Roar Guru
Joined February 2014
1.62m
Views
279
Published
25.2k
Comments
A Rotundity and happy ex hooker who just loves Rugby really, oh and my kids and Kendra of course who lets me watch as much Rugby as I want, mostly. Follow Digby Ross on Twitter @Diggercane.
Published
Comments
Let me be clear, the Hurricanes are my side and always will be, that will never change. I love them and the last five seasons have certainly been some of the best years as a Hurricanes fan and member.
The Crusaders have won the 2017 Super Rugby title after defeating the Lions by 25-17 in Johannesburg, scoring three tries to two in the process.
The Crusaders have been crowned Super Rugby champions for 2017 after defeating the Lions at Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg by 25 points to 17 in a hard fought and composed performance in front of over 60,000 fans.
Match result: The Crusaders have been crowned Super Rugby champions for 2017 after defeating the Lions at Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg by 25 points to 17 in a hard fought and composed performance in front of over 60,000 fans.
Our grand finalists have been found for Super Rugby 2017 with the Lions hosting the Crusaders next weekend at Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg.
A second half blitz has seen the Lions defeat the Hurricanes by 15 points in a highly entertaining Super Rugby semi-final.
Match results: The Lions have put up a comprehensive second half display, running on five tries to one, turning a 12-point halftime deficit into a 15-point victory to book their place in the Super Rugby grand final against the Crusaders next week.
The Crusaders have become the first team to book their place in the Super Rugby grand final with a 14-point victory over the Chiefs in Christchurch.
Match results: The Crusaders have produced a defensive master class to qualify for the Super Rugby final, defeating the Chiefs by 14 points in Christchurch.
The Super Rugby quarter finals have now been completed and while the results went the way of the betting odds and the favoured teams won through, it certainly was not all one-way traffic as many were expecting.
Good morning and welcome to the fourth Super Rugby quarter-final as the Stormers welcome the Chiefs to Newlands. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1am (AEST).
Good evening and welcome to Super Rugby’s third quarter-final as the table-topping Lions play host to their South African rivals the Sharks. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10:30pm (AEST).
The British and Lions have drawn the curtain on their 2017 New Zealand tour, drawing the third Test match against New Zealand in a tense and enthralling affair in front of over 48,000 fans at Eden Park in Auckland, the match ending in a 15-all draw.
The All Blacks and British and Irish Lions have drawn the third Test at Eden Park in a tense and thrilling encounter 15 points apiece, and have subsequently drawn the 2017 Lions series.
Match result: The All Blacks and British and Irish Lions have drawn the third Test at Eden Park in a tense and thrilling encounter 15 points apiece, and have subsequently drawn the 2017 Lions series.
The British and Irish Lions have completed their mid-week schedule on the 2017 New Zealand tour, playing out a thrilling 31-all draw with the Hurricanes in Wellington at a sold out Westpac Stadium.
The British and Irish Lions play their last non-Test opposition for the 2017 tour this evening, visiting Wellington to play the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 5.35pm (AEST).
The Wallabies have stumbled to an entertaining, error-ridden victory over Italy at Suncorp Stadium in the Brisbane sun by 40 points to 27.
The All Blacks have drawn first blood against the British and Irish Lions overcoming their rivals by 30 points to 15 in an intense, fast and bruising encounter at Eden Park in Auckland in front of over 41,000 fans.
Match result: The All Blacks are just one win away from denying the British and Irish Lions another Test series triumph in New Zealand, downing them 30-15 in an absorbing opening Test at Eden Park.
Funny.
Townsend and Ledesma?
Michael Cheika is still Mickey Mouse, but Mickey wins a lot
Thanks Geoff, and congrats to the Wallabies and fans, that was an excellent performance and shows that the pieces of the puzzle have always been there, hopefully it can continue. And congrats of course to the Boks in nailing the RC trophy, had their struggles in recent years in Argentina but a fairly emphatic result.
Still a bit of chatter around the AB backs, fair enough I suppose but pointless if that is the platform we lay on up front, our tight five really is not working well and I remain unconvinced of the players within the squad right now backing up our starters. I understand selections have been made to look for players who offer more ball in hand but it shouldn’t be at the expense of our set piece and right now, Nepo and Big K should at least be on the bench.
Our depth at lock is sorely lacking and a major concern to me, of course you lose out with not having Retallick anyway but I struggle with seeing a fourth of fifth option who can at least do the job and to me, we were exposed playing two opensides, exacerbated with the red (not too mention Todd on the bench, unhelpful) and left our LO in pieces. Savea is the form openside, he should start and I would opt for Fifita currently as he provides real value in the lineout being a genuine target. Squire is probably the big aggressive body we need and he looked good on the weekend but honestly, Wellington were not up to much so hard to really gauge but miles under the belt.
There are some big concerns around our forwards in my mind right now, we will see how they fire up next Saturday but the Wallabies have the ascendency right now.
I disliked the Barrett card, yes, understand that it was probably the right decision given the laws but at that height and pace I had no real issue with it, penalty sure, even yellow but felt for Barrett on this occasion. I have a couple of operations and screws to show for leading with my arm, still, good to have the debate at the same time.
Also, ripped this off Sportsfreak on twitter –
Quite a rap sheet the Barretts are lining up –
Scott – Rubbish Shoulder to head for a Red Card
Jordie – Creeping out women in their flat at 4.30am with Maccas
Beaudy – Signing for the Blues
I thought it was funny anyhow
Bring on next week!
The Wrap: Resurgent Wallabies place one hand on the Bledisloe Cup
Probably Wal, but I would expect to see them swap on our ball, depending on how the scrum goes. To my mind, Cane is the ideal man to play 6, especially with his defence, though I do understand the ‘they are just numbers on the backs’ will be interesting to see what roles they play. I would expect Ardie to play wider, best runner and link man in the trio.
The Rugby Championship Week 3: Someone clone the trophy
After all that chatter its actually Ardie named at 6. Interesting to note Todd on the bench as loose cover, though obviously S Barrett could move out if size perhaps becomes an issue though doubtful given his lack of game time that he would go 80, even more so that it looks a side wanting to play at serious pace.
The Rugby Championship Week 3: Someone clone the trophy
Yes, but it will then come down to how many words of four or more letters were used over the course of the competition and the one with the most will win on literary count back.
The Rugby Championship Week 3: Someone clone the trophy
Beating everyone is important Gloria.
No point ranking them.
The Rugby Championship Week 3: Someone clone the trophy
Not sure what Geoff was on about to be honest, Wobblies have been playing 70 minutes for years so crowd should be happy, no?
The Rugby Championship Week 3: Someone clone the trophy
Hi Viking,
Not sure I understand your question mate, because my answer would be ‘naturally’?
The Rugby Championship: The feet-up week
Yes, it would be even better if he played more often too
The Wrap: SANZAAR perfects the art of the Rumba when it needs to Tango
Thanks Ronan, and for your coverage over the event.
I am gutted and it is so bizarre to know you didn’t lose the match but knowing you did in fact not win it either but I real do feel for the Black Caps, it must be incredibly difficult to come to terms with and make sense of.
There is no doubt that England are worthy champions and congrats to them and their supporters, a great team and I am certainly proud of my side, who really did pull their socks up after the last three pool games when most, including myself, didn’t give them much chance of getting this far.
As much as there was some misfortune against them, NZ still had their chances to put the game away so that shouldn’t be forgotten amongst the chatter either.
Anyhow, if there is something good to come from this hopefully we will see some changes to rules to ensure a more satisfying result in future.
New Zealand were robbed in the World Cup final
Who knows mate? Am surprised that his future announcement has dragged on for so long.
That’s a wrap on Super Rugby 2019
It will be intriguing to see what sort of effect brown can have on the side.
What a game last night, terrific stuff. Have never been so tired and so happy at the same time. Two more games to go and maybe I can get some sleep back into my life!
That’s a wrap on Super Rugby 2019
Thanks Brett for all your efforts putting this together and including me in another season, great fun!
That’s a wrap on Super Rugby 2019
Brilliant series Matt, thank you and congrats.
Rugby league history: The all-time great alphabet teams – Who takes out the Alphabet Cup?