This is sickening what I am having to witness as a Munsterman. Two matches and two losses, and both of them against both poor and inconsistent Welsh opposition, all due respect to them.
I said it earlier. Rowntree has a serious undertaking to uphold going forward. Senior players are finished as far as I am concerned and somehow get nonsense contracts form clueless management. Youth players are lacking quality and leadership. Supporters have had enough after 11 years of mediocrity and promise with all the finances invested in big name players that fail to deliver the goods.
It's all just rearing it's ugly head at the moment. I feel like the season is over for us already after just two games. My firm belief is you compete to win or don't even bother. And Munster with all their past history are WAY WAY off in terms of ever being called a contender this season.
That Scarlets v Ulster match was crazy. Neither defence coach will be happy with the amount of points they conceded. But on a positive note, John Cooney was on fire, 30 points in one match, surely he must be in the running for the Ireland squad.
Regarding Dragons v Munster, Rio Dyer went from villain to hero, sin binned in the 1st half, then he scored the winning try. The beauty of sport eh? 😂
Also, I do want to say Mark, I think you're being awfully harsh on Zebre. They at the very least deserve to be above Munster and Connacht in the power rankings as they have had remarkable 2nd halves in both games and come close to beating Leinster and Sharks.
Munster and Connacht on the other hand have been nothing short of dreadful in all periods of both games period.
Munster have been crap so far. Would use stronger words but being nice! Fekitoa has been extremely poor so far, nowhere near the level of DDA. Can't see Munster being involved at the business end of the season
Ulster or Stormers should be number 1 in my view. Stormers have now won 12 straight games going back to last season and looked in fine form despite missing a lot of players due to Bok duties. If you still are using last year's form as part of your metrics, I would have the Stormers at number 1. Dobson sure has turned things around in the Cape. Bulls were lucky to win and look like they need their Boks back.
I'll take a two bonus point loss away to the Bulls…….. Watched the game in my local club, and all my English mates reckoned Morning Stain would win it with a penalty…………. F****r cost me 8pints of Guinness!…………….I hate it when they're right! Lol!
I'm a bit miffed that the Sharks lost Nohamba but the Sharks halfback combos not done well. They never felt assured going through last few seasons under Everitt.
Now hopefully Neil Powell can get the Sharks going to their full potential.
Zebra 4 bonus points against the Q finalists? Both Leinster and sharks dismissed their other oppo teams pretty easily, and they walked away with the equivalent of a win.
I think Zebra are massively undersold in last place. In a tournament like this your bonus points are as important as your wins as you can't expect to put your best team out every week.
Wonder how the result would have been if DeAllende had played. Rio Dyer try was incredible. Worthy of a call up to the national side after busting through two international test players like that.
☝🏽 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 very impressive from all South African franchises to win 4 out of 4 matches, especially when we missing most @Springbok players. So let's cheer ourselves and be glad 🔥🔥🔥 Come on Lion 🦁
I cannot take it! This does not feel right, the appreciation of Ulster is too much, tone it back, wait until we are 21-0 ahead with one minute remaining in the URC final to ask "is this their season" 😅
Also, no! No, no, no regarding their alternative kit, I am a Ulster fan it is ugly, no connection to our traditional colours or the province baring some marketing crap about the diagonal lines representing the incline of Ulster's highest mountain, Slieve Donard.
Hi Mark, just wondering what you make of the quality of the games in the URC in general? Kiwi's oppinions on rugby are always worth listening to. I personally am very happy with the way the league is going and the games seem exciting with high scores and close matches. Leinster fan btw.
Would not put Zebre in last. They cut it really close against 2 of the top teams. I expect to see them produce some upsets this season. Need to be in 12-13th, Benneton and dragons also way too high. Good content otherwise brother.
Most important: I hope your kiddos are well Mark. Nothing else matters.
Can't fault your ratings mate. Happy about my team of youngsters, the Lions, notching up an away win so early in the season. Not a great win, but at least a promising one. A bit disappointed with Benetton's performance. I still think they're a better team than what their record shows. The Sharks is overrated, Springboks or not. The Bulls will probably be strong contenders again, but I do expect the Stormers to carry the Saffer flag to the winning post … once more. 😉 Early days; I'm looking forward to a great competition unfolding!
Former Test referee Nigel Owens has returned to rugby to help the standard of officiating in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
The URC’s head of match officials, Tappe Henning, on Monday confirmed the introduction of an independent referee selection panel.
Owens, who retired in December 2020 after a 17-year career with the whistle during which he took charge of 100 Tests, will serve on the panel from this season.
Owens refereed the 2015 Rugby World Cup final between winner New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham.
Also on the panel is George Clancy (Ireland), Stuart Berry (South Africa) and Neil Paterson (Scotland).
The panel’s job will not only be to review the performances of match officials, but also to select an elite group of referees. In the past, the respective unions have assessed their own officials via their referee managers, but now there’s a change of policy.
“We changed the structure a bit on how we review our match officials’ performances,” Henning told reporters on Monday.
“In the past, it was done by the five high-performance referees from each union. But now we have a switch for four independent assessors as a selection panel. They are going to do those reviews with me as the chairman of the group.
“By doing this, we have aligned ourselves to the model World Rugby is using to assess international performances. The idea is to bring a fresh pair of eyes and fresh thinking into the model.
“All four of them are recently retired international referees.
“The aim of that then is to get to an elite group of referees selected on merit and not necessarily on representation from each union, to bring credibility to the match officials we appoint. That’s the long-term goal.”
Aki is a great player and a nice guy but he’s a very slow learner when it comes to tackle technique. He’s the only Irish player to have received two red cards both for high tackles. Thanks for the vid.
Can't agree that Leinster were "rusty" in the first game . They were underpowered, and "developmental" and might easily have lost it. Greatly strengthed for their second but still missing tourists at 9, 10, and 15. Frawley at 10 was on his first start of year (only 1 start at 10 last year). Healy was something exotic at tight. Still a long way to go. Benneton will have a good season if they maintain this level of skill and spirit. Ulster looked fully deserving of their position ahead of Leinster but I thoink the Bulls are a lucky assessment at 1 – they were fortunate to beat Edinburgh. The actuaal League table reverses your 1, 2, 3.
Muster played better than last week but were indisciplined in the wrong areas of the field. Hanrahan must have enjoyed his day. Connacht have lost a number of players from last year and drafted in replacements who may not yet have blended in. But they have never been good travellers, so they must hope for the 24th man effect (known to climatologists as Atlantic Coast weather) for better performances.
As an ulster man whenever i seen them play a was in shock reminded me of ireland last November lol but i think Andy farrel mite have something to do wit it. Cause maybe having all the provence on the same page like style off play ya no lol. But yea i do hope the ulster men pull threw for once been 2006 since wee won the title lol
I'd put the Stormers at number 1and the bulls at 4th
This is sickening what I am having to witness as a Munsterman. Two matches and two losses, and both of them against both poor and inconsistent Welsh opposition, all due respect to them.
I said it earlier. Rowntree has a serious undertaking to uphold going forward. Senior players are finished as far as I am concerned and somehow get nonsense contracts form clueless management. Youth players are lacking quality and leadership. Supporters have had enough after 11 years of mediocrity and promise with all the finances invested in big name players that fail to deliver the goods.
It's all just rearing it's ugly head at the moment. I feel like the season is over for us already after just two games. My firm belief is you compete to win or don't even bother. And Munster with all their past history are WAY WAY off in terms of ever being called a contender this season.
Good morning ❤😊.
That Scarlets v Ulster match was crazy. Neither defence coach will be happy with the amount of points they conceded. But on a positive note, John Cooney was on fire, 30 points in one match, surely he must be in the running for the Ireland squad.
Regarding Dragons v Munster, Rio Dyer went from villain to hero, sin binned in the 1st half, then he scored the winning try. The beauty of sport eh? 😂
Leinster, munster, ulster… Why didn't they call the last team Cardster
Also, I do want to say Mark, I think you're being awfully harsh on Zebre. They at the very least deserve to be above Munster and Connacht in the power rankings as they have had remarkable 2nd halves in both games and come close to beating Leinster and Sharks.
Munster and Connacht on the other hand have been nothing short of dreadful in all periods of both games period.
The Stormers wouldn't be the same without Evan Roos. That guy is unstoppable.
Munster have been crap so far. Would use stronger words but being nice! Fekitoa has been extremely poor so far, nowhere near the level of DDA. Can't see Munster being involved at the business end of the season
Ulster or Stormers should be number 1 in my view. Stormers have now won 12 straight games going back to last season and looked in fine form despite missing a lot of players due to Bok duties. If you still are using last year's form as part of your metrics, I would have the Stormers at number 1. Dobson sure has turned things around in the Cape. Bulls were lucky to win and look like they need their Boks back.
I'll take a two bonus point loss away to the Bulls……..
Watched the game in my local club,
and all my English mates reckoned Morning Stain would win it with a penalty………….
F****r cost me 8pints of Guinness!…………….I hate it when they're right! Lol!
Sharks will be a handful when they get their Springboks back from international duty. 🇿🇦😊🇿🇦
Are you going to do a team of the Rugby Championship?
I'm a bit miffed that the Sharks lost Nohamba but the Sharks halfback combos not done well. They never felt assured going through last few seasons under Everitt.
Now hopefully Neil Powell can get the Sharks going to their full potential.
Zebra 4 bonus points against the Q finalists? Both Leinster and sharks dismissed their other oppo teams pretty easily, and they walked away with the equivalent of a win.
I think Zebra are massively undersold in last place. In a tournament like this your bonus points are as important as your wins as you can't expect to put your best team out every week.
Wonder how the result would have been if DeAllende had played. Rio Dyer try was incredible. Worthy of a call up to the national side after busting through two international test players like that.
☝🏽 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 very impressive from all South African franchises to win 4 out of 4 matches, especially when we missing most @Springbok players. So let's cheer ourselves and be glad 🔥🔥🔥 Come on Lion 🦁
Classic Cardiff 😭
Zebo is slow and overweight. Got burned on the outside several times.
URC is looking very competitive and interesting. High scoring and close games. The South African teams have really shaken it up.
All a bit helter-skelter at the mo. Interesting start to the season. Not sure what is up with Munster at the mo…
Good morning Mark 😊 glad to hear the babies are ok. Looking forward to a cracking URC ✌🇿🇦
What's your criteria for power rankings? Just straight up wins or?
I cannot take it! This does not feel right, the appreciation of Ulster is too much, tone it back, wait until we are 21-0 ahead with one minute remaining in the URC final to ask "is this their season" 😅
Also, no! No, no, no regarding their alternative kit, I am a Ulster fan it is ugly, no connection to our traditional colours or the province baring some marketing crap about the diagonal lines representing the incline of Ulster's highest mountain, Slieve Donard.
Wishing your kids wellness 🤗
Is your try-scoring, Stormer son off season? Missing those updates 😅
The bulls were very lucky to win
So what mischief were the kid's up to?
URC looks like it will be very tight this year.
Disappointing there’s even conversation around the aki red , reckless and dangerous
Hi Mark, just wondering what you make of the quality of the games in the URC in general? Kiwi's oppinions on rugby are always worth listening to. I personally am very happy with the way the league is going and the games seem exciting with high scores and close matches. Leinster fan btw.
oh munster how the mighty have fallen
Would not put Zebre in last. They cut it really close against 2 of the top teams. I expect to see them produce some upsets this season. Need to be in 12-13th, Benneton and dragons also way too high. Good content otherwise brother.
Most important: I hope your kiddos are well Mark. Nothing else matters.
Can't fault your ratings mate. Happy about my team of youngsters, the Lions, notching up an away win so early in the season. Not a great win, but at least a promising one. A bit disappointed with Benetton's performance. I still think they're a better team than what their record shows. The Sharks is overrated, Springboks or not. The Bulls will probably be strong contenders again, but I do expect the Stormers to carry the Saffer flag to the winning post … once more. 😉 Early days; I'm looking forward to a great competition unfolding!
Former Test referee Nigel Owens has returned to rugby to help the standard of officiating in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
The URC’s head of match officials, Tappe Henning, on Monday confirmed the introduction of an independent referee selection panel.
Owens, who retired in December 2020 after a 17-year career with the whistle during which he took charge of 100 Tests, will serve on the panel from this season.
Owens refereed the 2015 Rugby World Cup final between winner New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham.
Also on the panel is George Clancy (Ireland), Stuart Berry (South Africa) and Neil Paterson (Scotland).
The panel’s job will not only be to review the performances of match officials, but also to select an elite group of referees. In the past, the respective unions have assessed their own officials via their referee managers, but now there’s a change of policy.
“We changed the structure a bit on how we review our match officials’ performances,” Henning told reporters on Monday.
“In the past, it was done by the five high-performance referees from each union. But now we have a switch for four independent assessors as a selection panel. They are going to do those reviews with me as the chairman of the group.
“By doing this, we have aligned ourselves to the model World Rugby is using to assess international performances. The idea is to bring a fresh pair of eyes and fresh thinking into the model.
“All four of them are recently retired international referees.
“The aim of that then is to get to an elite group of referees selected on merit and not necessarily on representation from each union, to bring credibility to the match officials we appoint. That’s the long-term goal.”
I cunt believe the abysmal state of refereeing in the URC !!!
No two ways about it Munster were brutal and are officially off to a really bad start.
This is with no shadow of doubt the best rugby podcast really informative and a real love for rugby 🏉
Gutted about the ospreys result, however they definitely look like the most promising Welsh team this season
interesting results
Aki is a great player and a nice guy but he’s a very slow learner when it comes to tackle technique. He’s the only Irish player to have received two red cards both for high tackles. Thanks for the vid.
Can't agree that Leinster were "rusty" in the first game . They were underpowered, and "developmental" and might easily have lost it. Greatly strengthed for their second but still missing tourists at 9, 10, and 15. Frawley at 10 was on his first start of year (only 1 start at 10 last year). Healy was something exotic at tight. Still a long way to go. Benneton will have a good season if they maintain this level of skill and spirit. Ulster looked fully deserving of their position ahead of Leinster but I thoink the Bulls are a lucky assessment at 1 – they were fortunate to beat Edinburgh. The actuaal League table reverses your 1, 2, 3.
Muster played better than last week but were indisciplined in the wrong areas of the field. Hanrahan must have enjoyed his day. Connacht have lost a number of players from last year and drafted in replacements who may not yet have blended in. But they have never been good travellers, so they must hope for the 24th man effect (known to climatologists as Atlantic Coast weather) for better performances.
Saffa teams looking comfortable here although no surprise with the top two Irish teams in there also on the top.
I thought the Bulls and sharks were piss poor man. They don't deserve to be that high up.
FYI Sharks 🦈 got a new logo aswell!
As an ulster man whenever i seen them play a was in shock reminded me of ireland last November lol but i think Andy farrel mite have something to do wit it. Cause maybe having all the provence on the same page like style off play ya no lol. But yea i do hope the ulster men pull threw for once been 2006 since wee won the title lol