Rugby Union 21/22/23 Discussion | RWC time!

[Xaviesta]

Kick-off in the Rugby Championship opener between South Africa and New Zealand is only a couple of hours away.

If the Boks are any hope of winning the tournament, they need to win both their home games against the All Blacks.

For the All Blacks, a win and a close loss in South Africa would give them a decent chance of winning the tournament but it would also probably keep Ian Foster in charge.

I have read some Kiwis on theroar.com.au and stuff.co.nz say that they'd take two losses to the Boks If that's what it would take for Ian Foster to lose his job.

 

[JPRouve]

Kick-off in the Rugby Championship opener between South Africa and New Zealand is only a couple of hours away.

If the Boks are any hope of winning the tournament, they need to win both their home games against the All Blacks.

For the All Blacks, a win and a close loss in South Africa would give them a decent chance of winning the tournament but it would also probably keep Ian Foster in charge.

I have read some Kiwis on theroar.com.au and stuff.co.nz say that they'd take two losses to the Boks If that's what it would take for Ian Foster to lose his job.

And then Gatland arrive.

PS: You have been suspiciously quite regarding Barcelona's levers.

 

[Xaviesta]

And then Gatland arrive.

PS: You have been suspiciously quite regarding Barcelona's levers.

Gatland taking over from Fozzie would be hilarious but we know Scott Robertson would be offered the gig should it become available.

And I'm not fond of what's going on at Barcelona right now sadly.

 

[Zoo]

The atmosphere at this Boks-NZ game is electric.

 

[Xaviesta]

The new All Blacks forwards coach is Jason Ryan. He was formerly the Crusaders forwards coach and they didn't concede a try from a maul in his 6 years with the Christchurch based powerhouse. The Bok maul hasn't got going....yet.

 

[Zoo]

All Blacks are getting destroyed in the scrum. At least Wales were competitive there.

 

[Xaviesta]

All Blacks slowly coming into this game. The Boks don't put teams away on the scoreboard which will give the All Blacks cause for optimism.

 

[Xaviesta]

SA 10 NZ 3 at half time. The Boks will feel they should have put more points on the board given their territorial and possession dominance. The All Blacks 3rd tryless half in 5 against SA and their 2nd consecutive test without scoring a meat pie in the first half.

 

[Xaviesta]

The All Blacks will be chuffed Marx has been replaced.

 

[Xaviesta]

Kurt Lee Arendse has had a great game but he's been red carded for a horrific mid air challenge on Beauden Barrett.

 

[McGrathsipan]

That was good by the Boks.

All Black's in crisis

 

[Swedish_Plumber]

When was the last time the ABs lost 3 in a row?

 

[rimaldo]

is it time nz were lumped in with all the other tier two nations to get a few wins/narrow losses under their belts before they’re deemed worthy enough to mix it with the big boys again?

 

[diarm]

When was the last time the ABs lost 3 in a row?

1998 when they lost 5 on the bounce. To be fair to that team, most of those 5 were close - by a score or less.

 

[Swedish_Plumber]

1998 when they lost 5 on the bounce. To be fair to that team, most of those 5 were close - by a score or less.

That’s an insane amount of time inbetween!

They’ll bounce back but it’s quite nice seeing the gap from them and everyone else at it’s smallest for a long time.

 

[diarm]

That’s an insane amount of time inbetween!

They’ll bounce back but it’s quite nice seeing the gap from them and everyone else at it’s smallest for a long time.

We all really need to let them win a few games before they sack Foster in time for the world cup.

As an Irish fan, a QF against this lot is infinitely more attractive than one against a Robertson / Schmidt / Gatland coached outfit.

 

[Swedish_Plumber]

We all really need to let them win a few games before they sack Foster in time for the world cup.

As an Irish fan, a QF against this lot is infinitely more attractive than one against a Robertson / Schmidt / Gatland coached outfit.

Good point! You guys should fear nobody though, even if your WC record is poor.

As a Scot I just want a chance at our first win over them come the autumn tests

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

is it time nz were lumped in with all the other tier two nations to get a few wins/narrow losses under their belts before they’re deemed worthy enough to mix it with the big boys again?

Basically a southern hemisphere Italy.

But without the ice cream van finale to their anthem.

 

[Stack]

That was good by the Boks.

All Black's in crisis

Worst coach in a long time. Sort of similar situation to when SAF left Utd, the powers that be went with what had worked for the last 20 years without considering the new ideas coming through elsewhere with the new generation of coaches in other parts of the world. We are fecked.

 

[T00lsh3d]

I can’t remember a time when the AB’s have looked so….vulnerable. Destroyed at the scrum. Losing all the collisions. Ineffectual at the breakdown. Frankly, the only time they look dangerous is from quick counterattacking ball.

How many NZ forwards would get in the SA first choice pack? Savea (and even that’s a bit tough on Wiese on current form). A few firecrackers in the back like means sod all when you’re getting beaten up up front

 

[Xaviesta]

Guys, the real story from the Rugby Championship this weekend is that the Wallabies are on top of the table!

 

[JPRouve]

The All Blacks remind me the recent poor versions of France and Australia. Poor discipline, a lack of power and purpose from locks and back rowers but the ability to break the game with individual brilliance.

Now I have a homer remark, the Blacks are significantly worse without Retallick and in general they lack Chiefs some of the Chiefs skills, Vaa'i Tupaea, Lienert Brown, Boschier, Retallick should all start, Cane is the questionable one especially since he wasn't really missed during his injury which was surprising but should inform the All Blacks staff.

 

[Xaviesta]

Teams for South Africa vs New Zealand at Ellis Park (Emirates Airlines Park) this Saturday. Teams listed 15-1 and reserves 16-23. It's not an exaggeration to say Ian Foster's job is on the line this weekend.

SPRINGBOKS: Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Jaden Hendrikse; Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Joseph Dweba, Ox Nche.

Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese, Kwagga Smith, Hershel Jantjies, Willie le Roux.


All Blacks: Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ethan de Groot.

Reserves: Codie Taylor, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa'i, Akira Ioane, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Quinn Tupaea

 

[JPRouve]

Teams for South Africa vs New Zealand at Ellis Park (Emirates Airlines Park) this Saturday. Teams listed 15-1 and reserves 16-23. It's not an exaggeration to say Ian Foster's job is on the line this weekend.

SPRINGBOKS: Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Jaden Hendrikse; Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Joseph Dweba, Ox Nche.

Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese, Kwagga Smith, Hershel Jantjies, Willie le Roux.


All Blacks: Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ethan de Groot.

Reserves: Codie Taylor, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa'i, Akira Ioane, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Quinn Tupaea

I think that the All Blacks lack power and directness in the middle. Frizell is a good addition but I doubt that it's enough.

 

[Xaviesta]

All Blacks have started much better than they did last week.

 

[Zoo]

Pleased for Sam Cane.

 

[Xaviesta]

Doubt anybody saw this coming, the All Blacks lead 15-0 with 5 to go in the first half.

 

[Xaviesta]

Caleb Clarke won't want to see a replay of that missed tackle for Lukhanyo Am's try.

 

[Xaviesta]

All Blacks dominated the first 35 minutes or so to be 15-0 up but... the Boks scored 10 unanswered points to give us a fascinating 2nd half.

 

[Xaviesta]

Boks have used 7 of their 8 replacements with half an hour left. Masterstroke or mistake? We'll find out.

 

[Xaviesta]

Ian Foster's job is surely safe now. The All Blacks have won 35-23.

 

[christy87]

Argentina are pumping the Aussies today

 

[Xaviesta]

Argentina are pumping the Aussies today

As the Dave Rennie roller-coaster continues, let's acknowledge the fact that Argentina are top of the Rugby Championship table for the first time since they joined the competition in 2012.

 

[T00lsh3d]

As the Dave Rennie roller-coaster continues, let's acknowledge the fact that Argentina are top of the Rugby Championship table for the first time since they joined the competition in 2012.

There’s something heartwarming about the fact everyone’s won one lost one. Feels like a bit of a free-for-all this year

 

[diarm]

Argentina were bloody impressive last night. Great blend of power and adventure!

They hammered the Aussies in defence and at the breakdown, but then showed some lovely lines and hands to cut them apart when they got the ball.

 

[Xaviesta]

After all the doom and gloom in New Zealand last week, the All Blacks are in a position where they really should win the tournament now. They have two home games against Argentina followed by home and away matches against a Wallabies side that is too mentally scarred to beat what is still a very beatable All Blacks side. The Boks really needed to beat New Zealand twice, win one of two games in Australia and beat Argentina twice to take out the title. They now must win their last 4 games with some bonus points (aka score 3 or more tries than their opponent).

 

[diarm]

Foster to stay on til after the World Cup at least. Well done Saffers, the plan worked!

Talking to the press after the announcement, Foster said "it's not often we play 5 tests in a row against sides ranked above us".

Fairly sure they were ranked above both of us before we beat them.

 

[antsmithmk]

Looking likely that Worcester will enter administration this week.

Wasps financial outlook also looks bleak and currently straining their relationship with Coventry City to breaking point.

It's not at all looking rosy for the English domestic game. If we lose teams it will have a huge knock on for the others. Losing 1 team and this 1 home fixture could equate to losing nearly 10% of your yearly match day revenue.

The whole house of cards is perilously balanced.

 

[McGrathsipan]

Australia score after 30 seconds!

Great start

 

[Xaviesta]

Australia 22-3 with 20 minutes to go. Denying the Boks a try when they had their dominant spell late in the first half has been crucial.