Roof closed please!

The weather forecast for Cardiff http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2653822 is a bit iffy and the MS playing surface hasn't the best reputation.

So for me having the roof on is not likely to be the quandary, but when to close it.

I've heard that England want the roof closed. Unfortunately, that makes the surface greasy.

Is it the Millenneum where the surface cuts up really badly? Can never remember.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I've heard that England want the roof closed. Unfortunately, that makes the surface greasy.

It isn't up to them though.

Don't think it matters much anyway for this one. Pitch cuts up whether it's open or shut.

George Carlin wrote:Is it the Millenneum where the surface cuts up really badly? Can never remember.

Yep, it'll be like a farmer's field by half-time.

Casartelli wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I've heard that England want the roof closed. Unfortunately, that makes the surface greasy.

It isn't up to them though.

Why would we want it open?

I thought that both teams had to agree for the roof to be closed. If they can't agree, it stays open.

That's correct.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Casartelli wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I've heard that England want the roof closed. Unfortunately, that makes the surface greasy.

It isn't up to them though.

Why would we want it open?

Dunno. Do you think they'll agree on shutting it? Not sure it would affect the game much either way, other than the ball may slip out in contact if its raining heavy.

This isn't going to be champagne rugby whatever happens.

War of Attrition, as they d'say. Might be quite cinematic in the rain.

Might be quite cinematic in the rain.

It'll be like the Fields of Flanders, Casartelli.
However, if you like your cinematic themes, All will not be Quiet on the Western Front.

I think the greatest concern for both teams is how badly the pitch cuts up because it can prove disruptive, especially at scrum time.

Whether the roof is open or shut doesn't really matter, because the game will go ahead anyway. In fact, why does the MS have a roof closing facility? Is it because the facility is not used exclusively for rugby?

Casartelli wrote:Might be quite cinematic in the rain.

Eddie Butler is currently boning up on his Shakespeare. The Tempest maybe.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I've heard that England want the roof closed. Unfortunately, that makes the surface greasy.

They haul the pitch in on pallets.
Turf always cuts up due to poor climate, poor natural light, and pallet grass.
The roof is a failed attempt at protecting the pitch form these effects.
And yes closed roof increases humidity and surface slick.

This will impede both scrums, with lots of collapses etc. to be expected.
So Walsh (is he still selected ?) will try to ping England off the park for not coping with the state of the pitch.
But Englands character (a la André Watson 2003) will overcome all these obstacles.

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:Eddie Butler is currently boning Shakespeare.

The dirty b@stard!

It seems to me , looking at the weather forecast that the roof should be opened and closed a number of times. The pitch needs all the air and sun(sic)light it can get but protected from any heavy showers.

The MS Jimpy was part-funded by the National Lottery but the WRU take all the credit.

The sooner they get a 4G pitch the better.

It hasnt been as bad of late, there been worse pitches seen this year but its still not perfect

Jimpy wrote:I think the greatest concern for both teams is how badly the pitch cuts up because it can prove disruptive, especially at scrum time.

Whether the roof is open or shut doesn't really matter, because the game will go ahead anyway. In fact, why does the MS have a roof closing facility? Is it because the facility is not used exclusively for rugby?

Because we have intelligence in Wales good boy. As well as the best stadium in the world.

Off you go and try another Welsh wind up, so obvious, so bori zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

rainbow, are you here to discuss rugby or just be childish?

Can't see how that's a wind-up. Seems like a reasonable question.

Ozzy3213 wrote:rainbow, are you here to discuss rugby or just be childish?

Hey this jimpy guy can just attack Wales from every angle on every blydi thread he posts on, do not focus on the responses all the time focus on the idiot who WUMs constantly....go look aye.

rainbow, I've seen no attack in what Jimpy has said there, just you acting up and trying to start a row.

hugehandoff wrote:The sooner they get a 4G pitch the better.

Let's see how the experimental 4G pitch at Sarries pans out over a number of months, weather conditions, injuries and durability before we leap to any conclusions hho.

But early doors, it looks promising. So it may be the future.

Ozzy3213 wrote:rainbow, I've seen no attack in what Jimpy has said there, just you acting up and trying to start a row.

Whatever anyway I feel my response was a fair one. You can always get some good old corrugated iron and put one up over twickers.

Very mature response response rainbow.

greytiger wrote:

hugehandoff wrote:The sooner they get a 4G pitch the better.

Let's see how the experimental 4G pitch at Sarries pans out over a number of months, weather conditions, injuries and durability before we leap to any conclusions hho.

But early doors, it looks promising. So it may be the future.

All you need do is see how Waikato Stadium has held up over the years best surface in the world.

PITCH:
They could bring in the Twickenham ground staff to advise on getting the pitch
condition up to scratch.

BETTING
Anyway on the betting odds, I read this: "Latest odd odds are:
Wales 11/8
England 5/6"

Obscure fractions, but getting these onto a common divisor we get

W 33/24
E 20/24

Bookies making E slight favourites.
This may of course just reflect the weight of English money being punted out there.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Very mature response response rainbow.

Read his post. Are you suggesting that this person did not know other events are held at the MS? If so he must be the only union fan in the entire UK ... would you agree? Don't you think it is an act of intelligence not only to have the best Rugby Stadium in the world AND to utilise it for other events? He WUM's each and every possible time he can but of course I guess you must be suggesting that us Welsh must put up with his vitriol because he's english!! Go read his posts on other threads before pointing the finger at me and try and be impartial please.

Bookies will make England slight favourites anyway, I guess as they haven't lost a game in this tournament also (yet).

If I were Wales, I'd leave it open. Although, it's a different management team now, England never wanted it closed previously (under Johnson certainly).

rainbow

Couple of points.

1. You don't actually know me, so please don't question my impartiality.
2. You will notice that I'm not writing in red, so I am talking to you as a poster and not a moderator.
3. Anything that questions something about Wales is not automatically a WUM.
4. If there is vitriol and abuse, it will be dealt with by the moderation team, whoever it is from or aimed at.

Now do you want to continue this exceptionally pointless discussion, or are you here to talk about rugby?

Surely it depends on the weather conditions at the time ?
Too soon / no need to decide that right now.
I can't believe both teams want other than the same thing: a good clean firm dry pitch. Opinions may differ on how to achieve the ideal surface, but weather will have the biggest say re: roof.

Risca Rev wrote:Bookies will make England slight favourites anyway, I guess as they haven't lost a game in this tournament also (yet).

If I were Wales, I'd leave it open. Although, it's a different management team now, England never wanted it closed previously (under Johnson certainly).

I suppose that it all depends on the state of the pitch. Normally I view rugby as a open air sport and as an Englishman, I'd prefer some of the hywll(? - that's wrong innit?) dissipate into the atmosphere.

rainbow-warrior wrote:Don't you think it is an act of intelligence not only to have the best Rugby Stadium in the world AND to utilise it for other events?

Certainly not. Too much consideration was given at the design stage to the 'other events' and not enough given to the quality of the pitch, which should have been the main concern.

Ozzy3213 wrote:rainbow, are you here to discuss rugby or just be childish?

Seriously, is he for real?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:Don't you think it is an act of intelligence not only to have the best Rugby Stadium in the world AND to utilise it for other events?

Certainly not. Too much consideration was given at the design stage to the 'other events' and not enough given to the quality of the pitch, which should have been the main concern.

Apart from the fact that 'the best rugby stadium in the world' is subjective opinion, what other events are held there? I genuinely didn't know.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:Don't you think it is an act of intelligence not only to have the best Rugby Stadium in the world AND to utilise it for other events?

Certainly not. Too much consideration was given at the design stage to the 'other events' and not enough given to the quality of the pitch, which should have been the main concern.

Not really, when the loans agree'd I thought it was on the basis of revenue streams agreed at the time, alternative revenue sources mustve been used as acondition of repayment surely?!

I know the turf has been a but ropy, but France was far worse a few weeks ago, and there have generally been a struggle at a lot of clubs, and in every euro league this season. Lets not pretend the MS is the only stadium struggling at present, I'd say half the games I see on TV have the odd shot of turfed up pitch at some point.

Max Boyce, Tom Jones and Catherine Jenkins. Harmless enough.
But I saw a clip years ago of moto x or some offroad motor 'sport', which did not seem to me to be compatible with good pitch management.

Bluesman, the point is that they designed the stadium as a concert venue that could double up as a sports arena, rather than the other way around. The pitch doesn't get enough light because they didn't consider it at the design stage.

gregortree wrote:Max Boyce, Tom Jones and Catherine Jenkins. Harmless enough.
But I saw a clip years ago of moto x or some offroad motor 'sport', which did not seem to me to be compatible with good pitch management.

Ye there has been a lot of concerts, moto GP, monster trucks and football. I think it held an X games style thingy a few years back too.

I think the problem is though not the events themselves directly, it's how the pitch is protected and brought back, it was at one point taken off peice by peice wasn't it?

Does anyone know what the procedure is now?

thebluesmancometh wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:Don't you think it is an act of intelligence not only to have the best Rugby Stadium in the world AND to utilise it for other events?

Certainly not. Too much consideration was given at the design stage to the 'other events' and not enough given to the quality of the pitch, which should have been the main concern.

Not really, when the loans agree'd I thought it was on the basis of revenue streams agreed at the time, alternative revenue sources mustve been used as acondition of repayment surely?!

I know the turf has been a but ropy, but France was far worse a few weeks ago, and there have generally been a struggle at a lot of clubs, and in every euro league this season. Lets not pretend the MS is the only stadium struggling at present, I'd say half the games I see on TV have the odd shot of turfed up pitch at some point.

The FFRU is planning a new Rugby National stadium South of Paris. Hopefully the pitch will be better there. Dropping pallets of turf on to playing surfaces doesn't appear to work for wet rugby as the fat boys tend to apply too much shearing force to allow pitches to bind in.

Maybe removable stands are the answer (not serious).

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Bluesman, the point is that they designed the stadium as a concert venue that could double up as a sports arena, rather than the other way around. The pitch doesn't get enough light because they didn't consider it at the design stage.

Oh I know what your saying but have you ever gone for planning permission for a new build home? The hoops you have to jump through and changes to the design you have to make to borrow a few K is nuts, not imagine your borrowing 100's of millions of pounds...

I'm sure a compromise was reached, and in all fairness you have to give the designers credit, they have created probably (arguably) the best rugby arena in the NH, allbeit with one flaw!

Regarding light, ye in the early stages there was little, but they have those huge industrial lamps on the pitch these days constantly, infact I took a child on the tour a few months ago, and we were touring with a really chavvy group (Scousers I think (not that thats important)) and when we came to the pitch they thought it would be immense if the MS grew weed under the lamps Cue 7 yr old boy 'Uncle, whats weed?'

BlueMan - they haul the pitch around on pallets I was told.

Do they still do that? I know they used to but surely theyve found a better way by now!!!

I wouldve thought a false floor (reinforced obviously) would be far more effective than taking the pitch apart every time!!!

This is how they used to manage the pitch. No idea what they do now;

"The pitch at the Millennium Stadium is built on a base of 7,400 pallets. It is one of only two palletised pitches in the world. The other one is in New York at the Giants Stadium
- It takes up to 180 low loaders to take the pitch in and out of the stadium. Each pallet weights half a hundredweight
- When the pallets are taken out, there is a hard standing area left inside the stadium that is used to stage concerts, motor shows and other events
- The cost of bringing in a new pitch to replace the old palletised one grass (the current turf is laid in strips on top of the pallets) was around £100,000"

http://www.millenniumstadium.com/news/21437.php

thebluesmancometh wrote:I took a child on the tour a few months ago, and we were touring with a really chavvy group (Scousers I think (not that thats important)) and when we came to the pitch they thought it would be immense if the MS grew weed under the lamps Cue 7 yr old boy 'Uncle, whats weed?'

That must be a lie. A seven-year-old Scouser who doesn't know what weed is?!

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:I took a child on the tour a few months ago, and we were touring with a really chavvy group (Scousers I think (not that thats important)) and when we came to the pitch they thought it would be immense if the MS grew weed under the lamps Cue 7 yr old boy 'Uncle, whats weed?'

That must be a lie. A seven-year-old Scouser who doesn't know what weed is?!

The child wasn't a scouser, he was with me, and he's from Rhwbina.

Cardiff Dave wrote:This is how they used to manage the pitch. No idea what they do now;

"The pitch at the Millennium Stadium is built on a base of 7,400 pallets. It is one of only two palletised pitches in the world. The other one is in New York at the Giants Stadium
- It takes up to 180 low loaders to take the pitch in and out of the stadium. Each pallet weights half a hundredweight
- When the pallets are taken out, there is a hard standing area left inside the stadium that is used to stage concerts, motor shows and other events
- The cost of bringing in a new pitch to replace the old palletised one grass (the current turf is laid in strips on top of the pallets) was around £100,000"

http://www.millenniumstadium.com/news/21437.php

We know Dave, but looking for todays practices.

Just out of interest went to the Giants stadium a few years ago (to see U2 of all blwdi things) and the locals cannot stand the concerts there and despite using a totally different turf type they have problems too!!
Got a few freinds who live in Sacaucus who are big Giants fans, apparently they have stopped the palletised turf now.

He should have given the 7 year old a clue, something like "Bill and Ben's friend"

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:

Casartelli wrote:Might be quite cinematic in the rain.

Eddie Butler is currently boning up on his Shakespeare. The Tempest maybe.

Sign, almost certainly correct. Someone is putting together a motage of big slow motion hits complete with flashes of a dragon and a knight fighting with flame swirling around as we speak to go with it. All in sepia maybe.

RubyGuby wrote:He should have given the 7 year old a clue, something like "Bill and Ben's friend"

I tried to pass it off as a liverpool phrase for mushrooms, and that they like mushrooms in liverpool. Not my finest hour.