Barrel's Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub & Restaurant, Luderitz

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 pub has stayed in Africa this week as part of its build up to the Heineken Cup final, and attached itself to Barrels restaurant in Luderitz, Namibia, known for its beer, Eisbein and sing-a-longs.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the pictures of Simon Danielli, Federico Aramburu and the possibly Auckland-bound Joe Schmidt.



Old Pub: https://www.606v2.com/t28543p1000-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub-dar-es-salaam#1202251

Shouldn't the national team come first Rava?


Love that BaaBaas squad. Really looking forward to all their games, shame I'm going to be missing Martyn's 100cap game though (if he does indeed play, I know he's had a shoulder injury recently) would love to be able to give him the send off he deserves after the farce of a crowd at his last game at the Blues.

I've seen Chaka Khan (& Rufus) live. More 'booty' that a boat load of pirates.

WoW!! What a cracking Baa Baa's squad

I'm confused. On facebook, Irish Rugby (IRFU facebook page) posted the Barbarians squad and said our squad will be named on Monday. But Stag says today.

So is it the meaningless preliminary squad named today and the actual squad for that match named on Monday? Because the preliminary squad means the square root of eff all if it's like previous announcements. Around 40 players translates into pretty much every half-decent eligible player in Ireland.

rugbydreamer wrote:Shouldn't the national team come first Rava?


Love that BaaBaa's squad. Really looking forward to all their games, shame I'm going to be missing Martyn's 100cap game though (if he does indeed play, I know he's had a shoulder injury recently) would love to be able to give him the send off he deserves after the farce of a crowd at his last game at the Blues.

What a silly question to ask an Ulster supporter in the week leading to a HC Final

Next week the national team will come first

I know Wales announced their squad yesterday, with the first choice 15 already said to be flying out on tour early, so then we know who the other squad members are that will have a chance to impress against the BaaBaas. Maybe you guys are doing something similar?

Rava wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:Shouldn't the national team come first Rava?


Love that BaaBaa's squad. Really looking forward to all their games, shame I'm going to be missing Martyn's 100cap game though (if he does indeed play, I know he's had a shoulder injury recently) would love to be able to give him the send off he deserves after the farce of a crowd at his last game at the Blues.

What a silly question to ask an Ulster supporter in the week leading to a HC Final

Next week the national team will come first

That's a good answer

I read the squad on twitter but didn't spot Nacewa. Love to see him playing for them. Perfect BaaBaa's player. They can put out some team with that squad, and the majority of the Irish team will be bleedin knackered...

Aled de Malmanche (New Zealand)

Welsh/Spaniard living in the land of the long white cloud?

HB Mickado. Steak and CENSORED lined up?

Notch wrote:I'm confused. On facebook, Irish Rugby (IRFU facebook page) posted the Barbarians squad and said our squad will be named on Monday. But Stag says today.

So is it the meaningless preliminary squad named today and the actual squad for that match named on Monday? Because the preliminary squad means the square root of eff all if it's like previous announcements. Around 40 players translates into pretty much every half-decent eligible player in Ireland.

Notch the meaningless one where every Tom, Dick and Harry is selceted is announced today I believe.

Serious BaaBaas squad.

rugbydreamer wrote:Shouldn't the national team come first Rava?


Love that BaaBaas squad. Really looking forward to all their games, shame I'm going to be missing Martyn's 100cap game though (if he does indeed play, I know he's had a shoulder injury recently) would love to be able to give him the send off he deserves after the farce of a crowd at his last game at the Blues.

dreamer, will he earn that on merit or for services rendered over the years?

Aled de Malmanche's mum is Welsh. His dad's French, I think.

rugbydreamer wrote:Shouldn't the national team come first Rava?

I feel incredibly cynical about the national team and this tour in particular right now. Three test tours are a money spinner for a start, they imbalance the season by overloading the international calendar. I suppose someone has to tour New Zealand the year of the World Cup but our international season started with four full test matches in August and is ending with three full test matches in June. And has had a World Cup and Six Nations in between. We are in serious overkill mode now in terms of the number of test matches played. I don't care too much about the results versus the All Blacks because sure we'll probably be playing them again in 18 months at most. The idea of test match is devalued and the long, gruelling season seems likely to mean we'll see less and less internationals in the provinces week in, week out.

Secondly, the process of central contracting in Ireland seems to be to do more with image rights and merchandising than how good a player is on the field sometimes. There's not much of a meritocracy in deciding where these contracts go. Players who are failing on the international stage are given contracts again and because they have contracts they'll keep getting picked regardless- yes, even Ulster ones! i.e. Tom Court will be our second choice tighthead even though he is actually a specialist loosehead. Gordon D'Arcy has been poor for Ireland over the last number of years but has just renewed his central contract so will likely start.

Thirdly, the IRFU are very much intent on squeezing cash out of their fans. I think I became disillusioned at first with test rugby when they decided to charge 100 euros across the board for tickets when the AVIVA opened. Since then it's been a slow drip-drip of increasing cynicism. To have a chance of buying tickets you have to be a member of a rugby club, connected or pay 50 euros a year to join the supporters club. General sale is something that only happens if a game doesn't sell out. To go to one test match including the supporters club fee probably starts at 100 euros+ whatever else. Just for tickets. You could get to so many good rugby games at a lower level like Heineken Cup for the same.

So, to be frank, for me the IRFU are on thin ice. Would not put up with this shoite if not for my emotional attachment to the team. But they're treating fans like consumers; so they shouldn't be surprised if fans start acting like it and say "The provinces offer better value, better rugby and treat their fans with more respect. They get my dollar". They can't be surprised if peoples allegiances change either.

I was once an exponent of the doctrine the only reason the provinces exist was to work for the national team. Then I was 50/50. Now I'm beginning to go province before country- and given that I care so passionately about Irish Rugby, thats a genuinely sad thing to have to admit.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18062485

Rebekah Brooks charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18062485

Rebekah Brooks charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Good! Next up for a reckoning; Jeremy Hunt?

(please)

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18062485



Rebekah Brooks charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

I prefer this story from the BBC, although I don't think I'd like to work alongside this fella all day every day...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18061205

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:Shouldn't the national team come first Rava?


Love that BaaBaas squad. Really looking forward to all their games, shame I'm going to be missing Martyn's 100cap game though (if he does indeed play, I know he's had a shoulder injury recently) would love to be able to give him the send off he deserves after the farce of a crowd at his last game at the Blues.

dreamer, will he earn that on merit or for services rendered over the years?

I think it might very well be on merrit. Warbs will not play I don't think, his shoulder is still recovering and I expect him to be flying out early. Not many O's will be involved in the team to play the BaaBaas so that rules Tipuric out. Those are our first choice 7s then. It then comes down to a choice between Martyn, Shingler and Turnbull I guess. Martyn is the only out and out 7. Shings has only ever played 7 once before and that was against Scotland this year. I remain convinced that Turnbull is a proper 7, and he hasn't had much game time this season either, so I can see him starting at 6 if picked. So excuse my rambling but yes, I think he is there on merit, although perhaps there's a bit of a sentimental feeling in him being selected too (if that does happen).

Notch wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:Shouldn't the national team come first Rava?

I feel incredibly cynical about the national team and this tour in particular right now. Three test tours are a money spinner for a start, they imbalance the season by overloading the international calendar. I suppose someone has to tour New Zealand the year of the World Cup but our international season started with four full test matches in August and is ending with three full test matches in June. And has had a World Cup and Six Nations in between. We are in serious overkill mode now in terms of the number of test matches played. I don't care too much about the results versus the All Blacks because sure we'll probably be playing them again in 18 months at most. The idea of test match is devalued and the long, gruelling season seems likely to mean we'll see less and less internationals in the provinces week in, week out.

Secondly, the process of central contracting in Ireland seems to be to do more with image rights and merchandising than how good a player is on the field sometimes. There's not much of a meritocracy in deciding where these contracts go. Players who are failing on the international stage are given contracts again and because they have contracts they'll keep getting picked regardless- yes, even Ulster ones! i.e. Tom Court will be our second choice tighthead even though he is actually a specialist loosehead. Gordon D'Arcy has been poor for Ireland over the last number of years but has just renewed his central contract so will likely start.

Thirdly, the IRFU are very much intent on squeezing cash out of their fans. I think I became disillusioned at first with test rugby when they decided to charge 100 euros across the board for tickets when the AVIVA opened. Since then it's been a slow drip-drip of increasing cynicism. To have a chance of buying tickets you have to be a member of a rugby club, connected or pay 50 euros a year to join the supporters club. General sale is something that only happens if a game doesn't sell out. To go to one test match including the supporters club fee probably starts at 100 euros+ whatever else. Just for tickets. You could get to so many good rugby games at a lower level like Heineken Cup for the same.

So, to be frank, for me the IRFU are on thin ice. Would not put up with this shoite if not for my emotional attachment to the team. But they're treating fans like consumers; so they shouldn't be surprised if fans start acting like it and say "The provinces offer better value, better rugby and treat their fans with more respect. They get my dollar". They can't be surprised if peoples allegiances change either.

I was once an exponent of the doctrine the only reason the provinces exist was to work for the national team. Then I was 50/50. Now I'm beginning to go province before country- and given that I care so passionately about Irish Rugby, thats a genuinely sad thing to have to admit.

So Notch, anything you want to get off your chest there then?

Valid points that with too many test matches and your union ripping off the fans. The exact same thing is happening over here in Wales.

Everything in Wales is geared towards Team Wales, and whilst that's obviously working great for us at the moment, the WRU have got the balance wrong with how it's affecting the regions. I think the IRFU have got the same problem but in a different way (with your centralised contracts etc)

I'm not sure I could ever say I'd put my region over my country though (no matter how much the WRU urine me off, and they've done that a lot over the years!). They both mean a massive, massive amount to me in different ways so it's very hard to pick. All I'll say though, that comparing how I felt when Wales were knocked out of the SF at the RWC, compared to when the Scarlets were in the HEC - you can't compare the pain (if that's the right word). In that way, it's always my country first I guess.

Yes, a few things I suppose

Ireland still means a lot to me. But I'm going to be a 'TV fan'. Given how much I love watching live rugby it's only natural I'm going to be more invested in the team I can see in the flesh.

I'm going to be glued to to TV watching Ireland play the All Blacks next month, whatever I say in the warm-up. But I still have serious reservations about test rugby.

It will be fine if they rotate the players. Its the only way it can be done without changing to a sequencial season (like in SANZAR).

Moffet was championing a sequencial season before he left. Its a good idea.

September.............Jan............Mar-Apr...................... May...Summer.........
Domestic leagues-------------| HC/domestic play offs....6N....Lions/WC/Tours
........................SH tours......................................................................
........................2nd tier domestic cups--------------|..............................

Agreed lads.

Happy birthday, Mickado! Hope it's a good one.

This is well worth a watch;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7933527.stm

Half an hour though.

morning folks


had a,terrible night sleep last night, in the horrors!!!


Nine hour day ahead of me as well today, great

Happy birthday Mick, you sexy beast xxxx

Hoog wrote:morning folks


had a,terrible night sleep last night, in the horrors!!!


Nine hour day ahead of me as well today, great

That's what happens when you are out-smarted by a 6-yr old girl

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Hoog wrote:morning folks


had a,terrible night sleep last night, in the horrors!!!


Nine hour day ahead of me as well today, great

That's what happens when you are out-smarted by a 6-yr old girl

Not again It happens EVERY TIME

Notch wrote:This is well worth a watch;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7933527.stm

Half an hour though.

I filled up watching that!

MrsP wrote:

Notch wrote:This is well worth a watch;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7933527.stm

Half an hour though.

I filled up watching that!

The Washing Machine? Dishwasher? Tumble Dryer? .........

The hip flask? Good on ye, girl

It's a brilliant documentary. Perfectly put together. Mainly because its an incredibly unlikely story; you wouldn't get a more unlikely tale from any mawkish Hollywood sports film!

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:The hip flask? Good on ye, girl

Didn't think of that.

Do you have any spares?

You guys have no soul!

Rava wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:The hip flask? Good on ye, girl

Didn't think of that.

Do you have any spares?

Nah, but don't worry, we'll just take the box of Tricky with us

TRICKY!!!!

Whether you agree with the amount of test matches played is one thing, but the income they generated from teams touring here goes a long way to paying for your Provinces.

I can understand people thinking that the summer tours are ‘overkill’ after a long season. But having taken the profits from the SH teams touring here three out of four autumns, it is only right that we tour down there so that the SH unions can also generate the income that funds their game.

Because of the RWC the European unions only had the income from the RWC warm up games and now we are back into the ‘normal’ touring cycle. That’s the way it goes.

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:Whether you agree with the amount of test matches played is one thing, but the income they generated from teams touring here goes a long way to paying for your Provinces.

Oh I know it. I know the realities. But it's not the economic realities of rugby as a business that spurs us to cheer on our teams against the odds- or put our hands in our pocket as paying customers. Even if we accept them

Afternoon. Back from France. Really long day of driving but at least I'm resting today.

Sorry to read about Pete's condition and Mrs P's lad. Hope both have a good ending.

Just spending the rest of my week deciding what to wear on Sat

Risca Rev wrote:Afternoon. Back from France. Really long day of driving but at least I'm resting today.

Sorry to read about Pete's condition and Mrs P's lad. Hope both have a good ending.

Just spending the rest of my week deciding what to wear on Sat

Yer kilt, of course!

The IRFU's 'buy tickets for all tests or none' approach a couple of years ago was unbelievable. Did they think that everyone who wanted to watch the national team 1) could afford that package and 2) would want to watch every game?

That is really being out of touch with the majority of fans

Ugh, I hate it when we have visitors to the office and I don't have any work to do. I have to keep switching from one spreadsheet to the other pretending to be busy. I was genuinely busy earlier, why couldn't they have come 'round then!

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0515/1224316128161.html

Ferris, Pienaar, Kearney and Sexton are on the shortlist for ERC player of the season. Jonny Wilkinson on there too.

Happy times

PM - for Dreamer

Happy Birthday Mick. Happy Everyday man. Love you big fella.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDWsrld6rMY

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Ugh, I hate it when we have visitors to the office and I don't have any work to do. I have to keep switching from one spreadsheet to the other pretending to be busy. I was genuinely busy earlier, why couldn't they have come 'round then!

The Law of Sod.

Thanks Gibbo mate

27 now, found my first gray hairs a few months back, oh it’s a slippery slope…

Mickado wrote:Thanks Gibbo mate

27 now, found my first gray hairs a few months back, oh it’s a slippery slope…

Mick, you were on that slope the minute you met Gibbo

true that Rav, i was about 24 and i was doomed forever!

My team in work (4 of them) came over to me and sang happy birthday in hushed tones (it’s an open plan office, they didn’t want to make much noise, rightly so) and brought me a slice of cake with a candle made out of paper (just a picture of a candle) stuck in it. Really nice and touching.

About 20 seconds later, another team across the office all gather (about 20 of them) light proper candles on a big cake and all sing (at the top of their lungs ) happy birthday to one of their members.

My crew were shocked and appalled at being upstaged within a minute.

I'm bringing the kilt As. Not sure I'm brave enough to wear it up on the train on my own though