Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I understand that some players haven't had a break for a while, but still, either it's a must-win game (with a bonus point) or it isn't.

[RiscaGame]

Agree. It's the resting players all at once that he tends to do that bothers me a bit.

[Stone Motif]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/15016850.CHRIS_KIRWAN__Those_holding_the_Rodney_Parade_reins_must_stop_trying_to_be_everything_for_everyone/

Well, having had my collar felt for telling it like it is recently, nice of Chris to take a turn

[munkian]

I do like Chris, one of the few decent journalists out there.

Where's Keddie btw ?

[Guest]

I do like Chris, one of the few decent journalists out there.

Where's Keddie btw ?

There he is! Two tries tonight.

[RiscaGame]

Be interesting to see the selection for this weekend. I guess this might be the first time we actually get some sort of idea of what Kingsley's first choice team is.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Unless Hallam Amos is on track to be available for the later rounds of the tournament, I don't see any Dragons players being named in the Wales squad.

[RiscaGame]

It would be somewhat harsh on Ashton Hewitt, who has been in good form. Technically Cory Hill did nothing to warrant being dropped after being in the AI squad. Tyler Morgan shouldn't get in this time though.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I can see them bringing back Jake Ball, and opting for Steff Evans over Hewitt. I do like Steff Evans.

[RiscaGame]

Ball is apparently in good form, so I wouldn't mind if Hill missed out for him. To be honest, though it doesn't suit their ambitions, I would gladly have as little Dragons players as possible involved with Wales, to avoid the injuries they seem to pick up.

[GavinDragon]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/15016850.CHRIS_KIRWAN__Those_holding_the_Rodney_Parade_reins_must_stop_trying_to_be_everything_for_everyone/

Well, having had my collar felt for telling it like it is recently, nice of Chris to take a turn

Pity he is also not stating facts.

For example, he claims that club officials in Gwent don't give two hoots about the region. Well then how come Ebbw Vale committee members have been to Rodney Parade on two occasions this season and more planned later on? Who would have thought that 10 years ago?

And before Stone jumps on me, no I am not advocating a business case on the basis of some fans from North Gwent coming down now and again, just using this to try and dispel the myth that there is general apathy amongst the Gwent clubs, and therefore trying to entice them is a pointless endeavour.

[Stone Motif]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/15016850.CHRIS_KIRWAN__Those_holding_the_Rodney_Parade_reins_must_stop_trying_to_be_everything_for_everyone/

Well, having had my collar felt for telling it like it is recently, nice of Chris to take a turn

Pity he is also not stating facts.

For example, he claims that club officials in Gwent don't give two hoots about the region. Well then how come Ebbw Vale committee members have been to Rodney Parade on two occasions this season and more planned later on? Who would have thought that 10 years ago?

And before Stone jumps on me, no I am not advocating a business case on the basis of some fans from North Gwent coming down now and again, just using this to try and dispel the myth that there is general apathy amongst the Gwent clubs, and therefore trying to entice them is a pointless endeavour.

13 years of trying to be all things to all men has seen us become the worst pro team in the top flight across the whole British Isles. Let's see you argue that's not a fact.

[LordDowlais]

Oh, well, cue the red bars, but this I found very entertaining. Newport has overtaken Merthyr as the most unhappy place to be in Wales.

Explains the attitudes of a few members on this forum :-

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/happiest-and-least-happy-places-12466987

Please, please, take this as the joke I intend it to be, no wumming, just banter.

[PhilBB]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/15016850.CHRIS_KIRWAN__Those_holding_the_Rodney_Parade_reins_must_stop_trying_to_be_everything_for_everyone/

Well, having had my collar felt for telling it like it is recently, nice of Chris to take a turn

Pity he is also not stating facts.

For example, he claims that club officials in Gwent don't give two hoots about the region. Well then how come Ebbw Vale committee members have been to Rodney Parade on two occasions this season and more planned later on? Who would have thought that 10 years ago?

And before Stone jumps on me, no I am not advocating a business case on the basis of some fans from North Gwent coming down now and again, just using this to try and dispel the myth that there is general apathy amongst the Gwent clubs, and therefore trying to entice them is a pointless endeavour.

Two whole occassions? Whoop de do. That's one of the 73 clubs. And they've been twice. In 10 years......

I'd say twice in 10 years from one club out of 73 is the embodiment of apathy

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Wales Online? You surprise me, Dowlais.

I like living in Newport. It's not up its own @rse like Cardiff is. It knows what it is, and what it isn't.

You seem quite sensitive about this red bar thing, Dowlais. I genuinely have only voted you down once, and you must have deserved it.

[RiscaGame]

I believe they call it shanter.

[LordDowlais]

Wales Online? You surprise me, Dowlais.

I like living in Newport. It's not up its own @rse like Cardiff is. It knows what it is, and what it isn't.

You seem quite sensitive about this red bar thing, Dowlais. I genuinely have only voted you down once, and you must have deserved it.

It's OK, I have had some inside knowledge who is responsible for the red bars, it's my personal stalker, risca.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

[Hero]

Risca and Lord Dow, each and every day I see you two moaning about each other on reports. Go into your settings and block each other or I'll ban the pair of you.

[LordDowlais]

Risca and Lord Dow, each and every day I see you two moaning about each other on reports. Go into your settings and block each other or I'll ban the pair of you.

OK

Done.

[GavinDragon]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/15016850.CHRIS_KIRWAN__Those_holding_the_Rodney_Parade_reins_must_stop_trying_to_be_everything_for_everyone/

Well, having had my collar felt for telling it like it is recently, nice of Chris to take a turn

Pity he is also not stating facts.

For example, he claims that club officials in Gwent don't give two hoots about the region. Well then how come Ebbw Vale committee members have been to Rodney Parade on two occasions this season and more planned later on? Who would have thought that 10 years ago?

And before Stone jumps on me, no I am not advocating a business case on the basis of some fans from North Gwent coming down now and again, just using this to try and dispel the myth that there is general apathy amongst the Gwent clubs, and therefore trying to entice them is a pointless endeavour.

Two whole occassions? Whoop de do. That's one of the 73 clubs. And they've been twice. In 10 years......

I'd say twice in 10 years from one club out of 73 is the embodiment of apathy

Twice in three and a half months. 0 in the 9 years before that. Funny how you present a fact isn't it.

[Stone Motif]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/15016850.CHRIS_KIRWAN__Those_holding_the_Rodney_Parade_reins_must_stop_trying_to_be_everything_for_everyone/

Well, having had my collar felt for telling it like it is recently, nice of Chris to take a turn

Pity he is also not stating facts.

For example, he claims that club officials in Gwent don't give two hoots about the region. Well then how come Ebbw Vale committee members have been to Rodney Parade on two occasions this season and more planned later on? Who would have thought that 10 years ago?

And before Stone jumps on me, no I am not advocating a business case on the basis of some fans from North Gwent coming down now and again, just using this to try and dispel the myth that there is general apathy amongst the Gwent clubs, and therefore trying to entice them is a pointless endeavour.

Two whole occassions? Whoop de do. That's one of the 73 clubs. And they've been twice. In 10 years......

I'd say twice in 10 years from one club out of 73 is the embodiment of apathy

Twice in three and a half months. 0 in the 9 years before that. Funny how you present a fact isn't it.

Why are you presenting it at all Gav? Other than to make some ideological point about how regional we're doing? Meanwhile, back in the real world of running a pro rugby team, only 17% of our pitch has any grass on it.

[RiscaGame]

That leaked report was a pretty interesting read. Wonder what the percentage of sand is.

[munkian]

Article on the Dragons from Planetrugby

Time to fix the problems facing the Dragons

[PhilBB]

Twice in three and a half months. 0 in the 9 years before that. Funny how you present a fact isn't it.

Twice in 3.5 months from one club out of 73.

I admire your efforts, Gavin, and I don't mean that in a patronising manner at all. Ultimately, however, I think that you're backing the horse that is racing itself off a cliff.

[PhilBB]

Article on the Dragons from Planetrugby

Time to fix the problems facing the Dragons

Is that the Alex "I'll over value any 18 year old whose highlights I've seen on You Tube" Shaw 1200 word piece of nothing?

[Stone Motif]

Article on the Dragons from Planetrugby

Time to fix the problems facing the Dragons

Is that the Alex "I'll over value any 18 year old whose highlights I've seen on You Tube" Shaw 1200 word piece of nothing?

There's little wrong there though. only two things for me are the nonsense about RGC replacing a pro team aand the fact that it is only a matter of time before Bowel cannibalises it for the Fail

[PhilBB]

But it says nothing.

Which is typical of Shaw's output, in fairness.

[Stone Motif]

Well, nothing new - but seeing calls for the WRU to get the hell out of dodge is always welcome. The lack of mention of the only way we can leverage any investment without some new benefactors riding in on a horse of mist and moonbeams is glaring though.

[PhilBB]

Well, nothing new - but seeing calls for the WRU to get the hell out of dodge is always welcome. The lack of mention of the only way we can leverage any investment without some new benefactors riding in on a horse of mist and moonbeams is glaring though.

Indeed.

[Guest]

I think people often forget (and perhaps I'm guilty of this too) that when they're slating our 'owners' for having no ambition they fail to include the WRU in that. As 50% owners of the Dragons where is their ambition?! Where is their investment? As far as I can see they are merely silent partners. And as far as I know they didn't 'buy' 50% of the dragons from Ebbw Vale to come on board, but needed to be recognised as 50% owners to allow the dragons to continue as a region otherwise the Newport half would have been considered as stand alone which the WRU would not allow. But please correct me if I'm wrong there. So compared to other regions the 50% owners of the Dragons are expected to put in 100% of the investment as the WRU are 50% partners only in name. No wonder the Newport half are reluctant to invest over and above what they already do.

[PhilBB]

I think people often forget (and perhaps I'm guilty of this too) that when they're slating our 'owners' for having no ambition they fail to include the WRU in that. As 50% owners of the Dragons where is their ambition?! Where is their investment . As far as I can see they are merely silent partners. And as far as I know they didn't 'buy' 50% of the dragons from Ebbw Vale to come on board, but needed to be recognised as 50% owners to allow the dragons to continue as a region otherwise the Newport half would have been considered as stand alone which the WRU would not allow. But please correct me if I'm wrong there. So compared to other regions the 50% owners of the Dragons are expected to put in 100% of the investment as the WRU are 50% partners only in name. No wonder the Newport half are reluctant to invest over and above what they already do.

The WRU can not treat the NGD differently from the other three. The WRU have no board membership presence on the running of the NGD. They simply hold that share as the 'contract' allowed only two standalone clubs.

You are spot on in pointing out the issue here is solely the WRU shareholding. A standalone NGD fully in the NRFC stable could see new investment come on board by buying out Brown and Hazell. NRFC has the assets to use as security, the NGD is a fairytale Cuckoo in the nest of Newport Rugby Football Club that has succeeded only in killing off its host.

[Stone Motif]

So...who's done the latest survey?

A fairly refreshing opportunity to get across why I can't be 4rsed anymore.

[RiscaGame]

Had it been linked on dragged up yet? I've not seen it, but not looked either.

[Stone Motif]

Had it been linked on dragged up yet? I've not seen it, but not looked either.

I had an email. I'll post a link later

[Stone Motif]

http://www.telluswhatyouthink-2c.com/s/newportgwentdragonssurvey/

Have at it. Word association when they said "PrO'12" was fun....

[RiscaGame]

It was fun. The bits about describing watching the dragons and real rugby etc was a laugh too

[PhilBB]

It's nice that fans of all teams can fill it in, skewing the answers and making the survey nigh on worthless.

[munkian]

Yup, Gwlad will have a field day with this one.

[Stone Motif]

It's nice that fans of all teams can fill it in, skewing the answers and making the survey nigh on worthless.

If they screen out the ones who've entered the draw they'd probably still have enough of a sample.

[RiscaGame]

To be fair, if people are sad enough to do that then all the best to them.

[PhilBB]

Sad enough to hold an opinion on how rugby in Newport should be structured.

I'd hope that there are tens of thousands of such sad people in Wales.

[munkian]

Sad enough to hold an opinion on how rugby in Newport should be structured.

I'd hope that there are tens of thousands of such sad people in Wales.

If people answer honestly and don't pretend to be season ticket holders or just take the piss its good they get some feed back.

[RiscaGame]

Sad enough to hold an opinion on how rugby in Newport should be structured.

I'd hope that there are tens of thousands of such sad people in Wales.

I was referring to people writing false answers more than anything.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Team to face Brive tomorrow:

15 Carl Meyer, 14 Adam Hughes, 13 Sam Beard, 12 Adam Warren, 11 Pat Howard, 10 Angus O’Brien, 9 Tavis Knoyle; 1 Sam Hobbs, 2 Thomas Rhys Thomas, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 4 Nick Crosswell, 5 Cory Hill, 6 Lewis Evans (c), 7 Ollie Griffiths, 8 Ed Jackson.

Replacements; Rhys Buckley, Phil Price, Craig Mitchell, Rynard Landman, Nic Cudd, Sarel Pretorius, Dorian Jones, Harri Keddie.

[RiscaGame]

Strange selection again.

Is Dee injured again? Prydie? I know about Morgan and Hewitt, so that's fine and besides which that's my favourite centre pairing. Pretorious gets praised again, and finds himself on the bench again. Happy with the props. I'll never be a fan of Crosswell as a second row still. Biggest surprise is that I assumed Kingsley would bring his lad in.

[Stone Motif]

Sad enough to hold an opinion on how rugby in Newport should be structured.

I'd hope that there are tens of thousands of such sad people in Wales.

Plus at least two chairmen from Ebbw Vale, don't forget them

[PhilBB]

Sad enough to hold an opinion on how rugby in Newport should be structured.

I'd hope that there are tens of thousands of such sad people in Wales.

Plus at least two chairmen from Ebbw Vale, don't forget them

If I knew how to "like" this post, I'd do it.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Don't you see a plus and a minus next to each post?

[PhilBB]

Don't you see a plus and a minus next to each post?

Nope.

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