RugbyRebels

First weekend... thoughts?

For me, it looks like they're starting where they left off last season. Good news for the Scarlets... not so good for the rest.

Great to see the Scarlets continuing with their brand of rugby, it's a joy to watch. We'll see how it goes against more serious opposition in 2 weeks, away to Ulster. I think they'll be fine, but the bigger question will be asked by Toulon on 15th October...
For me, the Scarlets are fighting for the soul of rugby - if they can be successful playing like this, rugby will be a glorious thing to watch. The tragedy is that all this is totally wasted on Wales. Gatball couldn't be more diametrically opposite to what the Scarlets are doing. Wales will no doubt carry on the same old same old.

Subplot - Halfpenny had an okay game, but showed little "spark". But let's not give up on him just yet.

The Ospreys stumbled to victory in the easiest fixture of the season. Wish we could have actually seen it on TV... difficult to know what was troubling them. At least Giles is on song.

Cardiff looked pretty mediocre. And that was only Edinburgh...

The Dragons showed some promise, they have a few decent players. But the scoreline was exactly as expected after 80 minutes.

Halfpenny will take a while to adjust. I agree that Scarlets are making the game a spectator sport as well as one for the purists - good to see and I hope it can be maintained.

Ospreys have lost Matavesi who often gave them go forward and a differant kicking option when they needed a differant option.I also didn't see it but family reports said it was the same as seen during the pre- season..lots of huff n puff but no real direction in midfield..A poor showing with some fans feeling that this season has started as the last one finished.

Scarlets were effective and efficient in most areas and run the opposition ragged as the Kings tried to play a running game against a team who were way better at it. Scarlets were a little Harum scarum at times but I'm am sure the basic foundation was there.

Dragons ..they need a tight five that can compete to at least a reasonable standard..till then it will be another long season.

Blues....I think Edinburgh may be more street wise than previous seasons and that tied with some good players will make team a differant challenge .That combined with Blues players looking a little bit confused as to what they were doing in defence made it a unhappy start to the season.

ALunpg wrote:Ospreys have lost Matavesi who often gave them go forward and a differant kicking option when they needed a differant option.I also didn't see it but family reports said it was the same as seen during the pre- season..lots of huff n puff but no real direction in midfield..A poor showing with some fans feeling that this season has started as the last one finished.

Scarlets were effective and efficient in most areas and run the opposition ragged as the Kings tried to play a running game against a team who were way better at it. Scarlets were a little Harum scarum at times but I'm am sure the basic foundation was there.

Dragons ..they need a tight five that can compete to at least a reasonable standard..till then it will be another long season.

Blues....I think Edinburgh may be more street wise than previous seasons and that tied with some good players will make team a differant challenge .That combined with Blues players looking a little bit confused as to what they were doing in defence made it a unhappy start to the season.

Didn't Corey Allen get MOM, difficult to imagine with the sideways play of the Os as you say, although maybe he had a couple of subtle touches, I'm also annoyed that the game wasn't televised.

I think you are right about Edinburgh, they will be a different beast with Cotterill in charge so no panic for the Blues just yet.

Agree re: Dragons, why they seem to ignore the deficiency of the front row, season on season, is a puzzler.

I only watched the Blues game. I see Patch' scored..?

Numbers wrote:

ALunpg wrote:Ospreys have lost Matavesi who often gave them go forward and a differant kicking option when they needed a differant option.I also didn't see it but family reports said it was the same as seen during the pre- season..lots of huff n puff but no real direction in midfield..A poor showing with some fans feeling that this season has started as the last one finished.

Scarlets were effective and efficient in most areas and run the opposition ragged as the Kings tried to play a running game against a team who were way better at it. Scarlets were a little Harum scarum at times but I'm am sure the basic foundation was there.

Dragons ..they need a tight five that can compete to at least a reasonable standard..till then it will be another long season.

Blues....I think Edinburgh may be more street wise than previous seasons and that tied with some good players will make team a differant challenge .That combined with Blues players looking a little bit confused as to what they were doing in defence made it a unhappy start to the season.

Didn't Corey Allen get MOM, difficult to imagine with the sideways play of the Os as you say, although maybe he had a couple of subtle touches, I'm also annoyed that the game wasn't televised.

I think you are right about Edinburgh, they will be a different beast with Cotterill in charge so no panic for the Blues just yet.

Agree re: Dragons, why they seem to ignore the deficiency of the front row, season on season, is a puzzler.

Allan did get MOTM but apparently it was measuring it against a really low bar. I read the fail report apparently he glided.... interesting mental picture there.

Dragons front row policy is a mystery...but in fairness Welsh tight heads of regional stature are pretty damn rare beast as of late.
Ospreys ..don't have any that are at the top of the pot ....Blues have one Scarlets two...that's a pretty light list.

I just wonder where the U20's tight heads for the last few years all went..any ideas...