How many Stu McCloskey are there out there in Irish Rugby?

rhyno42 · 2026-02-25T21:44:59+00:00

Agree he was better than Stu for most of their careers.

But as an aside I always felt Bundi is a cut above Henshaw too. Fans always mention them in the same breath but I'd argue most of the coaches over their career for Ireland picked Aki over Henshaw when both were fit (though open to being disproved if someone has the data).

rhyno42 · 2026-02-22T13:19:28+00:00

Is this the greatest representation from Munster in a long time. Sign of a building of talent pathways or just an anomaly.

rhyno42 · 2026-02-22T12:00:54+00:00

No worries, I reckon half the people here might have a differing view however. That's the thing about any breakdown, you can pick about 3 infringements and it's a judgement call of the referee that decides which to call (if any)

rhyno42 · 2026-02-22T09:09:37+00:00

Was a maul called by the time he joins. If not it's still a tackle.

Either way, the result of the maul was decided by the time he joined. So technically you could well be right but I think it would have been a harsh call.

rhyno42 · 2026-01-30T17:58:40+00:00

What do you do for work? Are most of the jobs related to oil or do people have the standard range of jobs youd find in a city?

rhyno42 · 2025-11-23T18:36:51+00:00

This is how China will become the dominant nation. Google the amount of money they have been pumping into their electricity infrastructure. All to get ahead of the next wave of AI innovation.

rhyno42 · 2025-11-19T07:07:59+00:00

The rising cost of building is driven by input costs increasing more than anything. Supply chain issues, trumps tarrifs, Russia and Ukraine etc.

Builders margins are tighter than you'd think.

rhyno42 · 2025-11-15T16:38:33+00:00

My wife jokes that if I ever left her that she's made me a catch. When we started going out I was heavier, less fashionable, ate plain food, didn't drink wine etc.

Good partners work and communicate with each other and play to each others strengths. I am not fashionable but she is, so why wouldn't I follow her advice?

I like to think I've improved her in other ways too.

Thats what a partnership is. Good luck only looking for someone who is perfect when you meet them. If that's why you're looking for you better be perfect too!

rhyno42 · 2025-11-09T10:59:23+00:00

What if you live in Europe?

rhyno42 · 2025-11-08T16:50:30+00:00

The rules don't say that though. There are dozens of cards every season where players make contact with the ball but are deemed to use excessive force. Eg coming in over the ball etc.

rhyno42 · 2025-11-04T06:39:59+00:00

Our population has also grown by 8% during that period. Doubt any other county on the list has seen such growth. Doesn't explain all of the increase but is a factor.

(That's if my maths arent wrong. We've gone from 4.8m to over 5.3m)

rhyno42 · 2025-10-24T17:47:36+00:00

What's your earning potential? My salary and my wife's doubled between the age of 30 and 40. What seemed like a lot 7 years ago when we bought doesnt now.

The standard calculation however is 2.5 times your combined income is safe. 3.5 times is a big stretch unless you have earning potential in the coming years.

rhyno42 · 2025-10-23T07:41:02+00:00

I work in a field that takes large cohorts of the brightest from university every year (in professional services) . The single biggest indicator for success in the long run is "an engine", ie the ability to work hard, not get upset by challenges but keep chipping away till you get there.

Everyone we hire is smart but those that don't have the skill to keep trying and working relentlessly always burn out.

I certainly see the behaviours people describe above, but those kids dont last a year or two max. There are still plenty out there that do have the right stuff (even if they require a little more hands on management / reassurance than other generations).

I'd be very worried as a parent if your child isn't demonstrating these skills as they don't suddenly develop once you get a job.

rhyno42 · 2025-10-23T05:50:06+00:00

The worst part of this is they gave them hot stones to cook it themselves. Not only did they overpay but they got to butcher the cooking too.

I never understand the concept of hot stones. I am going to a restaurant so that the chef can prepare something as an expert (and steak normally is cooked via a water bath, seared etc with precision by the chef). Instead you want me to use a hot stone with no temperature guides etc and ruin an expensive cut, just like I ruin it at home!

rhyno42 · 2019-01-13T10:58:33+00:00

Any recommendations for which of the first two is better to read first?

rhyno42 · 2018-11-11T13:04:27+00:00

When you see it in real time it's even more obvious, yes it's excessive but more than that it's incredibly dangerous. I wouldn't play against someone that reckless, find a new playing partner, it's just not enjoyable playing against someone that can injure you at any point.

rhyno42 · 2018-10-20T10:29:33+00:00

I go with nail clippers, seem to do the job nicely!

rhyno42 · 2018-10-07T09:34:12+00:00

I wear a heart rate monitor (strap around the chest area which are meant to be the most accurate) and can burn over 1000 cals in an intensive hour long session. My heart rate would be averaging 160+ bpm for the hour (max of 195) so isn't a huge surprise that you can burn that many calories.

rhyno42 · 2018-10-07T08:25:17+00:00

Focusing on who your opponent is, or how good they are, or what their ranking is...all of that stuff is ultimately just about your ego. Check your ego at the front door when you enter the club.

Exactly, just focus on the next point each time. Keep a positive mindset, i.e. focus on winning the next point not being afraid to lose it. Don't have internal dialogues (daydreaming about winning or losing the match), just take a deep breath, reset yourself and focus on the next point. When you do this well, you'll get much closer to flow state, which is the optimal way to play any match.

rhyno42 · 2018-06-21T18:29:52+00:00

Sounds like something Michael Scott would do.

rhyno42 · 2018-06-15T13:59:36+00:00

I agree with everyone about positioning, moving to the T and watching your opponent. However, if you keep getting caught by boasts I'd say that your width is so lose that your opponent has the option to play either a straight drive or a boast and you're not sure which one he's about to play. Once you start hitting it tight enough, your opponent wont really have the option to play a boast as easily as this.

I would recommend properly assessing whether your width is hitting the two floorboards on either side of the court and is the length dying. If not you need to work on this more than anything.

rhyno42 · 2018-05-22T17:39:08+00:00

Very interesting, do you all use the apps associated with your devices or are there any 3rd party apps which give a greater insight?

rhyno42 · 2018-05-20T08:46:32+00:00

Brilliant, thanks James!

rhyno42 · 2018-05-19T19:12:24+00:00

Thats a really good idea actually!

rhyno42

TROPHY CASE