The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

by Guest Fri 05 Aug 2011, 11:58 am

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the virtual rugby pub - a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the Tommy Bowe photo on the bar. That's a banning offence

So pull up a chair....what'll it be?

Ale

by Guest Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:20 am

At 2nd row, back row, scrum half, fly half, centre and full back I would say Pete. So pretty much the entire team!

by MBTGOG Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:27 am

Okay did that test. I'm closest to Mandela and the Dalai Lama but I am really quite close to the centre. No surprise there really.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:28 am

I'd say that's about right, Dreamer. The biggest problems, though, are the second row and full back, where we don't have strength in depth.

by Mickado Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:28 am

PenfroPete wrote:Breathes very deeply. OK – I’m no Conservative but this is NOT down to the Conservatives. This is down to the weak willed lilly–livered touchy-feely, “Now this is your last (after 58 others) chance” brigade. Seems that nobody has responsibilities anymore just “rights”

Forget ‘No taxation without representation’ The new clarion call should be “NO RIGHTS WITHOUT RESPONSIBILITIES” and if those in Brussels/ The Hague ...etc don’t like it tell to shove up there ar$e

Try this test. Can’t vouch for how scientific it is LINK

I come out as a across between Ghandi, Mandela, Genghis Khan and Stalin, slightly to the left of the centre of the compass and just above the middle ( I reckon most people are neither Left or Right, Liberal or Authoritarian, but a real mix of all)

If I've come across all Daily Fail on you there, but all this stuff p!sses me right off. I grew up on a council estate and we had little or no money, but that didn't stop my Dad working his guts out to get the best he could for us, instiling good values and he always encouraged us to work/study hard so that we'd 'better' ourselves. Now where did I put my UZI ?

Economic Left/Right: -3.00
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.05

So that makes me Ghandi then, better lose the shoes!

by **Ozzy3213** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:29 am

I don't know dreamer, surely 4. Davies 5. AW Jones 6. Lydiate 7. Warburton is nailed on?

by red_stag Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:29 am

LDCPete wrote:I don't know dreamer, surely 4. Davies 5. AW Jones 6. Lydiate 7. Warburton is nailed on?

I'd have thought the same. I think Wales team appears one of the most settled.

by Guest Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:30 am

7. Warburton is but that would be it in my eyes. I haven't been impressed with Davies or AW for ages, and the coaches don't seem convinced of Lydiate. I would say those three positions are still up for grabs.

I am going to add loose head and hooker to my list of positions where we aren't sure of our best players as well. Too many injury questions to be sure.

by **Ozzy3213** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:34 am

Taking injuries out of the equation dreamer, I would say that Gatland knows in his own mind that 7 out of 8 in his pack. Whether people have been impressed by Davies/AWJ I think it is fair to say that they are Gatlands preferred pair.

If everyone is fit, I would be amazed if Wales do not field the following for their first crunch game in the WC

1. Jenkins/James
2. Rees
3. Jones
4. Davies
5. AWJ
6. Lydiate
7. Warburton

8 is defintely up for grabs, but I'd say the rest is pretty settled.

by red_stag Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:36 am

LDCPete wrote:If everyone is fit, I would be amazed if Wales do not field the following for their first crunch game in the WC

1. Jenkins/James
2. Rees
3. Jones
4. Davies
5. AWJ
6. Lydiate
7. Warburton

8 is defintely up for grabs, but I'd say the rest is pretty settled.

Agree once again.

by Guest Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:39 am

I know it's settled but I just don't think it's our best pack. That 2nd row pairing haven't been on form all season, it annoys me that Gats is sticking with them.

by MBTGOG Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:39 am

rugbydreamer wrote:I know it's settled but I just don't think it's our best pack. That 2nd row pairing haven't been on form all season, it annoys me that Gats is sticking with them.

Who would you go for?

by red_stag Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:40 am

What is your best pairing?

by Guest Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:42 am

I would go with either AWJ and Ryan or Davies and Charteris (I would prefer Jones and Charteris but they just don't seem to work well together).

For me AWJ and Davies are too similar (although you could have that problem with AWJ and Ryan too). They don't make ball in hand and they always seem slow around the break down (Davies especially).

To be honest I don't like and of the 2nd rows we have available at the moment, but at a push I would go for Davies and Charteris.

by PenfroPete Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:44 am

LDCPete wrote: Where do you think Wales don't quite know what their best options are?

Full Back - with Stoddart injured seems it';s Byrne, Halfpenny or Tango

Wings - with Stoddart injured it's got to be North & Williams

Centre - is a problem and not for the usual "Roberts and Davies are too similar" arguement, just don't think the partnership gels. Seems that Davies sees little of the ball when Roberts plays at inside centre (Hook and Davies ?)

10- The Count with Priestland as 2nd choice

9 - Phillips was better last week, but still not quick. However, that may be acceptable as his physicality will be needed in the pool games. Just hope Peel makes the plane

Back row - Lydiate, Warburton. Delve, Jones, Faletau pick your 3 from there, just don't pick Powell

2nd Row - AWJ and Bradley Davies, neither firing on all cylinders. CHarteris & jones - stranger things have happened

Front Row - back up options were exposed last week. Just hope the "Lions Front Row" are all fit

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:49 am

Full back is my biggest worry. Lee Byrne's our first-choice full back but he hasn't played well in a long time. After him, who is there? The Western Fail was assessing our options yesterday and wrote that James Hook is 'capable of doing a job there for Wales and doing it well.' I must have missed those matches.

by Guest Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:50 am

If Gats is determined to play either Hook or Jones at 10, I would like to see Priestland at FB.

by **Notch** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:52 am

https://www.606v2.com/t11184-ulster-name-side-to-face-bayonne#351850

by **Ozzy3213** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:53 am

If I was Welsh head coach I would play Roberts at full back. He could be a great attacking weapon from there. This would mean you could play Hook and Davies in the midfield which for me would work better as a combination than Roberts and Davies.

I would go like this in the backs.

11. North
12. Davies
13. Hook
14. Halfpenny
15. Roberts

with Shane on the bench as an impact sub.

by Guest Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:54 am

you wouldn't start with Shane?

Can't see a Welsh side without him starting I have to say.

by PenfroPete Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:57 am

luckless_pedestrian wrote: he Western Fail was assessing our options yesterday and wrote that James Hook is 'capable of doing a job there for Wales and doing it well.' .

Andy

Howell by any chance ?

by **Ozzy3213** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 10:58 am

I wouldn't dreamer. For me with Shane you are waiting for a moment of individual magic from him as opposed to a real contribution to the team effort and pattern of play these days. When the game breaks up late on I can see him still carving through teams, but from the outset I cannot see him hurting the big teams, and I also think defensively he is not brilliant.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:04 am

LDCPete wrote:If I was Welsh head coach I would play Roberts at full back. He could be a great attacking weapon from there. This would mean you could play Hook and Davies in the midfield which for me would work better as a combination than Roberts and Davies.

I would go like this in the backs.

11. North
12. Davies
13. Hook
14. Halfpenny
15. Roberts

with Shane on the bench as an impact sub.

Pete, that all sounds good to me.

Penfro, no, it was that Delme Parfitt. He's better than Andy Howell, but that's not saying much!

by Guest Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:05 am

Defensively....I dunno I actually don't think he's that bad, or as bad as people make him out to be. I don't see what 1/2p can do that Shane can't, and Shane has the added factor that he's just such a dangerous runner. See what you mean about bringing him on later in the game when the match breaks up, but I just can't see Gats not starting with him, and I'd agree with him. Shane's got to play.

by red_stag Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:06 am

I wouldn't start Shane either. You have better options in North and Halfpenny.

by Guest Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:11 am

I don't think Halfpenny is better than Shane, and plus it's not even guaranteed he's going to make this worldcup, he's still struggling with injury and has barely played all season. OUr wingers are more and more looking like they're going to be Shane, North and Brew.

by **Ozzy3213** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:13 am

I think Halfpenny has a better allround game right now dreamer.

He gets over the gainline, defends well is decent under the high ball and has a kicking game.

I agree Gatland won't start without Shane, but for me it's the wrong decision.

by Guest Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:17 am

Right now? 1/2p has barely played since the new year (granted Shane hasn't either, but he had much more gametime before Christmas then 1/2p did).

I can't remember the last time 1/2p lasted a game without having to be subbed because he's got an injury. The only thing he has on Shane is his kicking game, but I then I think Shane is a better runner than him. Pretty level but going on this seasons for, Shane is ahead of him every time in my book.

When 1/2p is fully fit I love to see him in a Welsh side, but as it stands with his fitness issues, I just don't see how he can be started before Shane is all Smile

by **Ozzy3213** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:18 am

https://www.606v2.com/t11193-london-irish-sign-alex-gray#352026

by Glas a du Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:18 am

Ffs, there's nobody in my quarter of the graph! I'm a square right of centr, half a square below the line. I'm almost (shudder) middle of the road!

by PenfroPete Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:20 am

Glas a du wrote:. I'm almost (shudder) middle of the road!

Take me home country roads, to the place where I belong music

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:25 am

Forgive me, Irish regs, but I've only just seen that France v Ireland is this Saturday. I knew you were playing them, but I didn't know when. That should be a corker.

by red_stag Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:28 am

Luckless, we also have them the following Saturday again.

by **Notch** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:30 am

Am I too late for the political compass thing? I'm both more left wing and more libertarian than Gandhi. Result!

by Pete C (Kiwireddevil) Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:39 am

I can't find the rugby gaqme thread, but a new review here http://www.rugbyspectator.com/2011/08/jonah-lomu-rugby-challenge-playstation-3-xbox-360-review/

And I scored not far off dead centre
Economic Left/Right: -0.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -1.85

by Glas a du Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:41 am

Get a job Notch!

by Glas a du Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:43 am

So you're a boring Muppet as well Kiwi.

by WillyGilly Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:46 am

Notch wrote:Am I too late for the political compass thing? I'm both more left wing and more libertarian than Gandhi. Result!

Quel surprise...

by **Ozzy3213** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:50 am

I too scored not far off dead centre

Economic Left/Right: -1.00
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.72

by **Notch** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:50 am

You don't need to say it like it's a bad thing kiddo Smile

by MBTGOG Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:52 am

Kiwi,

I think I might have to read an official gaming magazine about Rugby Challenge. Those guys seemed way too enthusiastic.

by PenfroPete Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:53 am

Economic Left/Right: -5.61
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 1.06

by red_stag Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:53 am

Yea they seem really excited but its worked. Im so excited now!!!

by greybeard Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:54 am

Econ left/right = -2.0
Ilbertarian/authoritarian = -4.31

That was kinda fun

by **Ozzy3213** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:54 am

So that puts you over towards Stalin if I've got it right then Penfro???

by **Notch** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:55 am

Economic Left/Right: -8.50
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.49

by greybeard Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:56 am

I think that makes you an anarchist, Notch Wink

by Glas a du Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:57 am

I'm surrounded by lefties! Tell you what do it again and it down what you actually think not what you think you're supposed to think.

Pete, Kiwi, us centrepointers have to stand up for each other!

by greybeard Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:58 am

I have to admit some of those question had me humming and hawing. There were a couple where my honest answer was neither agree nor disagree, but I left them blank and I was forced to still pick one.

Also the questions themselves weren't always precise, there was more than one way to interpret them.

by greybeard Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:59 am

Glas a du wrote:I'm surrounded by lefties! Tell you what do it again and it down what you actually think not what you think you're supposed to think.

That's a bit unfair, isn't it? Should I assume that you got your score by some means other than answering honestly?

by **Notch** Tue 09 Aug 2011, 11:59 am

I put down what I actually think. I've done the test several times in the past two years and I've never been below -8 left/right. I wouldn't say -2, -3 is left wing per se. More centrist.

European politics has never been more right wing. It will be interesting to see how it changes over the next 20-30 years.

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