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Official Rugby League & Rugby Union Thread

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#1 ·
Well, I never saw an official thread started for Rugby. So I thought I'd start one. I'm not even sure if they are any fans of Rugby on the forum but if they are, here is a discussion thread for Rugby now 8*D.

- All Talk about Rugby League & Union goes in here.
 
#6 ·
bump for the new season :mark:

NRL premiers Manly will have a serious crack at winning this month’s World Club Challenge title, the club naming a full-strength squad for the clash with Leeds.

All 14-members of the grand final winning side still at the Sea Eagles will be part of the 20-man squad which will fly out for the UK on Friday.

Co-captain Jason King and winger David Williams, who both missed last year’s decider because of injury, have been named, along with winger Michael Oldfield, Darcy Lussick and Dean Whare.

New buy Ben Farrar amongst the other recent signings.

The match will be coach Geoff Toovey’s first genuine contest in charge of the Sea Eagles, having assumed control following the club’s acrimonious split with two-time premiership-winning mentor Des Hasler.

The match will be played at Headingley’s Carnegie Stadium in Leeds on February 17, with Manly having beaten the Rhinos 28-20 to win the 2009 World Club Challenge at Elland Road. - AAP

Manly Sea Eagles squad for 2012 Rugby League World Club Challenge: Brett Stewart, David Williams, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Michael Oldfield, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Brent Kite, Matt Ballin, Jason King, Tony Williams, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough, Jamie Buhrer, Vic Mauro, Darcy Lussick, George Rose, Joe Galuvao, Ben Farrar, Dean Whare.
it will be interesting to see what line up Toovey goes with in this game. Oldfield is a good youngster who broke through to first grade last year but Farrar is a good utility who can play pretty much anywhere from centre to lock. I'd probably pick a side looking like

Stewart
D Williams
Matai
Lyon
Oldfield
Foran
Cherry-Evans
King
Ballin
Kite
Stewart
Watmough
Buhrer

Bench: Farrar, Lussick, T Williams, Galuvao

Rose the fat cunt can fuck off but we'll no doubt pick him over someone like Lussick. Whare is a speedster but im not sure he has anything else to his game and Mauro is just a solid player but just not as good as the others which is a shame as he's a hard worker. Works part time driving a shuttle bus to supplement his footballing wage.

___________

As far as the NRL season goes i think we'll easily make the finals but i don't think we have the squad depth this year. Our backline will look very flimsy if Williams, Matai or Stewart break down again and you know Matai is good for at least a month out with suspension as well.
 
#11 ·
Manly won't cakewalk Leeds like last time, but really when the NRL teams actually apply themselves to the game, we win easily. Leeds should just pretend Manly are St Helens, and they'll be specials.

As for the NRL, fuck TAB for making us favourites. It's going to go to our heads, and we still don't have a definite spine figured out (could have put Moltzen at 7 and promoted Mullaney to 1, but he signed with Parra).

Top 8 will consist of: Storm, Tigers, Manly, Newcastle, Bulldogs, Parra, Canberra and Cowboys (Warriors and Parra will contest 8th).

Up the Tigers, up the Crusaders, and up Wigan.

lewie, looks like I won't be alone this year in laughing at Rus and dem Warafails 8*D
 
#12 ·
My team by team halfassed preview :mark:

Brisbane

In: Luke Capewell (Titans), Petero Civoniceva (Panthers), Nick Slyney (Redcliffe)
Out: Darren Lockyer (retired), Denan Kemp (rugby union), Shane Tronc (retired), Shea Moylan (Storm), Rohan Ahern (Mackay), Nick Kenny (retired).
Coach: Anthony Griffin
TAB Sportsbet: $8

Lockyer is going to be a massive loss for the Broncos and it will be interesting to see if Wallace can step right up and also who is going to get the number 6 jersey. They look pretty thin on 5/8ths but i suppose Corey Norman can play there or maybe Hunt (even though he should be their hooker). They still have a lot of class and their baby Broncs are pretty boss with Gagai, Hunt, Gillett, Yow Yeh, Hoffman, Norman, Reed and Beale all really good players for their age (under 23). Will again struggle during Origin but should easily make the 8.

Bulldogs

In: James Graham (St Helens), Luke MacDougall (Saracens), James Gavet (Warriors)
Out: Andrew Ryan (retired), Michael Hodgson (retired), Brad Morrin (retired), Chris Armit (Penrith), Jamal Idris (Gold Coast), Mickey Paea (Hull KR), Ben Roberts (Parramatta), Aidan Sezer (Gold Coast), Junior Tia Kilifi (Penrith), Gary Warburton (retired), Jarred Hicky (Wakefield), Grant Millington (Castleford).
Coach: Des 'i'm a CUNT' Hasler
TAB Sportsbet: $13

They got rid of a lot of crap over the off-season but they are still lacking in the forwards. I don't watch the Super League so i can't comment too much on how good Graham is but he could be the key to the Bulldogs title hopes. Hodkinson still doesn't have a good 5/8th with him so it will be interesting to see if he can shake his poor last season and go back to how he played with us under Des back in 2010. Clearly their biggest signing was Des Hasler. He will have them training hard, and considering he is a fitness nut himself, they will have much improved cardio. Will be interesting to see if he can get the Dogs playing to their potential of if his style clashes too much.

Canberra

In: Michael Bani (Cowboys), Shaun Berrigan (Warriors)
Out: Alan Tongue (retired), Daniel Vidot (Dragons), Josh Miller (Dragons), Danny Galea (Panthers), Nick Skinner (Sea Eagles), Matt Orford (released), David Milne (Mackay), James Stuart (Burleigh).
Coach: David Furner
TAB Sportsbet: $34

Not resinging a talent like Vidot? wtf are you guys thinking? Its pretty simple, Campese has to have an absolute cracking year for these guys otherwise they're a good tip for the spoon. Their backline is pretty good but their forwards are garbage for the most part except for Fensom who's a workhorse.

Cronulla

In:Mark Taufua (Knights), Jeff Robson (Eels), Sam Tagataese (Titans), Bryce Gibbs (Wests Tigers), Andrew Fifita (Wests Tigers), Isaac De Gois (Knights), Ben Ross (Rabbitohs), Jon Green (Dragons), Todd Carney (Roosters), Sosaia Feki (Warriors)
Out: Luke Douglas (Titans), Kade Snowden (Knights), Taulima Tautai (Eels), Ryan Tongia (Wakefield), Dean Collis (Wakefield), Luke Harlen (Cowboys), Jon Mannah (Eels), Paul Aiton (Wakefield).
Coach: Shane Flanagan
TAB Sportsbet: $21

Fuck me the Sharks have been busy in the off season. Losing Snowden and Douglas left a bit of a dent in their front row but signing Ross and Gibbs goes someway towards adding some steel in their pack. Without a doubt their season rests on the ability of Todd Carney to concentrate on playing footy. On his day Carney is one of the most talented halfbacks in the game, hopefully the Sharks aren't too restrictive on his off field activities so he is able to play with less scrutiny on any indiscretions. Robson is a decent utility for the halves and should be excellent backup to Carney or a backup to Wade Graham at 5/8th. Gallen and Carney should lead the Sharks to hunting distance of the 8.

Gold Coast Titans

In:Jamal Idris (Bulldogs), Luke Douglas (Sharks), Beau Champion (Storm), Nate Myles (Roosters), Beau Henry (Knights), Beau Falloon (Rabbitohs), Adam Sezer (Bulldogs), Phil Graham (Roosters)
Out: Mat Rogers (retired), Nathan Friend (Warriors), Anthony Laffranchi (St Helens), Brad Meyers (retired), Esi Tonga (Eels), Sam Tagataese (Sharks), Joseph Tomane (rugby union), Will Matthews (Dragons), Luke Capewell (Broncos), Clinton Toopi (retired), Shannon Walker (rugby union), Preston Campbell (retired).
Coach: John Cartwright
TAB Sportsbet: $51

Another side that was busy during the off season and their signings are pretty top notch. Champion, Idris and Graham are welcome additions to their backline and 'the FOREHEAD' Nate Myles and Douglas are also good signings for their pack. They're a much better side than that price and are a side i think should be able to be there or thereabouts for the 8. They're going to want to hope for a better season than last.

Manly

In: Nick Skinner (Raiders), Ben Farrar (Catalan), Liam Roach (Mackay), Lorenzo Ma'afu (Bulldogs)
Out: Will Hopoate (two-year break), Michael Robertson (London), Shane Rodney (London), Jamil Hopoate (Eels), Terence Seu Seu (Cessnock).
Coach: Geoff Toovey
TAB Sportsbet: $9

Our roster remains pretty stable from the side that won the premiership (u mirin ADAM) but the loss of Hopoate hurts and the loss of 2 solid performers in Robertson and Rodney means that others will have to step up and be dependable. Farrar coming back into the side provides some good cover and hopefully Roach turns out to be as good as his old man. DCE and Foran are our keys. If they play well, we make the top 4 again easy. Our forward pack is excellent, King and Kite are solid props, Ballin is unfortunate that he's a Queenslander as otherwise he'd be an Origin player, but the best part of our pack is the 2nd row. Glenn Stewart is anabsoute weapon, and plays as a 2nd 5/8th in attack and Watmough can hopefully regain his form of the past few years. Tony Williams has found his feet and is a wrecking ball now and we have some talented youngsters in Buhrer and Lussick coming through as well. Our backline is also pretty class but a few injuries and i really worry about our depth. If we can stay lucky and remain injury and suspension free (not going to happen, Matai will rack up a month of each) then we should be right up there again this year. The only question mark for me is can Toovey step up as coach?

Melbourne

In: Ryan Hoffman (Wigan), Shea Moylan (Broncos), Mitchell Garbutt (Wests Newcastle), Michael Greenfield(Dragons), Will Chambers (Rugby), Jason Ryles (Roosters)
Out: Chase Stanley (Dragons), Beau Champion (Titans), Adam Blair (Wests Tigers), Atelea Vea (Dragons), Adam Woolnough (retired), Troy Thompson (retired), Dane Chisholm (Wests Tigers).
Coach: Craig Bellamy
TAB Sportsbet: $7

Whats to say about the Storm? They have a class backline, good forwards and an outstanding coach. They will undoubtably be one of the top sides again this year and are my tip for the minor premiership. Alongside Manly they are the kings of the wrestle, and again like Manly have an outstanding defense. Slater-Widdop-Cronk-Smith in the key spots of 1-6-7-9 is pretty outstanding. Hoffman coming back into the side only serves to strengthen their forward pack and he is class. Should be a very interesting game when we first play them next year after the brawl at Brookie.

and i'll do the rest tomorrow. or later. idk :eek:
 
#13 ·
Melbourne have an absolutely fantastic buy in Mitch Garbutt from Wests in our Newcastle local comp. Saw him play probably half a dozen times last year, and he absolutely tore it up, was MOTM in a losing grand final side. He would've been cheap and he's still only young. Pity he went to Melbourne though.
 
#15 ·
It'd be pointless to have them as separate threads, just like how we haven't got separate threads for leagues such as SPL, La Liga etc etc.

Anyway, my boys should do well against Wigan Warriors tomorrow.Is it on Sky? if so I might have to watch it.
 
#18 ·
I'm hoping it is so I can find a stream. Wigan/Leeds is always a beauty of a match.

we always had an nrl thread that me and sXe would talk about super 14/15 in anyway.

Waratahs are going to get smashed this year, lost some good players.
Media overreacting to a thumping win over Samoa A signals for the Waratahs another season of not living up to the hype.

---------------

In regards to the S15, the Crusaders and Stormers should take their conferences once again this season, and I'd guess Queensland may do the same, although the loss of QUADE for the first 7 weeks could be too much to overcome in the later passages of the season. The Rebels, boosted by Beale and Connor, have the potential to threaten, but don't really convince me yet. Stay tuned for my NRl & S15 team-by-team preview sometime before the season starts (maybe even tonight/tomorrow)
 
#23 ·
8*D

Skip the cunts, noone really cares about their chances.

I sense a bottom place finish for the Hurricanes this year. Bloody Mark Hammett selling all our good players.

:cuss:

Anyway, how are the Rebels looking this year? Got any new decent players?
As Rush said, they acquired Beale and O'Connor, so that should help them with their attack. It's their forwards and defence that will be their downfall though.
 
#21 ·
Rebels signed Beale from us which is a blow. They also signed James O'Connor which is aweesome for them and as i just found out by looking through their announced squad that a bloke who was in the year above me at school is in their extended playing squad. They should do far better than last season.
 
#26 · (Edited)
All this hating of the Knights :no: I'm not one of the people who think that Bennett = Premiership, but then anyone who says that knows nothing. I think if we become a bit more consistent and don't have the injuries we had last year, we'll finish about 6th.

NSW will be there and therabouts as usual in the S15, they've bought Sarel Pretorious who everyone is raving about, as well as Adam Ashley-Cooper. They have the advantage of playing Melbourne, ACT and the Force twice, which is all part of how the NZ teams are disadvantaged by the conference system. I honestly think Quade Cooper being out for a bit is a positive for the Reds, it gives someone like Mike Harris a chance and gives Cooper time to pull his head in and learn how to tackle.

Also, hoping for a repeat of last years Cup Final in Wigan vs Leeds. Now that Danny Buderus has left Leeds, I'm back to hating them.
 
#27 ·
top 8 (in no order) - storm, manly, brisbane, tigers, dragons, bulldogs, warriors, titans.

Turner injuring himself in the trial is a bit of a blow but we have some depth in our backline. AAC is a good buy and so is Pretorius. We won't win but we'll easily make the finals.
 
#28 ·
I don't hate Newcastle because of Bennett, I hate Newcastle because they're all pieces of shit who are sorely overrated. Kurt Gidley is useless, Buderus will ruin his legacy and get left behind like Orford was, Snowden will continue to be a sack of shit, and Boyd will be praised for doing fuck all yet again.
 
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