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Tribute to George 10 years after crash
Posted: August 22, 2014|
THE family of a Doveridge teenager who died in a car accident have been back to the scene of the crash to mark the 10th anniversary of the tragedy.
George Stretton, of High Street, was the passenger of a Vauxhall Corsa which was in a collision with two other vehicles at Bradley Smithy Crossroads, Ashbourne, on the A517 in August 2004. The 18-year-old died at the scene.
His mother Rowena Stretton, his younger sister Harriet and his auntie Alison Box gathered at the crossing on Wednesday to cut back weeds, lay flowers and replace a wooden cross which bears the name "George" at a subtle tribute site on the grass verge.
Mrs Stretton, who lived in Roston at the time of the accident, says that after 10 years, the grief of losing George has not gone away.
She told the Post and Times: "It doesn't get any easier. In fact, sometimes it gets worse. It gets worse when you see other people growing up.
"You don't begrudge any of that but family events, people having children, grand children. I've been robbed of that.
"It's the long term effects of it and I don't think anyone can really comprehend what it's actually like to have someone taken away from you.
"The grief is always there. It's like any grief, there are periods in between when it's like a flat-line but what it does to you when you lose someone, a child, part of you dies with that. It goes. And you can feel it's dead.
"But you have to carry on, you have a family and you have a life and George wouldn't want us all not to be successful and not carrying on."
George's sister was 16 and in the midst of her GCSEs when George died.
She now lives in Manchester but says losing her big brother made it difficult for her to take big steps in her life such as leaving school and moving away from home.
Harriet, a brand manager, said: "You lose part of yourself, it never goes away. You learn to live with it and to deal with it.
"It was difficult, school was hard but I got on with it because it was where I'd always been so it wasn't scary to go back to it. But leaving school was the scary part - going to college; that was a massive struggle.
"It was a confidence thing. I didn't want to leave anywhere I'd felt secure.
"I didn't want to leave home, to leave my mum, so going to college was a massive deal.
"It took me a long time and it's probably only around now that I've started to become more confident and willing to leave and go to Manchester.
"It'll always be there, it will never leave me."
George, a former pupil at Norbury Primary School and Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, in Ashbourne, was a talented artist and was living with his father in Doveridge at the time of the crash.
His father did not attend the scene on Wednesday, as he finds it too hard to go back.


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Leboagng Boshomane
McVitie's Jaffa Cakes have created the World's first Lickable Lift according to the Dailymail.
The lift's walls are covered with 1,325 Jaffa Cakes which employees of a communications firm Engine in Great Portland Street, central London can lick all day. Once a Jaffa Cake is licked, they're removed by the bell boy, so no one else can lick the same cake twice, the company said on its Facebook page.
Food technicians and artists took a month to install the unique walls inside the lift which was inspired by the glass elevator in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
According to Philippa Tilley, the Senior Brand Manager from McVitie's Jaffa Cakes, this project was created in a spirit of fun and it is a way to bring a smile to 'stressed out' office workers.
So would you give the cookies a good lick if the lift was in your building?

subset: commoncrawl


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Evidence continues to mount that college is not for everyone, but the United States persists in the fiction that students are shortchanged without a four-year degree. The real losers in the final analysis are young people who are counseled to pursue a sheepskin when they have neither the interest nor ability.
The downside of this policy is seen nationwide. For example, in California the new requirements have led to an increase in the high school dropout rate, as students became discouraged trying to pass academic courses necessary for admission to the state university systems. Yet these results were altogether predictable. When students see little connection between their studies and their future plans, they either act out or drop out. In either case, they become costly unintended collateral damage.
The Alliance for Excellent Education makes this unequivocally clear. The secondary education system in this country produces 1.2 million dropouts annually. If the dropouts graduated, the economy would likely benefit from nearly $154.3 billion in additional income over the course of their lifetimes. The numbers, ranging from $147 million in Vermont to $20.7 billion in California, reflect salaries, entitlements and criminal justice spending.
The picture in college is not much brighter. Students there aren't learning very much. In "Academically Adrift," Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa tracked several thousand undergraduates in two dozen universities. They reported that 45 percent of students do not significantly improve their critical thinking and writing skills after two years. Even after four years, only 36 percent did so. Although more than half of the freshmen who took the test didn't take it again as seniors, the findings are not surprising. Too many students have no business being in college in the first place because they lack the wherewithal.
Despite these figures, reformers are in denial. They ignore the Harvard Graduate School of Education report titled "Pathways to Prosperity" that called into question the college-for-all obsession. Between now and 2018, about two-thirds of new jobs created will require some education beyond high school. However, a much smaller percentage will require a four-year college degree. Instead, about 14 million new jobs will be in mid-skill occupations that demand a post-secondary certificate or associate's degree.
Nevertheless, the United States alone looks down on vocational education. The closest we've come to supporting it on a national scale has been the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which is reauthorized every six years. Yet despite the evidence, President Obama has thrown his weight against vocational education in public high schools by proposing a 20 percent reduction in aid even as employers complain that they can't find enough skilled workers at salaries close to $80,000.
Vocational education remains a tough sell largely because it is anathema to the belief in democratization. Other nations have no trouble in differentiation. Singapore, for example, begins to sort students out with its Primary School Leaving Exam. Even if the process were to begin later on in high school, it still would meet with opposition here. In the 1990s, for example, high school shop-class programs were dismantled in the belief that what the country needed was knowledge workers.
Events since then have still not convinced reformers of the error of their ways. According to the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown, 27 percent of those with a vocational license or certificate after high school earn more than the average holder of a bachelor's degree. In fact, the only jobs that will be safe in the years ahead will be those unable to be off-shored electronically. That means plumbers, electricians and auto mechanics have a more secure livelihood than ever imagined. The next time your toilet becomes clogged on a Sunday, you'll see why.
It's time to rethink vocational education as a worthy partner in the curriculum. Career academies that combine academic and technical studies offer a promising way of addressing both the appalling dropout rate and meeting the needs of employers. More fundamentally, however, college is merely the most convenient place to learn how to learn. Whether we're ready to acknowledge that reality is another story entirely.
Walt Gardner writes the Reality Check blog for Education Week.


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Jayco Opal Suzy Batkovic-Brown has earned back-to-back Player of the Week honours in the Women's National Basketball League.
The 192cm centre was the dominant player on court when leading the Sydney Uni Flames past the Canberra Capitals in Round 9, equalling her season best tally of 31 points, at 62 percent from the field, to go with a game high 12 rebounds as the Flames downed the Caps in Canberra.
Batkovic-Brown grabbed two steals and blocked two shots while restricting her opposing centres Marianna Tolo and Tracey Beatty to nine points and seven rebounds between them on their home court.
Id be happy if I didnt score a point and we won, so getting a road win and putting up some decent numbers is even better, Batkovic-Brown said. Were coming together as a team and that makes my job easier.
Adelaide centre Cayla Francis was unlucky not to receive this weeks award after she posted a personal season best 27 points. The Round 5 Player of the Week added an equal game high 12 boards and dished three assists in the Lightnings 86-65 victory over Logan Thunder at home.
Bulleen Boomers centre Liz Cambage also put in a good performance as Bulleen downed Townsville in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday. The Jayco Opal posted game high numbers in points (24), rebounds (9) and blocked shots (4).
Other noteworthy performances from Round 9 included:
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT: Tess Madgen led the AIS with a double-double scoring 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in a home loss to Canberra.
ADELAIDE LINK LIGHTNING: Renae Camino had her best game since returning from injury with a 21 point, 10 rebound double-double while point guard Angela Marino added 17 points and 10 assists.
BENDIGO BANK SPIRIT: Kristi Harrower tallied a game high 17 points and 6 assists to go with 8 rebounds in a road victory over Perth.
GLOBAL METALS BULLEEN BOOMERS: Sharin Milner scored 14 points and dished 9 rebounds in a home win against Townsville to go with 5 rebounds and 2 steals.
CANBERRA TRANSACT CAPITALS: Jess Bibby led the Caps with 20 points and 3 rebounds in a home loss to Sydney. Natalie Hurst added 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Chantella Perera posted a career best 18 points in an away victory against the AIS.
DANDENONG JAYCO RANGERS: Stephanie Cumming posted an equal team high 10 points, adding 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists in a home win over Townsville.
BDS LOGAN THUNDER: Natalie Purcell topped Logans scoring with 18 points including 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and added 4 rebounds.
GO FOR 2 AND 5 PERTH LYNX: Takia Starks topped Perths scoring with 15 points and bagged 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Melissa Marsh grabbed a game high 11 boards to go with 9 points.
ACUVUE SYDNEY UNI FLAMES: Deanna Smith was good in support of Batkovic-Brown with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
TOWNSVILLE MCCAFE FIRE: Amy Lewis led the Fire in scoring against Bulleen with 22 points in a road loss to the Boomers. She added 11 points in a loss to Dandenong while Aneka Davis stood up with a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds against the Rangers to go with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists against Bulleen.
WNBL Player of the Week 2009/10
Round 1: Elyse Penaluna (Bulleen Boomers)
Round 2: Kristi Harrower (Bendigo Spirit)
Round 3: Angela Marino (Adelaide Lightning)
Round 4: Marianna Tolo (Canberra Capitals)
Round 5: Cayla Francis (Adelaide Lightning)
Round 6: Marianna Tolo (Canberra Capitals)
Round 7: Eva Afeaki (Sydney Uni Flames)
Round 8: Suzy Batkovic-Brown (Sydney Uni Flames)
Round 9: Suzy Batkovic-Brown (Sydney Uni Flames)


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Save My Relationship
In our modern time, we can say that we are living in a "mobile society" a term which is probably coined because of the current lifestyle of constantly moving from one place to another plus the increase in the advancement of mobile phone technology. Almost every person in our society owns a mobile phone not only in highly industrialized countries like the United States, UK, Canada, but also in developing countries like India and the Philippines.
At present you can say that "mobility" is often the source of many problems between individual in their relationships. Long distance relationship could be one problem. Your sweetheart is probably planning to move in a different city because of job and this certainly will pose a huge impact on your relationship. Long distance relationship may not be favorable to you and your mate, and you might break up in the long run. How can you save your relationship from your current situation considering that you don't have a choice but to have a long distance relationship for quite some time?
- You are not alone in this kind of situation. Many couples out there are in a long distance relationship but are able to maintain their love and passion for their mate by constantly communicating with each other using the modern mobile technology. They talk over the phone, send text messages, chat etc. Staying connected with your partner is important. Today that's no longer impossible.
- Cultivate your mutual interest and understand the need for the long distance relationship for the improvement of the person you love. Keep in mind that, the situation is not permanent and look forward to the coming days that you'll be together again.
- Stay in love with your mate—you fall in love with him or her because of so many reasons and keep that feeling of fondness for your mate inside your heart and use it to stay away from any temptation that might only worsen your problem.
- Having positive attitude and trust towards your mate helps maintain the feeling of safety, and intimacy in your relationship.
- Make a list on what thing you can do together to be able to survive your current situation, be open to each other's worries and ideas and make a commitment to follow your plans in order to save your relationship from any possible outside force that might cause destruction.
The person you love maybe away from you because of his or her job. There's nothing to worry if you truly love each other and you commit yourselves to guard that and save your relationship no matter what happens. You must also keep in mind that:
"Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it."
–Thomas Fuller–


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Hey guys, were currently in the process of recording our EP "I Swear to God This Sounded Better in My Dad's Barn". This EP is going to be our absolute best work and we love the music we are making and the current direction were heading! Hope you guys do to! Make sure to keep updated on everything that's going on at the studio on our twitter @TTC__Official.


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Kuryakyn ISO Grip Bar End Weights
Few things can take the enjoyment out of a great ride like, numb, tingling fingers. Kuryakyn grips are an excellent first step to keep vibration in check, but now you can improve their legendary comfort even more. Grip end weights quickly install on the end of each grip adding mass and length to further reduce high amplitude handlebar vibration.
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Photo by Romulo Yanes
Leave a Review
A very nice recipe. The eggplant cooked perfectly. The miso glaze is a bit thick - I would recommend using more water to make a thinner glaze and coating the eggplant 3 or 4 times in between broiling (instead of 2) to make sure you have enough flavor.flag if inappropriate
Yummy! Lovely with some sushi rice and greens for a quick weeknight dinner. I think the cook time is a little high, though. Made the eggplant a bit too mushy. I'd like to try this on the grill this summer.flag if inappropriate
This is very similar to the Miso Eggplant served at my favorite Japanese restaurant. You MUST use white or yellow miso, red is too strong. I substituted mirin for the water and a teaspoon of agave syrup because I didn't want it too sweet, also a splash of soy sauce. Also, I brushed the eggplants with oil and broiled them skin side up first for about 2 minutes, turned them over, broiled them for 2 more minutes so they were already cooked before I added the miso mixture. They were both crisp and soft, really delicious. I tossed the extra miso mixture with some sliced cucumbers and served them with the eggplant. The flavor was different and also great on the cucumbers.flag if inappropriate
very the good and easy. if you have the right type of miso and good quality it will be worth it. but what i dont understand is why do people bother to rate this recipe if they don't even use the main ingredient for the glaze? the rating isn't accurate then!flag if inappropriate
This is delicious... but a better recipe in the miso and red curry eggplant with hericot vert. delicious!flag if inappropriate
Lovely if made correctly. Be careful not to add too much ginger--I found it overpowered the shiso miso. The recipe will not be the same if you don't have the right kind of miso--the red miso does not have the carmel like sweetness of the miso called for in this dish.flag if inappropriate
This did nothing for me. What would you serve this with? BUT! (I hate it when people say they didn't use such and such ingredient!) I used dark miso as I was trying to use it up. Anyway, no great shakes.flag if inappropriate
Excellent recipe, I also added more fresh ginger, and with the left over marinade I used it on firm tofu that was then grilled until brown and firm. A great combo!flag if inappropriate
Very nice. I had no ginger in the house, so I used garlic which produced a tasty dish, but I imagine that ginger will be a better match. I also used a standard eggplant cut into eighths. I had about half the miso mixture left over afterwords and look forward to using it again.flag if inappropriate
This is a fabulous recipe. I only had one very large eggplant on hand, but it tasted just fine. I also used red miso and followed the advice of another reviewr by adding more sugar and it was a perfect combo of flavors, not too salty, not too sweet.flag if inappropriate


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|Frye Regional Medical Center Crawdads Official Team Hospital
|Written by Staff Reports
|Wednesday, 21 March 2012 11:16
The Hickory Crawdads, South Atlantic League Affiliate of the Texas Rangers, are excited to welcome Frye Regional Medical Center as the Official Hospital of the Crawdads. Frye will serve as the
official team hospital from the 2012 season through the 2014 campaign.
|Share This Article:


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Giant Bombcast 10/13/2015
Become Premium to Watch
Don't play this game.
The Beginner's Guide offers a personal and sometimes eerie perspective on amateur game development.
Destiny's biggest expansion to date makes the game a whole lot more enjoyable and easier to recommend.
Company »
The main line of distinction between victory or failure in video games, death is the process of a biological being ceasing to be alive.
Xfire is a downloadable instant messenger client and Digital Download Store for Windows. It is targeted at gamers and has many features related to gaming.
Health is a value that gauges how much damage players can take in a game before they die or pass out. Also known as life in some games. Health is usually represented by a bar or a percentage instead of an exact amount. Found in most non sport games
A gameplay mechanic allowing players to store their items and freely carry them around.
A non-interactive sequence within a game most often used for plot advancement.
Steam is a digital distribution service owned by Valve. Originally created to distribute its own games, Steam has since expanded to become the de facto standard for digital distribution of PC games, and supports community features, downloadable content and achievements. Starting 2010, Steam now offers Mac games as well.
A powerful release of energy. This energy is usually expelled in all directions very quickly, typically giving off orange or red flames.
Digital Distribution is the concept of purchasing digital media via the internet and having it sent to the user directly via the internet. No physical representation of this content is given but the content resides on the users hard drive and is legally owned by them.
Characters controlled by the game for players to interact with, as opposed to player characters which are controlled by whomever is playing the game.
From Beat-em-ups to fighting games to modern FPS, one dude hitting another has made an enjoyable pastime.
First-Person is a vantage point that attempts to simulate looking through a game character's eyes. It is most commonly found in First-Person Shooters and Racing Games, and to a lesser extent in other genres, such as RPGs and 3D Platformers.
These games are designed to be played by one person, and one person only.
Experience Points are part of a character advancement system commonly found in RPGs. These points are generally gained by defeating an enemy or completing a task.
A parallel projection technique used in 2D sprite-based games to fake the appearance of 3D depth.
This concept is for games in which the main character is male.
The concept of affecting the universe through supernatural methods, breaking the fundamental laws of science.
Puzzles may need to be solved before the player can progress to the next section of the game. Often it may not be clear to players exactly what the puzzle is, or whether the an in-game items needs to be attained before it is even possible to solve it.
Dialogue trees are a feature through which the player selects responses from a list of choices, eliciting reactions from NPCs and determining the path of the conversation and story.
Point and click is an interface featured in a specific kind of adventure game, where players click on objects and characters to interact with them.
Using physical force to damage an opponent, with or without an equipped weapon from a first person perspective.
A proprietary video codec (.bik extension) developed by RAD Game Tools and used in a very large number of video games.
If a person is made of metal and has circuitry instead of a circulatory system, then their game belongs on this list.
Video game combat in which combat actions are performed in real-time, rather than through a turn-based structure.
Video game bosses are usually the main antagonist, and arch nemesis of the main protagonist. In most cases the end of a game is when the main character defeats the final boss.
This concept is for games where the main playable character is female.
Extraterrestrials appear in many video games in a variety of styles. Sometimes they're evil, sometimes they're benevolent, and sometimes they're very similar to humans.
Cooperative play in games allows humans to play together as a team to accomplish a task. Instead of playing against a human opponent, the team must defeat an AI.
Classic form of numbering that gives things a more regal feel.
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Big crowds head to LIVESTRONG Sporting Park for World Cup Qualifier
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - More races and more matches mean more money.
Since the Kansas Speedway was built at Village West 11 years ago, tax revenue has jumped from $200,000 to $11 million.
The buzz surrounding U.S. Soccer and LIVESTRONG Sporting Park could add to that economic success.
Eyes on Kansas City
When the American Outlaws travel for soccer, they don't go unnoticed. The fan club for the U.S. Soccer Team met early Tuesday afternoon to tailgate outside of LIVESTRONG Sporting Park ahead of Tuesday evening's match.
It is Kansas City's first qualifying soccer match in almost 11 years. At 6 p.m., the United States will take on Guatemala.
"I think I've been to a total of 13 or 14 games, some of them in LA, a bunch in Chicago, that's easy," said Ryan Smith, a member of the American Outlaws group. "We'll go anywhere we can, anywhere we can afford to go."
"This is the best stadium in the league and it's a central location, so we can get fans from all over the country to travel easily," explained Kevin Shook, treasurer of the KC Cauldron, another fan group. "So, I think we're going to blow them away with the atmosphere tonight."
Vying for future qualifying matches
That is the goal, because qualifying matches attract sell-out crowds from all over the country. That means more soccer excitement and more money spent in Kansas City, Kan.
"If the U.S. wins tonight, which we hope they do and the crowd is good which, we anticipate as well, then there's a good chance we'll have a qualifier as well next year," said Rob Thomson, Executive Vice President for Sporting Kansas City.
Meanwhile, when NASCAR comes to town this weekend, the crowd at the Kansas Speedway will become the fourth largest population of any city in the state.
The economic possibilities are endless at Village West, and so is the enthusiasm.
"It's a great all around feeling for us personally," Thomson said. "Everyone at this club loves Kansas City."
The announcement for the location of next year's qualifying matches will take place in spring 2013.


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The number of celebrities and musicians involved with the supposed Illuminati organization is staggering. Many of these musicians, through their lyrics, give interesting glimpses into the occult world. Sometimes even giving surprisingly detailed information about the high profile leaders, people and organizations they associate with. Details that one would think Satan would never allow to come to light. If the "Illuminati" was really the organization that Satan was planning to use to create his New World Order we would not know about it! He would keep it hidden at all costs. He would not have artist after artist who admit to selling their souls wearing Illuminati symbolism. Satan's real New World Order will be one that is based on a bastardized form of Christianity link. Satan will pose as Yeshua (Isaiah 14:4, 2 Corin. 11:3-4, 2 Corin. 11:14). His portrayal of Yeshua will be so convincing that he will deceive even God's elect if possible (Matthew 24:24). This impersonation will be so convincing that even God's elect would be deceived if possible. Therefore this New World Order will be one that falsely portrays a sense of religious righteousness and morality. By peace he shall destroy many (Daniel 8:25).
Satan knows that the Bible warns that Satan will create an End Times One World Government. How will Satan deceive these Christians who are watchful and weary of just such a thing? He will have to create a puppet New World Order which will later be sacrificed. These Christians, which were previously had their guard raised, will then be disarmed as they will be lead to believe that the New World Order was already defeated. Satan's great plan is to make Revelation happen before it actually happens.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga's music videos are full of such blatant Satanic symbolism. Post after post on the comments section on her youtube videos are from spectators speaking out about this Satanic imagery. Practically everyone on the internet has heard of the Illuminati thanks to symbolism and messages about the Illuminati from Lady Gaga and all of the other modern musicians. Obviously Satan and Lady Gaga want you to see this and know about this or otherwise they would have stopped using so much symbolism years ago when people first started to notice it. The imagery now is so blatant that its hard for them to pretend its hidden anymore or that its supposed to go unnoticed. Why does Lady Gaga let the world know that she is a Satanist and an Illuminati follower? Is she using her music and performances to brainwash the world's youth into joining the Illuminati and helping them out with their evil quest? Perhaps she is trying to lure other girls into selling their souls to Satan for fame and fortune. This would be very counterproductive because only a handful of people at any given time will be famous. For as many as would fall for this, a much larger amount would turn away from the music in disgust. Besides, why would Satan risk letting the peoples know about his secret conspiracy to take over the world? Satan wants to deceive the world into following him. He doesn't want to warn them and alert them of his presence. His Hollywood and celebrity puppets would also be of utmost value to him. He would need these puppets to have crystal clear records so he could use them to his advantage and have them promote the Antichrist and Satan's beastly kingdom without rousing any suspicion.
Why does Satan let Lady Gaga connect herself with him?
The Antichrist or Satan himself will pose as Jesus (Matthew 24:24, Daniel 7:25. Daniel 8:25). As stated before, Satan's real New World Order will be based on a bastardized form of Christianity. Therefore the real New World Order and the corresponding secret societies used to bring it about will have a very clean record. They will promote an ideology of false religious righteousness and morality rather than any sort of open Satanism. Satan would not want his celebrity puppets in any way want to be associated with evil. They would not be saying that they sold their soul to Satan for fame and fortune. They would not be using any Illuminati symbolism. They would not be posing next to goat heads or using baphomet symbols in their music videos. With so much at risk, Satan would not allow any tiny shred of evidence that would reveal themselves as Satan worshipers. Satan is ruler of this world (John 16:11, John 12:31, Luke 4:6). He controls the media. He would not allow stories like the following to be released.
Lady GaGa tells Rolling Stone that she has Illuminati dreams
"I have this recurring dream sometimes where there's a phantom in my home and he takes me into a room, and there's a blond girl with ropes tied to all four of her limbs. And she's got my shoes on from the Grammys. Go figure—pyscho. And the ropes are pulling her apart."
But it gets even stranger. "I never see her get pulled apart, but I just watch her whimper, and then the phantom says to me, 'If you want me to stop hurting her and if you want your family to be OK, you will cut your wrist.' And I think that he has his own, like, crazy wrist-cutting device. And he has this honey in, like, Tupperware, and it looks like sweet-and-sour sauce with a lot of MSG from New York. Just bizarre. And he wants me to pour the honey into the wound, and then put cream over it and a gauze."
Gaga was confused by her dream and turned to other sources to find out its meaning. "So I looked up the dream, and I couldn't find anything about it anywhere. And my mother goes, 'Isn't that an illuminati ritual?' And I was like, 'Oh, my God!'"
She even consulted her good friend and mentor Deepak Chopra about past dreams. "The devil's trying to take me, Deepak. I'm a good girl!" she told the spiritual leader, who eased her fears.
But she admits her nightmares inspire her eccentric stage shows. "I do have morbid dreams. But I put them in the show. A lot of the work I do is an exorcism for the fans but also for myself." link
How would Lady Gaga's mom know what an Illuminati ritual is like? Notice how she promotes the New Age Deepak Chopra. Why would Satan allow this article to be published? In Rolling Stone no less!
What then is Satan doing? He is planting evidence that will later be used to implicate this Illuminati organization as being Satanic. He is making sure that the public is aware of the Illuminati and the New World Order. He does this so when it is time for them to be sacrificed the vast majority of people will be deceived into believing that the Illuminati was defeated. This is why there is story after story being released nowadays documenting celebrities and their associations with the Illuminati. Many of these stories, like this Rolling Stone article is published in Satan's own controlled press no less.
Lady Gaga in a Satanic ritual
A housekeeper at London's Intercontinental Hotel reported on Sunday that Lady Gaga, during a previous stay this summer, left large amounts of blood in the bathtub of the fashionable suite the pop princess occupied in July. She reported the incident to the concierge, Andrea Miller, at the time and was told to put it out of her mind.
The maid's name is being withheld by Scotland Yard for her protection.
Whether this incident was a Satanic ritual or not is unknown.
It was also noted to our reporter that at the time of the incident Lady Gaga met with leaders of the Scottish Rite Freemasons, which is an organization known to be a link between the Illuminati and members of the British royal family. link
Certainly a suspicious amount of details are given in this story. Lets analyze what the motivation for the release of this information was. The above story is used to forge a link between Freemasonry, which is another scapegoat organization, and the Illuminati. It also plants evidence which will be used to link this New World Order to the royal family which is where the counterfeit Antichrist will come from link.
Why so much overt and blatant symbolism?
As we discussed earlier, Satan does not want people to worship him directly. He wants to deceive people into worshiping the beast. The only reason he is having his celebrity puppets openly use symbolism is because he wants to plant evidence that will implicate the Illuminati as an evil organization. The Illuminati is a scapegoat.
Lady GaGa performing at 2009 VMA awards.
Lady Gaga at 2009 Video Music Awards
Whore of Babylon costume
Lady Gaga with baphomet symbolism
Lady Gaga with Satanic symbolism.
Spiritual Enlightenment Through Demonic Possession
Dreams Aliens Are Demons
Dreams I'm John The Baptist?
Dreams Virus On The Way?
The Statue Of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Interpreted
Lost Tribes Of Israel Are White People
Russia Is Not Gog Or Magog
Mystery Babylon Israel Or The Vatican?
Human Antichrist Deception
Prince William A Counterfeit Antichrist
The Counterfeit New World Order
Reptilians Are Scapegoats
The Mark Of The Beast Is A Spiritual Mark
Barrack Obama A Counterfeit Antichrist


text:
Monday, August 04, 2008
IRB Guide to Experimental Law Variations
The International Rugby Board's Experimental Law Variations (ELV's) are now in full effect, having got underway globally on August the 1st. The worldwide, 12 month trial will encompass all levels of the game, incorporating 13 experimental laws that were approved by the IRB Council at their recent meeting in Dublin.
The ELVs have been trialled in the Super 14, and are currently on display in the Tri Nations. They have been well received by players and fans alike so far, and the next phase of progression will be to see if they will be positively received in Europe.
While the ELV's are designed to simplify the game, they've been widely criticised by many, particularly those in the Northern Hemisphere who feel that the new laws are purely in the interest of teams like Australia, who will benefit from the style of play the laws encourage.
Rod Macqueen, member of the IRBs Laws Project Group working on the ELVs dismisses those claims, stating that the laws are merely to return the game to what it once was.
The people that are saying the ELVs are designed to make the game faster etc, that was never the case, that has never been part of the criteria. The criteria has always been to make sure that we kept it a game for all shapes and sizes, but try and make it simpler and in a lot of ways bring it back to the game we used to have when there was actually more space on the field and more breaks to be able to come about.
In fact the game that we have got today, that we saw in the World Cup, under the current laws is quite different to what the game was like 20 years ago. In fact dramatically different.
The IRB will meet again early next year to decide whether the proposed laws should be adopted for good or not. Their goal is to get a single set of laws agreed upon as soon as possible.
Results so far have been positive. In this years Super 14 there were more tries, fewer lineouts, fewer penalties kicked, and the ball was in play longer. There were roughly the same number of scrums, more mauls and many more free kicks.
A recent survey has also shown that 83 percent of players playing under the new laws found them to be a positive for rugby, with almost 90 percent of the 260 respondents stating the laws were easy to understand and result in more continuity.
But, for the critics, Why fix something that isnt broken? has become the clich of choice recently, with fans and former players questioning the move to turn the game into more of a Rugby League type contest.
The reality is such that like it or not, its going to happen, and we have to adjust to it for now whether it becomes permanent or not.
The IRB are by no means out to ruin rugby. They are however experimenting with a few changes that may well improve certain aspects of the game for all involved.
Former England flanker Neil Back is one who is optimistic, keeping an open mind about the laws that many have pessimistically dismissed.
"The ELVs are here to stay, for this season at least. I approach them as with anything else new in life and in rugby: you have got to be positive. I don't entirely agree with the rule changes, as I've said before, but it is important that we embrace them and deal with them."
This 17 minute video released by the IRB hopes to give you a better understanding of the ELV's, with footage used to further explain how they look in action.
If you'd like to read further, or have the laws as reference, you can download them here . (right click - save target/link as)
Time: 17:20
Posted by Rugbydump at 8:35 am | View Comments (83)
Viewing 83 comments
bD August 04, 2008 12:22 pm
about time you posted this its been knocking around youtube for ages!im all for them....and besides if im not theres not much i can do can i?
Anonymous August 04, 2008 12:50 pm
most of them are stupid such as collapsing the maul and hands in the ruck, there is no need for them rugby is the only sport that has lots of diversity with these stupid new laws we lose that. also fitter players will be needed in the forwards because there will be less need for power making the forwards backs essentialy losing rugbys attitude of all shapes and sizes the only reasonable ones are the passing of quick throws and 5 metres at the scrum. SANZAR stop trying to suit the game to your needs just to stop players leaving
sebastian August 04, 2008 12:52 pm
i am quite astonished how we in a very minor league get to play elv's next season allready
Cheyanqu August 04, 2008 1:14 pm
Why don't we just ask the Aussies to write the Laws however they want?1) No scrums2) all kicks for post from hand (ostensibly to speed up the game)3) play on an oval4) TJs must dress in white suits, straight out of some Colonel Sander's look-a-like contest
Shaft August 04, 2008 1:15 pm
Interesting read and vid. I guess I'm not fussed either way. You have to have faith at times in life. One thing I don't understand is why many people from the NH blame the SH for this? The IRB is based in Dublin and is essentially 'British' (I use the term loosely). There are some SH members, but this is an international rugby board decision, not a SANZAR one. Only thing SANZAR did was back it I think. Not so?But anyway, ELV's or not, they need to make a decision and just stick with it so there's less confusion.
hackney griffin August 04, 2008 2:04 pm
The reason the NH en mass seems to be blaming these on the SH is part mis-information definitely, but it is also largely due to the comments and attitudes of people like John O'Neil, who seems to have little interest in the game, it's history and those who play it outside of the Australian national team and their franchises in the S14.Interested to see how these pan out for us at the lower levels this coming season, the changes we face in the UK don't feel like a bad thing. But there's no doubt that many of the changes suggested are aimed at dealing with problems the game has already dealt with naturally. Near unbreachable defences and games one by the side with the best goal kicker have become (for the most part) things of the past. And could perhaps have been dealt with by a far simpler reduction in the number of points awarded for a penalty or drop goal (something far more in keeping with he development of the games rules in the past).My largest fear is that we'll see changes adopted simply because they have been introduced, that poor management will mean this isn't a trial at all, but a revolution by stealth. And yes, a revolution that will reduce the diversity of players attracted to the game.
Greg Turner August 04, 2008 2:27 pm
wait i don't understand the rule about hands in th ruck will someone please explain?...are you just allowed to put your hands in whenever you want?
Anonymous August 04, 2008 3:25 pm
I would bet that this is the IRB's idea of globalizing the game; attempting to make the game more 'appealing' so that it is supposedly 'easier' to export it to places such as USA or China. I dont see how its easier to adjudicate the mauls this way. with the pulling down...THere must be at least 5 players not defending the maul ending at aprox. 3:10And it seems to me that the IRB are using a competition where the level of play and skill is always high to show that the ELVs are a success.I hope that the NH unions, at least, will stop the 'introduction by stealth' that hackney griffin was talking about.-Dune
andy August 04, 2008 3:32 pm
How can that tw@t Rod Macqueen say it's a game for all shapes and sizes when there are less scrums, line-outs etc etc. teams will slowly start to look like rugby league teams. Which is not for all shapes and sizes. There is skill involved in mauling, scrummaging, kicking and line-outs and anyone that plays the game can appreciate that. I personally found the world cup pretty exciting and a very closely fought competition.No i'm not a fat prop.
Anonymous August 04, 2008 3:47 pm
can anyone clarify if this is goin to school boy level because if it is fuck the irb
Sharky August 04, 2008 4:01 pm
Andy, "In this years Super 14 there were more tries, fewer lineouts, fewer penalties kicked, and the ball was in play longer. There were roughly the same number of scrums, more mauls and many more free kicks."If you've watched any of the recent games under the ELV's you'll see that the scrum is still just as important, if not more important, than before. There is actually extra impetus on having a solid scrum, as the extra space with the 5m law means that the platform is one you can launch off creatively on attack. There's no doubt teams have to be slimmer and trimmer than ever before, but it's by no means going to turn into League. The next few months will be interesting to watch, as I myself am a little sceptical of some of the laws, but remain positive in the knowledge that this confusion will more than likely only be temporary.
Ross August 04, 2008 4:13 pm
Havent encountered many in favour of the new laws at all in Ireland, the collapsing of the maul is stupid, the line out changes are pointless. All union needed was a tightening up of the rules around rucks and mauls (i.e enforce the current rules more stringently).
Anonymous August 04, 2008 4:35 pm
ELVs suck beyond belief - turning rugby into aerial ping pong
Anonymous August 04, 2008 5:40 pm
that try by matt giteau in the "5 meter scrum" portion was absolutely textbook.
Rancid August 04, 2008 5:53 pm
The ELVs, while not entirely without merit, will most definately be the begginning to the end of the game. In a pathetic attempt to simplify and rubbish our game in order to export it to countries where people are too stupid to grasp the game, America being a good example.The IRB are a set of bastards. I wouldn't trust them as far as i could throw them.And as a fan of both LEAGUE and UNION, i don't need Union speeding up. I have a simple, free flowing, faster code in League if thats what i want.Which is interesting. As most cross-code fans seem to be heavily against the ELVs, as am i.Where as most strictly Union fans seem to favour it more.All in all. There is no CHOICE or TRIAL. WE will be forced to COMPLY through guerilla tactics, regardless of whether we reject it, and that's the end of it.And THAT is why it's aload of bollocks. Because it's not experimental, nor is it positive for the game. I think the Super 14 season just gone is proof enough.
ben August 04, 2008 5:57 pm
can anyone clear this one up?if the ball is kicked towards a player and that player puts his foot into touch, and picks up/catches the ball it is deemed to have been kicke "straight out" but only if the ball is moving.
Anonymous August 04, 2008 6:02 pm
I love how it says there has been concern mauls have become increasingly difficult to defend...well yeah, that's the point of them. Maybe there could be a 5 metre rule where teams are allowed to collapse the maul once it has travelled over 5 metres so it stops pushover tries from the 22 but still rewards teams that go for the corner on penalties instead of kicking. The clips of it being a "potent attacking force" are just examples of teams being sh!t at pulling down a maul - which won't last long.Also, the scrums have, if anything, become more important with the 5 metre rule now. They are much more of an attacking option from a free-kick and a solid scrum is a base for a lot of havoc.I still think referees should use their judgement as to whether something is worthy of a free-kick or a penalty. Some of the free-kicks in the tri-nations have been very cynical and clearly worthy of penalties and borderline yellow cards based on the "old" rules.I'm not a fan of the majority of the new rules, i think some of them are sensible - the amount of penalties being conceded was getting very tedious. But penalties are being replaced with scrums that still have a tendancy to collapse which is more boring and frustrating to watch. I'm very interested to see what it'll be like to play under them though this season.
Shaft August 04, 2008 6:13 pm
Ben, I presume you're referring to that mess with Adam Ashley Cooper during the match on the weekend? If yes, then, I have no idea what he was doing and Murray Mexted was just as confused. From what I understand the application of that kind of law is only for the dead ball line, where if the ball is moving and you have a foot out, it'll be taken back from where it was kicked (I think). In terms of the straight out thing, nah, they were all confused there I'm sure. If the ball was in the air though, obviously that would be different. That one bounced though. Hopefully someone else can back me up on this though, as I was pretty perplexed as to why there was even an issue there, as it seemed obvious to me. Hope that helped.
Anonymous August 04, 2008 7:29 pm
stupid laws as a 15 year old i have just got to grips of the rules in the proper game and now the irb are forcing these stupid rules its ridiculous. by all means sanzar have argentina in the tri nations make new play offs and franchises but dont change the laws you twats
Dain August 04, 2008 7:30 pm
It's only a matter of time before you're going to be playing the ball behind you with two markers...
Cheyanqu August 04, 2008 7:51 pm
Rancid,Couldn't agree more.Rugby union is like chess. League is checkers (one body type, and you simply go forward all day).The ELVs are rugby's equivalent of eliminating half the [red] spaces on the board, and saying, "we want to make the game simplier and easier to understand".Just because the checkers players (Aussie) don't like having to develop specialized pieces, does that mean we make everyone either a pawn or a king?
conde August 04, 2008 8:45 pm
there are way too many changes being made at once with the elvs. i think it was john o'neil who criticized the NH for being resistnat towards trialing the elvs claiming that it would create 2 sets of the game and make international play difficult. This proves that the elvs are too radical of a change for the game if their implementin is going to shift the nature of the game so much that it wont be comparable to the game before 2008. Are the elvs good? some parts may be such as the 5m scrum offside line(which i personally dont like, but am open to) but others are dumb and dnagerous such as the maul law. Regardless of the merit of each law, such law changes need to be done in a slow and controled manner to preserve the spirit of the game. while the elvs arent anywhere near as radical as allowing forwards passes or obstruction, they do change the game too dramatically and too quickly.
Ross August 04, 2008 9:15 pm
i believe if you did a poll of fans and players in the northern hemisphere you would find opinion against it. The IRB actually sent out an email survey days before there decision, too late to make any impact of course, as they had intended. They never release the result of that survey.I would put money on the northern hemisphere unions only voting these in after being offered tours by the all blacks/votes for a future world cup etc. Its corrupt secret bollocks. As a member of a club in the IRFU we never were asked our opinions as a club/members/players on a new set of rules that we are forced to "experiment" on next year.Also the australians have said that they will not go back to the original rules making it clear that this is no experiment as they are set to them.
James Lillis August 04, 2008 9:28 pm
They say if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Yeah - it was broke. Did any of you guys watch the RWC final?Compare that with the recent Bledisloe matches - there is no comparison...If you love rugby, support the ELVs, you get more actual rugby!And for those who miss the good ol' days of non stop penalty goals - there's always AFL.
Ref August 04, 2008 9:55 pm
Let's give them a fair trial. I thought Union WAS becoming League over the last couple of years what with offensive guys lying on the ball carrier and defenders just standing there with one hand on the pile, swiping idly at the scrum half. Maybe this will work, because getting the top-level refs to actually enforce the rules against hands-in and bridging doesn't seem to work.
Dain August 04, 2008 10:53 pm
I think this will make the game somewhat more exciting. Someone noted if it isn't broken...well it is. The northern hemisphere, England especially (as much as I hate to say it), are killing the flow of the game. As someone who has played both codes, I don't like when teams play kick ping pong back and forth all day. As a spectator I'd hate it. At least in RL you are forced to run it more, which is what I think the IRB is going for. Teams killing the rucks is not good for spectators either, it kills the flow and allowing hands in will hopefully get the game flowing some more seeing as the refs wouldn't enforce it anyway. The forcing teams to line up 5m away from the scrum is also opening up the field to create more back line plays similar to the 10m given after RL ruck. This will create a more exciting experience for the fans in my opinion. I guess we'll see what happens...but if you're a league boy and want to make a code change into RU, now would be the time to do it. RL payers should be able to adjust to RU back-line play pretty well seeing as being in the pack is a completely different beast...
Ross August 05, 2008 12:43 am
in reply to James, the biggest 3 club matches this year where the super 14 final, guiness premiership final, top 14 final and heniken cup final.the quality of the super 14 matches did not compare in anyway to the level in the northern hemisphere, where people are quite happy watching matches, attendances are rising, whilst in the SH attendances are falling in Auz and NZ. Spot a trend here!
The Other Felix August 05, 2008 12:52 am
Some of these I think are good and will create more open play, for example the 5m scrum. Some of them are stupid and dangerous.For example, an Argentine amateur player named Juan Cruz Miglore died earlier this year in a match in which the ELVs were being trialled after a maul was collapsed on to of him - it was a neck injury, I believe. I am firmly against collapsing mauls because it is dangerous.What next? "The scrum is too dangerous, let's make it unopposed"? Maybe "the scrum is too hard to contest, so let's make it so you can collapse it"? That second one would make about as much sense as the rule on mauls, and be comparably as dangerous.
Chris, syd Aust August 05, 2008 5:55 am
Whatts ur problem with Aussies Cheyanqu.If you care to do some actual research the ELV's were actually developed in South Africa.Just because the ARU is all for the Elv's does not mean we were behind the conspiracy you make it out to be.i personally would only like 3 elv rules pass.1. no passing back into 22 to kick out on full2. 5 metere gap3. lineout balls can be thrown backwardsgrow up and stop bad mouthing aussies
westdog54 August 05, 2008 7:12 am
Awww, poor Northern Hemisphere nations. They might actually, heaven forbid, have to start attacking to win rugby games!! How despicable! Surely this must not be allowed. For what good is a game of rugby if we do not make it as boring as batshit and leave our kicker to win the game for us?Give me a break. Watch Bledisloe 1 from start to finish. It is by far the best game of rugby I've seen in a decade. The infield kicking game has become more important than ever with the changes to kicking from the 22, and Giteau and Barnes exploited this to perfection. The changes to penalties mean more scrums, not less.Beginning of the end of the game? Please. These laws will breathe new life into rugby. And as for League being a case of only one size, I suggest you watch Preston Campbell, Benji Marshall, Jonathan Thurston, Scott Prince et al in action.If you're too fat to keep up in an athletic sport, go and play darts for a living.
Anonymous August 05, 2008 7:27 am
I have to completly agree with James Lillis, everything he said made complete sense. The ELV's have made the game that much better to watch with more tries than ever. The Tri-Nations is proof of how good they are and the world cup is proof of how badly rule changes were needed. Also Cheyanqui what the hell is your problem with australia, seriously shut up you dont know what your talkin about
Hangover August 05, 2008 9:12 am
So far I like the ELV's (with the exception of bringing down mauls). I am not sure why people are saying it makes the game like leauge, that is rubbish.The most significant aspect is that it allows teams to play more aggressive running rugby instead of it being a kick a thon with teams trading penalties. Now we actually see teams take taps and run to score tries, which is positive rugby!The scrum is still vitally important, if your forwards are not doing the work your backs are are always going to struggle.The AB's have highlighted how a structured game is still superior. So far nothing has been lost but much has been gained.
Sharky August 05, 2008 9:15 am
Ross, what are you basing your assessment of the Super 14 vs the NH on? Just because the Millenium Stadium was packed with Munster fans, and Christchurch has a small stadium with less atmosphere, doesn't mean that the rugby is any different on the pitch. I actually thought the Heineken Cup final was pretty boring in most parts, with the only thing making it enjoyable being the actual atmosphere created by the pundits, the crowd, and the build up of it all. It seems as though a lot of NH people hear things, then cement them in the their head without actually finding out for themselves, ie: Super 14 this year was bad, Australians are behind the ELV's. Funny how they've become the scapegoat for all of this! As mentioned by someone here, Bledisloe 1 was a prime example of what the game can be under the ELV's, with the match surpassing any other contest we've seen in a long time. The point being that the rules haven't changed the game that much after all, and it's not the end of the world. The WC knockout stages were nothing like the earlier games. The final in particular was hardly a spectacle, and could have done with some quick taps etc. It was a bad advert for rugby IMO. Conclusion so far here seems to be:NH - dead against it as change is bad.SH - open minded and willing to give it a chance.
Anonymous August 05, 2008 9:15 am
But i dont agree with the collapsing of the maul rule it is kinda pointless they are quite a good aspect of the game
Greiffel August 05, 2008 9:45 am
The Other Felix, this is absolutely not true "For example, an Argentine amateur player named Juan Cruz Miglore died earlier this year in a match in which the ELVs were being trialled after a maul was collapsed on top of him"The story has been twisted to suit anti-ELV crusaders. Do some research before making statements like that please, as it just spreads the rumour further. Firstly, the ELV's were NOT on trial then, lets make that clear. Secondly, according to an eye witness:"I have to say that he died in a ruck, not a maul. he was caught under five players after a ruck collapsed on him, but not under a maul."Another witness has said:"Migliore was tackled and he fell down, inmediately five players of the opponent team formed a ruck and the ball came out quickly, it took no more than 10 seconds for the whole situation."Whether it was a hit to the back of the head as some have said, or a broken neck, is unclear to me at this stage, but point is I want to clear up that this had nothing to do with the ELV's, or even a collapsed maul.
pcasey August 05, 2008 10:10 am
I can't believet he level of support these ELV's have found here. They've turned the game in to a structureless mix of 7's, league and tap rugby!! And to those people who have sited how "great" the tri nations has been this year, IMO there has only been two really good games, the last one and when the Boks beat the AB's. Because in those two games the fly-halves were able to put some kind of structure in to the games by kicking for touch. In the rest of the games the breakdown area has been a complete farce, especially in the first Aus vs N.Z. game, which became ridiculous by the end (look at rocky Elsom's try, the forwards were all so wrecked from running around like headless chickens that all they could do was stand back and look at him.)
tim August 05, 2008 10:40 am
ELVs are rubbish. Mauls, scrums, rucks. That's what I think of when I think rugby. Without these things what would rugby be? ELVs: no mauls. - Scrums are much less important, and do not apply any pressure to the back line.- Hands in the ruck - wtf! where would the fun go of doing it illegaly?? also if some wanker lands on the wrong side to slow down your ball, what are you supposed to do? you get carded for 'hooking' on him so all you can do is cry to the ref. Why does everyone want to make rugby an international sport?? Lets face it, rugby is all about our culture - anglo-saxons, celts, thats what we've done for centuries: fought, then got drunk. I know why the IRB want it that way. Money. THAT is the only reason that new laws were made in the first place. The IRB is a corporation and rugby is it's merchandise.Rugby should be fun to play, not entertaining to watch. This should not be a fight between SH en NH, it should be against commercialism.If this 'trial' goes on more than a season, I might seriously think about changing sports. Tim - Flanker (openside), U19s
Andy August 05, 2008 11:23 am
Tim - I hear you. It actually makes me angry these rules are being forced and i think it's signalling the end of rugby as we know it. I liked that comparison with chess and chequers. Rugby is an intelligent game and should be fun and rewarding to play, if you understand the sport you can happily watch a so called boring low scoring battle of attrition as there is just as much skill involved in that too. Why simplify it? if you're thick play football.
mad August 05, 2008 12:04 pm
the rules look interesting and may work for the game ....but the idea that u can safely collapse a maul is mad stupid and dangerous ... that is a seriously stupid change. the others see how they pan out. The game was going static so the 5m thing should make things more fun, I think hands in should not happen ether and I cant see how that really helps anything. But the last to changes are not dangerous. If they bring in no arm tackling then we know the game is dead.
durrie August 05, 2008 12:57 pm
Give it time and these rules will be normal...it's natural to resist change but pointless because nothing stays the same...I wasn't a fan of the ELVs at first but these rule variations have now set in for me and have made for more excieting games.Why is everyone talking about being allowed to put your hands in a ruck...? This is still illegal...refs simply need to blow this more consistently which is not happening and grates me no end...The breakdown \ collision area is where rugby is overwhelmingly won however seems to be an area of the game where refs clearly have individual opinions on what is legal and what is not...some refs neve stop blowing their damn whistle and others let the game run a little willy nilly in comparison...Case in point the 2 Bledisloe games this year. 1st game Elsom and Smith were running amuck pilfering balls left right and center...second game the ref cut this out in the first 5mins by blowing both sides up immediatley for hands and side entries.
adrian August 05, 2008 1:11 pm
honestly, I don't really understand what is the difference apart from the new rule at kicking from 22
Anonymous August 05, 2008 1:23 pm
collapsing of the maul is dangerous, the whole 22 stuff stupid, hands in the ruck absolutely ridiculous. these changes are so radical how can things that were illegal become completely legal thats stupid. just a way to make money, rugby isn't about money think about the amateurs who play in their millions rather than just the pros who play in their hundreds
Anonymous August 05, 2008 1:37 pm
Has there been any evidence of teams running backwards and waiting to be tackled in order to be able to kick the ball out? Don't really agree with this one, or any of them to be fair. So what if it's slightly boring for people that don't understand rugby.
Anonymous August 05, 2008 2:19 pm
The 2 ELV's I was dead set against were the hands in the ruck and the changing to free kicks instead of penalties for almost everything! Now that they've dropped these 2 for the NH trial I'm pretty happy. I play social rugby for my college and we play against other Junior teams from the Dublin area who mainly comprise of hardened auld fella's who are much bigger and stronger than us. Being able to kill ball at ruck time would have destroyed us(as it does when the ref is shite and can't referee the breakdown anyway!), but most of the other ELV's are not so bad except for the being allowed to pull down the maul legally. This is fine for professional athletes but should not be allowed for the average joe out with his mates for the sunday social. It is too dangerous, full stop!thebossanova
Anonymous August 05, 2008 2:47 pm
what i don't understand is why the IRB feel the need to cater for the southern hemisphere game and SANZAR?? Also some of the laws especially the pulling down of mauls is highly dangerous.
fin August 05, 2008 3:51 pm
I think its funny reading all these comments, has anyone actually just watched that Video? the ELVs being introduced are going to have a minimal impact, all these controversial ones from the S14 such as quick taps and hands in rucks which have got everyone on their high horse are not being introduced. the actual four or five being introduced are all good ideas such as the 5m line behind scrums and quick throw ins.the only controversial one is pulling down mauls however i think people are being overly cautious about this, firstly the only person it is dangerous towards is the person doing it as you saw in the viodeo a lot of times the maul wasnt sacked as people dont want to! Secondly all this crap about it stopping people of different shapes and sizes playing is rubbish, it now means that the maul needs to be better organised and therefore have more skilled forwards to counter the sacking and allow you to control it (something any half decent coach would have taught you to do in recent times to prevent lineout sacks anyway) and i would like to see an 11 stone winger create a good maul!!My final point is that a lot of this anti ELV stuff appears to be based in nothing more than 'any change is bad' rhetoric, i imagine it was your ancestors chasing down the people who claimed the earth wasnt flat! What I mean though is Im sure when Lifting in lineouts was introduced or not being able to kick the ball straight out from outside your 22 were first introduced 30 years ago there was similar uproar - now look at how embedded they are in the game!so give these rules a chance, contrary to what seems popular belief the IRB doesnt hate rugby and is trying to improve the game and if these laws dont work they wont enforce them!p.s. im english and all this NH SH chat is bollocks, go down to New Zealand or South Africa play in a decent standard game and then tell me they dont like forward play!!
Toby August 05, 2008 6:43 pm
I'm slightly sceptical about all this. Watching the video I'm not a big fan - the line out laws seem pretty good to me (although it removes the ability of the throwing in team to dictate the state of the field for the next play - it appears to be purposefully provoking a situation where there are mismatches and overlaps - these should not be so easy to come by as this makes a game more interesting.The video appears to be produced from a very specific perspective - that trys are good and the more of them the better. This, realistically, is a fallacy - The more trys there are, the more devalued a great try is. At the same time, the most entertaining moments of a game are often the extremely close ones. Whilst everyone appears to be slating the semi finals onwards of RWC07 (I could state that it's bitterness from Australia and New Zealand but that would be unfair, no?) The game between England and France was thrilling - I may be biased being an England fan myself, but the tension towards the end where France were threatening to score made the game compelling viewing - Whilst a try-fest can make for a great spectacle a closely fought game is often just as good, if not better, in my opinion.The construction of the video where the new laws yield trys is disingenuous in that respect. In addition, many of the trys are through moments of individual brilliance which are not incomparable to the current laws. The video is deliberately misleading in this respect - I'm sure that if someone had the desire to create a comparable tape of bloopers for the laws discrediting them that would be perfectly possible, in the same way that both could be sought for the current regime.The analogies used with Rugby being comparable to Chess I think is very accurate - It is a tactical game where gnauss and intelligence can be used to great effect. Whilst admittedly ping-pong kicking is not the most entertaining element of Rugby, it can often set up a situation where either one team is under greater pressure due to their not measuring up or they decide to go on the counter attack (I'm sure anyone would agree that this is more exciting the rarer it is). Also from what I have heard the rules regarded kicking has resulted in a lot more aimless kicking up the middle of the field, and there is less of a possibility for tactical kicking in order to gain possession.I am very pleased that some of the rules have not been carried over - hands in the ruck is farcical, and as mentioned, pulling down mauls is just dangerous (this has happened to me in amateur rugby and it hurt hell of a lot). The mantra of "if it's broke don't fix it" is absolutely correct when applied to the current game - Audiences in the northern hemisphere are up significantly, those in Australia and New Zealand appear to be frustrated and disenchanted by their teams performance at major tournaments. Some reasoning for this failure is attributed to there not being as many high-pressure matches in the S14 (hardly a surprise when there is no demotion to prove a sides mettle). Also, the claim that the finals of RWC07 were proof of the system being a failure is just plain wrong - big, important matches like that are almost always played in an extremely conservative fashion, simply because the stakes are so high - teams would rather take a near-guaranteed 3 than a potential 5 or 7, which when you're playing for an enormous prize is an easy decision to make. As someone previously mentioned - if you're wanting to encourage more attacking play and trys being scored then a far simpler mechanism would be altering the points for different scores. As someone said, this is far more traditional with respect to rugby's evolution to the present day - perhaps the choice between 2 and 5 points would be a sufficient psychological incentive to play in the fashion desired - certainly in the RWC03 final one of the Australian commentators that following Tuqiri's excellent try that a penalty for the English would mean they were still in it - perhaps if they had to score 3 times to overhaul that 5 points rather than 2 this would have altered their approach.
Anonymous August 05, 2008 11:18 pm
I do not understand why the ELV's could be forced upon colts and British college's rugby this year. it seems absurd to be teaching young players new laws, which could then be scrapped after a year. I also think the role of a goal kicker does not make the game less interesting. JWilkinson has probably made one of the biggest impacts to our game, mainly for his undeniable skill with the boot. for a team to have a accurate goal kicker often makes the difference between winning and losing and i do not think it is something the IRB can deny, so therefore why reduce the amount of opportunities to kick at goal and allow one of the greatest most practiced skills in the game to diminish.To be honest as a young player all i see these changes doing is pushing the game towards the realms of what can only be described as the intensively boring league rip-off. It will be a great shame to lose the thing that makes union so special, the fact that any man/women of any size can play and enjoy the sport.
James Lillis August 05, 2008 11:45 pm
Guys - the ELV's are meant to create more tries, they're designed to create more rugby!!!What some here are saying amounts to this - NH games are well attended, therefore they must be really exciting.Um, no. If 80 000 people watch a boring game - it's still a boring game. RWC final case in point. Admit it, it was an embarrasment.As for those of the opinion that rugby should be fun to play, not entertaining to watch - sheesh - what if we get both? Win-win, right? ELVs mean better action and most of the players playing under them are enjoying it (83%). Bingo.I think at the end of the day, all of us here really enjoy rugby. To me, a game with thirty penalties means thirty periods where there's no rugby.And by the way, if anyone's worried that props might become obselete under the ELVs, just go talk to Tony Woodcock and see what he says...
Ross August 06, 2008 12:51 am
why are more tries a good thing? I really enjoy tight run matches. I love watching munster grind teams down. The fact that teams can have such radically different styles is a key selling point of rugby.Plus though i dont have any stats to prove it, i did watching the super 14 this year and i dont think it had a higher try scoring ration than the heniken cup?
James Lillis August 06, 2008 1:43 am
Ross - -Word ommission, should have been - the ELVs are NOT designed to create more tries, rather, more rugby.Hey, I love the bash and grind too, but that's not the issue. The ELV's don't eliminate that, they eliminate excessive stoppages. Free flowing rugby is beautiful to watch, whether it's open running or in close crash 'n' bash.NOTE TO ELV DOUBTERS:Just go watch the tri nations!!!p.s. As for the similar body shapes argument - just take a look at some of the dominant ABs last Sat - Richie McCaw. Ali Willimas, M'a Nonu, Dan Carter. Spot the difference anyone...???
earl August 06, 2008 4:41 am
i think the new laws work well in respect to free kicks and the scrumi like having more tries and less penaltiesafter last years world cup final anythiing to make the game less stagnant is appreciatedthe tri nations this year has had some of the most beautiful running rugby i have ever seenthough i must agree pulling down the maul is just dangerousand a successful maul is one of the best things to see, why estory that?
conde August 06, 2008 6:29 am
stop giving credit to the elvs for the quality of the tri nations. the tri nations games have been good because of the quality, intensity and desire of the sides playing. france and england sent young inexperienced squads for their southern tours which is what produced the lackluster results. while austrailia and new zealand might be experimenting with their squad and dealing with the loss of experienced players they remain quality sides that each have something to prove after the world cup. the skill, intensity, and style of the players are the main factors of the quality of the matches.
James Lillis August 06, 2008 7:55 am
Okay - let's go through this one more time...Less Stoppages. More Rugby.Conde, we all know that the ABs and Wallabies matches are going to be good. That's a given. What the ELVs do is give you more of it!Under the ELVs the ball is in play longer. Isn't that what we all want?
boomshanka August 06, 2008 11:01 am
ELVs will always be better then the ORCs (old rule choice) . Haven't you seen lord o the rings ?
Huw August 06, 2008 11:47 am
There are a few problems with the ELV debate, these are some of my concerns.Firstly, what the ELV's do is to force a game with fewer stoppages, to make it more fluid. (or at least that is the intent) However, by upping the pace, from the S14/ Tri Nations games I've seen, this has meant that the players are so tired after 30 minutes each half that mistakes and errors creep in. This makes the rugby error-prone and less of a spectacle. Sure, it causes more tries/ linebreaks (because defences are much more tired) but that isn't 'earning' your tries. The defences have been terrible in some matches. So, the entire point of the ELV's (to make rugby more accessible to casual viewers) is undermined. Secondly, the ELV's attract a NH vs. SH style debate. What many from the SH don't seem to understand (or refuse to acknowledge) is that the rugby we saw at the RWC (conservative and cautious, and one reason for pushing the ELV's) is NOT how ALL NH rugby is played. England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and France all have a very different ethos to rugby. The variety is there, and to be honest Rugby Union is all about variety. Let teams play how they want to play, it's only the fault of the opposition if they can't adapt to beat them (e.g. the SH experience in the knockouts at the World Cups)
durrie August 06, 2008 1:30 pm
All this NH vs. SH malarky has got nothing to do with anything. The IRB are an international panel...I was not very impressed with the ELVs when they were introduced but am used to seeing my home team play them in the S14 now and this years 3N has produced 2 awesome run away games engendered by the ELVs and two tight games because two old foes would not back down...tight games will still abound under the ELVs...why wouldn't they...???
Anonymous August 06, 2008 3:26 pm
My opinion on the elvs for anyone who wants to hear it is that they are good bar a few. I like the collapsing of the maul one as it is not as simple as people think! and it encourages a faster game and we might get to see some rugby as it was played in the likes of leinster in 2001/02 not this modern Munster crap.As for the off side line for scrums; i am very unhappy about them. All a team needs to do when the have a 5 meter scrum is a no. 8 pick to the blind side and run towards the defending winger with the attacking winger ready for a switch or ready to stay as close to the touch line as possible if the defending winger is drawn in by the no. 8, there's nothing the defending team can do because there 5 meters back and by the time they get to the no.8 or winger they have broken the gain line and have enough momentum to take them over!
timmy August 06, 2008 3:49 pm
These rules are probably the right thing for the game. Collapsing the maul by pulling the body rather than the legs is largely safe, and the other rules will speed up the game. And this will not create a NH/SH divide because several NH teams (eg. Toulouse, Ospreys) plays fast attacking rugby anyway.Just for the record, I am a 16 year old English 2nd/back row.
H August 06, 2008 3:55 pm
Unfortunately the ELV debate does have some connection to the NH vs. SH debate. People perceive the NH as conservative in their game, and the SH as somehow playing a 'better' game. In fact it's not 'better' but 'different'.Rugby has peculiar 'national styles' and a diversity that I don't want to see lost, and unfortunately many see the ELV's as forcing the hand of every union. Change for the sake of change is not a logical step. In the real world 'why not?' is not a valid answer.NH domestic rugby is getting stronger by the minute - attendance records are broken every year. The idea that the current rules are 'boring' and stop the expansion of the market doesn't make sense. To many it looks like the IRB are bailing out the SH domestic rugby scene (which is in decline) by making it more 'Tv-friendly'. It's no wonder the NH are opposed, because changing a winning business formula is economic suicide.
martin-offload August 06, 2008 4:28 pm
The comment are getting a bit long. here is a short on though, start training with them on Thurs so will get back to you.
felix August 06, 2008 6:32 pm
i agree with timmy. collapsing the maul without taking out legs IS NOT ANY MORE DANGEROUS THAN TACKLING SOMEONE. everyone only THINKS its dangerous because it's what we have all been told by coaches, other players and referees since we first started playing the game. it's been incorrectly ingrained into us and we can't now think anything else. it hasn't caused more injuries and is a good way of stopping long, boring, push-over tries.
Toby August 06, 2008 6:44 pm
No - collapsing of mauls really is dangerous - it is not like tackling because that is focused on the ball carrier. The danger does not arrive from bringing down the original man, but the other members of the maul - they can often be driving forward at high speeds and certainly great deal of pressure when an unexpected force is exerted on them - this is exacerbated because in the early formation of a maul because not all players are facing the same direction.Even when the maul is formed it is still dangerous - when a textbook formation comparable to scrummaging is formed it's sudden halting could result in compression of players as the maul continues to drive forward. This is made dangerous because the force is usually applied through the shoulders, hence the possibility of adverse stresses being placed on a players neck (let alone the prospect of this becoming "trapped" and moved independently of the body) results in a considerable risk. This is why pulling down a maul is outlawed and referees were initially instructed to penalise it.This technique is unlikely to be dangerous in professional rugby, but that is because players are more likely to be properly coached in the appropriate techniques and are generally superior physical specimens. When this is seen in club rugby the mis-match you often get, along with players not being as tough or as well versed in the safe mechanisms, could be very dangerous (this will also make the debate a fractious one, as the likely result will be lots of injuries in the lower leagues where there is no confirmatory footage of the injury taking place, hence its exact origins cannot be ascertained).In addition to this, if you watch the video, one of the bringings down is affected by the tackler initially attempting to tackle correctly, failing, then slipping down and tripping the players (dangerous) and another is affected by a player seemingly hanging around a mans neck (he appears to reach over and grab the shirt on his back to bring him down) - this again, is dangerous. If the IRB cannot even find a few textbook examples to provide the public with it's quite worrying.
Anonymous August 06, 2008 6:46 pm
not only are these new ELV's uneccisary, but they're dangourous and detremental to the progress of the game,they are clearly not wanted by players, coaches, or referees,One of the most concerning elements of the ELV expansion is the fact that it will be rolled out across the world at all levels, how can you expect juniors, colts and amature sides to adapt that quickly and surely the lack of understanding of the new laws by both referees and players will surely breed dangerous situations, one catostrophic injury is one too many and the ELV's will cause one, The IRB have truly F***ed up on this one.
felix August 06, 2008 8:49 pm
i agree with timmy. collapsing the maul without taking out legs IS NOT ANY MORE DANGEROUS THAN TACKLING SOMEONE. everyone only THINKS its dangerous because it's what we have all been told by coaches, other players and referees since we first started playing the game. it's been incorrectly ingrained into us and we can't now think anything else. it hasn't caused more injuries and is a good way of stopping long, boring, push-over tries.
prop1 August 06, 2008 9:03 pm
i played a short game under the variations and for the most part it seemed positive. while my fitness laked the onus is on me to improve in that area. secondly the tactics for forwards are changed dramatically. the pitch can be split into areas with four forwards covering said area. the pod system of hitting every second odd ruck is removed with decreased prolonged competition in the ruck. the player needs to change with th game, similar to when the game turned professionals.
Anonymous August 07, 2008 8:21 am
When new rules are written, why does everyone always have to poop on the American's. Yeah we love George Bush but we didn't play rugby from an age of 6 like the rest of you.Ha!
Anonymous August 07, 2008 12:12 pm
to the guy who said england are killing the game you are an idiot. Teams play to their strengths englands strength is in the pack so they move the ball up the pitch with their forwards. Nobody has a go at the all blacks because they use their backs and have alot of free flowing ball do they. the elvs are just a way of making money for the decline in the southern game. bringing down the maul is stupid as is hands in the ruck, completely radical. Also sa are apparently suffering under these new laws because they have such a structured game play and thes elvs are son unstructured
Anonymous August 07, 2008 12:48 pm
I completely agree with toby trys are being devalued for instance all you people out there saying watch the tri nations this is the perfect example four tries against the all balcks or wallabies would be considered amazing in the old game wheras now its typical shown by the last two tri nations matches you all say the elvs make the game more exciting obviously ping pong kicking is boring however there was no nail biting moments in these bledisoe cup matches and admit it you knew that your side were going to win after 60 minutes soon these games will be forgotten and only hard fought matches will be remembered
James Lillis August 08, 2008 2:15 am
I think it's becoming clear that a lot of people knock the ELVs simply as a gut reaction ("It's the end of the game! We'll all be playing league!").Some of the comments here are just really not very well thought through. For example:they are clearly not wanted by players, coaches, or referees,Which part of 83% do you not understand?Change for the sake of change is not a logical step. In the real world 'why not?' is not a valid answer.How about change for the sake of too-many-boring-unnecessary-stoppages in-play, does that work better for you? And as for 'why not?', no one has said that. There are a bucket load of reasons why - creating a more exciting free flowing game would be a good one.trys are being devaluedReally? I'm sure the athletes who busted up their bodies in some of the most intensely physical rugby would appreciate you saying that. Tri Nations game 1: one try apiece. Tri Nations game 2: three tries all up. Tri nations game 3: two tries to Aus, none to SA. Do you guys even bother watching the matches before you give your opinion of them?four tries against the all balcks or wallabies would be considered amazing in the old gameThey still are. In case you missed it, the entire nation of NZ nearly imploded as a result. A couple of years ago, under the old laws, NZ posted back to back half-centuries against both Aus and SA. Also SA are apparently suffering under these new lawsThose poor suffering Springboks. Beating the All Blacks at Carisbrook for the first time EVER. Yeah, my heart bleeds for them.there was no nail biting moments in these bledisoe cup matches ... only hard fought matches will be rememberedYeah, more penalties, more stoppages in play, and less actual rugby being played would have really added to the excitement. ...and as for the suggestion that the Bledisloe cup matches weren't hard fought - that's just plain insulting to the players.
Anonymous August 08, 2008 11:22 am
For all the ELV doubters just listen to James Lillis he knows what hes talkin about, he just proves how much better the game is with ELV's. it just dosent make sense that people dont want the game to improve
Anonymous August 08, 2008 12:16 pm
loads of people on here are saying the elvs give the game more rugby or whatever what you actually want to say is htat it provides more running rugby because the last time i looked mauls were still apart of rugby. dont get me wrong the world cup final was a boring game but look at the rest of the tournament not just one game for instance sa vs argentina or france vs nz these were but a few of the games where fantastic rugby was played im sure there have been a hell of alot of really crap super 14 matches this year under the elvs
Anonymous August 08, 2008 10:36 pm
i agree with someone or other that the kicking from your 22m line rule could become a stupid thing with players intentionally running backwards and getting tackled etc.i don't really think players will kick less on an amateur level because of the new law because if you're in a tricky situation you don't really have a choice - there will still be a line-out. however i could see it working on the proffessional side as kickers can aim their kicks better, leading to counter attacks in broken play = exiting rugby. i agree fully with the line-out rules though = quicker . i'm not sure about the maul rule as i'm a back although getting a ruck going could produce more back line stuff. i would say the forwards are the ones who will suffer the most from the elvs, especially amateur players who are not as fit as professional ones.my conclusion is that the elvs may be needed at the top end of rugby (wc final mentioned a couple of times!) but they are not needed in probably most amateur leagues :S
Anonymous August 08, 2008 11:10 pm
As a referee myself, I heavily support these laws. Not liking the collapse of the mauls though. But I am aware these laws are not going to stick. The rugby community just can't stand change.
yankflank August 10, 2008 7:00 am
Not being able to kick for touch behind your 22 is stupid. I do like the line- out variations though. Defending a line-out will be alot easier, just bring two less defenders against the line-out to prevent any overload and use your powerhouses in the pack on the line to collapse any maul. On offense find a team foolish enough to over defend your line-out and overload like crazy. I think it will be interesting to see how these pan out.
Sean August 11, 2008 7:43 am
yankflank, you are still aloud to kick for touch behind your 22 as long as you dont bring the ball back in from outside the 22.
elliot August 11, 2008 8:29 am
God damnit...I really don't want to like these new laws.I'd like things to stay the same...I'd like to bitch and moan and say that SH teams didn't resist these enough, so now the whole world has to suffer...etc. etc.But, I just watched some of the tri-nations matches (a little slow to it, I know), and the ELVs didn't seem to make a tremendous impact, other than the ball seemed to be in play for longer periods of time, and, as a result, both sides got a bit more tired than normal. But that's it. No real confusion or anything to complain about...Maybe they've had more time to get accustomed to them in the SH, I don't know.But I think a lot of the 'flow' aspect depends on the teams playing and the referee. I just watched the USA v. Clermont match the other day, and it was simply pitiful. The ref blew the whistle every-other phase, and the match just sucked because of it. They used the ELVs as well, but that wasn't why it was a shitty game...good rugby will stay good rugby...even with some slightly new laws.
yankflank August 11, 2008 6:22 pm
The USA v. Clermont game was slow, but I wouldn't blame it on the ELV's too much. Clermont traveled offsides a good bit, but the fact that our US back line was pitiful is what really slowed the game. They only had four days to practice together so they will improve, I will keep the faith.
Toby August 11, 2008 9:16 pm
So the USA vs Clermont game isn't because of the ELVs but the tri nations game prove they are a good idea? Ridiculous assertion.
yankflank August 11, 2008 9:59 pm
I didn't mean that the USA/Clermont game makes the new ELV's a good idea. I was just stating that the ELV's were not the root of the mass stoppages in that particular example.
elliot August 12, 2008 10:03 pm
That's exactly what I said.What I was getting at by mentioning the USA v Clermont game was that the ELVs - even when instituted in a region that has not had much (if any) exposure to them - did not much affect the game. The game was bad because of how the teams were playing and the ref, but that's it.Not wanting to like the ELVs, I was hoping the game would show how much they confuse players and/or suck in general. That's not what I got out of it.
poccio August 13, 2008 11:54 am
I'm kinda confused about one thing that keeps popping up and no one comments about and its not in the video: Are hands allowed n the ruck if you're on your feet or not? could someone please respond...about everything else i'll comment about it after i play this year (living in italy they introduced them here now) although I am a front liner (hooker) I really prefer running rugby so we'll see...cheers!!
Anonymous January 21, 2009 4:10 am
Stas say more scrums, more tries, less penalties. The reason the NH teams don't like it is obvious. they know that if it comes down to a test of who has the best rugby players in terms of running ability, creativity, passing and all the other dynamic aspects of play, they will lose evry time. Because ultimatley the strategy for most NH teams boils down to milking penalties from sympathetic refs in order to avoid having to run the ball over the try line.


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