The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

Wow.

We've gone for a mad set of backs v Argentina. Flair central. Russell at centre.

Cant wait to see it

Hogg
Kinghorn
Jones
Russell
Maitland
Hastings
Ladlaw

[Cormack74]

They've gone for the so-called double pivot haven't they. I'm not a huge fan, but then again I don't especially rate George Ford so I'm deliriously happy that EJ has gone back to a proper ball carrying centre at 12.

Maybe it will work with H and R - there certainly won't be any lack of creativity. Do you think GT would be brave enough to do it against a Tuilagi or a Roberts Buzzo?

[Buzzo]

They've gone for the so-called double pivot haven't they. I'm not a huge fan, but then again I don't especially rate George Ford so I'm deliriously happy that EJ has gone back to a proper ball carrying centre at 12.

Maybe it will work with H and R - there certainly won't be any lack of creativity. Do you think GT would be brave enough to do it against a Tuilagi or a Roberts Buzzo?

It will be interesting to watch it in action, and I can only think it is to try it as a tactic to see how it might work for scenarios in games we are trailing.

But, same as you, I dont see it working. And was always perplexed by the FF axis with England. Farrell is such a good 10, and there is no shortage of centres it just doesnt make sense for me. Same, dont rate Ford that highly either.

That said both Hastings and Russell are incredibly attacking so watching it for one game will be amazing/terrifying.

One thing with GT asa coach, we are never going to die wondering. Its balls out Rugby or bust, and no matter who we play the games tend to be exciting.

[Buzzo]

Hey Zapater, read this excellent SA focused review of the game.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/11/21/you-take-the-high-road-if-you-want-ill-go-low/

[Zapater]

Hey Zapater, read this excellent SA focused review of the game.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/11/2...nt-ill-go-low/

Would love to take in a few games next time I'm in Europe. I'm more one for the fight game (which I'd definitely prioritise) but the atmosphere and support is very impressive. Too bad our economy has pretty much tanked and the thought of how much in rand value it would cost me probably means it won't happen for some time.

Rugby wise, the best atmosphere I've had is at Ellis Park vs the All Blacks. In NZ it can be a bit flat, but I remember one tri-nations game with the All Blacks and Australia was pretty good. Australia, my experiences at SFS or Olympic Park (ANZ Stadium) has been pretty dull. Maybe I just went on the wrong nights, I acknowledge that rugby is trumped by league, Aussie Rules and even football in most states.

[Irishnev]

Was away working for a few days so catching up with this thread - I’ll keep my comments to myself Zap but I will say I used to work a lot in ZA and I never met an arrogant rugby fan from South Africa

Anyway in this weekend - I see Scotland at playing Argentina. That will be a cracker played at a breakneck pace - the Argies were v good vs us and your style of game will actually suit them. This may be a very high scoring game.

We are playing the US and it will be 4 wins from 4 if we manage to beat them

[Zapater]

Was away working for a few days so catching up with this thread - I’ll keep my comments to myself Zap but I will say I used to work a lot in ZA and I never met an arrogant rugby fan from South Africa

I would actually like you to shed some light on this. It's not just rugby, whenever I'm abroad I get this South Africans being arrogant thing. I've never really quite understood it myself. Maybe I'm too close to things and am blind to it, or it's an intercultural miscommunication. I don't consider people here more or less arrogant than any other people in relation general things.

There isn't much arrogance in our current set up. We don't rate them and our media and supporters are generally quite pessimistic. It's a rebuild job. Just because most people here don't really rate the 6 Nations teams doesn't mean that we're promoting the Bok team. From 2006-12 we were close to parity with the All Blacks sporting a great team with outstanding depth. I don't think much credit was ever really given for that. Although our players were always in contention for international individual accolades. Worth noting that some of the best SA players don't or rarely play, like Frans Steyn for example. Imagine taking a player like Carter out of NZ for half of his career. Public expectation coupled with financial and political issues are a very real and complicated handicap to deal with.

Will probably miss the games (including Liverpool) today. Have a work team building this afternoon/evening which is placed at the most inconvenient time. I couldn't be more bleak about it. Worst of all, it's some dramatic theatre show...

[Buzzo]

Will be interesting to see how Kurtley Beale responds to all the rainbow laces in the internationals today.

[Irishnev]

Will be interesting to see how Kurtley Beale responds to all the rainbow laces in the internationals today.

I thought he was dropped for disciplinary reasons, also Adam Ashley Cooper?

[Irishnev]

I would actually like you to shed some light on this. It's not just rugby, whenever I'm abroad I get this South Africans being arrogant thing. I've never really quite understood it myself. Maybe I'm too close to things and am blind to it, or it's an intercultural miscommunication. I don't consider people here more or less arrogant than any other people in relation general things.

There isn't much arrogance in our current set up. We don't rate them and our media and supporters are generally quite pessimistic. It's a rebuild job. Just because most people here don't really rate the 6 Nations teams doesn't mean that we're promoting the Bok team. From 2006-12 we were close to parity with the All Blacks sporting a great team with outstanding depth. I don't think much credit was ever really given for that. Although our players were always in contention for international individual accolades. Worth noting that some of the best SA players don't or rarely play, like Frans Steyn for example. Imagine taking a player like Carter out of NZ for half of his career. Public expectation coupled with financial and political issues are a very real and complicated handicap to deal with.

Will probably miss the games (including Liverpool) today. Have a work team building this afternoon/evening which is placed at the most inconvenient time. I couldn't be more bleak about it. Worst of all, it's some dramatic theatre show...

- I went to the Loftus a few times and turned up once in a Munster jersey - the abuse I got from the ‘thoroughbred’ Africaaners was hilarious.

[Irishnev]

Zap in the crowd today

[ame="https://twitter.com/bbcrugbyunion/status/1066393722563297281"]https://twitter.com/bbcrugbyunion/status/1066393722563297281[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Just saw that.

Took the kids to Murrayfield today. Was pissing down and freezing which ruined the game as a spectacle. Knock on, scrum etc etc.

The Hastings Russell 10-12 thing didn’t work and we scored a try within 5 mins of Russell returning to 10.

First dull game out of the last 12 I’ve been to and we still won.

Overall a decent autumn. Blooded a few new guys increased depth, and had opportunities to win the games we lost.

[Irishnev]

Just saw that.

Took the kids to Murrayfield today. Was pissing down and freezing which ruined the game as a spectacle. Knock on, scrum etc etc.

The Hastings Russell 10-12 thing didn’t work and we scored a try within 5 mins of Russell returning to 10.

First dull game out of the last 12 I’ve been to and we still won.

Overall a decent autumn. Blooded a few new guys increased depth, and had opportunities to win the games we lost.

Fair play to you - mine are too small and Dublin too far away but will get them into the Munster games in the coming years for sure.

[Buzzo]

Fair play to you - mine are too small and Dublin too far away but will get them into the Munster games in the coming years for sure.

Mine are 7 and 8 so just about able to sit through it. It started absolutely throwing it down on the way... so there was some reluctance, a hotdog and chips helped them as did a fair few treats during the match..!

Pro 14 will be great for the kids. Way more relaxed smaller crowds so more manageable, but still some top quality Rugby on display.

[Irishnev]

Mine are 7 and 8 so just about able to sit through it. It started absolutely throwing it down on the way... so there was some reluctance, a hotdog and chips helped them as did a fair few treats during the match..!

Pro 14 will be great for the kids. Way more relaxed smaller crowds so more manageable, but still some top quality Rugby on display.

5 and 7 for me - it will be a couple of years yet. My little fella (5) thinks when I go to play football it’s on tv