[Rugby] Union / League / Super / Sixes Sevens Pro14 / Cups & Tours / Olympics

[aoluain]

TBH if I had been paying more attention to the games I would have gone with last years
ladder toppers and this is what I suspect I'll do when the premiership starts... although
remember the start of last season, the Eels and Rabbitohs in particular had a mixed bag,
Rabbitohs lost 4 from the first 7 games, Eels the same I think but they came good and
reached the final.

Its a tough one to call!

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[aoluain]

Ahead of the Six Nations this weekend it seems like the game between Wales and England
is under threat.

There is still a bit of hassle with the signing of financial contracts for the 4 Welsh clubs.

Wales have postponed announcement of their team today.

Reading through this article > https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/12815751/wales-six-nations-squad-announcement-delayed-due-to-uncertainty-of-player-involvement

It seems clear what the main concern is of the players

"The players want three terms to be agreed by the WRU and this surrounds uncertainty
over future contracts.

"Those three terms are this. The 60-cap rule is scrapped. That is the rule where only
players with 60 caps or more can play their domestic rugby outside of Wales and
still play for Wales.

"That is set to be scrapped or amended so that will be met.

"The second term is the players have representation on the Professional Rugby Board.

"That at the moment doesn't happen. That is also set to happen.

"The third term is the sticking point, it is around contracts and the new contracts are set to be
brought in at the end of this season.

[Timelord2067]

Hard to know what to make of that.  It can't be called Welsh if they're not based in Wales.

Then again, the Queensland Rugby League Cup has a team from Papua New Guinea based on the Gold Coast and the New Zealand Rugby comp has various Island Nation teams playing.


I've heard a couple of players have injuries whilst training ahead of next weeks opening round of the NRL.  The Sea Eagles might be on shaky ground already.

[aoluain]

Hard to know what to make of that.  It can't be called Welsh if they're not based in Wales.

Eventhough there are always anomalies and compromises A welsh club amalgamating
with an English one would be "insulting" as Welsh put it.

Anyway the six nations game is a runner for the weekend after a deal was struck and
a compromise made. Its just a pity that it had to come to this and the WRU were not
willing to do a compromise before hand.

After crunch talks at Wales’s training base between the WRU, the PRB and dozens of players,
confirmation came that the match would be on. The cap rule has not been entirely
scrapped but the threshold has been reduced to 25, players will be offered both
fixed and fixed variable contracts and the WRPA chief executive, Gareth Lewis,
will have a seat on the PRB

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/feb/22/wales-v-england-six-nations-clash-to-go-ahead-as-players-call-off-strike


League

I've heard a couple of players have injuries whilst training ahead of next weeks opening round of the NRL.  The Sea Eagles might be on shaky ground already.

Ouch, they play the Bulldogs who were neck and neck with each other last year.

Storm Storm have been hit hard with two players out, one for the full season!

https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/01/01/casualty-ward-all-the-latest-nrl-injury-news-updates-returns-details/

I see we are treated to a replay of last years Grand Final, first game of Round 1 Eels v Panthers!

[Welsh]

Well, the players seem to have got what they wanted out of the contract negotiations. They were threatening to forfeit the English game this weekend. So, Wales vs England is still going ahead. We've reduced the cap requirement to be called up, allowing players with less caps in their clubs to play for the national team. Something that WRU put in place, which unfortunately only hurts the Welsh team, since we're a rather small nation to begin with.

Honestly, if I had my way I'd scrap it altogether, and just allow the manager to call up who he thinks his deserving. It'll likely be more experienced lads anyway, but at least it gives some of the youngsters a chance, and we might have some hidden talent which could help us out. You know, when Wales is only around 3 million in population wise, we need all the help we can get to compete in the competitions. Especially, when London alone has more population than our who country.

Anyway, I expect us to lose, but hopefully we get to see some of that hidden talent . We definitely do have some youngsters that were deserving to be called up. Hopefully, that happens now.

[Timelord2067]

I've only just been able to place bets on the New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific games for round one.

To win, I'm going with: Crusaders over the Chiefs, Waratahs against the Brumbies, Fijian Drua  to edge out Moana Pasifika, the Blues over the Highlanders in a close match, the Hurricanes will blow over the Reds, while the Western Force will outclass the Rebel Scum.

[aoluain]

Well, the players seem to have got what they wanted out of the contract negotiations. They were threatening to forfeit the English game this weekend. So, Wales vs England is still going ahead. We've reduced the cap requirement to be called up, allowing players with less caps in their clubs to play for the national team. Something that WRU put in place, which unfortunately only hurts the Welsh team, since we're a rather small nation to begin with.

Honestly, if I had my way I'd scrap it altogether, and just allow the manager to call up who he thinks his deserving. It'll likely be more experienced lads anyway, but at least it gives some of the youngsters a chance, and we might have some hidden talent which could help us out. You know, when Wales is only around 3 million in population wise, we need all the help we can get to compete in the competitions. Especially, when London alone has more population than our who country.

Anyway, I expect us to lose, but hopefully we get to see some of that hidden talent . We definitely do have some youngsters that were deserving to be called up. Hopefully, that happens now.

Fair play to them anyway, they were definitely being pinched by politics and falling
salaries, not good.

I thought that 60 cap rule was also to do with a player playing outside Wales?
In Ireland we have such a rule, even more restrictive, if a player wants to play for
a club outside Ireland he is welcome to do so but he wont be considered for the
national team ^{unless you are Johnny Sexton}

Best example was Simon Szebo of Munster and Ireland, went to play for Racing 92
in France which ended his career for the National team, he was a brilliant winger/full back.

The trouble also with a small population is the pool of players to pick from and Rugby
competes with other sports as it does here in Ireland, the biggest codes are Gaelic Football
and Hurling, then Soccer and Rugby after them.

If the clubs and national team do well the chances are kids at the grassroots level will
be more interested and inspired to choose Rugby.

Putting restrictions on the senior teams only damages the game in the long term.

I've only just been able to place bets on the New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific games for round one.

To win, I'm going with: Crusaders over the Chiefs, Waratahs against the Brumbies, Fijian Drua  to edge out Moana Pasifika, the Blues over the Highlanders in a close match, the Hurricanes will blow over the Reds, while the Western Force will outclass the Rebel Scum.

Its certainly a busy time for Rugby, we are half way through our competitions here
and you lot are starting your seasons there. Too much to keep up with!

[Timelord2067]

I've just come across two USA matches - Seattle ($1.40) over Atlanta ($2.80) and Houston ($1.14) over NOLA Gold ($5.20)

Already I've lost out on a couple of the New Zealand matches, hopefully I'll do better tomorrow.

[Welsh]

Anyway, I'm predicting Wales win against England. I know, I'm a mad man. We definitely do seem to pull it off despite what situation we're in. Obviously, the current issues surrounding Welsh rugby isn't exactly normal, and is quite unprecedented, but I'm hoping the worst is behind us. Maybe, from now on we can start building an actual rugby team without too much drama.

I thought that 60 cap rule was also to do with a player playing outside Wales?
In Ireland we have such a rule, even more restrictive, if a player wants to play for
a club outside Ireland he is welcome to do so but he wont be considered for the
national team ^{unless you are Johnny Sexton}

That's right. Although, again I don't really see why we should be punishing players doing what's best for their careers. I know, Welsh rugby at a club level would suffer as a result, but I'm not a fan of punishing players for deciding to play abroad. At the end of the day, if they're from the country, then we should be supporting them whatever their career choices are. Of course, I want to see Welsh club rugby excel too, but maybe they just need to work on offering the players more for staying in the country.

[aoluain]

Well I have a bet on Wales to win today, a small 0.1mBTC @3.5. I dont think welsh that you
are mad, as previously mentioned Wales do have serious talent and experienced players, I
am figuring they are going to make a statement today after all what happened this week.

Just watching Italy v Ireland and everything is on track for an Irish win early into the second half
eventhough Italy are looking dangerous at times.

[Timelord2067]

I've just come across two USA matches - Seattle ($1.40) over Atlanta ($2.80) and Houston ($1.14) over NOLA Gold ($5.20)

Already I've lost out on a couple of the New Zealand matches, hopefully I'll do better tomorrow.

Sometimes going with the favourite pays of.  

I've only just been able to place bets on the New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific games for round one.

To win, I'm going with: Crusaders over the Chiefs, Waratahs against the Brumbies, Fijian Drua  to edge out Moana Pasifika, the Blues over the Highlanders in a close match, the Hurricanes will blow over the Reds, while the Western Force will outclass the Rebel Scum.

I think the Chiefs also won which would mean (including the two USA games and England and Ireland winning their respective games) I have eight from ten starts with France and Scotland to slug it out.  

[aoluain]

Well TBH I normally play the favourites even with my Tennis bets, doesnt always payout
though, and at times the dead certs fail.

Well done Timelord, that was some spread from Super Rugby, US Rugby and Six Nations.


In the Six Nations Italy ran Ireland close for a bit in the second half but we were able
to pull away in the last Q. We got the bonus point from the game too.

Regarding Wales v England, very frustration game from a vested interest in our Celtic
cousins. England were there to be beaten, Wales had so many chances to score but
as per the other 2 games their visits to the English 22 yielded very little.

The box kicking and kicking in general from Wales wasnt working and England won
on that front, anyway another tough day at the office for Wales

[Timelord2067]

I just spotted two more games in the USA Major League Rugby:  New York ($1.17) Vs Toronto ($4.60) and the second game is San Diego ($1.80) Vs New England ($1.95)  -  I'm only betting a dollar, but am going for the favourites again.  

6997

[aoluain]

I just spotted two more games in the USA Major League Rugby:  New York ($1.17) Vs Toronto ($4.60) and the second game is San Diego ($1.80) Vs New England ($1.95)  -  I'm only betting a dollar, but am going for the favourites again.  

6997

You did well on them, especially on San Diego, nice odds!

I would have to do way too much research to be comfortable on betting there.


Round 15 of the United Rugby Championship starts up on Friday. Only 4 more rounds
before the Finals.

There aren't many decent odds on really, I have 3 ATM:

Stormers to beat the Sharks @1.3
Leinster to beat Edinburgh @1.23
Ulster to beat Cardiff @1.42

[Welsh]

Wales need to abandon the kicking game, that's for sure. Our scrum half didn't exactly help things either, not sure I want him in a Wales shirt again, not any time soon anyway. Judging on our previous performances, Italy might be worth betting on. I haven't checked the odds yet, but I imagine the odds won't be too different for either team, whereas two years ago Wales would've been a 1.10-1.20 favourite. How times change.

Anyway, I don't expect a win in our current form, but we could potentially do it. I'm hoping so, I don't want the embarrassment of the wooden spoon, there's been a little too much embarrassment from the recent dramas surrounding Welsh rugby.

[Timelord2067]

Batten down the hatches!  The Australian 2023 NRL Season Round one, game one is on tonight!



The Melbourne Storm haven't lost a round one game in 20+ years with coach Craig Bellamy at the helm.  Tonight, they go up against the Parramatta Eels (who came forth on the ladder last year).

My Round One pics are as follows:

Parramatta Eels - Melbourne Storm 02 Mar 2023 19:00 Money Line Melbourne Storm @ 1.75 Taken Amount: 0.50 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.875 mBTC (starts in ten hours)
New Zealand Warriors - Newcastle Knights 03 Mar 2023 17:00 Money Line Newcastle Knights @ 2.57 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.129 mBTC  - (I would have thought it would be the other way around)
Penrith Panthers - Brisbane Broncos 03 Mar 2023 19:05 Money Line Penrith Panthers @ 1.18 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.059 mBTC - (goes without saying the 2022 G winners should knacker the Broncos)
Manly Sea Eagles - Canterbury Bulldogs 04 Mar 2023 14:00 Money Line Manly Sea Eagles @ 1.52 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.076 mBTC
North Queensland Cowboys - Canberra Raiders 04 Mar 2023 16:30 Money Line North Queensland Cowboys @ 1.34 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.067 mBTC
Cronulla Sharks - South Sydney Rabbitohs 04 Mar 2023 18:35 Money Line Cronulla Sharks @ 2.51 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.126 mBTC - (I expect The Sharks will eat the Rabbitohs)
Dolphins (NRL) - Sydney Roosters 05 Mar 2023 15:05 Money Line Dolphins (NRL) @ 6.44 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.322 mBTC - (Benefit of the doubt for their debut game)
Wests Tigers - Gold Coast Titans 05 Mar 2023 17:15 Money Line Gold Coast Titans @ 2.17 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.109 mBTC - (last two years the Tigers game out swinging or the first two or three games, then collapsed never to recover)


and a seven match parlay:

Parlay
02 Mar 2023 09:51
Ticket ID: 29853765
Parramatta Eels - Melbourne Storm 02 Mar 2023 19:00 Money Line Melbourne Storm @ 1.75
New Zealand Warriors - Newcastle Knights 03 Mar 2023 17:00 Money Line Newcastle Knights @ 2.57
Penrith Panthers - Brisbane Broncos 03 Mar 2023 19:05 Money Line Penrith Panthers @ 1.18
North Queensland Cowboys - Canberra Raiders 04 Mar 2023 16:30 Money Line North Queensland Cowboys @ 1.34
Cronulla Sharks - South Sydney Rabbitohs 04 Mar 2023 18:35 Money Line Cronulla Sharks @ 2.51
Manly Sea Eagles - Canterbury Bulldogs 04 Mar 2023 14:00 Money Line Manly Sea Eagles @ 1.52
Wests Tigers - Gold Coast Titans 05 Mar 2023 17:15 Money Line Gold Coast Titans @ 2.17
Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC
Possible Payout: 2.944 mBTC

I'd love to add the Dolphins, but my luck with parlays isn't that great...


The ladder, with zero games played, looks like this:

The teams seem to have been added in an ad-hoc manor which doesn't reflect last years ladder, or the two round pre-season fixtures.

[aoluain]

Definitely ad-hoc placement, Panthers in 13th spot!

That is some record by Storm, I have gone with a 0.19mBTC bet on them for today.
Hopefully the Eels wont spoil the party.

As for the other games, I cant bet on any more, I'm all in now with some Tennis bets, URL and
the Storm one too, I hopefully will have some funds later today to make a few NRL ones.


Any new strategies for NRL betting this year?

I was thinking at the beginning if last season of just betting heavily on the Panthers
regardless of odds, that would have yielded me some nice profits.

Same again this year?

Panthers, Eels, Storm.

Wales need to abandon the kicking game, that's for sure. Our scrum half didn't exactly help things either, not sure I want him in a Wales shirt again, not any time soon anyway. Judging on our previous performances, Italy might be worth betting on. I haven't checked the odds yet, but I imagine the odds won't be too different for either team, whereas two years ago Wales would've been a 1.10-1.20 favourite. How times change.

Anyway, I don't expect a win in our current form, but we could potentially do it. I'm hoping so, I don't want the embarrassment of the wooden spoon, there's been a little too much embarrassment from the recent dramas surrounding Welsh rugby.

Kicking game v England didnt work, they should have been able to realise this and make
a change.

Italy v Wales... its going to be close. Wales look to be slight favourites ATM 1.88 v 1.78.

On Italy's form this season and how they have been able to rack up decent scores
and Wales 22 zone performance I can see an Italy upset.

[Timelord2067]

Definitely ad-hoc placement, Panthers in 13th spot!

Crazy placing (and it's not based on city or suburb even though most are in that order) - it's also not oldest to youngest club either as the Broncos entered the NRL circa 1988 and the Dolphins this year.  

That is some record by Storm, I have gone with a 0.19mBTC bet on them for today.
Hopefully the Eels wont spoil the party.

As for the other games, I cant bet on any more, I'm all in now with some Tennis bets, URL and
the Storm one too, I hopefully will have some funds later today to make a few NRL ones.

Each fortnight I'll put in enough to cover my bets and let whatever I win throughout the year to accumulate.

Any new strategies for NRL betting this year?

Yeh, don't do as many Parlays.  

I was thinking at the beginning if last season of just betting heavily on the Panthers
regardless of odds, that would have yielded me some nice profits.

Same again this year?

Panthers, Eels, Storm.

Without a doubt the Panthers, Eels and Storm will be ones to watch as will the Dolphins who I would expect will finish in the top eight at the end of the year.

Wales need to abandon the kicking game, that's for sure. Our scrum half didn't exactly help things either, not sure I want him in a Wales shirt again, not any time soon anyway. Judging on our previous performances, Italy might be worth betting on. I haven't checked the odds yet, but I imagine the odds won't be too different for either team, whereas two years ago Wales would've been a 1.10-1.20 favourite. How times change.

Anyway, I don't expect a win in our current form, but we could potentially do it. I'm hoping so, I don't want the embarrassment of the wooden spoon, there's been a little too much embarrassment from the recent dramas surrounding Welsh rugby.

Kicking game v England didnt work, they should have been able to realise this and make
a change.

Italy v Wales... its going to be close. Wales look to be slight favourites ATM 1.88 v 1.78.

On Italy's form this season and how they have been able to rack up decent scores
and Wales 22 zone performance I can see an Italy upset.

In the Irish Rugby Championship the Munsters and Glasgow Warriors are almost unbackable at $1.08 and $1.04 respectively.  I'll go with Leinster over Edinburgh, Ospreys over Benetton Treviso and Connacht Rugby over the Newport Gwent Dragons

Edinburgh - Leinster 05 Mar 2023 03:05 Money Line Leinster @ 1.26 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.063 mBTC
Ospreys - Benetton Treviso 05 Mar 2023 03:15 Money Line Ospreys @ 1.43 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.072 mBTC
Newport Gwent Dragons - Connacht Rugby 05 Mar 2023 05:35 Money Line Connacht Rugby @ 1.48 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.074 mBTC

In the English Premiership Rugby, just two pics - Harlequin FC and Saracens

Harlequin FC - Chiefs 05 Mar 2023 03:15 Money Line Harlequins @ 1.51 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.076 mBTC
Sale Sharks - Saracens 06 Mar 2023 01:00 Money Line Saracens @ 2.47 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Payout: 0.124 mBTC


(am awaiting funds to transfer for all of the below games)

In the French Top 14

La Rochelle

While in the USA Major League

Rugby ATL - will continue their winning streak from last week.

New York


Back to the English Super Rugby League, I'm leaning towards Hull FC ($2.73) Wigan Warriors ($1.51) and Wakefield Trinity ($3.34)

[aoluain]

That is some record by Storm, I have gone with a 0.19mBTC bet on them for today.
Hopefully the Eels wont spoil the party.

As for the other games, I cant bet on any more, I'm all in now with some Tennis bets, URL and
the Storm one too, I hopefully will have some funds later today to make a few NRL ones.


Any new strategies for NRL betting this year?

Damn - my bet didnt go through this morning for some reason..... confused.com
They were nice odds too, I think around 1.78

Storm won in what was a a bit of a thriller with a Golden point ^try, 12-16.

Craig Bellamy remains undefeated in round one with the Melbourne Storm.
He won’t have experienced many closer scrapes than this. An exodus of experienced
players over the summer. A full injury ward to start the year. Coates crocked
during the match. Munster playing on with a compound finger dislocation. Two
players bandaged with eyebrow splits. The resilience and drive is something to behold.

That doesnt sound like a promising synopsis of team Storm at the start of the season.

Ok so for tomorrow its all in on the Panthers against the Broncos.


Timelord, with your betting spreads above it brings a whole new meaning to
"I just cant get enough Rugby"

[Timelord2067]

Timelord, with your betting spreads above it brings a whole new meaning to

"I just cant get enough Rugby"

Heh - with only four or five of us in this thread (and just Welsh, yourself and myself - the core three at that) I'm hoping any casual reader might jump in if they see their teams being mentioned every once in a while.



Rugby Union had fallen under the spell of the nine network who have broadcast League in Australia for probably fifty plus years.  However, Rugby, which had been snared by nine only a few short years ago, has been moved sideways to Stan.  So, I'm agonising as to whether or not to sign up just to watch a random game each week.  ??  Not exactly value for money.

Ok so for tomorrow its all in on the Panthers against the Broncos.

I hope the Panthers pound the Broncos into oblivion.   

Storm won in what was a a bit of a thriller with a Golden point ^try, 12-16.

The Eels commanded the first half there's no doubt about it.  By the 33^rd minute however, they began to coast to the half time hooter.  Then were fairly evenly matched in the forty to sixty minute period and then slowed down allowing the Storm to equalise (if they were tighter, it'd be a nearly 30 - 12 drubbing of the Eels) near full time, then took an epic try in the fourth minute of overtime.