The Rugby Thread

[Zapater]

Argentina really should have won that, if Sanchez was a bit more accurate with his kicking they would have. Worth noting that many key players were missing from the AB's and would expect them to be much tougher when the WC comes round.

Good to see Steyn back, stabilised the midfield well after he came on. Would love to see him and Am starting together. I'm not a huge fan of Esterhuizen, Kriel or de Allende. I think that Kriel is okay, but just that, okay. The other two are disastrous; de Allende has this pristine reputation but he's probably the Bastareaud of SA, except worse. 10 **** games, then he breaks some tackles, then suddenly he's a god. Ironically enough, I think he'd probably be a very good outside centre, when you look at his skillset, would like to see him get a good go at 13.

[Zapater]

For the ABs for the weekend:

15. Willie le Roux (Wasps, England), 53 caps - 60 points (12 tries)
14. Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse, France), 7 - 10 (2t)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), 6 - 5 (1t)
12. Damian de Allende (DHL Stormers), 37 - 20 (4t)
11. Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), 5 - 20 (4t)
10. Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), 39 - 339 (4t, 59c, 64p, 3d)
9. Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks, England), 21 - 15 (3t)
8. Duane Vermeulen (Vodacom Bulls, captain), 46 - 15 (3t)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Stormers), 47 - 20 (4t)
6. Kwagga Smith (Emirates Lions), 1 - 0
5. Franco Mostert (Gloucester, England), 29 - 5 (1t)
4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Stormers), 76 - 15 (3t)
3. Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), 29 - 0
2. Malcolm Marx (Emirates Lions), 24 - 20 (4t)
1. Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), 37 - 5 (1t)

Replacements:

16. Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers), 27 - 15 (3t)
17. Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), 108 - 10 (2t)
18. Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls), 38 - 5 (1t)
19. RG Snyman (Vodacom Bulls), 12 - 0
20. Francois Louw (Bath, England), 66 - 45 (9t)
21. Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), 1 - 10 (2t)
22. Frans Steyn (Montpellier, France), 57 - 132 (10t, 5c, 21p, 3d)
23. Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Bulls), 41 - 60 (12t)

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Pretty sure this will be pretty close to the starting XV for the WC. Only a few big players like Dyanti and Kolisi (not convinced he's that good) will return when fit. Excited to see how Kolbe goes, I'm a huge fan, not sure if he'd have ever have been picked if he stayed in SA, as Nev would say 'too small'. On the subject, Kwagga Smith is tiny for a flanker, will be interesting to see how he gets on.

None such luck on de Allende, but one step at a time, beggars can't be choosers, at least Esterhuizen isn't on the bench! Would have included Elton on the bench to give Steyn ensure Steyn could have more time at 12 to establish himself. Herschel has a great chance to put himself ahead of Reinach as 2nd choice scrum half after a really strong debut.

[Irishnev]

For the ABs for the weekend:

15. Willie le Roux (Wasps, England), 53 caps - 60 points (12 tries)
14. Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse, France), 7 - 10 (2t)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), 6 - 5 (1t)
12. Damian de Allende (DHL Stormers), 37 - 20 (4t)
11. Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), 5 - 20 (4t)
10. Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), 39 - 339 (4t, 59c, 64p, 3d)
9. Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks, England), 21 - 15 (3t)
8. Duane Vermeulen (Vodacom Bulls, captain), 46 - 15 (3t)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Stormers), 47 - 20 (4t)
6. Kwagga Smith (Emirates Lions), 1 - 0
5. Franco Mostert (Gloucester, England), 29 - 5 (1t)
4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Stormers), 76 - 15 (3t)
3. Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), 29 - 0
2. Malcolm Marx (Emirates Lions), 24 - 20 (4t)
1. Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), 37 - 5 (1t)

Replacements:

16. Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers), 27 - 15 (3t)
17. Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), 108 - 10 (2t)
18. Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls), 38 - 5 (1t)
19. RG Snyman (Vodacom Bulls), 12 - 0
20. Francois Louw (Bath, England), 66 - 45 (9t)
21. Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), 1 - 10 (2t)
22. Frans Steyn (Montpellier, France), 57 - 132 (10t, 5c, 21p, 3d)
23. Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Bulls), 41 - 60 (12t)

-----

Pretty sure this will be pretty close to the starting XV for the WC. Only a few big players like Dyanti and Kolisi (not convinced he's that good) will return when fit. Excited to see how Kolbe goes, I'm a huge fan, not sure if he'd have ever have been picked if he stayed in SA, as Nev would say 'too small'. On the subject, Kwagga Smith is tiny for a flanker, will be interesting to see how he gets on.

None such luck on de Allende, but one step at a time, beggars can't be choosers, at least Esterhuizen isn't on the bench! Would have included Elton on the bench to give Steyn ensure Steyn could have more time at 12 to establish himself. Herschel has a great chance to put himself ahead of Reinach as 2nd choice scrum half after a really strong debut.

Nice CJ reference - I really rate Du Toit. Second best back rower after Peter O' Mahony

[Buzzo]

ABs vs Boks set for barnstorming last 20 mins.

It’s wet so the kits look identical white shorts v black shorts.

[Buzzo]

Typical barnstorming last 20 from the all blacks. 2 pens and it’s a seven point advantage.

You need to be pretty much perfect to beat them. SA coughed up a line out in a decent position when 4 behind and that has pretty much done for any chance. It’s been all NZ possession. Missed pen at 9-0 was also costly for the boks.

The ability they have with the ball in contact is what separates them from the rest.

[RichC]

Different level these past 15 minutes or so.

[RichC]

However !

[Buzzo]

Boks produce brilliant try from nowhere! First possession in ages and even that was after a missed touch...

[Buzzo]

Close one!

All Blacks normally get those eh?

[Buzzo]

Draw. What a kick under pressure.

[Buzzo]

I fancy the Pumas to beat Australia.

[RichC]

Boks celebrating like they’ve won the World Cup

[Irishnev]

Typically Ireland and Scotland play the top 2 in the ABs and Boks pool - 1/4 final loss incoming for us again

[Buzzo]

Typically Ireland and Scotland play the top 2 in the ABs and Boks pool - 1/4 final loss incoming for us again

Yeah. We had our once in a generation chance in 2015 and got ****ed by the ref (not that I am still bitter).

I hold very little hopes of anything more than a 1/4 final exit this year.

[Buzzo]

Love the Scotland RWC kit.

[ame]https://twitter.com/Scotlandteam/status/1154056241968287744[/ame]