URC Season 2024/2025 Official Thread

[Chilli2]

Weird to see Ox on the back foot against SA teams.

How is it that Ox and Koch can't scrum after 3 weeks on Deben?

[TheNatalShark]

Not expecting anything from this game now with that back 5.

[OomStruisbaai]

Weird to see Ox on the back foot against SA teams.

How is it that Ox and Koch can't scrim after 3 weeks on Deben?

[OomStruisbaai]

That fat prop from from the Lions is going to be a Springbok. Rather sooner then later

[OomStruisbaai]

Now pap vreter get bullied by the Bulls. 17-10

[TheNatalShark]

Sharks all round lacking strength or cohesion in set piece and mauls, wish we could learn from other less resourced or chopped and changed teams that get it right.

[Sandstorm]

Weird to see Ox on the back foot against SA teams.

He’s the only Shark who can scrum. Getting no support from hooker and other side of the scrum.

[Chilli2]

A good win for the $harks.

It is as if the Bulls didn't want to win this.

[TheNatalShark]

Weird to see Ox on the back foot against SA teams.

He’s the only Shark who can scrum. Getting no support from hooker and other side of the scrum.

That and I don't rate the strength those locks bring to table.

Very, very lucky to win that, could have easily got a couple of yellows for scrums and mauls. Will happily take it.

[OomStruisbaai]

Good win for the Sharks. Bulls much better then last week

[OomStruisbaai]

Only 34,000 of the 50,000 pitch up for the match

[Chilli2]

Only 34,000 of the 50,000 pitch up for the match

Maybe only 34000 tickets were sold?

[Biffer]

Only 34,000 of the 50,000 pitch up for the match

Maybe only 34000 tickets were sold?

Were there a lot of giveaways I wonder?

[OomStruisbaai]

Only 34,000 of the 50,000 pitch up for the match

Maybe only 34000 tickets were sold?

Were there a lot of giveaways I wonder?

No the top of the opposit of the main Pavillion was empty

[Uncle fester]

Connacht making a game of this.

[fishfoodie]

Connacht making a game of this.

a pain in the arse they played that well & didn't even get the losing BP

Still going pretty well this season, but there's a lot of hard games to come, & like everyone else, the injury list is a real problem.

[OomStruisbaai]

The two Leinster poaches RG and Jordy played well last night made the difference.

[Biffer]

Highlight game of the weekend on this afternoon at Hampden. Mon Embra.

[Uncle fester]

Connacht making a game of this.

a pain in the arse they played that well & didn't even get the losing BP

Still going pretty well this season, but there's a lot of hard games to come, & like everyone else, the injury list is a real problem.

Hansen might be in hot water after his post-match comments.

[robmatic]

Connacht making a game of this.

a pain in the arse they played that well & didn't even get the losing BP

Still going pretty well this season, but there's a lot of hard games to come, & like everyone else, the injury list is a real problem.

Hansen might be in hot water after his post-match comments.

Undoubtedly, but having seen that clearout on Aki, it is curious that it was not spotted by the TMO.

[Tichtheid]

Connacht making a game of this.

a pain in the arse they played that well & didn't even get the losing BP

Still going pretty well this season, but there's a lot of hard games to come, & like everyone else, the injury list is a real problem.

Hansen might be in hot water after his post-match comments.

I didn't see the match, but I've seen Hansen's press interview - it's not news that there is a two tier reffing system in this league, it's been going on for as long as I've been watching.
Anyone who says otherwise or talks about sour grapes has their head shoved so far up their own arse they can't see it.

I've seen Edinburgh be the beneficiaries of it at home against some teams, particularly the Italians, and I've seen Edinburgh get shafted against others and no it doesn't even out over the season because certain teams get it in their favour every fucking game, home and away.

Hansen is spot on and I'm fully behind him.

[Sards]

Away this weekend on an amazing fishing trip very close to ouboets pozzy. So unfortunately missed all the matches as we couldn't get signal. Was very pleased to see the 2 coastal sides getting a victory. What happened to the Lions. I believe there was an issue with the ref. I wonder who the ref TMO was for the Stormers/Lions match

[fishfoodie]

a pain in the arse they played that well & didn't even get the losing BP

Still going pretty well this season, but there's a lot of hard games to come, & like everyone else, the injury list is a real problem.

Hansen might be in hot water after his post-match comments.

I didn't see the match, but I've seen Hansen's press interview - it's not news that there is a two tier reffing system in this league, it's been going on for as long as I've been watching.
Anyone who says otherwise or talks about sour grapes has their head shoved so far up their own arse they can't see it.

I've seen Edinburgh be the beneficiaries of it at home against some teams, particularly the Italians, and I've seen Edinburgh get shafted against others and no it doesn't even out over the season because certain teams get it in their favour every fucking game, home and away.

Hansen is spot on and I'm fully behind him.

Hansen was just saying what a lot of players, coaches, & fans think; the refereeing teams aren't good enough !

The URC & the Unions, & right up to World Rugby need to raise the level of Officiating, & stop fucking around with the Laws, but focus on how they're applied, & giving the Officials the support they need.

I'd love to see statistics on what triggers TMO reviews, because I think there are 3 or 4 different ways something gets looked at by the TMO. The most obvious is a player going down injured, then there's them picking up on dialog over the Refs mike, from the players, or the Ref themselves; then the one that really benefits the Home team; the crowd reacting to something !!!, & once in a blue moon, the TMO might spot something themselves after reviewing a play, but how often is that because there's player being treated, & play has stopped ?

If we don't want to go the way of football, & having players simulate, just to get the foul on them checked by the TMO, then the TMO system needs to be fixed, & if TMOs are missing stuff that's picked up after the match, then the TMO should be stood down.

[Slick]

a pain in the arse they played that well & didn't even get the losing BP

Still going pretty well this season, but there's a lot of hard games to come, & like everyone else, the injury list is a real problem.

Hansen might be in hot water after his post-match comments.

I didn't see the match, but I've seen Hansen's press interview - it's not news that there is a two tier reffing system in this league, it's been going on for as long as I've been watching.
Anyone who says otherwise or talks about sour grapes has their head shoved so far up their own arse they can't see it.

I've seen Edinburgh be the beneficiaries of it at home against some teams, particularly the Italians, and I've seen Edinburgh get shafted against others and no it doesn't even out over the season because certain teams get it in their favour every fucking game, home and away.

Hansen is spot on and I'm fully behind him.

Just watched it myself. It’s unlike you to be this vociferous about reffing, and I do my best not to say much, but you are spot on.

We’ve watched it change for Scotland as we have got better and I cringe at decisions Italian teams have to put up with. I don’t want this to be an anti Irish thing, but it sometimes feels Ireland and Leinster are playing under different laws from the rest of rugby.

Also agree with most of what Foodie was saying, it’s not necessarily the refs or the reffing teams on the pitch that are the issues, it’s the TMO’s getting involved where they shouldn’t and putting pressure on the guys in the middle who are generally doing a great job. Also, yes, stop constantly changing the bloody laws which seems to be an endless loop of covering for an unintended consequence of the last change. I’d scrap the TMO.

Totally with Hansen on this

[OomStruisbaai]

What's wrong with Embra?

[Slick]

What's wrong with Embra?

Only having 2 backs that are any good or can be arsed isn’t helping.

[OomStruisbaai]

Hansen might be in hot water after his post-match comments.

I didn't see the match, but I've seen Hansen's press interview - it's not news that there is a two tier reffing system in this league, it's been going on for as long as I've been watching.
Anyone who says otherwise or talks about sour grapes has their head shoved so far up their own arse they can't see it.

I've seen Edinburgh be the beneficiaries of it at home against some teams, particularly the Italians, and I've seen Edinburgh get shafted against others and no it doesn't even out over the season because certain teams get it in their favour every fucking game, home and away.

Hansen is spot on and I'm fully behind him.

Just watched it myself. It’s unlike you to be this vociferous about reffing, and I do my best not to say much, but you are spot on.

We’ve watched it change for Scotland as we have got better and I cringe at decisions Italian teams have to put up with. I don’t want this to be an anti Irish thing, but it sometimes feels Ireland and Leinster are playing under different laws from the rest of rugby.

Also agree with most of what Foodie was saying, it’s not necessarily the refs or the reffing teams on the pitch that are the issues, it’s the TMO’s getting involved where they shouldn’t and putting pressure on the guys in the middle who are generally doing a great job. Also, yes, stop constantly changing the bloody laws which seems to be an endless loop of covering for an unintended consequence of the last change. I’d scrap the TMO.

Totally with Hansen on this

Vok know, you Scottish is next level with ref bashing. Sards can learn from you

[OomStruisbaai]

Hansen is an Aussie, he take you down the Aussie level.

[Slick]

I didn't see the match, but I've seen Hansen's press interview - it's not news that there is a two tier reffing system in this league, it's been going on for as long as I've been watching.
Anyone who says otherwise or talks about sour grapes has their head shoved so far up their own arse they can't see it.

I've seen Edinburgh be the beneficiaries of it at home against some teams, particularly the Italians, and I've seen Edinburgh get shafted against others and no it doesn't even out over the season because certain teams get it in their favour every fucking game, home and away.

Hansen is spot on and I'm fully behind him.

Just watched it myself. It’s unlike you to be this vociferous about reffing, and I do my best not to say much, but you are spot on.

We’ve watched it change for Scotland as we have got better and I cringe at decisions Italian teams have to put up with. I don’t want this to be an anti Irish thing, but it sometimes feels Ireland and Leinster are playing under different laws from the rest of rugby.

Also agree with most of what Foodie was saying, it’s not necessarily the refs or the reffing teams on the pitch that are the issues, it’s the TMO’s getting involved where they shouldn’t and putting pressure on the guys in the middle who are generally doing a great job. Also, yes, stop constantly changing the bloody laws which seems to be an endless loop of covering for an unintended consequence of the last change. I’d scrap the TMO.

Totally with Hansen on this

Vok know, you Scottish is next level with ref bashing. Sards can learn from you

The most predictable post ever

[Uncle fester]

a pain in the arse they played that well & didn't even get the losing BP

Still going pretty well this season, but there's a lot of hard games to come, & like everyone else, the injury list is a real problem.

Hansen might be in hot water after his post-match comments.

I didn't see the match, but I've seen Hansen's press interview - it's not news that there is a two tier reffing system in this league, it's been going on for as long as I've been watching.
Anyone who says otherwise or talks about sour grapes has their head shoved so far up their own arse they can't see it.

I've seen Edinburgh be the beneficiaries of it at home against some teams, particularly the Italians, and I've seen Edinburgh get shafted against others and no it doesn't even out over the season because certain teams get it in their favour every fucking game, home and away.

Hansen is spot on and I'm fully behind him.

Is be the last person in the world to defend Leinster but Hansen's comments don't stack up. Sure they didn't look at the clearout on Aki but they also didn't look at Murphy's elbow in Snyman's throat. Also felt the "tackle in the air" call was pretty generous to Connacht.

[Sards]

Away this weekend on an amazing fishing trip very close to ouboets pozzy. So unfortunately missed all the matches as we couldn't get signal. Was very pleased to see the 2 coastal sides getting a victory. What happened to the Lions. I believe there was an issue with the ref. I wonder who the ref TMO was for the Stormers/Lions match

Marius.....



Very predictable.



Disallowed try...



Will he be a part of this coming weekend I wonder

[Sandstorm]

Away this weekend on an amazing fishing trip very close to ouboets pozzy. So unfortunately missed all the matches as we couldn't get signal. Was very pleased to see the 2 coastal sides getting a victory. What happened to the Lions. I believe there was an issue with the ref. I wonder who the ref TMO was for the Stormers/Lions match

Marius.....



Very predictable.



Disallowed try...



Will he be a part of this coming weekend I wonder

No issues with ref or TMOs yesterday. Both were fine.

Bigger issues were two awful lineout outfits and 30 players with tits for hands.

[Sards]

Stormers huge favorites for the coming weekend

[Chilli2]

Stormers huge favorites for the coming weekend

Will Kolisi be playing for them this weekend?

[Sards]

Stormers huge favorites for the coming weekend

Will Kolisi be playing for them this weekend?

I don't really care tbh.
But I doubt the Stormers can come up with the cash this late in the year with most people on leave.
Rupert paid out Kolisis release from the Top 14 so that 17bar doesn't come off the Sharks bottom line because it was never theirs. ( as far as I understand) I suppose it will just be a few bar to get his contract. He will be good for the Stormers. Depending on where his head is right now. I suspect there was more to Kolisi withdrawal from Saturdays match. Plum won't be interested in a player who's heart is not in it. I won't be surprised if Eben follows.
Let's be honest. The Western Cape is really the place to live for most South Africans

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers huge favorites for the coming weekend

Will Kolisi be playing for them this weekend?

I don't really care tbh.
But I doubt the Stormers can come up with the cash this late in the year with most people on leave.
Rupert paid out Kolisis release from the Top 14 so that 17bar doesn't come off the Sharks bottom line because it was never theirs. ( as far as I understand) I suppose it will just be a few bar to get his contract. He will be good for the Stormers. Depending on where his head is right now. I suspect there was more to Kolisi withdrawal from Saturdays match. Plum won't be interested in a player who's heart is not in it. I won't be surprised if Eben follows.
Let's be honest. The Western Cape is really the place to live for most South Africans

Nope, not Rupert. He invest in Damian Willemse.

[assfly]

Weird to see Ox on the back foot against SA teams.

How is it that Ox and Koch can't scrum after 3 weeks on Deben?

As has been said, it takes more than two good props to win a scrum. In our case, I think our locks are a bit lightweight and we have serious problems at hooker. I though Ox did extremely well in the end to mentor our 5th choice hooker and hold the fort.

[Sards]

Don't see Eben or Bongi at today's practice.
He never plays against the Stormers in any event.
Maybe that's his preference.
Didn't see Jordan or Masuku in the pics either.
Otherwise all seemingly fit.

[OomStruisbaai]

Don't see Eben or Bongi at today's practice.
He never plays against the Stormers in any event.
Maybe that's his preference.
Didn't see Jordan or Masuku in the pics either.
Otherwise all seemingly fit.

You were at the practice?

[OomStruisbaai]

Away this weekend on an amazing fishing trip very close to ouboets pozzy. So unfortunately missed all the matches as we couldn't get signal. Was very pleased to see the 2 coastal sides getting a victory. What happened to the Lions. I believe there was an issue with the ref. I wonder who the ref TMO was for the Stormers/Lions match

Marius.....



Very predictable.



Disallowed try...



Will he be a part of this coming weekend I wonder

Willie don't agree.

https://x.com/SSRugby/status/1870725961 ... RxAng&s=19