11/21/24
January 19, 2007
Heineken Cup rugby beginning to crack: The French rugby clubs have voted to boycott next year's Heineken Cup (wikipedia) and are pointing the finger at England. There is still the possibility that this will be worked out, but there is also a chance that the English clubs will follow suit, meaning that this competition, which means as much to some players as international matches faces an uncertain future.
There are plenty of videos out there on YouTube; Munster matches (they won the Heineken Cup last year), a couple of 'incidents' , some big hits and much, much more The competition survived a year without the English clubs back when they boycotted it, but at the moment it is incredibly popular and I'd hate to see any of that momentum being lost.
posted by Fence at 10:11 AM on January 19, 2007
Seems odd that European football can manage the domestic league and cup, Champions League/UEFA Cup and national team schedules while rugby, with far smaller revenue base, cannot deal with it. Unless this is more an issue of control between the clubs and national bodies.
posted by billsaysthis at 12:20 PM on January 19, 2007
The best part on the Big Hits link is all the Americans who feel the need to comment on how much better the NFL is in comparison to rugby. We're so modest.
posted by igottheblues at 12:37 PM on January 19, 2007
One of the major difference between soccer and rugby competitions is that you just can't cram extra matches in with rugby. Footballers can get away with playing midweek matches and still play at the weekend, not so much in rugby given the full contact nature of the game.
posted by Fence at 12:52 PM on January 19, 2007
Sod the cheese eating surrender monkeys.
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:24 PM on January 19, 2007
First to go should be the Autumn Internationals. I know they are a big cash cow for the individuals RFUs, but I don't think many fans would miss them. Seeing New Zealand hammer Wales every year is starting to wear a bit thin now. That'll free up three weekends, and after that, just reduce the size of the HC. Right now there are 20 teams, which is a stupid number for a knockout competition. Have four groups of three teams (12) and have the top two teams qualify for the QF. Three French, three English, two Irish, two Welsh, a Scottish and an Italian team.
posted by afx237vi at 08:41 AM on January 20, 2007
Ahh, yes, the anti-International brigade. Because what will make Rugby better is making it exactly like League, where international competition is a sad joke, and clubs rule the game.
posted by rodgerd at 03:47 PM on January 20, 2007
I'm hardly in the "anti-International brigade". I love the 6 Nations, love the World Cup, and I've even been known to watch the odd Tri-Nation match. But, I'm sorry, the Autumn Internationals are totally meaningless. Who will miss them?
posted by afx237vi at 04:29 PM on January 20, 2007
Ah but when you get to see Ireland beating South Africa and Australia you'll want to keep the Autumn Internationals. Limiting the teams might work, but 12 is too few, though I'm not so sure if having Italian clubs in the H cup is a good idea at all at the moment. They seem to constantly get beaten and mean that certain pools are a lot easier than other to qualify from.
posted by Fence at 06:40 PM on January 20, 2007
I don't know much about Rugby, but this is a shame. I'll have to see if there are any rugby matches on youtube so I can familiarize myself with it.