Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread II

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

A. Edinburgh
 

 
1. Pre-season
 
Fri 30 Aug 2013, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 15 - 5 Newcastle Falcons
 
Fri 23 Aug 2013, 19:30
Northampton Saints 24 - 6 Edinburgh Rugby
 
2. 2013/2014 Season - Played
 
Sat 7 Sep, 19:15
Munster Rugby 34 - 23 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 13 Sep, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 16 - 13 Newport Gwent Dragons
 
Sat 21 Sep, 18:30
Ospreys 44 - 10 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 27 Sep, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 9 - 22 Scarlets

Sun 6 Oct, 14:05
Cardiff Blues 29 - 12 Edinburgh Rugby

Fri 25 Oct, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 20 - 13 Benetton Treviso

Fri 1 Nov 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 25 - 23 Zebre

Fri 22 Nov 19:05
Ulster Rugby 41 - 17 Edinburgh Rugby

Fri 29 Nov 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 43 - 10 Connacht

Fri 20 Dec 19:35
Edinburgh Rugby 11 - 6 Leinster

Thu 26 Dec 15:05
Edinburgh Rugby 16 - 20 Glasgow Warriors

Wed 1 Jan 18:05
Glasgow Warriors P - P Edinburgh Rugby

3. 2013/2014 Season - Next 3 Games
 
Sun 9 Feb 13:05
Newport Gwent Dragons  v  Edinburgh Rugby

Sat 15 Feb 17:00
Connacht Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby

Sat 22 Feb 14:30
Scarlets v Edinburgh Rugby

B. Glasgow
 

 
1. Pre-season
 
Sat 31 Aug 2013, 15:00
Exeter Chiefs 26 - 29 Glasgow Warriors
 
2. 2013/2014 Season
 
Fri 6 Sep, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 22 - 15 Cardiff Blues
 
Fri 13 Sep, 19:05
Ulster Rugby 12 - 13 Glasgow Warriors
 
Fri 20 Sep, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 12 - 6 Leinster Rugby
 
Fri 27 Sep, 19:30
Zebre 17 - 24 Glasgow Warriors
 
Sat 5 Oct, 18:30
Scarlets 12 - 17 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 25 Oct, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 6 - 13 Munster Rugby

Sat 2 Nov, 17:00
Connacht Rugby 12 - 19 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 22 Nov, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 8 - 23 Newport Gwent Dragons

Fri 29 Nov, 19:05
Ospreys 16 - 28 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 20 Dec, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors P - P Benetton Treviso

Thu 26 Dec 15:05
Edinburgh Rugby 16 - 20 Glasgow Warriors

Wed 1 Jan 18:05
Glasgow Warriors P - P Edinburgh Rugby

3. 2013/2014 Season - Next 3 Games
 
Sun 9 Feb 14:00
Glasgow Warriors v Connacht Rugby

Sat 15 Feb 18:30
Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors

Sun 23 Feb 14:30
Newport Gwent Dragons   v   Glasgow Warriors
 
Any and all patter about these teams is welcome.
 
Any jingoism, sledging or graceless kicking of anyone whilst they are up or down will see posts deleted.
 
Be gracious and be constructive.

[alive555]

Rumours around this guy moving to Glasgow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrq_Cfxpw1g

think hes a 7s player .

fly half 22 yrs played for NZ under 20s.

Very quick.  

Currently at Chiefs

if true its got Cotters mark on it. expect to see quite a few more of this type of signing.  

[alive555]

Rumours around this guy moving to Glasgow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrq_Cfxpw1g

Reliable rumours? Is he SQ'd?

yes unless maori all black = nz second team ?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Rumours around this guy moving to Glasgow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrq_Cfxpw1g

Reliable rumours? Is he SQ'd?

Not particularly.  No idea, but he is ginger

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

Who is it? (For the benefit of those of us at work without youtube access)

[EWT Spoons]

Not got Youtube at work, but based on the cryptic clues given above, I'm going for Gareth Anscombe.

Could be wrong, but he's 22, at the chiefs and plays 10.

EDIT: Turns out I was wrong

[RDW]

Ihaia West

[EWT Spoons]

Is the rumour of him joining Glasgow reliable in the slightest?

I only ask because found an article in RugbyWorld about the players to look out for in 2014 and it suggests that he’s pretty happy in NZ and turned down big money moves to stay there to peruse his All Black cause (last sentence).

“Ihaia West (Hawke’s Bay and Maori All Blacks)
“You’re a freak!” came the commentary box shout as West scampered in superbly from 60 metres during the ITM Cup Championship semi-final against Otago. It was a pretty accurate call. The former Baby Black number 10 (above) is an astounding talent whose 169 points broke the Hawke’s Bay scoring record for a single season and earned him a place on the Maori tour of North America, where he featured in twin wins over Canada and the USA. Things haven’t all gone smoothly for West, though. He missed a touchline conversion to snatch the Championship final from Tasman and has no Super 15 franchise for 2014. However, that is through choice rather than rejection. Despite alleged big-money offers from Western Force and the Rebels, the 21 year-old opted to stay in New Zealand to pursue an All Black dream.”

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Ihaia West

From what I heard, the guy we are after is Scottish Qualified. West has played for the Maoris and All Blacks Under 20s, surely one of those apperances ties him to New Zealand.

Looking at the Chiefs squad, I am sure Robbie Robertson (played Under 20s) was someone who spoken about a couple years back as being SQ. Be surprised if it was him though or why he would be signed by Glasgow and not Edinburgh.

Does anyone know which is the nominated team that ties a player to NZ?

[EWT Spoons]

Junior All Blacks is the 2nd AB side, under 20 and Māori don't count.

Jnr AB

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Junior All Blacks is the 2nd AB side, under 20 and Māori don't count.

Jnr AB

Ok, thanks for that. So could well be West.

[Majestic83]

Ihaia West

I'd be extremely surprised if Ihaia West was on his way to Glasgow. Massive things expected of him in New Zealand. Know a few guys who have played against him at club rugby and said he is a freak with a skill set better than Carlos Spencer but also got a better mindset more in line with Carter so is less prone to stupid mistakes.

If he is on his way to Glasgow and is also Scottish qualified then it is a bigger coup than getting Sean Maitland.

Seen him in a few highlights clips from the ITM cup and he does look very very good but as I say would be very surprised as he is being talked off as being an all black in the future!

[RDW]

Is the rumour of him joining Glasgow reliable in the slightest?

I only ask because found an article in RugbyWorld about the players to look out for in 2014 and it suggests that he’s pretty happy in NZ and turned down big money moves to stay there to peruse his All Black cause (last sentence).

“Ihaia West (Hawke’s Bay and Maori All Blacks)
“You’re a freak!” came the commentary box shout as West scampered in superbly from 60 metres during the ITM Cup Championship semi-final against Otago. It was a pretty accurate call. The former Baby Black number 10 (above) is an astounding talent whose 169 points broke the Hawke’s Bay scoring record for a single season and earned him a place on the Maori tour of North America, where he featured in twin wins over Canada and the USA. Things haven’t all gone smoothly for West, though. He missed a touchline conversion to snatch the Championship final from Tasman and has no Super 15 franchise for 2014. However, that is through choice rather than rejection. Despite alleged big-money offers from Western Force and the Rebels, the 21 year-old opted to stay in New Zealand to pursue an All Black dream.”

That bodes well for us then, but if he was that good surely he would have a SR franchise?

Also, the NZ media are hard to please aren't they?

"Things haven’t all gone smoothly for West, though. He missed a touchline conversion to snatch the Championship final from Tasman" - how dare he miss a touchline conversion!

[Majestic83]

Is the rumour of him joining Glasgow reliable in the slightest?

I only ask because found an article in RugbyWorld about the players to look out for in 2014 and it suggests that he’s pretty happy in NZ and turned down big money moves to stay there to peruse his All Black cause (last sentence).

“Ihaia West (Hawke’s Bay and Maori All Blacks)
“You’re a freak!” came the commentary box shout as West scampered in superbly from 60 metres during the ITM Cup Championship semi-final against Otago. It was a pretty accurate call. The former Baby Black number 10 (above) is an astounding talent whose 169 points broke the Hawke’s Bay scoring record for a single season and earned him a place on the Maori tour of North America, where he featured in twin wins over Canada and the USA. Things haven’t all gone smoothly for West, though. He missed a touchline conversion to snatch the Championship final from Tasman and has no Super 15 franchise for 2014. However, that is through choice rather than rejection. Despite alleged big-money offers from Western Force and the Rebels, the 21 year-old opted to stay in New Zealand to pursue an All Black dream.”

That bodes well for us then, but if he was that good surely he would have a SR franchise?

Also, the NZ media are hard to please aren't they?

"Things haven’t all gone smoothly for West, though. He missed a touchline conversion to snatch the Championship final from Tasman" - how dare he miss a touchline conversion!

He was signed by the Chiefs at the beginning of January as back up to Aaron Cruden.
Don't think he has played any mins yet in super rugby but played a couple of warm up games.

[alive555]

West is not SQ. would need 3 yr residency to qualify.

[RDW]

Out of interest, where do all these rumours come from??

I've done a Google search and found nothing.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Schiz - a perfect role for you has just opened up:
http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/about-us/vacancies/glasgow-warriors-rugby-operations-manager

My CV is winging its way to Fawlty Towers as I type !   

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Out of interest, where do all these rumours come from??

I've done a Google search and found nothing.

Sorry, RDW, need to know basis   

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Out of interest, where do all these rumours come from??

I've done a Google search and found nothing.

Its these three week breaks!

[George Carlin]

Ihaia West

From what I heard, the guy we are after is Scottish Qualified.  West has played for the Maoris and All Blacks Under 20s, surely one of those apperances ties him to New Zealand.

Looking at the Chiefs squad, I am sure Robbie Robertson (played Under 20s) was someone who spoken about a couple years back as being SQ.  Be surprised if it was him though or why he would be signed by Glasgow and not Edinburgh.

Does anyone know which is the nominated team that ties a player to NZ?

Robinson's mum is from Perth as I understand it, making him SQ immediately as he hasn't ever played for the Junior Blacks. I think that it's reasonable at 25-26 for him to feel like if he wants an international career, he's not going to get it in NZ. Robinson also played for the Maori All Blacks in 2010, which was the same time as Maitland did, so perhaps there's a link there.

Funnily enough, Gareth Anscombe is also a Chiefs 10 recovering from a big recent injury (both shoulders reconstructed) who is out of contract with them at the end of this season. No idea about his heritage though.

[George Carlin]

Rumours around this guy moving to Glasgow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrq_Cfxpw1g

Reliable rumours? Is he SQ'd?

yes unless maori all black = nz second team ?

Where did this chat about this particular player come from? From the little I can glean about him, the only possible reason he would move was because he didn't get a Super Rugby contract this year. However, given that Anscombe and Robinson may both be forced out at the end of this season with injuries, it seems a bit mad Ted that he would move at this juncture....?

[tigertattie]

I think folk just make Poopie up sometimes

[nickj]

I think ASBO flagged it as a rumour yesterday. He was bang on about Maitland, so I'm confident. I'd also be delighted Robinson, West or Mitchell to be honest.

There are plenty of other SQ names mentioned in the below thread. Personally I think Lineen is nicking all of our ideas, he's just taking a wee while to get the contracts signed...

https://www.606v2.com/t27967-scottish-players-plying-their-trade-outside-of-scotland-at-the-professional-level

BTW I know its a minor thing, but do you think Ihaia West might be up for changing his first name by deed poll if he did come over?

Maybe to something like Tam or Malky? It wouldn't half help silence the inevitable 'kilted kiwi' barbs that'll come our way from the likes of Inverdale, Guscott and SCW.

[RDW]

Edinburgh announcing a new signing later this morning..

[George Carlin]

Edinburgh announcing a new signing later this morning..

Surely Phil Godman triumphantly returning from Newcastle, having wedgied the Falcons hopes of staying up fairly comprehensively this season?

[RDW]

They usually give a bit more fanfare about a new signing, so not holding out too much expectation.

Christ, it might be Godman then!   

[RDW]

Born in Melrose and was on a short term trial last season, and his dad played rugby...

[RDW]

I reckon Alan Tait's son, who isn't very good...

[RDW]

Yup, Michael Tait.

He is Scottish, but he didn't look overly good when he was signed last season and I know Newcastle fans don't think much of him.

And yes, I do appreciate I have been talking to myself.

[Tramptastic]

Meh. First Scottish signing in a while and it's Michael Tait? meh

[George Carlin]

One year deal. There's literally no beginning to my excitement.

[Captain_Sensible]

This signing has a definite 'break glass in case of injury emergency' feel to it.

[nickj]

I'm not sure whether we need him to be honest. We already have Scott, Strauss, De Luca, Dominguez and Beard as the seniors. Fife can also play 13 and Auld and Dick are coming through. Where does Tait fit?

[RDW]

With Scott, Strauss, De Luca, Fife and Donimguez we are fairly well stocked at centre so he's probably just going to provide cover.

I think Sam Beard is on a temp deal too but he's deserved a contract extension.

Still, he's only 23 and is on a 1 year deal - give him a full pre season and let's see what he can do.

[George Carlin]

They're underwhelmed with him on Tyneside. Signing dozens of average players instead of a couple of good ones was usually Rob Moffat's job. I would think that Solomons has been told to take him, without prejudice to giving him the boot if he is so inclined.

Scott, Strauss, De Luca and Dominguez are all better than Tait. Smacks of the SRU just trying to get the youngfeller more gametime.

[Nematode]

He plays FB according to his wiki so mighten he be back up for Cuthbert (given Tonks at 10). But then you have Brown who I rate. Slightly baffled.

What's happened (not wanting them back or anything) to Walker, Atiga, Francis etc.?

[RDW]

His brother Alex is a fullback, Michael is very much a centre according to our Geordie brethren.

Been no word on people leaving - they usually don't announce those until later in the season, unless it is a big name move like Laidlaw.

[MacKnocked-on]

Alex Tait is the brother of Matthew Tait of Leicester (and England) ,he's not related to Michael. However Alex Tait is SQ and was approached by Andy Robinson during his time as Scotland coach with a view to playing for us, he declined the invitation.

[Nematode]

I'm getting all the Tait's mixed up!

BTW, some of you might be interested in this:

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/14/03/06/friday-night-lights-new-social-rugby-scene

Play rugby on Friday night at Murrayfield

[tigertattie]

Michael tait and Ben atiga to form Edinburg centre partnership.

Poopie, that's gonna give me nightmares.

[Nematode]

Michael tait and Ben atiga to form Edinburg centre partnership.

Poopie, that's gonna give me nightmares.

You might be low. You might be worrying about the dire prospects of the centre combo if Scott, De Luca, Dominguez, Beard, Strauss, Fife... Nel get injured. But spare a thought, however small, for those in Glasgow.

Many fans, not too up on their rugby, will be celebrating jubilantly at Glasgow's signing Carlin Isles. I was one of them. But I was short-sighted. I failed to look properly at his defensive frailty. I ignored the wise words 'If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'.    

When happy and amazed at Isles' signing by Glasgow, I re-watched highlights of him, mesmorised by his pace. But I then hit the 1:03 mark in this video of Isles vs USA.



To those disappointed in Edinburgh, you know your disappointment. It has been short and I believe brief. But remember those in Glasgow, expecting miracles and receiving sorrow.

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

I'm getting all the Tait's mixed up!

BTW, some of you might be interested in this:

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/14/03/06/friday-night-lights-new-social-rugby-scene

Play rugby on Friday night at Murrayfield

Really good idea actually, if I was still living locally I'd probably have got involved in that

[funnyExiledScot]

Michael Tait is pretty average. Solid player, good defence, ok hands, ok pace - nothing to get exciting about.

I rate Sam Beard, we should hang onto him. I also think Dominguez is decent, but probably put him in much the same category as Tait.

Scott and Strauss will be first choice pairing next season I think, with NDL being the main cover.

[RDW]

FES - don't think Strauss should be played anywhere but 12, and for all De Luca's limitations at Scotland level he generally plays well for Edinburgh, and has made a lot of line breaks the past few games.

From what I've seen Strauss is too slow and 1 dimensional for a 13. He'll be a good solid player at 12 though.

[funnyExiledScot]

I'll reverve judgment on that. I've only seen Strauss play once - looked very strong defensively. I agree on NDL though, good 13 for Edinburgh. I still feel that Fife will move to 13 ultimately and trump them all.

Beard is a decent shout at 13, seems to have something about him. Always seems to wriggle over the advantage line and keep his options open ball in hand.

We're not in bad shape as a squad really, and I'm looking forward to seeing how we do next season if we get to full strength.

[Nematode]

Is Beard SQ out of interest?

[RDW]

I'm just basing it on the chat about him as a player when he signed, and his career so far.

Plus we're fairly well stocked at 13 but light at 12, so expect him to get most of his gametime there.

Don't think Beard is SQ. He's also not been given a contract extension yet.

[funnyExiledScot]

My only query would be with Matt Scott certain at 12 (I said 12), then it comes down purely to 13.

NDL, Fife, Beard, Dominguez, Tait and Strauss are the options. NDL the obvious choice given it's his preferred position, but I would be interested to see how Strauss gets on outside Scott.

[CraigS1874]

I will probably be on my own here but I do like seeing Scott plying 13. Although he is not the quickest he does run great support lines (on the 12s shoulder) and always seems to make the right decision with 2 on 1s etc so if he was played further out he would have more use. From the limited time I have seen strauss play he does seem a very strong tackler but that is about it, it will be interesting to see how things develop.

On NDL I think his time must be up at edinburgh, still a good club player but I would prefer someone like Auld move up in the pecking order rather than having NDL on the bench.

[RDW]

Matt Scott - 12.

[George Carlin]

I will probably be on my own here but I do like seeing Scott plying 13. Although he is not the quickest he does run great support lines (on the 12s shoulder) and always seems to make the right decision with 2 on 1s etc so if he was played further out he would have more use. From the limited time I have seen strauss play he does seem a very strong tackler but that is about it, it will be interesting to see how things develop.

On NDL I think his time must be up at edinburgh, still a good club player but I would prefer someone like Auld move up in the pecking order rather than having NDL on the bench.

I really do think that NDL should be bumped from starting at 13 unless and until he can prove he's better than some of the others whose improvement he's currenly blocking. It would take some time to gel but you can be damn sure that a backline like:
09 Hart
10 Bezmeister
11 Visser
12 Scott
13 Fife
14 Farndale
15 Brown,

would score a try or six.

Also high time young James Fleming was brought back to one of he clubs from the crapulent jamboree that is the 7s circuit. Utterly wasted there.

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