• Welcome to the Green and Gold Rugby forums. As you can see we've upgraded the forums to new software. Your old logon details should work, just click the 'Login' button in the top right.

Northern Hemisphere Rugby

Members Section

John Thornett (49)
Well as you say sport can rise and fall very quickly so it's difficult to predict anything beyond 5 years+. But for now French rugby are fine. A sold out RWC23 will keep the coffers healthy. 80,000 fans watched France win the 6N at Stade de France. The 6N have never been so popular.

Top 14 last season had an average crowd attendance of 16,000. La Rochelle have sold out their stadium like 25 times in a row or something stupid. Their women's XV sold out their match against England.

Then of course add in the eccentric billionaires which you can't ever really rule out. They have so many clubs that they can afford for Toulon to rise & fall, or a Worcester to happen for example. We can't really take losing one club here.

I watched the podcast the good, the bad & the rugby last night & the host read out the list of requirements the top 14 have on the owners that they have to meet & its so far above anything in the premiership
 

KevinO

John Hipwell (52)
La Rochelle have sold out their stadium like 25 times in a row or something stupid.
1665720553759.png
This is a photo of the team return after winning the Heineken Cup last year, it's nearly the whole town out to celebrate.

French rugby have got something right, the passion of supporters is amazing. I doubt the Wallabies would draw that size crowd in Sydney or Brisbane if they win the RWC.
 

The_Brown_Hornet

John Eales (66)
I remember watching a series on Kayo about the history of rugby and there was a long segment about the game in France at the club level. The towns that are into it are REALLY into it and get behind their side. Kind of like club level tribalism here but on steroids.
 

waiopehu oldboy

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Wasps gone from English Prem unless a buyer can be found at short notice:


Worcester already gone as no buyer could be found within the required timeframe.

Schadenfreude aside this isn't good for the game.
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
Wasps gone from English Prem unless a buyer can be found at short notice:


Worcester already gone as no buyer could be found within the required timeframe.

Schadenfreude aside this isn't good for the game.
Isn't it? should deflate the player market a little which can only be good for us.
 

Members Section

John Thornett (49)
No Louis Lynagh named in the England squad for the EOYT:

Looks like that door remains ajar if we could bring him down to a super rugby side. With everything going on in the prem right now that is probably a bit more achievable too.

Not sure if he is injured but I haven't even seen him off the bench this year. The bloke who has his spot on the wing is now in the eng squad
 

Wilson

David Codey (61)
Not sure if he is injured but I haven't even seen him off the bench this year. The bloke who has his spot on the wing is now in the eng squad
Yeah, he wasn't listed in the "Unavailable for selection due to injury" players at the end of that article. The rise of Henry Arundell and Cadan Murley getting named ahead of him (and playing well for Harlequins) definitely works in our favour.

I'm not sure we'd be able to win him away from Harlequins straight off, but an England capped winger of a similar age leap frogging him could well force him to look elsewhere on salary cap pressure alone. At that stage I'd think it's a very good chance he comes down to Australia, particularly if his brother Tom has a good year next year.
 

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
Giltinis and Gilgronis teams likely nixed as new buyers haven't been found. Players (and staff) are owed heaps with medical bills and rent left unpaid (and debts in the players' names). There will be a special draft for players who will likely end up elsewhere for less money.

Terrible situation.....but which ones would we like back in Aus, noting they would need to fix squad gaps. Not sure if anyone of these have already landed elsewhere.

30 year old Les Makin would still be handy as a back up THP at a few squads (including the Reds).

Are the Tahs still chasing locks? 2m tall, 25 year old Nathan den Hoedt would be handy.

Angus Cottrell still has something to offer - but is anyone chasing backrowers?

Bill Meakes still has plenty to contribute too. Assume he wouldn't get a 7s contract would he??

Luke Burton is only 28. I guess the Force have Hegarty and Stewart now but he could have been a great cover for Pasitoa.

Hugh Roach still only 30 but we are probably well covered for hookers everywhere?

Mack Mason anyone???? Not sure he would come back. Still only 26
 

qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Unfortunately, I think it's too late as most have filled their spots already. Tahs signed some locks (none of quality).

I'm sure Tahs would take Makin and den Hoedt 6 months ago.

Mason could be good at the Reds. Roach at the Reds?
 

Wilson

David Codey (61)
Giltinis and Gilgronis teams likely nixed as new buyers haven't been found. Players (and staff) are owed heaps with medical bills and rent left unpaid (and debts in the players' names). There will be a special draft for players who will likely end up elsewhere for less money.

Terrible situation.....but which ones would we like back in Aus, noting they would need to fix squad gaps. Not sure if anyone of these have already landed elsewhere.

30 year old Les Makin would still be handy as a back up THP at a few squads (including the Reds).

Are the Tahs still chasing locks? 2m tall, 25 year old Nathan den Hoedt would be handy.

Angus Cottrell still has something to offer - but is anyone chasing backrowers?

Bill Meakes still has plenty to contribute too. Assume he wouldn't get a 7s contract would he??

Luke Burton is only 28. I guess the Force have Hegarty and Stewart now but he could have been a great cover for Pasitoa.

Hugh Roach still only 30 but we are probably well covered for hookers everywhere?

Mack Mason anyone???? Not sure he would come back. Still only 26
Cottrell posted something very much like a retirement post (without actually using the word) on Instagram. I believe he's back in Brisbane or the Gold Coast though, so if he decides to turn out in QPR next year he could end up being an in season injury call up for someone. Not sure the Bulldogs have much room for him though. Lachlan McCaffrey is probably the other backrower in that same position, either could be good experienced squad cover in the case of injury.

Force are probably still in need of a 13 with Rona falling through, Meakes could be an option there, or Will Chambers if he's still at LA. Also not sure what's going on with the Force's props right now, they could easily end up taking both Makin and Abel (though I think they could probably do better than Abel recruiting from inside Australia).

With the Hoopert injury it's perfect timing for Makin at the Reds though, he'd probably come in above the QPR options. I'd prefer they signed Dobbins before Roach, not sure about his injury status after the challenger series though.

I'm guessing a few of these guys will be looking at squad cover spots through Europe during the world cup next year, but that does fit well with a season back here first.

Nathan Den Hoedt would have to be a chance at the Tahs and Reds, maybe the Force/Rebels if Rodda/Hosea's injuries are going to keep them out for a significant chunk of the season. Brumbies might be interested if they see this as Neville's last year and want to get in early, though that's probably less likely.

Sevens might be a good bet for a few of them, particularly Christian Poidevin and Brooklyn Hardaker, but I'm not sure how they compare.
 

Members Section

John Thornett (49)
Giltinis and Gilgronis teams likely nixed as new buyers haven't been found. Players (and staff) are owed heaps with medical bills and rent left unpaid (and debts in the players' names). There will be a special draft for players who will likely end up elsewhere for less money.

Terrible situation.....but which ones would we like back in Aus, noting they would need to fix squad gaps. Not sure if anyone of these have already landed elsewhere.

30 year old Les Makin would still be handy as a back up THP at a few squads (including the Reds).

Are the Tahs still chasing locks? 2m tall, 25 year old Nathan den Hoedt would be handy.

Angus Cottrell still has something to offer - but is anyone chasing backrowers?

Bill Meakes still has plenty to contribute too. Assume he wouldn't get a 7s contract would he??

Luke Burton is only 28. I guess the Force have Hegarty and Stewart now but he could have been a great cover for Pasitoa.

Hugh Roach still only 30 but we are probably well covered for hookers everywhere?

Mack Mason anyone???? Not sure he would come back. Still only 26

Bill & his partner are very settled in LA, she is the bread winner formally the ceo of bumble & has since started her own company based out of LA. I think 7's would be perfect for him! he would only get a contract if we were to expand our contract list from 6 to 14.
 
Top