The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

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

Not getting into another VAR thread but it baffles me why they don’t go for full transparency and mic everyone up so we can hear. It takes the whole “corruption” agenda out of it.

I watched all the u-20 games and we lost narrowly to France yesterday as well as England. Won the other 3 but you know me and future Irish stars This kid plays for Munster at no 8 - should turn out to be a star

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[Buzzo]

We had a poor U20's tournament, but I think a lot of the players were called up for the (now cancelled) summer tour. Even within that I saw some decent performances.

I'm interested to see how the new League benefits the celtic nations, that increase in quality really bodes well for interest and the generation of cash which will benefit national teams.

[Buzzo]

Tough half for the Lions.

17-3 down. SA down to 13 for the next 8 mins or so.

The Lions absolutely butchered that. White line fever with the forwards when they had a 2 man advantage.

The size of the challenge is apparent. SA are defensive monsters. Not too shabby in attack.

[Buzzo]

This is 100% where a Finn Russell type is needed. Lions making hard work of a 2 man advantage.

[RichC]

We scored within 4 minutes of the restart ffs

[Buzzo]

We scored within 4 minutes of the restart ffs

In the first half

Parked on the line and had to go wide. I think a more experience captain calls for a scrum.

[Buzzo]

Much better second half. Biggest issues to come from the game we’re how immense the starting XV was. And that the points were scored with the 2 man advantage.

The rest of the game was an arm wrestle. Some huge performances on both sides.

If AWJ is fit I think he starts, he and Itoje will be a brilliant second row with a strong set of players coming from the bench. I also think his experience as a captain is massive.

[RichC]

Murray speaking some sense there. Even though that’s a loss that’s some side for a SA ‘A’ side and having that game now should stand us in good stead of what is needed from us to give it a real go.

Boks defence is immense and there’s a bit of the old dark arts in the breakdown going on up there with McCaw

[Buzzo]

Murray speaking some sense there. Even though that’s a loss that’s some side for a SA ‘A’ side and having that game now should stand us in good stead of what is needed from us to give it a real go.

Boks defence is immense and there’s a bit of the old dark arts in the breakdown going on up there with McCaw

Yeah, I think it’s great to get a look at them the Lions team was out before the Boks so that wasnt a test match pick for us, and it was still a close game.

The one area where they may be lacking is fitness. The lions looked fitter (which given the build up is probably obvious).

Yeah the Boks defence is ferocious all over the pitch. And totally agree they push it to the limits constantly.

It’s well set for a brilliant series.

[Buzzo]

Itoje is so ****ing good, it’s nice to be able to support him for once!

[Buzzo]

The biggest issue for me is Connor Murray. I don’t think he is playing all that well. It may get better for him without the captaincy assuming AWJ starts but he hasn’t had a dominant game, albeit he has played in the two most difficult games.

[Irishnev]

The biggest issue for me is Connor Murray. I don’t think he is playing all that well. It may get better for him without the captaincy assuming AWJ starts but he hasn’t had a dominant game, albeit he has played in the two most difficult games.

Wed night is squash night so only saw the first half. Classic ZA - super pack, great defence and good tactical kicking. Essentially their tries came from a block on Farrell and a daft kick to Kolbie who showed his class.

This will serve the Lions better than ZA as they have been undercooked playing globetrotter rugby - this was a test side they faced and i5 showed for some of the lesser lights who didn’t make the step up. Some of the lads who didn’t play will have benefited more from possibly getting the next chance.

The pre end of first half decision not to take a scrum was daft and Murray clearly let the forwards call that one - 2 players down you have to scrum. Murray is a worry - I watch him week in week out and to be honest I was a little surprised he made the squad. He was dropped from the Ireland team but Gatland likes him. The thing is whether form or experience is what Gatland prefers - Faff is the best 9 in the world and he will eat you up if you aren’t at it. Big call to be made.

The first test is key - lose it and it’s done......it’s a must win for me as ZA will get better with matches in their legs

[Buzzo]

Agree with all of that.

Get that score in before half time, take a scrum it’s a massive backs advantage, then the score early second and the Lions probably win the match.

Not taking the scrum cost 7 points. Make the same mistake in the tests and it could be fatal.

[Buzzo]

The chance of their not being red cards in the tests is also minimal if it is ref’d to the letter of the law. Discipline is also crucial.

[Irishnev]

The chance of their not being red cards in the tests is also minimal if it is ref’d to the letter of the law. Discipline is also crucial.

For me Faff was a red by the letter if the law - he is a spikey ****er who plays right in the edge. I’m still fuming from that last series when Burger gouged Luke Fitzgerald and wasn’t sent off