The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/bewarmers/status/1413949128426483712"]https://twitter.com/bewarmers/status/1413949128426483712[/ame]

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/murray_kinsella/status/1414128090083696641"]https://twitter.com/murray_kinsella/status/1414128090083696641[/ame]

[RichC]

This tour is a bit of a mess, going to SA with the virus rampant over there doesn’t seem to have been the best decision but sponsors and tv deals I’m sure will have pushed this through.

In other news sounds like Russell might be done with this tour then according to Gatts, not sure how much test time he’d have seen anyway but a shame for him

[Buzzo]

Kolisi one of the players to test positive.

[ame]https://twitter.com/bbcnews/status/1414152284813119493[/ame]

[Buzzo]

This tour is a bit of a mess, going to SA with the virus rampant over there doesn’t seem to have been the best decision but sponsors and tv deals I’m sure will have pushed this through.

In other news sounds like Russell might be done with this tour then according to Gatts, not sure how much test time he’d have seen anyway but a shame for him

The tour must be on the brink of cancellation

I think the fact that Markus Smith has been brought in as cover for Finn suggests he would/will definitely see some test action. The tour matches so far have shown the difference that a ten who sees the game a bit differently can make.

Biggar will start at ten, but should the Lions lose the first test the. It would not surprise me to see Finn or Smith start the second. I think moving Farrell to ten is a solid option with Russell or Smith at ten.

[Buzzo]

My Lions 23 right now would be.

15. Hogg
14. VDM
13. Henshaw (Harris if not fit)
12. Farrell
11. Adams
10. Biggar
9. Murray
1. Sutherland
2. George
3. Furlong
4. Henderson
5. Itoje
6. Beirne
7. Watson
8. Faletau

16. Mako
17. Owens
18. Sinckler
19. Lawes
20. Curry/Simmonds
21. Price
22. Daly/Harris if Henshaw fit
23. Williams

[Buzzo]

Not a million miles from Sir Ian Mcgeechans XV. The tight calls are all among the backs.

15 Liam Williams, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Conor Murray (c); 1 Rory Sutherland, 2 Jamie George, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Hamish Watson, 8 Taulupe Faletau.

[Zapater]

The tour must be on the brink of cancellation

Getting silly now, was a stupid idea of venue from the get go. Don't see how it'll be possible for the Boks to field a reasonable team. Cancel or postpone, makes no sense beating a dead horse.

[Buzzo]

Getting silly now, was a stupid idea of venue from the get go. Don't see how it'll be possible for the Boks to field a reasonable team. Cancel or postpone, makes no sense beating a dead horse.

There is so much £ involved and I believe (you might know better) that SA Rugby badly need this tour to happen for FNM cial reasons. But. It is getting ridiculous now

[Irishnev]

That’s a pretty strong side - most of the Test team

South Africa ‘A’ (British and Irish Lions): W le Roux, C Kolbe, L Am, D de Allende, S Nkosi, M Steyn, F de Klerk; (8-1): J Wiese, P-S du Toit, M van Staden, F Mostert, E Etzebeth, T Nyakane, J Dweba, S Kitshoff.

Replacements: M Marx, C Oosthuizen, V Koch, N Janse van Rensburg, R Elstadt, H Jantjies, J Kriel, D Willemse, K Smith, E Jantjies

[Buzzo]

That is a strong team. I suspect Gatland will have some answers by the time this game is over.

British and Irish Lions: Watson; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Aki, Adams; Biggar, Murray (capt); Jones, Owens, Sinckler, Itoje, Henderson, Navidi, Curry, Faletau.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Fagerson, Beard, Beirne, Simmonds, Davies, Daly.

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/murray_kinsella/status/1415085637452144642"]https://twitter.com/murray_kinsella/status/1415085637452144642[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Interesting.

There are going to be plenty of (even more!) Driving Mauls. And I hope it doesn’t turn the game into a kick fest. The breakdown changes are also going to make a complex area even more complex, but it makes sense from a player welfare POV.

[Irishnev]

Interesting.

There are going to be plenty of (even more!) Driving Mauls. And I hope it doesn’t turn the game into a kick fest. The breakdown changes are also going to make a complex area even more complex, but it makes sense from a player welfare POV.

As you said all these changes need time to bed in but I like that rugby is progressive and tries to keep moving forward. The video refereeing is light years ahead of football for example.

The “good kick” being rewarded is great as that’s an excellent skill - pity Ronan O’Gara isn’t around as that was his specialty

[Buzzo]

As you said all these changes need time to bed in but I like that rugby is progressive and tries to keep moving forward. The video refereeing is light years ahead of football for example.

The “good kick” being rewarded is great as that’s an excellent skill - pity Ronan O’Gara isn’t around as that was his specialty

I also love that Rugby gives zero ****s about making fundamental changes globally. It has undoubtedly improved the game as a spectacle over the last few decades.

I'm interested in seeing how this plays out. A line out within the oppo 22 is a massive attacking advantage. I think this will fundamentally change where wings and FB's position themselves. Best case scenario, attacking Rugby and more broken field play. Worst case English Rugby style Kick fest.

I watched a bit of the Scotland U20's v Wales match yesterday. Even in that the use of Video reffing was so far ahead of what we see in football.

"Time off" is so important to ensuring the ball in play time isn't affected and leaves the officials ample time to make the right decision.

It actively pisses me off that they don't do this in football