NPR

Ovals wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:00 pm I disagree - very few games are pointless exercises. Teams are mostly playing to sneak into the top 8 or to finish with a home advantage. Very few sides were without a chance of qualifying, coming into the final round. And some of the games they are playing will be against the teams with all to play for - eg Castre today, they are well out of it but Exeter need a win - and Castre are really showing up.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:08 pm Please tell me Exeter v CO isn't as dire at this one is.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:45 pm As an aside, how did Flake go with his kicks today?

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:03 pm

Ovals wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:00 pm I disagree - very few games are pointless exercises. Teams are mostly playing to sneak into the top 8 or to finish with a home advantage. Very few sides were without a chance of qualifying, coming into the final round. And some of the games they are playing will be against the teams with all to play for - eg Castre today, they are well out of it but Exeter need a win - and Castre are really showing up.

I think you are mixing up pointless with dead rubbers. A comp where everyone qualifies makes for a poor spectacle: we aren't on the edge of our seats because you can lose......... and lose again...... and still qualify. And the teams know it too so many simply aren't going flat out.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:11 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:45 pm As an aside, how did Flake go with his kicks today?

missed three from three, as if you didn't know. It probably brings him down to around 90 or 91% for the season so far.

He did make a lovely try from nothing though, not that someone who seems to take no joy from rugby whatsoever would care.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:16 pm Appalling tackle. Fucksake.

Ovals wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:14 pm
Again - I disagree. you may get into the last 16 with a couple of wins - but you'll be playing away from home which is a massive disadvantage. The League round is a bit like the qualifying rounds in Formula 1 but with the worst third of the teams failing to make the starting grid.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:18 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:16 pm Appalling tackle. Fucksake.

Tackle is generous.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:20 pm

Ovals wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:14 pm
Again - I disagree. you may get into the last 16 with a couple of wins - but you'll be playing away from home which is a massive disadvantage. The League round is a bit like the qualifying rounds in Formula 1 but with the worst third of the teams failing to make the starting grid.

Which makes the gratuitous assumption that many of these teams give a sh*t. Which is why allowing all this flotsam through to the later stages is devaluing the whole thing.

F1 is a poor example. It ceased being a spectacle at least 2 decades ago and is simply sustained now as an accoutrement to the rich (like a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes) whilst it scrabbles around with increasingly tedious gimmicks to try and retain some sporting credibility.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:20 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:18 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:16 pm Appalling tackle. Fucksake.

Tackle is generous.

Yeah, just an absolute cheap shot on a highly vulnerable player. Deserves a long ban.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:25 pm Stormers look flat. Clermont play well.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:27 pm 'Which French team managed to have all 3 back row players off the field through yellow or red cards at the same time during the 22/23 Champions Cup?' feels like a decent pub quiz question.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:27 pm 'Which French team managed to have all 3 back row players off the field through yellow or red cards at the same time during the 22/23 Champions Cup?' feels like a decent pub quiz question.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:31 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:27 pm 'Which French team managed to have all 3 back row players off the field through yellow or red cards at the same time during the 22/23 Champions Cup?' feels like a decent pub quiz question.

Might be the first time in Europe OTTOMH but defo not the first in T14x.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:34 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:31 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:27 pm 'Which French team managed to have all 3 back row players off the field through yellow or red cards at the same time during the 22/23 Champions Cup?' feels like a decent pub quiz question.

Might be the first time in Europe OTTOMH but defo not the first in T14x.

Jesus Christ.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:40 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:34 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:31 pm

Might be the first time in Europe OTTOMH but defo not the first in T14x.

Jesus Christ.

I'd have to root around but one Tarbes v Toulon game was something like 11 cards including 5 reds IIRC.

ASMO wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:49 pm Castre, we are 3 men down...Exeter.. .lets kick it

Lobby wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:47 pm
Did you mean the match between Tarbes and Lannemezan which saw seven red cards being shown – five at the very start of a match?

There was a massive punch up in the opening moments as Tarbe players ‘too revenge’ for perceived grievances from a previous match.. Both coaches from each team were red-carded along with five players before the match resumed with 13 versus 12. It eventually finished 12 versus 11 after two more red cards were brandished before the end.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:49 pm Welcome Hershel Jantjies

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:55 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:49 pm Welcome Hershel Jantjies

I'm outta here. Watching either ASM or CO in this context is as pointless as assuming a Met Officer is on the straight.