A place where escape goats go to play
https://notplanetrugby.com/
Meh, the UK pundits have been crowing about NH dominance for so long it's getting beyond boring. Has anyone actually bought into that myth since 2003?
Fully enhanced neediness still a thing down there then?Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:25 am The most Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere team is South Africa, without a doubt. This is proven by South Africa's abandonment of Super Rugby and defection to the European comp. A truckload of Springbok players call Europe their home.
Easy rugby cannot help but rub off on these players. You saw it in the semi final against England.
Sorry but, do you have any skin in this game?TedMaul wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:28 amFully enhanced neediness still a thing down there then?Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:25 am The most Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere team is South Africa, without a doubt. This is proven by South Africa's abandonment of Super Rugby and defection to the European comp. A truckload of Springbok players call Europe their home.
Easy rugby cannot help but rub off on these players. You saw it in the semi final against England.
Wayne Barnes is their skin in it.Gumboot wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:30 amSorry but, do you have any skin in this game?TedMaul wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:28 amFully enhanced neediness still a thing down there then?Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:25 am The most Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere team is South Africa, without a doubt. This is proven by South Africa's abandonment of Super Rugby and defection to the European comp. A truckload of Springbok players call Europe their home.
Easy rugby cannot help but rub off on these players. You saw it in the semi final against England.
Our biggest lesson North is the handling of the NH refs......it can really be a tricky matter.Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:25 am The most Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere team is South Africa, without a doubt. This is proven by South Africa's abandonment of Super Rugby and defection to the European comp. A truckload of Springbok players call Europe their home.
Easy rugby cannot help but rub off on these players. You saw it in the semi final against England.
The best part of that game was the final whistle.........Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:38 am I hated that SA v ENG semi final and I hated rugby for it.
Seeing those ridiculous caterpillar rucks was nauseating.
No surprise....when guy was having a proper meltdown after the loss at Twickenham , I found myself spending a lot of energy trying to calm him downMuttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:41 am I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?
It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.
Agree, The All Blacks the clear favorites just like England in 2019. Everything work fine.Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:41 am I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?
It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.
And hookers.
NZ got a big shock at the RC this year, when their lack of scrum pressure during the Super Rugby Pacific tournament made their front rowers soft and lazy.Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:25 am
Easy rugby cannot help but rub off on these players. You saw it in the semi final against England.
I agree. They have to do something about it, it was dreadful to watch.Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:38 am Seeing those ridiculous caterpillar rucks was nauseating.
It's a simple Law change to implement: if the ball is at the back of a ruck and the 9 is standing over the ball, no new player can then join the ruck.assfly wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:49 amI agree. They have to do something about it, it was dreadful to watch.Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:38 am Seeing those ridiculous caterpillar rucks was nauseating.
There was one where the half back was slowly hooking underneath one caterpillar segment, only for another caterpillar segment to join under which he continued to hook.assfly wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:49 amI agree. They have to do something about it, it was dreadful to watch.Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:38 am Seeing those ridiculous caterpillar rucks was nauseating.
I thought they had ruled it out a few years ago after Exeter and the Bulls had half their team doing it at every ruck?
It's very strange, I've almost taken a perverse satisfaction at a lot of the journos talking about a changing of the NH - SH guard being proven wrong. NZ and SA level of rugby is where we should strive to be, and a few positive results here and there doesn't change a thing.
This.Sandstorm wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 10:00 amIt's a simple Law change to implement: if the ball is at the back of a ruck and the 9 is standing over the ball, no new player can then join the ruck.assfly wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:49 amI agree. They have to do something about it, it was dreadful to watch.Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:38 am Seeing those ridiculous caterpillar rucks was nauseating.
I think that's going overboard. Ireland and France have been the best two sides in the world for a while now, and losing one off matches doesn't change that - same way that if Pollard had missed that wouldn't make England one of the best two sides in the world or a better team than SASlick wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 10:11 amIt's very strange, I've almost taken a perverse satisfaction at a lot of the journos talking about a changing of the NH - SH guard being proven wrong. NZ and SA level of rugby is where we should strive to be, and a few positive results here and there doesn't change a thing.
PB, the All Blacks 2023 are not like England 2019. Or England ever.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:45 amAgree, The All Blacks the clear favorites just like England in 2019. Everything work fine.Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:41 am I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?
It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.
And hookers.
Try to tell you a week is a long time in rugby. You are welcome to underestimate the Springboks. Keep going.Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 10:18 amPB, the All Blacks 2023 are not like England 2019. Or England ever.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:45 amAgree, The All Blacks the clear favorites just like England in 2019. Everything work fine.Muttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:41 am I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?
It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.
And hookers.
It probably is. But then again if we take the WC as the pinnacle (which i hate, but there we go), then it's pretty embarrassing reading from a NH perspective. 1 win is shite.JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 10:15 amI think that's going overboard. Ireland and France have been the best two sides in the world for a while now, and losing one off matches doesn't change that - same way that if Pollard had missed that wouldn't make England one of the best two sides in the world or a better team than SASlick wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 10:11 amIt's very strange, I've almost taken a perverse satisfaction at a lot of the journos talking about a changing of the NH - SH guard being proven wrong. NZ and SA level of rugby is where we should strive to be, and a few positive results here and there doesn't change a thing.
Grandpa wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 11:29 am Bookies had them virtually 50-50... in fact yesterday they were both the same odds... 1/1... but today SA has slightly drifted and NZ slightly strengthened... presumably because Oom has put millions on NZ?
SA 6/5
NZ 5/6
https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union ... ica/winner
I can only wish. No gambling from me.Oh come on, that’s not true._Os_ wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 12:12 pm The hemispherical stuff doesn't really work, never met anyone that supports a hemisphere.
The All Blacks were the only genuine SH side in the quarters. Pumas are all based in Europe, half of the Fiji squad is based in Europe. Other than the Boks playing in Japan (which is also in the NH), every Bok player is now playing in Europe one way or another.
NH won the battle of the hemispheres years ago, that's where most of the money in the sport is. The better teams in the NH have usually used that money to poach their way towards a stronger squad too.
Likewise when the Lions Series rolls around.Ymx wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 2:50 pmOh come on, that’s not true._Os_ wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 12:12 pm The hemispherical stuff doesn't really work, never met anyone that supports a hemisphere.
The All Blacks were the only genuine SH side in the quarters. Pumas are all based in Europe, half of the Fiji squad is based in Europe. Other than the Boks playing in Japan (which is also in the NH), every Bok player is now playing in Europe one way or another.
NH won the battle of the hemispheres years ago, that's where most of the money in the sport is. The better teams in the NH have usually used that money to poach their way towards a stronger squad too.
It’s always been a bit of a 3N vs 6N thing going on.
Agree with Ox, the rugby fans I know off the board aren’t even aware of this hemisphere thing. It’s pretty weird to be supporting a side based on which hemisphere the country is located.Sandstorm wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 3:24 pmLikewise when the Lions Series rolls around.Ymx wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 2:50 pmOh come on, that’s not true._Os_ wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 12:12 pm The hemispherical stuff doesn't really work, never met anyone that supports a hemisphere.
The All Blacks were the only genuine SH side in the quarters. Pumas are all based in Europe, half of the Fiji squad is based in Europe. Other than the Boks playing in Japan (which is also in the NH), every Bok player is now playing in Europe one way or another.
NH won the battle of the hemispheres years ago, that's where most of the money in the sport is. The better teams in the NH have usually used that money to poach their way towards a stronger squad too.
It’s always been a bit of a 3N vs 6N thing going on.
They are the standout favoritesMuttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:41 am I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?
It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.
And hookers.
Going to make a charge from behind and lift the trophy. After last weekend we have no chance. Our boys are physically exhaustedChilli wrote: ↑Tue Oct 24, 2023 4:04 amThey are the standout favoritesMuttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:41 am I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?
It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.
And hookers.
Nice try but far too transparent.Sards wrote: ↑Tue Oct 24, 2023 5:48 amGoing to make a charge from behind and lift the trophy. After last weekend we have no chance. Our boys are physically exhaustedChilli wrote: ↑Tue Oct 24, 2023 4:04 amThey are the standout favoritesMuttonbird wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:41 am I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?
It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.
And hookers.
Just telling the truth.....our boys looked done against England.
I know France got within a point in 2011, but you could add maybe 91 and 19 where a NH was a genuinely viable winner requiring non jammy things to go their way.Slick wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 11:21 amIt probably is. But then again if we take the WC as the pinnacle (which i hate, but there we go), then it's pretty embarrassing reading from a NH perspective. 1 win is shite.JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 10:15 amI think that's going overboard. Ireland and France have been the best two sides in the world for a while now, and losing one off matches doesn't change that - same way that if Pollard had missed that wouldn't make England one of the best two sides in the world or a better team than SASlick wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 10:11 am
It's very strange, I've almost taken a perverse satisfaction at a lot of the journos talking about a changing of the NH - SH guard being proven wrong. NZ and SA level of rugby is where we should strive to be, and a few positive results here and there doesn't change a thing.
Yep, and both sides have that in spades. It has the makings of a classic. Let's hope it delivers.Grandpa wrote: ↑Tue Oct 24, 2023 7:50 am There won't be many tries on Saturday... like always when two heavyweights slug it out in knockout rugby.... it will come down to who handles the last 20 minutes best. Probably similar to the 2015 semi...
Controlling set piece in that period will be key... and experience helps. Having guys who have been there before, who will remain composed under pressure.
I don't see much in it either way. But SA if they win, will have done it the hard way.