Rugby Discussion Thread

[hckošice 16,645]

4 minutes ago, OlympicIRL said:

Hmm, I was reading about member associates of World Rugby and in their official handbook, seems like they had a little trouble with the identity of one nation.... @hckosice 

 

 

 

I guess, they found the mistake during past week when we played our first ever Division II match against --- Slovenia https://sport.aktuality.sk/c/304179/rugby-slovensko-nestacilo-v-konferencii-2-juh-na-slovincov/

[OlympicIRL 6,315]

1 minute ago, hckosice said:

 

I guess, they found the mistake during past week when we played our first ever Division II match against --- Slovenia https://sport.aktuality.sk/c/304179/rugby-slovensko-nestacilo-v-konferencii-2-juh-na-slovincov/

 

Yes I followed the results of that match, good performance really as Slovenia would be one of the stronger teams in that conference (north and south). The match against Cyprus will be another lesson level though as they will be favourites to claim the southern title. But good progress from Slovakia in a short period and first goal is to avoid the drop

[hckošice 16,645]

2 minutes ago, OlympicIRL said:

 

Yes I followed the results of that match, good performance really as Slovenia would be one of the stronger teams in that conference (north and south). The match against Cyprus will be another lesson level though as they will be favourites to claim the southern title. But good progress from Slovakia in a short period and first goal is to avoid the drop

 

yeah, they are there mainly to learn, any eventual tie/win will be surely considered as a success, it´s still the early beginning for this sport in Slovakia. But still nice to see we are competing in new sports. That´s really fine. So may the force be with them then in their next game

[OlympicIRL 6,315]

4 minutes ago, hckosice said:

 

yeah, they are there mainly to learn, any eventual tie/win will be surely considered as a success, it´s still the early beginning for this sport in Slovakia. But still nice to see we are competing in new sports. That´s really fine. So may the force be with them then in their next game

 

Exactly, and by playing teams like Cyprus more regularly it can surely be only a good thing. The games against Austria and Serbia should be closer affairs and will be the ones to determine who will survive. Conference II North is the easier division but better playing in the harder division and gaining better experience is better in the long term

Edited November 12, 2017 by OlympicIRL

[bestmen 2,926]

France will host the World cup 2023

[hckošice 16,645]

Slovakia - Cyprus 6-40  @OlympicIRL

 

 

[Bohemia 1,542]

We suck, we suck, we suck  (yep, very constructive message )

Edited November 25, 2017 by Bohemia

[OlympicIRL 6,315]

1 hour ago, hckosice said:

Slovakia - Cyprus 6-40  @OlympicIRL

 

 

Well we said this match would be another step up in level for Slovakia but the experience is now in the bag and next time hopefully you can put this experience into practice .

[De_Gambassi 1,369]

https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1060545/police-raid-headquarters-of-french-rugby-federation

 

Citation

Police have reportedly raided the headquarters of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) as well as the house of its President, Bernard Laporte, as part of an investigation into alleged conflicts of interest.

Laporte has denied allegations that he pressurised the FFR Appeals Committee into reducing a sanction against Top 14 club Montpellier last year. 

Montpellier is owned by Syrian-born scaffolding billionaire Mohed Altrad, with whom Laporte previously had a business relationship.

It is alleged that the Appeals Board faced pressure before they decided to cancel a one-game stadium ban for Montpellier and reduce a fine from €70,000 (£61,000/$86,000) to €20,000 (£17,500/$25,000) last June after banners were unfurled at their stadium criticising the head of the French National League, Paul Goze.

According to L'Equipe, a dozen French policemen conducted a search at the French training base of Marcoussis, where the French squad is currently preparing for the Six Nations.

It was ordered by the National Financial Office after they opened a preliminary investigation.

Other reports, including one by Reuters, have claimed that Laporte's home was also searched.

An investigation took place at the French Rugby Federation headquarters in Marcoussis, south-west Paris ©Getty Images

Laporte's company BL Communication had signed an image rights contract with Altrad Group last year, but later pulled out of the €150,000 (£131,000/$185,000) deal.

The Altrad Group also become a shirt sponsor of the French national side after signing a five-year contract earlier this month, thought to be worth €35 million (£31 million/$43 million).

This was ruled not a conflict of interest by the FFR Ethics Committee. 

"Bernard Laporte, the head of the Federation, is pointing out that this does not determine in any way the conclusions of the ongoing investigation," the FFR said in a statement. 

Laporte, a former French Secretary of State for Sport and head coach of the national team, was a key figure last year in France's successful bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

France saw off competition from South Africa and the Republic of Ireland to win the right to host the tournament. 

This was despite South Africa being named as the recommended option by World Rugby prior to November's vote in London.

Altrad's company was reported to be a backer of the bid.

 

 

tl;dr:

 

 

 

[LDOG 2,489]

World Cup Play-off 1st leg:  defeats  38-29 in Canada. Next week return leg in Montevideo.