The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub, Ballycastle Bar, Hong Kong.

Hello and 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 made its way to Hong Kong, host city for the British & Irish Lions first Tour match before their arrival in Australia - land of the Giant Budgie Smuggler.

So grab a beer, cider, whiskey or wine.... or a warm beverage and sit back and enjoy the rugby.

                     

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no tampering with the pictures of Rory Best, Sam Warburton, the Limavady Luge Team, Papa Rodders, Mrs Rodders and our newest & sweetest member, Katelyn.    

last Pawb: https://www.606v2.com/t43001p1000-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub-pyongyang

Thanks LB, Glas, all... very nice of you. Can't wait to show wee Katelyn, just as soon as I explain what 606v2.com is

Mate, you must be on Cloud 9.

Congratulations. You're already a great Da.

Epic few days LB, cheers, just learning on the job mate.... just sinking in now but feels amazing yeah. Mind blowing. Baby and mummy coming home tomorrow.

I just realised... the last Pub started on April 13. It was a slow burner. 44 days!

This one should rip through hopefully. They usually last about a week to 10 days normally.

It ripped through the last few pages though Breaker. Hope this one picks up the momentum "going forward" ( no! I said it! shoot me now...)

Yes, it did mate. All those Finals gave it a good kick along "at the end of the day".

"You know what??" (you're getting an answer whether you like it or not!)...
There were some good "synergies" at play in this "broad church of rugby knowledge and ideas" and it "came to the fore" ... just before the final whistle blew.

Hello pub. Nice day here in London again.

'Blue sky thinking'.

Sky was blue today (up until late afternoon).
It's still warm-ish believe it or not... up to 22-23 deg on Thursday, Friday and Saturday... the first day of 'winter' here.

Linebreaker wrote:Yes, it did mate. All those Finals gave it a good kick along "at the end of the day".

"You know what??" (you're getting an answer whether you like it or not!)...
There were some good "synergies" at play in this "broad church of rugby knowledge and ideas" and it "came to the fore" ... just before the final whistle blew.

So what's the feeling like on the ground in Wales at the moment in regards to the Lion's Tour?
Are people excited? They must be leaving for HK soon.

Just saw this. Probably too late for us though? We could do with a fit and in-form KB weaving his magic on June 22!

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/beale-set-for-club-rugby-return-20130527-2n7df.html

Most Welsh people support the Lions as a representative team. Something like playing with guys from your main rivals and neighbours for a county team. The fact that they cheer on the Lions is because they want their boys to do well. If there were no Welshmen touring interest levels would be a lot less. There are some who will support the Lions on a political level as a metaphor for unionism, whilst some will denounce it as UKRFC and refuse to even watch. These though are tiny minorities on the extremes. In all honesty though, Gatland coaching, the strong Welsh representation and the fact it's not NZ or SA probably mean this tour has less of a buzz about it.

Afternoon All

I'm just enjoying Round The Horne on the iPlayer.

I'm getting quite excited about the Lions. I'd be more so if I had Sky... The lads leave today. They had a farewell dinner thingy last night at the Royal Courts of Justice which is a very grand venue. I've been there a few times for work. Sadly I wasn't there last night.

Afternoon Cari.

That's what I thought, Glas. Huge year for Welsh rugby.

It's been a little overshadowed here too by the Origin Series starting next week. Game 2 in Brisbane is only 4 days after the 1st Test at Lang Park (Suncorp).

Rugby is still about 4th after AFL, RL and Football (for winter sports participation and attendances... and 7th overall) but for the big Rugby Internationals and Lions Tour years there is a buzz of sorts amongst the faithful.

A strong ex-pat community will contribute to a good atmosphere. I know that there will be an unusually vibrant Lions support against the Western Force with so many guys out working in Perth.

The atmosphere at the games will be unreal. Lots of British and Irish in Perth (quite a few Saffers too!) but there are millions of either ex-pats + those with British/Irish ancestry living here on the eastern coast.

About 40-45% of the fans in the Sydney match (35,000) will be Lions supporters.
It's like more than the Thomond Park (Red of Munster) spread out in huge clumps - with the other 55-60% all dressed in Gold.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dylan-Hartley-Lions-Shirt-Never-Worn-/111082425748?pt=UK_Rugby_Shirts&hash=item19dd074d94


That's just cruel!

Yes, absolutely right Mrs P.











It's an Englishman and it has a certain wit. If your as abrasive as Hartley on the field you need to have a thick enough skin to deal with that sort of thing.

There's gonna be some peed off Watford fans in my local in about 30 mins. They just lost the play off final at Wembley.

Get out Hound, you know it makes sense...

Watford are the local team Glas. I know a fair few of the lads. Mind you, I've a Wasps polo shirt on, and given their connection with Sarries...

In that case tell them they were lucky to get to the final and what did they blydi expect?

They were fine Glas, despite losing.

Hopefully the forecast downpour tomorrow holds off in Leeds for England (& Wales) to win the test. Sorry kiwi

Thats good anyway. i think tgey realised that getting there was an achievement after yhe end of the semi final. It's been raining steadily here since 11 o clock, so I think the test match has had it I'm afraid.

Yeah, I saw that the western side of the UK was a 'bit damp' today. Everyone looks to be copping it tomorrow

Nearly 3 weeks to departure for Aus.

Your not going to the phoney war then?

I'm watching Western Force vs Highlanders from the weekend. That'll be a tough enough second game for the Lions if Gatland decides to bring in all the guys who have only had 10 days in camp by that point.

They're not brilliant by Super Rugby standards but they're very far from chumps. Good basics and verygood continuity based game; more than adept enough to exploit any rustiness or unfamiliarity with a new set of calls. It's fascinating in that maybe there'll be a clash of styles with a lot of what we do being centred around the set piece and forwards.

I'm psyched for the Lions, complete turn around from last week where it was all about Ulster. I'm all about the Lions now.

My interest has dropped off a cliff I'm afraid.

The Highlanders sub scrum-half is one of the stars of the Japan side that is poised to make history against Wales if that helps

Sorry Notch, but Japan shouldn't be within 20 points of Wales; even allowing for the squad Wales are sending out there.

Japan's record against anyone of note is poor. Brave, but poor.

I actually agree, I'm just playing on the the manic depressive Welsh pessimism;

https://www.606v2.com/t44342-wales-to-lose-to-japan-this-summer

It shouldn't be in doubt.

They got dominated by Tonga on the weekend. Their forwards absolutely mauled them up front starving their pacy backs of the ball.

Fumiaki Tanaka is not too bad a SH for the Highlanders, always ferreting around the base of the rucks. He's a tough little nugget and has adapted quite well to the Super Rugby style of play, I think. Also Shota Hori - the Rebels hooker, will be playing but Wales should have way too much class. Wales by 28 points is my tip.

Yeah, I saw that article. If you think doom and gloom will descend on you........



I watched part of a DVD of the 2003 RWC highlights yesterday*. Feck, there were some close scrapes for some of the supposed top teams in the Pools. Samoa v England. NZ v Wales and Aus v Ireland. Argentina also played some good stuff.

I'll watch the knock out games tomorrow.

* I bought that along with the 1995 SA RWC highlights DVD last summer, but hadn't taken the 2003 one out of its wrapper until midday yesterday.

The Wales qf will still scare the living crepe out of me. 3 tries to one - just don't remind the Welsh that Tonga outscored them 3 tries to 2 in the pool game but still lost.

I was taken aback by that thread too. Talk about wishing bad luck on your team.

Hound, these last few weeks will fly by.

I wrote a little piece on another article (Bluesman asked for advice on long haul flights) and I got called a wimp by kia (but he later conceded defeat and agreed with me)!

There's nothing worse than getting off a plane either smashed or feeling the inklings of some nasty bug. I suggested to him to get a prescription for antibiotics (the A/C in the aircraft is like a lottery - sometimes people can get very sick after 20+ hours) and start taking them (2 initially) the day before you fly out. I just heard on the news this morning; the yearly "this will be the worst flu season ever" down here. So it's good to feel that 'ring of confidence'. I never take sleeping pills and prefer to try and get at least 3-4 hours 'sleep' if possible on each leg.

I always eat most of the meals offered... up until the last leg. I'll have the first but then skip the breakfast. It's usually powdered eggs, chewy bacon and fake OJ, etc. Makes my guts feel a bit funny. Best thing is to eat light near the end of the flight (and drink some water!) and have a proper brekky in Brisbane when you arrive.... around 9am or whatever?

Well, yes and no. Wales have deliberately not taken their strongest squad. I have no problems in calling this a development tour, if that's what it is say so. But in addition to leaving out good older players like Ryan Jones who would have been a huge influence in the youngsters, they have taken people like McCusker and Pretorius (who won't be international class whilst there's a hole in their harries) and have left out Navidi and other promising youngsters. Yet some youngsters have been called up who haven't played regional rugby. It's all a bit technically constipated.

And the reason my interest in the Lions has gone is the time of year. After the second week in May I have almost no interest in rugby until October.

Andries Pertorious? Isn't he South African?
Geez, he get's around quickly! 4 years flies...

Thanks for the advice Lb.

Hound of Harrow wrote:Thanks for the advice Lb.

Not a problem, mate.

Some mild bickering going on in another thread. (I got drawn into it like a prawn to a steel cage) Think I need a wee rest now!

Did anyone else notice that the commentator in the AP final actually got to say,

"Some people are on the pitch. They think it's all over..."?

Bet that made his day!

MrsP wrote:Did anyone else notice that the commentator in the AP final actually got to say,

"Some people are on the pitch. They think it's all over..."?

Bet that made his day!

Another example of the "football mentality" infecting the game

Do you mean the commentator or the kids on the pitch?

Don't worrry Mrs P, its his time of the month

MrsP - "Some people are on the pitch. They think it's all over..."?

Ah ha!

I wonder how long he has bee waiting to get to use that line in commentary?

Since 1966...

Guess I'll check in here then!! Great time in Dublin and good to meet up with a few people too!! Back to the bump and grind of work but....I took the new job offer and we've had an offer accepted for a house

New house new baby.

Evening all.

Glas, you played in the front row, yes?

Would you ever have given the opposition front row the satisfaction of hearing you tell your team mates that you were up against it in the scrum?

MrsP I would question whether many front rows still pride themselves on their scrum work.