The Rugby Championship - Round 3

[Biffer]

Blackadder has had a frenzied first quarter.

Formative years spent in Scotland. Disgusting poach by the kiwis.

[Biffer]

Thought Tuungafasi came through the middle there tbh

[Kiwias]

Thought Tuungafasi came through the middle there tbh

Ref called it that way then changed the call

[Blackmac]

That's strip on Berry was nonsense. Knees clearly on the ground.

[Torquemada 1420]

This game perfectly illustrates that in rugby, there is no substitute for power.

[Torquemada 1420]

FM, that is a shocking kick

[Biffer]

Genuinely lolled at that kick

[Gumboot]

Well done, Boks.

Enjoy the win, Saffers.

[Sards]

Can't wait for the ref bashing

[Biffer]

Can't wait for the ref bashing

Irony.

[Torquemada 1420]

Can't wait for the ref bashing

It's Brace. He is dogw*nk.

[OomStruisbaai]

Hard luck to the All Blacks. They had this in their hand. Rassie use of the bench the difference.

[Gumboot]

Best start the ABs have made in ages - just think, Clarke couldn't scored a hattrick if Blackadder had passed! Mind...boggled.

As expected, the bomb squad made a massive impact to wrestle back the momentum and take the lead. Thought we played very well overall, but just couldn't hang on in the end against a very fine Springbok side...

[Gumboot]

Beauden really needed to stop those pointless little chip kicks with time almost up...

[Sards]

Best start the ABs have made in ages - just think, Clarke couldn't scored a hattrick if Blackadder had passed! Mind...boggled.

As expected, the bomb squad made a massive impact to wrestle back the momentum and take the lead. Thought we played very well overall, but just couldn't hang on in the end against a very fine Springbok side...

ABs were well prepared. Razor did a great job.
Rassie knows he dodged a bullet

[ScarfaceClaw]

Beauden really needed to stop those pointless little chip kicks with time almost up...

90 seconds left and he kicks it away twice. Keep the fucking thing in your hand.

Well played Boks. Genuinely thought you’d batter us seven ways from Sunday so it’s bitter sweet loss.

[Sards]

One thing is for sure.

RC is the greatest tournament on the planet.

[OomStruisbaai]

Rassie got everything right. SMZ made some mistake but vok know his kicking game was the difference. That was a no contest plus the kid have some x factor. Nortje was massive in the lineouts. Kwagga what a player.

[OomStruisbaai]

Newlands will be a great test.

[OomStruisbaai]

For the All Blacks their scrum and lineouts was first class. Jordin Barret was great. They are not far off.

[Blake]

Well played Boks. Genuinely thought you’d batter us seven ways from Sunday so it’s bitter sweet loss.

Nah, I knew it would be close. It is a rare sight for the All Blacks not to show up for a Springbok fixture.

They really exploited our inexperience when trying to play this new attacking brand of rugby. Too many handling errors and forced passes against a very determined and organised defence, and we got punished for it.

Very impressive scrum as well. I thought we’d have more dominance there, but the NZ tight five held it’s own like no other scrum has managed to do for quite some time.

[ScarfaceClaw]

Well played Boks. Genuinely thought you’d batter us seven ways from Sunday so it’s bitter sweet loss.

Nah, I knew it would be close. It is a rare sight for the All Blacks not to show up for a Springbok fixture.

They really exploited our inexperience when trying to play this new attacking brand of rugby. Too many handling errors and forced passes against a very determined and organised defence, and we got punished for it.

Very impressive scrum as well. I thought we’d have more dominance there, but the NZ tight five held it’s own like no other scrum has managed to do for quite some time.

You destroyed us at the breakdown with turn overs. That’s where you won the game. We just couldn’t compete and at the end was a bit too easy for Sefrica to win the rucks.

[_Os_]

What were the actual rulings on the Bongi try?

Watched it a few times now, looks like it goes backwards (or a knock from the ABs, which would be advantage SA). Then the ref whistling the SFM conversion after he kicked it, can't work that one out, if he took too long he wasn't whistled before he kicked, not sure if the clock stops on when the approach starts or when it's kicked (but I'm guessing that was the call), if it was to check the try SFM didn't get another attempt. I had no clue watching live what had happened and thought the try was disallowed and the producers would return the Bok score to 0 at any moment.

Not sure "speeding up the game" is a great idea when you end up being unable to follow what is happening.

[Enzedder]

Thought Tuungafasi came through the middle there tbh

Ref called it that way then changed the call

That one had me baffled.

Crap bench did us in though (and Beauden Barret chose this morning to put his shit boots on)

[Gumboot]

Crap bench did us in though

This. We're getting nowhere near the requisite punch. Not one of them made a positive impact when they came on.

[Biffer]

What were the actual rulings on the Bongi try?

Watched it a few times now, looks like it goes backwards (or a knock from the ABs, which would be advantage SA). Then the ref whistling the SFM conversion after he kicked it, can't work that one out, if he took too long he wasn't whistled before he kicked, not sure if the clock stops on when the approach starts or when it's kicked (but I'm guessing that was the call), if it was to check the try SFM didn't get another attempt. I had no clue watching live what had happened and thought the try was disallowed and the producers would return the Bok score to 0 at any moment.

Not sure "speeding up the game" is a great idea when you end up being unable to follow what is happening.

I think it has to be scored in the time, not kicked.

[Enzedder]

Oh, and Perenara just watching the ball at the base of the ruck (just 5 metres out) and yelling/pointing at it. Kwagga just had to walk in and pick it up. Plus his yelling at the ref when we are hot on attack in the first half.

Good skills but a man of very little brain indeed.

[OomStruisbaai]

He had a Faf moment.

[Niegs]

[Insane_Homer]

Never in doubt, a couple of hick-ups trying to play too expensive until the bomb squad took control then strangled the correct result. Too much power up front.

[Jethro]

Can't wait for the ref bashing

The Ref is clearly a poo poo bumhead, yeah that's right.

Congrats to the Bokke and their supporters, bench made the difference

[OomStruisbaai]

Our bench wasn't that great. The scrum went backwards, lineouts a disaster.

[Jethro]

Our bench wasn't that great. The scrum went backwards, lineouts a disaster.

Quite happy to have swaps

[_Os_]

What were the actual rulings on the Bongi try?

Watched it a few times now, looks like it goes backwards (or a knock from the ABs, which would be advantage SA). Then the ref whistling the SFM conversion after he kicked it, can't work that one out, if he took too long he wasn't whistled before he kicked, not sure if the clock stops on when the approach starts or when it's kicked (but I'm guessing that was the call), if it was to check the try SFM didn't get another attempt. I had no clue watching live what had happened and thought the try was disallowed and the producers would return the Bok score to 0 at any moment.

Not sure "speeding up the game" is a great idea when you end up being unable to follow what is happening.

I think it has to be scored in the time, not kicked.

May need to look into this. Three options:

1. When the kicker starts his approach towards the ball from a stationary position, some logic to this as it's when a charge down attempt can start.
2. When the kicker kicks the ball. Some logic to this because it's easy to know when that is. Definitely seen it done this way in the URC (recall some Libbok kicks which were done on when he kicked the ball).
3. When the points are scored (or not).

[_Os_]

Conversion

When a try is scored, it gives that team the right to attempt a conversion, which may be a place-kick or drop-kick.
The kicker:
Uses the ball that was in play unless it is defective.
Takes the kick in the field of play on a line through the place where the try was awarded, parallel to the touchlines.
Places the ball directly on the ground or on sand, sawdust, or a kicking tee. The kicker may be assisted by a placer. Nothing else may be used to assist the kicker.
Takes the kick within 90 seconds (playing time) from the time the try was awarded, even if the ball rolls over and has to be placed again. Sanction: Kick is disallowed.
The kicker’s team, apart from a team-mate holding the ball, stay behind the ball when it is kicked and do nothing to mislead their opponents into charging too soon. Sanction: Kick is disallowed.
If the ball falls over before the kicker begins the approach to kick, the referee permits the kicker to replace it. While the ball is replaced, the opponents remain behind their goal line.

If the ball falls over after the kicker begins the approach to kick, the kicker may then kick or attempt a dropped goal.
If the ball falls over and rolls away from the line through the place where the try was awarded and the kicker then kicks the ball over the crossbar, the conversion is successful.
If the ball falls over and rolls into touch after the kicker begins the approach to kick, the kick is disallowed.

Reads like it's when the kick is made (boot makes contact with ball), but isn't 100% clear.

[Kiwias]

Beauden really needed to stop those pointless little chip kicks with time almost up...

90 seconds left and he kicks it away twice. Keep the fucking thing in your hand.

Well played Boks. Genuinely thought you’d batter us seven ways from Sunday so it’s bitter sweet loss.

My wife woke up with my anguished scream and verbal abuse of BB.

[fishfoodie]

You see, that Ozzie try encapsulates what I hate about the current, "interpretation" of what constitutes a forward pass.

The passer was tackled, & fixed, & receiver of the pass was clearly closer to the try line when they got the pass from the passer, so I don't give a flying fuck what direction their hands were when they passed, the fucking ball went forward !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's just fucking physics !

[Gumboot]

The error-prone Wallabies just win it at the death 20-19.

[Enzedder]

Rating from Goile on Stuff

15. Beauden Barrett: Finished with a game-high three clean breaks, chiming in well to set up both Clarke’s tries, but his day was blotted by numerous poor kicking options. There was a long one out on the full, a nudge to touch when the halftime hooter hadn’t sounded, another out on the full when the ball had been carried back, and the dubious chip play from the 22 in the final minute which gave the ball back to the Boks. 5

14. Will Jordan: Looked his real potent self flying in on attack, and linked well on Clarke’s side for the team’s first try. One knock-on aside, was a real asset in scrambling back to save the day on a couple of occasions. 7

13. Rieko Ioane: Immediately more involved than previous weeks in the All Blacks’ attack, providing a straight-running threat, if not getting on the outside, though involvement quickly faded. Caught lucky break when his foot happened to be in touch when the ball hit his arm off a restart. 6

12. Jordie Barrett: Back to his best in another huge all-round display, where he racked up a game-high 91 metres (off a game-high 12 carries), notably thanks to his great 50-metre intercept try a minute into the second half. Had body on the line on both attack and defence (seven tackles without a miss) against vaunted Boks’ midfielders, put boot to ball nicely, did well to tap back long lineout play which led to Clarke’s second try, while was unlucky not to be rewarded for hit to dislodge ball on charging Mbonambi for hosts’ first try. 9

11. Caleb Clarke: Power, pace and plenty of it, in an excellent two-try display. Clattered ball up, retrieved kicks well from the sky, then finished superbly with his two opportunities down the left flank. Has surely made the No 11 jersey his once again. 8

10. Damian McKenzie: Mostly good kicking game, with a clear tactic to go aerial to Clarke, while skilfully set up tries with crisp passing and footwork, and spent plenty of time mopping up well in the backfield. Kicked 2/4 off the tee. 7

9. TJ Perenara: Beautiful early 50/22 kick off scrum was then undone by giving up a penalty for spraying ref Andrew Brace. Wasn’t to be heard, or seen, much again. 5

8. Ardie Savea: Was well-contained in not being able to produce any of his renowned charges, while also lost a couple of balls, from lineout and restart. Topped game’s tackle count with 15 (one miss), and looked unlucky to be pinged late on when trying to claim a turnover. 6

7. Sam Cane: First start since that World Cup final and put in a typically industrious 80-minute shift. Lost the ball near tryline as first score went begging, but went on to cut down plenty of men in green, and be a force at the breakdown. 7

6. Ethan Blackadder: Knew he’d have to be at his physically imposing best on both sides of the ball, and indeed was, able to combat the challenge of the Springboks’ powerful loosies. Guilty early of not feeding Clarke on his outside for the game’s potential first points. 8

5. Tupou Vaa’i: Backed up his best performance in a black jersey with another fine showing, showcasing his heavy hitting on defence, including a pair of big turnovers. Was not used at all for lineout ball. 7

4. Scott Barrett: Back after two tests out following finger surgery and while the captain didn’t look short of a gallop, did not have a big say on proceedings, one big ruck steal and usual muscling-up aside. 6

3. Tyrel Lomax: Core duties done well, made 13 tackles without a miss and even popped up out wide in the backline to give a good pass on the way to the All Blacks’ second try. 7

2. Codie Taylor: Crashed over for game’s first try from well-executed lineout maul, was on point with throwing, and was dynamic and rangy with ball in hand. 8

1. Tamaiti Williams: The only starter who’d never played a game in South Africa, and stood up to the stiff task well, helping lay the very steady scrum platform. 6


RESERVES

16. Asafo Aumua (Taylor, 66min): Unable to get much ball in hand to make a difference, and will rue his high pass for Ratima’s fateful clearance. 3

17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Williams, 56min): Solid scrum work and heavy tackle was undone by 68th minute yellow-card for maul side entry. 2

18. Fletcher Newell (Lomax, 59min): Didn’t get to pack a scrum, but muscled up on defence. 4

19. Sam Darry (Vaa’i, 71min): Overcommitted on the Williams go-ahead snipe try, had ball ripped by Marx, albeit with tackle seemingly having been complete. 3

20. Samipeni Finau (Blackadder, 70min): Crunching contact straight away on charging Louw, then crucially pinged for side maul entry. 3

21. Cortez Ratima (Perenara, 66min): Shaky shonky first clearance ended up being a game-killer. Was pinged for offside straight after which led to the yellow card and Boks try. Big tackle on Marx, but then couldn’t stop Williams’ snipe. 2

22. Anton Lienert-Brown (Clarke, 64min): No sooner had he entered the fray than he had the ball ripped from him on the ground by Smith and that was essentially the start of the end for the men in black. 3

23. Mark Tele’a (Jordan, 66min): Just some cleaning up of kicks and distributing infield, unable to get in any space. 3

Man, he was harsh (but correct) on the bench

[Jethro]

Beauden really needed to stop those pointless little chip kicks with time almost up...

90 seconds left and he kicks it away twice. Keep the fucking thing in your hand.

Well played Boks. Genuinely thought you’d batter us seven ways from Sunday so it’s bitter sweet loss.

My wife woke up with my anguished scream and verbal abuse of BB.

She probably thought you saw a spider ... again!