Autumn Internationals (Rugby Union)

[darkstar]

Looking forward to this years international matches, especially with 4 Saints players in the England squad. I think Lawes will be a superstar after these matches, he's been playing so well for Northampton. Although I think it's incredibly optimistic to expect a win against New Zealand on Saturday, I hope we can hold our own and put in a decent performance. It'll be a good way to see how the team is progressing, ready for the World cup.

Anyone have any predictions?

 

[ChrisKH]

Aus & NZ will be wanting to do what England did before the 2003 RWC and go home unbeaten. If England can get a result against one of these two teams and run it close with the other, I will be relatively happy. It will be interesting to see how Ireland get on with SA this weekend and also to see how well Sheridan has recovered. Also waiting to see how the new Kiwi League convert, Sonny Bill Williams gets on.

Predictions? Not a chance.

 

[Aperitif]

I happened upon a site (re)selling 'corporate packages' for the SA match and the tickets were £275 EACH!
These Autumn Internationals smack of a profit building exercise, rather than the development of teams - although that must happen to some degree I guess. The spectacles fill the need for media, sponsor, stadium and visiting team. Along with the RFU coffers, of course. To anyone lucky enough to go - enjoy!
Stade de France offers their clientele decent prices - from 15€ (max-ing out at about £100 equivalent, for all the trimmings etc) - and the big match Stade Francais v Toulouse in the New Year has tickets from 5€! (And it's a better stadium IMHO).
Anyway - good luck Lawes and the new blood of the England team. It might be interesting to see Sonny Bill v Shontane...one of them will go away Hape.
As for the other games - moneyspinner for the Samoan RFU - they will get stuffed in the cold an dank November steam. Australia? Massive 'pressure rugby, and support play that England will do well to withstand. South Africa need knocking down a peg or two and I hope they get hammered in every game they play - but that's just me being silly again.
Expect to see no jumping around in the Haka, as it is against Team Health & Safety for grown men to stretch, scream and jump at the same time, possibly tweaking their 'hammys' before kick off.
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[ventoux50]

England could well be the dark horses, a young and well disciplined squad containing several members with natural athletic flair.
They could just upset the applecart this year - you wait and see.





















I'll get me coat.

 

[darkstar]

Oh I hope so, I watch Foden, Lawes, Ashton and Heartley every weekend, and they are all on formidable form. There is certainly a chance of a win, especially if the weather is in our favour (wet).

As for ticket pricing, it's been the case for years now, and it's ridiculous. They should provide the majority of the tickets to clubs throughout the country (premiership and league 1) to sell to the core support. not give them to the suits who will be spending more time eating than watching the rugby.

 

[martint235]

It is really too difficult to predict. England have put in a couple of good performances but they still have a tendency to completely switch off at critical times. If that happens, or they put in a generally bad performance, I don't think it's a given that they'll beat Samoa. Samoa are a powerful side, their scrum is very strong if not as technical as England's and the wings are quick, could be tricky.

NZ and Australia, I think it depends on which game they bring and whether England let them play. It was good to see that the Welsh Rugby Union have identified Quade Cooper as a possible threat (WTF!!!), I think i could have told them that!

SA are a team just waiting to get back on form. A disastrous Tri-Nations but the personnel are still good. be interesting to see them against Ireland.

Still it's worth saying that unlike football, I still enjoy watching England play rugby so bring on the next 4 weeks! Telly is booked!

 

[Dayvo]

England, once again, and becoming habitual of late, will, all too predictably, fail to deliver, and also fail to live up to their reputation of being a side capable of playing good rugby!

Pride and passion seem to be less important than hype and image!

 

[martint235]

Belgium are playing Canada at home this weekend ....and I've got a ticket . Should be a laugh and the beer's good.

Jealous now.

 

[Vidor06]

In Ireland the majority of the tickets are sold through the clubs and usually they sell like hotcakes. This year things have changed, the IRFU in their wisdom decided to bundle all the Autumn international tickets into one package, which no one was buying. They then split them into 2 packages which again no one was buying. With tickets starting at £90 for South Africa and NZ and at £46 for Samoa, it is no wonder they cannot sell the tickets. For me to go to Dublin to watch Ireland v SA with my wife would cost £180 for tickets, £60 for train, £100 for hotel. So that would be £350 before you even buy a drink or have anything to eat and Dublin is seriously expensive for a pint.

Tomorrow will be the first full international played at the new Lansdowne Road at it isnt going to be a sell out because the greedy IRFU thought that they could basically sell tickets at any price and us mugs would pay for them. My rugby clubs bill for international tickets for the autumn internationals was something in the region of £7k and we are a small club. This money has to be paid to the IRFU before the games take place and clubs have no guarantee that they will sell all their ticket allocation. If tickets are returned no refund is given.

The president of the IRFU was interviewed the other day and said that when they decided on their pricing structure for this year they were not aware there was going to be an economic downturn. Utter bollox, they were just trying to rip off the decent rugby supporter.

Rant over!

 

[darkstar]

The world cup ticket situation is no better, pricing is ridiculous, and thats buying straight from the RFU! Can't imagine what some will have to pay from a second hand source. I was considering going, until I saw the prices, shame.