The Rugby Thread

[Zapater]

Thank **** for that. First half was up there with the worst forwards displays I've seen from SA. Lost just about every lineout, unheard of. Second was brilliant.

Siya preventing Henshaw from scoring at the end of the first could have made all the difference. Without that, who knows what momentum could have done. Next week should be incredible.

I look forward to reading what the journalists have to say now. After the cracking up under pressure and lost the plot narrative over the last few days.

[Chazza]

Hogg as fullback has been awful; offered nothing in defence and even less in attack. Williams in for me

Both wingers have been bad, simple as that

Adam’s has to get in now

[Irishnev]

Thank **** for that. First half was up there with the worst forwards displays I've seen from SA. Lost just about every lineout, unheard of. Second was brilliant.

Siya preventing Henshaw from scoring at the end of the first could have made all the difference. Without that, who knows what momentum could have done. Next week should be incredible.

I look forward to reading what the journalists have to say now. After the cracking up under pressure and lost the plot narrative over the last few days.

Series defining

[Buzzo]

I think the Lions learned nothing from last week. Tactically played into SA hands second half. As with England in the WC Final any team that attempts to take SA on at their own game will definitely lose.

For me the key areas are within the backs, back three were all poor, though Watson could be excused given how little ball he had. But even when we did win a ball in the air SA were so much quicker into the ruck. Agree that Williams deserves a start at 15.

I don’t think Biggar is the solution at ten next week. Tactically the Lions seem stuck between some sort of hybrid Gatland ball system. I’d been expecting some more dynamic multi phase play releasing the backs with Townsend as backs coach but what we are seeing isn’t how Townsend sets up at all.

And hooker, the line out throwing hadn’t been great and denying yourself that platform will always be problematic.

Set up for an absolute belter of a match next week

[Buzzo]

Series defining

As was Kolbe not getting a red.

Would be a red in the 6Ns, the Gallagher. And probably in the pro14. It would have ruined the series but it was very, very close to a red.

[Irishnev]

As was Kolbe not getting a red.

Would be a red in the 6Ns, the Gallagher. And probably in the pro14. It would have ruined the series but it was very, very close to a red.

Myself and my mates chatting in WhatsApp - Rassie was in his head.......red by the letter of the law

[Buzzo]

Having a South African TMO has been a shocker of a decision. Both coaches have put him under ridiculous pressure. He can’t win.

[Chazza]

As was Kolbe not getting a red.

Would be a red in the 6Ns, the Gallagher. And probably in the pro14. It would have ruined the series but it was very, very close to a red.

That was never a red card.

You are off your tits.

[Chazza]

Looking at the ball all the way never a red

[Buzzo]

That was never a red card.

You are off your tits.

I’m saying I’m glad it wasn’t given as a red. But it was defining.

But, to the letter of the law it’s a red, doesn’t matter if he’s looking at the ball. Those have been getting given as reds in northern hemisphere rugby for over 24 months.

[Zapater]

Perhaps, it was... definitely reckless. He didn't propel himself at speed or jump aggressively. Eyes were on the ball the whole time. His run was blocked by a Lions player too delaying his arrival. Stupid, sure and yes it could have been a red. As I've said over the last several years I'm against that kind of red, same as the yellow for attempting an intercept being called a deliberate knockdown. If the player doesn't have a negative track record and it appears more misjudgement than aggression, then a yellow should be enough. Again, that's my opinion, not from an interpretation perspective.

Sure, it's big, but so was the yellow for that tip on Willie last week too. That's a yellow all day. We'd probably have won with that call. It's the way it goes. These games are tight and anything that results in points, cards etc will be vital and analysed to death.

It's clear the aftermath impacted on the players because there was a hell of a lot of needle in it. Officiating wise, I think they were calm and don't think it got to them too much, they were following processes. I see people up in arms about Rassie apparently ruining the game. Where were they last week when Gatland was suggesting the Marius Jonker conspiracy before the series had even started. Obviously we're all biased as spectators and coaches, but some things are black and white.

[Buzzo]

As I’m saying, I’m glad it wasn’t given as a red. But it was a red by the letter of the laws.

[ame]https://twitter.com/rugbyandthelaw/status/1421514647681867776[/ame]

[Zapater]

Given the wording of the rules that situation could be either in all honesty. Depends how you define 'reckless and deliberate'. Which is probably as difficult as defining clear and obvious.

[Buzzo]

I think the fact that he had no chance of getting the ball is what would normally do for him. He was out of control.

With the law changes Rugby doesn’t always seem fair these days, teams need to be perfect. Being a split second late, or a few cm’s high can result in a card and when they are red a defeat.

It’s tough to take sometimes and hard to watch. But that’s the game.

[RichC]

Never a red and not something we should be looking at.

However, there was a nailed on yellow for me from Faf which wasn’t punished and he knew it as well.

Anyway SA deserved that result. Some of the Lions tactics were bizarre to say the least