The Dew Drop Inn

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?

Kia - you can email me here - click on the MP icon under my name

Kia, we definitely looked like a scratch team. A lot of our players seemed fairly pedestrian in going form ruck to ruck as well, I dunno I thought we just looked tired.

I know individually there were good moments like Scott Williams, and John Davies' breaks etc, but working as a team we just didn't seem cohesive at all in the slightest.

Faletau and Stoddart were my two highlights from the match really. Thought they gave a really good account of themselves, especially Faletau on his first cap. There were hidden positives to take from the match, but I just don't trust this coaching team to get the best out of them.

Erm, not sure on the Super 15, but it can't be too much longer, especially as the Rebels won't be involved in any play offs etc. I'm just happy he's going to be given an opportunity.

KiaRose wrote:Cari,

If you are still here, send me an email as I don't have your email address - with the right technical adjustmenst you can watch the GAA live - not on an iffy stream, but too complicated to post here.

My email address is on the FB contacts list.

You can send a PM to Cari as well. Just thought I would point it out!

Staggy - will Wally be there???????????

Stag

You know how often we have discussions on penalty tries.

Yesterday in the Wales BaaBaas match when Paul Sackey "went over" only to have been in touch, so no try, even though A Rolland asked the TMO to look at it, could the BaaBaas have been awarded a penalty try by the TMO?

I was watching it again last night and Mike Phillips (I think) shoved Sackey into touch with a shoulder barge - no attempt to "tackle", use his arms. Eddie Butler commented that it was a barge, but in that case could the TMO have said "illegal challenge by MP, therefore offence committed in the act of Sackey scoring a try, therefore penalty try"?

Kiwi - duly noted about the streaming post. But it is the IRB's own website that match is available on. It's not like its illegal/dodgy. They do the same for the Junior World Championships (or they did last year).

I guess it depends what the ref asked for the TMO to look at.

If it was a "was he in touch"/ I guess no.

If it was "any reason not to award try" - maybe!

What I am trying to say is, I dont know!

Thanks Kia

I can't remember what the question was ,Hobo, but the point I am making is that the ref may not have seen / noticed the foul being committed, whereas with the slo-mo the TMO sees, he could. Therefore regardless of the question asked, is the TMO empowered to award a penalty try in such circumstances?

Cari - PM sent

KiaRose wrote:Stag

You know how often we have discussions on penalty tries.

Yesterday in the Wales BaaBaas match when Paul Sackey "went over" only to have been in touch, so no try, even though A Rolland asked the TMO to look at it, could the BaaBaas have been awarded a penalty try by the TMO?

I was watching it again last night and Mike Phillips (I think) shoved Sackey into touch with a shoulder barge - no attempt to "tackle", use his arms. Eddie Butler commented that it was a barge, but in that case could the TMO have said "illegal challenge by MP, therefore offence committed in the act of Sackey scoring a try, therefore penalty try"?

I didn't see any of that game. But based on what you describe TMO was well entitled. TMO is able to comment the ingoal area and what happens in act of scoring a try. He can also comment on foul play but only in relation to this. So yes I think its reasonable for him to do so.

Cari wrote:Staggy - will Wally be there???????????

I'm guessing he will be. Its near to where he is based so should be fine. I think Flannery and O'Connell are doing something separate to Felix Jones and Barry Murphy. Those two have a band. Not sure what Fla and Paulie are up to.

Staggy - get a photo this time!

Kia - just tried that and it doesn't work Never mind I'll stick to the radio and then watch the highlights in the week.

"working as a team we just didn't seem cohesive at all in the slightest. "

Dreamer,
Yes this seems to have been a problem area for Wales for some time. It has seemed to me, as an outside observer that there are a few prima donnas on playing for Wales who are undoubtedly very talented but forget there are 14 other guys on the pitch and sometimes one of these other guys, (who may not be as talented or as lauded as the chap with the ball) might actually be in a better position to use the ball more effectively.

Gatland does not seem to be able to integrate the talents into a 15-man team and utilise them to best effect.

Sorry Cari

I appreciate the effort Kia. I'll just have to move!

Kia - I can't argue with that at all! For ages we as fans have noticed who these players are, for me personally I would have Phillips, Byrne and to an extent Hook in that category.

I know the BaaBaa's were tiring in the 2nd half, but surely Gats and co will have noticed the difference in our game when he took Phillips and Henson off. We looked a different, quicker and I think better side.

The_Hound_of_Harrow wrote:Kiwi - duly noted about the streaming post. But it is the IRB's own website that match is available on. It's not like its illegal/dodgy. They do the same for the Junior World Championships (or they did last year).

Hound, the IRB, BBC, etc ones are fine. I was referring to the my pea to pea links that were put up yesterday


PS, for whoever asked, 2 more weekends before the Rebels are done in SXV

You have mentioned some specific players Dreamer, and it is no surprise that they all play for the same region - a region which in spite of the collection of very good players on its books has repeatedly failed to deliver.

After the HEC Final I was chatting to a guy with a London Irish shirt on. His accent was decidedly Welsh, but he was an LI supporter becasue he was a teacher in a boys' school up that way. He commented to me that it was a shame that not all very talented rugby players - and he mentioned none in particular - had behaved themselves in the sterling way that BOD had over the course of his career. When he held role model up for his charges, it was BOD he pointed at as someone who had a talent, worked hard to improve it and make best use of it and could still enjoy the perks of celebrity status without that becoming the main focus of his existence. Gopd knows, we all remember (with some embarrassment, I must admit) when BOD put blonde highlights in his hair - a somewhat youthful indiscretion, methinks!!

I think a lot of this business about the O's failing to deliver does have a lot to do sometimes with the unrealistic expectations of the Welsh media when it comes to our rugby, although I do concede the O's could have achieved more than they have.

Welsh rugby, on the men's side at least, is still not fully professional, I don't think. I've commented before that one of my friends who is in the Wales women's squad, litereally is not allowed to drink about 2 months before the 6 Nations and definitely not during the actual tournament.

Then you get the men's team where John Davies and Jamie Roberts were involved in an altercation outside a night club in Cardiff. Now I'm not saying they were drinking, but in the middle of a tournament, how professional is it to be out partying till 3am?

Welsh rugby still needs to grow up. You get players like Shanklin, Stephen Jones, Martyn Williams, Shane Williams etc who just knuckle down, stay out of the limelight for the most part and let their rugby do the talking. It's a shame not more Welsh players conduct themselves in a similar way.

And BOD's hair what a shocker that was!

Kiarose, what was your verdict on Gatlands reign as coach of Ireland? Has your view of him changed?

rugbydreamer wrote:And BOD's hair what a shocker that was!

It was a thing of beauty and your antagonistic baiting is unbecoming of a moderator!


Disgusted of Richmond,

Ok kiwi . I appreciate this site being set up, and don't want to upset the apple cart. Just checking, what's ok.

dreamer - the consensus in the pub I was in was that the subs changed Wales performance, but there were a couple of Scarlets fans there so they were biased . As well as being very dismissive of the Dragons players (too many in the team etc.) - a bit disappointing that.

Mind you, after Tito threw the interception, I did mention that there were too many Blues players in the Baa Baas . Got a laugh and all good banter

The_Hound_of_Harrow wrote:...there were a couple of Scarlets fans there so they were biased . As well as being very dismissive of the Dragons players (too many in the team etc.) - a bit disappointing that. Mind you, after Tito threw the interception, I did mention that there were too many Blues players in the Baa Baas . Got a laugh and all good banter

Aye, that sounds about right



But you've got to love them

Good call Hound on asking for clarification, I hadn't noticed the "legal" link posts when I typed mine ...

It looks like Shontayne Hape has some
legal issues pending in NZ.

I'm watching the Wales vs Baabaas now, good old Sky+

Nadal looked like he had Federer dead and buried in the 3rd set. NOT now!

Believe!

I hope this is as good as the Wimbledon Final in 2008. That was the best game of tennis I've ever seen. Even better than Bjorg and McEnroe in the 80's.

Up the Dubs!!!

Don't watch tennis Gibbo

Did de Dubs win again Cari? Just checked, they put Laois away easily. Thomond will be pleased. He so badly wants to be a Dub...

This, is a great game of tennis, between 2 Masters of the game. Compelling stuff.

Evening all,

Have had a really good day so far. Spent the afternoon with the students from my church. Had a really good conversation which was wide and varying but very interesting. Intelligent discussion which I don't think I'd get with a lot of the guys on the Sport Science part of course at least.

Aye they did Gibbo

Hey Munsty did you see the work experience thread? The BBC are looking for someone to work with them.

https://www.606v2.com/t6378-something-interesting

Was just looking at it Cari. Need to send in the answers by before midnight tonight. Need to think about it.

I didn't click on the link to the story myself, but I did think of you and Staggy when I saw it.

Not much time really. It would be fantastic for my CV and even more importantly and fantastic experience.

Oh that's a shame Munsty. It would be ideal for you as well.

I haven't a great enough interest in the Olympics to succeed in that Cari. It would have been ideal for my little brother though. Its his dream to be a sports journalist. He's done well for himself. He was Sports Editor of a city wide newspaper that the university published. And for uni projects he's done some great interviews. However he's working as a waiter in Philadelphia so it wouldn't suit him. I sent him the link to let his pals know.

Oh I see. Well I hope it goes to someone who really wants to do that as a career.

Cari wrote:Oh I see. Well I hope it goes to someone who really wants to do that as a career.

I think it will Cari. Its nice that you thought of me and Munsty. I don't know if I'd consider myself suited to it really.

Here's an interesting question. If you were to compare your/any of the regs posting or writing style do they remind you of any current pundit or journalist.

I would never compare someone to an Irish Rugby journalist. Everyone here knows something about the game.

Ha Staggy I'd probably be suited to writing for Heat magazine or something naff like that

I don't know, the style you adopt on here would be totally different to your journalistic voice, wouldn't it?

I'm applying for it now. I hate talking about "my achievements".

Ah gwaaan Munsty - sell yourself!! I bet you've done loads when you really think about it.

Just don't say "I've been told I have a face for radio"

Munsty talk yourself up. Maybe its an Irish trait but we aren't great at receiving compliments nor at talking up our achievements.

Glas yes it would I suppose. I don't talk the same way here when I post as when I write articles.

Notch - I think there are several Irish journalists who know the game very well. Others who know how to sell papers very well. I know you hate him but I like reading what Neil Francis has to say.

Cleary and Thornton are two rugby journos I enjoy reading. Ackford is becoming increasingly critical of rugby in general. Peter Jackson is pretty good for Welsh stuff.

I did a match report on 606 a few months back. Richmond v Ealing. I couldn't tell you if I was aware of any journo influencing what I wrote though.

My favourite sports writer is Martin Johnson. Originally a cricket writer, but branched out to other sports some while back. Frivolous, but very funny.

The journalist I read most often and irritates me most is Hugh Farrelly. He's well able to write an article but all too often has a pre-conceived idea going into it. He strikes me as someone who is a fan first and a journalist second. It can be ok but sometimes its annoying to read.

Thornley is good. Toland is ok. Other than that, we have plenty of journalists who are just lowest common denominator journalism. What makes it frustrating is many of them could be good journalists... but go for the big controversy, unit shifting option.

Okay, finished my application. Probably not the most polished answers but hopefully they see something in there they like.

I think my ideas for potential stories were quite good with potential.

I think the Irish Times has a very good rugby core of journalists in Thornley, Toland and John O'Sullivan. Bob Casey's column is a very good read, while Matt Williams is interesting when he writes.

To be honest, in Ireland we are very lucky with the quality and quantity of the written reporting in comparison to other nations.

Cari wrote:I would've got up earlier Nottins had it not been for someone having a party until two this morning and playing very loud Poopie music

I was still awake at 02:30 enjoying some cider