Six Nations 2023
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@Winger The 6N has so many great things going for it.
Chiefly the fan experience which comes down to travel times. The longest travel time in the 6N is less than the shortest was in the RC. The notion of a weekend in Rome wity a rugby game as the centrepiece is phenomenal.
This in turn makes the experience at the ground much better because there is a sizeable travelling and vocal away support.
The grounds are all magnificent
There is a sense of history that professional rugby in the southern hemisphere cannot match.
The competition is much more even
What's not to like. I'd follow it even if the rugby was shite. Which let's face it has often been the case.
Joining the 6N has always made sense for Sth Africa. Easier travel. No long tour. Better time zones. It isn't such a great deal for the existing competitors though. What's in it for them? Even more importantly- what's in it for their constituent clubs? I can't see them wanting more disruption to their club seasons.
It was a very short-term focused article IMO. The NH look to be heading for financial trauma.
The long decline in, and then demise of, the RC has presented all the participants with challenges. But also opportunities.
If they can join the 6N I think it would be a good call for SA but not necessarily to their long term benefit. When the cycle turns and NZ is strong again, not playing us twice a year will have repercussions too.
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@Nepia said in Six Nations 2023:
If WR/NH unions allow SA to go to the 6 Nations then they really don't give a shit about rugby in a broad sense.
lol fuck you think they do? oh you poor naïve fool
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@Nepia said in Six Nations 2023:
If WR/NH unions allow SA to go to the 6 Nations then they really don't give a shit about rugby in a broad sense.
Agree with this. They would almost destroy NZ rugby (or speed a decline). Same for Aust Esp considering that's where all the money comes from. Not super rugby
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@dogmeat said in Six Nations 2023:
If they can join the 6N I think it would be a good call for SA but not necessarily to their long term benefit.
Wonder what the financial payout would be for SA from a 6 or 7 nations vs the RC. I would guess more and a lot but maybe not
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SA are desperate to join as they have such a huge, relatively wealthy & influential fanbase here & are desperate to get rid of mediocre RC results which they blame on excessive travel.
The consensus seems to be leaning towards having SA clubs in the club tournament has been a bit of a disaster, so I'd say its less likely than ever.
SA would also need to understand that they would go from being the big boy in the room to likely 6th out of 7 in pecking order. Not sure that would work.
Anyway, love the 6N, can't wait. Ireland for me,as I think they are home against France. Which is obviously the biggest match. Will be interesting to see how the new England goes too. Borthwick bounce?
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I think SA joining the NH would be a good idea, although a considerable risk to every other nation. Imagine if they learnt some stodgy forward play, the defining characteristic of NH rugby, to go with their natural tendency to run with the ball. They'd be unbeatable.
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I know it's not 6N as such, but anyone see the U20s games this morning? Saw some of Italy/France and most of Wales/Ireland bloody good. The Wesh team had a bloody good midfield that impressed hell our of me, and keep an eye out for Scarfe their No2, looks to have the goods. Ireland had the better all round team, and certainly were good for the win, and have a good amount of talent coming through, looks like good pathways there.
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@ARHS Yep no real surprises on results, that Irish team is so bloody good, and Scotland I think while not going to win it will push for 3rd place (unless Ireland lose Sexton to injury, then 2nd spot maybe open). That's not saying they one man team by any means, but he certainly sets their game plan.
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Youtube's 'Two Cents Rugby' has a front page headline article and a regular gig with Rugby Planet- good on him -
"Two Cents Rugby picks five of the standout players of the round and it’s a healthy mix of forwards and backs.
The YouTube star is joining us throughout the Championship and kicks off with his Round One selection."
Six Nations: Two Cents Rugby picks his top five players of Round One
With the first week of the Six Nations in the bag, Two Cents Rugby picks five of the best players of the round and it's a healthy mix of forwards and backs.
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An article with detailed eligibility info re: six nations squads -
Foreign-Born / Produced / Trained Players in 2023 Six Nations - Americas Rugby News
The 2023 Six Nations sees changes in player eligibility to that from prior years. World Rugby’s eligibility law changes entitle eligible players to represent a second country following a three-year stand-down period from their last binding representative appearance for their first country. The...
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Six Nations 2023:
An article with detailed eligibility info re: six nations squads -
The 2023 Six Nations sees changes in player eligibility to that from prior years. World Rugby’s eligibility law changes entitle eligible players to represent a second country following a three-year stand-down period from their last binding representative appearance for their first country. The...
Went straight to Wales
Any list that contains Faletau as foreign is drivel
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They only said foreign born which is correct. The salient point for most of these "born here, play there" guys is where they learned their rugby, where they were brought up in effect. Faletau is as Welsh as anyone on that basis.
Looking at the Wales list you have four blatant poaches in Roberts, Francis, Tompkins and Cuthbert - all born there, played there and then jumped ship.
However, you can keep Cuthbert
Edit: I see Scotland have 20, bloody 20 in that category including 14 that have played representative rugby elsewhere. Sheesh!
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@MiketheSnow said in Six Nations 2023:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Six Nations 2023:
An article with detailed eligibility info re: six nations squads -
The 2023 Six Nations sees changes in player eligibility to that from prior years. World Rugby’s eligibility law changes entitle eligible players to represent a second country following a three-year stand-down period from their last binding representative appearance for their first country. The...
Went straight to Wales
Any list that contains Faletau as foreign is drivel
It does say both born AND produced then clearly shows what is what.
Without looking closely at every "born and produced in one UK country but playing for another" to ascertain their exact story (it's not like there are hard borders) and therefore removing them and focussing on the born and produced in clearly other countries, then the numbers are more like
Scotland - 8
Ireland- 7
Wales - 1
Italy - 5
England - 1
France -2The only country that has clear signs of a poaching system to target players from other countries is Ireland IMO.
Scotland also draw on "heritage" players, a lot
