Author Archives: Superadmin

VIDEO – Richie McCaw, Greatest Flanker of all Time? From the archives

Tribute to Richie McCaw – Surely one of the greatest flankers of all time?

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujlx2YddQls&start=10&end=&rel=0]

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VIDEO – Gloucester’s Rugby Trick Shots

In partnership with Jewson, Mike Tindall and his Gloucester teammates show off their rugby skills.[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGIqGY9k6XY&start=8&end=130&rel=0]

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VIDEO – Top 5 David v Goliath battles

This week we get a look at the best Littleman v Bigman battles…ever! David v Goliath time on Rugby HQ.[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTf7eo0zEUU&start=16&end=131&rel=0]

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VIDEO – Top 5 ‘Fatman’ Tries of All Time

Sean Maloney and the crew have settled on the most hotly contested #RugbyHQTop5 category of the year. Here they are, The Top 5 ‘Fatman’ Tries of all-time. Watch the blubber fly! [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmuBLzarhEM&start=30&end=164&rel=0]

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Why the Palace Match is Critical for Brendan Rodgers

The international break gives us a chance for a breather and to assess Liverpool’s season so far. And it’s a pretty frustrating one to say the least.

One one hand, the ever-increasing competitive nature of the Premier League is making it hard for many clubs. Just look at Man Utd, Arsenal and Spurs all struggling. If you’d been able to bet on Southampton, West Ham, Swansea, Newcastle AND Stoke having more points than Liverpool after 11 games at the end of last season you’d probably be very rich by now.
On the other hand, for the team that finished second in 2013/14 to be in the bottom half of the table at this stage is hard to stomach.

And that brings us to the next game away at Crystal Palace on 23rd November. This is a team that have really struggled and haven’t managed a win since September. Palace are…

Read the rest of this article on the Empire of the Kop site.

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VIDEO – Most amazing rugby catch ever

Tendai Mtawarira carries a teammate showing off incredible upper body strength and performing what must be one of the best catches in Rugby history. Check this out.[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ADOogOboIc&start=&end=64&rel=0]

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VIDEO – Rugby Skills Unleashed

A showcase of rugby tricks and skills during actual gameplays caught on cam. Enjoy and eat your heart out rugby fans. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN4Lyx7zYLs&start=11&end=158&rel=0]

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Gunners Fans Predict Swansea to be savaged by The Wenger Mob on the rebound

Gunners fans are predicting that Swansea are in for a beating after some words from Arsene. Read the article on Goonersphere.

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Premier League Weekend Predictions – Week 8 2014/15 Season

So the waiting is over now that the internationals are done and week 8 is suddenly upon us. Here are this week’s Premier League weekend predictions. All looks straightforward as usual!

Premier League Weekend Predictions – Saturday

Manchester City v Tottenham 3-0

Man City have had a great run against Spurs in recent league meetings, winning six out the last seven. The recent 6-0 drubbing is likely to be in the back of Tottenham minds as the players run out.

City look like they might rest Yaya Toure as the midfield general isn’t due back from international duty until today. In that case, Manuel Pellegrini should start with loanee Frank Lampard in his midfield lineup. Star Spurs goalie Hugo Lloris and goal-source Nacer Chadli are doubtful after picking up injuries during the international break. Of Spurs’ nine league goals this season, Chadli has been involved in five of them (four goals, one assist).

Spurs have played fairly well away from home so far this season but they need goals. And these are few and far between right now. Can’t see this changing, especially with Adebayor a doubt for this match. On the other hand, City have plenty of goals in them and especially at the Etihad.

Thorn in Spurs’ side Edin Dzeko has now scored six goals in six Premier League games against Tottenham.Sergio Aguerooooooooo has slotted in five goals in five league matches against Spurs.

However, amazingly Manchester City are winless in their last two home games in the league. That should change unless Tottenham produce something very special.

Arsenal v Hull 2-0

Looks pretty straightforward. Maybe Hull will be up for it because of last year’s FA Cup Final. Let’s see.

The Gunners have won their last five in a row against Hull in the league.

Burnley v West Ham 1-2

Winless so far, Burnley have only scored three goals in seven matches this season – the lowest number in the league. Almost as worrying is that they also have the lowest shot conversion ratio (5%).

On the bright side, Burnley are unbeaten in their last three league meetings with West Ham (W2, D1).These are of course just stats but West Ham have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League meetings with Burnley.

The Irons have already won three of their first seven EPL games this season, having won three of their opening 20 league matches last season.

If Burnley are to win their first game this season, they will have to deal with West Ham properly at set pieces. The Hammers have more set piece goals than any other Premier League side (6 in 2014/15)

Crystal Palace v Chelsea 1-3

Can’t see Palace producing an upset against the power of the Chelsea machine right now. It would be a shame from a neutral perspective to see Chelsea steamroll the season and take all the fun and interest out of it though.

Let it go down to the wire, we say. However, wouldn’t predict it.

Everton v Aston Villa 2-2

Too close to call. Everton at home gives them something extra. Villa are looking decent and it will be close run.

Newcastle v Leicester 1-2

Morale is low at Newcastle United. Leicester have goals in them as we saw against Manchester United and they will look to capitalise on any weakness shown. Will Pardew survive another week?

Southampton v Sunderland 2-2

Too close to call but Southampton have won the last 2 home games but Sunderland have a good record against the Saints.

Premier League Weekend Predictions – Sunday

QPR v Liverpool 1-2

It would be a real surprise if QPR could upset Liverpool. Worth considering the 14/1 Special being offered on Gerrard being first scorer in this match. ‘Arry is under real pressure right now and the lack of goals at QPR is a big worry for him. If they do score against Liverpool, you can be pretty sure they’ll be outgunned unless the Reds have an off day.

Stoke v Swansea 2-1

Only 3 points separate these two teams but Swansea (5th) are way up the table (Stoke are 16th) but that’s how it is early in the season. Stoke should be able to get back to winning ways here and draw level on points with the Swans.

Premier League Weekend Predictions – Monday

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United 2-2

This is exactly the kind of match where we will see whether or not United are a team capable of returning to the upper echelons of the EPL. The Baggies do pose a threat in attack and may be able to grab some goals in front of the home fans and if they do United will have the firepower to respond.

The big question is, can United finish them off? The Leicester experience points to a ‘no’. If that becomes a ‘yes’ then perhaps United really are back to their old selves again.

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Manchester United – Top four for how long?

The international break gives all football fans time to reflect and hope for no injuries to returning international players. With the problems at Old Trafford being well documented for this season and the last, a look at the Premier League table at first sight looks promising once again for the red side of Manchester.

The makeshift Red Devils managed to beat Everton at home on 5th October and that result lifted United into the top four albeit on goal difference with Swansea and Tottenham on the same number of points. Incredibly, about the first time in a year. The question is, does this new-look team have the staying power?

Most bookies currently have United at about 4/9 to finish in the top four. That’s before Liverpool and Spurs and after Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal. It probably sounds about right at this stage of the season. Next up is a tricky tie at West Brom on 20th October. And one of the reasons that United are in the top four is partly thanks to the Baggies 1-0 win away at White Hart Lane a few weeks back so they will be no pushovers.

But then right after that it’s Chelsea and Manchester City, so for United to stay in the top four by the end of November they are going to have to be more solid at the back. This makes the WBA away game an absolute must-win match.

Concerns over United’s debt after their recent spending spree deepened this week, as they are now £350 million in debt.

It will be interesting to see what odds United will be to finish in the top four at the end of November. There is little doubt that the new talent at Old Trafford is top quality but Louis van Gaal will need his defence to gel before soon and January’s transfer window is looking like a busy one already for him – should he last that long.