• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

Rugby (6N, Rugby Championship, IRB 7s, etc.)

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
South Africa (with the return of Cecil Africa) won the Tokyo 7s (IRB Tournament #7) this weekend. I may be wrong but I think that makes six different winners in seven tournaments this year. The Series is hugely competitive this year even though the top few rankings are the same as always.

Also, the USA Eagles had a fantastic weekend beating Fiji (which I would never have expected) and then Scotland.
 
Upvote 0
Let me know if any of you Rugby fans intend on coming this way.

http://usarugby.org/college-news/item/usa-college-rugby-espn

This year?s Men?s D1-A College National Championship venue is the University of North Carolina-Greensboro Soccer Stadium. Follow the playoff action at d1arugby.com or usarugby.org.

Men?s D1-A National Championship Ticket Information:
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Time: 7:00pm EST

To purchase tickets, please call 336?334?3250.

Groups (10 or more): $8
Adults: $10
Children 10 and under, Military ID and College Students: $5
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
South Africa wins the Edinburgh 7s without its two key players. That's two in a row and NZ have to be concerned. NZ will not worry too much because making the final means that South Africa cannot catch them this year. They win their 10th 7's rugby title in 14 years, I think. Very impressive.

I think that South Africa can win in Moscow at the World Cup.

The USA avoids relegation play, now moving up to 12th on the log. It was a lot of fun to watch them in their semi-final and final today. They are showing real passion and finding their confidence.

Now, I have to get up at 5am to get my work done for tomorrow!
 
Upvote 0
It wasn't on tv here but I think the London tournament will be. It will be interesting to see how NZ reacts and plays in London having won the series but losing the last two cup finals to South Africa. I watched the Tokyo final match this weekend and SA played very well, very strong. NZ is a little out of sorts (for them) with injuries and working new players into the line-up but, as you note, the Boks have had the same problems throughout the season. At this point, I'd see SA as the favorite to win in Moscow (and I really hope that will be televised).

The USA has beaten Fiji twice now and a win against Argentina, too, is very impressive. The coaching has been much better this year and we're playing better. Avoiding relegation was huge and I hope we keep up the momentum.

Last thoughts on the All Blacks: I think they've played their older stars too long and for too many minutes. They remind me of the old Celtics. They play the game the way it's supposed to be played and (historically) execute better than anyone else but it was hard to break up Parrish, McHale, Bird, etc. and they waited too long to do it and/or to integrate younger players with significant minutes. NZ has relied upon Cama (my favorite player EVER), Forbes, and Mikkelson in a similar manner and now, instead of folding new players in seamlessly, they've gotten hit with injuries and age and have had to struggle a little (which for them means winning the series but losing the last two cup finals!). Their young players are talented and they should be scary next year.
 
Upvote 0
The USA beat South Africa and will go through to the quarterfinals in London, edging out South Africa on points difference in the log. Both teams go through to the quarterfinals.

Let me just say that again, the USA beat South Africa in the London 7s Rugby. The USA ended South Africa's 13 game winning streak.

It is a true delight to see the USA playing at higher and higher levels. They truly deserved to win the game in my opinion.

It does not take away from the US win, but it is clear to me that South Africa and New Zealand have their eyes on the World Cup in Moscow. South Africa clearly thought that they had an easy bracket and decided to send in four new players, including a new cap. The new heart and soul of the team, Seabelo Senatla, and an injured Paul Delport were rested. Justin Geduld, joined the Junior Springboks squad in Stellenbosch to prepare for the IRB Junior World Championship in France in a few weeks.

That said, Cecil Afrika was back for his first game in some time, and this should have been enough. He scored a brilliant try to seal the win against France, but was very lacklustre and looked tired against the USA. However, South Africa looked out of sorts the entire tournament, beating Australia only 5-0 and being down 14-0 before beating France 17-14.

I don't expect South Africa to go further than the quarterfinals, but I like the chances of the US against the Aussies. South Africa needs to make the semifinals or see Fiji lose in the quarterfinals to be assured of holding on to second place.

Go USA!
 
Upvote 0
The USA, South Africa, and Fiji all lose. South Africa and USA play a rematch for the Plate.

South Africa actually beat England. They were up 14-0 when a series of questionable calls were made by the New Zealand ref. Afrika was called offsides when he wasn't. Multiple calls against SA, when SA players were clearly on their feet and Kiwis were hanging onto the ball. We had international commentators and they were gobsmacked. Absolutely disgusting.

It's a bit like asking a bloody TSUN ref to call a B1G championship game between Ohio State and someone else. Look for a merciless rear-kicking if these teams meet in Moscow at the World Cup and for SA to hold this against the Kiwis there.
 
Upvote 0
Wow. I think we'll get to see it here next weekend as I just watched the Scotland 7s yesterday. I can't wait to see this USA side play again. I think you're right about RSA and NZ looking ahead to Moscow (even though NZ won London) but the Eagles are riding a 2-3 week momentum wave like they've never had before. Better/younger players, better/younger coaching and some tangible success to build upon. If they keep building, they're a solid quarter-final team in Rio-2016.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top