The Rugby Championships

[zer0]

I think Coles is reaching the stage where he should consider taking the rest of the year off to well and truly get over, and avoid further, concussion problems.

[scuzzaman]

Any RRs got a hot tip for a sports bar in Singapore?

I'll be there over the weekend. Tried to book a table at Boomerang but long since booked out.

Cheers
SM

[cashead]

Garces has been ruled out of the opening round Bledisloe Cup test. Wayne Barnes, who was set to run the sidelines has been appointed referee, with Nigel Owens stepping in as one of the ARs.

Frans Malherbe has also been ruled out for the Springboks. Ruan Dreyer of the Lions has been called up.

[rowan]

Very predictable first round.

[Spiffy]

NZ are still obviously the team to beat. They did fade in the second half, but you always feel they can up their game when it counts.
The SA/Argentina game was physical and tough, but the quality of basic skills was the pits. A lot of these players don't seem able to deliver a pass at belly button level and in front of the receiver, so that he can accelerate on to it. The number of passes that were head high, straight at the receiver- so he had to check his run to stop and collect the ball, or behind the receiver was staggering. SA managed to score a try after a passage of play where he last three passes were all flung at the receiver's head. The SA scrum half, Cronje, was one of the major culprips and looked totally off the pace of international rugby with his slow, lobby and mis-directed passes. You can see better passing skills from a well-coached school team.

[morepork]

NZ are still obviously the team to beat. They did fade in the second half, but you always feel they can up their game when it counts.
The SA/Argentina game was physical and tough, but the quality of basic skills was the pits. A lot of these players don't seem able to deliver a pass at belly button level and in front of the receiver, so that he can accelerate on to it. The number of passes that were head high, straight at the receiver- so he had to check his run to stop and collect the ball, or behind the receiver was staggering. SA managed to score a try after a passage of play where he last three passes were all flung at the receiver's head. The SA scrum half, Cronje, was one of the major culprips and looked totally off the pace of international rugby with his slow, lobby and mis-directed passes. You can see better passing skills from a well-coached school team.

Did you see their series against France recently? Three tests of 80 minutes worth of big dudes running one out into each other.

[cashead]

The current Boks vaguely remind me of the 2004 vintage, where they emerged from a couple of horror seasons completely revamped. The fact that Coetzee has largely eschewed selecting Europe-based players is definitely a step in the right direction.

[rowan]

Anybody tipping an upset in Salta? I think the Boks will take it comfortably. SA by 15.

[rowan]

3-7 SA midway first half

[rowan]

10-10 late first half

[rowan]

Late 1st half, disaster for the Pumas, yellow card and Boks score. 10-17 heading into HT. That could be crucial.

[rowan]

Argentina with two cards in the first half. Very poor.

[rowan]

Pumas are woeful, now it's a red card and a penalty try and the Boks hold a commanding 13-31 lead going into the final quarter.

Update: They actually fought back to 23-31 despite all that, but the Boks have since added a penalty. Inside the final 10 now.

[rowan]

Anybody tipping an upset in Salta? I think the Boks will take it comfortably. SA by 15.

3 points out.

[rowan]

Predictable it may be, but certainly were some great tries!

[cashead]

With Sam Cane out, probably for the tournament, the All Blacks will need to call up an openside. Unfortunately, Matt Todd has broken his hand, so that rules him out as well.

The likely candidates are Blake Gibson or one of the Pryor brothers.

[cashead]

Congratulations to Blake Gibson, who has been called into the All Blacks squad.

[J Dory]

ABs team announced:

Damian McKenzie, Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody

Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Lima Sopoaga, Ngani Laumape

[morepork]

That will be a lethal backline if the midfield can hang onto the ball.

[rowan]

The skud's on the wing? Has he played many tests there?

[J Dory]

He's played on the other wing.

[morepork]

The skud's on the wing? Has he played many tests there?

World cup bro.

[rowan]

I think the Pumas are going to give New Zealand a fright. But they still won't quite get that elusive All Blacks scalp. It's coming, and it's probably not too far away now, but it will happen in Argentina itself, not in NZ - where still only 4 nations have ever emerged victorious against the home nation.

[J Dory]

So rotation, some newish guys get a shot, some returning guys get a shot, all makes sense. My biggest disappointment is that Sopoaga didn't get a start. Opportunity wasted IMO.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[zer0]

I too am disappointed that Sopoaga hasn't been given a start. But I guess Barrett's inconsistencies may have played a role in his retention.