NPR

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Aug 23, 2023 9:21 pm

World 1500m Championship remains in Embra!

Steve Diamond's leaving Edinburgh at the end of August following a handover period with Sean Everitt

Kyle Steyn will replace Darcy Graham in the starting line-up for tomorrow with Graham ruled out due to a mild strain to his quad.

westport wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2023 11:55 am Kyle Steyn will replace Darcy Graham in the starting line-up for tomorrow with Graham ruled out due to a mild strain to his quad.

I'd be getting a mild strain in my quad as well

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2023 1:14 pm

westport wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2023 11:55 am Kyle Steyn will replace Darcy Graham in the starting line-up for tomorrow with Graham ruled out due to a mild strain to his quad.

I'd be getting a mild strain in my quad as well

Could we have a diplomatic injury for Finn too please?

Mind you, with SA currently monstering an admittedly 15-man NZ, you’d have to glumly conclude it probably makes little difference anyway.

Looking back at some recent results and still an absolute joke losing to Australia last October, when literally everyone else - including Italy, beat them.

That’s possibly 3 players out of the WC in this game tonight, really nervous about tomorrow

Was watching that game and New Zealand were rank - so rank in act that the starting SA team looked pretty toothless only going 14-0 up at half time.

But the second-half bomb squad...bloody hell. It will take a massive Scotland performance to live with that.

That was quite a statement form the Boks tonight - even if the AB's had kept 15 on the field, this was always going to be a pretty dominant win.

I didn't think that RSA looked that great against Wales ( despite the scoreline)

I do wonder if our best chance is beating Ireland , rather than RSA if we want to get past the pool stages , and I can see Ireland struggling against RSA if they play like they did tonight

Dogbert wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2023 8:42 pm That was quite a statement form the Boks tonight - even if the AB's had kept 15 on the field, this was always going to be a pretty dominant win.

I didn't think that RSA looked that great against Wales ( despite the scoreline)

I do wonder if our best chance is beating Ireland , rather than RSA if we want to get past the pool stages , and I can see Ireland struggling against RSA if they play like they did tonight

The odd part is that we've usually dealt better with SA, than other SH sides, regardless of our form.

It's just one of those things where the combination of styles, coaching etc, means that you do better than expected against some sides than ones you theoretically should.

I think Ireland do better than expected against SA, & worse than expected* against Scotland.

Scotland is much, much more familiar with the Irish players, & systems than SA, & they always raise their game, & it'll probably come down to who makes the least mistakes, but I don't expect it to be more than a single score game.

* Whatever that means

Dogbert wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2023 8:42 pm That was quite a statement form the Boks tonight - even if the AB's had kept 15 on the field, this was always going to be a pretty dominant win.

I didn't think that RSA looked that great against Wales ( despite the scoreline)

I do wonder if our best chance is beating Ireland , rather than RSA if we want to get past the pool stages , and I can see Ireland struggling against RSA if they play like they did tonight

Still think our best chance is SA. They were decent tonight but that was a really, really poor NZ performance. Can’t remember who said it in the other thread, but never seen an NZ side make so many basic errors, even under little pressure at times.

That’s it guys, SA just need to show up. Tonight has proven that they are unbeatable !!!

We should just sit back and enjoy watching how superior’ they are

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2023 10:02 pm

Dogbert wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2023 8:42 pm That was quite a statement form the Boks tonight - even if the AB's had kept 15 on the field, this was always going to be a pretty dominant win.

I didn't think that RSA looked that great against Wales ( despite the scoreline)

I do wonder if our best chance is beating Ireland , rather than RSA if we want to get past the pool stages , and I can see Ireland struggling against RSA if they play like they did tonight

Still think our best chance is SA. They were decent tonight but that was a really, really poor NZ performance. Can’t remember who said it in the other thread, but never seen an NZ side make so many basic errors, even under little pressure at times.

You putting your money where your mouth is?
Should be good odds

SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:48 am

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2023 10:02 pm

Dogbert wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2023 8:42 pm That was quite a statement form the Boks tonight - even if the AB's had kept 15 on the field, this was always going to be a pretty dominant win.

I didn't think that RSA looked that great against Wales ( despite the scoreline)

I do wonder if our best chance is beating Ireland , rather than RSA if we want to get past the pool stages , and I can see Ireland struggling against RSA if they play like they did tonight

Still think our best chance is SA. They were decent tonight but that was a really, really poor NZ performance. Can’t remember who said it in the other thread, but never seen an NZ side make so many basic errors, even under little pressure at times.

You putting your money where your mouth is?
Should be good odds

You’ll note I said “chance”

But I also think there are a lot of mitigations. That was the worst NZ performance I’ve seen in 40 odd years of watching, never seen so many basic errors. They were playing against 14 - and at one point, 13 - for the majority of the game. The game was very slow, an hour + first half, so their fitness never really tested. Their suspect half backs never under any pressure.

Obviously not predicting a win for us, but I don’t think they were as awesome as lots are saying

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 8:00 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:48 am

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2023 10:02 pm

Still think our best chance is SA. They were decent tonight but that was a really, really poor NZ performance. Can’t remember who said it in the other thread, but never seen an NZ side make so many basic errors, even under little pressure at times.

You putting your money where your mouth is?
Should be good odds

You’ll note I said “chance”

But I also think there are a lot of mitigations. That was the worst NZ performance I’ve seen in 40 odd years of watching, never seen so many basic errors. They were playing against 14 - and at one point, 13 - for the majority of the game. The game was very slow, an hour + first half, so their fitness never really tested. Their suspect half backs never under any pressure.

Obviously not predicting a win for us, but I don’t think they were as awesome as lots are saying

SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 9:03 am

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 8:00 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:48 am
You putting your money where your mouth is?
Should be good odds

You’ll note I said “chance”

But I also think there are a lot of mitigations. That was the worst NZ performance I’ve seen in 40 odd years of watching, never seen so many basic errors. They were playing against 14 - and at one point, 13 - for the majority of the game. The game was very slow, an hour + first half, so their fitness never really tested. Their suspect half backs never under any pressure.

Obviously not predicting a win for us, but I don’t think they were as awesome as lots are saying

And in answer to your question, NO!!

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 10:10 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 9:03 am

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 8:00 am

You’ll note I said “chance”

But I also think there are a lot of mitigations. That was the worst NZ performance I’ve seen in 40 odd years of watching, never seen so many basic errors. They were playing against 14 - and at one point, 13 - for the majority of the game. The game was very slow, an hour + first half, so their fitness never really tested. Their suspect half backs never under any pressure.

Obviously not predicting a win for us, but I don’t think they were as awesome as lots are saying

And in answer to your question, NO!!

Nor would I

The point does have to be made that it is a lot easier to look like world-beaters when you’re playing against 14 men. Examples would include when we put 50 past Australia, and when Wales put 50 past us after Hogg was sent off (I was there and that one still hurts).

What always astonishes me is the odd occasion when the team with 14 actually manages to make a game of it; as we did v France a couple of weeks ago.

Not something I thought I would ever say , but I almost feel sorry for England --- almost

Playing like absolute fannies here, really poor.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:11 pm Playing like absolute fannies here, really poor.

Been better the last 10, it will come

Dogbert wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 4:18 pm Not something I thought I would ever say , but I almost feel sorry for England --- almost

I know… was chatting on Zoom last night with a few mates down South and they just wouldn’t believe me that I was not 100% loving it

Sitting in the west stand. Clear as day players trying to avoid getting hurt and that's understandable but but what's the point putting out the 1s to not follow your usual game plan?

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:14 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:11 pm Playing like absolute fannies here, really poor.

Been better the last 10, it will come

I think it will and I do think they have identified something in the Georgia wide defence that just hasn’t stuck yet, but that doesn’t mean they can’t carry through the midfield on occasion and go through a few phases. Every phase can’t be a try lads.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:18 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:14 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:11 pm Playing like absolute fannies here, really poor.

Been better the last 10, it will come

I think it will and I do think they have identified something in the Georgia wide defence that just hasn’t stuck yet, but that doesn’t mean they can’t carry through the midfield on occasion and go through a few phases. Every phase can’t be a try lads.

Agree. And to add to Big D above, this is potentially very Scottish in that we should have put these guys away by 50 minutes and got our top guys off the pitch. Can just see us slogging it out and losing key guys in the last 10

Whatever wasn’t working they seem to have sorted, much much better. If we can get to three tries I say start making subs with Finn first in line to come off please.

White a wee bit off the pace today - I presume we have Horne on the bench?

Thank fuck, mission accomplished

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:43 pm Thank fuck, mission accomplished

Hope so, bit early to call the win though!

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:43 pm Thank fuck, mission accomplished

Finn (and Dempsey) off - cherry was very good

Deveron Boy wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:47 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:43 pm Thank fuck, mission accomplished

Finn (and Dempsey) off - cherry was very good

Dempsey still there mmmm

Deveron Boy wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:47 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:43 pm Thank fuck, mission accomplished

Finn (and Dempsey) off - cherry was very good

Both Dempsey and Cherry very good today

Now if we can calm down and stop on 40 points, that will do me well

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:46 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:43 pm Thank fuck, mission accomplished

Hope so, bit early to call the win though!

Honestly care more about Finn being OK than the win. But that’s done now as well

Deveron Boy wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:47 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:43 pm Thank fuck, mission accomplished

Finn (and Dempsey) off - cherry was very good

It’s said so often it’s a cliché now but cherry’s darts are easily the best in the squad

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:50 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:46 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:43 pm Thank fuck, mission accomplished

Hope so, bit early to call the win though!

Honestly care more about Finn being OK than the win. But that’s done now as well

Aye, fair enough, can’t disagree with that

Both hookers darts were good today.

No injuries and no obvious suspension worth incidents so that'll do.

Impressed with Healey if anything the attack got better

westport wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 6:23 pm Impressed with Healey if anything the attack got better

He can also kick it a very very long way

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 6:27 pm

westport wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 6:23 pm Impressed with Healey if anything the attack got better

He can also kick it a very very long way

Which is a good thing, because that used to be Hoggy’s job.