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.

[funnyExiledScot]

RDW - I said exactly the same thing. Great minds. It's possible that Ulster have a better coach than Scotland (and Ruan Pienaar).

[123456789]

The most damning part of this is the passion and effort Ulster players are putting in for their club compared to the lack of heart at points by Scotland players during the six nations

[GLove39]

That Scotland is how you play with out your full back. Courage and conviction, not capitulation.

[madmaccas]

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/15573/sir-ian-mcgeechan-urges-sru-to-nurture-talent-with-london-scottish/

Don't know if this has been posted already but it's what I, and others, have been banging on about for ages. Still have no idea why the SRU won't use a club that have repeatedly said they want to help Scottish rugby. It's like an abusive relationship with LS the neglected wife who keeps hoping the partner will change.

There are campaigns for a 3rd/4th pro team, but we already have one. It's clear the SRU won't free up any dosh, that's reserved for pre-game fireworks and Scott Johnson's salary, but the least they could do would be to send down some young Scottish talent languishing at Edinburgh and Glasgow.

[cakeordeath]

Stuart Barnes just called Hogg a "caber tossing half-wit" on twitter. After Hogg made a comment about his commentary.

INTERNET FIGHT

[RDW]

With only 400 followers I'm assuming it's a parody barns account?

[cakeordeath]

Boo.

[RDW]

Yeah I was going to give him some abuse until I realised that..

[tigertattie]

Yeah I was going to give him some abuse until I realised that..

I say give him abuse anyway (the real Barnes, not the fake one)

[funnyExiledScot]

I actually don't mind Barnes, and I don't quite know why he's so hated by the rugby community. Whilst I don't always agree with him (no-one apart from me can be right all the time) he does at least engage his brain most of the time before speaking on matters of rugby, and he does attempt to analyse what's actually going on, rather than slowly lumbering from cliche to cliche.

Compared to Morris, Quinnell, Nichol, Guscott and the like, I put Barnes well ahead.

[tigertattie]

I actually don't mind Barnes, and I don't quite know why he's so hated by the rugby community. Whilst I don't always agree with him (no-one apart from me can be right all the time) he does at least engage his brain most of the time before speaking on matters of rugby, and he does attempt to analyse what's actually going on, rather than slowly lumbering from cliche to cliche.

Compared to Morris, Quinnell, Nichol, Guscott, Jiffy and Inverdale and the like, I put Barnes well ahead.

fixed that for you sir

[Majestic83]

I actually don't mind Barnes, and I don't quite know why he's so hated by the rugby community. Whilst I don't always agree with him (no-one apart from me can be right all the time) he does at least engage his brain most of the time before speaking on matters of rugby, and he does attempt to analyse what's actually going on, rather than slowly lumbering from cliche to cliche.

Compared to Morris, Quinnell, Nichol, Guscott, Jiffy and Inverdale and the like, I put Barnes well ahead.

fixed that for you sir

Glad you fixed it and put Jiffy in there. Has to be the worst pundit/commentator ever.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Don't mind Barnes it was that other total wenker he was commentating with that got on my t88s

[justified sinner]

Edinburgh have tweeted big news tomorrow. Think it's this

http://www.rugby-talk.com/2014/04/anton-bresler-dalk-op-pad-na-die-edinboere-toe/comment-page-1/

Wiki says he's 6'6 and just shy of 18 stone, 34 Sharks caps so possibly a decent upgrade on VDW.

[funnyExiledScot]

Looks exactly that, a like for like replacement for VDW.

Shame an SQ player like MacKenzie couldn't be tempted back, or Richie Gray....

He's no giant at 6'6, albeit slightly bigger than VDW.

[RDW]

He's the bloke that the Beast held up on his own when he over balanced at a kick off!

[RDW]

Also, if Du Preez has taught us anything it's that size stats aren't everything - Ryan Wilson us probably bigger than him and I know who I'd rather have running at me.

This guy isn't small either - he's probably average size for a top class lock, and he wouldn't have got 30 odd caps for the sharks (one of the top super 15 teams) if he was lacking in physicality.

Suspect it won't go down well with the Facebook brigade, but it looks to be a very good signing!

[justified sinner]

Remember a lot of those caps were with PSDT at 5 who is rather good. Agree though looks like a good signing.

[George Carlin]

Have PMd His Biltness and ask him to come over here and tell us about him.

He must be good to feature regularly for the Sharks, hardly the poorest Super Rugby franchise and for a team that prides itself on its granite forward play.

And for heavens sake, Grandpappy knows his prime Saffer beef. Looking forward to it - he's only 26 so should be in his pomp, really.

[Majestic83]

Big signing for us if we are getting bresler. Had a fantastic super rugby campaign last season and was close to a springbok call up. Better player than ivdw. Very abrasive and pretty athletic too. Surprised a French team weren't in for him.

[Biltong]

Anton Bresler in my view is a fantastic player.

He was out for much of last season with injury, so we didn't see much of him, but as a line out man, he can mix it with the best, very good defender and can carry the ball as well as any, hits the rucks hard and has good work ethic, whoever signs him in my view is getting a very, very good signing.

I heard he is leaving SA at the end of the season. You're very lucky to get him.

One of my favourite players, better in my view than most of the players who moved to Europe in the last two years.

He is a hard man any team would appreciate, but unlike Bakkies Botha, not prone to foul play

[Biltong]

Big signing for us if we are getting bresler. Had a fantastic super rugby campaign last season and was close to a springbok call up. Better player than ivdw. Very abrasive and pretty athletic too. Surprised a French team weren't in for him.

You're thinking of 2012 mate, he was out for most of last season.

[RDW]

Anton Bresler in my view is a fantastic player.

He was out for much of last season with injury, so we didn't see much of him, but as a line out man, he can mix it with the best, very good defender and can carry the ball as well as any, hits the rucks hard and has good work ethic, whoever signs him in my view is getting a very, very good signing.

I heard he is leaving SA at the end of the season. You're very lucky to get him.

One of my favourite players, better in my view than most of the players who moved to Europe in the last two years.

He is a hard man any team would appreciate, but unlike Bakkies Botha, not prone to foul play

Sounds good to me!

[CraigS1874]

Love to think after those years with bradly and rob Moffat we are finally building a tough pack who will not get bullied. We should be finishing at least top 6 next year.

O and I have seen pienaar and rory best are out for the next few weeks for ulster, glasgow have a real chance to get 3rd and if they beat Munster (I know it's unlikely) they could even get a home semi. That would not be bad after the start they had this season.

[George Carlin]

Anton Bresler in my view is a fantastic player.

He was out for much of last season with injury, so we didn't see much of him, but as a line out man, he can mix it with the best, very good defender and can carry the ball as well as any, hits the rucks hard and has good work ethic, whoever signs him in my view is getting a very, very good signing.

I heard he is leaving SA at the end of the season. You're very lucky to get him.

One of my favourite players, better in my view than most of the players who moved to Europe in the last two years.

He is a hard man any team would appreciate, but unlike Bakkies Botha, not prone to foul play

 

[RDW]

Can see plenty Edinburgh fans moaning about this, but given that it looks like we've swapped one saffer 2nd row for a younger,bigger, more high level experienced saffer it is very good news all round!

[justified sinner]

RDW as an Edinburgh season ticket holder I will anything but moan. Should be good for bringing the young locks on.

[RDW]

It's the Facebook brigade I'm talking about - moan about anything and they won't be able to see past anything other than the fact he's not Scottish.

Hope we can get him in the summer - VDV took a whole season to make a real impact cause he'd gone from a full season in south Africa straight into the start of the pro 12 season.

[Majestic83]

Don't get too excited about tomorrow's new story. It's not about bresler. It's contract news for dougie fife, jack cuthbert and tom brown.

[RDW]

Oh, but of an anti climax but still good news!

Is bresler on his way though?

[Majestic83]

Yeah still good news as those 3 have been in good form. Other news i was told is Nikki walker is def off at the end of the season. Lee jones future is still undecided apparently.

No news on Bresler yet but from what I was told it was v likely.

[VinceWLB]

Anton Bresler in my view is a fantastic player.

He was out for much of last season with injury, so we didn't see much of him, but as a line out man, he can mix it with the best, very good defender and can carry the ball as well as any, hits the rucks hard and has good work ethic, whoever signs him in my view is getting a very, very good signing.

I heard he is leaving SA at the end of the season. You're very lucky to get him.

One of my favourite players, better in my view than most of the players who moved to Europe in the last two years.

He is a hard man any team would appreciate, but unlike Bakkies Botha, not prone to foul play

Sounds excellent   

How does he compare to George Earle? currently at the Scarlets who i think has been the best SA import in the rabo in the last 3-4 seasons.

Have to say Izak Van der Westhuizen has been a slight disapointment.

[Biltong]

Better, much better.

[RDW]

Judging by his Twitter page the guy has recently had shoulder surgery - bit of a risk signing someone with unknown fitness?

[funnyExiledScot]

Judging by his Twitter page the guy has recently had shoulder surgery - bit of a risk signing someone with unknown fitness?

Come off it RDW. Edinburgh would never make a mistake like that.....

Farewell Ben Atiga and Nikki Walker. Great servants to Edinburgh rugby......

[RDW]

Confirmed that today's exciting news is the re-signing of Fife, Brown and Cuthbert.

[funnyExiledScot]

I'm pleased that Cuthbert, Fife and Brown are re-signing. Cuthbert has surprised a few of us this season, and with Tonks moving to 10 I think we'll see more of Brown at 15 as well next season. Brown has also gone pretty well this season moving onto the wing. Chases the kicks hard, has decent pace and is brave in the tackle. One to hang onto.

The real star of the trio is Dougie Fife though. He has real pace and a knack of slipping through tackles. I've long felt that his ultimate position is going to be at 13, and with NDL moving on I hope he gets a chance in the role outside Matt Scott next season. I think they'd work really well together.

Still, Bresler sounds like an excellent player, and Scotland has oodles of depth at lock so I've no issue with this signing from a Scotland perspective. In that regard the key is not to signing another NSQ fly half, wing or centre. Scotland now needs more depth in those positions and we have enough young SQ players knocking on the door to avoid getting another Bezzy, Francis, Atiga, Dominguez or Strauss.

[RDW]

Tom Brown has done well this season filling in on the wing, I love his blatant disregard for his well-being both in attack and defence, but when everyone is fit he will be no more than squad cover, which is fair enough.

As FES says Fife is the most promising, but has had a quiet few months for Edinburgh after a promising start to the season. Big season for him next year to see whether he will kick on to be a genuine international player or just be yet another promising youngster who never quite made it.

[funnyExiledScot]

I'm not so sure that Brown will just be squad cover. Whilst Cuthbert is on good form now, I think Brown could be a decent challenger at 15 next season should that form not be maintained. Brown is faster over the ground (hardly a shock there) and tackles well one on one. If Cuthbert doesn't maintain form I think Brown could present a decent challenge, although I agree that at wing he's only really cover.

I think Fife has been quiet largely down to the Murrayfield pitch but primarily the tactics Edinburgh have deployed recently. We've been very narrow in attack, and kicked pretty much anything outside the opposition half. As a result the wingers on both sides have had little opportunity to show what they can do in attack or broken play, and unless Cuthbert runs the ball back from deep (which he rarely does although can do it quite effectively), then the wingers have little hope of shining at present.

What I have noticed is that he does very little wrong, and has a very low error count. When he is called upon to finish, he invariably does, and I can't recall him missing many tackles. His call-up to the Scotland XV was entirely justifed on form, albeit that he was put in a horrible position by Hogg and SJ's stupidity.

[RDW]

The thing is that Cuthbert is very much in the Solomons mould - big strong presence at the back with a massive boot to get territory.  There's no point playing a light weight fast 15 if the tactics are to kick to corners and play low risk rugby. As you say that's probably the reason why Fife has had a quiet end to the season.  Solomons said that he would start off with basic tactics and build from there, so hopefully next season we will see more than the route 1 stuff that we go for just now.  

An attack coach would help greatly. I think Omar is doing this just now, and that really isn't where his strengths lie. Given that his passion is in contact skills, our attack is going to involve a lot of contact!

Both Fife and Brown are excellent kick chasers - Fife especially - a skill that Scottish players rarely seem to have these days.

[funnyExiledScot]

I agree, and I think Solomons has been right to disconstruct Edinburgh and basically start again from scratch. Both Moffatt and Bradley were completely incompetent, and seemed to give Edinburgh no purpose or tactics on the field. I sat last season through numerous games trying to figure out what Edinburgh were trying to do, and invariably came up short. At least with Solomons things are clear. The defence is to give nothing away. Anything in our own half is kicked. With possession and territory we go through a series of short sharp pick and drives, using the blindside as much as possible, and then unleash a couple of backs moves once established in the opposition 22, usually with a basic switch play or mis-pass to bring Cuthbert running from deep onto the ball. Repeat as necessary.

It's simple stuff, and reasonably effective. The worst result of the season was probably losing to Treviso, and even then it was a game we ought to have won. Hopefully with Visser back next season we'll have more reason to get the ball wide sooner, and a Hart/Tonks half back combination is a far bigger running threat round the fringes than Laidlaw/Leonard.

[VinceWLB]

Better, much better.

Cheers   

Well quite underwhelmed todays' big anouncement wasn't Bresler's signing then!

But Cuthbert is having a great season and Fife and Brown are the future and have been doing well so good news all around.

[RDW]

Looking on some of the comments on the article about Bresler, he seems to have discipline problems and regularly get involved off the ball -anyone able to comment?

[nickj]

I'm afraid not RDW. I was going to ask whether he was coming over as a project?

[Biltong]

Looking on some of the comments on the article about Bresler, he seems to have discipline problems and regularly get involved off the ball -anyone able to comment?

No more than any other player, he is certainly no Bakkies Botha.

In fact I can't remember that he has ever been cited for dangerous or foul play.

[funnyExiledScot]

We could use a bit of off the ball niggle at Edinburgh now that Sean Cox has left!

[RDW]

Looking on some of the comments on the article about Bresler, he seems to have discipline problems and regularly get involved off the ball -anyone able to comment?

No more than any other player, he is certainly no Bakkies Botha.

In fact I can't remember that he has ever been cited for dangerous or foul play.

Can you also confirm that he has recently had shoulder surgery, as his Twitter page seems to suggest?

[Biltong]

Looking on some of the comments on the article about Bresler, he seems to have discipline problems and regularly get involved off the ball -anyone able to comment?

No more than any other player, he is certainly no Bakkies Botha.

In fact I can't remember that he has ever been cited for dangerous or foul play.

Can you also confirm that he has recently had shoulder surgery, as his Twitter page seems to suggest?

It was nothing serious, he injured his shoulder in training, but from what I have heard he is on the bench this weekend, allowing Pieter Stef du Toit to return after his injury.

[123456789]

Caledonia Reds have announced Jason White as their Head Coach, and have scheduled games on the 27th April and 4th May

[RDW]

Who have they got playing for them and who are they going to play against?

[Sponsored content]