Article: The Original Rugby Championship - Six Nations 2016
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="565257" data-time="1458223167">
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<p>Yeah I pretty much agree, although it's low level, it's pretty dirty and uncalled for. At least it was cited however, so that should at least count towards future citations and at least be a deterrent in that regard?</p>
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<p>I wouldn't count on anything in relation to the judiciary mate!</p> -
<p>The Gypsy Boy story seems to have legs. The 6N judiciary had a look at it, decided it was a heat of the moment thing and noted that Marler had apologised as soon as he really could, which Lee accepted. The WRU have now expressed 'surprise' at the decision. World rugby have decided to demand that 6N Rugby explains its decision and the whole thing just gets bigger and bigger. The only person to come out of this with any dignity is Samson Lee. Accepted the apology and has since kept his mouth shut. To be fair Gatland tried to play a straight bat but has since had to retract his comments due, I expect, to political pressure.</p>
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<p>FFS move on. Lee has.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="565305" data-time="1458251469">
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<p>FFS move on. Lee has.</p>
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<p>Well of course the gypsy has...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="565305" data-time="1458251469">
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<p>The Gypsy Boy story seems to have legs. The 6N judiciary had a look at it, decided it was a heat of the moment thing and noted that Marler had apologised as soon as he really could, which Lee accepted. The WRU have now expressed 'surprise' at the decision. World rugby have decided to demand that 6N Rugby explains its decision and the whole thing just gets bigger and bigger. The only person to come out of this with any dignity is Samson Lee. Accepted the apology and has since kept his mouth shut. To be fair Gatland tried to play a straight bat but has since had to retract his comments due, I expect, to political pressure.</p>
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<p>FFS move on. Lee has.</p>
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<p>The WRU comment was issued in response to them being asked to provide statements about their position on racism in the game by the Welsh press. Just like everyone else it was an attempt to avoid being dragged into the "was it racism" argument. After all, it was a surprising decision given the guidance on verbal abuse and if the WRU wanted to sidestep the question and put the focus elsewhere then so be it. Also, if you read Gatland's retraction all he is really saying is that he's sorry he used the word "banter" but otherwise wants to move on.</p>
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<p>Eddie Jones' baiting of the WRU on this was and is naive. I can see he's trying to deflect attention off his player but he's only keeping the story alive. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="565325" data-time="1458254709">
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<p>Well of course the gypsy has...</p>
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<p>Fuck me that made me laugh out loud.</p>
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<p>And no, I'm not doing the bloody acronym. The comment is far to good for that.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rich1927" data-cid="565404" data-time="1458285853">
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<p>The WRU comment was issued in response to them being asked to provide statements about their position on racism in the game by the Welsh press. Just like everyone else it was an attempt to avoid being dragged into the "was it racism" argument. After all, it was a surprising decision given the guidance on verbal abuse and if the WRU wanted to sidestep the question and put the focus elsewhere then so be it. Also, if you read Gatland's retraction all he is really saying is that he's sorry he used the word "banter" but otherwise wants to move on.</p>
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<p>Eddie Jones' baiting of the WRU on this was and is naive. I can see he's trying to deflect attention off his player but he's only keeping the story alive. </p>
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<p>OK fair enough re the WRU comments. I hadn't seen the whole thing just as reported on the BBC. Totally agree re Gatland, I thought his first comments were pretty good but then the apology for using the word banter, to me that smacks of political pressure. I'm not bagging Gatland for it though.</p>
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<p>Agree Eddie is being a cock with the continuation although again this was in response to some persistent questioning which he did try to deflect several times by saying he'd said all he had to say on the subject already.</p>
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<p>This was all sort of my point though, that the whole thing is getting bigger and bigger - much more than is warranted and much more than any dirty play. So much for the old saying of sticks and stones may break my bones...</p> -
<p>Just watched the Ireland Under-20 v Scotland Under-20 fixture. Good to see a Hastings back in Scotland colours - Adam.</p>
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<p>Scotland were rather unfortunate in that the clock in the ground was showing that the 40 minutes of the first half were up, so Hastings blimped the ball into touch. But it transpired that the clock was wrong so Scotland found themselves defending an attacking line-out, which Ireland duly scored from!</p>
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<p>Also, good to see the referee wearing a Wales shirt. This used to be a nice tradition in the old Five Nations, that the referee would wear his country's shirt.</p> -
That was a very enjoyable match - both sides really up for it. Finished 26-18 to Ireland but wouldn't have been surprised if Scotland had come back and nicked it in the end. <br><br>
U20 rugby is very refreshing to watch. Moves a lot faster and less of the interminable breakdowns in play that seem to occur so often at senior level. <br><br>
Match was held at Leinster's old home ground, Donnybrook. Whatever about the match clock being wonky, the new synthetic pitch is superb and a very popular ground for U20s, Ireland Women's and schools cup games. -
<p>It's being legally streamed for free on the european rugby website if anyone's interested:</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.rugbyeurope.tv/en/content/160319-enc1a-georgia-romania'>http://www.rugbyeurope.tv/en/content/160319-enc1a-georgia-romania</a></p>
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<p>Georgia lead 7-0 after 4 minutes.</p> -
<p>Understrength Romanian team doing reasonably well considering.</p>
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Kickoff here in 25 mins. Both sets of fans looking forward to a loosening of the reins with not a lot to play for - except a million quid between 5th and 3rd spot - but that's for the unions to sweat over. <br><br>
Cotter & Schmidt used to work together, now they're rivals. So far, Schmidt has had the upper hand, will Vern get a turn? -
21-10 to Ireland with 32 mins gone.
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<p>Ireland have improved as the tournament wore on. McCaw-esque levels of cynical play today though, which the ref didn't ping. When we (NZ) play Ireland we will need to be ready for the boxkicks and the up 'n' unders, stop those and mauls, and Ireland will have to find other ways to score.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ras1927" data-cid="565934" data-time="1458413550"><p>
Johnny Sexton showing his class in this game by feigning injury and getting lippy with Scottish players now the game's won. <br><br>
And he's just been yellow carded. Good. Pathetic man.</p></blockquote> He didn't feign injury. He got a blow to the head from Dunbar's knee - by accident - as he arrived at breakdown and then Dunbar threw him. -
Agreed. Congrats England on the Grand Slam. Well deserved overall. <br><br>
Some outstanding players in the side tonight. <br><br>
Enjoy the celebrations.
I can watch both.</p>
