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  1. #101
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chassamui
    Pointing to prices of more than £11,800 for a pair of tickets to England v Wales and £20,252 for a pair for the final, Chris Bryant, the shadow culture secretary, said that fans were being “ripped off left, right and centre”.
    Bryant’s office has examined the range of prices for every seating band in every game in the group containing England and Wales and discovered that England fans are facing mark-ups of between two and 8.5 times face value in every one on popular secondary ticketing sites.
    Bit of a sticky one this ticket touting/scalping/whatever it's called.

    As long as initial tickets are allocated fairly and at an official price I don't really have too much of a problem with it.

    Obviously £20,252 for a pair of tickets to the final is ridonkulous but then they're only worth as much above the original ticket price as someone is willing and able to pay for them.

  2. #102
    Thailand Expat Bobcock's Avatar
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    I agree but these days there are too many official packages with hospitality that basically touts the ticket with a 20 quid meal thrown in that half the people don't attend.

    The Australian method of denying Lions fans tickets unless bought through official channels, i.e. a website only for Lions supporters where a ticket cost 3 times the price with exclusive access to the 'Official Lions Fanzone', where they could buy beer at overinflated prices.... I walked past the Fanzone....no one was in it, just bullshit......

    I got a face value ticket bought by a Welsh mate living in Australia, $295 the same ticket if available would have been $895 if bought through the Lions Fans website. The Lions tickets funnily enough had no price printed on them.

    And we still had more people in the stadium than them halfway round the world......

  3. #103
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bobcock
    The Australian method of denying Lions fans tickets unless bought through official channels, i.e. a website only for Lions supporters where a ticket cost 3 times the price with exclusive access to the 'Official Lions Fanzone', where they could buy beer at overinflated prices.... I walked past the Fanzone....no one was in it, just bullshit......
    That's official pricing... Officially wanked.

    [Edit]

    How did they work/price the '05 Lions Tour? Can't remember, don't think there were any complaints though?

  4. #104
    Thailand Expat Bobcock's Avatar
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    Not sure, though I know there we issues with a lack of accommodation so people were getting right royally ripped off.....

  5. #105
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bobcock
    though I know there we issues with a lack of accommodation so people were getting right royally ripped off.....
    Pffft, camper vans!

  6. #106
    Thailand Expat Bobcock's Avatar
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    They ran out of them.....

    and the Boatel.....

  7. #107
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    Jeez BobC! You seem to have had a lack of "fair play" from the entire Antipodes, not just those convicts. Where is it that you hail from again? Wails, was it?

  8. #108
    Thailand Expat Bobcock's Avatar
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    Never been to New Zealand.....

  9. #109
    Thailand Expat Bobcock's Avatar
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    and I'm still quids in in Convictland..... I didn't pay their rip off tarrif and I still owe the Australian Government over $8000 in tax....

  10. #110
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    Bruce Bayliss's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bobcock
    and I'm still quids in in Convictland..... I didn't pay their rip off tarrif and I still owe the Australian Government over $8000 in tax....
    ...and you call them convicts
    Quote Originally Posted by Bobcock
    Never been to New Zealand.....
    Convicts are not allowed...and you didn't even know Wales were touring here next year.

  11. #111
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Rugby World Cup: Player power rankings

    9:08 AM Friday Aug 28, 2015

    Welcome to the first edition of the Herald's Player Power Rankings (PPR) as we look ahead to next month's World Cup in England. A three-person panel picked their 30 best players in order based on skill, influence and the difficult to quantify mana.

    The lists were cross-referenced, numerical values were toted up before players were whittled down to 25.

    Players who are under injury or suspension clouds ahead of the World Cup were docked points, so the likes of Jean de Villiers, Duane Vermeulen and Manu Tuilagi are high-profile absentees. The former two are likely to feature at a later date.

    Other prominent players who have missed the cut are young Springbok stars Eben Etzebeth and Jesse Kriel, Wallabies Adam Ashley-Cooper and Stephen Moore, England prop Dan Cole, Ireland first-five Johnny Sexton and Wales lock Alun Wyn-Jones.

    Argentina's veteran back-rowers Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Juan Manuel Leguizamon were also unlucky omissions.

    At this early stage the list could be considered Australasian-centric, which is largely because it has been difficult to judge the merits of many of the Northern Hemisphere players during the build-up and South Africa and Argentina struggled in the Rugby Championship. Once the tournament proper begins, expect to see overseas players featuring more prominently:


    1. Richie McCaw (NZ) (flanker)

    You could argue that he is no longer the world's best out-and-out openside flanker but no player commands as much respect and has the ability to influence a match like McCaw.

    2. Israel Folau (Aus) (fullback)

    One of the most dangerous broken-field runners in the game, an aerial threat and a player who must be planned for defensively and watched at all times.

    3. Kieran Read (NZ) (No8)

    We still haven't seen the best of Read yet in 2015 and the sense is he is ready for seven weeks of rampage in the UK. The most damaging ball-playing backrower in the game.

    4. Ben Smith (NZ) (fullback)

    Size is really the only thing Folau has on the Dunedinite. An electric runner who rarely puts a foot wrong at either end of the park.

    5. Michael Hooper (Aus) (flanker)

    Has supplanted McCaw and teammate David Pocock as the most destructive breakdown player in world rugby. His link game is vastly improved, too.

    6. Aaron Smith (NZ) (halfback)

    His rapid service and clever running added a new dimension to the All Blacks attack. At his best he gives his backline a half step more room than any other.

    7. Dan Carter (NZ) (first-five)

    After looking down on confidence, first-five maestro Carter returned to something like his best against the Wallabies at Eden Park. His best is nigh unstoppable.

    8. Thierry Dusautoir (Fr) (flanker)

    Like McCaw, his influence goes way beyond his tackle counts and ball carries. Still an awesome, often indomitable, force of nature.

    9. Chris Robshaw (Eng) (flanker)

    Another hugely influential figure whose tenacity and leadership will ensure the battle for supremacy at flanker will be the most keenly contested.

    10. Willie le Roux (SA) (fullback)

    Le Roux played a lot of his early rugby at first-five and he brings that palette of skills to his game at either fullback or wing. Cannot be given room.

    11. Brodie Retallick (NZ) (lock)

    The incumbent world player of the year is marked a lot closer than he once was, but still has the physique and handling skills to cope in heavier traffic.

    12. Julian Savea (NZ) (wing)

    The bus has been a bit late to the party in 2015, but you know someone is going to suffer for that. His tries-to-tests record is incredible.

    13. Nemani Nadolo (Fiji) (wing)

    How good is Nadolo? So good, when he's missing the Crusaders seem like half the team they normally are on attack.

    14. Dane Coles (NZ) (hooker)

    A fourth loose forward? A third centre? Whichever way you slice it, Coles' breadth of skills and deceptive pace marks him out as a potential star of the tournament.

    15. Sam Warburton (Wales) (flanker)

    His last World Cup ended on a sickening note when he was sent off early against an average French team. He has some making up to do and has the ability to do it.

    16. Paul O'Connell (Ire) (lock)

    O'Connell is viewed in Ireland with the same deference McCaw is here. Much more than a ball-winning lock: the heart-and-soul of Irish rugby.

    17. David Pocock (Aus) (flanker)

    With Hooper a lock to start all the big games at No 7, Pocock will hope Michael Cheika wants to employ the 'pincer' flanker tactic that was employed so effectively against the All Blacks in Sydney.

    18. Ma'a Nonu (NZ) (second-five)

    As soon as you wonder whether Nonu is still a force, he'll come up with a performance like that against Australia at Eden Park this year. Power and precision passing.

    19. Handre Pollard (SA) (first-five)

    Can be sucked into playing too conservatively, but when he's allowed to steer the ship there are few players with as much innate ability as the 21-year-old Pollard.

    20. Agustin Creevy (Arg) (hooker)

    For McCaw, NZ, and O'Connell, Ireland, read Creevy, Argentina. The bull-necked front-rower is a ball of muscle and sinew and refuses to take a backward step.

    21. Tevita Kuridrani (Aus) (centre)

    The Fijian has added a new dimension to Australia's attack with his speed and ability to play direct. Occasionally gets caught with his trainer wheels on in defence.

    22. Wesley Fofana (France) (centre)

    His game is much bigger than his 93kg frame would suggest. Nippy, evasive and with a great sense of timing, Fofana is pivotal to France's backline attack.

    23. Sean O'Brien (Ire) (flanker)

    While beating Australia in pool play on Eden Park at the last World Cup, O'Brien put in an unforgettable tour de force performance. Energy and will make up for limitations in his game.

    24. Leigh Halfpenny (Wales) (fullback)

    Like Warburton, Halfpenny's 2011 RWC ended with a sickener, his potentially game-winning penalty dipping under the crossbar.

    25. Richie Gray (Scot) (lock)

    It can be hard to look good in a Scotland team that has remained resolutely behind rugby's trends, but with his shock of blond hair and ball-winning ability, Gray has achieved it.

  12. #112
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    chassamui's Avatar
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    Robshaw should be sat in front of a TV watching McCaw vids from now until the Fiji game kicks off. Until then he does not belong on this list. He was very poor against the French.

  13. #113
    I Amn't In Jail PlanK's Avatar
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    Telling the eight squad members who missed the cut for England's World Cup squad was tough for coach Stuart Lancaster.


    England head coach Stuart Lancaster revealed he broke down while telling the eight squad members that they had missed the cut for the final 31-man World Cup squad.
    Northampton centre Luther Burrell and clubmate flanker Calum Clark, plus Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dave Attwood, Alex Corbisiero, Billy Twelvetrees and Nick Easter were left out of the official roster.
    Having to let go of Burrell and Clark was especially tough on the coach, who has known the pair since they were teenagers at Leeds' academy.

    Lancaster explained to the press: "There were no tantrums, just tears. Just by me.
    "I remember Luther's [Burrell] mum and dad. I know them really well. It's tough.
    "That's the nature of being head coach. You've got to make tough decisions and you've got to make decisions you feel are right for the team.
    "It was an unbelievably emotional changing room this morning for me personally, but I'm sure for the players, to announce the squad but also in respect to the guys who missed out.
    "There will definitely be a sigh of relief. There has been a tension in the air for obvious reasons because it is big stakes.
    "I didn't mind that because I wanted to see who was going to thrive in it, who was going to stand up and deliver in training and who was going to think it was all a bit too tense and stressful.
    "For everyone now, there is a full stop. The disappointed players want to get back to their clubs and play some rugby to get it out of their system."
    Burgess has started just six games at centre for English Premiership side Bath, who then shifted him to flanker, but the England coach maintains that the 26 year old has earned his place after impressing during England's 10-week training camp.
    Lancaster continued: "To win at this level, you need physicality, ball-players and finishers. Sam certainly brings the physicality, at 116kgs, and is quicker as any of our centres, except for Jonathan Joseph, and certainly as quick as Luther.
    "He is powerful and understands and reads defences very well."
    England have one more warm-up game on Irish turf September 5 before opening the World Cup against Fiji at Twickenham on September 18.
    Some people think it don't, but it be.

  14. #114
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    chassamui's Avatar
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    Picking Slade was the only bright point for me. Cips will be missed and Burgess is one of those 50:50 gambles. He will run riot or be targeted and found wanting.

  15. #115
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    Do we need Barret and Burgess? I'd have Burgess and Burrell with Slade and Joseph. That twat Cipriani was never gonna be picked, so shouldn't have been there - having said that, with the gametime he had, he did enough to get into the final squad...

    Our props are so average that I would have taken Mr Injury just because on the offchance he would be fit he's one of our very few world class players. &, I would have had Attwood instead of the young fella.

    Realistically, I was never hopeful, but thought we'd comfortably make it out of the group. Now, I'm not sure. I suspect that Ireland will give us a pasting... We really need Armatage and the Kiwi hooker in the first team - two world class players in positions we are blessed with averageness and below averageness.
    Cycling should be banned!!!

  16. #116
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    I'm starting to think that this WC might be as open as it has ever been (the 'Pool of Death' notwithstanding). In 2011 the AB's were always going to be hard to beat at home and in previous Cups the form book has been thrown out the window.

  17. #117
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    It will be a very open WC, and there should be some great games. I was watching an interview with the Tongan team and they are right up to smash the Kiwis to pieces - they may not win, but they are gonna fuk the CKBs up...

  18. #118
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo
    I was watching an interview with the Tongan team and they are right up to smash the Kiwis to pieces - they may not win, but they are gonna fuk the CKBs up...
    I still remember feeling slightly nervous during the opening match against them in '11

  19. #119
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    I remember when I worked in CKland about 20 years (just for about 6 months, travelling around), great place; the Kiwis were big and hard, then I met some Fijians, even bigger and harder, then I met some Samoans, even bigger and harder, then I met some Tongans...

  20. #120
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo
    then I met some Tongans...



  21. #121
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    ^ that picture doesn't really show the extent of it - there were about 3 of 'em, all in a line, clearly petrified, that he ran over...

  22. #122
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    Actually, it was a shame the Bokks poisoned the CKBs the day before the final because that was a great CKB team that really deserved to win that WC.

  23. #123
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    I saw him play as a schoolboy. Correction: I saw him playing against school boys. He was the same size in school as he was when he was in the AB's.

    Their team had a special move, it was called "give it to Jonah". Literally that's what it was called. They'd shout it out.

  24. #124
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo
    Actually, it was a shame the Bokks poisoned the CKBs the day before the final because that was a great CKB team that really deserved to win that WC.
    Funny you should say that, Lomu was in the press today saying that in his opinion he thought it was the right result at the end of the day (what with the Mandela effect and all).

  25. #125
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Jonah Lomu: 1995 World Cup final 'right result'


    All Black legend Jonah Lomu has opened up about his explosive career, struggles with kidney disease and the positive impacts of losing the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.

    In England for the upcoming Rugby World Cup as an ambassador for Heineken, Lomu made the comments during a sit-down interview with the Daily Telegraph newspaper

    He said, looking back on the historic loss to South Africa in the '95 World Cup final, "you have to think the right result was achieved".

    "It was fantastic to be part of it. When I look back now, obviously as a sportsman I was desperate to win, I'd have given my right arm to get my hands on that trophy. But as time went on, people remember it as how rugby changed a nation.

    "What came through was the passion, love and forgiveness of Nelson Mandela, and the way he channelled it through rugby. And it wouldn't have been remembered like that had we won."

    Lomu will be doing a speaking tour while in England, but said it would also be a tour of dialysis units.

    "By the end of it I'll have learnt the ins and outs of every clinic in the country," he told the newspaper.

    His sons, aged four and six, are with him on the tour, along with their mother.

    "I want them to learn about the game. Learning about the history of rugby, you can't get any better than doing it in the country where it all started. Then there's Paddington Bear. I'm trying to tell them about the history of rugby and all we've heard since we got here is: 'When we going to Paddington station?'"

    His performance in the 1995 World Cup semi-final - "steam-rolling" England with four tries - was also a talking point during the interview.

    "People say to me that semi-final must have been the best game you ever played. And I say yeah, maybe. But imagine what I could have done if I was healthy."

    At the time Lomu was suffering from kidney disease. His training was scheduled around a condition that left him anaemic and exhausted.

    "I had problems when I got abrasions, they just always got infected," he said.

    "And I felt so tired. When the lads went out to socialise, I'd take a sandwich back to my hotel room. And I was usually so tired I'd wake up five hours later with egg and salad all over my face."

    Lomu, still battling his kidney problems today, described his 2011 health scare when his body rejected the kidney that was transplanted in 2004.

    "Everything that could go wrong went wrong. It was a battle. I'm lucky enough to still be here."

    He now needs a second new kidney and until one can be found, he requires regular dialysis - six hours every other day spent lying in a hospital bed hooked up to a machine that cleans his blood.

    "Yeah, there's only so many movies you can watch, so many emails you can catch up with. But I don't let it get me down. Everybody has their ups and downs. For me, getting up is not a chore.

    "I'm enjoying being here. My boys are my little human alarm clock and they won't let me get down."

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