Pro 14 - General Thread

[Ruckedtobits]

The split of the teams is now very evident among all the teams in the League. Six teams unbeaten (four in our Conference) and six teams without a win after two games.

Nothing yet to suggest the quality of the League has improved at all and the majority of commentators now referring to the SA teams needing three years to reach standard of the remainder. Not a good prospect.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Only caught a few minutes of the SA games yesterday but they were rubbish from what I saw. The Cheetahs looked like they were doing a non contact defensive drill...at half pace. One of Wooton's first half tries was so easy that it was a disgrace.

[ronk]

The split of the teams is now very evident among all the teams in the League. Six teams unbeaten (four in our Conference) and six teams without a win after two games.

Nothing yet to suggest the quality of the League has improved at all and the majority of commentators now referring to the SA teams needing three years to reach standard of the remainder. Not a good prospect.

It often takes sub international SA players a while to make an impact when they come North. The 2 teams missed a trick by not hiring NH assistant coaches to prepare them.

They'll adapt and we'll know more when they get to play at home and learn to travel.

[paddyor]

The split of the teams is now very evident among all the teams in the League. Six teams unbeaten (four in our Conference) and six teams without a win after two games.

Nothing yet to suggest the quality of the League has improved at all and the majority of commentators now referring to the SA teams needing three years to reach standard of the remainder. Not a good prospect.

They were fairly gutted by the other soup teams when it leaked that the comp was being cut AFAIK. Which essentially left them as a currie cup + team. It's no apparent that that is a level below the middle of the Pro14. Cheetahs(I think) B team got pumped in the Currie cup at the weekend FWIW. They're back where Treviso were when they got gutted by the HEC row. Hopefully, given the playing pool in SA they'll be able to recover a little faster.

I'm really not expecting much from them this year. They might get a few more players on loan once TRC and CC ends for a few months. But really I think they'll have to wait until the Soup ends next season to make any kind of decent signings.

[simonokeeffe]

Kings had far more disruption in entering the league but they at least tried v Connacht

Hopefully the bit of certainty now allows them both to retain and recruit better for next season

[TerenureJim]

They'll likely snatch some hoe victories and could surprise one or two on the road, realistically putting them against Ulster, Connacht, Munster and Scarlets first up was going in at the deep end yet but for yellow cards v Ulster Cheetas would have been in touching distance and Kings were OK v Connacht. It's very early doors for anyone to be making any judgements on this.

[Peg Leg]

No victory like a hoe victory

[TerenureJim]

No victory like a hoe victory

Hoe for sho'

[simonokeeffe]

No victory like a hoe victory

we could do with a rake of them before the AI's

[jimbobjoe]

I'm all for growing the league but too much too soon is a very risky strategy. Let the SA teams bed in for at least a few years before adding in brand new franchises in untested markets.

http://www.the42.ie/pro14-rugby-america ... 2-Sep2017/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... n-13606573

[blockhead]

Sam Warburton could be out for another 4 months.
Will Cardiff even notice?

[jimbobjoe]

Sam Warburton could be out for another 4 months.
Will Cardiff even notice?

Doubt it. Josh Navidi is a much better player for them anyway.

[simonokeeffe]

Sam Warburton could be out for another 4 months.
Will Cardiff even notice?

Doubt it. Josh Navidi is a much better player for them anyway.

Ellis Jenkins is better than both of them

I'm all for growing the league but too much too soon is a very risky strategy. Let the SA teams bed in for at least a few years before adding in brand new franchises in untested markets.

http://www.the42.ie/pro14-rugby-america ... 2-Sep2017/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... n-13606573

I have poo pooed the North American teams enough as it is but right now? Hell no. SA teams need to have a chance, last thing they need is some crazy travel

[dropkick]

Sam Warburton could be out for another 4 months.
Will Cardiff even notice?

He'll be back just in time for the 6 nations like every other year. Just a coincidence.

[TerenureJim]

I'm all for growing the league but too much too soon is a very risky strategy. Let the SA teams bed in for at least a few years before adding in brand new franchises in untested markets.

http://www.the42.ie/pro14-rugby-america ... 2-Sep2017/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... n-13606573

If they contract Canadian and USA national players along with one or two marquee names like we have done with the provinces there's no reason you couldn't slot two North American teams into the conference system with minor disruption. They'd be competitive with Italians and the SA sides I reckon and could be a banana skin for some of the bigger teams. No reason not to do this and steal a march on the Prem. We have the diaspora to bring the crowds and could use these games to blood younger players so the big names can roll out for marquee derbies.

[simonokeeffe]

Cheetahs have sold 24k tickets PLUS season tickets for first home game v Zebre

Cheetahs v Zebre is the stuff Mark Robson's and every marketing department's dreams are made of

[Laighin Break]

Cheetahs have sold 24k tickets PLUS season tickets for first home game v Zebre

Cheetahs v Zebre is the stuff Mark Robson's and every marketing department's dreams are made of

Haven't Toyota "bought" all the tickets, and giving them away for free?

[simonokeeffe]

Cheetahs have sold 24k tickets PLUS season tickets for first home game v Zebre

Cheetahs v Zebre is the stuff Mark Robson's and every marketing department's dreams are made of

Haven't Toyota "bought" all the tickets, and giving them away for free?

havent a scooby

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Cheetahs have sold 24k tickets PLUS season tickets for first home game v Zebre

Cheetahs v Zebre is the stuff Mark Robson's and every marketing department's dreams are made of

[Ruckedtobits]

Cheetahs have sold 24k tickets PLUS season tickets for first home game v Zebre

Cheetahs v Zebre is the stuff Mark Robson's and every marketing department's dreams are made of

Haven't Toyota "bought" all the tickets, and giving them away for free?

Correct and every STH can ask for 10 to give to his mates. But....its a very big stadium!