Roar Guru
Joined August 2011
213k
Views
60
Published
683
Comments
Published
Comments
If ever there was a game that may have caused South Africans to be gracious in defeat, this was it. The Wallabies systematically destroyed…
The hysteria across the ditch has reached unprecedented levels but are Kiwis being rational? As Aaron Smith said: “It’s actually gone… it’s ridiculous how…
Rugby Union in Australia is now the subject of ridicule and derision. Matter of fact, it’s the subject of jokes in New Zealand too.…
Australian Super Rugby sides are not very good. They should not be pushing their Trans-Tasman competition so hard. Yet New Zealanders generally seem pretty…
The ‘contest’ between New Zealand and South Africa on Saturday night was not worthy. It may have been the much hyped 100th match between…
After arriving in the land Down Under cock-a-hoop and full of the joys of a Lions series victory, the Boks are now officially on…
Quade Cooper’s iconic performance on Saturday evening is more than a personal redemption story. That 80 minutes made Cooper all but un-droppable this year.…
Millwall Football Club is famous for its terrace chant “nobody likes us, we don’t care”. The Boks have taken that motto to a whole…
In what must be one of the least memorable Test series in recent memory, it is fair to say rugby was the real loser.…
The outrage that followed the red card dished out to Marika Koroibete was hardly surprising. When you hear the normally measured Andrew Mehrtens sound…
Everything is so serious nowadays. COVID vaccinations! Death from sugar! Contact sport! The risk of living is suddenly so real and so great, there…
It is a stretch to say that Australia narrowly defeated France’s third XV; it was more like its seconds. Some may point to the…
After a tough start to the Trans-Tasman competition, most Australians are conceding the next World Cup already. The record of 18 defeats over four…
Rugby needs to strike a balance between player welfare and changing the fabric of the sport. Unfortunately, right now the most important conversation relating…
There is no excuse for the performance on Saturday night. Not the weather. Not preparation. And not youth. 43-5 is a national humiliation and…
We’ve now all seen enough of Super Rugby AU to pick a Wallaby side on form. It’s impossible to know what Dave Rennie makes…
Last week, I wrote an article suggesting that Australian rugby go it alone. The need for a national club rugby competition similar to the…
Everyone has been talking about a merged Anzac Super competition next year. But will five, four or even three Australian sides be competitive and…
Michael Cheika isn’t a polarising figure. He’s detested by pretty much everyone. Yet does he really deserve to be held in such contempt –…
Saturday 24 November 2018. Australia v England. The only Wallaby Test I’d ever attended knowing Australia couldn’t win before the match even started. But…
Credit to the Boks. They played a storming game tonight, one of the great tests full stop.
Not sure it busted any myths though. Both Front rows only played a half of footy.
And I think everyone has know that Pollard could pass, Am could run, Faf could do more than kick… we’ve just all been waiting to see it.
Big positive, the Boks won by playing a great brand of rugby.
MATCH REPORT: Springboks edge All Blacks in one of the GREATEST Tests
The 50/22 was the correct call (it was passed back in) but the other calls, especially the 2 penalties against Steyn were terrible.
I’m just really grateful a brilliant match wasn’t decided by a card or bad call.
MATCH REPORT: Springboks edge All Blacks in one of the GREATEST Tests
Credit where credit is due.
The Boks played a fantastic game of rugby and deserved to win. I hope they see now there is another way.
Hands down the best test since the RWC and one of the all time great matches.
MATCH REPORT: Springboks edge All Blacks in one of the GREATEST Tests
It’s not always about physical stats, he’s also only 20 which is very young for a prop. Still growing into his body, losing puppy fat and getting the power you get through your 20s … like Swain and Wilson.
Lonergan is different. He’s just very small and doesn’t have a frame to grow into.
MATCH REPORT: Kellaway hat trick helps Wallabies close Rugby Championship on a high
He’s a big boy but at 20 he isn’t as developed and that counts scrimmaging in the NH. Lonergan must be the smallest hooker in test rugby.
Same can be said for Swain and Harry Wilson. Still growing into their bodies
MATCH REPORT: Kellaway hat trick helps Wallabies close Rugby Championship on a high
Kellaway is certainly the find of the year – Cooper the return of the year, closely followed by Kerevi.
But… a bit concerned about our tight forward depth. Lonergan is way to small, Bell also under size and Swain small too. Add to that the line out throws going astray…
They absolutely have to go for Latu, Arnold and Skelton to beef up that side of things before arriving at Twickenham.
MATCH REPORT: Kellaway hat trick helps Wallabies close Rugby Championship on a high
I just don’t think they are big enough bodied right now.
Wilson especially is still carrying a lot of puppy fat.
'They're full of emotion': Everything Hoops said about fiery Argies, Skelton link, Quade's impact
I’ve watched him a lot at both Saracens and La Rochelle.
I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. In my opinion, Skelton and Arnold are in the top 5 locks in the NH, right up there.
Skelton has become far more mobile, lost at least 10kg and has a very good work rate for a big man. Also very good in tight which is something the Wallabies miss in their tight 5- playing alongside the nucleus of the English pack at Sarries and players like Vito in France… learnt a lot.
I can easily see a scenario were Arnold, Rodda, Philip share starts and Skelton comes off the bench with McMahon (Skelton would lift McMahon).
Pretty handy finishers, especially if you think they may enter the fray with Tate and JOC.
'They're full of emotion': Everything Hoops said about fiery Argies, Skelton link, Quade's impact
Think Gatland got his selections badly wrong.
Don’t think Eddie will be that stupid.
'Is it entertaining? No': All Blacks legend speaks out against Springboks' DNA
Also going to be interesting to see how they go in the NH this year…
I’m not sure who they are playing but I can see the French and English especially being well prepared for the kicking and set pieces.
'Is it entertaining? No': All Blacks legend speaks out against Springboks' DNA
Think that’s a key point.
That side led by Smit between say 2006-2010 was probably the best SA side of all time. Powerful pack, brilliant line out, balanced back row, well rounded 9, 10, 12, weapons out wide…
In fact behind McCaws side and Eales’ side, Smit’s side was probably the best of all time ahead of Johnson’s England.
Boks legend says lack of variation costing team as Nienaber insists 'DNA' will win through
Exactly. It’s great to see JDV speaking out about this issue.
Again, the passing and kicking stats from the 2 tests last weekend are very stark.
Boks legend says lack of variation costing team as Nienaber insists 'DNA' will win through
That’s exactly the point.
I don’t think this is a South African thing – Joost could box kick but was a beautiful runner and passer, perhaps the greatest 9 of all.
The 95 and 99 Bok sides were lead by kicking 10s (de Beer and Stransky). Yet they played incredible rugby.
That’s before you get to Habana etc.
An idea for an article actually…
The Boks and All Blacks should try again
Spot on:
NZ passed 142 times, Australia 161, Argentina 126 and …. SA 66 times. Not a typo.
Most of the time Pollard and Faf weren’t even looking at the overlaps.
The Boks and All Blacks should try again
Spot on… if you look at the 10 year record, the sides have played 19 times and the Boks have won 3 (16%).
To my memory, I don’t think SA have beaten NZ at a RWC since 1995?
The Boks and All Blacks should try again
I think the Springbok broke my heart.
Again, kicking 38 times and only passing 65 times in 80 minutes.
That ain’t rugby. And those who defend it are the sad minority.
The Boks and All Blacks should try again
Yes. Really sad that Ledesma had to raise it at a press conference to bring attention to it.
Feels to me that the major unions have lost sight of what is important in the game – culture of respect, tradition, endeavour and the paying public.
SANZAAR and RA apologise to Argentina after Ledesma snaps over TRC photo snub
I have all my fingers crossed the ABs learn quickly and really go to town on SA this week.
It feels like the only thing that will jolt the Boks coaches into changing their ways (maybe?!)
As for WR you’re spot on. What a missed opportunity Pichot was.
The Boks and All Blacks should try again
All fair point MK
But I don’t think you can put this all down to humidity and the pandemic. Particularly with the South Africans, there seems to be a deliberate approach- again 38 kicks but only 65 passes in 80 minutes of rugby.
World rugby has also severely damaged the game with pedantic laws which are now almost un-refereeable.
I’m sounding the alarm because I genuinely think the game is at risk over the next 5-10 years even in established markets.
The Boks and All Blacks should try again
I think you’d find McMahon would come on as an impact with Skelton- he jumps, Skelton lifts.
Imagine a bench with Tupou, Skelton and McMahon coming on together with say Tate McDermott and JOC.
Fire.
Three more overseas players set to join Wallabies on spring tour as Giteau Law sidestepped
I think there is a lot of concern Frisky. And as I’ve said above, by and large people on here are ‘rugby people’, imagine what people we are trying to attract are saying.
The last 15 minutes were tense because nobody wanted to lose. Fact is there were 26 penalties in 80 minutes. The Boks kicked 38 times in 80 minutes and only passed 65 times. Those are startlingly bad stats.
The game is on its knees. It can’t afford too many more nights like that, especially on show piece occasions.
The Boks and All Blacks should try again
How many great games of rugby have there been this year?
I’m exceptionally worried that the bad ones outweigh the good let alone the great.
We also need to remember that we are by and large rugby people on here- imagine what the fence sitters and people the game is trying to attract are saying
The Boks and All Blacks should try again
I’m not so sure guys.
That Bok side is not a good one. They beat a Lions side that played awfully and right into their hands. The Wallabies ran all over them especially in the second test.
I was rooting for NZ and was shocked by how much ball they turned over- lost breakdowns, drops, bad passes and poor line outs. Very un Kiwi
The Boks and All Blacks should try again
It’s the equivalent of Fraser running around the ring not throwing a punch and Ali dancing in the other direction or at best, swinging and missing.
Awful rugby.
Boks coach bemoans 'bounce of the ball' as youngster's massive play secures All Blacks win
Headlines from Super Rugby.
The Kiwis have been pushed way too hard by average Aussie teams – watching Leinster v La Rochelle, the difference in intensity is alarming.
Australian teams are frightened of losing. They get into positions to win and invariably have melt downs.
The Force and The Rebels don’t like eachother.
'The biggest f--- you' or 'Force be damned'? Fans split after Rebels' last play kills Aussie rivals' finals hopes