Official United Rugby Championship thread

[OomStruisbaai]

Great win by the Lions to make it 4 out of 4 for SA teams.

[GogLais]

I hope Pivac is on a good wedge for trying to put an international team together out this weekend's load of shite.

[OomStruisbaai]

[freddie]

I still can’t understand why professional players can’t figure out that when the guy running at you is using the ball as a bouncer then you need to tackle lower. It’s a spectacular technique but really the defender needs to adjust when it’s telegraphed like that ( retires to couch ;-)

[assfly]

Well done Lions. I went to bed when Ospreys scored their third try, but they really turned it around. Quite a good Ospreys side too.

Clean sweep for the SA teams

[FalseBayFC]

Stellenbosch was rocking yesterday. My club team False Bay RFC won the finals against Durbell at Danie Craven played after the URC game at 7. Stormers game was lekker too.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stellenbosch was rocking yesterday. My club team False Bay RFC won the finals against Durbell at Danie Craven played after the URC game at 7. Stormers game was lekker too.

Congrats FB. When last did they won the league?

I was very surprised with the crowd. If Maties made the final I am sure it would be a full house.

[OomStruisbaai]

Dragons beating Munster. Great crowd and gees at Rodney Parade

[Uncle fester]

Dragons beating Munster. Great crowd and gees at Rodney Parade

Sheesh. Looks like we're continuing as we finished last year.

Enjoy the win drags.

[yermum]

Rowntree out!

[OomStruisbaai]

It's going to take time to get that Saffer pattern out of Munster.. Sharks playing Dragons on saturday night.

[robmatic]

Clean sweep for the SA teams

Close margins though, three of those games were by less than a score.

It's been a competitive first two weeks. Probably disappointing for Munster and Connacht fans though.

[OomStruisbaai]

Clean sweep for the SA teams

Close margins though, three of those games were by less than a score.

It's been a competitive first two weeks. Probably disappointing for Munster and Connacht fans though.

Good to see the Welsch and Italian teams improvement. The URC going only one way, up.

I love the crowds.

[bok_viking]

Clean sweep for the SA teams

Close margins though, three of those games were by less than a score.

It's been a competitive first two weeks. Probably disappointing for Munster and Connacht fans though.

Yup very close for those 3 games, but we got the wins, last year it would have been very likely that at least 2 of those ended in defeat. So a better start to the season than last season. Bulls need lots of work to cut out some of the mistakes and lucky in the end with that missed kick, it should never have gotten that close. Also looking forward to have Moodie and Arendse back soon and was great to see Goosen back even if it was at 15, I hope he will go back to 10 as soon as Arendse is available.
I was at the stadium and it felt like the crowd never really got into the game, I guess their minds were elsewhere. It was strangely quiet for most of the game, almost felt like it was just a bunch of people sitting around having a chat instead of watching a game. There was non of the usual hostility from the crowd, so Edinburgh had very little pressure from the crowd for most of the game.

[weegie01]

Clean sweep for the SA teams

Close margins though, three of those games were by less than a score.

It's been a competitive first two weeks. Probably disappointing for Munster and Connacht fans though.

Good to see the Welsch and Italian teams improvement. The URC going only one way, up.

I love the crowds.

I have said several times I was dubious, but have been won over.

It is early days for this season, but it seems to be carrying on the same. The SA teams have brought something new, the other teams are responding. Even though there was a clean sweep for the SA teams, they did not run away with the games. Tight, competitive games improves teams, thrashings do not.

[OomStruisbaai]

Clean sweep for the SA teams

Close margins though, three of those games were by less than a score.

It's been a competitive first two weeks. Probably disappointing for Munster and Connacht fans though.

Yup very close for those 3 games, but we got the wins, last year it would have been very likely that at least 2 of those ended in defeat. So a better start to the season than last season. Bulls need lots of work to cut out some of the mistakes and lucky in the end with that missed kick, it should never have gotten that close. Also looking forward to have Moodie and Arendse back soon and was great to see Goosen back even if it was at 15, I hope he will go back to 10 as soon as Arendse is available.
I was at the stadium and it felt like the crowd never really got into the game, I guess their minds were elsewhere. It was strangely quiet for most of the game, almost felt like it was just a bunch of people sitting around having a chat instead of watching a game. There was non of the usual hostility from the crowd, so Edinburgh had very little pressure from the crowd for most of the game.

I haven't watched the Bulls vs Embra game. I have seen Immelman kicking a winner for Grey vs Paul Roos in Bloemfontein. Missing this time.

[Tichtheid]

I watched the Bulls Embra game at the time and I've watched the highlights since, but not the full re-run yet.

Edinburgh did everything but win the game -

(Edinburgh numbers first)

We scored 5 tries v 4
Had 56% possession v 44%
4 clean breaks v 2
17 defenders beaten v 6
10 offloads v 5
86 tackles at a success rate of 92%, 7 missed tackles v 113 tackles at a success rate of 86%, 18 missed tackles
4 turnovers won each

Here is where the match was won

14 penalties conceded v 9
38% kicking success rate v 71%

Hopefully we'll have everyone fit for Saturday, we'll have to be at that same level to stand a chance against the Stormers.We must sort out our discipline.

[OomStruisbaai]

Friday, 30 September 2022
18:30 SAST (16:30 GMT) Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Vodacom Bulls v Connacht

20:35 SAST (18:35 GMT) Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Rugby v Emirates Lions

20:35 SAST (18:35 GMT) Kingspan Stadium
Ulster v Leinster

Saturday, 01 October 2022
14:00 SAST (12:00 GMT) DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Stormers v Edinburgh

16:05 SAST (14:05 GMT) Swansea.com Stadium
Ospreys v Glasgow Warriors

18:05 SAST (16:05 GMT) Musgrave Park, Ireland
Munster v Zebre

18:15 SAST (16:15 GMT) Stadio Comunale di Monigo, TBC
Benetton Rugby v Scarlets

20:35 SAST (18:35 GMT) Rodney Parade
Dragons v Sharks

[Blake]

Edinburgh were very unlucky.

Stormers will have to be at he top of their game if we are going to take them down.

Looking forward to the match. Should be a cracker.

[robmatic]

Close margins though, three of those games were by less than a score.

It's been a competitive first two weeks. Probably disappointing for Munster and Connacht fans though.

Good to see the Welsch and Italian teams improvement. The URC going only one way, up.

I love the crowds.

I have said several times I was dubious, but have been won over.

It is early days for this season, but it seems to be carrying on the same. The SA teams have brought something new, the other teams are responding. Even though there was a clean sweep for the SA teams, they did not run away with the games. Tight, competitive games improves teams, thrashings do not.

I much prefer the URC as a competition to the European ones at the moment. The league and pool setup makes a lot more sense to me than the weird pool thing they have in Europe. And I like the 2 week tour to SA.

For the Scottish teams, playing against the Irish and SA teams is a great level of competition. The Welsh and Italians have some catching up to do though.

[PornDog]

They've really taken a hatchet to Europe - such a shame as it was a great competition.

As you say though, the URC is definitely picking up. Hopeful that Cardiff will be good this year and no matter where they end up in the table, Scarlets will always be entertaining.

[Sards]

With the internationals I find it a bit much. I was rugbied out by Saturday lunch.

What I have noticed is that the first game on tour is the hardest. Next game should be much more interesting. So I am looking with interest at this weekends results

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers still waiting on Senatla. However Zas and returning Boks straight back at practice. Willemse also on protocols out for Saturday.

[Uncle fester]

Seabelo Senatla out for six months. That's pretty shit for him.

[assfly]

Seabelo Senatla out for six months. That's pretty shit for him.

Was this due to Aki? Because he seemed to get up ok from it afterwards.

[FalseBayFC]

Seabelo Senatla out for six months. That's pretty shit for him.

Was this due to Aki? Because he seemed to get up ok from it afterwards.

Sounds like some kind of fracture maybe. Just guessing from looking at the impact area. Could be jaw, collar bone something like that

[OomStruisbaai]

Seabelo Senatla out for six months. That's pretty shit for him.

Was this due to Aki? Because he seemed to get up ok from it afterwards.

Sounds like some kind of fracture maybe. Just guessing from looking at the impact area. Could be jaw, collar bone something like that

R365

I don’t when he is going to play rugby again. It’s a big blow for us.

“It’s related to his shoulder and pectoral muscles.”

[OomStruisbaai]

The reaction from Aki after the red was really bad. Hope they cited and put him away for long.

Saw the likes of Deon Fourie, Salman Moerat, Damian Willemse and Joseph Dweba & Hershel Jantjies back in training.

WP have some depth on the wing with Sas back. I like that Wynberg youngster maybe he get his chance now.

[Tichtheid]

It was awkward more than anything else. Look he will have to pay for it as he lives on the edge but I've seen worse despite the outcome. It's a man's game

Nope.

If you want a text book example of the sort of "clean out" the game is trying to get rid of, that is it.


Man's game my arse.

[OomStruisbaai]

It was awkward more than anything else. Look he will have to pay for it as he lives on the edge but I've seen worse despite the outcome. It's a man's game

The Stormers coach quoted that he understand the clean out and where it comes from. It was his behaviour after getting red that was disgusting to say the least. He nearly hit the Italian ref. That's not acceptable and show that he have no brain cells.

[SaintK]

It was awkward more than anything else. Look he will have to pay for it as he lives on the edge but I've seen worse despite the outcome. It's a man's game

Nope.

If you want a text book example of the sort of "clean out" the game is trying to get rid of, that is it.


Man's game my arse.

And Aki has form for that. At least his second red and a number of yellows?

[yermum]

It was awkward more than anything else. Look he will have to pay for it as he lives on the edge but I've seen worse despite the outcome. It's a man's game

bring back the biff
games gone soft
I love dementia pugilistica

[OomStruisbaai]

It was awkward more than anything else. Look he will have to pay for it as he lives on the edge but I've seen worse despite the outcome. It's a man's game

bring back the biff
games gone soft
I love dementia pugilistica

Saffers love this. The rougher the better.

[PornDog]

He'll probably get about 8 weeks I'd imagine, for the hit, previous and then being a cunt to the ref (for the 2nd time - was it Poite last time?)

I have some sympathy for him in terms of where the hell are you supposed to bind onto a player that's in that position and actually have it be a fair contest - but whatever the answer to that question is, it's not smashing them in the head with your shoulder.

[Tichtheid]

I have some sympathy for him in terms of where the hell are you supposed to bind onto a player that's in that position and actually have it be a fair contest - but whatever the answer to that question is, it's not smashing them in the head with your shoulder.

Players have to option of realising that the possession is lost and try to secure it on the next phase

[PornDog]

I have some sympathy for him in terms of where the hell are you supposed to bind onto a player that's in that position and actually have it be a fair contest - but whatever the answer to that question is, it's not smashing them in the head with your shoulder.

Players have to option of realising that the possession is lost and try to secure it on the next phase

Well yes, the way the game is at the moment that's pretty much the only option. I just decry this state of affairs. Not defending Aki in any shape or form, just the circumstances that led to it (outside of Aki being "over exuberant" that is) are not to my liking.

[Uncle fester]

He'll probably get about 8 weeks I'd imagine, for the hit, previous and then being a cunt to the ref (for the 2nd time - was it Poite last time?)

I have some sympathy for him in terms of where the hell are you supposed to bind onto a player that's in that position and actually have it be a fair contest - but whatever the answer to that question is, it's not smashing them in the head with your shoulder.

Go in slow and wrestle him sideways. Guy was off his feet anyway.

[Tichtheid]

From Wales Online

Nigel Owens has been handed a key role amid a significant shake-up in the officiating of the United Rugby Championship.

The World Cup final referee is one of four independent assessors who have been appointed to review the performances of match officials in the cross-border competition.

In the past, the respective Unions have assessed their own officials via their referee managers, but now there’s a change of policy.

Wales’ Owens has been joined by Ireland’s George Clancy, South Africa’s Stuart Berry and Scotland’s Neil Paterson on the four-man independent selection panel. It will be their job to give their verdict on officials’ performances and draw up an elite group of referees.

Explaining the move, the URC’s Head of Match Officials Tappe Henning said: “We have changed the structure in terms of how we review match officials’ performances. In the past, it was done by the referee managers from each of the five Unions, who wrote assessments. We have now switched to four independent assessors as a selectors panel.

“They will do those reviews with me, as the chairman of that group. All four of them are recently retired international referees. They are independent in the sense that they are not directly responsible for the development or progress of individuals within their Unions.

“By doing this, we have aligned ourselves to the model World Rugby is using to assess international performances. The idea is to bring a fresh pair of eyes and fresh thinking into the model.

“The aim of that then is to get to an elite group of referees selected on merit and not necessarily on representation from each Union, to bring credibility to the match officials we appoint. That’s the long-term goal.”

Owens took charge of the 2015 World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia. He was also appointed to the England versus New Zealand semi-final in 2019, the game many regarded as the best of the tournament.

In another move, the URC has appointed former Scotland hooker Steve Scott as a set-piece consultant. Scott, who has coached at Sale and Edinburgh, will add his expertise to help with the officiating of scrum and lineout.

Henning said: “It’s hugely important to improve our referees’ knowledge all the time. Two areas we have identified where we can get some professional help is around the scrum and lineout maul.

“Steve is an ex-international hooker and currently forwards coach of Romania. He will look at the outcome at each and every scrum and lineout that takes place and assess the performance of the referees there.

“Most of our referees never played in the forwards, to be honest. Steve has 17 years of experience of coaching forwards. Having him on board will help referees to understand the set-piece process a bit better and then hopefully that will lead to better decision-making and more accuracy in reading situations.

“He will also engage with the forwards coaches of the clubs to discuss matters that they raise. He will then be our link, so we develop a better understanding between referees and clubs about how we deal with the set-pieces and the expectations there. The main aim is consistency and understanding our responsibilites on both sides in that part of the game.”

In other news, referees and TMOs will be paired in a continuation of a policy first introduced in the 16-team league last season.

“They are the two main decision makers. Our aim is to appoint those in pairings. The more they work together the more effective they become and the better understanding there is between them. It will build the confidence between those two individuals," said the South African Henning, a former international referee himself.

“It will then take less time to reach what we call ‘the money shot’, the right decision, when it goes to the TMO. It also means the TMO can make calls without stopping the game and calling for an official referral. He can give information to the referee that the referee trusts for something that’s only a penalty and doesn’t need to be referred.”

[OomStruisbaai]

Aki is going to miss the Springbok test. Sadly.

[assfly]

oom, sort your copy pasting out