Six Nations 2019

Hate  to  destroy  all  the  afore mentioned  comments  etc,  BUT  I  really do  have  to  congratulate  a  certain  Red-shirted  Whistle-man  on  his  fine  performance  today  !!  Explaining  why  as  well  as  what  was  a  great  addition  to  the  commentary  today  even  to  congratulating  a  player  on  the  ground  for  not  committing  an  obvious  &  easy  foul.  Darn  it,  with  VAR  coming  fully  to  Premier  League  Soccer  next  season  perhaps  the  officials  there  could  take  lessons  from  todays  Ref.

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  -- Yes  Indeed  --   He  TALKS  TO  THE  PLAYERS  !!  The  very  first  step  towards  getting  RESPECT  !!

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He also talks with the players and listens, but he know when to tell them to shut up and get on with 'it' and they do! That's total respect both ways.

It does help if the players he's talking to have something between their ears, other than Brillcreamed hair, diamond earrings and gold teeth 🤭😉😂

BTW, Nigel is regarded as the finest referee in the game and unlike others, doesn't call on the TMO for every decision. The emphasis there is on 'every'. Did notice he was struggling to keep up with the pace at times-which only further proves how quick England were 😉

Totally off topic, totally unnecessary and not funny 😉 (unless you're from, or have spent time in their company) but thank you for posting. It's what the game is all about: fun, banter, camaraderie and friendship!!!

And to prove a point, here's my favourite Welsh rugby joke:

The Welsh team were playing England at Twickenham and after the half-time whistle blew they found themselves ahead 50-0, Gareth Edwards getting eight tries. The rest of the team decided to head for the pub instead of playing the second half, leaving Gareth to go out on his own.

 
“No worries,” Gareth told them, “I’ll join you later and tell you what happened.” After the game Gareth headed for the pub where he told his teammates the final score: 95-3.

“What!” said a furious Ray Gravell, “How did you let them get three points?” Gareth replied apologetically: “I was sent off with 20 minutes to go.”

 😂😂😂

Just heard Eddie Jones making the same point on TV. Although, he suggested that today's coaches call them 'squad' teams. 

 

Interesting, as you say Micky, that Gatland chose to field a side which most considered not the first XV. Perhaps he wanted to test new players at test level, rest some of the "A" teamers, or perhaps he was looking for inspiration for when England come calling in a fortnight? If he thought he might beat Italy with his 'second XV' then the plan could easily have backfired and Wales' winning streak to an abrupt end.

What are your thoughts?