OT - Anyone watch or follow Rugby?? - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

primetime · 02-26-2007, 02:28 AM

I play rugby. It hurts.

EnglishPatriot · 02-26-2007, 02:33 AM

I love Rugby, haven't played it for a couple of years though.
Something that hasn't been mentioned is that all tackling is around the legs, rather that the sort of hits that get dished out in the NFL, making it possible to play without the pads!

I never had a serious injury, worst thing to happen was about a week when I couldn't lift anything (not even my school bag) on my shoulders because of the way I landed when tackling someone. Worst I've seen is broken ribs, so it's not all that bad.

Martin Johnson, former world cup winner and England captain, is a fan of the NFL and regularly does the Superbowl analysis over here, I think he went to a training camp with the 49'ers. A few teams reportedly tried to bring Wilkinson in to kick for them but he wanted to stay in rugby.

NE_Paddy · 02-26-2007, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomezcat

Upstater summed it up better than I could have done.

Yeah, quite a few of us on here like Rugby. You'll find that we are mostly English and therefore not wanting to talk about it too much at this point.

There are plenty of injuries in Rugby, but the rules are obviously designed to protect as many people as possible. One the biggest dangers is the collapse of the scrum. Eight guys push against another eight guys and the people in the middle (the two sets of three guys, called the Front Rows) get it in the neck (literally) and everywhere else. Some people at amateur level get badly hurt and paralysed because of scrum related injuries.

I'm a rugby fan and also Irish, which makes me just that extra bit happy this morning!

ironwasp · 02-26-2007, 03:07 AM

I attended a dinner with Martin Johnson about three weeks ago - quite an intimate affair, only 8 or so people there - and we managed to spend the entire evening boring everyone senseless talking about american football.

His knowledge of the game is extremely comprehensive and he clearly has a real passion for it.

He was in the US in September last year for some corporate event or other, in NY on a weekend when neither the Jets nor Giants were playing at home and so he got on a plane to Boston as the PAts were at home and he said he was keen to see the dynasty team while it was still together. Unfortunately he was at the Broncos and was really disappointed to go to Foxborough and not see the Pats play to their potential.

italian pat patriot · 02-26-2007, 03:37 AM

Italy catched an 'hystorical' win last saturday on the road

ironwasp · 02-26-2007, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italian pat patriot

Italy catched an 'hystorical' win last saturday on the road

It was a great win, Pat. The Italian team has improved enormously in 2007. I think they are in good shape to make more history by recording two wins in one tournament for the first time when they play Wales in two weeks time.

Forza Azzurri

italian pat patriot · 02-26-2007, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironwasp

It was a great win, Pat. The Italian team has improved enormously in 2007. I think they are in good shape to make more history by recording two wins in one tournament for the first time when they play Wales in two weeks time.

Forza Azzurri

pity i not saw the game but i think it was a real great win (there was a lot of interest on tv for our rugby team yesterday)

if we will have 2 wins it will be fantastic imho

ps = i will try to see next italian game @ '6 Nazioni'

FORZA AZZURRI !!!

ironwasp · 02-26-2007, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italian pat patriot

pity i not saw the game but i think it was a real great win (there was a lot of interest on tv for our rugby team yesterday)

if we will have 2 wins it will be fantastic imho

ps = i will try to see next italian game @ '6 Nazioni'

FORZA AZZURRI !!!

Very pleased to hear about the interest in Italy. It's terrific that the team's achievement is getting some recognition in the media.

***Mike the Brit*** · 02-26-2007, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironwasp

I attended a dinner with Martin Johnson about three weeks ago - quite an intimate affair, only 8 or so people there - and we managed to spend the entire evening boring everyone senseless talking about american football.

His knowledge of the game is extremely comprehensive and he clearly has a real passion for it.

He was in the US in September last year for some corporate event or other, in NY on a weekend when neither the Jets nor Giants were playing at home and so he got on a plane to Boston as the PAts were at home and he said he was keen to see the dynasty team while it was still together. Unfortunately he was at the Broncos and was really disappointed to go to Foxborough and not see the Pats play to their potential.

Wonderful -- lucky you. I'm not at all surprised to hear how knowledgeable he is. His contributions to Superbowl coverage were very insightful, as I recall.

I'd like to hear more about his opinions on American Football. For instance, I wonder if you asked him what position he would have played had he played American Football. I imagine that he would have had to be a pass-rushing defensive end, although I could also see him as a pass-catching tight end. I'd also like to know his views on the differences in (cough, cough) "training methods".

ironwasp · 02-26-2007, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike the Brit

Wonderful -- lucky you. I'm not at all surprised to hear how knowledgeable he is. His contributions to Superbowl coverage were very insightful, as I recall.

I'd like to hear more about his opinions on American Football. For instance, I wonder if you asked him what position he would have played had he played American Football. I imagine that he would have had to be a pass-rushing defensive end, although I could also see him as a pass-catching tight end. I'd also like to know his views on the differences in (cough, cough) "training methods".

We talked a little about his days as a Leicester Panther - when he was a TE and a DL - but not too much. I imagine at 6-7 and (guessing) 280lb, he'd be a Seymour type lineman; probably not an out and out pass rusher, as he may not have had the speed needed for that. But I don't know for sure.

Might find out in May when he plays in the Matt Hampson Bowl to raise funds for the young Leicester Tiger who broke his neck a couple of years ago. Worthy cause.