Rugby Championship Match Thread - Sat 2nd - SA v NZ / Arg v Aus

[Grandpa]

So NZ just saved the Rugby Championship... if they had travelled to Australia the competition was destined to collapse...

The only chance for the RC going ahead in full is that it is played in SA or Europe.

Europe/UK would be better as can have full stadiums... so there is income.

Hopefully SA and Argentina don't travel to Australia either on Monday or it's all over red rover...

[OomStruisbaai]

So NZ just saved the Rugby Championship... if they had travelled to Australia the competition was destined to collapse...

The only chance for the RC going ahead in full is that it is played in SA or Europe.

Europe/UK would be better as can have full stadiums... so there is income.

Hopefully SA and Argentina don't travel to Australia either on Monday or it's all over red rover...

Yep as long as they play. Probably Europe then

[Sandstorm]

Let’s see how badly Wiese starts today

[Blake]

Let’s see how badly Wiese starts today

That's one.

[sockwithaticket]

That penalty against 15 incredibly typical of why Argentina struggle so often.

Discipline isn't just about not hitting people or tackling properly, it's making sure you're onside when your team kicks through and maintaining focus.

[Sandstorm]

Kolisi looking hungry again today.

[Sandstorm]

Warning time ref?

[Blake]

Glad we are getting some gametime in the Argie half.

Out attacking game from phase play is very blunt, so it's great to have a couple of chances to hone it.
It's not pretty, and the players look pretty inept, but it will take a lot of practice.

[Blake]

Nyakane off with an ankle injury. There goes the bomb squad for this test.

Kitshoff on.

[Sandstorm]

Wiese still shit

[Blake]

Wiese still shit

Not great, but I wouldn't classify it as "shit" just yet.
Still time though.

[Sandstorm]

Thomas the Tank is everywhere in the loose. Must be up to 8 tackles already.

[Blake]

Thomas the Tank is everywhere in the loose. Must be up to 8 tackles already.

Having a very good game. Agree.

[FalseBayFC]

My mother hits harder than Jasper Wiese.

[FalseBayFC]

Fuckin Reinach, I could see that coming.

[Blake]

I'm really souring on Reinach.

He is too slow at the base and doesn't amp up the tempo when needed.

[sockwithaticket]

I'm really souring on Reinach.

He is too slow at the base and doesn't amp up the tempo when needed.

Which is weird, very much not what we were used to seeing him do at Northampton. Guess Montpellier have dulled him.

[sockwithaticket]

Gotta say, Dickson's having a fairly liberal interpretation of 'supporting their own weight' for players competing at the ruck.

[Blake]

Gotta say, Dickson's having a fairly liberal interpretation of 'supporting their own weight' for players competing at the ruck.

Agreed, but as long as it is called the same way for both teams, then I won't complain.
Makes it difficult to string together phases though.

Wiese fuckup count: 3

[FalseBayFC]

I'm really souring on Reinach.

He is too slow at the base and doesn't amp up the tempo when needed.

Which is weird, very much not what we were used to seeing him do at Northampton. Guess Montpellier have dulled him.

I can't remember when last a Bok scrumhalf did something other than box kick or pass. No breaks anymore. Which is weird because all our scrummies are wicked quick.

[Sandstorm]

Gotta say, Dickson's having a fairly liberal interpretation of 'supporting their own weight' for players competing at the ruck.

“1m gap at the lineout” too

9-3 Boks
25 mins

[FalseBayFC]

Jasper noooooooooooo!

[Sandstorm]

Reinach puts in a box kick for Kitshoff to chase.

[Blake]

I'm really souring on Reinach.

He is too slow at the base and doesn't amp up the tempo when needed.

Which is weird, very much not what we were used to seeing him do at Northampton. Guess Montpellier have dulled him.

I can't remember when last a Bok scrumhalf did something other than box kick or pass. No breaks anymore. Which is weird because all our scrummies are wicked quick.

Defenses are so structured nowadays, there is almost always a pillar defender each side of the ruck to cover the sniping scrumhalf.
I'd love to see a Reinach break, but there are really very few opportunities.

[sockwithaticket]

Gotta say, Dickson's having a fairly liberal interpretation of 'supporting their own weight' for players competing at the ruck.

Agreed, but as long as it is called the same way for both teams, then I won't complain.
Makes it difficult to string together phases though.

Wiese fuckup count: 3

Yeah, I'm not saying he's favouring anyone one way or the other. It's definitely something that can help stifle a game.

[FalseBayFC]

Lood de Jager looks like the worlds biggest 9 year old boy, but he is an incredibly effective tight forward.

[Blake]

Lood de Jager looks like the worlds biggest 9 year old boy, but he is an incredibly effective tight forward.

Even the beard can't hide the babyface.

[Blake]

Execution by the Bok backs has been very disappointing. Pity that Kolbe-Mapimpi kick didn't come off. Could've been interesting.

[Sandstorm]

Execution by the Bok backs has been very disappointing. Pity that Kolbe-Mapimpi kick didn't come off. Could've been interesting.

Agreed. Too far behind the gain line, but Reinach’s meerkat work isn’t helping either.

15-3
32 mins

[Blake]

Very stop-start affair, but the Argies keep infringing.

Boks just keep chipping away.

EDIT: tough call on the off-side though.

[Sandstorm]

More cute rather than effective Bok back carrying. Probably totally out of practice.

[Blake]

Wiese and Orie really competing to see who can be the new fish that makes the most mistakes out there...

[FalseBayFC]

Lukhanyo Am is a breakdown beast.

[Blake]

Are any of the Bok players wearing mouthguards?

Just saw Am chewing some gum on the fields and then realised that I don't think any of the Bok players are wearing protection.
Vert few players seem to wear them nowadays.

I think that's interesting, particularly with the focus on concussions and brain injuries.
I was under the impression that they help with that.

[Blake]

If (and that's a BIG if) the Argies cut down the penalties, the Boks might struggle.

They've shown nothing with the massive advantage they've had. Boks just playing rugby by the numbers.

[Sandstorm]

Are any of the Bok players wearing mouthguards?

Just saw Am chewing some gum on the fields and then realised that I don't think any of the Bok players are wearing protection.
Vert few players seem to wear them nowadays.

I think that's interesting, particularly with the focus on concussions and brain injuries.
I was under the impression that they help with that.

Too late for Wiese

[sockwithaticket]

Holy shit. I can't remember the last time I watched South African punditry, but according to Mallet and Botha Argentina being cycnical is the only reason the Bok's aren't playing pretty rugby...

[sorCrer]

Said so last week and am saying it again. Wiese is not a Bok quality 8.

Reinach is terrible he spends so much time talking to his backs that he doesn't even know what is going on at the base.

[Blake]

Holy shit. I can't remember the last time I watched South African punditry, but according to Mallet and Botha Argentina being cycnical is the only reason the Bok's aren't playing pretty rugby...

Oh, it's very very bad. We don't have any good pundits. Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger are decent, but more because of their chemistry than their actual punditry.

[sorCrer]

Holy shit. I can't remember the last time I watched South African punditry, but according to Mallet and Botha Argentina being cycnical is the only reason the Bok's aren't playing pretty rugby...

20 penalties is terrible