The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

So after this, when I say that random people who aren't our traditional rivals have an inexplicable bias against South Africa, expats and our sports teams I get told that I'm wrong yet in every small sample like the above, everyone is wanting us not to win without justification.

I think “neutrals” are fed up with SA and NZ winning all the time, that’s why France or Ireland have a novelty about them. I love SA rugby, I worked in De Beers for years and travelled there often and mainly to the Loftus when I could. Absolute power and now with the skills of the back 3 and Libock. You mention Kriel who played well but DeAllende was immense, go forward all the time, stopped Danty where others bounced off him.

Your coaching ticket don’t help and your nation’s (ahem) humility don’t always go down well with others Ezebeth typifies everything I live to hate about SA rugby - what a game he had last night

[Zapater]

On the game, it was epic. I don't know how much BMT played a part in that, I wouldn't have had any complaints if they won, it was one of those but to win that in the lions den is so satisfying. Regardless of what happens in the remainder of the competition winning that game will remain truly special.

Not sure if that type of atmosphere and pressure will be quite replicated by a home team with such quality for some time. Scoring 4 tries in that cauldron is almost unthinkable. You could see the quality of their bench players let them down a bit along with their fitness possibly. If they didn't have the injuries and had the likes of Ntamack and Willemse in their team it could've given them the extra boost they needed.

Lastly respect to Jesse Kriel, the guy was incredible. Strong in defence and attacked well too, the kick for Kolbe in particular. I've always been critical of him but he proved his worth today, fair play.

Always hate playing England and this time is no different. Need to smash them so the refs don't get the chance to collaborate a way to get their favourite Northern Hemisphere team into the final.

[Zapater]

So after this, when I say that random people who aren't our traditional rivals have an inexplicable bias against South Africa, expats and our sports teams I get told that I'm wrong yet in every small sample like the above, everyone is wanting us not to win without justification.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Argentina, massive gap, NZ, SA and Eng in that order for me

For me it is easy. England beat SA and then they lose in the final.

If SA beat England then SA lose in the final.


Once Ireland went out I would have rooted for France but that went out the window yesterday.


The dream at the start of the WC for me was an Ireland vs France final as I think that would have been a great game to watch (Ireland winning of course)


My list for winning the world cup outright would be the exact same as your one though.

[Zapater]

Nah I reckon Farrell has plenty of choices available to pad out the squad. Not sure a couple of Munster junior cup medals from more than 30 years ago would sway him



Am now firmly on the anyone but South Africa bandwagon for the rest of the WC.

Sure you're Irish?

Gleich und Gleich gesellt sich gern.

[Irishnev]

Nah I reckon Farrell has plenty of choices available to pad out the squad. Not sure a couple of Munster junior cup medals from more than 30 years ago would sway him



Am now firmly on the anyone but South Africa bandwagon for the rest of the WC.

Argentina, massive gap, NZ, SA and Eng in that order for me

[bacon]

Am now firmly on the anyone but South Africa bandwagon for the rest of the WC.

Agree with that - but - who can stop them ? Only NZ for me …

[Doc_Piptorious]

Sorry to hear that Jaco - get well, we need you

Nah I reckon Farrell has plenty of choices available to pad out the squad. Not sure a couple of Munster junior cup medals from more than 30 years ago would sway him



Am now firmly on the anyone but South Africa bandwagon for the rest of the WC.

[RichC]

A top, top referee - I'm thinking of the likes of Nigel Owens here - would call that a 'rugby incident' i.e. no blame attached and wouldn't have felt the need for a card.

Unfortunately rugby referees are becoming increasingly like football referees: too scared to make a decision on their own initiative, even when it might be the right one.

I don't disagree, I think World Rugby is ruining the game tbh with some of the stuff they've implemented and mainly to mitigate anymore law suits imo.

As it stands though with the video ref getting involved in pretty much everything and how the game is at the moment that for me was always going to be given as a yellow, no intent, no malice but it's how games are going now, I'm not entirely sure what the players are meant to do sometimes.

Luckily though it didn't ruin the game which was absolute quality all the way through, think the right winners went through and by a point seems about right as well.

[Buzzo]

A top, top referee - I'm thinking of the likes of Nigel Owens here - would call that a 'rugby incident' i.e. no blame attached and wouldn't have felt the need for a card.

Unfortunately rugby referees are becoming increasingly like football referees: too scared to make a decision on their own initiative, even when it might be the right one.

They called it correctly yesterday in the Wales game - that tackle on Tompkins was a Rugby incident. No yellow. No pen. Massive balls for the ref to call it.

[Cormack74]

It’s pointless arguing with me on this.

It’s an accident, there’s no malice or intent but that doesn’t matter anymore in the eyes of rugby. Do I agree with it ? No.

Is it the reality of the modern game? Yes

A top, top referee - I'm thinking of the likes of Nigel Owens here - would call that a 'rugby incident' i.e. no blame attached and wouldn't have felt the need for a card.

Unfortunately rugby referees are becoming increasingly like football referees: too scared to make a decision on their own initiative, even when it might be the right one.

[Buzzo]

This was a massive moment - the French were flying and this is probably 14-0 without Etzbeth. Massively high risk move.

[ame]https://twitter.com/therugbycritic/status/1713646119530446889[/ame]

[danperkins]

That was epic

[kingfunk]

Zap said it last night about pedigree, Ireland don’t have it and I’d argue France don’t either but SA and NZ have it in spades. They win the big games and that’s why they have so many WCs between them

Very true, when it’s all on the line they usually find their way.

[Buzzo]

Zap said it last night about pedigree, Ireland don’t have it and I’d argue France don’t either but SA and NZ have it in spades. They win the big games and that’s why they have so many WCs between them

Yeah it was a good point

That said, there was nothing in either game… which I guess backs up the point.

The difference in the quality of the early and evening games has been like that between club and test rugby four phenomenal teams slugged it out in Paris.