The Rugby Thread

[Zapater]

Didn't watch the game. I'm still amazed this series is taking place. The country is in complete turmoil. Guess nothing can stop it now. Not sure what I think about this so called A team, but we're badly underdone in terms of games, so there's no other option I guess. Absolute must win, just hope we're not spread too thin.

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

If you ever have the pleasure of reading Peter de Villiers book, there's an excerpt where he claims that he misunderstood the question in the press conference afterwards. He says that his English isn't good, so when they asked him if he 'condoned' Schalke's behaviour he said yes, thinking that the journalist asked him if he 'condemned' it. Only later he realised that the words were different and had different meanings. Probably not true, but hilarious all the same.

For all his eccentricities and foot in mouth syndrome, I think de Villiers had the team playing the best rugby they've possibly ever played and his team were by far the best in the '11 WC. If we weren't robbed in the Wales game I don't think the ABs missing their first 3 fly halves or France despite Dusautoir's inspiration would've been able to stop the Boks that year.

[Irishnev]

Didn't watch the game. I'm still amazed this series is taking place. The country is in complete turmoil. Guess nothing can stop it now. Not sure what I think about this so called A team, but we're badly underdone in terms of games, so there's no other option I guess. Absolute must win, just hope we're not spread too thin.



If you ever have the pleasure of reading Peter de Villiers book, there's an excerpt where he claims that he misunderstood the question in the press conference afterwards. He says that his English isn't good, so when they asked him if he 'condoned' Schalke's behaviour he said yes, thinking that the journalist asked him if he 'condemned' it. Only later he realised that the words were different and had different meanings. Probably not true, but hilarious all the same.

For all his eccentricities and foot in mouth syndrome, I think de Villiers had the team playing the best rugby they've possibly ever played and his team were by far the best in the '11 WC. If we weren't robbed in the Wales game I don't think the ABs missing their first 3 fly halves or France despite Dusautoir's inspiration would've been able to stop the Boks that year.

I play squash on Wed with a Saffer and he mentioned the same. The country isn’t really set up for this with a backdrop of Covid and turmoil in certain provinces

I remember PdV but not read his book - he was an old school ZA coach but it was a red all day and defined the outcome of the series

With regards to ZA - I love their style of play as it’s a brand of rugby I associate with Munster. A strong hardy pack to set the platform for the half backs, a great kicking game and no nonsense backs. Kolbie is the exception and is the maverick in the side……arguably the best outside back in the world. You can prob count on one hand the amount of test series ZA have lost at home and that is why they are favs for me.

It’s mad that the Lions series always seem to coincide with playing vs the best side in the world. I think last night was a great insight into the series - needs to be tactical and the Lions bombed with their kicking game

[Buzzo]

Didn't watch the game. I'm still amazed this series is taking place. The country is in complete turmoil. Guess nothing can stop it now. Not sure what I think about this so called A team, but we're badly underdone in terms of games, so there's no other option I guess. Absolute must win, just hope we're not spread too thin.

Saw some footage from someone I know who is from South Africa but no longer lives there of the aftermath of a warehouse looting, with billions of rands worth of goods scattered. The warehouse burned out. Trucks abandoned. It truly was like the aftermath of some kind of disaster movie.

It seems the rub is, that South Africa really needs this tour to go ahead, but the irony is in the fact that whilst the country is in some places literally burning, and in others getting hammered by COVID it is not in anyway appropriate that it does.

I seem to recall that you arent in SA right now, I hope all your family and friends are safe.

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/threeredkings/status/1415619161548537857"]https://twitter.com/threeredkings/status/1415619161548537857[/ame]

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/smallclone_/status/1415417571143208960"]https://twitter.com/smallclone_/status/1415417571143208960[/ame]

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/bernardjackman/status/1415568840721829889"]https://twitter.com/bernardjackman/status/1415568840721829889[/ame]

[Buzzo]

https://twitter.com/threeredkings/st...19161548537857

That’s a really exciting team on paper.

Some of the first test selection calls are impossible to make so far.

[Buzzo]

Just noticed Henshaw is playing!

[Zapater]

Saw some footage from someone I know who is from South Africa but no longer lives there of the aftermath of a warehouse looting, with billions of rands worth of goods scattered. The warehouse burned out. Trucks abandoned. It truly was like the aftermath of some kind of disaster movie.

It seems the rub is, that South Africa really needs this tour to go ahead, but the irony is in the fact that whilst the country is in some places literally burning, and in others getting hammered by COVID it is not in anyway appropriate that it does.

I seem to recall that you arent in SA right now, I hope all your family and friends are safe.

Thanks bud. Indeed, managed to get out just in the nick of time, broke my heart to leave. I was even considering going back a month or two ago but this is the final nail. 10 year rebuild is probably the best case scenario. We're kind of used to chaos, but must be terrifying/alarming for the Lions players to be in the country and travelling around right now.

[Buzzo]

Thanks bud. Indeed, managed to get out just in the nick of time, broke my heart to leave. I was even considering going back a month or two ago but this is the final nail. 10 year rebuild is probably the best case scenario. We're kind of used to chaos, but must be terrifying/alarming for the Lions players to be in the country and travelling around right now.

Yeah, it is a country with so much promise, but needs that bit of stability. Rugby seems to have that power to unite, so with the tour going ahead no matter what it seems hopefully that will happen.

I would love to (and will) visit at some stage, I love Africa, have been to Kenya 3 times and Uganda once. South Africa and particularly Cape Town are dream destinations.

I suppose the amount of progress that has happened over the last 30 or so years was always going to have the odd bump (!) in the road.

[RichC]

Watching it again I think Harris made a good claim towards a starting position.

[Buzzo]

Watching it again I think Harris made a good claim towards a starting position.

I think he is very much a Gatland type player and his defence is phenomenal. The only mistake yesterday, and it was a sizeable one, was when Kolbe went past him.

I’m intrigued to see how Henshaw goes tomorrow and so would love to see Harris and Henshaw together.

I see Gatland has been talking up Ali Price as well.

Will be MENTAL to see any Scots start a Lions test after all these years.

[Irishnev]

I think he is very much a Gatland type player and his defence is phenomenal. The only mistake yesterday, and it was a sizeable one, was when Kolbe went past him.

I’m intrigued to see how Henshaw goes tomorrow and so would love to see Harris and Henshaw together.

I see Gatland has been talking up Ali Price as well.

Will be MENTAL to see any Scots start a Lions test after all these years.

Watson is a banker even though Curry played well last night (one of the few). I think it’s between Watson and VDM for one of the wings, Hogg or Williams but I don’t think Harris starts the first test - he may play 2nd or 3rd because ZA are v strong in the centre and if the first test is lost then that will be a place they change

[Buzzo]

I think Garland is going to go tried and tested mainly.

I think some selections will depend on Saturday, but you can start to get the 23 players down now. It’s a real shame Finn Russell is injured as (from the bench) I’d love to have seen him in the first test. I just hope he is in shape for the 2nd or 3rd.

The worry’s have to be Murray and Farrell, and he most likely hasn’t played his centre partnership yet (or if he had they’ve not been outstanding).

[Buzzo]

Rassie putting the Spotlight on Farrells tackling. It’s an issue. He can’t tackle legally.

[ame]https://twitter.com/rassierugby/status/1416002381486174214[/ame]