The Rugby Championship

[Sards]

What a weird looking team

They'll probably win on Saturday, as Australia will have no idea what to prepare for.

Looks pretty desperate to me. But who knows.

[assfly]

Apparently Pollard and Am are both our for 6 weeks.

[Sards]

Apparently Pollard and Am are both our for 6 weeks.

All these sudden injuries.........a lot at one time...normally the guys play through it incase they lose their spot. Is this a sign Nienaber has lost the changeroom

[Chilli]

I think that Nienaber is panicking.

[Grandpa]

Meanwhile, is anyone looking forward to the team naming for the next test? Or is that expectation also a thing of the past?

Be interesting to see if Cane and BB are starting... doubling down on his stubbornness...

[FalseBayFC]

It feels weird the All Blacks losing so much. I find myself unable to get as much schadenfreude from their losses as I did when they were wrecking everyone. Its like when Australia started getting shit at cricket after all those years of dominance. I might even be experiencing twinges of empathy!

[OomStruisbaai]

I think that Nienaber is panicking.

The changes is great. At least the players play in the positions. Worried about Wazza in 10 plus the goal kicking duties.

Would like to see him , Willie and Gelant get freedom to play.

The bench is great. Poaching specialists in Fourie, Duanne and Kwagga. If Marx can stay 80 minutes they'll create havoc.

[boere wors]

It feels weird the All Blacks losing so much. I find myself unable to get as much schadenfreude from their losses as I did when they were wrecking everyone. Its like when Australia started getting shit at cricket after all those years of dominance. I might even be experiencing twinges of empathy!

True

[Sards]

It feels weird the All Blacks losing so much. I find myself unable to get as much schadenfreude from their losses as I did when they were wrecking everyone. Its like when Australia started getting shit at cricket after all those years of dominance. I might even be experiencing twinges of empathy!

True

I do feel for them. But also do not enjoy a weak ABs because it really lowers the standard of world rugby and that's a shame

[_Os_]

Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Duane Vermeulen, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Warrick Gelant

Not sure what to think of this team being very close to what Keohane wanted after the loss:

KEOHANE’S SPRINGBOKS: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Bench: 16 Deon Fourie (hooker/loose forward), 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Warrick Gelant.

[Chilli]

[OomStruisbaai]

Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Duane Vermeulen, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Warrick Gelant

Not sure what to think of this team being very close to what Keohane wanted after the loss:

KEOHANE’S SPRINGBOKS: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Bench: 16 Deon Fourie (hooker/loose forward), 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Warrick Gelant.

He knows his rugby better then you.

We are waiting for your opinion.

[_Os_]

He knows his rugby better then you.

We are waiting for your opinion.

At first I thought "looks better" then on second thoughts "this is Keohane's team isn't it?", then I didn't know what to think.

Pack looks much stronger, much more mobility in the backrow, best players available starting in the frontrow. Backline has injuries to crucial players in Am and Pollard (what has happened to Faf?), still looks decent-ish, Le Roux getting boosted from not even in the 23 into the XV says a lot.

[OomStruisbaai]

Faf dropped. Tight 5 is quality. The rest all new combinations.

I am worried about our rush defense.

Wallabies should take it but Rasnaber need to do changes now. Expect to see the others that stayed to get their chance against the Pumas.

[fishfoodie]

It feels weird the All Blacks losing so much. I find myself unable to get as much schadenfreude from their losses as I did when they were wrecking everyone. Its like when Australia started getting shit at cricket after all those years of dominance. I might even be experiencing twinges of empathy!

In Ireland, the immediate reaction to the latest loss, was to ask if it devalued the series win.

I think if they asked any of the squad, they would have got a swift answer !

[OomStruisbaai]

I feel sorry for the All Black supporters. Not for the Cape Crusaders in South Africa. Can't remember when last I saw them in town. They suffer here because the Springbok coloured supporters in Boland are mostly Bulls supporters.

[Wang]

Its all doom and gloom in here…..innit?

[Blake]

Pack looks much stronger, much more mobility in the backrow, best players available starting in the frontrow. Backline has injuries to crucial players in Am and Pollard (what has happened to Faf?), still looks decent-ish, Le Roux getting boosted from not even in the 23 into the XV says a lot.

I think starting with Le Roux is just really to put Moodie at ease. Helps with the nerves having an experienced 15 at the back. With Willemse subbing in for the injured Pollard, the only alternative would have been Moodie, Galant, Mapimpi which lacks some stability. Mapimpi is a finishing foot soldier and Galant hasn't really found his feet in the Bok back 3 yet, so it makes sense having Willie out there to mentor and guide Moodie on debut.

[Blake]

Faf dropped. Tight 5 is quality. The rest all new combinations.

I am worried about our rush defense.

Wallabies should take it but Rasnaber need to do changes now. Expect to see the others that stayed to get their chance against the Pumas.

Ja, me too. I think it will be very leaky without Am in the middle, without Willemse as the last line, and with a debutant on the wing.

That beign said, Moodie gives me a lot of Pat Lambie vibes. Not a Kolbie or Habana type talent with a crazy step or blistering speed, but a solid all-rounder that is super dependable and intelligent. If any wing in SA would be able to pick-up and understand the Bok defensive pattern, I think it's him. He might still get his timing wrong in his rush (Nkosi and Mapimpi took 4-5 games, Fassi never really got it right) but I think Moodie will get it and is a great untility back for the squad as he can cover 11, 13, 14 and 15.

[Sards]

Faf dropped. Tight 5 is quality. The rest all new combinations.

I am worried about our rush defense.

Wallabies should take it but Rasnaber need to do changes now. Expect to see the others that stayed to get their chance against the Pumas.

Ja, me too. I think it will be very leaky without Am in the middle, without Willemse as the last line, and with a debutant on the wing.

That beign said, Moodie gives me a lot of Pat Lambie vibes. Not a Kolbie or Habana type talent with a crazy step or blistering speed, but a solid all-rounder that is super dependable and intelligent. If any wing in SA would be able to pick-up and understand the Bok defensive pattern, I think it's him. He might still get his timing wrong in his rush (Nkosi and Mapimpi took 4-5 games, Fassi never really got it right) but I think Moodie will get it and is a great untility back for the squad as he can cover 11, 13, 14 and 15.

YOURE A VOKKEN IDIOT.....go back to school and learn how to count to 10 and take your Nienaber and rassie with to learn the ABC....as in different game plans

Fassi was played out of position and only in 3 games in which he scored 2 tries....

Its your joke of a coach that cant coach X factor players .

[Blake]

Hook, line and sinker

[ASMO]

I see Fat Frans is still there, will mean the Aussies got to jog a bit further to get around him, maybe the tactic is to tire them out doing it?

[FalseBayFC]

Faf dropped. Tight 5 is quality. The rest all new combinations.

I am worried about our rush defense.

Wallabies should take it but Rasnaber need to do changes now. Expect to see the others that stayed to get their chance against the Pumas.

Ja, me too. I think it will be very leaky without Am in the middle, without Willemse as the last line, and with a debutant on the wing.

That beign said, Moodie gives me a lot of Pat Lambie vibes. Not a Kolbie or Habana type talent with a crazy step or blistering speed, but a solid all-rounder that is super dependable and intelligent. If any wing in SA would be able to pick-up and understand the Bok defensive pattern, I think it's him. He might still get his timing wrong in his rush (Nkosi and Mapimpi took 4-5 games, Fassi never really got it right) but I think Moodie will get it and is a great untility back for the squad as he can cover 11, 13, 14 and 15.

Moodie gives me JP Pietersen vibes. A lanky strider with great defensive instinct. I'm not happy we're losing so many games but glad that our systems are being stress tested like this. Its forcing change onto a fairly conservative coaching philosophy.

[OomStruisbaai]

I see Fat Frans is still there, will mean the Aussies got to jog a bit further to get around him, maybe the tactic is to tire them out doing it?

There are two. Which one?

[Masterji]

Is the guy that pretended to be the fat version of Frans still faking it

[Gumboot]

[Grandpa]

Keep doing the same things and hope for different results...

[Gumboot]

Snap!


Happy with the bench changes. There's no way Perofeta deserved to be selected again after his dismal 50-second performance in Christchurch.

[Grandpa]

Snap!


Happy with the bench changes. There's no way Perofeta deserved to be selected again after his dismal 50-second performance in Christchurch.

Yeah, he was sent on to change the game ffs!

Sam Cane must be dreading getting picked again...

[convoluted]

Quite happy with the re-select.
They will be looking to amend and will have a good idea of what to expect from the Argies.

On Saturday night there is a Moulin Rouge theme dance at a nearby town, so the ladies will all be tarted up in fishnets and frillies.
My choice that evening is between Folies Bergege or Foster's follies.
Think I'll choose the perv.

[Dan54]

Snap!


Happy with the bench changes. There's no way Perofeta deserved to be selected again after his dismal 50-second performance in Christchurch.

Feel for Perofeta, but he was there as an injury replacement, and so was always going to lose spot, same as Vaii who got no time. It's not really that unusual for bench players.

[Gumboot]

Feel for Perofeta, but he was there as an injury replacement, and so was always going to lose spot, same as Vaii who got no time. It's not really that unusual for bench players.

Thought they were both named in the original RC squad back in July, Dan?

[Guy Smiley]

After years of revolving door selections, Foster starts sticking by a First XV that remains flawed despite having some changes almost forced up him.

Taylor had a bad game so he's replaced by Coles who brings nothing extra along with the added risk of penalties costing the team despite their group statements about discipline.

Perofeta and Vaa'i are two of several players in the wider squad that WE need to see being played now as part of a long overdue development and replace strategy. Instead, we're stuck with BB who hasn't performed as a catalyst for the backline and two ageing locks who deliver while blocking development.

The stubborn insistence on sticking with Same Cane stands as a symbol for Foster's intransigence. I think he needs a rest and the team need a change of pace from their captain.

What odds on losing the Bledisloe right now?

[Kiwias]

Aumua is surely one who needs to be getting more regular game time, rather than Taylor and Coles.

[Kiwias]

What odds on losing the Bledisloe right now?

The Aussies will be making space in their trophy cupboard as we speak.

[Guy Smiley]

What odds on losing the Bledisloe right now?

The Aussies will be making space in their trophy cupboard as we speak.

I don't think they really need to make any space in there...

[Gumboot]

What odds on losing the Bledisloe right now?

The Aussies will be making space in their trophy cupboard as we speak.

Yep, thankfully I'm not a betting man.

Agree with you about Aumua. We really only need one of Coles and Taylor in the squad...at most.

[Gumboot]

What odds on losing the Bledisloe right now?

The Aussies will be making space in their trophy cupboard as we speak.

I don't think they really need to make any space in there...

[Kiwias]

What odds on losing the Bledisloe right now?

The Aussies will be making space in their trophy cupboard as we speak.

I don't think they really need to make any space in there...

[Dan54]

Feel for Perofeta, but he was there as an injury replacement, and so was always going to lose spot, same as Vaii who got no time. It's not really that unusual for bench players.

Thought they were both named in the original RC squad back in July, Dan?

Yep named in squad as most bench players are. Not saying I like it happening, but a few people have been named in squads with next to no game time. I feel for the poor buggers but it is a fact of life.