rugby world and is only twenty-three. Has had his central contract cancelled by the Wallabies. Maybe it'll do him good, a year out of the limelight, if Irish nurture him properly and if he takes any off-field rehab and sanctions seriously then maybe he'll come back stronger? He certainly has plenty of time for it. Who knows, if not I guess he'll be the southern hemisphere's Gavin Henson. What a potential waste, though. Elsehwere Mike Phillips has been sacked from Bayonne for turning up shitfaced to a team training session! Amazing. I don't understand how anyone can not love rugby.
Guest Posted 29 October 2013 Posted 29 October 2013 Elsehwere Mike Phillips has been sacked from Bayonne for turning up shitfaced to a team training session! Amazing. I don't understand how anyone can not love rugby. It's not the first time for Phillips and it seems he was leading the other non-Frenchies astray and causing conflict in the dressing room. Phillips is an idiot. I cannot understand how anyone cannot love rugby too.
Tielemans63 Posted 29 October 2013 Posted 29 October 2013 James O'Connor's move to Irish is a massive shock - I guess with a surname like that he must have some Irish roots somewhere down the line but I'm surprised they have the finances as he must be getting a reasonable wedge. Will be interesting to see how he fares as LI are frankly shite so it's not as though the forwards are going to provide him with lots of ball. I think his off-field problems will be largely irrelevant, Lote Tuqiri came to Tigers a couple of years ago with a dodgy reputation but was a brilliant acquisition. I'm sure JO'C will behave himself. Would have loved to have seen him pitch up Tigers though - especially as all of our centres are crocked.
Finnegan Posted 29 October 2013 Posted 29 October 2013 Phillips is an idiot, definitely. He's also the best scrum half in the Northern hemisphere. Another example of a player that could, and should, be at a top club but has jeopardized his career with off field antics. With O'Connor, I can only assume Irish were one of very few clubs who were actually under budget. There's rules for like injury replacement budgets or something isn't there? I've got to be honest, the smaller loopholes of the salary cap aren't my forte. Madness though.
Tielemans63 Posted 29 October 2013 Posted 29 October 2013 Phillips is an idiot, definitely. He's also the best scrum half in the Northern hemisphere. Another example of a player that could, and should, be at a top club but has jeopardized his career with off field antics. With O'Connor, I can only assume Irish were one of very few clubs who were actually under budget. There's rules for like injury replacement budgets or something isn't there? I've got to be honest, the smaller loopholes of the salary cap aren't my forte. Madness though. Agree with you about Phillips - comfortably the best scrummie in the NH so it's a bit of an embarassment being sacked by Bayonne. As for injury dispensation, I think I'm right in saying that if a player is going to be out for at least 6 months then a proportion of his salary (not sure how much) is then freed up to bring in a temporary replacement. Tigers have brought in Pablo Matera for a year becuase Tom Croft is out for the season. No idea who LI might have injured but I bet you're right - they'll be under-budget so can chuck a bit of cash at him. Still surprising though as he wasn't offered a new contract in Aus as apparently his demands were ludicrous.
Alexikokopops Posted 29 October 2013 Posted 29 October 2013 Finners - I'm off to see Wales vs. Argentina in the Autumn Internationals. I feel dirty.
Guest Posted 29 October 2013 Posted 29 October 2013 Finners - I'm off to see Wales vs. Argentina in the Autumn Internationals. I feel dirty. Not at all - As long as you're supporting the Argies.
Finnegan Posted 30 October 2013 Posted 30 October 2013 Finners - I'm off to see Wales vs. Argentina in the Autumn Internationals. I feel dirty. Nice one! Be nice if it's a big crowd instead of some of the 40ks we've had for smaller Autumn games. What did you pay? I might be down in your manor in a few weeks for the Sarries Tigers game.
Alexikokopops Posted 30 October 2013 Posted 30 October 2013 Not at all - As long as you're supporting the Argies. I'm going with my girlfriend and her family from the Valleys, half of which are former miners. They probably already distrust me given where I'm from... Nice one! Be nice if it's a big crowd instead of some of the 40ks we've had for smaller Autumn games. What did you pay?I might be down in your manor in a few weeks for the Sarries Tigers game. My girlfriend bought them so I've no idea. £30-40? Something like that. I'd be tempted to pop along for that if I wasn't on holiday! I went to Saracens vs. Harlequins at Wembley a couple of years ago. Right Said Fred performed at half time. It was amazing.
Guest Posted 31 October 2013 Posted 31 October 2013 Forgot to say I'd take Morgen Parra over Phillips in a second.
Finnegan Posted 31 October 2013 Posted 31 October 2013 Forgot to say I'd take Morgen Parra over Phillips in a second. Not really surprising, we've long established your opinion on rugby is completely invalid.
Guest Posted 31 October 2013 Posted 31 October 2013 I'd also take Youngs of course but then you knew that.
ScouseFox Posted 24 November 2013 Posted 24 November 2013 Ireland putting in a huuuuge effort. Great atmosphere too, as you'd expect.
ScouseFox Posted 24 November 2013 Posted 24 November 2013 Amazing ending, try in the 82nd minute denies Ireland. Bloody good try like, harsh on Ireland, bodies on the line trying to beat NZ for the first time in their history. And to top it all off the conversion is missed leaving it at 22 all but it's retaken because they charged too soon and he slots it over second time. All Blacks are shit hot though gotta give it to them, first team to win all their games in a year.
Corky Posted 24 November 2013 Posted 24 November 2013 Missed the first conversation but Ireland charged too early, converted the re-take for a 24-22 win.
Finnegan Posted 24 November 2013 Posted 24 November 2013 And just a day after the Kiwis do it to England in the weird northern code.
Finnegan Posted 24 November 2013 Posted 24 November 2013 Just seen the highlights, looked like I missed a cracker there. Unbelievable start by Ireland, the first ABs try was something special though, great chip.
notnow john Posted 29 November 2013 Posted 29 November 2013 Looks like the cheese eating surrender monkeys have capitulated again, leaving England Isolated again!!
Finnegan Posted 1 December 2013 Posted 1 December 2013 Hi finners Hey, you watch? I was disappointed with our lack of intensity at times, really, but mostly we just didn't quite have replacements for out injuries. Jamie Roberts and JD2 were huge, huge losses. Without a midfield your backs were free to just take the piss. Cooper was class and your second try was amazing but when we finally got North and Halfpenny on the break you were obviously vulnerable. A couple of times our young deputies just showed how not ready they were, Liam Williams was the worst. First he ignored George North for a gimme 5 points with a left wing overlap, then he kicks for territory with three minutes left. I'd still back us to beat Aus if our first choice 15 were fit. I don't think yesterday was about "bogey" teams or not believing we could win, it was just having a crash ball strategy with two of our wrecking balls missing. Great game, though.
Tielemans63 Posted 1 December 2013 Posted 1 December 2013 I thought George North looked very handy at outside centre - the game changed when he moved infield. I also thought Tomane's try was a bit fortunate to be awarded, pass looked forward to me. Overall I thought the Aussies deserved it (just) but what a test match. Yesterday's game and the NZ v Ireland game were phenomenonal. Only 3 or 4 scrums in 80 mins - great to see.
Finnegan Posted 1 December 2013 Posted 1 December 2013 That's just it, really. It wasn't so much North at centre it was just having a centre. I like Scott Williams but he's not a crash ball player and he's not world class. They've built a gameplan that's all about straightening up and hitting the line and that's why Roberts was such a loss.
Finnegan Posted 3 December 2013 Posted 3 December 2013 But Wales assure us the 6 nations is in the bag. Nobody has said that at all. Just that they're aiming to win it again. Given we've the best squad in the hemisphere that isn't really surprising.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.