Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
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rowan
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
Just a wild guess on the Korean tour funding issue, but it may have to do with increased government grants due to the inclusion of rugby at the Olympic Games. It would be a shame if they were not committing that to the grass roots, and just jetsetting around the globe with it instead. Or it may be that they just found themselves a very generous sponsor - in which case, all power to them...
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
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rowan
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
Romanian club round-up (source linked below, before anybody accuses me of stealing their artwork) 
CSM Bucuresti 28 - 16 Timisoara Saracens
This is a tough one for the visitors because they have so many players injured like Oaks Badiu, Fercu, Capatana, Sheenan, Umaga, Samoa or players who are making it into first XV pretty often like Simionescu, Conache, Doyle or Hunt.
CSM scrum dominated the match and made Timisoara's one to look terrible. Doge Mesake have a bad day at the office, he conceded most of the penalties given against his team from various infringement in the scrum. When Pungea and Militaru entered from the bench, the situation was somehow more balanced.
Apjock's style is started to be noticed as CSM, they managed to pin Timisoara in their own half with long kicks followed by effective chasing of the ball. One of the tries come following a ball fumbled by Seniloli and recovered by one of CSM players and generally most important attack situations come following scrums or lineouts in visitors half.
Vlad Popa played out of position at 15 and he did it well, he also attacked well few times and put up good tackles in situation of last defending player but probably with Fercu . However, Timisoara's defense seems unprepared for kicking play CSM put on them. Rose and especially Seniloli had an average performance. The former especially, although is lethal when is given some space is very limited as player in other aspects. He doesn't seem to have any concern on managing his game, passing is average and become really bad after he fumbled the kicked ball for CSM try by passing near the level of the ground repeatedly. I noticed this few times and it seems when he makes mistakes he lose his confidence and concentration and his passing become dangerous for his colleagues. Pretorius (injured) is also below par so imo best bet for Timisoara is young Rupanu who imo have much more potential than Seniloli or Pretorius, also Timisoara should have tried to convert Conache there, as they did in last matches from last season than sign these two players, wasted money imo on both and I'd add here Doge Mesuke but for now I give him the benefit of a doubt since he only come here from one month or so.
Again, the issue of ruck/breakdown made Timisoara to give away many easy penalties and Mr. Williams will have a lot of work to do in this area.
CSM looked very composed, they followed their game plan well. Frontrow and scrum generally was really strong, lineout worked well but it wasn't easy against two top players like those from Timisoara locks. Backrow was outstanding and managed to push back Timisoara on their attack and pin them down in their field. Lots of experience there from long time Oaks like Carpo and Burcea or from captain Adrian Ion who shouldn't be overlooked by Howells despite his age.
I am especially by Calafeteanu's come back after a long term injury. His form was poor before this kidney injury (which puts in danger his career) but now he looks sharper and much more accurate in passing and kicking, probably less burnt out and with more appetite for playing. CSM fly-half is a very interesting player, he was accurate with kicking and very dangerous with ball in hand, being able to drag CSM backs attacking line in very good positions to attack.
Overall a very good match, good entertainment too, which looked at times at test level.
CSA Steaua Bucuresti 45 - 8 Universitatea Cluj
Easy one for Steaua, 7 to 1 tries, young Boldor was entrusted with kicking tee duty this time and he did his job well and he was named man of the match. Cluj had on bench 5 players 18 yo.
CS Dinamo Bucuresti 70 - 5 CS Politehnica Iasi
After a strong start, the limited squad of Iasi start to show its limits. Especially in last minutes, the bench which was made of mostly 18 yo wasn't able to stop Dinamo, 4 tries being scored after the young players entered the pitch. Stil, few of the young players seem to adapt well to the new environment and I am thinking here to backrow Chiriac (injured this time but played in first two matches really well), scrum-half Lupu, frontrow Cretu.
man of the match, Dinamo's scrum-half Tudorel Bratu.
Conclusion:
It looks like we will have 5 contenders for the play off, Dinamo looking strong enough to challenge any other team from top 4. Iasi and U Cluj will probably try to avoid the wooden spoon but if they will manage to get some finances to strengthen their squads (because bench is the main issue) they might put up a much better opposition.
Anniversary:
On 8 September we celebrate first rugby match played in Romania which happened in 1913 on the same field where is now based Romanian Rugby Federation and Arcul de Triumf national stadium:
https://frr.ro/2017/09/08/104-ani-de-la ... -romanesc/
CSM Bucuresti 28 - 16 Timisoara Saracens
This is a tough one for the visitors because they have so many players injured like Oaks Badiu, Fercu, Capatana, Sheenan, Umaga, Samoa or players who are making it into first XV pretty often like Simionescu, Conache, Doyle or Hunt.
CSM scrum dominated the match and made Timisoara's one to look terrible. Doge Mesake have a bad day at the office, he conceded most of the penalties given against his team from various infringement in the scrum. When Pungea and Militaru entered from the bench, the situation was somehow more balanced.
Apjock's style is started to be noticed as CSM, they managed to pin Timisoara in their own half with long kicks followed by effective chasing of the ball. One of the tries come following a ball fumbled by Seniloli and recovered by one of CSM players and generally most important attack situations come following scrums or lineouts in visitors half.
Vlad Popa played out of position at 15 and he did it well, he also attacked well few times and put up good tackles in situation of last defending player but probably with Fercu . However, Timisoara's defense seems unprepared for kicking play CSM put on them. Rose and especially Seniloli had an average performance. The former especially, although is lethal when is given some space is very limited as player in other aspects. He doesn't seem to have any concern on managing his game, passing is average and become really bad after he fumbled the kicked ball for CSM try by passing near the level of the ground repeatedly. I noticed this few times and it seems when he makes mistakes he lose his confidence and concentration and his passing become dangerous for his colleagues. Pretorius (injured) is also below par so imo best bet for Timisoara is young Rupanu who imo have much more potential than Seniloli or Pretorius, also Timisoara should have tried to convert Conache there, as they did in last matches from last season than sign these two players, wasted money imo on both and I'd add here Doge Mesuke but for now I give him the benefit of a doubt since he only come here from one month or so.
Again, the issue of ruck/breakdown made Timisoara to give away many easy penalties and Mr. Williams will have a lot of work to do in this area.
CSM looked very composed, they followed their game plan well. Frontrow and scrum generally was really strong, lineout worked well but it wasn't easy against two top players like those from Timisoara locks. Backrow was outstanding and managed to push back Timisoara on their attack and pin them down in their field. Lots of experience there from long time Oaks like Carpo and Burcea or from captain Adrian Ion who shouldn't be overlooked by Howells despite his age.
I am especially by Calafeteanu's come back after a long term injury. His form was poor before this kidney injury (which puts in danger his career) but now he looks sharper and much more accurate in passing and kicking, probably less burnt out and with more appetite for playing. CSM fly-half is a very interesting player, he was accurate with kicking and very dangerous with ball in hand, being able to drag CSM backs attacking line in very good positions to attack.
Overall a very good match, good entertainment too, which looked at times at test level.
CSA Steaua Bucuresti 45 - 8 Universitatea Cluj
Easy one for Steaua, 7 to 1 tries, young Boldor was entrusted with kicking tee duty this time and he did his job well and he was named man of the match. Cluj had on bench 5 players 18 yo.
CS Dinamo Bucuresti 70 - 5 CS Politehnica Iasi
After a strong start, the limited squad of Iasi start to show its limits. Especially in last minutes, the bench which was made of mostly 18 yo wasn't able to stop Dinamo, 4 tries being scored after the young players entered the pitch. Stil, few of the young players seem to adapt well to the new environment and I am thinking here to backrow Chiriac (injured this time but played in first two matches really well), scrum-half Lupu, frontrow Cretu.
man of the match, Dinamo's scrum-half Tudorel Bratu.
Conclusion:
It looks like we will have 5 contenders for the play off, Dinamo looking strong enough to challenge any other team from top 4. Iasi and U Cluj will probably try to avoid the wooden spoon but if they will manage to get some finances to strengthen their squads (because bench is the main issue) they might put up a much better opposition.
Anniversary:
On 8 September we celebrate first rugby match played in Romania which happened in 1913 on the same field where is now based Romanian Rugby Federation and Arcul de Triumf national stadium:
https://frr.ro/2017/09/08/104-ani-de-la ... -romanesc/
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
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rowan
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
Could this be a precursor to an annual promotion-relegation fixture? Will certainly help if Georgia wins (though I don't think they will, personally):
World Rugby approve Georgia-Italy showdown as Rugby Championship winners eye Six Nations acceptance
Georgia will face Italy next year during the 2018 autumn internationals
The fixture was agreed at a World Rugby meeting in Los Angeles
Georgia are ranked above Italy but had requests to join the Six Nations rejected
Six Nations CEO John Feehan says 'integrety of the competition' is important
Georgia will be given the chance to make a Six Nations statement next year in a showcase Test against Italy.
The fixture was approved at a World Rugby meeting in Los Angeles and will take place during the 2018 autumn internationals.
Six Nations CEO John Feehan has consistently rejected calls for Georgia to be invited into the tournament – despite attracting crowds of 60,000 in Tbilisi and being ranked above Italy.
Georgian officials even had proposals for an inconsequential 'show match' between the Six Nations losers and Rugby Championship winners turned down earlier this year.
Feehan said at the time: 'We've got to look at it from the integrity of our competition and what's good for us and not necessarily what's good for Georgia.
'My role is to make sure that the six unions which are involved in the Six Nations maintain the credibility of the tournament.
'A game like that could involve all sorts of speculation that wouldn't necessarily be helpful.'
But now World Rugby have granted the fixture outside of the Six Nations remit and, while it will have no direct impact on the Six Nations fat cats, it is an opportunity for Georgia's case to gain momentum.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... z4svGstFSM
World Rugby approve Georgia-Italy showdown as Rugby Championship winners eye Six Nations acceptance
Georgia will face Italy next year during the 2018 autumn internationals
The fixture was agreed at a World Rugby meeting in Los Angeles
Georgia are ranked above Italy but had requests to join the Six Nations rejected
Six Nations CEO John Feehan says 'integrety of the competition' is important
Georgia will be given the chance to make a Six Nations statement next year in a showcase Test against Italy.
The fixture was approved at a World Rugby meeting in Los Angeles and will take place during the 2018 autumn internationals.
Six Nations CEO John Feehan has consistently rejected calls for Georgia to be invited into the tournament – despite attracting crowds of 60,000 in Tbilisi and being ranked above Italy.
Georgian officials even had proposals for an inconsequential 'show match' between the Six Nations losers and Rugby Championship winners turned down earlier this year.
Feehan said at the time: 'We've got to look at it from the integrity of our competition and what's good for us and not necessarily what's good for Georgia.
'My role is to make sure that the six unions which are involved in the Six Nations maintain the credibility of the tournament.
'A game like that could involve all sorts of speculation that wouldn't necessarily be helpful.'
But now World Rugby have granted the fixture outside of the Six Nations remit and, while it will have no direct impact on the Six Nations fat cats, it is an opportunity for Georgia's case to gain momentum.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... z4svGstFSM
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
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rowan
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- Location: Istanbul
Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
Georgia:
Top 10 after 3 rounds:
1 - Batumi 3 2 1 0 +72 11/1 12
2 - Kharebi 3 3 0 0 +17 9/6 12
3 - AIA 3 3 0 0 +17 6/6 12
4 - Lelo 3 2 0 1 +30 10/4 10
5 - Jiki 3 2 0 1 +13 7/6 10
6 - Lokomotive 3 1 0 2 -5 8/8 6
7 - Armazi 3 0 1 2 -10 5/4 4
8 - Army 3 1 0 2 -49 4/10 4
9 - Academy 3 0 0 3 -17 4/7 3
10 - Bagrati 3 0 0 3 -68 1/13 0
3'd round:
Armazi 15:19 Kharebi
AIA 19:10 Lelo
Lokomovite 18:13 Academy
Army 0:32 Batumi
Bagrati 9:22 Jiki
Top 10 after 3 rounds:
1 - Batumi 3 2 1 0 +72 11/1 12
2 - Kharebi 3 3 0 0 +17 9/6 12
3 - AIA 3 3 0 0 +17 6/6 12
4 - Lelo 3 2 0 1 +30 10/4 10
5 - Jiki 3 2 0 1 +13 7/6 10
6 - Lokomotive 3 1 0 2 -5 8/8 6
7 - Armazi 3 0 1 2 -10 5/4 4
8 - Army 3 1 0 2 -49 4/10 4
9 - Academy 3 0 0 3 -17 4/7 3
10 - Bagrati 3 0 0 3 -68 1/13 0
3'd round:
Armazi 15:19 Kharebi
AIA 19:10 Lelo
Lokomovite 18:13 Academy
Army 0:32 Batumi
Bagrati 9:22 Jiki
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
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rowan
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
Georgia top 10 tries:
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
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rowan
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
Romania:
Round 4 results:
Timisoara Saracens 15 - 15 CSA Steaua Bucuresti
Rather dull match, without a clear try scoring phase, with a Steaua team that come decided to bag as few points as possible. Steaua managed to kick the points to obtain a draw in last minute of the game when it was down to 13 players due to two yellow cards. Man of the match was Conache, the eternal bench player who was at fullback this time and kicked all the points scored by his team. Even if the last final of SL was won mostly based on his boot he's still a bench player although he can cover fly-half, wing or fullback and even played few games at scrum-half last season.
CS Universitatea Cluj 25 - 38 CS Dinamo Bucuresti
It was a balanced match and although Cluj students did pretty well in the first half but the bench failed them once more. Dinamo played in the usual manner. Tudorel Bratu seem to be in a brilliant form, he scored two tries, 5 conversions and a penalty, a total of 23 pts.
CSM Stiinta Baia Mare 24 - 15 CSM Bucuresti
First half was balanced but in the second one the hosts managed to break winners also due to the missed penalties by Calafeteanu. Nothing much to say about this match except that hosts kicking game was surprising.
https://frr.ro/
Round 4 results:
Timisoara Saracens 15 - 15 CSA Steaua Bucuresti
Rather dull match, without a clear try scoring phase, with a Steaua team that come decided to bag as few points as possible. Steaua managed to kick the points to obtain a draw in last minute of the game when it was down to 13 players due to two yellow cards. Man of the match was Conache, the eternal bench player who was at fullback this time and kicked all the points scored by his team. Even if the last final of SL was won mostly based on his boot he's still a bench player although he can cover fly-half, wing or fullback and even played few games at scrum-half last season.
CS Universitatea Cluj 25 - 38 CS Dinamo Bucuresti
It was a balanced match and although Cluj students did pretty well in the first half but the bench failed them once more. Dinamo played in the usual manner. Tudorel Bratu seem to be in a brilliant form, he scored two tries, 5 conversions and a penalty, a total of 23 pts.
CSM Stiinta Baia Mare 24 - 15 CSM Bucuresti
First half was balanced but in the second one the hosts managed to break winners also due to the missed penalties by Calafeteanu. Nothing much to say about this match except that hosts kicking game was surprising.
https://frr.ro/
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
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rowan
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
According to this, Italy v Georgia next year is confirmed! http://www.onrugby.it/2017/09/21/italia ... mbre-2018/
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
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Sandydragon
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
On the bright side, the attempt to shorten the commitment of England and France to the 6N has been kicked into touch for now. Its hard to tell wha the impact would have actually been, but with the English clubs looking to shorten the 6N window for English players, would that have had a follow on impact on foreign players in the English (and French) leagues. Whilst the international window is set to what is it, I suspect that would have been the next challenge, causing issues for a number of nations.
This current discussion does highlight the mess that is the current rugby season.
This current discussion does highlight the mess that is the current rugby season.
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rowan
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
StandingsGEORGIA: Didi 10
15:00 Finished
Armazi Tbilisi
33
Bagrat Kutaisi
12
17:15 Finished
Batumi
10
AIA Kutaisi
23
1. AIA Kutaisi 4 4 0 0 85:55 16
2. Kharebi Rustavi 4 4 0 0 85:62 16
3. Jiki Tbilisi 4 3 0 1 96:53 15
4. Batumi 4 2 1 1 98:39 12
5. RC Locomotive Tbilisi 4 2 0 2 73:70 10
6. Lelo Tbilisi 4 2 0 2 95:73 10
7. Armazi Tbilisi 4 1 1 2 75:64 8
8. Armia Tbilisi 4 1 0 3 38:117 4
9. Academia Tbilisi 4 0 0 4 55:78 4
10. Bagrat Kutaisi 4 0 0 4 40:129 0
15:00 Finished
Armazi Tbilisi
33
Bagrat Kutaisi
12
17:15 Finished
Batumi
10
AIA Kutaisi
23
1. AIA Kutaisi 4 4 0 0 85:55 16
2. Kharebi Rustavi 4 4 0 0 85:62 16
3. Jiki Tbilisi 4 3 0 1 96:53 15
4. Batumi 4 2 1 1 98:39 12
5. RC Locomotive Tbilisi 4 2 0 2 73:70 10
6. Lelo Tbilisi 4 2 0 2 95:73 10
7. Armazi Tbilisi 4 1 1 2 75:64 8
8. Armia Tbilisi 4 1 0 3 38:117 4
9. Academia Tbilisi 4 0 0 4 55:78 4
10. Bagrat Kutaisi 4 0 0 4 40:129 0
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
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rowan
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
Dinamo Bucuresti 22 - 22 Timisoara Saracens ( full match: https://www.privesc.eu/arhiva/77955 )
https://www.super-liga.ro/informatii-meci/?im=4411
Politehnica Iasi 20 - 29 CS Universitatea Cluj
https://www.super-liga.ro/informatii-meci/?im=4413
CSA Steaua Bucuresti 39 - 37 CS Stiinta Baia Mare
https://www.super-liga.ro/informatii-meci/?im=4411
Politehnica Iasi 20 - 29 CS Universitatea Cluj
https://www.super-liga.ro/informatii-meci/?im=4413
CSA Steaua Bucuresti 39 - 37 CS Stiinta Baia Mare
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
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rowan
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
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rowan
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
Weekend highlights from the Georgian Top 10:
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
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rowan
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
Romania were keen to face a couple of the Southern Hemisphere sides during the AIs but apparently no opposition could be found for the ENC champions, not even among the Pacific Islands. So there's talk of perhaps trying to find someone in Europe to play them, even a Barbarians side. My suggestion would be Morocco, newly promoted to the African first division, and with most of their players based in France. But it would have to be taken seriously by the Atlas Lions to be a decent contest. Similarly, Tunisia or rapidly rising Algeria could potentially give the Oaks a decent work-out and both have most of their players (if not all) based in France.
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
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Mellsblue
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Re: Should Georgia & Romania be added to the 6 Nations?
This is why.Mellsblue wrote:I'll take that as a yes.Mellsblue wrote:I said, is it obligatory to quote your own posts in this thread?Mellsblue wrote:Is it obligatory to quote your own posts in this thread?