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

[aoluain]

I lost on Connacht and Munster (both with odds over 5:1) but did win on Glasgow vs Ulster.

I'm thinking of betting on Newcastle over Exeter then Osprey over the Scarlets.

I actually got to watch the second half of Leinster v Munster and couldnt believe
it was so close at half time and pretty much all the way up to about 70 minutes.

Munster had a few chances to score in the second half but Leinster defense was up
to the task. TBH I cant see Leinster losing too many matches even with talisman
 Johnny Sexton retired.

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[aoluain]

Rugby union players’ legal action over head injuries to be heard in high court

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/nov/19/rugby-union-players-legal-action-over-head-injuries-to-be-heard-in-high-court

Heard this on the radio earlier this evening and wondered what this will eventually mean
for the game? There are over 200 players Men and Women from both Union and League
disciplines who are taking this legal action against the governing bodies for not protecting
players.

Richard Boardman, the lawyer leading the case, said: “We believe there has been a systematic
failure by the rugby governing bodies to protect players not just from concussions but also subconcussions.
This is still a real and serious threat to the sport and unless immediate and substantial changes are introduced,
current and future generations will end up with the same chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other
neurological impairments.”

Will we see more and more cases taken from around the world in the future?
Will there be more rule changes to follow this case to try and prevent head injuries?
Will there be so many changes that the game will be unrecognisable in the future?

[Timelord2067]

Eventually, players will look like their American grid iron counterparts with helmets and shoulder pads. The only problem with that is that participants in that version of football are likewise seeking compensation, so unless the games are banded outright, the game will look like the round ball version where players roll on the grass and scream blue murder, clutch their broken arm only to have the ref shake their head and magically, their arm is broken no more.

[aoluain]

Yea, its a possibility that there may be a requirement to introduce different clothing and
head/neck protection but as you say even the American Football game suffers from concussions
and head injuries.

I wonder if we would see the game turning into "Profesional Tag Rugby" or in other words,
a non-contact sport, although I'm not sure how the hell that would work.

Whatever happens there will be odds available on all games regardless of rule changes.

[Timelord2067]

There's a version of touch leage where players have a detachable ribbon front and back (probably Velcro) if it's torn off then you've been tackled.

[aoluain]

I'm just trying to figure out how those matches are refereed?  


Round 7 of the URC starting today.
Munster v Glasgow Warriors - Munster are big favourites @ 1.19, Glasgow are 5.2.
This is a tricky one, Glasgow have only 1 loss so far and are sitting in top spot.
Thomond Parc is a tough place to play in as a visitor, maybe Munster will be good
enough to win this one, they rand Leinster close last week.

All other draws will take place tomorrow, none on Sunday.

I want to go with home favourites but there is no value apart from Benetton v Ospreys -
Benetton are actually in good form so far and are favourites @ 1.33.

[Timelord2067]

Might go Munster and Leinster - will advise tomorrow.

On TV and radio today, commentators are dissecting the tackle rule with the hight being lowered on the torso. It might take a while for players to get used to the revised tackle point.

From what I was hearing, this has been implemented by Rugby (union) international, but not league (at least not yet).

[aoluain]

Well it was a Munster win tonight and they go into 3rd spot now. Final score 40 - 29.

Tomorrow Leinster travel to play the home side Connacht, Connacht are underdogs for this
one but the odds are not as big as I thought, 2.48 - 1.61, there is definitely a chance of an
upset here.


On tackling in Rugby Union, if there is head contact at all the tackler is penalised
particularly if there is no attempt to wrap the arms in the tackle and/or the tackler
is "upright".

They are trying to reduce the circumstances for concussions to occur.

[Timelord2067]

Tomorrow, in no particular order, I'm going with Racing Metro 92 ($3.60) Bordeaux ($1.52) Toulon ($1.2) Connaught ($2.3) Ospreys ($5.50) Edinburgh ($4.50) Sarecens ($1.17)

Then, over in the sevens, Wales, England and France. (A few of the other likely to win are suspended).

[aoluain]

Tomorrow, in no particular order, I'm going with Racing Metro 92 ($3.60) Bordeaux ($1.52) Toulon ($1.2) Connaught ($2.3) Ospreys ($5.50) Edinburgh ($4.50) Sarecens ($1.17)

Then, over in the sevens, Wales, England and France. (A few of the other likely to win are suspended).

Wow Timelord, good call on the Edinburgh to beat Ulster bet, they just about did it
with 3 points 24 -27. I didnt think they would do it after their loss last week and
Ulsters form. Great price @ 4.50

Connacht v Leinster up next - I really hope our bets on the home team are in the Green!

I have Benetton to win at home in the last match of this round, they are in fine form
after beating Edinburgh last week.

[Timelord2067]

I didn't include short priced bets such as Argentina, South Africa and Fiji, but they just about all came in including Edinburgh 🥳

[aoluain]

Connacht v Leinster..... just over 1 minute to go on Connachts lineout and they are
penalised because the throw in wasnt straight....then they are defending and leinster touched
down in the 81st minute 🥴. Connacht had the game won before that. Final score 22-24.

Likewise for Benetton, they beat Ospreys with a very late try on the 76th minute to break the
possible draw... Final score 18-13.

I'm impressed with Benetton so far after 7 rounds. They are 6th with 5 wins and a draw.

[Timelord2067]

Argentina lost overnight and I'm waiting to hear how Toulouse went.

Overall, not a bad weekend. Any thoughts on next weekend's games?

[aoluain]

Argentina lost overnight and I'm waiting to hear how Toulouse went.

Overall, not a bad weekend. Any thoughts on next weekend's games?

Was that in the Rugby 7's final against South Africa?

That tournament just started at the weekend,
Gold - South Africa
Silver - Argentina
Bronze - New Zealand

Ireland managed a decent performance and picked up a 5th place.

The womens sides were also playing,
Gold - Australia
Silver - New Zealand
Bronze - France

Ireland mid table in 6th.

Next week end round 2 is in Cape Town, South Africa.


The URC takes a break now for 2 weeks to make way for the European Rugby Championship,
I havent seen the line ups yet, but soon

[aoluain]

EPRC Round 1 this weekend.

12 matches being played, off hand Racing 92 should be winning their matches regardless
of who they play and they are playing Harlequins on Sunday and favourites @ 1.27

A tough first round draw for La Rochelle and Leinster, this is a replay of last seasons final
which La Rochelle won, I think they will win again on Sunday @ 2.03, Leinster being
the favourites @ 1.87.

I'll have a look at the rest of the fixtures in more detail and post my thoughts later.

[darbitmobilerecovery]

Argentina lost overnight and I'm waiting to hear how Toulouse went.

Overall, not a bad weekend. Any thoughts on next weekend's games?

Another time losing in the final, but well we still overall being one of the most powerfulls teams in sevens.

[aoluain]

Argentina lost overnight and I'm waiting to hear how Toulouse went.

Overall, not a bad weekend. Any thoughts on next weekend's games?

Another time losing in the final, but well we still overall being one of the most powerfulls teams in sevens.

Ah I think Argentina will be in the mix for either Gold, Silver or Bronze in some if not all of the
7's series.

Last year they were placed overall in 2nd spot, just 21 points behind New Zealand with 3 Golds
and 3 Silvers. In the 2021 series they finished 4th! so it looks like they are improving.


European Rugby Champions Cup

Connacht are at home playing Bordeaux Begles. Connacht are favourites @ 1.52 and are probably
worth it at that. They have had some "unlucky" losses in the URC and will be itching to put things
right in this European Cup round.

Glasgow Warriors are at home playing Northampton Saints and are favourite @ 1.33 again they
should win this.

Toulon at home to Exeter Chiefs and are big favourites @ 1.17. They are 2nd in the Top14 ATM
and the Chiefs are mid table in the Gallagher premiership so yea they should win this at home.

Bath at home to visiting Ulster. Bath are favourites @ 1.37 but I think Ulster could come up with
an upset, they are 3.30.

[Timelord2067]

The only bet I've been able to place is on Edinburgh ($4.50) Vs Clermont. Not sure if the other games haven't been loaded. I'll check tonight when I get home.

In the sixes, I've gone France, England and Wales.

[aoluain]

The only bet I've been able to place is on Edinburgh ($4.50) Vs Clermont. Not sure if the other games haven't been loaded. I'll check tonight when I get home.

In the sixes, I've gone France, England and Wales.

For the Six Nations next year I will agree with 1 out of the 3, I'll probably go with Ireland over France,
and Scotland over Wales so 3 away wins, Ireland, England and Scotland.

Ireland will be a different team without Johnny Sexton and France could very well be a full strength outfit.

Based on where Wales were at last year winning only 1 match and that Scotland finished in 3rd spot I
think the 2024 season could be a reoccurance of sorts. in the URC the two scottish teams are in the
top half of the table while the 3 Welsh are in the bottom half with 7 rounds played.

[Timelord2o67]

The Capetown sevens have just been loaded, so I'm going with New Zealand, Samoa, Argentina, Fiji, Ireland and South Africa in the men's tournament.

In the Women's match ups, I'll go with the favourites, Ireland, New Zealand, Fiji, Canada and France (betting on the Australia Vs Spain match is suspended (unless if course you want to bet on Spain at $101.00)