Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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networkn

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#111525 6-Nov-2012 15:08

Hi

I thought it was time to start one of these. Not sure how many of you are Rugby Fans like me, but I always find discussions interesting.

I was a little surprised to see this posted today, I'll be looking for a backup plan. If Sky make this a Pay to Watch Match I'll be furious.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10845492

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#712970 6-Nov-2012 15:19

wonder if someone like tesltraclear could step up and buy the rights and make it work this time

"Way said the last time the broadcast of an All Blacks match was threatened was during the 2001 end-of-year tour when Telstra Clear acquired the rights but got into difficulty and ended up selling the rights to Sky. She couldn't recall an instance when Sky didn't show an All Blacks match live in the professional era."

They would have a lot more customers on cable now than they did in 2001 so it might work for them.

mattwnz

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#712987 6-Nov-2012 15:48

NonprayingMantis: wonder if someone like tesltraclear could step up and buy the rights and make it work this time

"Way said the last time the broadcast of an All Blacks match was threatened was during the 2001 end-of-year tour when Telstra Clear acquired the rights but got into difficulty and ended up selling the rights to Sky. She couldn't recall an instance when Sky didn't show an All Blacks match live in the professional era."

They would have a lot more customers on cable now than they did in 2001 so it might work for them.

Wouldn't that have been in the Saturn TV days?

Must admit that I have lost interest in the ABs in recent years, partly due to their commercialization. The world cup was good, but we were lucky to win that in the end. The new logo on the jersey looks terrible I think, and I don't mind missing the game, and they aren't playing one of the top nations. But not a good look for that our national sport isn't even broadcast in NZ. I would have though the AB's management would have got involved if that was the case, as I am sure their sponsors wouldn't be happy if they aren't shown on NZ TV.

crackrdbycracku

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#713016 6-Nov-2012 16:27

It looks like Sky is in a high stakes poker game with the Italian Rugby Union, thing is the popularity of the ABs playing a 'minor' nation is debatable.

About a decade ago me and a friend got to drinking and talking rugby and came up with this:

Step one - Synchronize seasons with the northern hemisphere.

Step two - Establish the Premier Five Nations with NZ, Australia, South Africa, England and France for the first year. Under this would be the Northern and Southern Five Nations with the next best ten teams like Argentina, Italy and the Pacific Islands in some form. The winners of tier two would play off and the winner would enter the Premier next year. The last place from Premier would drop down to their respective hemisphere.

Step three - Re-establish 'proper tours'. The competition above would only run every other year. During the 'off year' we would have real tours. These tours would be just like in the old days where the national teams play provincial or local teams and during the mid week and tests on the weekend. The Lions and NZ Maori tours would be used as a model. The World Cup would also be held in the off year.

Step four - Enjoy rugby happily ever after.

OK, I forgot 'Step Zero' which involves some method of travel which would make this possible and the money to actually set the thing up.

It was a great dream mind.

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networkn

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#716089 12-Nov-2012 22:05

I enjoyed AB's vs Scotland, the backline are really firing. DC in nigh perfect form again! That cross field kick was just awesome and Julian running it in with perfect timing was just wicked! Hope Israel is all good. I enjoed the faster face Scotland brought!

Not so pleased at the private purchase of the Hurricanes and now supposedly Crusaders (My Favourites). I see issues in a while where money starts to become an issue.

blair003

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#716091 12-Nov-2012 22:11

What issues do you foresee?
How is it working out for the phoenix do you know?

vexxxboy

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#716093 12-Nov-2012 22:17

used to be a big rugby fan but i havent watched a full game for nearly 3 years, in fact i didnt even realise the All Blacks were playing this morning until i read the news and saw they had won. im not sure what the reason is , to much rugby or that from what i have seen Rugby is really boring to watch now.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

networkn

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#716094 12-Nov-2012 22:20

Disagreements between NZRU/Franchise Owners, Sponsorship issues, Money becoming the main priority.

Too early to see how that works for the Pheonix, plus 11 people in NZ watch football :)

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crackrdbycracku

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#716213 13-Nov-2012 09:51

vexxxboy: used to be a big rugby fan but i havent watched a full game for nearly 3 years, in fact i didnt even realise the All Blacks were playing this morning until i read the news and saw they had won. im not sure what the reason is , to much rugby or that from what i have seen Rugby is really boring to watch now.

For me it has been too many other things to spend a decreasing amount of free time on. Also I now hang out with a non-rugby fan woman rather than other rugby fan males, I wouldn't swap it mind you.

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zaptor

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#716219 13-Nov-2012 10:11

networkn: I thought it was time to start one of these. Not sure how many of you are Rugby Fans like me, but I always find discussions interesting.

I actually think a separate Sports forum would be interesting. Not a sports forum in the typical sense though (i.e. not one populated by biased fans only focusing on elite sport/teams/athletes).

networkn: I was a little surprised to see this posted today, I'll be looking for a backup plan. If Sky make this a Pay to Watch Match I'll be furious.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10845492

It was inevitable that Super franchises would eventually be privatized. Professional sport is a business, and I think the reality is the NZRFU need to find new ways to "keep the dream alive" commercially.
As long as enough people are prepared to pay to watch (subscription or PPV), then it will happen. I mean, how do you expect the NZRFU to pay for all the new gear every AB gets?

vexxxboy: used to be a big rugby fan but i havent watched a full game for nearly 3 years, in fact i didnt even realise the All Blacks were playing this morning until i read the news and saw they had won. im not sure what the reason is , to much rugby or that from what i have seen Rugby is really boring to watch now.

I basically watch top-level rugby for entertainment (well, depending on whether my favored team wins or not) - like watching a movie, but you can't always predicate the ending.

zaptor

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#716336 13-Nov-2012 13:01

networkn: ... I see issues in a while where money starts to become an issue.

Perhaps you've been out of the game for a while?

* The once vibrant club/community scene is a joke.

* Players have been leaving the game in droves.

* Unions are constantly struggling for survival (some would argue they should just go under anyway).

* The concept of player loyalty evaporated once they earned a living off playing (which is fair enough).

networkn

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#717018 14-Nov-2012 13:06

Anyone know when the Italty game is? For some reason I can't find it on Sky?

3am Sunday Morning. 6:15am for the next game and 3am the following week for the final game.

Pwned

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#717072 14-Nov-2012 14:43

I can't believe the Maori All Blacks lost to an English club. Anyway, go the AB's! DC is still the best 10 in the world. :)

networkn

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#717073 14-Nov-2012 14:45

Pwned: I can't believe the Maori All Blacks lost to an English club. Anyway, go the AB's! DC is still the best 10 in the world. :)

I am of the fairly strong opinion the best 2 Rugby players in the world are Ritchie McCaw and Dan Carter. There is next to no chance now that Morné Steyne will surpass his points scoring record.

networkn

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#718306 16-Nov-2012 14:20

I am excited to watch the game this weekend, though I am looking at their form and perhaps Italy might put up more of a fight. Personally I would rather see the AB's put 100 Points on Italy than have a close game. I'd like to think at least 30 points, but there has been a LOT of tinkering...

BevanChu

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#720731 21-Nov-2012 13:10

Got the Welsh this weekend. They already on a 5 game losing streak, got to feel for Gatland. AB's should win this

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