2015 Rugby World Cup thread - Page 10 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Slava · 10-11-2015, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckieNZ

There's a few reasons that the NZRU maintains it's stance:

- The chance to play for the All Blacks is leverage to keep players in NZ, keep talent in Super Rugby, and keep crowds coming to games.
- The NZRU can't compete financially with Europe or Japan. It would open the floodgates for a talent exodus.
- Logistics. Overseas clubs would own the player, and make it difficult for players to be released for international games. And the NZRU carefully manage the workloads and physical/mental state of players in the system, this is out of their control for players overseas.

The argument is that the system enables New Zealand to stay at the top of the game.

Hockey Canada should enforce a similar position!

Slava · 10-11-2015, 08:01 AM

I thought that I would post a quick review of my attendance at a couple of the RWC games. I know that this thread is mostly for news and such, so I will keep it pretty brief. Overall though, it was awesome!

I went to Ireland/Romania at Wembley, in large part to see a game at Wembley. It was a new RWC record for 89,000+ and I would guess 89,000 were supporting Ireland with a few hundred supporting Romania. The atmosphere was awesome, and as one commentator noted a lot of Irish can't get tickets to games for things like the 6 Nations so this was a special event. Obviously the singing and cheering was awesome with the Irish winning in a walk. Afterwards I would guess about 70 of the 89k all wanted to take the underground. It took a while, but was incredibly well coordinated (more on that later) and the now drunken Irish fans were awesome. There was a lot of singing. I partook in some, but other songs I didn't know. Like I know of the "Fields of Athenrye" but don't don't know the words. I loved the "Wild Rover" as that was a song we sang back when I still played. I also enjoyed a seemingly made up song to the tune of "She'll be comin round the mountain" that just went "you can shove your f'in chariots up your hole" They were clearly thrilled that they were rolling and the English had lost to Wales the night before and looked in tough to make it to the knockout stages.

The next game I attended was at Milton Keynes and that was Canada/France. Lets be honest, we knew that the outcome was probably predetermined, but then Japan beat SA, and of course that's why the play the games and all that. We got there early and as we stepped off the train were greeted by RWC people to make sure we knew how to get home and had some arrangements for that. More importantly we were asked not once but by two different RWC people on the way out of the station whether we were going to the "Canada Bar". Of course we were! This was a bar right beside the hotel where team Canada was staying and it was full of Canadians and Canadian supporters. It was great to talk to a bunch of Canadians from all over the place who had made the trek. A fair amount of beer was consumed here, and then they had shuttles to the game. The game was pretty awesome. I had good seats here (not amazing, but good) and we were seated next to a couple British boys and their dad. They were supporting Canada of course, and were asking me about the players and whether we had any good "Canada chants" (and we don't!), and things like that. They were rather impressed with Canada in the warm-up, but that faded pretty quickly. We had a great time though, and supporting your country somewhere else was just incredible!

Overall, the RWC was fantastic. I think that the coordination and logistics are the best thing I have seen. Just excellent in terms of making sure that people got where they needed to go, and were looked after. The people were super friendly and helpful and (maybe on account of the jerseys, red wigs and flags) knew that we were in search of a bar or shuttle to the game immediately. The game at Wembley really conveyed that though; can you imagine 4 Saddledomes emptying and all heading home at the same time?! One is bad enough.

The merchandise was ridiculously priced (like 20 pounds for a T-shirt which is basically $40), and a simple hoodie was over $100 Canadian. That was my only real complaint I guess. It was probably for the best though, because had the prices been a lot more reasonable I would've spend too much money on things.

Overall the experience was awesome, and if you can get over the costs in general, I would highly recommend it to fans of the game. The next one is in Japan and I think I might go to that as well if its possible.

Locke · 10-11-2015, 10:36 AM

This has been intense!

ChuckieNZ · 10-11-2015, 10:44 AM

Tough break for Ireland with Sexton & O’Connell both going down.

Locke · 10-11-2015, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckieNZ

Tough break for Ireland with Sexton & O’Connell both going down.

Going to have to see how that plays out in the second half, Sexton was money on penalties, can that be replaced?

ChuckieNZ · 10-11-2015, 10:51 AM

Sexton is one of the best fly-halves in the world. Madigan (his replacement) is also a great kicker, so I don't think they'll lose much there, but he's much weaker defensively and in general play than Sexton is IMO.

Locke · 10-11-2015, 11:06 AM

I'm appreciating your insight. I have no idea what teams' depth is.

That was a great try for Ireland, seems like it really shook the French, their defence was pierced and thats now two mistakes in a row and it looks like they're going to replace some people to shore things up.

Locke · 10-11-2015, 11:09 AM

Damn! The Irish are looking good but thats their 3rd injury replacement and the commentators have said that all 3 look done for the tournament.

They might win this, but at what cost?

Bagor · 10-11-2015, 11:16 AM

Yeah, costly game so far.

French are hanging in there.

Locke · 10-11-2015, 11:22 AM

Nigel you beauty!

"Do you need to go for the head test? No? Are you sure? Okay...whats my name?"

Everyone knows your name Nigel!

troutman · 10-11-2015, 11:29 AM

21-9.

Great day for Ireland continues later in Poland.

ChuckieNZ · 10-11-2015, 11:30 AM

Good awareness of the rules from Murray. Ireland look like they have this.

Bagor · 10-11-2015, 11:31 AM

That'll do it!!

My poor kids are watching this in no man's land unable to support anyone with divided loyalties between their parents.

Bagor · 10-11-2015, 11:34 AM

Hey Chuckie,
Have Ireland been good or is this French team just a shadow of the ones of old?

ChuckieNZ · 10-11-2015, 11:38 AM

Well, this sets up a rematch between the All Blacks & France in a QF, in Cardiff, and a chance for NZ to get retribution. No ghosts of 2007, and any ref but Wayne Barnes please.

ChuckieNZ · 10-11-2015, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bagor

Hey Chuckie,
Have Ireland been good or is this French team just a shadow of the ones of old?

Ireland have won the last two Six Nations Championships, they have been very good recently. France are unpredictable, always lose group games, but step it up in the knockout rounds. As a Kiwi, I've learned (the hard way) never to underestimate the French.

Slava · 10-11-2015, 11:44 AM

Huge win for the Irish. I think they should be in good shape against an improving Argentina team next weekend. While they're making some strides in being added to the Tri-nations, they're not quite at the level of the Tier one squads in my opinion. That and this Ireland team is looking good. This was a big win against France and they really had to gut it out for the second half, and looked solid in doing it.

Locke · 10-11-2015, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

Huge win for the Irish. I think they should be in good shape against an improving Argentina team next weekend. While they're making some strides in being added to the Tri-nations, they're not quite at the level of the Tier one squads in my opinion. That and this Ireland team is looking good. This was a big win against France and they really had to gut it out for the second half, and looked solid in doing it.

I dont know about their depth, but I think this version of the Irish can take Argentina, but it seems like thats about as far as they can go.

Great display from them gutting that win out, but brutal result for injuries.

The USA/Japan game was also fantastic, its a shame the Japanese are out of it, what a team to watch.

Locke · 10-12-2015, 12:17 PM

Saturday:

- South Africa Springboks vs. Wales

- New Zealand All Blacks vs. Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys (France)

Sunday:

- Ireland vs. Argentina

- Australia (Wallabies) vs. Scotland

That is going to be an awesome weekend of Rugby.

undercoverbrother · 10-13-2015, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Saturday:

- South Africa Springboks vs. Wales

- New Zealand All Blacks vs. Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys (France)

Sunday:

- Ireland vs. Argentina

- Australia (Wallabies) vs. Scotland

That is going to be an awesome weekend of Rugby.

After the Welsh couldn't score against 13 men, I am really liking the Aussie's chances to make the final. They seem to have sorted out their issue with the scrum. I think the Scots won't be much of an issue, and I actually like how they stack up against the Irish or the Argies.

Hanson, must be praying that the AB killing Frenchies don't show up. I actually hope they do show. I know if I was in that camp I would be bringing in every Frenchman that has ever beaten the AB's.

I actually think the Welsh could do the 'Boks, but as always it will be won up front.