He just needs to be careful with dropping his shoulder.

Exciting times for the Reds next Season.

That photo is a shocker. Clearly a fish eye lens or else somebody has adjusted the photo. The lines across the field are no parallel, so it looks like he is onside.

The line in that photo goes straight through the middle of the ruck.
You might want to look up the offside rule for a ruck?

ok…. Not sure it was intentional, as in this is not a neutral ref issue. More the ref did not understand the rules (possibly as bad but not intentional) and allowed himself to be bulled out of teh right decision by TJ. But then again the TMO and Assistant Refs should also have known.

I am totally puzzled by the “non-yellow card as well? Ref had his little card holder out and ready to pull the yellow and then he allowed himself to be talked out of it by TJ? He reasoning was the kiwi wing was held back after delibrately knocking it forward? I don’t understand that? My view is once he touched the ball he was in play and allowed to be tackled or held back. Just like if a player received a pass and juggles the ball and gets tackled while not actually holding the ball while trying to regather? Is that tackled with out the ball?

I think the ref was gun-shy from last weekend and allowed himself to be talked out of a hard decision. He is not up to Super rugby if that is the way he works. Very poor decision.

I didn’t see the wide angle but think there was no defenders in a position to make a tackle so should have been yellow and penalty try?

Thoughts?

Could be worse Jez, I have given up talking up the Reds pre-season. I gave up at the end of 2013 to be precise.
Given my expectations this season the only way is up.

Hello All,

I am in Singapore and the game is not on Rugby Pass. Anyone know how I can watch the game here?

I also when to both HK and Singapore Sevens, HK being my first every Sevens tournament. I am now sold on it. Does that mean I will stop watching proper rugby, no not at all.

Each tournament gave a starkly different outcome (other than Fiji making the finals). Early Sat morning the 3 of the 4 teams involved in the Cup semis from HK lost their games. NZ lost to France, Fiji lost to Samoa, Aust lost to Argentina. Only SA went through the pools undefeated. Talk about upsets, or at least results you would not expect in the 15 man game. Russia beat Wales, Samoa beat NZ and Fiji, Scotland beat Engalnd, Kenya beat France and Fiji.

How many actual upsets were in the Rugby World Cup last year? Japan vs SA is the only one I can remember the rest all possible. Upsets make it more interesting and a much more even comp is great to watch.

Two days and 3 in HK of good quality rugby both family fun and some adult silliness. What more could you ask for.

Rugby has already had a boost from the Olympics. In the US alone federal funding has dramatically increased now that it is an Olympic sport. I agree the USA is not the world but if Sevens Rugby takes off in the USA (due to the Olympics) that would have a flow on effect not only in Sevens globally but in the 15 man game in the US and elsewhere.

Bring on the Olympics Sevens I say…

Exactly Train.

I do not understand why people throw stones at Pulver, he appears (from the outside at least) to have acted decisively and given Aust rugby some direction.

If Rugby doesn’t expand it will suffer in the future.
Super Rugby – Japan and Jags are a fantastic thing for Rugby.
NRC and Junior Gold Cup are a step up in creating a pathway to professional careers for young players in Aust. Something I think we have always lacked.

I do not fully understand the ARU vs Club issues, but from what I have read Pulver’s arguments seems to make more of a business sense. Happy to be better informed by people closer to the issues.

I wasn’t at first convinced by the new Super Rugby format but after 4 weeks and the extra games on offer I am more than happy. Not lease cause of the games in Singapore…

Pie if you do not understand why the wallabies need more Official Sponsors this might be a long conversation. Tyre, Phone or Bank is irrelevant.

Exactly… Graham’s direction or guidance on attach was his Achilles heel. It didn’t matter that their set piece was working well they had nothing in attach. They always looked aimless and without a plan of what to do next.

Question is does O’Conner have any ideas or workable plans?

Everything Nick was saying above makes sense now. Can you talk to the Reds? Go offer your services.

Right now I cannot see them winning any games this year. Japan is the only possibility and that may be too far the way they are playing.

Size is always going to be a issue for a Japanese team, especially playing the SA teams. Part of the problem was when Ed Quirk was carded at the end, it left their main heavy lifter in the ruck and mauls missing. He did have a issue at the Reds giving away a few to may penalties so not surprised.

So yes an extra 2nd row or more aggressive 6 or 7 would definitely help spread the load out. At the ruck and mauls as well as the lineout as you pointed out.

Still predicting a win over the Reds and the Kings. The rest may be a little too far this season….

Yes you could see the last 15 minutes cost them. Combination of match fitness (or lack there of) and lack of quality bench I think.

Simon,

Very similar experience except the traffic was not as forgiving (or maybe I didn’t leave home in time). We arrived just in time to see the replay of the 1st try on the big screen, but not in time to make a wait in line for a beer worth while. Last year we were there for a soccer game and they ran out of beer at 1/2 time….

My boys 5 and 6, also their first live game of rugby, loved it and want to go again. Very happy dad I can tell you. The atmosphere for only 8000 people was surprisingly good, the roof reflects the noise well and the wolf howl from the crowd was fun and infectious.
If only they had won I am sure the crowd would swell (quicker) for the next game. Although I am sure more will come next time. Everybody I talked to had a similar experience and will go again.

I do not understand why they have not got a better marketing plan in place. There was nothing promoting the game that I have seen. My boys wanted to buy hats or something after the game but had to settle for programs as nothing else on offer…

Given the way the Sunwolves are playing I am sure they will get more and more people coming along.

Love It.

Not sure I saw the Huge improvement in the last 10 minutes on Saturday. England almost snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory…. Very similar to a certain Pool game at the world cup.

In both games I was caught say no way can England lose from here…

I would hold off claiming Eddie as the new saviour till they win in Australia, that is IF they win.

Not as long as the Reds season Jez….

I disagree, I think it will promote the game here in Singapore…. Yes yes I know I am in Singapore and I want to go to some games so maybe a little biased in my opinion, and me going is not “increasing” the popularity as I was already a fan, but…..

The stadium will not be empty. Definitely not full either but it is a 55,00 seat stadium so that would be asking a bit much. When I looked 3 weeks ago there were heaps of tickets available on the 1/2 way line. Now it shifted to the 22 line and the more people I talk to the more are saying they are interested in going. I think a good result would be 10,000. We will see if that is achievable.

Add in the Super Rugby to the International 7’s that will come to Singapore for the 1st time in April I think the exposure in Singapore will definitely increase. From a very low base ok, so remember that.

I have my tickets to the Sunwolves vs. Cheetahs here in Singapore already. Taking both my young boys to their 1st proper rugby game. Very excited. Lost I hope you are right as I want to see a Japanese team prosper and win some games especially here in Singapore. Actually I would settle for holding their own and playing some exciting rugby even if losing.

My only concern is that when I purchased my tickets I managed to get near front row on the 1/2…. So maybe not many ticket sold yet. Disappointing I have not seen any marketing for the games.

Ok…. Yes I will definitely be supporting the Sunwolves. Just don’t think will go to well in the 1st or 2nd season. The Argies comment was just cause I cannot support the Qld Reds with Graham coaching this year…

There is a large Japanese expat community here in Singapore, so maybe they will draw a few from there? Although not sure of their interest in Rugby? None of the Japanese in my office had any interest pre WC, and only minor interest post WC.

Will the Singaporeans support the Japanese team? Very good question. I don’t imagine they will rush out to buy the kit and go to every game no. I imagine that most of the crowd at the game will be Foreigners like myself. But I may be mistaken? I hope so.

Maybe now with Singapore getting an International 7’s tournament as well Rugby might lift it’s profile here?

I think they could win 3 with another 2 or 3 possible although unlikely.
Kings, Farce, and Reds are all achievable.
Lions and Cheetahs (play twice)…. Depending on how the SA teams shape up? Although I doubt they will win these ones?

How do you bench mark them in their 1st year? 3 wins I think would be wildly successful. 1 win is a minimum vs the Kings.

In the end I am just happy to see some games here in Singapore.

Cannot wait to see how the Argies play, given how terrible the Reds will be this year the Jaguares will be my team to support.

Well for small mercies I don’t think they will be worse than the Kings or the Sunwolves…. But that is not saying much.

Every year I used to think the Reds were on the up and would come good and win a title, and wasn’t I happy in 2011.

This year is possibly the only year (except maybe last year) were I am not giving hope any oxygen. No dreams of a fairy tale ending similar to 2011. With Graham coaching I may not even watch them play on TV. I was swearing to much at the TV last year, never a good look with the kids running around.

If they can win more than 4 games then I may start watching again. So bring on the 2017 season….

Fantastic news, I am really looking forward to seeing some Super Rugby in Singapore. Hopefully the new coach will be able to instil a little razzle dazzle and make them at least a little competitive. Nobody wants to see a shellacking.

Eddie Jones listed a few issues that a Super Rugby Coach in Japan will face, mainly Club (big businesses in Japan) vs Super Club on the player contracts. Hopefully they have navigated this obstacle. Seeing a near Japanese national team playing would be fantastic.

Thanks Dean. My schoolboy and low grade rugby playing experience added to my years of watching has little real understanding of the technical tactics of the professional game. Reading your articles is like a light turning on. Please keen up the fantastic work.

Yes yes yes… Boot on the other foot is a silly discussion. Rarely ever are the exact opposite outcomes from the exactly the same situation likely to occur.

You can also ask the same question from any Kiwi (not that they have lost many recently). Let’s pose the question should the final (assuming both Aust and Kiwis make it all the way) be won by the Aussies controversial decision or not. I would put the house on almost every Kiwi commentator coming up with a “We was robbed” approach. Likewise for any Saffa.

Me on the other hand being a long suffering Queensland Reds fan, well I am just accustomed to my team snatching defeat out of the jaws of Victory… Or just being so sh*t that they were not even close. 2011 was a happy abstraction.
Ok maybe a small rant… But usually I move on.

At first look I thought he was offside, if it was a ruck he is not allowed to reaching back to pick up the ball. BUT… If you look again it wasn’t actually a ruck as no Aust player involved so technically not a ruck just a tackle so the Scot was totally allowed to pick up and run. Anyway that’s how I saw it.