The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

Hard to argue with most of it, and given the style of play some of the previous selections were a bit baffling in not playing to strengths.

I'm surprised the back row has remained in tact.

I'm interested to see what Biggar does, as those first few moments where he gets ball will tell us a lot about what to expect.

[Zapater]

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach; 1 Steven Kitshoff, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Franco Mostert, 8 Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Damian Willemse


Changes here too but not in a good way, was hoping for Duane. This selection shows how broken SA sports are. Faf is injured and you'd think naturally that the second choice scrummie Hershel Jantjies would replace him? Nope, Reinach in from out the cold. Proof that Nienaber has been picking on colour, not merit and probably doesn't trust Hersch for more than 10 minutes at the end of the game. I'm happy with Cobus though, runs direct lines and is always sniping. Brings a different dimension to de Klerk and scores a lot of tries. I would expect less box kicking but who knows what instructions he'll be under. Confirmed that du Toit out too which is a huge blow. Lood de Lager in from the start is a good thing.

Have full faith in the bomb squad. Nyakane was immense in the last match, especially considering he hadn't played in that position for 3 years, very impressed with him. Also deserves it because he was unlucky to miss the WC latter stages.

Steyn back in for the first time in many years. What a swansong this could be, imagine some last minute penalties. After Pollard's radar being a bit off, there's no one you'd rather have for clutch penalties.

Lions team seems much better with the changes, think the backline should operate better, think van der Merwe is dead lucky to keep his jersey, although I guess you can't change everyone. Was really poor in the last game, was lucky not to get carded for that tackle on du Toit early before his card too.

With all the bad press on Rassie lately, here's a nice video to remember the other side of him.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgF941ZvNpU"]Rassie Erasmus emotional story about Makazole Mapimpi - YouTube[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Yeah, I’ve got a lot of love for Rassie - just feel he might regret last week.

Sinckler has been cleared so no citings. That game will be referenced for ever with Mako, Maro, Faff and Kolbe all pretty lucky!

[ame]https://twitter.com/skysportsnews/status/1422550728699260929[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Faf will be fit no doubt

I'd not realised Faf was out injured. That is huge.

[Buzzo]

Zapater- this is a link to a decent UK pod that has (IMHO) a pretty balanced take on where the Lions tour is. It’s a great pod in general

It features Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode and also this episode guests Shalke Brits.

https://play.acast.com/s/f48e4236-18f0-4ee5-bb0a-9c73e343aeca/ae6a605e-f419-11eb-95fb-f3b4f00b3577

Rugby Union weekly is also good, and, amazingly has made me like Danny Care and Chris Ashton… they have also spoken clearly on the state of the tour.

[Zapater]

I'd not realised Faf was out injured. That is huge.

Indeed, as quoted below/mentioned above, I think Reinach's inclusion could lead to a more open game. He is more a more running player than du Plessis and would need to curb his natural more enterprising play a little. I think the Lions will try to play a little bit more on the weekend too to avoid the risk of a repeat of last week. Overall I possibly rate Reinach the better scrumhalf, but not tactically in this team.

This selection shows how broken SA sports are. Faf is injured and you'd think naturally that the second choice scrummie Hershel Jantjies would replace him? Nope, Reinach in from out the cold. Proof that Nienaber has been picking on colour, not merit and probably doesn't trust Hersch for more than 10 minutes at the end of the game. I'm happy with Cobus though, runs direct lines and is always sniping. Brings a different dimension to de Klerk and scores a lot of tries. I would expect less box kicking but who knows what instructions he'll be under.

[Zapater]

Zapater- this is a link to a decent UK pod that has (IMHO) a pretty balanced take on where the Lions tour is. It’s a great pod in general

It features Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode and also this episode guests Shalke Brits.

https://play.acast.com/s/f48e4236-18f0-4ee5-bb0a-9c73e343aeca/ae6a605e-f419-11eb-95fb-f3b4f00b3577

Rugby Union weekly is also good, and, amazingly has made me like Danny Care and Chris Ashton… they have also spoken clearly on the state of the tour.

Will give it a go a little later, thanks. Schalk Brits is a great guy, always a laugh, look forward to hear what he has to say.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agQiUtb_tYU"]MasterPlan | Swys de Bruin, Peter de Villiers & Robbi Kempson on Cheslin Kolbe yellow card - YouTube[/ame]

Not sure if you guys can see the Supersport content due to regions, but quite enjoyed that debate from a coaching perspective and how rules are written. I've also watched some of the New Zealand feedback, can't remember where I saw the video but Graham Henry had a pretty good take on things too.

[Buzzo]

I’d much rather have SA coms. Sky is horrendous.

That decision is a really tricky one, and does fundamentally affect the way the game is taught and highlights the differences in refereeing in northern and Southern Hemisphere Rugby.

[Buzzo]

No good can come from any of this. It sets a dangerous precedent. We can’t have RU becoming American Football.

[ame]https://twitter.com/marcomasotti_/status/1422705094118846464[/ame]

[Zapater]

No good can come from any of this. It sets a dangerous precedent. We can’t have RU becoming American Football.

https://twitter.com/marcomasotti_/st...05094118846464

He has since admitted that his comments were in jest and was applauded Rassie on standing up to WR. He did say that if Rassie required council they would be happy to help though.

Enjoyed the Podcast btw. Jim Hamilton has been nice and humble since Eben taught him a thing or two He did a good little travel thing on SA and rugby in the country.

[ame]https://twitter.com/rugby365com/status/1423229420559642629[/ame]

Didn't realise he hasn't played loosehead since 2016. Even more amazing performance last weekend then.

[Buzzo]

He has since admitted that his comments were in jest and was applauded Rassie on standing up to WR. He did say that if Rassie required council they would be happy to help though.

Enjoyed the Podcast btw. Jim Hamilton has been nice and humble since Eben taught him a thing or two He did a good little travel thing on SA and rugby in the country.

https://twitter.com/rugby365com/status/1423229420559642629

Didn't realise he hasn't played loosehead since 2016. Even more amazing performance last weekend then.

It was good wasnt it, I wish general Rugby was a bit more irreverant, honest, and called the game for what we all see.

Yeah, they mercilessly rip Jim Hamilton Andy Goode speaks a lot of sense, and ultimately it is as unbiased I think as they can manage, they clearly favour a team - but want to look at the actual events neutrally.

The below is ****ing excellent also, great analysis of the game (again the likes of which you can dream of seeing on TV, where pre-ordained favouritism rules).

I think the analysis of how the Boks work the box kick and the success they have in following up on the catcher at the breakdown instread of looking for tap backs. It is really insightful, and highlights how the back three had such a mare for the Lions, not because they were/are **** but because all three of them succumbed, as did England in the WC Final.

It also highlights how sssslllloooooowwwww Connor Murray is.

[ame="https://youtu.be/t05lf_VAKSY"]So how did South Africa level the series? | British & Irish Lions Tour 2021 | Squidge Report - YouTube[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Finn Russell required early here… the team 100% not set up for him, so we could be about to see something very different here.

[Buzzo]

Mosterts nose. Exploded.

[Irishnev]

Nice loosener for Finn

[Buzzo]

Instantly the Lions start playing some Rugby.

Nice tempo, playing off ten more.