NPR

EnergiseR2 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:10 pm

"Fixtures will be determined using an algorithm which will take into consideration the pool draws, league calendar restrictions, individual club calendar restrictions and broadcast requirements."

Unfuckingbelievable nonsense

EnergiseR2 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 3:57 pm Someone was saying they will consult with the top seeds about fixtures So in Leinsters group they go to Radge and say "Hear Radge you want to travel to SA or not...no?...sound'

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:21 pm Pool 1: Saracens, Union Bordeaux-Begles, Bulls, Bristol Bears, Connacht, Lyon

Pool 2: Toulouse, Cardiff, Bath, Racing 92, Harlequins, Ulster

Pool 3: Munster, Aviron Bayonnais, Glasgow Warriors, Exeter Chiefs, Toulon, Northampton Saints

Pool 4: La Rochelle, Leinster, Stade Francais, Leicester Tigers, Stormers, Sale Sharks

So how does this work? You play the other teams in your pool, but not if a team is from the same league? Erm, right? So the Stormers and Leinster won't play, but LaR, SF, Tigers and Sale Sharks. But not all of them?

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 3:18 pm

EnergiseR2 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:10 pm

"Fixtures will be determined using an algorithm which will take into consideration the pool draws, league calendar restrictions, individual club calendar restrictions and broadcast requirements."

Unfuckingbelievable nonsense

Is this real?

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 5:16 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 3:18 pm

EnergiseR2 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:10 pm

Unfuckingbelievable nonsense

Is this real?

I think they need to get that German Octopus from a few years ago, because at least we know Octopii are highly intelligent & wouldn't have fucked up the draw this badly

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 6:37 pm Ulster are fucked. Even if Mr Algorithim decides we get Racing and Toulouse both at home, and both of their packs all get red carded within the first 5 mins for a series of high tackles on Mike Lowry and we somehow manage to scrape a 6-5 win in both games, the rest of the group get to try and break the tournament points scoring record against Cardiff FFS. And we don't get that pleasure.

I'm out.

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 6:37 pm Ulster are fucked. Even if Mr Algorithim decides we get Racing and Toulouse both at home, and both of their packs all get red carded within the first 5 mins for a series of high tackles on Mike Lowry and we somehow manage to scrape a 6-5 win in both games, the rest of the group get to try and break the tournament points scoring record against Cardiff FFS. And we don't get that pleasure.

I'm out.

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 6:37 pm Ulster are fucked. Even if Mr Algorithim decides we get Racing and Toulouse both at home, and both of their packs all get red carded within the first 5 mins for a series of high tackles on Mike Lowry and we somehow manage to scrape a 6-5 win in both games, the rest of the group get to try and break the tournament points scoring record against Cardiff FFS. And we don't get that pleasure.

I'm out.

CM11 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2023 8:17 am

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 6:37 pm Ulster are fucked. Even if Mr Algorithim decides we get Racing and Toulouse both at home, and both of their packs all get red carded within the first 5 mins for a series of high tackles on Mike Lowry and we somehow manage to scrape a 6-5 win in both games, the rest of the group get to try and break the tournament points scoring record against Cardiff FFS. And we don't get that pleasure.

I'm out.

4/6 qualify from each group. You should be able to manage that.

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2023 11:24 am

CM11 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2023 8:17 am

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 6:37 pm Ulster are fucked. Even if Mr Algorithim decides we get Racing and Toulouse both at home, and both of their packs all get red carded within the first 5 mins for a series of high tackles on Mike Lowry and we somehow manage to scrape a 6-5 win in both games, the rest of the group get to try and break the tournament points scoring record against Cardiff FFS. And we don't get that pleasure.

I'm out.

4/6 qualify from each group. You should be able to manage that.

Genuinely think its better we come 5th and go into the Parker Pen.

CM11 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 23, 2023 5:50 pm

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2023 11:24 am

CM11 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2023 8:17 am


4/6 qualify from each group. You should be able to manage that.

Genuinely think its better we come 5th and go into the Parker Pen.

5th goes into Parker Pen?

Brazil wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 1:56 pm It really is a pointless tournament now.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:33 am

Brazil wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 1:56 pm It really is a pointless tournament now.

It's worse than that. It's consuming resources and is actually a detractor from the national comps.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:18 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:33 am

Brazil wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 1:56 pm It really is a pointless tournament now.

It's worse than that. It's consuming resources and is actually a detractor from the national comps.

You lot are spoiled. SH isn't even close to NH when it come to competitions. I really enjoy the NH competitions. It force us to contract more players and create depth at franchise level. If SARU can get the CC dates right, our rugby will improve a lot. Currently we have three Premier division teams good enough to compete on URC level. For them to setup they need URC homes for their players. Their player movement yearly is a massive challenge.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 4:05 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:18 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:33 am
It's worse than that. It's consuming resources and is actually a detractor from the national comps.

You lot are spoiled. SH isn't even close to NH when it come to competitions. I really enjoy the NH competitions. It force us to contract more players and create depth at franchise level. If SARU can get the CC dates right, our rugby will improve a lot. Currently we have three Premier division teams good enough to compete on URC level. For them to setup they need URC homes for their players. Their player movement yearly is a massive challenge.

Yeah and we're annoyed that our competitions have been ruined and are somehow getting even worse. Not helping by the SH meathead teams being parachuted in.

PornDog wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 4:58 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 4:05 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:18 am
You lot are spoiled. SH isn't even close to NH when it come to competitions. I really enjoy the NH competitions. It force us to contract more players and create depth at franchise level. If SARU can get the CC dates right, our rugby will improve a lot. Currently we have three Premier division teams good enough to compete on URC level. For them to setup they need URC homes for their players. Their player movement yearly is a massive challenge.

Yeah and we're annoyed that our competitions have been ruined and are somehow getting even worse. Not helping by the SH meathead teams being parachuted in.

You're complaining about the graffitti adorning the building that's engulfed in flames. I mean its a valid objection, but in terms of the problems this tournament now has that's at the very bottom of the list.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 5:15 pm

PornDog wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 4:58 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 4:05 pm

Yeah and we're annoyed that our competitions have been ruined and are somehow getting even worse. Not helping by the SH meathead teams being parachuted in.

You're complaining about the graffitti adorning the building that's engulfed in flames. I mean its a valid objection, but in terms of the problems this tournament now has that's at the very bottom of the list.

I disagree. The fabric of the tournament is damaged by having the SA sides in there. Sports fans can forgive a lot of sins for a tournament heavy on tradition - see the 6N - but the SA presence fucks with that tradition quite dramatically AND adds the farcical nature of those away games.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 5:15 pm

PornDog wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 4:58 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 4:05 pm

Yeah and we're annoyed that our competitions have been ruined and are somehow getting even worse. Not helping by the SH meathead teams being parachuted in.

You're complaining about the graffitti adorning the building that's engulfed in flames. I mean its a valid objection, but in terms of the problems this tournament now has that's at the very bottom of the list.

I disagree. The fabric of the tournament is damaged by having the SA sides in there. Sports fans can forgive a lot of sins for a tournament heavy on tradition - see the 6N - but the SA presence fucks with that tradition quite dramatically AND adds the farcical nature of those away games.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:45 pm I've really enjoyed the SA teams in the URC and in the Not-Heine, they bring another dimension to the tournaments. The idea that they play forwards-based ten man rugby is way off the mark.

I'm still not convinced they would add to the 6 Nations in the same way they've added to those competitions, but the genie is out the bottle now, it's a professional sport and what brings in most for all the interested parties is what will drive any further change, and to be honest any objection I have regarding the 6N is down to tradition.

Tradition isn't going to sustain professional rugby.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 4:05 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:18 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:33 am
It's worse than that. It's consuming resources and is actually a detractor from the national comps.

You lot are spoiled. SH isn't even close to NH when it come to competitions. I really enjoy the NH competitions. It force us to contract more players and create depth at franchise level. If SARU can get the CC dates right, our rugby will improve a lot. Currently we have three Premier division teams good enough to compete on URC level. For them to setup they need URC homes for their players. Their player movement yearly is a massive challenge.

Yeah and we're annoyed that our competitions have been ruined and are somehow getting even worse. Not helping by the SH meathead teams being parachuted in.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:00 pm I thought you lot complain about the format? You sound like the local government blaming apartheid for their own short comings.

PornDog wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 7:00 pm the fabric of the tournament was a pile of torn rags that a homeless drunk would be ashamed to wear BEFORE the SA teams joined.

If we booted the SA teams out tomorrow, the tournament would still be a steaming pile of excrement - where a team really only has to play 3 games of any consequence to become champions of Europe.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2023 11:45 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:00 pm I thought you lot complain about the format? You sound like the local government blaming apartheid for their own short comings.

Ah yes a very reasonable comparison by a very normal person. What the fuck

PornDog wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 7:00 pm the fabric of the tournament was a pile of torn rags that a homeless drunk would be ashamed to wear BEFORE the SA teams joined.

If we booted the SA teams out tomorrow, the tournament would still be a steaming pile of excrement - where a team really only has to play 3 games of any consequence to become champions of Europe.

The fabric of the tournament is that it's a club-level yearly competition, accessible to travelling fans, with a group stage, a knockout stage, and a final, with European sides competing in it - European sides with a lot of history, a lot of tradition, and the inevitable correlation to the 6 Nations. The history and tradition make up a core part of the tournament. That's the fabric.

The format is fucked, I get that, no argument. But the format can be fixed, and it's only made worse by shoehorning in the Saffer teams. History and tradition are difficult things to recover or replace once you start messing with them. This tournament will never feel anything more than a ridiculously artificial commercial compromise while the Saffers are part of it. Fans of many clubs who want to see their sides play against the best team in the group - or god forbid, an away knockout game - when that team happens to be in Durban or whatever - are getting fucked. The "home" clubs are getting fucked. It's not a quality argument, I enjoy how good the sides are and I'm sure they'll win the tournament soon, but it'll be completely meaningless. The Crusaders would win it too. So what?

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2023 12:39 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2023 11:45 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:00 pm I thought you lot complain about the format? You sound like the local government blaming apartheid for their own short comings.

Ah yes a very reasonable comparison by a very normal person. What the fuck

PornDog wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 7:00 pm the fabric of the tournament was a pile of torn rags that a homeless drunk would be ashamed to wear BEFORE the SA teams joined.

If we booted the SA teams out tomorrow, the tournament would still be a steaming pile of excrement - where a team really only has to play 3 games of any consequence to become champions of Europe.

The fabric of the tournament is that it's a club-level yearly competition, accessible to travelling fans, with a group stage, a knockout stage, and a final, with European sides competing in it - European sides with a lot of history, a lot of tradition, and the inevitable correlation to the 6 Nations. The history and tradition make up a core part of the tournament. That's the fabric.

The format is fucked, I get that, no argument. But the format can be fixed, and it's only made worse by shoehorning in the Saffer teams. History and tradition are difficult things to recover or replace once you start messing with them. This tournament will never feel anything more than a ridiculously artificial commercial compromise while the Saffers are part of it. Fans of many clubs who want to see their sides play against the best team in the group - or god forbid, an away knockout game - when that team happens to be in Durban or whatever - are getting fucked. The "home" clubs are getting fucked. It's not a quality argument, I enjoy how good the sides are and I'm sure they'll win the tournament soon, but it'll be completely meaningless. The Crusaders would win it too. So what?

Oh I get it. You want to play against the likes of Zebre and the Welsch lot.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2023 1:15 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2023 12:39 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2023 11:45 am

Ah yes a very reasonable comparison by a very normal person. What the fuck



The fabric of the tournament is that it's a club-level yearly competition, accessible to travelling fans, with a group stage, a knockout stage, and a final, with European sides competing in it - European sides with a lot of history, a lot of tradition, and the inevitable correlation to the 6 Nations. The history and tradition make up a core part of the tournament. That's the fabric.

The format is fucked, I get that, no argument. But the format can be fixed, and it's only made worse by shoehorning in the Saffer teams. History and tradition are difficult things to recover or replace once you start messing with them. This tournament will never feel anything more than a ridiculously artificial commercial compromise while the Saffers are part of it. Fans of many clubs who want to see their sides play against the best team in the group - or god forbid, an away knockout game - when that team happens to be in Durban or whatever - are getting fucked. The "home" clubs are getting fucked. It's not a quality argument, I enjoy how good the sides are and I'm sure they'll win the tournament soon, but it'll be completely meaningless. The Crusaders would win it too. So what?

Oh I get it. You want to play against the likes of Zebre and the Welsch lot.

Yes, I'd rather we played against the Scarlets than the Stormers. Is that meant to be some sort of gotcha? At least it's not a reference to racial subjugation this time.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2023 11:45 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:00 pm I thought you lot complain about the format? You sound like the local government blaming apartheid for their own short comings.

Ah yes a very reasonable comparison by a very normal person. What the fuck

PornDog wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 7:00 pm the fabric of the tournament was a pile of torn rags that a homeless drunk would be ashamed to wear BEFORE the SA teams joined.

If we booted the SA teams out tomorrow, the tournament would still be a steaming pile of excrement - where a team really only has to play 3 games of any consequence to become champions of Europe.

The fabric of the tournament is that it's a club-level yearly competition, accessible to travelling fans, with a group stage, a knockout stage, and a final, with European sides competing in it - European sides with a lot of history, a lot of tradition, and the inevitable correlation to the 6 Nations. The history and tradition make up a core part of the tournament. That's the fabric.

The format is fucked, I get that, no argument. But the format can be fixed, and it's only made worse by shoehorning in the Saffer teams. History and tradition are difficult things to recover or replace once you start messing with them. This tournament will never feel anything more than a ridiculously artificial commercial compromise while the Saffers are part of it. Fans of many clubs who want to see their sides play against the best team in the group - or god forbid, an away knockout game - when that team happens to be in Durban or whatever - are getting fucked. The "home" clubs are getting fucked. It's not a quality argument, I enjoy how good the sides are and I'm sure they'll win the tournament soon, but it'll be completely meaningless. The Crusaders would win it too. So what?

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2023 1:42 pm At least you are guaranteed a BP win and a healthy dose to your points difference playing a Welsh side. And its better for the environment than travelling x thousand of miles. Win win.