Official United Rugby Championship thread

[‘tsek]

Looks like the run of wins for SA teams ends this round.

At least the Lions aren’t the weak link. Wink wink.

[_Os_]

Looks like the run of wins for SA teams ends this round.

At least the Lions aren’t the weak link. Wink wink.

Who are you and why do you have the moer in for innocent Os?

[‘tsek]

Looks like the run of wins for SA teams ends this round.

At least the Lions aren’t the weak link. Wink wink.

Who are you and why do you have the moer in for innocent Os?

‘Cause I miss insightful commentary on how the autumn will go in the Ukraine. For rugby insight we’ll channel sards.

[weegie01]

Well, that was poor by Edinburgh. Tried to be too clever and never really hit their straps.

The Lions on the other hand wanted it more, and just kept harrying Edinburgh until they made mistakes and got desperate.

We sit in front of the away coaches. One of the Lions was nearly in tears. I was surprised, but it clearly meant a lot to all of them.

[‘tsek]

Well, that was poor by Edinburgh. Tried to be too clever and never really hit their straps.

The Lions on the other hand wanted it more, and just kept harrying Edinburgh until they made mistakes and got desperate.

We sit in front of the away coaches. One of the Lions was nearly in tears. I was surprised, but it clearly meant a lot to all of them.

Thank you for your observation, I would really like to cry some tears there as well. . There were those thought that URC won’t have any meaning and context, but, obviously, they were wrong.

[Sards]

Komaaan die leeus! Maak dit een vir die onderste honde!

Missed the last 5 minutes live because, barking dogs (en oppie plaas gaan luister jy) and a mother of a puffadder on the stoep, aggro as hell (paste tense must have been hungry).

All in all. Not bad Lions. Now either the Sharks or Someones’s laaitie must win a cricket match before it could be called a successful weekend.

[weegie01]

Well, that was poor by Edinburgh. Tried to be too clever and never really hit their straps.

The Lions on the other hand wanted it more, and just kept harrying Edinburgh until they made mistakes and got desperate.

We sit in front of the away coaches. One of the Lions was nearly in tears. I was surprised, but it clearly meant a lot to all of them.

Thank you for your observation, I would really like to cry some tears there as well. . There were those thought that URC won’t have any meaning and context, but, obviously, they were wrong.

Perhaps I underestimate the Lions, but that Edinburgh team should not be losing at home to that Lions team. But they were out thought and out fought by the Lions.

I have yet to watch a recording, but it looked like Edinburgh thought they could just keep playing the set pieces and running plays, and the Lions would crack. But the Lions refused to crack and just kept coming back at them.

[Slick]

Well, that was poor by Edinburgh. Tried to be too clever and never really hit their straps.

The Lions on the other hand wanted it more, and just kept harrying Edinburgh until they made mistakes and got desperate.

We sit in front of the away coaches. One of the Lions was nearly in tears. I was surprised, but it clearly meant a lot to all of them.

Thank you for your observation, I would really like to cry some tears there as well. . There were those thought that URC won’t have any meaning and context, but, obviously, they were wrong.

Perhaps I underestimate the Lions, but that Edinburgh team should not be losing at home to that Lions team. But they were out thought and out fought by the Lions.

I have yet to watch a recording, but it looked like Edinburgh thought they could just keep playing the set pieces and running plays, and the Lions would crack. But the Lions refused to crack and just kept coming back at them.

It’s almost as if they have no one that can manage a game and if plan A fails against a good organised side there is no plan b.

[Tichtheid]

Thank you for your observation, I would really like to cry some tears there as well. . There were those thought that URC won’t have any meaning and context, but, obviously, they were wrong.

Perhaps I underestimate the Lions, but that Edinburgh team should not be losing at home to that Lions team. But they were out thought and out fought by the Lions.

I have yet to watch a recording, but it looked like Edinburgh thought they could just keep playing the set pieces and running plays, and the Lions would crack. But the Lions refused to crack and just kept coming back at them.

It’s almost as if they have no one that can manage a game and if plan A fails against a good organised side there is no plan b.

That’s no more true this week than last. We coughed up stupid penalties at key points in attack and defence.

We scored two maul tries where we may have had two penalties

We dropped the ball at key points in the attack, the last one led to the penalty that won the game for Lions.

I haven’t looked at the full stats yet but I have the feeling that our defence was a lot better last year under Kitty than it has been so far under the new coach, we are certainly missing tackles from players who are normally secure and we’ve shipped a lot of tries - 11 after 4 games compared to 32 in 18 games last season, almost three per game compared to almost two.

edit, on the other side of that we have scored more tries than any other side in the league, our fixtures have already included perhaps our stiffest challenges, the two away games in SA

We were shite last night though, the execution was at preseason level at best

[robmatic]

Perhaps I underestimate the Lions, but that Edinburgh team should not be losing at home to that Lions team. But they were out thought and out fought by the Lions.

I have yet to watch a recording, but it looked like Edinburgh thought they could just keep playing the set pieces and running plays, and the Lions would crack. But the Lions refused to crack and just kept coming back at them.

It’s almost as if they have no one that can manage a game and if plan A fails against a good organised side there is no plan b.

That’s no more true this week than last. We coughed up stupid penalties at key points in attack and defence.

We scored two maul tries where we may have had two penalties

We dropped the ball at key points in the attack, the last one led to the penalty that won the game for Lions.

I haven’t looked at the full stats yet but I have the feeling that our defence was a lot better last year under Kitty than it has been so far under the new coach, we are certainly missing tackles from players who are normally secure and we’ve shipped a lot of tries - 11 after 4 games compared to 32 in 18 games last season, almost three per game compared to almost two.

edit, on the other side of that we have scored more tries than any other side in the league, our fixtures have already included perhaps our stiffest challenges, the two away games in SA

We were shite last night though, the execution was at preseason level at best

It's frustrating because I think Embra did alright in terms of possession and territory but gave away a couple of tries and were poor in the red zone.

This league was easier when every other game was against Welsh or Italian opposition.

[Blake]

Andre Hugo Venter is a great player, but he has to get better at lineout throwing.
At present he seems to be the worst Stormers lineout thrower in recent memory and that is quite an accomplishment.

[_Os_]

Stomps have stolen an old Sharks kit. Typical.

[Blake]

Ref really nailing Zebre out there. 5 penalties in 15 mins.

Some seemed a bit harsh.

[Blake]

Jissis Willemse!

Had a howler last weekend, and seems to be fucking up this week too.

He keeps trying to thread grubbers through the defense, but inevitably hits a trailing opponent leg and puts his team under pressure.
It's infuriating.

[Sards]

I am just glad to get out of the sun and deck chairs. 3 days in a row and another tomorrow. Already got a decent T shirt tan. Can't understand why Libbok is conceding the kicking duties

[robmatic]

Ref really nailing Zebre out there. 5 penalties in 15 mins.

Some seemed a bit harsh.

It's no fun being a perceived weaker team.

[Blake]

I am just glad to get out of the sun and deck chairs. 3 days in a row and another tomorrow. Already got a decent T shirt tan. Can't understand why Libbok is conceding the kicking duties

Can't understand why you can't understand why the player with the bigger, better boot is getting the kicking duties

[_Os_]

10 Libbok 12 Mngomezulu 15 Willemse = Should be doing better than it is.

I suspect Mngomezulu is better than Libbok.

[Blake]

Roos and Engelbrecht really roughing up the Zebre backs. Some of it legal, some marginal...some not looking good.

Roos needs to wind his neck in. Playing like a bit of a poes of late.

[Sards]

Stormers making it look easy.

Roos is being watched carefully now by the officials

[Blake]

10 Libbok 12 Mngomezulu 15 Willemse = Should be doing better than it is.

I suspect Mngomezulu is better than Libbok.

Ja, I was expecting more of that trio today, but only Mngomezulu has shown anything.
Willemse and Libbok have played like chops whenever they'd gotten their hands on the ball.

[Blake]

Zebre clawing their way back into the match in the last 10 mins of the 1st half.
7-17 to the Stormers going into the break.

Both teams making a lot of mistakes. Discipline terrible. Bleeding penalties left, right and center.
Only Mngomezulu really standing out of the Stormers, and maybe Fouche who scored a nice try. The rest have been meh.

Zebre gave a couple of teams a 2nd half wakeup call. Stormers need to shape up or they can still lose this match.

[OomStruisbaai]

The Stormers is in for a tough 2nd half. They need to kick minimum and spread it. Scrum well. It's hot so the benches will be make the difference.

[OomStruisbaai]

Zebre clawing their way back into the match in the last 10 mins of the 1st half.
7-17 to the Stormers going into the break.

Both teams making a lot of mistakes. Discipline terrible. Bleeding penalties left, right and center.
Only Mngomezulu really standing out of the Stormers, and maybe Fouche who scored a nice try. The rest have been meh.

Zebre gave a couple of teams a 2nd half wakeup call. Stormers need to shape up or they can still lose this match.

The ref is very strict specially at the breakdowns

[OomStruisbaai]

10 Libbok 12 Mngomezulu 15 Willemse = Should be doing better than it is.

I suspect Mngomezulu is better than Libbok.

Ja, I was expecting more of that trio today, but only Mngomezulu has shown anything.
Willemse and Libbok have played like chops whenever they'd gotten their hands on the ball.

All new combinations and still trying to find each other. Sacha kicking has been great for the SA u20s in Italy.

[Blake]

As expected, Zebre starting the second half on fire. Scoring a try in the 42nd minute.

3-point match 14-17.

Momentum with Zebre at the moment.

[Blake]

All new combinations and still trying to find each other. Sacha kicking has been great for the SA u20s in Italy.

Ja, but neither Libbok or Willemse have even tried to link up with other players today. They are just kicking (badly) or running into traffic.
If there were dropped passes, or bad supporting lines being run I'd agree with you, but we aren't even seeing that much from them today.

[Sards]

All new combinations and still trying to find each other. Sacha kicking has been great for the SA u20s in Italy.

Ja, but neither Libbok or Willemse have even tried to link up with other players today. They are just kicking (badly) or running into traffic.
If there were dropped passes, or bad supporting lines being run I'd agree with you, but we aren't even seeing that much from them today.

Libbok has gone into his shell. He does that when there's competition for his position. Stormers better manage that.

[Sards]

Great try

[PornDog]

I'm so glad Connacht picked up Hawkshaw from Leinster !!!

and equally baffled they let him go, because he's going to be as good as Henshaw

Ya reckon? He's always looked decidedly average every time I've seen him play (missed most of last nights game)

[fishfoodie]

I'm so glad Connacht picked up Hawkshaw from Leinster !!!

and equally baffled they let him go, because he's going to be as good as Henshaw

Ya reckon? He's always looked decidedly average every time I've seen him play (missed most of last nights game)

He never quite kicked on from being an absolute prodigy as a teenager, but last night, some of his passes to release other players were ... <chefs kiss>

[Blake]

Libbok has gone into his shell. He does that when there's competition for his position. Stormers better manage that.

Or it could just be Jantjies at 9 again providing sub-par service. We'll see if anything changes when De Wet is subbed in.

[Blake]

Leuia very quiet in his first outing.
Dan du Plessis did more with his first touch than the import did all match.

With the depth we have it always puzzles me when we rope in these journeyman players from overseas.

[Blake]

C'mon Stormers! We want that bonus point dammit!

Last 2 matches you sneaked a try the death. Do it again!

[Blake]

There it is! BP on 78 mins.

Mngomezulu in. Terrific performance by him today. Got to be Man of the Match.

[OomStruisbaai]

Sacha MOTM. Bonus ooint in the bag, top of the log.

[OomStruisbaai]

Komaan Tjarks. Make us proud!!!

[Sards]

Stormers do what Leinster and Sharks couldn't

[PCPhil]

A short message.
Dear Celts, get your sh1t together.

Thank you.

[TheNatalShark]

Good game so far I think, some weak defence in places but also some great moves