A place where escape goats go to play
https://notplanetrugby.com/
Duhan grew up in George, South Africa. It's on the garden route with the best beaches around.He and Gelant, the Stormers 23 that rip Glasgow on Friday, was in the same age group Outeniqua High School team. They were a deadly schoolboy combination, took Outeniqua to nr 1 in the SA Schools rankings .
WP is a Namaqualander like myself. We are country boys and fit in everywhere as long as we can braai and eat enough meat. Duhan is a bit of an arrogant spoiled brat.Biffer wrote: ↑Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:49 pmYeah, compare it to Nel who clearly is very happy being in Scotland.I like neeps wrote: ↑Tue Apr 26, 2022 3:00 pmIt's a shame as I prefer when the project players love Scotland - which isn't to say Duhan doesn't but if you don't like Edinburgh I find it hard to believe you'll want to live in Dundee/Aberdeen etc. But, I suppose that it's unlikely all project players would rather stay here when they're retired.
And schoooio who is now officially a Hearts supporterBiffer wrote: ↑Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:49 pmYeah, compare it to Nel who clearly is very happy being in Scotland.I like neeps wrote: ↑Tue Apr 26, 2022 3:00 pmIt's a shame as I prefer when the project players love Scotland - which isn't to say Duhan doesn't but if you don't like Edinburgh I find it hard to believe you'll want to live in Dundee/Aberdeen etc. But, I suppose that it's unlikely all project players would rather stay here when they're retired.
He is an Affie boy. They have a proud rugby culture (even AB de Villiers support them along the rugby field last weekend). He understand loyalty to club and country.Slick wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 6:24 amAnd schoooio who is now officially a Hearts supporterBiffer wrote: ↑Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:49 pmYeah, compare it to Nel who clearly is very happy being in Scotland.I like neeps wrote: ↑Tue Apr 26, 2022 3:00 pm
It's a shame as I prefer when the project players love Scotland - which isn't to say Duhan doesn't but if you don't like Edinburgh I find it hard to believe you'll want to live in Dundee/Aberdeen etc. But, I suppose that it's unlikely all project players would rather stay here when they're retired.
Yeah, I think Edinburgh is a great place to live but different strokes for different folks, I guess. Even now, as much as I like the city, I don't miss Scottish winters. Or the food.weegie01 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 26, 2022 2:33 pmAstonishing as it is to me, that is actually true.robmatic wrote: ↑Tue Apr 26, 2022 11:27 amI heard Duhan wasn't that keen on Edinburgh as a city.weegie01 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 7:30 pm Rugby players are the same as any other profession. They sometimes make decisions based on work factors, sometimes on personal, sometimes on a mix. Quite often people look for rugby reasons for a move when there were none, or they were only a contributory factor.
CHH left for non rugby reasons. Cockerill and others went a long way to saving his career by brokering a move to Saracens. DvdM left partly for money reasons, but also partly for personal ones. Even after he left he went on record as saying Cockerill had saved his career.
Sutherland however heartily disliked Cockerill and there was no way they were both staying in the same club.
Matt Scott I know no more than anyone, other than he has signed his last contract with Leicester, at the end of which he intends to come back for a last season at Currie to end his career where it began.
He won the player of the season award in the Pro 14 for 2019/20, as voted for by captains and vice captains of all the sides in the leagueMargin__Walker wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 7:31 am Duhan basically being impossible to tackle. Daylight in second place here
The 25-year-old scored seven tries and set up two and also topped the Opta stats charts for defenders beaten (76), metres made (906) and clean breaks (31). His average of 5.6 defenders beaten per game set a new record for the Guinness Pro14, breaking his own existing record of 5.3 set in 2017-18. His team-mate Bill Mata earned the accolade last season.
Kyle Rowe! What an incredible story and I'm very happy to see him do so well.Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 7:31 am Duhan basically being impossible to tackle. Daylight in second place here
Great insight into SA culture - thank you.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 6:46 amHe is an Affie boy. They have a proud rugby culture (even AB de Villiers support them along the rugby field last weekend). He understand loyalty to club and country.
Was funny watching him in the game against LI a few months ago. In that one he didn't actually make a huge amount of ground, but I've never seen a player bounce as many would be tacklers in one game.Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 7:42 amHe won the player of the season award in the Pro 14 for 2019/20, as voted for by captains and vice captains of all the sides in the leagueMargin__Walker wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 7:31 am Duhan basically being impossible to tackle. Daylight in second place here
The 25-year-old scored seven tries and set up two and also topped the Opta stats charts for defenders beaten (76), metres made (906) and clean breaks (31). His average of 5.6 defenders beaten per game set a new record for the Guinness Pro14, breaking his own existing record of 5.3 set in 2017-18. His team-mate Bill Mata earned the accolade last season.
Yeah, Kyle's doing great. Majestic mullet too. Segun's not 100 miles off being first choice at Sarries. He should probably stick around as guys like Maitland and Lewington aren't getting any younger.I like neeps wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 7:49 am
Kyle Rowe! What an incredible story and I'm very happy to see him do so well.
Not to get all English rugby forum but I've always thought Rotimi Segun looked a very good player and should maybe leave Sarries to be a week to week starter.
Lineen certainly did his bit of payback as well. David Denton seems to be enjoying Edinburgh life (I know he's from Zim)I like neeps wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 7:50 amGreat insight into SA culture - thank you.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 6:46 amHe is an Affie boy. They have a proud rugby culture (even AB de Villiers support them along the rugby field last weekend). He understand loyalty to club and country.
Not only Nel - you have guys like Tim Visser too. Sean Maitland is also a pretty passionate Scotland supporter in football etc which likely isn't always the case.
My only real complaint with winter is that it drags on for 4 or 5 weeks more than is necessary, but plenty of crisp blue sky days which I love.Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 7:37 am
The winters are dreich right enough, but the food is very different now. One of my offspring lives in Leith, Leith ffs, you can eat from anywhere in the world there, Valvona and Crolla deli is on Elm Row, the place is hoaching with swanky restaurants, bagel bars and all sorts.
It's not all fighting sailors and prostitutes any more
The short days aren't great in winter. When you go to the office in the dark and leave in the dark, that's grim.Slick wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 8:22 amMy only real complaint with winter is that it drags on for 4 or 5 weeks more than is necessary, but plenty of crisp blue sky days which I love.Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 7:37 am
The winters are dreich right enough, but the food is very different now. One of my offspring lives in Leith, Leith ffs, you can eat from anywhere in the world there, Valvona and Crolla deli is on Elm Row, the place is hoaching with swanky restaurants, bagel bars and all sorts.
It's not all fighting sailors and prostitutes any more
Totally agree on the food. There are still too many pubs and cafes pumping out shite but the produce you can buy now is excellent and plenty of very good places to eat for all budgets.
Funnily enough it's mainly middle eastern/turkish food that we cook here, love it and easy to get the kids to eatrobmatic wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 8:41 amThe short days aren't great in winter. When you go to the office in the dark and leave in the dark, that's grim.Slick wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 8:22 amMy only real complaint with winter is that it drags on for 4 or 5 weeks more than is necessary, but plenty of crisp blue sky days which I love.Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 7:37 am
The winters are dreich right enough, but the food is very different now. One of my offspring lives in Leith, Leith ffs, you can eat from anywhere in the world there, Valvona and Crolla deli is on Elm Row, the place is hoaching with swanky restaurants, bagel bars and all sorts.
It's not all fighting sailors and prostitutes any more
Totally agree on the food. There are still too many pubs and cafes pumping out shite but the produce you can buy now is excellent and plenty of very good places to eat for all budgets.
I am maybe being a bit unfair on the food, Edinburgh has relatively good restaurants and I always ate well (and cheaply) otherwise because I could cook. But UK food culture (it's not just a Scottish thing as far as I'm concerned) has its issues. My diet is considerably better in Turkey.
For Glasgow yeah, don't think he was every great for Scotland national team. Punctured a kidney in a match Vs France once and played through it, which was incredible.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 8:01 am Josh Strauss surely was also a great servant for Scotland. He is an x Paul Roser who went the long way like WP Nel to the top level.
His beard surely helped him.
Didn't he keep coming back and playing brilliantly for the first game then go missing.I like neeps wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 8:56 amFor Glasgow yeah, don't think he was every great for Scotland national team. Punctured a kidney in a match Vs France once and played through it, which was incredible.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 8:01 am Josh Strauss surely was also a great servant for Scotland. He is an x Paul Roser who went the long way like WP Nel to the top level.
His beard surely helped him.
Aye he never put two games together. Wasn't big enough and carried too upright to really make an impact at international level.Slick wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:04 amDidn't he keep coming back and playing brilliantly for the first game then go missing.I like neeps wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 8:56 amFor Glasgow yeah, don't think he was every great for Scotland national team. Punctured a kidney in a match Vs France once and played through it, which was incredible.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 8:01 am Josh Strauss surely was also a great servant for Scotland. He is an x Paul Roser who went the long way like WP Nel to the top level.
His beard surely helped him.
One of those players who are great at club level but don't step up. Cornell du Preez is maybe a bit similar, he was outstanding for Edinburgh and an absolute trooper but a bit anonymous when playing for the national team.I like neeps wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:34 amAye he never put two games together. Wasn't big enough and carried too upright to really make an impact at international level.Slick wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:04 amDidn't he keep coming back and playing brilliantly for the first game then go missing.I like neeps wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 8:56 am
For Glasgow yeah, don't think he was every great for Scotland national team. Punctured a kidney in a match Vs France once and played through it, which was incredible.
du Preez suffered a horrific lower leg injury whilst at Edinburgh, his foot was practically left hanging by soft tissue. He came back well and for me one of the highlights was him catching Johnny May with a tap tackle in the wee cup final.robmatic wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 10:21 amOne of those players who are great at club level but don't step up. Cornell du Preez is maybe a bit similar, he was outstanding for Edinburgh and an absolute trooper but a bit anonymous when playing for the national team.I like neeps wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:34 amAye he never put two games together. Wasn't big enough and carried too upright to really make an impact at international level.
Strauss looked to be tailor-made to fill a problem position for Scotland, but it just never worked out for him at international level. He was constantly criticised for going into contact too upright. No idea whether that was what made the difference, but he certainly did it. And I don’t recall him having a single dominant game for Scotland.Big D wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 10:59 am Strauss came in quickly after the Masoe deal fell through in the January after Glasgow thought they had him IIRC. Strauss ticked the box of potential project player but he likely wouldn't have signed if Masoe signed on the dotted line.
Strauss had the odd good game for Scotland but for me his ball carrying height was a major issue.
Du Preez did remarkably well to get back after that terrible injury.
They also seem to have turned down the SRU’s offer to join an expanded Super 6.westport wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 5:35 pm Good news for London Scottish
https://londonscottish.com/london-scott ... FF7ew6EKBo
It infuriates me that the SRU and the club can’t come up with a meaningful partnershipYr Alban wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 7:35 pmThey also seem to have turned down the SRU’s offer to join an expanded Super 6.westport wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 5:35 pm Good news for London Scottish
https://londonscottish.com/london-scott ... FF7ew6EKBo
Has to be NZ really, doesn’t it. Maybe negotiations for that is what is holding everything up
Masoe would have been an incredible signing for Glasgow at that time, he was great for Castres around then but Strauss wasn't a bad second prize, but like you say didn't work out for Scotland.Yr Alban wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 2:11 pmStrauss looked to be tailor-made to fill a problem position for Scotland, but it just never worked out for him at international level. He was constantly criticised for going into contact too upright. No idea whether that was what made the difference, but he certainly did it. And I don’t recall him having a single dominant game for Scotland.Big D wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 10:59 am Strauss came in quickly after the Masoe deal fell through in the January after Glasgow thought they had him IIRC. Strauss ticked the box of potential project player but he likely wouldn't have signed if Masoe signed on the dotted line.
Strauss had the odd good game for Scotland but for me his ball carrying height was a major issue.
Du Preez did remarkably well to get back after that terrible injury.
Wouldn't be surprised if it is Argentina again. Every 4 years we tour them and host them.Slick wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 8:48 pmHas to be NZ really, doesn’t it. Maybe negotiations for that is what is holding everything up
The thought of another grind down by SA isn’t appealing so I’m guessing Oz will be back - usually a good game at least
Don't think Duhan does get that much stick anymore. I think pretty much everyone considers him to be an excellent winger without major weakness.Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:41 pm He got all sorts of dung thrown at him, he can't tackle, he's over rated, he played for Edinburgh so must be rubbish, he's a mercenary, all that stuff.
He's a young laddie making a good career for himself, and after facing a couple of career threatening situations too. He travelled across the world to make a go of it after being injured in South Africa as a youngster, plus the very difficult situation there means he and others are better seeking to further their professional ambitions abroad, just like any other job to be honest. He then got a serious injury in France and that was the end of it, no contract, no prospects... until Cockerill
Aye I'd have preferred him to stay at Edinburgh, but good luck to him