Topic: [Rugby] Union / League / Super / Sixes Sevens Pro14 / Cups & Tours / Olympics - page 82. (Read 16193 times)

I think most of the world right now wants france to win, at least that's the impression I'm getting from various friends, and rugby forums. I know Wales definitely haven't set the world alight in their performances, and I'm probably one of our biggest critics in the Pivac era. However, we've really started to demonstrate some real improvement recently, and to be honest I wasn't expecting to get this far in the competition, without losing. Yeah, we narrowly beat 14 men in the competition, but sometimes especially if its a forward that gets sent off, it can actually make it easier to play, as it just means that one of the forwards needs to do a little bit more work, and encourages that under dog type attitude.

Now this is a big test for us, France are playing some slick rugby, and were definitely the favorites to win the Six Nations, and are the favourites coming into this match. Despite this, I'm actually quietly confident going up against them. Wales are notorious for bringing in a scrappy game, and I don't think the French will want a slow, and scrappy game. I wasn't particularly impressed with them against England either.

I think we can keep the score close as long as we impose a scrappy game. I do believe we can even beat them, and pinch another grand slam. However, its all depending on whether we can make the game scrappy. I believe if its allowed to flow, and France get it to their backs then despite the attacking prowess we process now with other wingers, they won't be able to defend against the tenacious French back line.

I'm going with a Wales win, which the odds will definitely favour, although there is definitely some bias in that

Week 2 of the NRL 2021 season is already underway with the Parramatta Ells narrowly beating the Melbourne Storm 16-12.  The Newcastle Knights are ahead of the New Zealand Warriors at half time in their game with the Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos due to kick off in an hours' time.



I'm expecting the Broncos to narrowly beat the Titans as rumors emerged this week that a second Brisbane based Rugby League team is being considered for entry to the NRL.

Round 5 of 5 is coming up this weekend in the Six Nations Championship and although
the France v Scotland match is being played later in the week a champion will potentially
be crowned at the weekend.

If Wales can beat France they become the Grand Slam champions,
(Triple Crown and Six Nations Winners). If France win we will have to wait for their
match against Scotland.

FIXTURES - Saturday 20th

Scotland v Italy - KO 14:15 GMT

Ireland v England - KO 16:45 GMT

France v Wales - KO 20:00 GMT

Round 4 of 5 saw some very close matches with only 1 team unbeaten - Wales
France who still have a chance of winning the championship face off in the last
round against Wales, that will be an absolute cracking match.

The other game to loo forward to is Ireland v England and also to note that France
and Scotland have a game in hand.

Results from the weekend

Yes, you got it that time.


To be honest, other people don't seem to notice it.  One week they win, the next they come close, but don't win.  Third week a thumping win.  Fourth week nearly win.  I don't think there's an identifyable pattern year to year, but they manage to scrape into the final eight then go into overdrive.

So they are so dominant that they can plod along in third gear until the
business end of the season and then hit the gas and blow all others away.

is it really obvious and talked about openly?
I can see how it would be frustrating.

No.  The oposite, the team holds back just managing to scrape into the semis (last eight teams) THEN they play hard.  The rest of the teams play hard all year and so by the time of the semis, have either hit their stride, or, slow down and fall out of the competition.

I'm always amazed no one has put a stop to it before now.

Ah right, you recon it was a case of being worn out, over training?

Round 4 of 5 of the Six Nations Championship is being played this weekend
Here are the fixtures.

Saturday 13th March

Italy V Wales - KO 14:15 GMT

England V France - KO 16:45 GMT

Sunday 14th March

Scotland V Ireland - KO 15:00 GMT

The big game of the weekend is of course England V France.
This season sees England not perform as expected and France chasing
the championship silverware along with the surprising Wales going for
the Grand Slam after taking the Triple Crown Trophy on the last round.

The postponed game between France and Scotland is now set for March the 26th.

Watching the Broncos since their inception they've always played lackluster until the final eight and then they hammer the opposition.  Essentially, they play with the minimum amount of effort to hold themselves back in reserve until the semis and then (when the other teams are starting to feel the effects of the season) the Bronco's ramp up the game play and sweep away all opponents.

Having said that, last year's season was suspended after two matches and the Broncos really did look like they were throwing their games (remembering the other teams had a break and so weren't worn out).  So by the time the semis arrived, they were slowly coming apart at the seams, then the "State of Origin" series was held after the Grand Final (instead of mid-season) - i.e. when the Broncos train to be at their peak...  and they were.

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The Rugby Super Sevens is also getting ready to start soon.

The postponement has been ratified by the executive committee.

World Rugby has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a spectacular Rugby World Cup tournament in New Zealand in 2022 after its Executive Committee formally ratified the recommendation to postpone Rugby World Cup 2021.

We all know New Zealand are not shy on taking tough decisions to counter the
effects of the pandemic and the moves have been successful. Could the
competition have gone ahead? look at the Australian Open which was relatively successful.


Why do you think they threw their games Timelord?

The Wooden Spooners of 2020, the Brisbane Broncos go head-to-head with the Parramatta Ells in round one...  I personally feel the Broncos deliberately threw their games last year given they (as part of the Queensland Team in the State of Origin Series) won the "unwinnable" series.  If I'd found an online site I could have put bitcoin on I would have cleaned up.



I feel the Bronco's will smash the Ells this week.

NRL is broadcasted on Sky Sport in the United Kingdom. It is aired on beIN Sports in France. 
You can purchase the matches legally here > https://www.watchnrl.com/match-centre/.

Alternatively, you can find the channels I mentioned over IPTV, CCcam, or Oscam servers. Be advised that this services are not legal though.

I dont know a lot about Rugby league.

The Panthers look like the team to beat from the sportsbet pricing followed
by a few more, Rabbitohs, Roosters and Storm [winning the 2020 final]

and looks like the first match of round one is a crunch match

Storm v Rabbitohs

I might try watch this and get an understanding for the game, if I can find
some channel? or maybe the highlights somewhere.

Week One of the 2021 Australian Rugby Leage Season kicks off in four days time with the following teams going head to head according to the NRL Website.

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The ladder-board and starting bets (in Australian Dollars) looks something like this:

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When the NRL Women's Fixtures are announced, I'll post them to the thread.  https://www.nrl.com/draw/?competition=161

Thanks for the reminder, there's a few chores that have been building up over the last few weeks/months...  Now that I'm able to tackle them once again I'd better get with it and cross them off of the list.

I posted a list of sites offering odds on the Six Nations on page 1
Just double checking my links below I see that GT Bets are not offering odds on the Six Nations
but they do on other Rugby competitions.

I cannot see any that are offering odds on the Womens World Cup.

World Rugby recommends 2021 Women's World Cup be postponed due to coronavirus pandemic

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-03/world-rugby-recommend-the-2021-womens-world-cup-be-postponed/13210106

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Does anyone know of any gaming sites that are covering the Women's Rugby matches?  I can add the sites to the second and third posts.

Just thought I'd let people know that freebitco.in took wagers on the various Six Nations games for this round that were just held.  (Follow the link in my signature   )

Not sure who else is offering odds other than

• https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/six-nations
• https://sportsbet.io/sports/rugby/matches/today

(Thanks to @Saint-loup for providing the link to Odds Checker)

Posts two and three have been updated - it's a work in progress.

Not taking anything away from wales but the ref made a few blunders in the match against
England on Saturday. England were favourites to win the match but it shows on occasions
that the ref can change the outcome of a match eventhough England didnt do
themselves any favours towards the end.

So 2 of 3 games played this week which brings the unforseen Welsh team to the
top of the table and looking like strong contenders for the championship.

The game played against England yesterday was a close one until the last 15 minutes where
England lost their discipline and gave too many penalties away in their own half and Wales
took full advantage to take the Triple Crown Trophy.