Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 04 Aug 2016, 14:29

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

by Stone Motif Sat 22 Oct 2016, 10:26

RiscaGame wrote:We deserve to lose. There's no logic to making big changes at once again, especially after a rare win last week.

GR Jones backing up at ten shows how much of a joke the Nepotistic Gwent Dragons have become. I know Crosswell is a backrow, but it's still a waste having two locks on the bench as well.

There's a sort of logic to the FR and 3/4s but the back five of the pack looks like it was selected with a dart board

by Stone Motif Sat 22 Oct 2016, 13:49

17-12 down at the moment according to the BBC - sounds like it's going well then.

by **RiscaGame** Sat 22 Oct 2016, 13:50

Yeah HT. Think some have found a Russian stream, Stone

by Stone Motif Sat 22 Oct 2016, 14:13

RiscaGame wrote:Yeah HT. Think some have found a Russian stream, Stone

Might do a DOSC and give this one a miss. Read some comments on Gwlad that their pick and go is making us do our collective Diddy men routine again, and the kids birthday party I'm at won't be down for the kind of language that sh1t provokes in me, let alone when the online 'let's recruit a couple of Russian forwards' feckwittery fires up after they beat us.. Top marks to Kingsley for picking a lightweight starting pack it would seem.

by **RiscaGame** Sat 22 Oct 2016, 14:26

Thought Gwlad had gone?
Yeah I gather we were playing it all wrong first half. Argus think we are tactically spot on this half though.

by **RiscaGame** Sat 22 Oct 2016, 14:27

Restarts again a mare.

by Cardiff Dave Sat 22 Oct 2016, 14:29

http://www.enisei-stm.ru/

by Cardiff Dave Sat 22 Oct 2016, 14:41

Try to the Soviets.
Newportski trail 31-18 with 5mins to go.

by mikey_dragon Sat 22 Oct 2016, 14:45

So it's turning out to be another convincing loss, mostly in part due to KJ and his rather odd rotation policy. Twice he did it when we played the Italians away from home and ended up losing badly. Now today, with no disrespect to the Russians who keep on getting scalps, he rotated again and we end up getting stuffed by a team of minnows, again. If he can't learn from his own stupidity then surely the honorable thing to do is resign?

by Cardiff Dave Sat 22 Oct 2016, 14:47

Ouchski!

by dragon4life Sat 22 Oct 2016, 14:49

Lots of their tries were from pick and go, we were shocking in defence every try was soft. I don't understand why he didn't play the same team as last week. The tactical subs are all bizarre taking Landman off after 50 and bringing GR Jones on with 10 mins left when we were within a try

by Cardiff Dave Sat 22 Oct 2016, 15:09

Stone Motif wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:Yeah HT. Think some have found a Russian stream, Stone

Might do a DOSC and give this one a miss. Read some comments on Gwlad that their pick and go is making us do our collective Diddy men routine again, and the kids birthday party I'm at won't be down for the kind of language that sh1t provokes in me, let alone when the online 'let's recruit a couple of Russian forwards' feckwittery fires up after they beat us.. Top marks to Kingsley for picking a lightweight starting pack it would seem.

Half a league, half a league......

by Stone Motif Sat 22 Oct 2016, 15:36

http://nugwlad.freeforums.net

RiscaGame wrote:Thought Gwlad had gone?
Yeah I gather we were playing it all wrong first half. Argus think we are tactically spot on this half though.

I guess the plan was to get bummed back to Gwent in the second half then...

by Stone Motif Sat 22 Oct 2016, 15:39

dragon4life wrote:Lots of their tries were from pick and go, we were shocking in defence every try was soft. I don't understand why he didn't play the same team as last week. The tactical subs are all bizarre taking Landman off after 50 and bringing GR Jones on with 10 mins left when we were within a try

The whole thing is a disaster in planning. I knew this would be a bumming the minute Pinky unveiled his master stroke of getting the players straight off a bus/plane to play the match, just so as not to spend any more money.

by **RiscaGame** Sat 22 Oct 2016, 16:02

That's farcical yeah. I can't say I'm surprised though.

by mikey_dragon Sat 22 Oct 2016, 16:51

KJ: "We failed to deal with their body heights in particular and also their kicking game which was excellent. Their kicker didn't miss a goal."

I don't get it, were they too short or too tall?

by Stone Motif Sat 22 Oct 2016, 17:52

mikey_dragon wrote:KJ: "We failed to deal with their body heights in particular and also their kicking game which was excellent. Their kicker didn't miss a goal."

I don't get it, were they too short or too tall?

Being as he was wittering on about how short our front row were, I'm guessing too tall

by Cardiff Dave Sun 23 Oct 2016, 20:43

mikey_dragon wrote:KJ: "We failed to deal with their body heights in particular and also their kicking game which was excellent. Their kicker didn't miss a goal."

I don't get it, were they too short or too tall?

Bigger boys mun.
Praps in future, KJ should have a stand-in for the media stuff.

by Stone Motif Mon 24 Oct 2016, 09:24

Cardiff Dave wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:KJ: "We failed to deal with their body heights in particular and also their kicking game which was excellent. Their kicker didn't miss a goal."

I don't get it, were they too short or too tall?

Bigger boys mun.
Praps in future, KJ should have a stand-in for the media stuff.

Just the media stuff?

by mikey_dragon Mon 24 Oct 2016, 09:27

Stone Motif wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:KJ: "We failed to deal with their body heights in particular and also their kicking game which was excellent. Their kicker didn't miss a goal."

I don't get it, were they too short or too tall?

Being as he was wittering on about how short our front row were, I'm guessing too tall

Yet he selected them. The guy is mad.

by Guest Mon 24 Oct 2016, 10:35

Out of the 6 starting front rowers between the two sides only 1 was noticeably different: The Russian tighthead at 6'6". The rest of the starters were similar around 5'11" - 6'1" according to their profiles on Euro rugby cup website. But actually, I remember a discussion on here a few years back about how too much height can be a disadvantage to props as they're more 'hinged' at the hip when facing shorter props. They can't get down as low and are essentially putting their backsides in the air and aiming their torsos downwards. Or something like that. Plus, with his hooker and LH being 5 or 6 inches shorter than him then that can't be easy for him to get down and bind together with his front row buddies. It would all be a bit lopsided.

Not sure about the substitutes though. Didn't look it up. But sounds more like excuses from KJ to me.

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon 24 Oct 2016, 10:48

The saddest thing about this is that there'll be zero repercussions.

by GavinDragon Tue 25 Oct 2016, 13:29

Griff wrote:Out of the 6 starting front rowers between the two sides only 1 was noticeably different: The Russian tighthead at 6'6". The rest of the starters were similar around 5'11" - 6'1" according to their profiles on Euro rugby cup website. But actually, I remember a discussion on here a few years back about how too much height can be a disadvantage to props as they're more 'hinged' at the hip when facing shorter props. They can't get down as low and are essentially putting their backsides in the air and aiming their torsos downwards. Or something like that. Plus, with his hooker and LH being 5 or 6 inches shorter than him then that can't be easy for him to get down and bind together with his front row buddies. It would all be a bit lopsided.

Not sure about the substitutes though. Didn't look it up. But sounds more like excuses from KJ to me.

Either way it is not really good enough - despite their result vs Worcester at sixways the weekend before. Kills any momentum following the Brive game.

by Cardiff Dave Wed 26 Oct 2016, 20:17

Stone Motif wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:KJ: "We failed to deal with their body heights in particular and also their kicking game which was excellent. Their kicker didn't miss a goal."

I don't get it, were they too short or too tall?

Bigger boys mun.
Praps in future, KJ should have a stand-in for the media stuff.

Just the media stuff?

Stuart Davies?

by **RiscaGame** Thu 27 Oct 2016, 02:47

He's too busy checking the Hazell toilets

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 28 Oct 2016, 12:08

Katie Vizard wrote:The centre partnership remains unchanged as Jack Dixon and Adam Warren retain their positions, whilst there is a change in the back three at fullback as Tom Prydie steps in alongside wings Pat Howard and Adam Warren.

Brilliant. clap

by GavinDragon Fri 28 Oct 2016, 12:26

Ha, you're just going looking for it now

Strong side though

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 28 Oct 2016, 13:54

F*ck Katie Vizard, how about this?!

'Wales wing Hallam Amos has boosted Newport Gwent Dragons by committing to at least two more years at Rodney Parade.

'The 22-year-old from Cross Ash was out of contract at the end of the season but has penned a fresh national dual contract with the Dragons and the Welsh Rugby Union.'

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/14829987.Wales_ace_Amos_pens_fresh_Dragons_deal/

Yes! Yahoo

by munkian Fri 28 Oct 2016, 14:07

I have mixed feelings about this. I want Amos to reach his full potential, I don't think he will with our current coaching setup.

by mikey_dragon Fri 28 Oct 2016, 14:24

GavinDragon wrote:

Strong side though

Apart from positions' 2 and 9.

by munkian Fri 28 Oct 2016, 15:29

Tavis did alright, needs a haircut though

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 28 Oct 2016, 15:35

I'm more annoyed about Rhys Thomas starting. We can forget about creating anything on our own throw.

by munkian Fri 28 Oct 2016, 15:40

Aye, little other choice ATM

Hes got to be retiring soon ?

by GavinDragon Fri 28 Oct 2016, 15:43

I think Buckley was doing fine.....but my god we need Dee back soon

I would have started with Griffiths too

by munkian Fri 28 Oct 2016, 15:46

I like Cudd mind. He'll tackle and jackle his heart out - then bring on Griffiths

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 28 Oct 2016, 15:47

Buckley was doing fine.

by munkian Fri 28 Oct 2016, 15:52

Some fine gent has created a new thread for the match, just sayin Very Happy

by GavinDragon Fri 28 Oct 2016, 15:58

munkian wrote:I like Cudd mind. He'll tackle and jackle his heart out - then bring on Griffiths

Genuinely think he has been less effective in turning the ball over this season.....still tackles like a dog.

I think we lack ball carriers in front 5 as it is, so I prefer Ollie.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 28 Oct 2016, 16:15

munkian wrote:Some fine gent has created a new thread for the match, just sayin

I created one at lunchtime, then I spotted yours, so I deleted mine.

by munkian Fri 28 Oct 2016, 16:23

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
munkian wrote:Some fine gent has created a new thread for the match, just sayin

I created one at lunchtime, then I spotted yours, so I deleted mine.

Hah, fairy nuff.

by **RiscaGame** Fri 28 Oct 2016, 16:52

Would've kept Buckley, started Griffiths over Cudd and Warren over Dixon, with Hewitt on the wing.

by Cardiff Dave Fri 28 Oct 2016, 19:35

RiscaGame wrote:He's too busy checking the Hazell toilets

And no doubt, also monitoring the waves lapping up against the Bisley promenade.
Reminds me of CAP's sandy beach.

by Guest Fri 28 Oct 2016, 19:56

Ahh, the Hazell Terrace toilets. There's nothing quite like the steam of another mans p*ss in winter entering your nostrils while you innocently stand their holding your breath and praying you can hold it until you get outta there! Wee weeing against a Black and Amber breeze block wall. I miss those bogs Sad

by Cardiff Dave Mon 31 Oct 2016, 20:20

Griff wrote:Ahh, the Hazell Terrace toilets. There's nothing quite like the steam of another mans p*ss in winter entering your nostrils while you innocently stand their holding your breath and praying you can hold it until you get outta there! Wee weeing against a Black and Amber breeze block wall. I miss those bogs

Entering the Argus prefab bog twas an eerie adventure. Swayed in the wind. Sloped too.

by Guest Mon 31 Oct 2016, 21:16

Cardiff Dave wrote:
Griff wrote:Ahh, the Hazell Terrace toilets. There's nothing quite like the steam of another mans p*ss in winter entering your nostrils while you innocently stand their holding your breath and praying you can hold it until you get outta there! Wee weeing against a Black and Amber breeze block wall. I miss those bogs

Entering the Argus prefab bog twas an eerie adventure. Swayed in the wind. Sloped too.

Yeah, when I say I miss the Hazell bogs they haven't gone anywhere. They're still there. I'm just over in the 'posh' side now in the Bisley Stand with 'posh' bogs. Gone is the Argus terrace and the prefab bog, replaced by nicer toilets and a concourse (is that the right word?!) that looks eerily like the Millennium Stadium set up IMO. Just very much smaller.

by mikey_dragon Wed 02 Nov 2016, 09:28

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37839875 McLeod out for 2 months, so now we have to rely on fly-halves incapable of coping with rugby at this level.

by munkian Wed 02 Nov 2016, 09:42

mikey_dragon wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37839875 McLeod out for 2 months, so now we have to rely on fly-halves incapable of coping with rugby at this level.

Nothing new there then. Its a strange new feeling hoping Dorian is back soon.

by mikey_dragon Wed 02 Nov 2016, 09:43

Within two weeks apparently, as is Dee.

by munkian Wed 02 Nov 2016, 09:47

Dee supposedly back for Friday - from the bench I'd imagine

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 03 Nov 2016, 12:23

Dragons: T Prydie, P Howard, S Beard, J Dixon, A Hewitt, A O’Brien, S Pretorius, P Price, R Thomas, B Harris, N Crosswell, R Landman, L Evans (captain), O Griffiths, E Jackson. Replacements: R Buckley, S Hobbs, L Fairbrother, M Screech, N Cudd, T Knoyle, GR Jones, A Warren

Connacht: T O’Halloran, N Adeolokun, B Aki, P Robb, S Ili, J Carty, C Blade, JP Cooney, S Delahunt, C Carey, Q Roux, A Browne, E McKeon, J Heenan, J Muldoon (captain). Replacements: D Heffernan, S Meunargia, D Robertson-McCoy, J Cannon, J Connolly, C McKeon, S O’Leary, C Kelleher

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