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

[aoluain]

These games are becoming very painful to watch (or listen to on the radio). I think only one of the 9th to 12th placed teams might break into the top eight (and it may be either the Sea Eagles or just one other) we'll see some tougher play after the State of Origin series.

... And I see the Eels have resumed their "relegation" status near the bottom of the ladder.

Its really hard to believe the Eels and Rabbitohs have gone from the top of the ladder
to the bottom in the space of 2 seasons.


Rugby 7's

Last round in the series this weekend in Madrid Spain and in both the mens and Womens
its very close in positions 1 and 2 with only 2 points separating them all.

Mens
Argentina 1st on 106 points
Ireland 2nd on 104 points

Womens
New Zealand 1st on 126 points
Argentina 2nd on 124 points

A lot to play for
No odds visible yet.

[Timelord2067]

It's always good to see Argentina's up and coming players succeeding in their games. It'll make for more thrilling games in years to come.

Yes, the Eels and Rabbitohs (and even the Bulldogs who made it to the grand final the year the Rabbitohs had their only win in recent times) have slumped to the point they have become mear footnote teams to make up numbers in the NRL's competition.

There needs to be an overhaul (and more importantly an introducing of relegation).

There's only five games this round (thirteen already) Sharks, Knights, Panthers, Dolphins and Roosters are my pics.

[Timelord2o67]

This weekend, I'm betting on four of the Super Rugby Pacific games - the crusaders are nearly unbackable at $1.01 against Moana Pasifica ($10.94) while the Hurricanes are $1.04 against the Highlanders $ 8.42

Waratahs - Reds 31 May 2024 19:35 Money Line Reds @ 1.24 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.012 mBTC
Fijian Drua - Rebels 01 Jun 2024 12:05 Money Line Fijian Drua @ 1.14 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.007 mBTC
Blues - Chiefs 01 Jun 2024 17:05 Money Line Blues @ 1.32 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.016 mBTC
Western Force - Brumbies 01 Jun 2024 19:35 Money Line Brumbies @ 1.56 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.028 mBTC


Via NitroBetting, these are the odds on the United Rugby Championship and France Top 14 competitions:



(do these comps have relegation?)


As mentioned in my previous post, there are just five games this round Sharks, Knights, Panthers, Dolphins and Roosters.

Parramatta Eels - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks  30 May 2024 19:50 Money Line Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks @ 2.04 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.052 mBTC
Newcastle Knights - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 31 May 2024 20:00 Money Line Newcastle Knights @ 1.54 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.027 mBTC
Penrith Panthers - St George Illawarra Dragons 01 Jun 2024 17:30 Money Line Penrith Panthers @ 1.29 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.014 mBTC
Dolphins - Canberra Raiders 01 Jun 2024 19:35 Money Line Dolphins @ 1.52 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.026 mBTC
Sydney Roosters - North Queensland Cowboys 02 Jun 2024 16:05 Money Line Sydney Roosters @ 1.08 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.004 mBTC

Then, the following week, (after game one of the 2024 NRL State of Origin Series) my bets are on the Dragons, Titans, Cowboys, Sharks, Storm, Panthers, Bulldogs (yes, seven games - the Dolphins, Raiders and Roosters each enjoying a BYE)

St George Illawarra Dragons - Wests Tigers 07 Jun 2024 20:00 Money Line St George Illawarra Dragons @ 1.46 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.023 mBTC
Gold Coast Titans - South Sydney Rabbitohs 08 Jun 2024 15:00 Money Line Gold Coast Titans @ 1.67 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.034 mBTC
North Queensland Cowboys - New Zealand Warriors 08 Jun 2024 17:30 Money Line North Queensland Cowboys @ 1.54 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.027 mBTC
Brisbane Broncos - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 08 Jun 2024 19:35 Money Line Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks @ 2.19 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.06 mBTC
Melbourne Storm - Newcastle Knights 09 Jun 2024 14:00 Money Line Melbourne Storm @ 1.27 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.013 mBTC
Penrith Panthers - Manly Sea Eagles 09 Jun 2024 16:05 Money Line Penrith Panthers @ 1.27 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.013 mBTC
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - Parramatta Eels 10 Jun 2024 16:00 Money Line Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs @ 1.94 Taken Amount: 0.05 mBTC Possible Win: 0.047 mBTC

https://www.nrl.com/

[aoluain]

Via NitroBetting, these are the odds on the United Rugby Championship and France Top 14 competitions:



(do these comps have relegation?)

In the case of the United Championship there is no relegation because there are really are only
a small pool of teams between Ireland with 4 clubs, Scotland with 2 clubs, Wales with 2 clubs,
Italy with 2 clubs at the top level and South Africa actually does have more clubs than just the 4
playing the URC.

It would be great to hear from some fans of SA Rugby Union on here to let us know how it works
there with their relegation and who gets to play the URC from year to year?

We have a big level of clubs playing RU right from schools level to college and then county level
which is a tier than the likes of Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht from where the International
players are picked. I would imagine its the same throughout Scotland, Wales, England and the rest
of Europe.

The tier of teams below the top level teams here in Ireland wouldnt really be able to compete ^regularly
with the lower teams in the URC like Sharks, Scarlets, Dragons or Zebre, they might get a win here
or there but its a different level.

[Timelord2067]

The Parramatta Eels managed to devour the Sharks after a five game loosing streek. Given the Eels were firm favourites online, I'm wondering what they know that the rest of us don't?

Riged or fluke?

[aoluain]

The Parramatta Eels managed to devour the Sharks after a five game loosing streek. Given the Eels were firm favourites online, I'm wondering what they know that the rest of us don't?

Riged or fluke?

Its a bit smelly for sure, a top team in 1st/2nd place on the ladder with only 3 losses
gets beaten by the Eels at the bottom of the ladder with as you say 5 consecutive losses,
hmmmm


Rugby 7's kick off today!
I am very interested in how Ireland men go, can we overtake Argentina and get
yourselves into top spot? We have South Africa to play today and then 2 tough
opponents in Fiji and New Zealand, Its imperative we win all three, especially
New Zealand who are behind us in the ladder.

Its close on the ladder between New Zealand and Australia on the womens side too,
it can end up with either on top with only 2 points difference ATM.


URC - final round before the finals, the top 6 spots are fairly safe to go through but
the teams in 7th and 8th play each other to get themselves into the final.

Benetton^8th v Edinburgh^7th - The Italians have home advantage tomorrow
and are favourite at 1.73, thats where my small wager is going.

[Timelord2067]

Mark this weekend in your calendar - zero from five. I'm pretty sure that's the worst result I've had since this thread started.

Amongst the statistics I've heard over this weekend was that the team who scored first this weekend then went on to lose the match. A few of the New South Wales cup games were cancelled due to the inclement weather stretching into Southern Queensland. (The Dolphins game was played in Redcliffe and it was definitely raining overnight).

[aoluain]

Mark this weekend in your calendar - zero from five. I'm pretty sure that's the worst result I've had since this thread started.

Amongst the statistics I've heard over this weekend was that the team who scored first this weekend then went on to lose the match. A few of the New South Wales cup games were cancelled due to the inclement weather stretching into Southern Queensland. (The Dolphins game was played in Redcliffe and it was definitely raining overnight).

Ah this years NRL IMO is more unpredictable than last year.

Panthers losing to the Dragons - a few people made $'s from that. Ok I know its a
funny week with the State of Origin and maybe if it was a top 4 team they were playing
they would play a different squad??


URC

After this weekends matches the final 8 have been decided and Benetton have
made it into the finals in 7th spot, I think its the first time an Italian side has done that.

Teams for the Quarter Finals are:

Munster v Ospreys
Bulls v Benetton
Leinster v Ulster
Warriors v Stormers

[aoluain]

Rugby 7's

So last weekends finale in Madrid was actually the finals weekend to decide the overall champions
of the series. The top 8 placed teams played for the winner takes all.

Mens



Womens



In the mens side France won the final, I did mention a while ago  that the addition of Antoine Dupont
really upped the stakes for France and that they were one to watch, TBH as the rounds progressed
I thought I was wrong in my statement, I really thought it would be the teams that finished the series
stronger.

On the womens side it was definitely between the top three with Australia winning, that was kind
of expected as they were with NZ and France the strongest.

[Timelord2o67]

Yes, it was a very painful weekend of NRL. Years ago, the majority of the Broncos squad would be away during Origin and their team suffered because of it. The 26 - 25 win came about when a non kicker scored a one point field goal for the Raiders which was then answered to take the game to 25  - 25 with golden point looming high on the horizon, then he scored a second one point field goal to seal the game. In saying that, the four wins were definitely upsets last round.

The Bulldogs (and Sea Eagles are both viewing for the eight spot in the ladder. I don't think anyone else is up to the task.

(And there's been more rumblings this week about the relevance of the Eels, Rabbitohs and Tigers.

[Timelord2067]

Game one of the 2024 NRL State of Origin kicks off in under two hours. My money is on Queensland to win.

Game two of the Women's SOO is in 24 hours from now.

#QUEENSLANDER !!!

Final score 38 - 10

It was a fairly gritty game with a NWS player sent off in under nine minutes due to a head collision that saw the Qld player off for the rest of the game after a H.I.A. (head injury assessment).

Three of the end to end running trys by Qld were through the hole made by the NSW player sent off. One Dolphins players did his teams "fin" salute when he scored the first try of the night. Qld captain Dally Cherry-Evans was player of the match repeatedly setting up try assists including a precision kick from the left straight under the goal posts which was grounded by another Qld player who scored three of Qld's tries.

Given Dally Cherry-Evans is on a high (and also Captain of the Sea Eagles), I'll say the Sea Eagles will win their game this weekend.

[aoluain]

Game one of the 2024 NRL State of Origin kicks off in under two hours. My money is on Queensland to win.

Game two of the Women's SOO is in 24 hours from now.

#QUEENSLANDER !!!

Final score 38 - 10

It was a fairly gritty game with a NWS player sent off in under nine minutes due to a head collision that saw the Qld player off for the rest of the game after a H.I.A. (head injury assessment).

Three of the end to end running trys by Qld were through the hole made by the NSW player sent off. One Dolphins players did his teams "fin" salute when he scored the first try of the night. Qld captain Dally Cherry-Evans was player of the match repeatedly setting up try assists including a precision kick from the left straight under the goal posts which was grounded by another Qld player who scored three of Qld's tries.

Given Dally Cherry-Evans is on a high (and also Captain of the Sea Eagles), I'll say the Sea Eagles will win their game this weekend.

Just reading about that head collision here

There is actually a bit of controversy around Joseph Sua’ali’i's appointment.

Crazy play and wreckless too, kind of goes back to the early days of NRL "rough and tumble"
and "anything goes" type of play. That Red card definitely had an affect on the game outcome.

So the Mens Maroons have a win in the pocket.
and the Womens Blues have a win in the pocket. Blues are favourite for todays match

Its probably going to go Queensland Maroons for the Men and NSW Blues for the Women.

[Timelord2067]

The Tigers were never going to win last night against the Dragons, but given they lost 56 - 14 it's almost dazzling that they managed to score at all.


My other pics are Titans, Cowboys, Broncos, Storm, Sea Eagles and Bulldogs.

In the Super Pacific Rugby the only one with good prices is the Btumbies game.

[aoluain]

and any hope we had of the Tigers continuing to win some games after their great start to
the season have been truly mauled.


URC quarter finals

All 4 teams playing at home won their matches

Munster 23 - 7 Ospreys
Vodacom Bulls 30 - 23 Benetton
Leinster 43 - 20 Ulster
Glasgow Warriors 27 - 10 DHL Stormers

TBH I was fairly confident that Munster, Vodacom Bulls and Leinster would win but I
had my doubts about the Glasgow Warriors, they did well.

Semi Finals are set

Vodacom Bulls v Leinster
Munster v Glasgow Warriors.

[Timelord2067]

My other pics are Titans, Cowboys, Broncos, Storm, Sea Eagles and Bulldogs.

Titans, Cowboys, Broncos and Sea Eagles tanked. The scores were gobsmacking to say the least. The Rbbitohs managed to pull a rabbit out their ... Well, you get my drift.

[aoluain]

My other pics are Titans, Cowboys, Broncos, Storm, Sea Eagles and Bulldogs.

Titans, Cowboys, Broncos and Sea Eagles tanked. The scores were gobsmacking to say the least. The Rbbitohs managed to pull a rabbit out their ... Well, you get my drift.

I'm a bit worried for the Broncos, they are sitting now in 8th. If they dont "pull up their
socks" they will be heading towards the bottom.

Rabbitohs - well well well now they have decided to put in a performance, wouldnt at all
be surprised if they start making their way to the top 8.


State of Origin - Women

Last Thursday was game two and the  Queensland Maroons managed to steal
a win on the 68th minute with a field goal, everything hinges on game 3!

[aoluain]

URC Semi Finals

This Saturday is semi finals time in the URC.

Bulls ^{south africa} v Leinster ^ireland

Munster ^ireland v Glasgow Warriors ^scotland

I'm going with a combo double bet on both Leinster and Munster @ 1.86. Leinster
have the tougher task away to the Bulls who finished up in 2nd on the table behind
Munster but Leinster will be still hurting at not being able to secure a tournament
win in the Champions Cup for the third time in a row.

I would be very confident Munster can hold off the Warriors and will be only
too happy to beat Leinster in the final such is the rivalry between these too Irish sides.

It would be great to see an all Ireland final

[Timelord2067]

Tonight, the Sharks and Dolphins square off against each other. I expect the Dolphins can ward off a mauling.  The same goes for the Broncos. If they can't find off the Rabbitohs this week, then their mix season jinx during the Origin Series has come back to haunt them. That and their injury list.

My pics this week are Dolphins, Raiders, Broncos, Titans, Storm, Roosters, Sea Eagles and Panthers.

The Sea Eagles in 11th on the ladder could nudge the Broncos into the lower half of the ladder, but I can't see the Knights or Warriors climbing any further.


https://super.rugby/superrugby/

In the finals of the Super Rugby Pacific competition, they are practically giving away tickets to the Blues Vs Brumbies semi final. Two Australian teams playing in Auckland tomorrow evening. In Saturdays other semi final, the Hurricanes and Chiefs play for a slot in the finals. Essentially the Aussies are deciding who will clash with a Kiwi team.

[aoluain]

Tonight, the Sharks and Dolphins square off against each other. I expect the Dolphins can ward off a mauling.  The same goes for the Broncos. If they can't find off the Rabbitohs this week, then their mix season jinx during the Origin Series has come back to haunt them. That and their injury list.

My pics this week are Dolphins, Raiders, Broncos, Titans, Storm, Roosters, Sea Eagles and Panthers.

The Sea Eagles in 11th on the ladder could nudge the Broncos into the lower half of the ladder, but I can't see the Knights or Warriors climbing any further.

Well your first pick is in the Green, Dolphins win against the Sharks 28 - 30, thats massive for them
to beat a top 3 team on the ladder and are now joint second. That will change as the matches
progress through this round.

As for the Broncos, they better win this match tomorrow, its a dangerous draw for them because the
Rabbitohs will be looking to build on last weeks performance, whether they can or now will be revealed
shortly.

Hard to believe there are only 12 rounds left after this weekend!

Just looking at the Panthers again, they are cruising really at this stage, definitely ones to watch for the
title, I imagine they are favourites ?

[Timelord2067]

The Titans are ahead of the Tigers at the moment. If they win, that'll be two from four.

In Wellington, the Chiefs added further and further in front of the Hurricanes in a less than full stadium to win 30 - 19 (the Hurricanes had points denied to them multiple times - a very one sided match, but was good to watch).

The Chiefs now move into the Grandfinal.