Problem with Forum

I agree with you Mike but it seems that we Southerners are generally only interested in rugby that concerns rugby close to home and have very little interest in rugby that is played in reverse climates. Winters in NH are cricketing days for us.

I think interest could be expanded into those countries (even minnow rugby playing nations...there is still interesting rugby there and for those that love the sport it is still rugby...and developement and expansion of rugby is still a stimulating subject.

Maybe it is not everybodys cup of tea but I take delight in following the ENC in Europe, Georgia, Russia, Romania etc...also Canadian and USA rugby...the battle to qualify...that's why the 4 yearly WC is by far my greatest look forward too.

Perhaps those who know rugby in these parts can enter into discussion???

Well that's the problem...the IRB gives very little support in the expansion of rugby vision and is only interested in feathering it's own nest...unfortunately the sport is only seen as business and not for altruistic reasons...their vision is too short -sighted...it's the same as politicians.

Coverage is poor...very little on TV (if any) and streaming is of such poor quality that it is not a pleasure to watch and news coverage is very poor...I often struggle to find results of the lesser nations and clubs.

I was thrilled when 7's bid for the Olympics was sanctioned as this is an inroad internationally, not only for 7's itself but will eventually spill over into union...there definitely will be a spin off ...it augurs well for the future...unfortunately we do not live on this earth for ever and who knows where rugby is going...in 50 years time (if we have not all blown ourselves to smithereens in an Armeggedon) who will win the WC.

Rugby is a great and wonderful sport...it has to seen and played at young ages...there must be mountains of talent in countries like USA, Russia, Germany, Scandinavia,Asia,Africa etc.

That's why I admire Sean Fitzpatrick...while I was in Russia some years ago he visited St Petersburg promoting rugby to the youngsters...it's a pity there are NOT more unselfish heavyweights and heros like him in the world.

 on one of the English rugby shows they had some good stuff on minnows like Tahiti ,Mauritius and other African countries plus referee profiles etc ,I think ot was total rugby ? And some of the things posed for comment at least stave off some of bordoms more deleterious effects as Mike has noted .This is a problem even on our NH counterparts boards .

Saw a fascinating story about playing rugger in the arctic circle ,they had to  sneak into under ground car parks to train !

Sorry Mike the topic has somewhat digressed but lack of exposure of other rugby does lead to boredom over the summer months especially for those who are limited (and are not cricket lovers) to SH rugby only and apart from the EOYT there is very little and ol' Satan finds such mischief for idle hands to do...lolz.

To digress further, just a little story about rugby in Russia that is both amusing and somewhat sad.

A rugby match was being played in one of the lesser known towns in Russia. The police arrived and stopped the game arrested the players (and some of the spectators) and took them off to prison...they thought it was a Russian Maffia feud. Later on ofcourse they were released. But that is the sad state in some areas...wouldn't apply in Moscow or the bigger cities.

This a very true story.

Haha...I was like Francois Steyn...too slow Mike...you beat me to it with this amusing incident.

Shouldn't have said that about FS...it will arouse old Snapster and then we will really digress down the long winding road and land in strawberry fields forever...lolz

 Thats horrible innit? Off to the Gulags for playing /watching a bit of rugger ! Sounds like the half witted cops in Utah who attacked some PI  players from a mormon uni for doing a haka ! Mongrel cops no apology just " they wuz incitin' folks to riot so we had to do somethin'" tear gas and night sticks ! Sheesh ...

It seems that the only topics that keep going are unpleasant topics where the moles suddenly appear and start attacking each other...ie topics like I was banned by the SS. Egoists that need Dr Phil and his cronies. People defending themselves against slights and ridicle...I've been misunderstood...I really don't want to attack and belittle anyone...the world outside has enough of those..I really think at heart everybody means well but is very different...we all come from different backgrounds...some of us have been very priviledged others not so and we are products of our background. We are all different and have our oddities and pecularities...some of us are obnoxious and unkind, others suffer from arrogance and inferiority/superiority complexes but this is a forum of friends, I hope, each man and woman has something to say...lets respect each other with a little bit of humour without hurting or degrading one another. Afterall we are not forced to be here but come here to share with free will and with a good spirit of fellowship.