Dragons humiliated as misery on the road just goes on and on (From Campaign Series)
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Dragons humiliated as misery on the road just goes on and on
9:46pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in Sport
By Chris Kirwan
TOUCHDOWN: Glasgow prop Gordon Reid scores despite the tackle of Tonderai Chavhanga
GLASGOW 37 DRAGONS 6
NEWPORT Gwent Dragons suffered yet another pointless away trip in the RaboDirect Pro12 after being battered, humiliated and embarrassed by Glasgow at Scotstoun Stadium.
The Warriors – without a raft of Scotland internationals – made light work of their visitors, crossing for five tries in a dispiriting mismatch.
It was a miserable night where there were just two consolations – it wasn’t a full-strength Glasgow side, otherwise it could have been even messier, and Cardiff Blues lost.
That’s what Dragons fans have been reduced to; being relieved that another region is just as hapless.
The performance was every bit as bad as the second-half capitulation against Ulster seven days earlier with the Dragons failing to make any impact in attack and shipping the softest of tries.
Rugby sides up and down the land frequently pledge to ‘learn the harsh lessons’ from mistakes but there was precious little evidence of that at Scotstoun.
Just about the only positive was the performance of number eight Tom Brown, who showed an insatiable appetite for ball carrying, but even he was outplayed by Glasgow’s bearded South African Josh Strauss.
All in all it was a deflating evening, crushing the Dragons’ hopes that a return to Scotland would help cure their travel sickness. The region had failed to register a single point from their six away games since beating Edinburgh at Murrayfield in March.
While the Dragons were hoping to trigger a change, the Warriors were hoping for more of the same as they chased a sixth Pro12 win on the bounce.
But Glasgow were hard hit by Scotland calls with national boss Andy Robinson denying them the services of captain Alastair Kellock, Stuart Hogg, Sean Lamont, Ryan Grant, Ruaridh Jackson and Henry Pygros ahead of their Test against world champions New Zealand.
Number eight Toby Faletau was the Dragons’ only international absentee and that lack of disruption gave the visitors a golden shot at upsetting the in-form Warriors, even if the bookies were still leaning towards the side that started the evening in third place.
As usual they were proved right.
The Dragons started well and tested the Glasgow defence with some patient, multi-phase attacks but a bright opening swiftly turned into a horror show.
Warriors fly-half Scott Wight opened the scoring with a 50-metre penalty and the Dragons then conceded a shocker.
Fly-half Lewis Robling shanked a clearance kick and then compounded the error by making a complete mess of gathering a grubber kick through in the dead ball area, gifting the simplest of scores to full-back Peter Murchie.
If it wasn’t bad enough to be 10-0 down in the opening exchanges then it swiftly got worse with both captain Lewis Evans, who had made a striking start to the game with plenty of ball carries, forced off with a blood injury and dazed lock Rob Sidoli helped from the field.
It was one-way traffic and it looked possible that the Dragons could suffer a drubbing even worse than Cardiff Blues’ nine-try humbling at the hands of Leinster a week ago.
South African import Josh Strauss was denied the Warriors’ second by a forward pass but there was nothing to prevent a second embarrassing score on the half hour.
The Dragons were caught napping at a ruck and loosehead – yes, loosehead – Gordon Reid was allowed to rumble over from 30 metres.
A bout of kicking preceded the half-time whistle, Wight struck a conversion and penalty and Tom Prydie knocked over a brace to make it 20-6 as they headed to the changing rooms.
Given the shapeless performance by the visitors it was a relief that they were only 14 points back and a dramatic improvement was required.
It didn’t come.
Just three more minutes had elapsed when a bout of pressure inside the 22 ended with Glasgow lock Tom Ryder muscling his way over.
Even a losing bonus point was a long way off at 25-6, especially given that the Dragons had barely made a line break.
From then on the game drifted away with the main interest whether the Warriors could force their way over for their bonus point score.
It came just past the hour thanks to a magical assist by Fijian scrum-half Niko Matawalu, who took a quick tap penalty and conjured a wonderful offload for winger Tommy Seymour to dash over.
That wasn’t the end of it for the visitors, the dagger was plunged in even deeper when Seymour chipped over the top and was presented with his second try when the ball took a bizarre bounce to wrongfoot the covering Dan Evans before hitting the post and falling in the winger’s path.
It was a comical score but you would have been hard pressed to find anyone in Dragons colours laughing on a humiliating night.
Glasgow: P Murchie, T Seymour, A Dunbar, T Nathan (P Horne 65), T Paris, S Wight, N Matawalu (S Kennedy 71), G Reid (O Fainga’anuku 57), D Hall (F Gillies 77), M Cusack (G Araoz 77), T Ryder (J Eddie 57), T Swinson, R Harley, C Fusaro (captain, J Barclay 65), J Strauss (R Wilson 75).
Scorers: tries – P Murchie, G Reid, T Ryder, T Seymour (2); conversions – S Wight (3); penalties – S Wight (2)
Dragons: D Evans, T Prydie (H Amos 69), P Leach, A Smith, T Chavhanga, L Robling (Steffan Jones 55), J Evans (L Davies 55), P Price (N Williams 38), Steve Jones (H Gustafson 60), N Buck (D Way 60), I Nimmo, R Sidoli (A Jones 18), L Evans (captain, J Groves 16-28), N Cudd, T Brown (J Groves 69).
Scorers: penalties – T Prydie (2)
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Attendance: 3,317
Argus star man: Tom Brown
Comments(88)
Dragon_in_Gwent
says...
9:55pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Fans need to stick by the region though. The other three would kill for our supply of young talent and proper ground.
Better times will come.
rhinestine
says...
9:58pm Fri 2 Nov 12
It's such a shambles, it really is!
Draigoch
says...
9:59pm Fri 2 Nov 12
risca dragons
says...
10:18pm Fri 2 Nov 12
We need to get Kingsley Jones in with Greg Woods and Mark Ring!!
kalwales@hotmail.com
says...
10:36pm Fri 2 Nov 12
PortORico
says...
10:37pm Fri 2 Nov 12
cdfdragon
says...
10:57pm Fri 2 Nov 12
The coaches are completely out of their depth and they are killing the region as a result. It's shameful that its allowed to happen but the only way I think they'll get the message is if fans stop paying hard earned money to watch this rubbish.
Edwards and co must go!
b3talover
says...
11:38pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Dragon_in_Gwent wrote:Mr Taff.
Really poor. Things not great at the moment.
Fans need to stick by the region though. The other three would kill for our supply of young talent and proper ground.
Better times will come.
Welshman76
says...
12:43am Sat 3 Nov 12
Newporttrue
says...
1:46am Sat 3 Nov 12
The People's Republic of Newp
says...
5:39am Sat 3 Nov 12
rhinestine wrote:Go find yourself a ground while you're at it.
The coaching staff have to go now, it's a must! Get Kingsley, Byron and Dia Llewellyn in as coaches, true men of gwent, drop the Newport from our title and let's start again!
It's such a shambles, it really is!
East Newport Dave
says...
6:05am Sat 3 Nov 12
cdfdragon wrote:Correct. The best way to tackle this is for the supporters to boycott the home games. The board and coaching staff seem to be oblivious to the deterioration going on before their eyes. For me it's no change. I refuse to pay to watch a sub-standard product.
Absolute joke!
The coaches are completely out of their depth and they are killing the region as a result. It's shameful that its allowed to happen but the only way I think they'll get the message is if fans stop paying hard earned money to watch this rubbish.
Edwards and co must go!
swrxp09
says...
7:41am Sat 3 Nov 12
Regionalist
says...
8:16am Sat 3 Nov 12
CaptainB
says...
8:47am Sat 3 Nov 12
DRAGON'S NIGHTMARE!!!!!
Lastpost
says...
9:08am Sat 3 Nov 12
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll pack my case, of which I'm certain
I've coached a team that's dire
I travelled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way.
WARMACHINE
says...
9:36am Sat 3 Nov 12
The People's Republic of Newp wrote:Could not agree more, remove Newport from the name and the dragons to find a new ground thus removing Newport RFC from any embarressment by association with this shambles.
rhinestine wrote:Go find yourself a ground while you're at it.
The coaching staff have to go now, it's a must! Get Kingsley, Byron and Dia Llewellyn in as coaches, true men of gwent, drop the Newport from our title and let's start again!
It's such a shambles, it really is!
Welshman76
says...
9:39am Sat 3 Nov 12
The People's Republic of Newp wrote:There is already a perfectly adequate ground. Why try and alienate potential fans with comments like this? Most fans at the stadium would be happy to drop Newport and went and just be the dragons. Attitudes like this are out date and this region will never survive unless we can get as many axing fans through the gates as possible.
rhinestine wrote:Go find yourself a ground while you're at it.
The coaching staff have to go now, it's a must! Get Kingsley, Byron and Dia Llewellyn in as coaches, true men of gwent, drop the Newport from our title and let's start again!
It's such a shambles, it really is!
the dork
says...
9:45am Sat 3 Nov 12
Robert Shillabeer
says...
9:58am Sat 3 Nov 12
Welshman76
says...
10:21am Sat 3 Nov 12
Robert Shillabeer wrote:Fully agree. There are some quality players in the squad but off the pitch is amateur. Not getting dates right about Welsh call ups, ridiculous prematch statements and lack of clear direction. It is doing the youngsters no good being humiliated. Don't agree about the coaching set up as they have failed to sort out our front 5 which every dragons fan has pointed out for the past few seasons is a weakness.
Terrible result. Even the most sensible view can't see any good coming from this game. The board should be meeting over the weekend and taking some sort of action. Whatever game plan they used failed to get even a foothold in the game from reports I have seen. Why continue to put young players through this without older heads to help them along. Why did Sid come off so early was he injured? How far are the injured players from coming back, Andrew Coombes was hoping to be back some five weeks ago, what's happened to him? Beale must resign this weekend and a new director of rugby appointed to get the coaching staff and players doing better or replace them. Before anyone says something about my views, I still believe the region has some good players and the coaching set up is as good as anyone else's in Welsh rugby but needs better direction.
Oddjob
says...
10:22am Sat 3 Nov 12
Doberman1
says...
10:26am Sat 3 Nov 12
This season is dead in the water, bring in a new coaching team (Kingsley & Mark Ring for me) and use the rest of the season to go back to basics, clear out some of the passengers, reinstall basic levels of proffesionalism and thus offer the fans some hope that this nightmare will not be repeated next season, otherwise this region (whatever the rights and wrongs of it) is finished. Some may be happy with this outcome, but be carefull what you wish for.
Oddjob
says...
11:09am Sat 3 Nov 12
Doberman1 wrote:The main problem is that Brown, Hazell and Godfrey were frothing at the mouth to sign up to the current WRU led Regional farce. As long as Newport was in the name (To appease the Newport supporters) then they were more than happy to hide behinde the skirts of the WRU with a fifty percent split and to do their bidding for them. Adding the Newport name to the side came at a price. Those that think that the Dragons are not a development side need to wake up and smell the coffee.
Same old, same old. Thrashed by a side with 17 absentees, it just gets worse every week without any sign of improvement. I have regularly challenged the DE apologists to offer some insight into either what he has achieved or some hope for the future, nothing ever comes back from them. He is a WRU appointee who see him as some technical guru (he may be that) cutting his teeth in a region before presumably moving up the ranks towards the national set up. This farcical " try before you buy" experiment has left us the laughing stock of pro rugby and needs to be ended now. Week in and week out we see DE up in the stands faffing about on the MacBook, yet week in week out we see players (a lot of who have the required ability) running around like headless chickens with little direction on what to do when the MacBook master plan unravels (usually after about 20mins). Every poster on here has long identified our weakness up front but it seems those in charge know better and do nothing to improve the situation (please don't use age as an excuse, our scrum was demolished by a Scarlets teenager a couple of weeks ago).
This season is dead in the water, bring in a new coaching team (Kingsley & Mark Ring for me) and use the rest of the season to go back to basics, clear out some of the passengers, reinstall basic levels of proffesionalism and thus offer the fans some hope that this nightmare will not be repeated next season, otherwise this region (whatever the rights and wrongs of it) is finished. Some may be happy with this outcome, but be carefull what you wish for.
monkeytennisboy
says...
11:23am Sat 3 Nov 12
rhinestine
says...
11:34am Sat 3 Nov 12
The People's Republic of Newp wrote:We have a ground thanks, why don't you go find a cliff and jump off it!
rhinestine wrote:Go find yourself a ground while you're at it.
The coaching staff have to go now, it's a must! Get Kingsley, Byron and Dia Llewellyn in as coaches, true men of gwent, drop the Newport from our title and let's start again!
It's such a shambles, it really is!
pooles
says...
11:38am Sat 3 Nov 12
monkeytennisboy
says...
11:40am Sat 3 Nov 12
rlockett
says...
11:53am Sat 3 Nov 12
DaiFrank
says...
11:56am Sat 3 Nov 12
'We have a ground thanks, why don't you go find a cliff and jump off it!'
Yes the ground is in Newport with NEWPORT in the name which has been there for a fairly long time with you I presume watching all along and who would have known that a part of a name would impact on how a team play and the number of supporters that attend (think Brown golden years, think numbers!). If you and the other Dragonistas don't like the NEWPORT bit then ... there's the cliff.
phantom14
says...
12:06pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Robert Shillabeer
says...
12:11pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Euwan Usami
says...
12:29pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Robert Shillabeer wrote:Well, it took a while but welcome aboard Robert. ;)
At the stage where I don't give a **** what they call the region, Gwent Dragons or Newport Gwent Draons or even Newport Dragons. The performances must get better. We were playing a side with most first team players out for international duty while we were down only two, Dan through injury and Toby for the training in Poland. The performances are nothing to do with the board but they should be giving acceptable standards for the team to comply with in terms of performance and results. The coaching team must be gritting thier teeth with frustration at the abject performances being given. When are the injured players likely to return and for Gods sake when are they going to bring in a payer r two to boost the front five to at least give us some sort of platform to pay from.
noblemon
says...
12:33pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Rodney parade has lost its atmosphere with the new stand as the supporters are too far from the field. I have yet to see the stand a third full.
Ticket prices have gone up and I can't afford to bring my 18 year old daughter with me anymore.
On the field the players have no spirit, and a once solid defence is breached with ease.
My first visit to Rodney Parade was in 1963 when my grandad took me. It is now as bad or worse than before Tony Brown took over.
A once proud and respected club reduced to a laughing stock.
It is clear that the management and coaching of the club are out of their depth. Their comments are predictable and unimaginative, forgive my hollow laughter.
The players clearly have no confidence in them and neither do the supporters.
The management and coaching staff must go. If they do not, then put the shutters up at the dear old parade and Gwent rugby will be dead.
Dai the Milk
says...
1:03pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Newporttrue wrote:Common sense at last.............9 years after I predicted this shambles. It has to be taken from the Newport club and made into a proper region. Then Gwent coaches with some passion will instil passion into the team. The show must go on......but out of Rodney Parade. Enough is enough. We are becoming the laughing stock of world rugby. Smashed by Glasgow United. What next? Can it get any worse?
First and formost let the currant coaching staff move on, as a region we have not moved foreward for the last few years. A premier league team playing in the pro 12 way out of our deph. Drop newport from the name and let's move on as a true region the DRAGONS and move on hopefuly with all east Wales behind us. Up the dragons.....
Dai the Milk
says...
1:14pm Sat 3 Nov 12
The People's Republic of Newp wrote:Come on Republic......is that all you have left to offer? A ground? You have always built your team from valley players...... until the professional era when you got them from the southern hemisphere. Don't be so sour. The show is over. Time to throw the towel in and give the franchise to people with passion and ambition.
rhinestine wrote:Go find yourself a ground while you're at it.
The coaching staff have to go now, it's a must! Get Kingsley, Byron and Dia Llewellyn in as coaches, true men of gwent, drop the Newport from our title and let's start again!
It's such a shambles, it really is!
Dai the Milk
says...
1:23pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Euwan Usami wrote:Yes....welcome back to the real world Robert.
Robert Shillabeer wrote:Well, it took a while but welcome aboard Robert. ;)
At the stage where I don't give a **** what they call the region, Gwent Dragons or Newport Gwent Draons or even Newport Dragons. The performances must get better. We were playing a side with most first team players out for international duty while we were down only two, Dan through injury and Toby for the training in Poland. The performances are nothing to do with the board but they should be giving acceptable standards for the team to comply with in terms of performance and results. The coaching team must be gritting thier teeth with frustration at the abject performances being given. When are the injured players likely to return and for Gods sake when are they going to bring in a payer r two to boost the front five to at least give us some sort of platform to pay from.
Robert Shillabeer
says...
1:36pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Euwan Usami wrote:Been on board as you put it for a very long time, just enjoyed winding you lot up and getting you to come out with stupid responses. Now however things have gone too far to be a joke. The head coach and his assistants do thier very best with young payers some of whom will be very good players, but Beale the Director of Rugby is in my view preventing the side from developing into a very competitive side. I repeat my earlier question, why are there no signs of the senior players like Andrew Coomes returning to play, footballers go to specialist fitness organisations to get fit quicker, why not rugby players?
Robert Shillabeer wrote:Well, it took a while but welcome aboard Robert. ;)
At the stage where I don't give a **** what they call the region, Gwent Dragons or Newport Gwent Draons or even Newport Dragons. The performances must get better. We were playing a side with most first team players out for international duty while we were down only two, Dan through injury and Toby for the training in Poland. The performances are nothing to do with the board but they should be giving acceptable standards for the team to comply with in terms of performance and results. The coaching team must be gritting thier teeth with frustration at the abject performances being given. When are the injured players likely to return and for Gods sake when are they going to bring in a payer r two to boost the front five to at least give us some sort of platform to pay from.
SWBorderer
says...
1:55pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Any of the squad with any ambition at all must be looking for a way out, the rest will hang on to the gravy train for as long as possible.
I don't care what they call the team, I can think of a few names myself but they are not likely to be acceptable. The argument about venue is a non starter, where else in the region is there a stadium with suitable facilities? and who is likely to provide the funds to build one?
I grew up in a thriving rugby community in Monmouthshire, with fiercely contested local derbies week in week out, how sad it is to see that same area now reduced to this shambles.
The People's Republic of Newp
says...
2:27pm Sat 3 Nov 12
rhinestine wrote:Newport's ground and Newport's infrastructure, whatever the ills of the board, and you'd be wise to remember that. 9 years and has a single 'Gwent ' club come forward with an offer to assume the WRU's 50%? And yet you want Newport to sacrifice yet again.
The People's Republic of Newp wrote:We have a ground thanks, why don't you go find a cliff and jump off it!
rhinestine wrote:Go find yourself a ground while you're at it.
The coaching staff have to go now, it's a must! Get Kingsley, Byron and Dia Llewellyn in as coaches, true men of gwent, drop the Newport from our title and let's start again!
It's such a shambles, it really is!
Want our ground? Fine, acknowledge it. Otherwise leave and take this shambles with you.
The People's Republic of Newp
says...
2:34pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Dai the Milk wrote:Dai, take it, seriously. Just get rid I say. But please, as you say, a clean break: if Gwent Dragons is what is desired, fine, but not in Rodney Parade.
The People's Republic of Newp wrote:Come on Republic......is that all you have left to offer? A ground? You have always built your team from valley players...... until the professional era when you got them from the southern hemisphere. Don't be so sour. The show is over. Time to throw the towel in and give the franchise to people with passion and ambition.
rhinestine wrote:Go find yourself a ground while you're at it.
The coaching staff have to go now, it's a must! Get Kingsley, Byron and Dia Llewellyn in as coaches, true men of gwent, drop the Newport from our title and let's start again!
It's such a shambles, it really is!
People with "passion and ambition" though: aware of anyone stepping forward into the breach or just more pie-in-the-sky whimsy?
East Newport Dave
says...
2:35pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Robert Shillabeer wrote:I think the spirit in the squad is very low and it is only natural for injured players to be in no rush to come back. Would you be keen to come back into a team getting thumped every week? I wouldn't.
Euwan Usami wrote:Been on board as you put it for a very long time, just enjoyed winding you lot up and getting you to come out with stupid responses. Now however things have gone too far to be a joke. The head coach and his assistants do thier very best with young payers some of whom will be very good players, but Beale the Director of Rugby is in my view preventing the side from developing into a very competitive side. I repeat my earlier question, why are there no signs of the senior players like Andrew Coomes returning to play, footballers go to specialist fitness organisations to get fit quicker, why not rugby players?
Robert Shillabeer wrote:Well, it took a while but welcome aboard Robert. ;)
At the stage where I don't give a **** what they call the region, Gwent Dragons or Newport Gwent Draons or even Newport Dragons. The performances must get better. We were playing a side with most first team players out for international duty while we were down only two, Dan through injury and Toby for the training in Poland. The performances are nothing to do with the board but they should be giving acceptable standards for the team to comply with in terms of performance and results. The coaching team must be gritting thier teeth with frustration at the abject performances being given. When are the injured players likely to return and for Gods sake when are they going to bring in a payer r two to boost the front five to at least give us some sort of platform to pay from.
There is only one way back and that is to clear out the coaching team (and Bonkers) and recruit in a world class coach. If they do that the players will play their hearts out for him, quality players will come to and stay at the region, and younger players will progress. Unfortunately, it will come at a price to recruit the coach and then shore up the front five, but that can be recouped through the turnstiles. If things stay as they are, I predict some 50 - 80 point drubbings, which will make earlier beatings look mild.
Monster Munch McCoy
says...
3:13pm Sat 3 Nov 12
I think it is almost unanimous that Beale should go. There are a few that still think DE has some ability however if he stays he needs to be given a specialist coaching role since he has shown he does not have a clue about the scrummage or motivation of players. Skills coach or backs coach may suit him.
The old regional argument is back (as per every time there is problem in the squad). But lets use some common sense Rodney Parade is the only venue in Gwent that could host regional rugby on a regular basis (especially with the county now sharing the ground and the transport links etc). As far as the name is concerned I do not really care what we are called but would vote for Gwent (drop the Newport and Dragons), simple plain no nonsense which is the rugby we need to be playing at present.
Come on GWENT !!!!
Welshman76
says...
3:19pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Linejudge
says...
4:07pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Disappointing , but when you see the commitment from our guys to win it you understand that the reason we lost was not because of coaches or team we are hammered with injuries and with the budget that we have we cannot produce the depth of players that Glasgow had and other team have ...simples..
These reports do not fully support the effort and commitment that I have just witnessed from the Newport Gwent Dragons players.
Euwan Usami
says...
4:43pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Linejudge wrote:Did you know where Glasgow was when you left? I am not sure you were at the right ground. ;)
Went to Glasgow , bloody journey that was !
Disappointing , but when you see the commitment from our guys to win it you understand that the reason we lost was not because of coaches or team we are hammered with injuries and with the budget that we have we cannot produce the depth of players that Glasgow had and other team have ...simples..
These reports do not fully support the effort and commitment that I have just witnessed from the Newport Gwent Dragons players.
Euwan Usami
says...
4:48pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Robert Shillabeer wrote:Lol, it was all just a wind up. Obvious now I think of it. At least we won't have to suffer any more if it though eh? ;)
Euwan Usami wrote:Been on board as you put it for a very long time, just enjoyed winding you lot up and getting you to come out with stupid responses. Now however things have gone too far to be a joke. The head coach and his assistants do thier very best with young payers some of whom will be very good players, but Beale the Director of Rugby is in my view preventing the side from developing into a very competitive side. I repeat my earlier question, why are there no signs of the senior players like Andrew Coomes returning to play, footballers go to specialist fitness organisations to get fit quicker, why not rugby players?
Robert Shillabeer wrote:Well, it took a while but welcome aboard Robert. ;)
At the stage where I don't give a **** what they call the region, Gwent Dragons or Newport Gwent Draons or even Newport Dragons. The performances must get better. We were playing a side with most first team players out for international duty while we were down only two, Dan through injury and Toby for the training in Poland. The performances are nothing to do with the board but they should be giving acceptable standards for the team to comply with in terms of performance and results. The coaching team must be gritting thier teeth with frustration at the abject performances being given. When are the injured players likely to return and for Gods sake when are they going to bring in a payer r two to boost the front five to at least give us some sort of platform to pay from.
pooles
says...
5:02pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Points though - not !
Bottom of table still - yep !!
Can it continue - nope !!!
Fed up fans - defo yep
Robert Shillabeer
says...
5:04pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Welshman76 wrote:Very true, I won't go to Cardiff to watch the Blues. Gwent Dragons is the name to use as they represent South East Wales as a region. Gwent no longer exists (if it ever did) but is a name collectively of the three or four county areas from Caerphilly to Ebbw Vale to Monmouth. The Dragons board and management owe much to the region where rugby first started so long ago.
The Dragons have to play in Newport as it is the biggest urban area in the region thus more likely to attract crowds. You are stuck in the dark ages if you think Newport by itself will ever be a top club. Regional rugby works in SH and Ireland. It is just the traditionalists that are holding the game back in Wales and if you sit on the fence, the WRU will not put money into any region that won't play ball. The dragons are here and they need our support not our bickering over the name etc. as young kids grow and become the future fans, they will only want to watch the best players who will be at the regions. Quite right to celebrate the past achievements of Newport RFC but time to move forward collectively and put petty squabbling behind us before there ends up with no top class side in SE Wales! Does anyone really want the nearest top class side to be the Blues?
exilemike
says...
5:09pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Robert Shillabeer
says...
7:08pm Sat 3 Nov 12
Euwan Usami wrote:I wouldn't say that, may have the odd crack now and then but it will be harder to do now, just like a Dragons win perhaps.
Robert Shillabeer wrote:Lol, it was all just a wind up. Obvious now I think of it. At least we won't have to suffer any more if it though eh? ;)
Euwan Usami wrote:Been on board as you put it for a very long time, just enjoyed winding you lot up and getting you to come out with stupid responses. Now however things have gone too far to be a joke. The head coach and his assistants do thier very best with young payers some of whom will be very good players, but Beale the Director of Rugby is in my view preventing the side from developing into a very competitive side. I repeat my earlier question, why are there no signs of the senior players like Andrew Coomes returning to play, footballers go to specialist fitness organisations to get fit quicker, why not rugby players?
Robert Shillabeer wrote:Well, it took a while but welcome aboard Robert. ;)
At the stage where I don't give a **** what they call the region, Gwent Dragons or Newport Gwent Draons or even Newport Dragons. The performances must get better. We were playing a side with most first team players out for international duty while we were down only two, Dan through injury and Toby for the training in Poland. The performances are nothing to do with the board but they should be giving acceptable standards for the team to comply with in terms of performance and results. The coaching team must be gritting thier teeth with frustration at the abject performances being given. When are the injured players likely to return and for Gods sake when are they going to bring in a payer r two to boost the front five to at least give us some sort of platform to pay from.
Robert Shillabeer
says...
7:20pm Sat 3 Nov 12
exilemike wrote:Rodney Parade is the only ground able to provide the crowd facilities in Gwent. Have you been to Ebbw Vale lately or Bedwas, or even Cross Keys. Pontypool park is probably the next place but have they got a ground that meets the required standards? Transport links are important and Newport has them with Inter City railway station the M4 and car parks just over the river, what transport links have any other Gwent ground got? The Dragons and Newport are separate entities both have thier own coaching set up and the sooner the Dragons have a stand alone name like the Ospreys the better. The other two regions the Cardiff Blues and the Llanelli Scarlets are named the same way as the Dragons and it is holding the region back I. Terms of support and county wide appeal.
Time to shut up shop and relocate to the rugby going public of the Gwent Valleys.I deplore what regionalisation as done to Newport Rfc and its followers (that included me).I have followed Newport rugby for over 60 years and watched them all over Europe,but have not watched one NGD game,why,because they don't represent me and are not my team.I hope all the valley fans are able to support the regional team wherever they play and in greater numbers than at present.Personally I don't believe they could survive without "Newport".It pains me to say it but I believe association football is the new kid on the block and rugby will continue to decline.The County will do for Newport what the rugby used to do,represent them and the surrounding areas.Whatever happens to this hapless region I trust they will soon drop the Newport name and vacate Rodney Parade.
spaniard
says...
7:29pm Sat 3 Nov 12
ljg
says...
7:30pm Sat 3 Nov 12
rhinestine wrote:and where is this ground rhinestine ?? please enlighten us,
The People's Republic of Newp wrote:We have a ground thanks, why don't you go find a cliff and jump off it!rhinestine wrote: The coaching staff have to go now, it's a must! Get Kingsley, Byron and Dia Llewellyn in as coaches, true men of gwent, drop the Newport from our title and let's start again! It's such a shambles, it really is!Go find yourself a ground while you're at it.
i do agree with you that ''Newport'' shoud be dropped from the name BUT also ''gwent'' should be dropped, also agree that the all the coaching staff have to go, but bring in woods, ringo and Kingsley Jones,, and i'm saying that as a NEWPORT supporter
The People's Republic of Newp
says...
7:43pm Sat 3 Nov 12
spaniard wrote:Why would anyone have any pride in an artificial confection, devoid of significance and history?
Players and coaching staff an absolute disgrace, no pride or passion for the jersey, just playing for the money
fedup fred
says...
7:49pm Sat 3 Nov 12
exilemike
says...
10:27pm Sat 3 Nov 12
CaptainB
says...
11:41pm Sat 3 Nov 12
WE HAVE TO GET THE COACHES AND THE PLAYER'S RIGHT AND START WINNING.
ITS ALL ABOUT THE FIELD OF PLAY.
Oddjob
says...
11:43pm Sat 3 Nov 12
CaptainB wrote:Ya think?
EVERYONE IS LOSING FOCUS, FORGET NAMES OR GROUNDS AND OLD POLITICS.
WE HAVE TO GET THE COACHES AND THE PLAYER'S RIGHT AND START WINNING.
ITS ALL ABOUT THE FIELD OF PLAY.
The People's Republic of Newp
says...
12:45am Sun 4 Nov 12
CaptainB wrote:Yeah, forget about loyalty, history, identity, allegiance. Mere impediments to be disposed of...
EVERYONE IS LOSING FOCUS, FORGET NAMES OR GROUNDS AND OLD POLITICS.
WE HAVE TO GET THE COACHES AND THE PLAYER'S RIGHT AND START WINNING.
ITS ALL ABOUT THE FIELD OF PLAY.
Robert Shillabeer
says...
12:52am Sun 4 Nov 12
spaniard wrote:The name of the game these days, follow the cash.
Players and coaching staff an absolute disgrace, no pride or passion for the jersey, just playing for the money
DaiFrank
says...
1:05am Sun 4 Nov 12
Monster Munch McCoy
says...
1:55am Sun 4 Nov 12
DaiFrank wrote:The name change has not affected the Ospreys?
Some people here have expressed that they don't care what the team is called! How vapid can you get? The whole history of rugby in Wales and football elsewhere is built on identity and locality. To reduce it to a non-identity was always going to be ruinous. It's a social experiment that has gone horribly wrong except, for the moment at least, the national side. And on that point, how about changing Wales to something a bit more meaningless?
Unfortunately the "history" of Welsh rugby and the committee men are what is stopping it going forward.
The pontypool front row, the welsh team of the 70's, miners in the front row/doctors in the backs. All things of the past. I love the history but that is exactly what it is. We need to move on with whatever is the best for the region in the future. Forget the past and decide what is right for the future. Whatever the name is if you had a strong competitive team people would support them. These discussions only come up when Gwent are losing.
Come on GWENT!!!!!
Monster Munch McCoy
says...
1:55am Sun 4 Nov 12
DaiFrank wrote:The name change has not affected the Ospreys?
Some people here have expressed that they don't care what the team is called! How vapid can you get? The whole history of rugby in Wales and football elsewhere is built on identity and locality. To reduce it to a non-identity was always going to be ruinous. It's a social experiment that has gone horribly wrong except, for the moment at least, the national side. And on that point, how about changing Wales to something a bit more meaningless?
Unfortunately the "history" of Welsh rugby and the committee men are what is stopping it going forward.
The pontypool front row, the welsh team of the 70's, miners in the front row/doctors in the backs. All things of the past. I love the history but that is exactly what it is. We need to move on with whatever is the best for the region in the future. Forget the past and decide what is right for the future. Whatever the name is if you had a strong competitive team people would support them. These discussions only come up when Gwent are losing.
Come on GWENT!!!!!
stevey
says...
11:41am Sun 4 Nov 12
stevey
says...
11:51am Sun 4 Nov 12
And the WRU still playing that fiddle.
the dork
says...
12:40pm Sun 4 Nov 12
Dai the Milk
says...
1:38pm Sun 4 Nov 12
stevey wrote:Playing the fiddle alright.............
is not right. Players moving away for big money(don't blame them). Dwindling support (second class rugby) who wants to go? Seems to be a seachange in the attitude toward the "cherished" Newport name now.
And the WRU still playing that fiddle.
just like on the Titanic.
mark118
says...
3:38pm Sun 4 Nov 12
olsarum
says...
6:47pm Sun 4 Nov 12
DPJ
says...
7:26pm Sun 4 Nov 12
olsarum wrote:I understand they are the bookies favourite to finish the season with the best playing surface in europe
how to bring interest and excitement to rodney parade strip the turf off to top soil and sow with top grade grass seed and watch the grass grow just a thought could work though
The sh*t they turn out every match has got to help
rugbytaff
says...
8:26pm Sun 4 Nov 12
sorry but you cut yor cloth with what you have and what you can afford the coaches have to work with what they have and must find ways to motivate players into being the best they can be and perhaps if you look at chelsea last year they changed the manager and haven't looked back since I don't have the knowledge to know if this would work within the region but there must be someone in the hierarcy that has the knowledge and at the end of the day we are called supporters and perhaps now more than ever we should be prepared to stand up and do our jobs
what it must feel like to be a player for the region having to listen to and hear the comments on here doesn't bear (BARE) baa THINKING ABOUT
The People's Republic of Newp
says...
8:36pm Sun 4 Nov 12
rugbytaff wrote:What worries me the most is the inclination of many to meekly accept 'reality' as presented by the powers-at-be rather than raging against the dying of the light.
wow what a big read all these comments but I feel the point is being missed call the region what you want hire the best coaches in the world get another set of players get rid of the WRU live in cloud cuckoo land
sorry but you cut yor cloth with what you have and what you can afford the coaches have to work with what they have and must find ways to motivate players into being the best they can be and perhaps if you look at chelsea last year they changed the manager and haven't looked back since I don't have the knowledge to know if this would work within the region but there must be someone in the hierarcy that has the knowledge and at the end of the day we are called supporters and perhaps now more than ever we should be prepared to stand up and do our jobs
what it must feel like to be a player for the region having to listen to and hear the comments on here doesn't bear (BARE) baa THINKING ABOUT
Since when did questioning authority and challenging 'conventional' wisdom become so irresponsible? A healthy distrust of that which we are told is to be applauded, people.
And there are better more viable options for south-east Wales pro rugby than the model we are presently saddled with. However, both require a move away from the laudable yet ill-conceived desire to unite the seemingly diametrically opposed constituencies of 1) Newport and 2) 'Gwent', and I fear too many have too much to lose to make it so.
Keith Barnett
says...
9:19pm Sun 4 Nov 12
All you people arguing about names etc etc etc will have been granted your wish.
Newport RFC will be top of the premiership year after year with great crowds and great, enjoyable rugby.
The County will also do very well.
We will have got rid of all the moaners, so called experts and negative 'valley' boys on here (hopefully)!!
Rugby Warrior Paulo
says...
9:25pm Sun 4 Nov 12
stevey
says...
9:52pm Sun 4 Nov 12
Keith Barnett wrote:And flying with the sparrows and starlings will be a species called pigs KB. Do the words cuckoo and land spring to mind?
Within 3 years there will only be 3 regions. The Dragons, Gwent, Newport - whatever will be gone
All you people arguing about names etc etc etc will have been granted your wish.
Newport RFC will be top of the premiership year after year with great crowds and great, enjoyable rugby.
The County will also do very well.
We will have got rid of all the moaners, so called experts and negative 'valley' boys on here (hopefully)!!
Keith Barnett
says...
10:01pm Sun 4 Nov 12
Dragons will be no more if it carries on as now
Have it on very good authority
Robert Shillabeer
says...
12:23am Mon 5 Nov 12
Keith Barnett wrote:Negative valley boys indeed, they do much more than any Newport based supporter, or is that a double negative, a Newport supporter? I am not from Newport, thank God. They travel like myself from outside Newport to support the Dragons, not in huge number I admit, but that goes back to mismanagement of the concept of regionalisation by both Newport based people and Ebbw Vale people who should have concentrated on the development and building the region than fighting for some sort of control. The Ospreys had a similar problem but sorted it quite quickly, but the Newport/Ebbw Vale caused a rift that even now is still felt by many as a barrier to bigger clouds. This with tv coverage against cost s an ongoing problem and only better results can change that. It's all about trying to gain results and all this negative mud slinging is far from helping the situation. Everyone at the region wants to win every game they play often against stronger opposition, but they try and all too often fall sort (or as in recent games fall far short) of getting the desired result but not from trying, no one can blame the team for thier short comings. The management however is a different matter. The coaching team, like the players are keen to start winning games not lose, the problem lies with the board and the director of rugby. The director of rugby must resign this week before any improvement can be seen, or be sacked, but I doubt the board have the courage to take that step. Something drastic needs to happen or as some have predicted with some glee will happen and all East Wales will lose out on rugby at the top level.
Within 3 years there will only be 3 regions. The Dragons, Gwent, Newport - whatever will be gone
All you people arguing about names etc etc etc will have been granted your wish.
Newport RFC will be top of the premiership year after year with great crowds and great, enjoyable rugby.
The County will also do very well.
We will have got rid of all the moaners, so called experts and negative 'valley' boys on here (hopefully)!!
East Newport Dave
says...
4:33am Mon 5 Nov 12
Back to the Dragons - they will be marginalised in the way that Connacht have been in Ireland. The difference is they have got much stronger amidst a vibrant IRFU set up, whereas the WRU is a shambles.
There is a possibility that the Dragons will eventually go but that will be down to the incredible inertia and ineptitude of the board. They can see the ship sinking before their very eyes but let it go on without tackling the management or coaching of the team.
They get their income from the WRU and tv and instead of investing and trying to grow, they opt for 'cheap' to stay within budget. The net result is that the product is poor and so the business shrinks. It ain't rocket science. It will take £750k per year extra in salaries, in front five forwards and a top coach, to put right but I doubt if there is anyone placed to do that.
If I could see that there was some investment and direction, I would look at a season ticket again but no sign of that.
Old Gaer Boy
says...
10:45am Mon 5 Nov 12
Is this too simple - This time last season County were bottom of the Conference hardly won a match - What happened HUDSON out EDINGBURGH in- saved from
relegation and now top of the Confeence.
Any lessons to be learned???.
Robert Shillabeer
says...
5:27pm Mon 5 Nov 12
East Newport Dave wrote:Watched Scrum five on Sunday night which showed an interview on the topic of central contracts. The Irish provinces (regions in Wales) are centrally contracted parts of the Irish Rugby Union so being part of the National set up they operate from a central fund topped up by each province but run as separate clubs. Why do we not copy that system as it seems to work for them, Munster, Leinster and Ulster and look where they are in the table. Its time we got away from this inner view of ourselves and looked to promote regional rugby for what it really is a forum between the old club rugby with all its wonderful rivalry and the International side, where all the best players would like to play. Lets hope that the four regions can reach an agreement on central contracts with better funding for the regions. This would create a very good set up where all players of various abilities can work thier way up from local rugby through the leagues to premiership rugby and then regional or international level. Time for everybody to come to a workable deal for the sake of Welsh rugby as a whole. Losing players to France is not the answer.
The Dragons won't disappear under the present system because they provide an automatic Heineken cup place for the other 3 regions. If we went down to 3 then only 2 regions would get through. However, it could change if the English/French get their way and only the top 6 in the Rabo qualify. That would possibly only see the Ospreys getting through and in truth they are the only region equipped to compete in that competition. Cardiff Blues are only slightly better than the Dragons and the Scarlets are too weak in the forwards.
Back to the Dragons - they will be marginalised in the way that Connacht have been in Ireland. The difference is they have got much stronger amidst a vibrant IRFU set up, whereas the WRU is a shambles.
There is a possibility that the Dragons will eventually go but that will be down to the incredible inertia and ineptitude of the board. They can see the ship sinking before their very eyes but let it go on without tackling the management or coaching of the team.
They get their income from the WRU and tv and instead of investing and trying to grow, they opt for 'cheap' to stay within budget. The net result is that the product is poor and so the business shrinks. It ain't rocket science. It will take £750k per year extra in salaries, in front five forwards and a top coach, to put right but I doubt if there is anyone placed to do that.
If I could see that there was some investment and direction, I would look at a season ticket again but no sign of that.
Gooda
says...
7:22pm Mon 5 Nov 12
Keith Barnett
says...
7:28pm Mon 5 Nov 12
There's nothing in the valleys to sustain a big Tesco's never mind a regional rugby team!
stevey
says...
8:29pm Mon 5 Nov 12
Keith Barnett wrote:We look like we are having a racing track.....where's yours KB. lol
And Gooda - how long would it last in the valleys? 3 - 6 months? Just like the region that was first to go bust!
There's nothing in the valleys to sustain a big Tesco's never mind a regional rugby team!
phantom14
says...
11:44pm Mon 5 Nov 12
CM1
says...
12:19am Tue 6 Nov 12
The People's Republic of Newp
says...
3:16am Tue 6 Nov 12
Robert Shillabeer wrote:How would that work for NGD which provide, what, two players to the Welsh squad? How could that possibly improve things?
East Newport Dave wrote:Watched Scrum five on Sunday night which showed an interview on the topic of central contracts. The Irish provinces (regions in Wales) are centrally contracted parts of the Irish Rugby Union so being part of the National set up they operate from a central fund topped up by each province but run as separate clubs. Why do we not copy that system as it seems to work for them, Munster, Leinster and Ulster and look where they are in the table. Its time we got away from this inner view of ourselves and looked to promote regional rugby for what it really is a forum between the old club rugby with all its wonderful rivalry and the International side, where all the best players would like to play. Lets hope that the four regions can reach an agreement on central contracts with better funding for the regions. This would create a very good set up where all players of various abilities can work thier way up from local rugby through the leagues to premiership rugby and then regional or international level. Time for everybody to come to a workable deal for the sake of Welsh rugby as a whole. Losing players to France is not the answer.
The Dragons won't disappear under the present system because they provide an automatic Heineken cup place for the other 3 regions. If we went down to 3 then only 2 regions would get through. However, it could change if the English/French get their way and only the top 6 in the Rabo qualify. That would possibly only see the Ospreys getting through and in truth they are the only region equipped to compete in that competition. Cardiff Blues are only slightly better than the Dragons and the Scarlets are too weak in the forwards.
Back to the Dragons - they will be marginalised in the way that Connacht have been in Ireland. The difference is they have got much stronger amidst a vibrant IRFU set up, whereas the WRU is a shambles.
There is a possibility that the Dragons will eventually go but that will be down to the incredible inertia and ineptitude of the board. They can see the ship sinking before their very eyes but let it go on without tackling the management or coaching of the team.
They get their income from the WRU and tv and instead of investing and trying to grow, they opt for 'cheap' to stay within budget. The net result is that the product is poor and so the business shrinks. It ain't rocket science. It will take £750k per year extra in salaries, in front five forwards and a top coach, to put right but I doubt if there is anyone placed to do that.
If I could see that there was some investment and direction, I would look at a season ticket again but no sign of that.
CaptainB says...
9:54pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Five tries to Nil...
Goodbye Darren Edwards
Goodbye Rob Beale
Goodbye Rob Appleyard
Goodbye DIGNITY!!!!!