Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
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The v2 Forum :: Sport :: Rugby Union :: Club Rugby
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Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
First topic message reminder :
Seeing as no one else has set one up, I thought I'd start a 2016/17 season thread for the mighty Dragons.
The Dragons website doesn't have a straightforward list of the squad members, so the best I can do is a link to the page:
http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/Teams/Squad/Dragons
Fri, 05 Aug 2016 Rygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404 Parc Erias, Colwyn Bay F
Fri, 12 Aug 2016 Cardiff Blues Rodney Parade, Newport F
Sat, 20 Aug 2016 Ealing Trailfinders CCBC Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach F
Fri, 26 Aug 2016 Exeter Chiefs Rodney Parade, Newport F
Fri, 02 Sep 2016 Ulster Kingspan Stadium, Belfast GP12 BBC N Ireland
Fri, 09 Sep 2016 Zebre Rugby Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
Sat, 17 Sep 2016 Munster Rodney Parade, Newport GP12 Sky Sports
Fri, 23 Sep 2016 Benetton Rugby Treviso Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso GP12
Fri, 30 Sep 2016 Glasgow Warriors Rodney Parade, Newport GP12 BBC Two Wales
Sat, 08 Oct 2016 Scarlets Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli GP12 S4C
Sat, 29 Oct 2016 Ospreys Liberty Stadium, Swansea GP12 S4C, Sky Sports
Fri, 04 Nov 2016 Connacht Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
Sat, 12 Nov 2016 Leicester Tigers Welford Road, Leicester AWC
Fri, 18 Nov 2016 Scarlets Rodney Parade, Newport AWC
Sun, 27 Nov 2016 Edinburgh Rugby Rodney Parade, Newport GP12 S4C
Sat, 03 Dec 2016 Leinster Royal Dublin Society, Dublin GP12 S4C
Mon, 26 Dec 2016 Cardiff Blues Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff GP12 BBC Two Wales
Sun, 01 Jan 2017 Ospreys Rodney Parade, Newport GP12 BBC Two Wales
Fri, 06 Jan 2017 Benetton Rugby Treviso Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
Sun, 29 Jan 2017 Newcastle Falcons Rodney Parade, Newport AWC
Sat, 04 Feb 2017 Gloucester Rugby Kingsholm, Gloucester AWC
10/11/12 Feb 2017 Munster Thomond Park, Limerick GP12
17/18/19 Feb 2017 Connacht The Sportsground, Galway GP12
24/25/26 Feb 2017 Leinster Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
3/4/5 Mar 2017 Glasgow Warriors Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow GP12
24/25/26 Mar 2017 Ulster Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
7/8/9 Apr 2017 Zebre Rugby Stadio XXV Aprile, Parma GP12
Sat, 15 Apr 2017 Scarlets Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
28/29/30 Apr 2017 Edinburgh Rugby Murrayfield, Edinburgh GP12
Sat, 06 May 2017 Cardiff Blues Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
Seeing as no one else has set one up, I thought I'd start a 2016/17 season thread for the mighty Dragons.
The Dragons website doesn't have a straightforward list of the squad members, so the best I can do is a link to the page:
http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/Teams/Squad/Dragons
Fri, 05 Aug 2016 Rygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404 Parc Erias, Colwyn Bay F
Fri, 12 Aug 2016 Cardiff Blues Rodney Parade, Newport F
Sat, 20 Aug 2016 Ealing Trailfinders CCBC Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach F
Fri, 26 Aug 2016 Exeter Chiefs Rodney Parade, Newport F
Fri, 02 Sep 2016 Ulster Kingspan Stadium, Belfast GP12 BBC N Ireland
Fri, 09 Sep 2016 Zebre Rugby Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
Sat, 17 Sep 2016 Munster Rodney Parade, Newport GP12 Sky Sports
Fri, 23 Sep 2016 Benetton Rugby Treviso Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso GP12
Fri, 30 Sep 2016 Glasgow Warriors Rodney Parade, Newport GP12 BBC Two Wales
Sat, 08 Oct 2016 Scarlets Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli GP12 S4C
Sat, 29 Oct 2016 Ospreys Liberty Stadium, Swansea GP12 S4C, Sky Sports
Fri, 04 Nov 2016 Connacht Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
Sat, 12 Nov 2016 Leicester Tigers Welford Road, Leicester AWC
Fri, 18 Nov 2016 Scarlets Rodney Parade, Newport AWC
Sun, 27 Nov 2016 Edinburgh Rugby Rodney Parade, Newport GP12 S4C
Sat, 03 Dec 2016 Leinster Royal Dublin Society, Dublin GP12 S4C
Mon, 26 Dec 2016 Cardiff Blues Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff GP12 BBC Two Wales
Sun, 01 Jan 2017 Ospreys Rodney Parade, Newport GP12 BBC Two Wales
Fri, 06 Jan 2017 Benetton Rugby Treviso Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
Sun, 29 Jan 2017 Newcastle Falcons Rodney Parade, Newport AWC
Sat, 04 Feb 2017 Gloucester Rugby Kingsholm, Gloucester AWC
10/11/12 Feb 2017 Munster Thomond Park, Limerick GP12
17/18/19 Feb 2017 Connacht The Sportsground, Galway GP12
24/25/26 Feb 2017 Leinster Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
3/4/5 Mar 2017 Glasgow Warriors Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow GP12
24/25/26 Mar 2017 Ulster Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
7/8/9 Apr 2017 Zebre Rugby Stadio XXV Aprile, Parma GP12
Sat, 15 Apr 2017 Scarlets Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
28/29/30 Apr 2017 Edinburgh Rugby Murrayfield, Edinburgh GP12
Sat, 06 May 2017 Cardiff Blues Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
Luckless Pedestrian- Posts : 24898
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Was the crowd as sparse as indicated or was the Bowel being a dick as usual.
Stone Motif- Posts : 3141
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
RiscaGame wrote:Wow. Been a while.
Been ill mun. Hospital and everything.
I see the new not-Newport bloo jersey has an "@" logo, but no name. Why's that?
Cardiff Dave- Posts : 6596
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Stone Motif wrote:Was the crowd as sparse as indicated or was the Bowel being a dick as usual.
What did he/it say?
Cardiff Dave- Posts : 6596
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Cardiff Dave wrote:RiscaGame wrote:Wow. Been a while.
Been ill mun. Hospital and everything.
I see the new not-Newport bloo jersey has an "@" logo, but no name. Why's that?
Been that way for a few seasons?
Stone Motif- Posts : 3141
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Cardiff Dave wrote:Stone Motif wrote:Was the crowd as sparse as indicated or was the Bowel being a dick as usual.
What did he/it say?
Hope you're feeling better.
Bowel wrote: Sh1te crowd
Stone Motif- Posts : 3141
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
How was the game for those who attended? I seen online that Blouse fans were quite confident and couldn't understand why, that isn't a good 'experienced' team they put out. Where are your TH props? Filise surely can't be expected to be back up this year...
mikey_dragon- Posts : 15584
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
We played some brilliant stuff up until 31-0. Really good. Can't really read too much I guess. I wonder if the low attendance was just because it was a friendly, or people have walked away?
RiscaGame- Moderator
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Yeah that's the impression I got - it sounds a bit like how we perform in the ECC. Gotta sort out those second halves. I'm not sure anyone has walked away, and would assume it was because it's a friendly. Do we or anyone ever get a great attendance for a friendly?
mikey_dragon- Posts : 15584
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
One thing is for sure, we are looking to play a quicker game this year. Which makes sense considering we are not a beefy side and have a very quick 9
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Crowd was sparse but then it was a pre season training match though not exactly far for Blues fans to travel either considering how confident some seemed.
Usual suspects on twitter seem to have spent all weekend poking fun at the 'Kingdom of Gwent' tag rather than discuss the game (and Cardiff being down 31-0 at one point)
Usual suspects on twitter seem to have spent all weekend poking fun at the 'Kingdom of Gwent' tag rather than discuss the game (and Cardiff being down 31-0 at one point)
munkian- Posts : 8456
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
That is nothing new. There are two "straplines" and each relate to the range of kits the region produce. The "Men of Gwent" range is the black kit (it used to be on the back of the collar on those kits also - not sure if it is on this year's) and the "kingdom of gwent" is the blue.
It has been around since we have the Blue/Black kit a few year's back - nothing new.
As an aside, attended "Dragons on tour" event yesterday as part of the supporters club and the message from each club was extremely positive. Each wants us to be their region and appreciated the players being there to sign autographs etc. All arranged at relative short notice but such positivity will mean it will run again next year, be bigger and better and include more clubs. Clubs we visited this year were Caerphilly RFC, Hafodyrynys RFC, Ebbw Vale RFC and Penalta RFC. A write up of the weekend's activities will be online later.
It has been around since we have the Blue/Black kit a few year's back - nothing new.
As an aside, attended "Dragons on tour" event yesterday as part of the supporters club and the message from each club was extremely positive. Each wants us to be their region and appreciated the players being there to sign autographs etc. All arranged at relative short notice but such positivity will mean it will run again next year, be bigger and better and include more clubs. Clubs we visited this year were Caerphilly RFC, Hafodyrynys RFC, Ebbw Vale RFC and Penalta RFC. A write up of the weekend's activities will be online later.
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
GavinDragon wrote:That is nothing new. There are two "straplines" and each relate to the range of kits the region produce. The "Men of Gwent" range is the black kit (it used to be on the back of the collar on those kits also - not sure if it is on this year's) and the "kingdom of gwent" is the blue.
It has been around since we have the Blue/Black kit a few year's back - nothing new.
As an aside, attended "Dragons on tour" event yesterday as part of the supporters club and the message from each club was extremely positive. Each wants us to be their region and appreciated the players being there to sign autographs etc. All arranged at relative short notice but such positivity will mean it will run again next year, be bigger and better and include more clubs. Clubs we visited this year were Caerphilly RFC, Hafodyrynys RFC, Ebbw Vale RFC and Penalta RFC. A write up of the weekend's activities will be online later.
Nice one - cheers Gavin - good result this weekend too.
munkian- Posts : 8456
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Good result and it appears we are going to try and play an attractive brand. Being realistic I still think we will be 9th or 10th but I do think there will be more enjoyable rugby to watch this year.
We are also working hard on the region to improve the bar situation and hopefully we will be able to announce something at the Q&A on Thursday which could be a nice benefit to our members. Anyone here going to the Q&A?
We are also working hard on the region to improve the bar situation and hopefully we will be able to announce something at the Q&A on Thursday which could be a nice benefit to our members. Anyone here going to the Q&A?
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
GavinDragon wrote:Good result and it appears we are going to try and play an attractive brand. Being realistic I still think we will be 9th or 10th but I do think there will be more enjoyable rugby to watch this year.
We are also working hard on the region to improve the bar situation and hopefully we will be able to announce something at the Q&A on Thursday which could be a nice benefit to our members. Anyone here going to the Q&A?
Yeah - apart from letting them back a fair bit it was a fairly attractive rugby and thats without our 'star' backs.
Again - wont make it from Bristol but I reckon some of my mates will go.
munkian- Posts : 8456
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
dragon4life wrote:Anyone go to the game last night? How did we play and how were the new signings?
It wasn't a popular signing, but I thought Nick Macleod was really good. Very solid - he did nothing flash, but also nothing wrong. I'd settle for that from outside half this season.
We won a couple of scrum penalties when Craig Mitchell came on, although you can't say that was down to him given the number of changes to both packs in the second half.
Apart from one pass, Adam Warren was really good again.
Ollie Griffiths won a couple of turnovers
Luckless Pedestrian- Posts : 24898
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Dee was in a moonboot on Sunday, but walking said he should be fine but would no more today...
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Any news on Sam Hobbs's HIA?
Luckless Pedestrian- Posts : 24898
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Haven't heard anything. Although definitely one to ask on Thursday.
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
http://www.dragonssupportersclub.com/news/2016/8/14/gwent-club-events-cap-off-a-good-weekend-for-dragons-rugby
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/14689944.Dragons_have_a_duty_to_be_entertainers_with_attacking_approach___backs_coach_Connor/
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
I don't mind winning 3-0 to be honest rather than be entertaining and plucky losers.
You need a mix of attacking play and sensible kicking surely ?
You need a mix of attacking play and sensible kicking surely ?
munkian- Posts : 8456
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Last year we were not entertaining and still narrow losers. I would rather win, but if it is a choice between high tempo attacking rugby and lose and a kick fest and lose I choose the former.
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
munkian wrote:I don't mind winning 3-0 to be honest rather than be entertaining and plucky losers.
You need a mix of attacking play and sensible kicking surely ?
Think Macleod should provide that for us. Chatting to someone who is friendly with Angus O'Briens dad, who asked him (Angus) why in one particular match he had kicked so much even when there were oppotunities? His response, "because I was told to kick".
Sums up the last coach.
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Yupp, and the current WRU coaches - some free running rugby against NZ hasn't convinced me otherwise yet.
munkian- Posts : 8456
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
In fairness, I thought there was far more intent from us in the first two tests in particular and scored a couple of good tries (the Alun Wyn-Jones try in particular). Have to think that was a fully loaded AB side away from home and we held our own for large periods. It was certainly an improvement in result and performance from the last time we toured there in 2010, and the performance was better, in attacking intent, than we had seen in the Autumn of 2014.
Just need the intensity of play to trickle down to regional level now, and again further to prem, to keep driving standards and narrow the gap.
Just need the intensity of play to trickle down to regional level now, and again further to prem, to keep driving standards and narrow the gap.
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
The problem with Wales in New Zealand is that, generally, we went from our usual hardly ever going wide - easy to defend - to going wide every time - also easy to defend. It might have surprised the All Blacks in the first Test, but they soon got wise to it. At times we were just shipping it on, going from one touchline to the other, and they could just drift across field every time.
Two things we don't see enough of from Wales: players coming back on the angle, whether receiving the ball or as dummy runners, and passes out of the tackle. I genuinely don't know why this is.
Two things we don't see enough of from Wales: players coming back on the angle, whether receiving the ball or as dummy runners, and passes out of the tackle. I genuinely don't know why this is.
Luckless Pedestrian- Posts : 24898
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:The problem with Wales in New Zealand is that, generally, we went from our usual hardly ever going wide - easy to defend - to going wide every time - also easy to defend. It might have surprised the All Blacks in the first Test, but they soon got wise to it. At times we were just shipping it on, going from one touchline to the other, and they could just drift across field every time.
Two things we don't see enough of from Wales: players coming back on the angle, whether receiving the ball or as dummy runners, and passes out of the tackle. I genuinely don't know why this is.
Skill level, lack of. Difficult to do that when playing at that intensity and you are not used to it. They are more physicial and fitter and can play at a higher tempo and still execute those types of skills and make the right decision. Working off the ball (cutting in on the angle, running a support line for an offload) is a far more mentally tasking thing to do when you are blowing out of your backside.
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
I think the boys played well and applaud the new (old) style I just doubt whether we'll stick to it.
munkian- Posts : 8456
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
It's about awareness, too. If the defence has fanned out, pick and drive a few times to draw them in. Don't go wide just because that's what you've been told to do. Conversely, if they've got numbers at the breakdown, picking and driving isn't going to do you much good (running onto the ball at close quarters is a different matter, but we don't do that). It's knowing what to do and when.
Luckless Pedestrian- Posts : 24898
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Anyway, enough about Wales: how do we think the other regions will do in the league this season?
Luckless Pedestrian- Posts : 24898
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Turks will do well, Ospreys will underperform as usual, will be a dog fight between Blues and us for bottom place.
munkian- Posts : 8456
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
I actually think Ospreys will do well this season, and the rest of us will be languishing in the bottom.
mikey_dragon- Posts : 15584
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Based on what ?
munkian- Posts : 8456
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
I don't know what to expect of the Blues. They improved quite a bit in the second half of last season, but the question is whether or not that rise will continue. You'd think they'll miss Patchell, but Steve Shingler played well when he came on last Friday.
Luckless Pedestrian- Posts : 24898
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Think Blues will be top Welsh region and will be close to a top 4, then Scarlets, Ospreys and, unfortunately, us.
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
GavinDragon wrote:Think Blues will be top Welsh region and will be close to a top 4, then Scarlets, Ospreys and, unfortunately, us.
Blasphemy
Turks recruitment has been very tidy. If they get parity up front their backline could be fantastic.
munkian- Posts : 8456
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Just really rate Danny Wilson as a coach and back him, with his imports (Naholo, Nick Williams, Gill etc), to get the most out of them.
Ospreys - people have been writing them off for two seasons yet they always seem to do well.
Ospreys - people have been writing them off for two seasons yet they always seem to do well.
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Scarlets
Blues/Ospreys (close)
Dragons
Blues/Ospreys (close)
Dragons
RiscaGame- Moderator
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
GavinDragon wrote:
Just need the intensity of play to trickle down to regional level now, and again further to prem, to keep driving standards and narrow the gap.
Never gonna happen
Stone Motif- Posts : 3141
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:The problem with Wales in New Zealand is that, generally, we went from our usual hardly ever going wide - easy to defend - to going wide every time - also easy to defend. It might have surprised the All Blacks in the first Test, but they soon got wise to it. At times we were just shipping it on, going from one touchline to the other, and they could just drift across field every time.
Two things we don't see enough of from Wales: players coming back on the angle, whether receiving the ball or as dummy runners, and passes out of the tackle. I genuinely don't know why this is.
The ability to do it is either coached out of them or secondary to that other skill priority of Gatland - the barbell bench press. You decide.
Stone Motif- Posts : 3141
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
RiscaGame wrote:Scarlets
Blues/Ospreys (close)
Dragons
This. If the O's get anywhere near the Turks or Cardiff they need to sack Pivac and Wilson. A total lack of anything resembling set piece or defensive competency, plus selection a joke.
Stone Motif- Posts : 3141
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
GavinDragon wrote:Just really rate Danny Wilson as a coach and back him, with his imports (Naholo, Nick Williams, Gill etc), to get the most out of them.
Ospreys - people have been writing them off for two seasons yet they always seem to do well.
Well, except last season obviously, where they could have quite easily finished below us had Lyn not decided scoring tries was no longer part of the game, didn't qualify for RCC1 for the first time, and were bummed good and proper in Europe.
Stone Motif- Posts : 3141
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Blues to do quite well this season, maybe top Welsh region. Just a gut feeling. But then I usually think Dragons will do a lot better than we end up doing so my prediction skills may not be the best
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
munkian wrote:Based on what ?
Whatever you based your predictions on.
Surprised people really rate the hapless Scarlets, who have been just that for 6 years despite their players. The most significant change they've made IMO is getting rid of Mark Jones. Hayward and their defence coach need to go next.
mikey_dragon- Posts : 15584
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Stone Motif wrote:GavinDragon wrote:
Just need the intensity of play to trickle down to regional level now, and again further to prem, to keep driving standards and narrow the gap.
Never gonna happen
Just give up and go home then shall we Stone as what's the point otherwise?
Also works from bottom up. I coach my u11s and everything we do now is emphasising skills under press. For example, we will have them playing a simple game of touch rugby, then whistle goes and they have to run to far corner of pitches and come straight back into the game where we expect same level of basic skills....and I know we are not the only side who train like that.
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
As an aside, points from last night's Q&A:-
- season tickets are down but it was not unexpected given last year's results.
- we definitely are looking to play a faster game. Big emphasis on skills under fatigue and 'two second rucks' players S&C programmes have been changed accordingly. Will play with one "big" lock like landman or Joe Davies and one "lighter lock" one from Hill, Screech, Sweet and Cross well. Jay Thomas will also provide cover.
- Elliot Dee could be out for up to a month.
- Harri Keddie will see time in a Dragons shirt, but they want to drip feed him in as they realise it is a big step up from U20s - Kingsley actually made the point of saying that standing out at U20 level is massively different to senior. He also said that while he had done well at Ebbw, he hadn't 'pulled up trees'. They also see him as a 6 long term.
- Apparently we have started talking to players who are out of contract at end of season and will look to tie people up around the autumn internationals or Christmas. Think Amos and Tyler are key as well as Landman, who becomes WQ next season and is out of contract.
- Still interest from investors but going through due process at the moment. I would be surprised if we hear anything this season.
- Name was brought up by Robin Davey at the end. His opinion is that while the team should the Dragons it should definitely retain Newport in the name. Kingsley joked that it should be Davey's Dragons and also said that he couldn't really care less what we are called just wants to concentrate on the rugby. Most of the room were fairly positive about efforts to engage with clubs around region, but I must stress there was a small number of people in the room (around 30).
As I was working in Bristol, I was late getting there and also had to step out so may have missed a few bits and pieces which may be communicated later. We are working with the region to give a designated supporters club bar as well as a presence in the marquee so that we have something that caters for both sets of fans (those that go for a drink or ten those with families).
In hindsight, and despite a couple of supporters raising it as an issue, having the start at 6.30 was slightly too early. I think that it being the off season and it in effect being a repeat of the May Q&A (with little new "news") also contributed to the poor turn out. Hope to get a "meet the players/new signings" session in the diary in the coming weeks if there is an appetite.
- season tickets are down but it was not unexpected given last year's results.
- we definitely are looking to play a faster game. Big emphasis on skills under fatigue and 'two second rucks' players S&C programmes have been changed accordingly. Will play with one "big" lock like landman or Joe Davies and one "lighter lock" one from Hill, Screech, Sweet and Cross well. Jay Thomas will also provide cover.
- Elliot Dee could be out for up to a month.
- Harri Keddie will see time in a Dragons shirt, but they want to drip feed him in as they realise it is a big step up from U20s - Kingsley actually made the point of saying that standing out at U20 level is massively different to senior. He also said that while he had done well at Ebbw, he hadn't 'pulled up trees'. They also see him as a 6 long term.
- Apparently we have started talking to players who are out of contract at end of season and will look to tie people up around the autumn internationals or Christmas. Think Amos and Tyler are key as well as Landman, who becomes WQ next season and is out of contract.
- Still interest from investors but going through due process at the moment. I would be surprised if we hear anything this season.
- Name was brought up by Robin Davey at the end. His opinion is that while the team should the Dragons it should definitely retain Newport in the name. Kingsley joked that it should be Davey's Dragons and also said that he couldn't really care less what we are called just wants to concentrate on the rugby. Most of the room were fairly positive about efforts to engage with clubs around region, but I must stress there was a small number of people in the room (around 30).
As I was working in Bristol, I was late getting there and also had to step out so may have missed a few bits and pieces which may be communicated later. We are working with the region to give a designated supporters club bar as well as a presence in the marquee so that we have something that caters for both sets of fans (those that go for a drink or ten those with families).
In hindsight, and despite a couple of supporters raising it as an issue, having the start at 6.30 was slightly too early. I think that it being the off season and it in effect being a repeat of the May Q&A (with little new "news") also contributed to the poor turn out. Hope to get a "meet the players/new signings" session in the diary in the coming weeks if there is an appetite.
Last edited by GavinDragon on Fri 19 Aug 2016, 10:25 am; edited 1 time in total
GavinDragon- Posts : 2574
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Age : 38
Location : Monmouthshire
Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Cheers for that Gavlar.
munkian- Posts : 8456
Join date : 2011-04-01
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Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
When asked how many ST had been sold, Stuart Davies claimed that he did not know.
From that, I can only draw two conclusions:
1. He doesn't know, so is there incompetent.
2. He does know, but they are so bad that he didn't want to make the number publicly known.
If point 2 is correct, I would question the value of holding a Supporters's Q&A if there is no honesty in the answers provided to difficult questions. Maybe that's why so few turned up, as they'd experienced something similar at previous events.
From that, I can only draw two conclusions:
1. He doesn't know, so is there incompetent.
2. He does know, but they are so bad that he didn't want to make the number publicly known.
If point 2 is correct, I would question the value of holding a Supporters's Q&A if there is no honesty in the answers provided to difficult questions. Maybe that's why so few turned up, as they'd experienced something similar at previous events.
Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
GavinDragon wrote:Stone Motif wrote:GavinDragon wrote:
Just need the intensity of play to trickle down to regional level now, and again further to prem, to keep driving standards and narrow the gap.
Never gonna happen
Just give up and go home then shall we Stone as what's the point otherwise?
Also works from bottom up. I coach my u11s and everything we do now is emphasising skills under press. For example, we will have them playing a simple game of touch rugby, then whistle goes and they have to run to far corner of pitches and come straight back into the game where we expect same level of basic skills....and I know we are not the only side who train like that.
It doesn't though. You're trying to connect things that should fundamentally be disconnected. Amateur game has no bearing on what goes on in the world of the increasingly limited pool of genetic freaks that comprise he pro rugby playing population of Wales.
On top of that then yes, if we don't tie in to a bigger league product sharpish the pro game will be moribund within a decade.
Stone Motif- Posts : 3141
Join date : 2012-03-26
Location : Gwent Region
Re: Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread
Stone Motif wrote:
It doesn't though. You're trying to connect things that should fundamentally be disconnected. Amateur game has no bearing on what goes on in the world of the increasingly limited pool of genetic freaks that comprise he pro rugby playing population of Wales.
On top of that then yes, if we don't tie in to a bigger league product sharpish the pro game will be moribund within a decade.
Spot on.
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