The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

Williams and Watson dropping out of the 23 completely!!! I guess the only potential further change is if Biggar fails his HIA.

As ever you can see the sense in the selection calls given the type of game you use Murray’s experience and bring Price on from the bench. Mako was brilliant when he came on so no issues there, and Harris adds some muscle to the backs.

[Irishnev]

Interesting - need to digest it over lunch

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/springboks/status/1419983516977311746"]https://twitter.com/springboks/status/1419983516977311746[/ame]

[ame="https://twitter.com/murray_kinsella/status/1419984067462934529"]https://twitter.com/murray_kinsella/status/1419984067462934529[/ame]

[Zapater]

Will they be announcing the teams in the post match press conferences next week?

Jake White, who I believe to be the best coach in rugby thinks it takes away from the game. I kind of agree with him. He said he was at the Anfield game where we sprung a surprise on City in the CL semi a few seasons back and loved how Pep couldn't react tactically in time. Naming a 15 a week before KO means the other team can anticipate and plan accordingly with plenty of time.

Much better team from a Bok perspective this time around. I like Koch, not exactly sure why he has fallen so far down the pecking order.

It's clear that tactically under Rassie and Jacques, there is only going to be one way - I don't agree with it, but they transformed a team of losers into world champs. I think it sells a lot of the players short and might not be the best way to win all the time, but they've chosen their style. They're a lot smarter than the fans (me included) and there's a good chance they'll continue to get success. I can't understand how Cornal Hendricks, Johan Goosen and Marcell Coetzee for example aren't even in the squad. Am really strong on defence and de Allende can break the line from time to time, but that centre combination couldn't be more dull to me. Goosen is the ultimate utility back and would be gold dust in this series. I'm not accusing them of being Heynecke Meyer, but when there are quality players in the pool, it is a little unfortunate to always overlook them.

[Irishnev]

Jake White, who I believe to be the best coach in rugby thinks it takes away from the game. I kind of agree with him. He said he was at the Anfield game where we sprung a surprise on City in the CL semi a few seasons back and loved how Pep couldn't react tactically in time. Naming a 15 a week before KO means the other team can anticipate and plan accordingly with plenty of time.

Much better team from a Bok perspective this time around. I like Koch, not exactly sure why he has fallen so far down the pecking order.

It's clear that tactically under Rassie and Jacques, there is only going to be one way - I don't agree with it, but they transformed a team of losers into world champs. I think it sells a lot of the players short and might not be the best way to win all the time, but they've chosen their style. They're a lot smarter than the fans (me included) and there's a good chance they'll continue to get success. I can't understand how Cornal Hendricks, Johan Goosen and Marcell Coetzee for example aren't even in the squad. Am really strong on defence and de Allende can break the line from time to time, but that centre combination couldn't be more dull to me. Goosen is the ultimate utility back and would be gold dust in this series. I'm not accusing them of being Heynecke Meyer, but when there are quality players in the pool, it is a little unfortunate to always overlook them.

Snyman and Vermuelen are massive losses as well - two guys that up the physicality hugely

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/examinersport/status/1420132914151391235"]https://twitter.com/examinersport/status/1420132914151391235[/ame]

[Irishnev]

This is becoming a bit of a joke now

[ame="https://twitter.com/thepaulwilliams/status/1420676755728347137"]https://twitter.com/thepaulwilliams/status/1420676755728347137[/ame]

[Zapater]

This is becoming a bit of a joke now

https://twitter.com/thepaulwilliams/...76755728347137

I agree entirely with him, don't think the previous test needed to be put under the microscope but the last 10 years at very least. The listening to AWJ's complaints compared to giving Kolisi the cold shoulder is night and day.

Also hate to say it, but since our teams have become darker over the last 15 years or so I see our players getting the benefit of the doubt less. The most obvious case of this is Rabada in cricket. Lovely boy and fantastic cricketer who plays with aggression. He gets sanctioned all the time for merely celebrating wickets. When Australian, English and New Zealanders do it they are passionate, when Rabada does it he's going too far.

It's funny how every journalist from the UK and Ireland are saying it's terrible for the game and it's against the spirit etc. or that Rassie has lost the plot. Whereas in SA he's being lauded for being the voice of the people. The game was razor thin and we could easily have won, surely this video wouldn't have been made if this was the case, but I wouldn't quite call it "sour grapes" as there is substance in it. The only other guy happy to speak his mind on these issues was Peter de Villiers who was also branded eccentric, insane and erratic by the media.

The country has always had bad PR and rightly so, but it extends to our expats and sports teams which could lead to some unconscious bias. Without getting political it's worth mentioning that none of the other rugby playing countries exactly have histories to be proud of either. The 'big forwards', 'dirty play' storyline which the media and rugby public have pushed for decades isn't really that accurate because every team does it. Our tight 5 and pack in recent times have often been smaller (at least lighter) than our opposition. When the stuff at the breakdown occurs it's cynical when the Bokke do it, but clever when any other team does it. If Ritchie McCaw were South African he'd be public enemy number 1, not celebrated and doubt Dylan Hartley wouldn't have had more than 10 tests without being issued a life ban.

Don't expect anyone to agree with me because there is no base for empathy or understanding. Either way, I've been saying it for years and a lot of others are happy someone with authority finally said it in the public. If the IRB want to censor or sanction him it'll show how petty they are.

On a lighter note, I'm almost sure that he was calling AWJ 'Elwin' on purpose His English is actually a lot more articulate than I gave him credit for despite his accent. Although his pronunciation of 'cluttered' did leave me in stitches.

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/examinersport/status/1420874036209274882"]https://twitter.com/examinersport/status/1420874036209274882[/ame]

[Zapater]

https://twitter.com/examinersport/st...74036209274882

Enjoyed seeing John Robbie in team photo. He was a popular broadcaster in South Africa for many years. Easy to forget that he was actually a Lions player and Irish international at one point.

[Buzzo]

Tasty opening exchanges.

[Zapater]

Wish there was a crowd in there for this one. Jones would be getting all kinds of abuse there.

[Buzzo]

3 mins play in opening ten mins!

[Buzzo]

Wish there was a crowd in there for this one. Jones would be getting all kinds of abuse there.

Definitely

After all the build up the atmosphere would be brilliant.

[Buzzo]

Conan had been good,

I’d love to see Finn Russell with this sort of ball.