RWCR3 Ireland vs Springboks @ 23/9 21h00

[Sards]

Let's keep it simple.
Two different backlines.
This one lost to NZ and the Irish
The other smashed the ABs

Make of it what you will

[C69]

It's on the telly again here and watching from 45 min. Twas brutal. O'Keefe made a difference

Fixed

[C69]

It's on the telly again here and watching from 45 min. Twas brutal. O'Keefe made a difference

Fixed

Very disappointing thar you are trying to assuage your guilt about what happened with Fiji through this match. Your guilt should go as far back as stitching yourself up with an easy group by offering sexy *piss baths to World Rugby officials in a Cardiff Maldron circa 2020

*not fully confirmed

I am happy to win with a bent ref like Carley.
I was happy O'Keefe won the match for you,. I am fully on the Irish bandwagon when you knock us out in the Semi.*


* Wales will be out later today after a big loss to Oz.

[ScarfaceClaw]

What in the hell is going on here.

[PCPhil]

Any words from Rassie yet?
Yes the ref fucked you over all match but ultimately you were the better team and with a decent kicker you would have won easily.
A bad day at the office but you 2 may meet later in the final and unless the officials screw you over it should be a great game.
Oh and Pollard must start.

You're becoming a little tedious.

[Guy Smiley]

[C69]

Any words from Rassie yet?
Yes the ref fucked you over all match but ultimately you were the better team and with a decent kicker you would have won easily.
A bad day at the office but you 2 may meet later in the final and unless the officials screw you over it should be a great game.
Oh and Pollard must start.

You're becoming a little tedious.

Becoming?

[PCPhil]

Any words from Rassie yet?
Yes the ref fucked you over all match but ultimately you were the better team and with a decent kicker you would have won easily.
A bad day at the office but you 2 may meet later in the final and unless the officials screw you over it should be a great game.
Oh and Pollard must start.

You're becoming a little tedious.

Becoming?

I was being nice.

[OomStruisbaai]

You Kiwis must be disappointed with Rassie.

[Sards]

You Kiwis must be disappointed with Rassie.

And South Africans

[_Os_]

Look I know Pollards play well. No way his distribution is even close to Manie. Faf's service was sow last night, take a step or two before passing but Manie still being able to put players in space. Pollard +Ellende + Kriel = high kick and charge rugby add Faf, no respect for possession.

Pollard's short passing game has always been good. I also felt Faf was slow at times, but at times the Irish weren't rolling and the ref wasn't calling it. De Allende had a good game and is a strong defender, Kriel also strong on defence. If Libbok can't make it work in close games with Faf/De Allende/Kriel, then it is easier to replace Libbok than all the other players to continue building a side around him.

All a bit besides the point though, do you really think any side can win three knockout games without a decent kicker? Libbok got a bit unlucky, it's the only time since I've been watching the Boks (other than the '97 Lions) when there isn't 2 or 3 strong goal kickers, in other teams there would be a first choice fullback or centre who was a strong place kicker. But it's all on him, he looked very nervous taking one of those kicks and missed, feel bad for the guy but he's not going to be able to improve this during a RWC.

[_Os_]

I know all Kiwis will say..."we're so crap we'll lose to Italy..." but, for the nuetrals the setup is amazing. We get 4 finals this year. Yesterdays. Ireland v NZ, France v SA, then any 2 of those 4 to meet up later.
(still shite or WR to screw up the draw for cheap headline 3 years ago)

Ireland v Scotland is likely a much bigger game than most realise. Quite odd when the pools are so tight none of the commentary explains how bonus points and qualifying for the quarters works. I've heard zero on the broadcasts about it and seen nothing in any print media.

If Scotland beat Romania and Tonga with a bonus in each, then beat Ireland without Ireland getting a bonus point, that puts Ireland out of the RWC. It wouldn't be the most likely result, but it's not impossible. Their reward would be a meeting with France or New Zealand, but this draw is stupid.

Wouldn't be so sure no team from Pool C or D makes the final either, those sides will be a lot fresher in the semis than the sides from Pool A and B. The draw being tilted in favour of the best sides from Pool C and D, means just that.

[Sards]

If we stick to this team we are out in the quarters....
Here first. Then we can debate how good so and so is in the team context.

[_Os_]

R2 explain this and take responsibility for it.

[OomStruisbaai]

Apparently after the match in the changing rooms, Libbok was so pissed off that he kicked the wall…and missed

[_Os_]

His dad was Irish. A dentist from the Midlands. Have you ever met a dentist who isn't a weirdo? He likes to say he is Irish to seem exotic when he isn't. He's just a cunt

I did not know this, so he supports England and Ireland and this isn't a one off trolling move. Doesn't make any sense, may as well support no one.

[Chilli]

[OomStruisbaai]

Apparently after the match in the changing rooms, Libbok was so pissed off that he kicked the wall…and missed

I saw a joke earlier

"Bok bench for next match announced. 7 kickers 1 forward."

Us Saffers love make jokes after a loss. Make it easier to laugh it off. At least we don't have load shedding from yesterday to Tuesday. Something more important then sport to us.

[C69]

Watching the telly here amd Flannery and Ferris pointing out Bin was very good around the breakdown in terms of it being so ferociously contested and him missing fuck all. It's a fair assessment

Irish thinking Bin was fair and good, fuck me with a feather.
No he was one sided and Cyclopian.

Great win for my second team though, long may Wales and Ireland be favoured by officials.

[Cartman]

I noticed in the post match Nienaber mentioned KLA as one of the players who would learn from this.
I think they feel, like I did, that he should have gone for it early in the game when he took that high ball. One player in front of him is normally no problem for him

[Sandstorm]

I assume Porter got MOM? Bound illegally to nullify Boks strongest weapon, stood in the way of every lineout to put the Bok hookers off and made sexy eyes at Bin to keep him sweet.

Well deserved.

[Uncle fester]

R2 explain this and take responsibility for it.

Good response.

[assfly]

Well done Ireland on a fantastic game, one of the all-time greats.

Just good, hard rugby. No yellows, no reds, no fights. Just quality, passionate rugby.

Great refereeing too.

I hope we meet in the final.

[Calculon]

Yeah... watching that was frustrating, but the Irish are a decent bunch so can't feel too upset. Hope your team beat the Kiwis in the quarters.

[Simian]

I know the consensus view is that Pollard would bring a marksman that you’re arguably missing and that’s why there’s a case for picking him at ten. Having a ten who can take the ball up themself (and he can) would (imo) make your backline so much more dangerous.

[Sandstorm]

Having a ten who can take the ball up themself (and he can) would (imo) make your backline so much more dangerous.

Not against Ireland or France. The 10 channel is packed with huge loosies who smash you on your arse. Go wider where there's more space. Sadly our 12 is a crowbar who won't send the ball wider either.

[average joe]

Congrats you beautiful Irish bastards. You gave as good as you got.

[Gumboot]

Congrats you beautiful Irish bastards. You gave as good as you got.

It's hard to imagine anything later to the party than this.

[average joe]

Congrats you beautiful Irish bastards. You gave as good as you got.

It's hard to imagine anything later to the party than this.

I only post when I'm at the office. Yesterday was a public holiday in SA.

[Simian]

Having a ten who can take the ball up themself (and he can) would (imo) make your backline so much more dangerous.

Not against Ireland or France. The 10 channel is packed with huge loosies who smash you on your arse. Go wider where there's more space. Sadly our 12 is a crowbar who won't send the ball wider either.

If you don’t engage them their whole defensive line can just push out tho, leaving even less space wider out. It also allows them to drop an extra player back, making it harder to win the kicking game.

[Sards]

This loss hurt a lot.

Rassie said we were going to beat Ireland. He even gave us the Nucleus squad for the game.
Its tuesday and I still cannot believe we are now 3rd place in the world. I want my money back

[OomStruisbaai]

SS

HERO OF THE WEEK: Damian Willemse

It may be easy to forget that there were many heroes on a night in Paris where the Springboks went toe to toe with the World’s No 1 side Ireland.

And while the result may not have gone their way, there certainly were many who put their bodies on the line. Pieter-Steph du Toit came up with another chart topping 13 tackles, while Frans Malherbe’s 11 tackles certainly show the unseen work that he does around the park.

But for this week the honour goes to Damian Willemse.

The Stormers’ utility has now certainly stepped out of the shadow of Willie le Roux and is fast establishing himself as the No 1 fullback in the team.

Relieved of the goalkicking duties, Willemse has shown an increase in confidence, a settled nature and a willingness to unleash that step of his against defenders and has been more than successful in it.

On Saturday he showed a maturity at the back under pressure, a calmness that was needed and a willingness to take a chance when it was on.

In 12 carries he made 112 metres and beat no less than 11 defenders.

By all accounts he is the first choice fullback and slots in well with the rest of the backline.

And for showing that maturity in a game that was brutal, physical and an arm wrestle where a mistake could easily have been punished, Willemse is our hero of the week

[Sandstorm]

SS

HERO OF THE WEEK: Damian Willemse

It may be easy to forget that there were many heroes on a night in Paris where the Springboks went toe to toe with the World’s No 1 side Ireland.

And while the result may not have gone their way, there certainly were many who put their bodies on the line. Pieter-Steph du Toit came up with another chart topping 13 tackles, while Frans Malherbe’s 11 tackles certainly show the unseen work that he does around the park.

But for this week the honour goes to Damian Willemse.

The Stormers’ utility has now certainly stepped out of the shadow of Willie le Roux and is fast establishing himself as the No 1 fullback in the team.

Relieved of the goalkicking duties, Willemse has shown an increase in confidence, a settled nature and a willingness to unleash that step of his against defenders and has been more than successful in it.

On Saturday he showed a maturity at the back under pressure, a calmness that was needed and a willingness to take a chance when it was on.

In 12 carries he made 112 metres and beat no less than 11 defenders.

By all accounts he is the first choice fullback and slots in well with the rest of the backline.

And for showing that maturity in a game that was brutal, physical and an arm wrestle where a mistake could easily have been punished, Willemse is our hero of the week

This loss hurt a lot.

[LoveOfTheGame]

[Insane_Homer]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-wor ... -cup-final

The Kiwi who improved his chances of being at the Rugby World Cup final

ANALYSIS: Kiwi referee Ben O’Keeffe’s hopes of taking charge of the biggest games ahead, including the Rugby World Cup final itself, took a big step forward on Sunday.

Referees are no different to players – they want to be involved on the biggest stage – and O’Keeffe’s performance in Ireland’s win over South Africa was a masterclass in how to handle a highly charged occasion.

Aided by the positive intent from both teams, O’Keeffe was measured but firm and clear in his communication with both teams. He was the boss, but didn’t want to be the centre of attention.

Even more importantly, he kept the pace of the contest high.

...

O’Keeffe was even-handed and consistent, too.

delusional!

Example:

75 mins on the clock, Score 8-10.
Ireland scrum and charge down drop goal went dead.
1st set, Irish 18 early engagement. Ref blows it up, coaches 18 with some handy advice "straight down, don't use your head on the shoulder, OK? It's your ball. Don't use your head on the shoulder" and resets. (should have been a free kick to SA).
SA then penalised for free kick offence "unstable, second time" he says, so it's a penalty - 3 points to Ireland.

How is that even handed when one side is coached and the other penalised?

[Sards]

I will do a breakdown. If I have time. He was definitely a bit better in this game, but I don't recall a single run of his where he put another player in for a try....none...or didn't go into contact. That's the difference between him and Willie. He always seems to get hero or MOTM irrespective of how good the others are. No backline player has deserved it over a few of the forwards in any of our matches. It's just hyping Willemse. I beg anyone to disagree

[Insane_Homer]

He means over the 80 you scamp. Unlike you I am too lazy to research our deep wrongings but I remember them including at scrum time. Poor old Porter had to take on 8 lads pivoting into him a few times and all he did was look bemused. A man's manly man's man

I only picked that one example as it was clear and obvious and a crucial point in the game that resulted in a score that meant with 4 mins on the clock SA had to score a try to draw/win.

Although that does remind me of the one collapse scrum pen against SA, your prop had a bewildered look on his face that was very telling

Lots more examples over the 80mins scamp.

[LoveOfTheGame]

I thought he did a very good job overall tbf.

[Sards]

I thought he did a very good job overall tbf.

Better than the forwards, DDA , Kriel , Faf, Kolbe......Please

[Insane_Homer]

"Consistent" example

Not offside = no advantage, no points (easy 3 in front of the posts that not even Mannie could miss)
Offside = advantage, 7 point score