Army v Navy 2010

[squipper]

A very well deserved win by the matelot's. Ill discipline cost the Army in the end. The RN pre-interservices camp was well worth it. At least we were beaten by the Champions this year!!!!

Will we ever be able to compete at this level again???

 

[muttywhitedog]

Ill discipline cost the Army in the end. The RN pre-interservices camp was well worth it.

Or maybe that woeful attempt at a kick with about 5 mins to go.

Now, can we have those fellas back on the front line please.....

 

[Parky]

Regardless it was worth going to Well done the Navy.

The pitch invaders were great entertainment Zorro wins for style.DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[cockneyrock]

A very well deserved win by the matelot's. Ill discipline cost the Army in the end. The RN pre-interservices camp was well worth it. At least we were beaten by the Champions this year!!!!

Will we ever be able to compete at this level again???

Hate to say it, however, from what I have heard, the only way the RAF will ever compete at this level again is if it's players start taking the game seriously rather than thinking about when they'll get to go on the p!ss before / after the match.

Like I say, from what I heard, not what I have seen. Anyone wish to confirm / discredit this rumour?

 

[wgaf]

Hate to say it, however, from what I have heard, the only way the RAF will ever compete at this level again is if it's players start taking the game seriously rather than thinking about when they'll get to go on the p!ss before / after the match.

Like I say, from what I heard, not what I have seen. Anyone wish to confirm / discredit this rumour?

Yep I will. Typical bollox from someone who 'knows' someone. The only way we'll compete is when we start recruiting 100+ people a year from the southern hemisphere with the sole reason of playing rugby, then giving the squad proper prep time. Thats not going to happen so best their lordships get used to the fact that we're going to get turned over every year. It's shocking and disgraceful. Time after time we have had OC RAFRU who is more interested in his career then the game. Do we want to compete or don't we?

 

[PaddingtonStare]

Yep I will. Typical bollox from someone who 'knows' someone. The only way we'll compete is when we start recruiting 100+ people a year from the southern hemisphere with the sole reason of playing rugby, then giving the squad proper prep time. Thats not going to happen so best their lordships get used to the fact that we're going to get turned over every year. It's shocking and disgraceful. Time after time we have had OC RAFRU who is more interested in his career then the game. Do we want to compete or don't we?

If we want to compete at this level, then the RAF needs to treat the game in the same professional manner as the other forces, people like Splat need to be taken seriously. Four years ago, I remember him being drafted in to sort of strength and conditioning and people ignored him. Whilst he was at a northern QRA base, (more than a fair few year back) he transformed me physically and my civvy rugby was greatly improved due to his input.

The pool of talent needs to be looked at, and that means looking further than looking at the south of England. The one player that has been been playing at the highest level, has constantly been ignored because he was playing in Scotland. Mongo even in his late thirties has been a force in Prem One in Scotland and apparently has done well in the vets (which is no surprise really). For years he was ignored maybe because people felt that rugby up here was easy, however anyone thinking that Prem rugby in Scotland is an easy ride is deluding themselves.

Additionally the Duke of Dungannon has also appeared on the wing for the vets and shows that he is another player the RAF chose to ignore, and has missed out on him playing in his pomp, though the tours i played with him in South Africa and NZ will live with me for a fair while. DT_Xtremez_42:

In contrast the RAF league team seems to have no boundaries as to who it will recruit and develop. Players that have been over looked by the union set up are invited along to development days and encouraged to improve and be involved.

Finally how can a coach win 2 games in 10 years and still retain his post? There are coaches level 2 and above in the RAF that quietly coach civvy teams with out ever appearing on the RAF's radar who could be developed to take on such a role.

Sorry for the disjointed nature of the post, gin+ late night doesn't make for the most articulate of posts.

 

[vim_fuego]

As I understand it the Navy posted all their squad into one place, took them off all other duties and turned it into a training camp for months before they played competitively as a team making then near enough 'pro'...

 

[cockneyrock]

Yep I will. Typical bollox from someone who 'knows' someone. The only way we'll compete is when we start recruiting 100+ people a year from the southern hemisphere with the sole reason of playing rugby, then giving the squad proper prep time. Thats not going to happen so best their lordships get used to the fact that we're going to get turned over every year. It's shocking and disgraceful. Time after time we have had OC RAFRU who is more interested in his career then the game. Do we want to compete or don't we?

My typical bollox is from multiple sources involved in RAF RU at the highest level; and yours is……?

You may have failed to notice that the RAF does recruit South Sea Islands and I would suggest there are in in excess of 100 working in the RAF (does being from the South Sea Islands automatically make you a shoe in for representative RU?)

Have to say that I have affinity with PaddingtonStare's post than your hysterical rambling.

 

[wgaf]

My typical bollox is from multiple sources involved in RAF RU at the highest level; and yours is……?

You may have failed to notice that the RAF does recruit South Sea Islands and I would suggest there are in in excess of 100 working in the RAF (does being from the South Sea Islands automatically make you a shoe in for representative RU?)

Have to say that I have affinity with PaddingtonStare's post than your hysterical rambling.

We actually recruit from the whole Commonwealth, however we do not and never have recruited for sport which the other services have done. The only thing that should make you a shoe in for rep rugby is talent, however that's never been enough for the RAFRU setup, your face has to fit as well, irrespective of how good you are!
As for where I get my opinions from it comes from being involved in the game for many years at most levels in most capacities.

 

[PaddingtonStare]

your face has to fit as well, irrespective of how good you are!

Never a truer word said!!

 

[metimmee]

As a side note, the Army Rugby team were stuck in SA during the volcanic ash restrictions - I wonder how much that hindered their preperations for the match.

 

[squipper]

TheChair of RAF Rigby is just as frustrated as the rest of us for the poor showing by the representative teams....the problems are 2 fold:

The RAF does not favour the Rugby Union squad above other sports as the RN & Army do. They look upon this match at HQ as the pinacle of their sporting year and will do anything in their power to win. The Army senior squad tour of SA cost 20K less that the entire RAFRU budget for a season!!! If you look, the RAF are Inter-Service champions at many other sports.

Secondly, how many line managers and bosses will not allow their staff the required amount of time off to actually have a meaningful training camp or inded play? We had to field a representative side earlier this year with only 14 players and no front row.....how embarrassing is that???? It is too easy for line managers to say No.....rather that saying yes and working around the situation. Before anyone says that it is not a line managers decision to stop a player going, they are the first ones to say no and then convince their CoC they are right!!!

It is not always the fault of the RAFRU or committee, coaches, players etc....we are all to blame indirectly!!!!

Thoughts????