Rugby union?

Unseul · 19 Aug 2018 at 18:09

I see a thread for league, but none for union? Have I missed one, or it's just not that popular here?

Wasps supporter here (picked a team 6 years ago, after getting into club rugby from the international game, wasn't in the UK, and no local team where I was born). Any other union eggchaser supporters/players?

Hoping to join the local club now I'm back in the UK, or if I find my body won't take it, at least get my boy playing!

Unseul · 19 Aug 2018 at 18:36

No matter who plays has got to be easier when it's normally Sarries!

Unseul · 19 Aug 2018 at 22:35

You could try touch tom e? I'm considering it, if the full thing turns out to be a step too far.

Nev, just as good a reason as me supporting Wasps, I was trying to find a club with some fun young English talent, and decent style of play. They were 11th the season before I started supprting!

Internationals are fun, but I'm excited for the premiership to start up again, the extended nature makes it very interesting for me.

Unseul · 20 Aug 2018 at 16:42

A lot of those mates in the back room have already been moved on. I wonder if Gustard is going to make a good head coach or not. Would imagine it'll take a while to fix whatever was wrong last season anyway.

Unseul · 21 Aug 2018 at 08:43

I was never really one for watching football, and with age (and grumpiness) I've become even less tolerant of it, it just rarely excites me. During rugby there's so much going on that it's impossible to track it all. Even when there's a bit of kick tennis going on you can see which of the forwards really need a breather etc.

I've not lived in Germany, but I believe there's an increasing presence there (they just recently lost to Samoa in a RWC knockout game). However their friendly million/billionaire, has just pulled out in a big way I think? Which may knock it on the head a bit.

Unseul · 21 Aug 2018 at 18:46

DAZN sounds a bit like rugbypass? Only for germany? Do you know if it's region locked? Do they keep games available online for later viewing? And do they have the non-broadcasted premiership games like rugbypass does?

Unseul · 24 Aug 2018 at 20:13

So should be going to my first training session in a very long time on Wednesday, then my boy starts a week on Sunday!

Any recommendations for boots etc?

Unseul · 27 Aug 2018 at 14:51

So Wasps lose Gopperth for 6-9 months, which is a bit of a pain! Cooper-Woolley out for upto 2 months too, which is bad news, but does give Will Stuart a chance to step up.

On a personal note, bought a gum shield and boots yesterday!

Unseul · 27 Aug 2018 at 18:41

mid_gen said:
Well, DAZN is a general sports service, just Germany and Austria and a few places I think at the moment, although unfortunately I can't see Sky letting them get a foot in the door in the UK. Yes you can watch the games back later as well.

It also has Premiership football, La Liga, Bundesliga highlights, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, tennis, boxing, mma, amongst other things.

Do you know how strict they are on VPNs? I know Rugbypass just needs a VPN to start a stream, but it can then be disabled. I'm only really interested in the rugby, but rugbypass has got rather expensive recently.

Unseul · 29 Aug 2018 at 17:14

There seems to be a gap between people following the international games, and then not dropping into the club sides, even as television viewership, not even tickets etc. I know I used to watch internationals only, then started getting the itch to watch more, but there was very little marketing to try and push that. I guess it's where there's a separation between union and clubs.

Unseul · 29 Aug 2018 at 21:46

Definitely, it's complicated, and even when you know the major rules, there's a ton of intricacies, then on top of that there's players pushing laws and being cheeky. It's why I love it, love seeing a player being clever (and even better if a team counters it "live").

Went to my first training session tonight. I ache, my shoulder, neck and back are all sore. Ended up training with the forwards (was asked "Do I like to run?" after giving the only sensible answer, I was given to the forwards).

Unseul · 29 Aug 2018 at 22:57

I work from home, so making training shouldn't be a problem fortunately. I'm 5'10" (when I'm being generous to myself) and 93kg (though I don't look it, big arse and thighs). I'm hoping they don't put me at hooker, but since one of the first questions in the forwards training was if I minded being lifted, I think I can avoid it.

To be honest, with my fitness levels as they are, I think I'll be safely off the pitch for now!

Unseul · 31 Aug 2018 at 18:16

I'm a good shape for rugby, just short (and, well, getting older now, and the belly...)! The pains have mostly turned to muscle aches now, though the regular knotted muscle in my back has stayed tight. Hoping it loosens up rather than tightens more now though.

Not sure how much time I'm going to have to watch the rugby tonight! Or the weekend, still need to get into routine.

Unseul · 1 Sep 2018 at 10:20

How many seasons now has the promoted team won their opening game? Got to be a few seasons in a row now. If they keep doing it I'll start to situp and watch. We also don't know what's with Bath this season either.

That front row from Wasps is potentially goign to be very impressive, if they don't get beaten up. 2 seasons ago Harris was Falcons 4th? choice, Cruse was in the championship and Stuart was playing in the u20s world cup I believe.

Unseul · 2 Sep 2018 at 16:25

So my sproglet had his first training day today, tiny compared to the others, as expected, but he's a speedy little fella, and he definitely showed his pace in a few of the training games they played. It's fun watching your child! Just got to not be that parent who's yelling at the coaches/refs etc.

Unseul · 6 Sep 2018 at 11:16

Another training session, another broken body

. Still having fun though, and may be on the bench for the 2nds at the weekend!

Unseul · 7 Sep 2018 at 08:22

Been named for the 2nds on Saturday then! Only 17 names... bit worried I might not make the bench for as long as I want (79 minutes roughly

).

Unseul · 7 Sep 2018 at 11:15

MikeTheNative said:
That moment when someone goes down injured, looks to the bench and they are nowhere to be seen.

That's the plan

!

I'll give it a go, worst comes to worst I'll stand on the wing and watch the game go by

.

Unseul · 8 Sep 2018 at 08:57

Game has been cancelled, other sides 3rds (who were playing our 2nds) couldn't raise a side. Bit relieved! Still going to cheer on the 1sts though.

Unseul · 11 Sep 2018 at 20:30

I've no problem with big spending on quality overseas players, they improve the league and therefore help improve the English players who play in it.

I dislike the foreign journeymen, the ones that are bang average and do seem to be taking up a space that a youngster could be developing in. I'd like to see a minimum salary for overseas players.