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[Timelord2067]

Ah thats sad - R.I.P Sean Wainui

Although I don't know Sean Wainui but because he was hearty and loved rugby and being a proud Maori boy I can’t help but weep for this young man who had so much to live for and gave so much joy to those who knew him or watched him play. So sad to see such great people leave this world so early, you’ll always be remembered. RIP Sean Wainui

Kia Kaha, @Davidvictorson


In Rugby Union 29th Oct - 1st Nov, I'm going for the following pics mainly based on their wins last weekend (I haven't gone down the list of every game, just a few)

• Tasman @ 1.43 - Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC - Possible Payout: 0.07 mBTC
• Bay of Plenty @ 1.48 - Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC - Possible Payout: 0.07 mBTC
• Hawke's Bay @ 1.16 - Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC - Possible Payout: 0.06 mBTC
• Leicester Tigers @ 1.60 - Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC - Possible Payout: 0.08 mBTC
• Southland @ 1.69 - Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC - Possible Payout: 0.08 mBTC
• Saracens @ 1.60 - Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC - Possible Payout: 0.08 mBTC

I might have another look at the Top 14 and Premiership Rugby before the end of the week.

[aoluain]

Coming up this weekend is the start of "The Autumn Internationals" > https://www.autumn-internationals.co.uk/2021/

Its a series of games between the Northern Hemishere and the Southern Hemisphere
with Georgia classed also as an away team.

While Sportsbet dont have the United Championship listed for this coming weekend they
do have some fixtures listed for the autumn International series.

30/10/201

Scotland	v	Tonga
Wales	v	New Zealand

[Timelord2067]

Coming up this weekend is the start of "The Autumn Internationals" > https://www.autumn-internationals.co.uk/2021/
...
30/10/201

Scotland	v	Tonga
Wales	v	New Zealand

I can't place any bets on those games as they're not showing up on my betting site.


I'm also not doing that great in my picks for the New Zealand regional teams either:

• Tasman @ 1.43 - Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC - Possible Payout: 0.07 mBTC
• Bay of Plenty @ 1.48 - Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC - Possible Payout: 0.07 mBTC

Hopefully the rest of the week-ends games turn out just a little bit better than these results have been (otherwise, it's back to the Tennis 

[aoluain]

Coming up this weekend is the start of "The Autumn Internationals" > https://www.autumn-internationals.co.uk/2021/
...
30/10/201

Scotland	v	Tonga
Wales	v	New Zealand

I can't place any bets on those games as they're not showing up on my betting site.

These are the only games this weekend in the autumn international series,
USA were supposed to play Ireland at home but that is cancelled.

I'm also not doing that great in my picks for the New Zealand regional teams either:

• Tasman @ 1.43 - Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC - Possible Payout: 0.07 mBTC
• Bay of Plenty @ 1.48 - Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC - Possible Payout: 0.07 mBTC

Hopefully the rest of the week-ends games turn out just a little bit better than these results have been (otherwise, it's back to the Tennis 

ATM on Sportsbet this is the only series I can bet on, there are no United Championship
games this weekend and the french Top14 league is closed for betting. I'm not
following the NZ league so not willing to risk my Satoshi's there.

I hope your picks work out.

[aoluain]

Its been a while since this thread was updated abd @Timelord2067
will have limited visits to the forum in the short term I will make a
post once a week and update it for the week as best as I can.

To follow on from the last post in relation to The Autumn Internationals
week 2 was this weekend and a lot of matches happening.
Here are the results from the weekend, some predictable and some
not so much.

Ireland 60 - 5 Japan
Italy 9 - 47 New Zealand
England 69 - 3 Tonga
Wales 18 - 23 South Africa
France 29 - 20 Argentina
Scotland 15 - 13 Australia

I watched the Wales v South Africa match and Wales were s unlucky
to get beaten by South Africa. Wales were looking good for the win
but the last 10 minutes is where the damage was done by SA.

Argentina who have a decent record against France came within 9
points of them and Scotland overcame Australia who were really
on form coming into these games, well done to Scotland.

[Timelord2067]

Round 1 blockbusters await in 2022

The Panthers and Sea Eagles kick off an action-packed round 1 of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/11/09/round-1-blockbusters-await-in-2022/ (Video)


An unreal year for Women's rugby league awaits

The NRL has today unveiled a huge women's rugby league calendar for the 2022 season

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/11/09/an-unreal-year-for-womens-rugby-league-awaits/ (Video)


My thanks to @aoluain for keeping the thread going while it is uncertain how long I am unable to post for.

Kudos.

[aoluain]

Round 1 blockbusters await in 2022

The Panthers and Sea Eagles kick off an action-packed round 1 of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/11/09/round-1-blockbusters-await-in-2022/ (Video)


An unreal year for Women's rugby league awaits

The NRL has today unveiled a huge women's rugby league calendar for the 2022 season

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/11/09/an-unreal-year-for-womens-rugby-league-awaits/ (Video)


My thanks to @aoluain for keeping the thread going while it is uncertain how long I am unable to post for.

Kudos.

Thanks @Timelord2067, hopefully more people will get involved on the thread.

NRL Womens league starts 27th February and the mens start 10th March, looking forward already.


Autumn Internationals

Week 3 is kicking off on Saturday with 6 fixtures over the weekend and 3 big matches
which should yeild some cracking Rugby.

Italy v Argentina

Scotland v South Africa - Scotland will be looking to continue their beating of The Wallabies
                                   with the visiting Springbok's, #2 on world rankings.

Ireland v New Zealand - For us taking on The All Blacks is a massive occasion, in the 32 previous
                                 meetings we have only managed 2 wins and 1 draw which was in 1973!
                                 from the first match in 1905 until 2016 they have beaten us.

England v Australia - World ranged 3 and 4 go up against each other, 2 powerhouses of the game,
                             should make for great viewing

France v Georgia - Its welcome to see Georgia getting a game, they are the top team in tier 2 of
                          the sport, France should win handily here.

Wales v Fiji

E D I T

Results from yesterdays games:

Argentina beat Italy, no surprise there

South Africa beat Scotland 30 - 15

Ireland against the odds beat New Zealand 29 - 20 - great match, Ireland didnt allow
New Zealand to impose their game. Another historic win by Ireland because its only
the 3rd time.

England did the job against Australia 32 - 15. Far too many errors by Australia, they had
their chances but couldnt finish and too many handling errors.

E D I T 2

France won against Georgia 41 - 15 which really was to be expected. Eventhough
Georgia would be the top team in Tier 2 of Rugby Union there is still a huge gap
in talent to Tier 1.

Wales were run very close by Fiji, the scoreboard I believe doesnt reflect how close
the match was but wales are now on winning ways with 1 from 3. final score 38 - 23

[Timelord2067]

South Africa beat Scotland 30 - 15

Ireland against the odds beat New Zealand 29 - 20

England did the job against Australia 32 - 15.

I'm sorry I missed these games.  Of all the above, I think Ireland Vs ?? games are the ones I've seen the least of out of all these teams.

No surprises England beat Australia, they're getting like their League counterparts focusing on one match against one other side (Kiwis) and don't prepare for other teams.

[aoluain]

South Africa beat Scotland 30 - 15

Ireland against the odds beat New Zealand 29 - 20

England did the job against Australia 32 - 15.

I'm sorry I missed these games.  Of all the above, I think Ireland Vs ?? games are the ones I've seen the least of out of all these teams.

No surprises England beat Australia, they're getting like their League counterparts focusing on one match against one other side (Kiwis) and don't prepare for other teams.

. . . And we think everyone wants to watch our games . . .
We were ranked #1 not too long ago, I think going into the last world cup
Ireland had the #1 world ranking but unfortunately when it comes to RWC
time we are the great under-acheivers.

This coming Saturday we will be treated to essentially a 2019 RWC Final
REPLAY - England v South Africa.
As a reminder the final back in 2019 resulted in SA winning 32 to 12. I
realy dont know how this os going to pan out, SA won the Lions tour
series but didnt go too well in the Rugby Championship and England have
a few new players playing in these test games.

Some other games to watch out for are:

Wales v Australia
France v New Zealand

E D I T

Results from the final week of the Autumn Internationals:
Italy 17 - 10 Uruguay
Scotland 29 - 20 Japan
England 27 - 26 South Africa
Wales 29 - 28 Australia
France 40 - 25 New Zealand
Ireland 53 - 7 Argentina

Overall it was a good series for the home teams

Italy winning 1 of 3
Scotland winning 3 out of 4
Wales winning 3 out of 4
England winning all 3
Ireland winning all 3

There is one last game to be played next weekend, The Barbarians against Samoa.
France winning all 3

[Timelord2067]

Super Rugby Pacific: Ten unlucky players who missed out on contracts

Paul Cully05:00, Nov 23 2021

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/127059151/super-rugby-pacific-ten-unlucky-players-who-missed-out-on-contracts - Archive [1a] [1b]

OPINION: The announcement of the Super Rugby Pacific squads on Monday brought few surprises, with many of the signings revealed in advance.

Super Rugby clubs do the bulk of their recruitment and retention well before November, meaning that NPC performances aren’t a huge factor in the makeup of the squads.

However, that often leaves fans of provincial rugby scratching their heads as to why their favourite player has missed out.

All Blacks' precarious world ranking adds to uneasy summer

Stuff sports reporters07:19, Nov 23 2021

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/127067517/all-blacks-precarious-world-ranking-adds-to-uneasy-summer - Archive [2a] [2b]

The All Blacks will spend the summer clinging precariously to their No 2 world ranking.

The autumn internationals have been completed in Europe, and it’s been a costly exercise for Ian Foster’s All Blacks as they surrendered their No 1 ranking to world champions South Africa and now have third-placed England snapping at their heels, less than one point behind.

The consecutive losses to Ireland and France have hit hard and brought the spotlight on the All Blacks methods as the 2021 test season is completed.

[aoluain]

^
It just goes to show how close it is in the World Rugby Union rankings, New Zealand
lost 2 of their games in the Autumn Internationals and are bumped to 2nd place by South
Africa who won 2 of 3 but had a poor Championship outing.

There are only 5 points seperating the top 5 teams ATM

https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/rankings/mru

[Timelord2067]

There are only 5 points seperating the top 5 teams ATM

https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/rankings/mru

I actually think that's a good thing in so far as it makes for more thrilling games knowing the teams are ranked so close together.  It'd be an entirely different match if the last place were to face-off against the first place and loose (as everyone expected) - hardly worth going along to watch.

[aoluain]

There are only 5 points seperating the top 5 teams ATM

https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/rankings/mru

I actually think that's a good thing in so far as it makes for more thrilling games knowing the teams are ranked so close together.  It'd be an entirely different match if the last place were to face-off against the first place and loose (as everyone expected) - hardly worth going along to watch.

Ah yes, games between the tip tier teams will always command more interest
and have the potential to create memorable games, doesnt always work out that way.


News out today from World Rugby has a big rule change

A revolutionary change to rugby union's international eligibility rules has been approved by World Rugby.

It means from January 2022 a player will now be able to represent a different country after a stand-down period of three years.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/59406025

On the face of it, it sounds good.
3 years seems like a long stand down period and can be a very large portion of a players
carreer. What are the situations where a player would change country?

[Timelord2067]

What are the situations where a player would change country?

A Tongan or Samoan player switching to play for New Zealand.  Possibly even Fiji.

[Welsh]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/59406025

On the face of it, it sounds good.
3 years seems like a long stand down period and can be a very large portion of a players
carreer. What are the situations where a player would change country?

I'm really not a fan of this change. I'm just not sure what's the incentive to doing this? We have clubs where players move around quite frequently, and while year 3 years is a decent amount of time, especially considering Rugby players generally have a shorter time playing than other athletes, but I don't know it just takes a lot of the commitment away from me.

Although, I can't see too many players actually doing this, at least current internationals. I guess this is useful for those that have selected a nation to play for, but never get the opportunity to play for them. Otherwise, I feel like players switching when they play regular rugby for a nation to another, would just be frowned upon by most.

A Tongan or Samoan player switching to play for New Zealand.  Possibly even Fiji.

I suspect the majority of the time it would be the other way around, those wanting to play for New Zealand not making the squad, therefore switch in favour of playing more regular.

[aoluain]

In Ireland a player say from South Africa playing for one of the provinces can become
eligible to play for Ireland after 3 years, if they decide or are forced back to their
native country for any number of reasons they could play international rugby for their
native country with this new rule.

Hmmm thinking about it more I dont think it is or will be utilised much.

I can imagine there are a lot of south pacific players who try for New Zealand but
have to switch back to their own country to get games as you guys point out.

[aoluain]

UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

The competition is back up and running for this weekend with round 6, Connacht are
at home to The Ospreys. Strangely enough Connacht can perform better at away games
than they do at home.

Saturday sees all the South African teams playing at home.

Stormers v Zebre
Benetton v Glasgow Warriors
Sharks v Scarlets
Dragons v Edinburgh
Bulls v Munster
Leinster v Ulster

E D I T

[quote = https://www.unitedrugby.com/latest/news/sa-r6-r7-postponed]R6 & R7 South African Home Games Postponed Due to New Covid Regulations[/quote]

The new "South African" strain of COVID-19 has been detected and is already
on the move with a case diagnosed already in Belgium.


I tried to put some bets on the URC games this weekend but Sportsbet dont have any games
listed which is dissapointing, Connaught are leading The Ospreys ATM.

[Timelord2067]

The new "South African" strain of COVID-19 has been detected and is already on the move with a case diagnosed already in Belgium.

Yes, I've been watching the SBS news just now discussing omacron (I'm learning the Latan alphabet one variant at a time)

We will probably see limited international games in the coming year and similar the the NRL where there were concentrated hubs if players isolated from the rest of the community.

[Davidvictorson]

The new "South African" strain of COVID-19 has been detected and is already on the move with a case diagnosed already in Belgium.

Yes, I've been watching the SBS news just now discussing omacron (I'm learning the Latan alphabet one variant at a time)

We will probably see limited international games in the coming year and similar the the NRL where there were concentrated hubs if players isolated from the rest of the community.

Hopefully this new Omicron variant turns out to be nothing to worry about, but I'm still praying for the world. I'm grateful South Africa detected the new variant so quickly and reported it. Probably saved countless lives, if this thing turns out to be a deadlier new strain.
I hope other countries that see new variants popping up in or coming through their countries catch them and report them quickly and honestly too.

[aoluain]

The new "South African" strain of COVID-19 has been detected and is already on the move with a case diagnosed already in Belgium.

Yes, I've been watching the SBS news just now discussing omacron (I'm learning the Latan alphabet one variant at a time)

We will probably see limited international games in the coming year and similar the the NRL where there were concentrated hubs if players isolated from the rest of the community.

Hopefully this new Omicron variant turns out to be nothing to worry about, but I'm still praying for the world. I'm grateful South Africa detected the new variant so quickly and reported it. Probably saved countless lives, if this thing turns out to be a deadlier new strain.
I hope other countries that see new variants popping up in or coming through their countries catch them and report them quickly and honestly too.

I'm not sure it was quick enough though, there have been two confirmed cases in the U.K
and it seems to be more transmissable than the Delta variant. Rugby matches will be
affected as will other sports in December and into the new year.


Update on the URC:

Connacht last night came back to winning ways at home by beating The Ospreys 46-18.
I was offered 2 free tickets to go to the match but I would only have made it in for the second
half.

E D I T - 02/12/21

Update from last weeks URC

While all the South African games were postponed due to Omicron, all the other
scheduled games were played with a few upsets IMO.

Benetton held out to beat the Glasgow Warriors by 1 point - 19 - 18. Looking over the
stats for this game they really read in favour of The Warriors but the Benetton defence
looked to have been able to deal with the attacks from The Warriors. A good result from
Benetton, they are mid table having lost 3 and won 3.

The Dragons were beaten by Edinburgh 14 - 30

And Ulster beat the home team Leinster 10 - 20. Even though it was a low
scoring game Ulster were far superior against the #1 positioned team on the table.