Official United Rugby Championship thread

[Tichtheid]

Im really enjoying it so far
Added bonus of no Aus commentators
It looks like it could be a success story

Look there is the anticipation of our teams improving.
Are the teams we are playing against amongst the top teams up there

Leinster and Munster are among the best sides in Europe, Ulster can beat anyone on a given day, as can Glasgow but neither are consistent enough to challenge for European honours, Ulster did win the Euro pot some time ago though.
The Welsh sides go through cycles, Ospreys and Scarlets tend to be the better teams of the four, Benetton are a tough side at home but don't travel well at all,
Zebre tend to get battered away and struggle against the best sides at home too.
My team Edinburgh are rubbish, but we start every season with hope, we've lost two B&I Lions this season, it will have an impact.

[Sards]

Im really enjoying it so far
Added bonus of no Aus commentators
It looks like it could be a success story

Look there is the anticipation of our teams improving.
Are the teams we are playing against amongst the top teams up there

Leinster and Munster are among the best sides in Europe, Ulster can beat anyone on a given day, as can Glasgow but neither are consistent enough to challenge for European honours, Ulster did win the Euro pot some time ago though.
The Welsh sides go through cycles, Ospreys and Scarlets tend to be the better teams of the four, Benetton are a tough side at home but don't travel well at all,
Zebre tend to get battered away and struggle against the best sides at home too.
My team Edinburgh are rubbish, but we start every season with hope, we've lost two B&I Lions this season, it will have an impact.

And the Gallagher premiership? How do those teams rate

[FalseBayFC]

Very chuffed to see Ntuthuko Mchunu continue to impress. He's a Durban born Maritzburg College boy from a community which is traditionally more soccer focused. I thought he scrummed very well for a converted loose forward. It would do wonders for rugby in KZN to have a Zulu Springbok one day. I'm backing this kid to be the first one.

[Sards]

Very chuffed to see Ntuthuko Mchunu continue to impress. He's a Durban born Maritzburg College boy from a community which is traditionally more soccer focused. I thought he scrummed very well for a converted loose forward. It would do wonders for rugby in KZN to have a Zulu Springbok one day. I'm backing this kid to be the first one.

I am always dubious about 1 season wonders. This long season against new teams will give us a decent idea

[Tichtheid]

Look there is the anticipation of our teams improving.
Are the teams we are playing against amongst the top teams up there

Leinster and Munster are among the best sides in Europe, Ulster can beat anyone on a given day, as can Glasgow but neither are consistent enough to challenge for European honours, Ulster did win the Euro pot some time ago though.
The Welsh sides go through cycles, Ospreys and Scarlets tend to be the better teams of the four, Benetton are a tough side at home but don't travel well at all,
Zebre tend to get battered away and struggle against the best sides at home too.
My team Edinburgh are rubbish, but we start every season with hope, we've lost two B&I Lions this season, it will have an impact.

And the Gallagher premiership?

I think the top half of the GP are similar in quality to the top half of the URC/Pro 14 as was. The bottom of the Pro 14 isn't as strong as the GP bottom, I don't think the likes of Dragons or Zebre would survive in the prem.

[Sards]

Leinster and Munster are among the best sides in Europe, Ulster can beat anyone on a given day, as can Glasgow but neither are consistent enough to challenge for European honours, Ulster did win the Euro pot some time ago though.
The Welsh sides go through cycles, Ospreys and Scarlets tend to be the better teams of the four, Benetton are a tough side at home but don't travel well at all,
Zebre tend to get battered away and struggle against the best sides at home too.
My team Edinburgh are rubbish, but we start every season with hope, we've lost two B&I Lions this season, it will have an impact.

And the Gallagher premiership?

I think the top half of the GP are similar in quality to the top half of the URC/Pro 14 as was. The bottom of the Pro 14 isn't as strong as the GP bottom, I don't think the likes of Dragons or Zebre would survive in the prem.

So the South African teams would really struggle there. I have noticed it's a lot more cerebal there. Not the bosh type we are used to with the coach being the only brains programming his charges

[Tichtheid]

And the Gallagher premiership?

I think the top half of the GP are similar in quality to the top half of the URC/Pro 14 as was. The bottom of the Pro 14 isn't as strong as the GP bottom, I don't think the likes of Dragons or Zebre would survive in the prem.

So the South African teams would really struggle there. I have noticed it's a lot more cerebal there. Not the bosh type we are used to with the coach being the only brains programming his charges

I think it would be different with the internationals back, the best sides up here have got very good squad depth, it's something the Italian, Welsh and Scottish sides struggle with.

[Sards]

You can almost write off the bok squad players.....how much game time would they get in reality.

[FalseBayFC]

Very chuffed to see Ntuthuko Mchunu continue to impress. He's a Durban born Maritzburg College boy from a community which is traditionally more soccer focused. I thought he scrummed very well for a converted loose forward. It would do wonders for rugby in KZN to have a Zulu Springbok one day. I'm backing this kid to be the first one.

I am always dubious about 1 season wonders. This long season against new teams will give us a decent idea

This kid captained College at every level until the first team and excelled at U20 level. He's the real deal imo. That kind of track record shows his level of work ethic and leadership qualities. But a props bread and butter is scrummaging and he's got a long way to go there. The running game is icing on the cake for a prop. But at 22, I haven't see many props look more promising.

[FalseBayFC]

I think the top half of the GP are similar in quality to the top half of the URC/Pro 14 as was. The bottom of the Pro 14 isn't as strong as the GP bottom, I don't think the likes of Dragons or Zebre would survive in the prem.

So the South African teams would really struggle there. I have noticed it's a lot more cerebal there. Not the bosh type we are used to with the coach being the only brains programming his charges

I think it would be different with the internationals back, the best sides up here have got very good squad depth, it's something the Italian, Welsh and Scottish sides struggle with.

Depth is a big issue for the Saffer sides. Sharks have lost the du Preez brothers, Mapimpi, Cobus Reinach and many more to overseas sides in the last few years. Its why we're seeing them hold on until half time and then blow out. They don't have the experienced impact players to come on and dominate the second half.

[Sards]

Just finished the match. Yup...we are going to struggle to replace Esterhuizen. And Tyrone Green has a great future ahead of him up North. He made the right decision for him.


You cannot lament the loss of players from the Sharks. They came to the Sharks and built a reputation there and are professionals after all. It's just great that we had the pleasure of watching these youngsters learning the trade in our teams and now being able to watch them play...

This is growing on me

[OomStruisbaai]

You can almost write off the bok squad players.....how much game time would they get in reality.

From January till the end of competition in June

[robmatic]

Having the SA teams involved has definitely made it a much more watchable competition for me. I’m watching more games and generally being more active in following the tournament.

It helps that the TV coverage is better as well.

I'm more interested in the URC than the European competitions this year. Partly because Edinburgh are only in the diddy cup, but even the Champions Cup has a godawful format.

[sorCrer]

Im really enjoying it so far
Added bonus of no Aus commentators
It looks like it could be a success story

To be fair, Jiffy was doing his best to imitate them last night.

[sorCrer]

Only 3 weeks in and I think it's the best decision for Saffa sides in years. I also think that it will help the NH players a lot when it comes to touring in Saffa and the SH.

[Sards]

You can almost write off the bok squad players.....how much game time would they get in reality.

From January till the end of competition in June

Thats a decent amount

[Slick]

Very chuffed to see Ntuthuko Mchunu continue to impress. He's a Durban born Maritzburg College boy from a community which is traditionally more soccer focused. I thought he scrummed very well for a converted loose forward. It would do wonders for rugby in KZN to have a Zulu Springbok one day. I'm backing this kid to be the first one.

There has never been a Zulu Springbok? Why is that?

[sorCrer]

HTF was that try awarded against the LIons?

[FalseBayFC]

Very chuffed to see Ntuthuko Mchunu continue to impress. He's a Durban born Maritzburg College boy from a community which is traditionally more soccer focused. I thought he scrummed very well for a converted loose forward. It would do wonders for rugby in KZN to have a Zulu Springbok one day. I'm backing this kid to be the first one.

There has never been a Zulu Springbok? Why is that?

Amongst the black African population, rugby has only really been the sport of choice in the Eastern Cape/ Border region. This is Xhosa country where Nelson Mandela comes from. Siya Kholisi, Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am are all from eKoloni. Kwa-Zulu Natal has always been soccer country amongst the black population. But with around 9 million Zulus its a real exciting prospect for rugby development. There are a lot of short thicc youngsters with amazing potential. Sbu Nkosi is of Zulu heritage but from from a family that has settled in the Lowveld. So I don't know if he identifies as Zulu but his name is definitely pure Zulu. The Zulu nation is a sleeping rugby giant imo. They are increasingly getting the opportunity to go to traditional rugby schools and are absolutely killing it.

Theres a youngster called Mambo Mkhize from Westville Boys High. Google his highlights. I hate to overhype youngsters but I will be certainly following his progress. He's a centre in the SBW mould. A decent size and plenty of x-factor.

[robmatic]

HTF was that try awarded against the LIons?

He didn't ground it but was it not because of a deliberate knock on by the defender?

[robmatic]

The Weegies are moving the ball really well.

[OomStruisbaai]

Lions defense hold.

[OomStruisbaai]

Weather look great in Glasgow

[OomStruisbaai]

That nr11 wing is quality.

[Tichtheid]

McLean is getting through any time he wants, he needs better support runners

[robmatic]

That nr11 wing is quality.

He's got a great step.

[Tichtheid]

Lions 9 has been good

[Tichtheid]

Shite, Johnson off injured again

[robmatic]

Lions 9 has been good

Very good.

[OomStruisbaai]

Lions came back well. EW Viljoen surprised in 10. Hope they can keep it up.

[sorCrer]

HTF was that try awarded against the LIons?

He didn't ground it but was it not because of a deliberate knock on by the defender?

Was short first, Shirley?

Nice game this. Some excellent attack from Glasgow and great defence from the Loins.

[Tichtheid]

Lions came back well. EW Viljoen surprised in 10. Hope they can keep it up.

Glasgow will look to keep the tempo high for 80 minutes, it looked to me like a few of the Lions were blowing a bit at the end of that half

[OomStruisbaai]

HTF was that try awarded against the LIons?

He didn't ground it but was it not because of a deliberate knock on by the defender?

They show this during HT. The ref was in no position to allow it.

Overall the ref is fine. Hope he keep it up.

[OomStruisbaai]

Sadie on for Oupa Jannie.

[OomStruisbaai]

Penalty coming up

[OomStruisbaai]

That was a great hit by Odendal

[OomStruisbaai]

Sadie will scrum them.

[OomStruisbaai]

That's it. They'll scrum all night long

[fishfoodie]

Love seeing the Refs got my memo on marching teams back 10 if the give them lip

[Sards]

Huge change in the teams this weekend