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Rugby, the original version

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TROSaracen Nov 2021 3:45pm, 24 Nov 2021 24,279 posts	Quote Pin TROSaracen Aus were very strange; think the coach was desperately trying to make them tougher after years of getting duffed up, especially the forwards. But they lurched into indiscipline and random acts of punishable thuggery, and tried far less of the slick backline play that was once their strength.
Fields Nov 2021 3:50pm, 24 Nov 2021 439 posts	Quote Pin Fields I might have said at the time but with regard to their discipline I think they suffer from having a lot of ex Leaguies who are used to a type of tackle now no longer allowed in Union and muscle memory must kick in. Plus also their optimum 10/12 combo were in Japan pleasing their employers.
Pothunter Nov 2021 6:14am, 25 Nov 2021 5,036 posts	Quote Pin Pothunter Rules around switching nationalities are changing: bbc.co.uk
richmac Nov 2021 7:10am, 25 Nov 2021 16,991 posts	Quote Pin richmac I'm hoping the rule changes will help even out things for the Samoas and Tonga's etc but giving back the talent leached by NZ
The Mussile Nov 2021 7:21am, 25 Nov 2021 755 posts	Quote Pin The Mussile Its a stupid rule change that will only benefit the big nations. Young players eligible for the smaller nations will hold out for the big payday even longer, knowing that they have the fall back opportunity if it doesn't work out. Even if it works as intended no-one really wants to see a team of retired has-been stars at a RWC because natural conservatism means that proven talent nearly always gets chosen over potential.
The Mussile Nov 2021 7:23am, 25 Nov 2021 756 posts	Quote Pin The Mussile richmac, its actually the other way round, Look at where the majority of the Samoan and Tongan teams players are born and raised.
richmac Nov 2021 3:08pm, 25 Nov 2021 16,994 posts	Quote Pin richmac My thoughts were they were picked up by NZ etc as youngsters play there in age groups then stuck there never getting a game, thought the new laws would let the drift back.
Fields Nov 2021 3:11pm, 25 Nov 2021 473 posts	Quote Pin Fields There was an article about this on rugbypass, the vast majority of players impacted are Antipodean - eg Malikai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau could both play for Tonga.
Cerrertonia Nov 2021 8:43am, 26 Nov 2021 15,089 posts	Quote Pin Cerrertonia That Quarter final… Jason Robinson ran like he was on fast forward and the Welsh team were playing at real time. If you want to feel properly old, Jason Robinson's son announced his retirement today...
richmac Nov 2021 10:15am, 26 Nov 2021 17,000 posts	Quote Pin richmac [oooffffff] Love my lot. Paid a consultant to tell us we need a defence coach. We've shipped 300 points, a white dog turd could have figured that out.