[chris1850]

Thought Lood was terrific when he came on. Let's hope we get some serious game time from him next season

[Olyy]

DDP back into the Boks squad:
https://www.springboks.rugby/news-featu ... bok-squad/

Sounds like they're looking to have him there for The Rugby Championship (mentions needing players in the bubble sooner rather than later)

[Olyy]

Tom starts for the Lions,

No Faf in the Boks side but Lood starts

[chris1850]

Faf injured his hip in the last match

[45jumper]

Thought Lood was terrific when he came on. Let's hope we get some serious game time from him next season

I was taken aback with how good he was straight off the bat last season, genuinely world class. Every single thing he did was high quality. Hopefully we manage his gametime to keep him fit!

[poyntonshark]

Actually looking forward to his fitness making it necessary to manage his game time.

[StalyShark]

He’s gone off with an ice pack hovering. Let’s hope it’s not serious with his shoulders.

[poyntonshark]

Should have had a South African Ref.

[IrishShark]

Unfortunately I don't think I can say that Tom Curry had a very good test series.
He did everything right in the A game but kept being in the wrong place at the wrong time for these last 3 matches.

[Olyy]

Thank God that's over, and thank God we never have to see Gatland involved in NH rugby again

Glad Tom came out of the tour unscathed - too many players have career altering injuries on Lions tours,

Hopefully Lood, Faf and Dan come back to us whole from the Rugby Championship

Not fussed at the result - Gatland went into the tour with an extremely negative gameplan and deserves to be shown up for it. Russell coming off the bench in the first half and throwing the gameplan out the window showed that the lads can play, but then he obviously got read the riot act at half time because everyone went into their shell again in the 2nd 40

41 days until the prem starts.

[Surbiton_Shark]

Unfortunately I don't think I can say that Tom Curry had a very good test series.
He did everything right in the A game but kept being in the wrong place at the wrong time for these last 3 matches.

Agree

The no look pass which lead to their try reminded me of some of Sale's plays when things get out of synch. The pen he gave away at the lineout wasn't great either though again probably just not being in synch with the others. He did great stuff around the pitch and clearing out.

Weird decision to gamble at the end and not take the 3 but go for a lineout

In terms of rugby - it's been an extremely forgettable tour. SA didn't help with their tactics but they came out as winners. Not a classic

[Bucks1861]

However, Finn Russell take a bow

[Olyy]

Lood starts and DDP on the bench for the Boks vs Argentina

[Bucks1861]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jean-luc ... boks-call/

Congratulations to J-LdP.

[FarnhamShark]

Leaves us a bit short at no. 8. Josh, with Pos in the 2nd row mix?

[StalyShark]

Leaves us a bit short at no. 8. Josh, with Pos in the 2nd row mix?

Available (should be) Players’ “Main/Experienced” Positions

Locks:
Beaumont
Weise
Postlethwaite
JLDP
Phillips

Flanker:
Ross
Ben
Nield
Weise
Dugdale

8:
Beaumont
Ross
Phillips
Dugdale

Combinations:
First Choice(?):
Weise, JLDP
Ross, Ben, Beaumont
Quite lightweight and I’d have Phillips in at 4 if he’s fit enough.

It’s not a huge concern as we have options (before injuries).

[DavenportSharky]

Very well deserved. Dan did quite well in the 20 minutes he played on Saturday but he was replacing Jasper Wiese who was exceptional. It must be encouraging to all the South Africans at Sale that they are not forgotten and indeed being here may enhance their chance of selection.

[DavenportSharky]

Leaves us a bit short at no. 8. Josh, with Pos in the 2nd row mix?

Available (should be) Players’ “Main/Experienced” Positions

Locks:
Beaumont
Weise
Postlethwaite
JLDP
Phillips

Flanker:
Ross
Ben
Nield
Weise
Dugdale

8:
Beaumont
Ross
Phillips
Dugdale

Combinations:
First Choice(?):
Weise, JLDP
Ross, Ben, Beaumont
Quite lightweight and I’d have Phillips in at 4 if he’s fit enough.

It’s not a huge concern as we have options (before injuries).

Do you mean JPDP?

[Olyy]

Neild played 8 for the jets after his comeback from injury, as well

Finding combos that work together, and sharpish (only one preseason game?), will be the first point of order - the twins have been such mainstays in the 2nd/backrow that I can't remember the last time we didn't have at least one of them in the side

[Van Cannonball]

With both DP twins away I’m pretty concerned about our carrying impact. Weise, Jono, Cam are all much more work rate than impact.

Also hope Jono has worked on his skills at base of the scrum.

I’d be tempted to play JP/Wiese in the row and move Josh to 8 whilst they’re away, keep Jono at 6 and Ben 7. Neild rotating with 6 and 7. Lineout would have plenty of options. Against stronger scrums maybe swap in Phillips for Wiese.

Agree I’d like to see Manu and Rohan playing as many minutes as injuries allow whilst the twins are away. Our game plan is highly dependent on winning the collisions (I know that’s true for most teams but we don’t have so much flair in the backs as some others to unlock teams as an alternative)

[Olyy]

Lood (starting) and Dan (bench) both in the Boks 23 again this weekend

[DavenportSharky]

50th cap for Lood today. Led out the team.

and the referee is…….

Karl Dickson

and the TMO is…..

Tom Foley

[Bucks1861]

For me Lood was the standing out Springbok for the 60+ minutes.

His stats are excellent.

Top tackle count. Top line out wins. Etc.

[Flumpty]

& named MOM

https://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/sprin ... 938fdcbb59

[DavenportSharky]

and congratulations to Captain America

https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2021/ ... mment-6448

[Flumpty]

and congratulations to Captain America

https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2021/ ... mment-6448

Really good news that he's over his knee injury - it looked really nasty at the time.
Surely its photoshop time for someone with the talent !

[Van Cannonball]

Can anyone advise how many games AJ is likely to miss away with the US?

[DavenportSharky]

Not idea what the arrangements are re his release but they play Canada 4th and 11th of September and if they win they play Uruguay in October. The USA play Ireland in Las Vegas on 30th October but it may be a bit of a gamble for AJ to play!

[Clutch]

Creates more opportunities for Wilkinson and Curtis.

[Van Cannonball]

Thinking more about rugby draft...

Not sure Sale will be good for selections this year with lots of rotation expected.

[poyntonshark]

The USA play Ireland in Las Vegas on 30th October but it may be a bit of a gamble for AJ to play!

[Olyy]

Lood and Faf both start for SA this weekend

[Clutch]

And no other boys. Will be annoying if they don’t get to play for us or SA. Just hope they don’t break Lood. Could be difference between winning the title or not.

[Olyy]

Just Faf in the squad this weekend,
Lood went off for/failed a HIA on the weekend so presumably on mandatory stand down

[DavenportSharky]

https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/32 ... -sidelined

and a yellow card for Faf too from Matt Carley. Luke Pearce running the line so their absence reduces the referee experience available in the Premiership.

Faf off after 63 mins.

https://www.rugbyworld.com/players/who- ... ger-129115

Lood doing well as water boy!

[IrishShark]

https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/32 ... -sidelined

and a yellow card for Faf too from Matt Carley. Luke Pearce running the line so their absence reduces the referee experience available in the Premiership.

Faf off after 63 mins.

https://www.rugbyworld.com/players/who- ... ger-129115

Lood doing well as water boy!

This grubber from faf was nice.

[Olyy]

Faf and Lood both starting this weekend, no spot for either twin though

Good to see Lood back, was worried his shoulder had gone again (some reports last week said failed HIA, some a shoulder injury)

[DavenportSharky]

The last 5 minutes of the Boks v ABs was extraordinary. The lead changed 4 times. Nice interview with Faf afterwards who thanked God for their victory. He noticeably reduced his box kicking and the Boks looked better for it. The pictures at half time showed Lood with enormous strapping on both shoulders and what looked like ice on his right shoulder. He did however finish the match intact and Faf also came through unscathed.

[eBike]

The whole match was an epic. The level of physicality was quite something to see. Edge of the seat stuff for sure.

It's worth giving Carley a mention as well for his long overdue bo11ocking of the very irritating "waterboy" interference

[Surbiton_Shark]

Greatly enjoyed the match - if Faf comes back and plays like that we're in for a treat

I do wonder if SA will regret their recent tactics in lieu of that performance.

One aspect of the last two tests was the quality of the commentary team - there is a lot of talk about respecting the game, respecting the ref etc., - the commentators just seemed to continually slag them off

[DavenportSharky]

The water boy situation has become ridiculous. There should be one of them per side who is either independent or from the opposing club. A compulsory water break at about 20 minutes and 60 minutes is surely adequate. They should also stop the teams from warming up behind the posts which is potentially dangerous when the in goal area is tiny.

[Surbiton_Shark]

The water boy situation has become ridiculous. There should be one of them per side who is either independent or from the opposing club. A compulsory water break at about 20 minutes and 60 minutes is surely adequate. They should also stop the teams from warming up behind the posts which is potentially dangerous when the in goal area is tiny.

Creeping into the Prem as well. When Leics got awarded their penalty try to beat Sarries - the Leics 'water boy' was screaming at the ref and pointing to the posts for a PT from the goal area. Not a great image really - was good for the English ref to make a point on Saturday with the SA waterboy following the touch judge giving him feedback

[DaveAitch]

I recall several years back counting something of the order of 15 'non-coms' on the field of play when there was a stoppage.

[Yareet]

The water boy situation has become ridiculous. There should be one of them per side who is either independent or from the opposing club. A compulsory water break at about 20 minutes and 60 minutes is surely adequate. They should also stop the teams from warming up behind the posts which is potentially dangerous when the in goal area is tiny.

Hard disagree.

Pro players are covering 5-8km in a match and enduring up to 50 40mph car crashes. I think I'd need more than a couple of gulps of water.

[ageinghoody]

The water boy situation has become ridiculous. There should be one of them per side who is either independent or from the opposing club. ...

Each player is required to have their own, labelled water bottle. One person couldn't carry fifteen bottles, not to mention the extra time it would take to check the names on the bottles while handing them out. So I'd reckon an absolute minimum of three carriers per side.

Supplying the opposition sounds OK, until the first failed drug test.

Just call me Spike!

[Surbiton_Shark]

The water boy situation has become ridiculous. There should be one of them per side who is either independent or from the opposing club. ...

Each player is required to have their own, labelled water bottle. One person couldn't carry fifteen bottles, not to mention the extra time it would take to check the names on the bottles while handing them out. So I'd reckon an absolute minimum of three carriers per side.

Supplying the opposition sounds OK, until the first failed drug test.

Just call me Spike!

Is that still valid this season? - reason I'm asking is one of the games on BT this weekend - the waterboy offered the ref one of the water bottles (who politely declined)

[Yareet]

The water boy situation has become ridiculous. There should be one of them per side who is either independent or from the opposing club. ...

Each player is required to have their own, labelled water bottle. One person couldn't carry fifteen bottles, not to mention the extra time it would take to check the names on the bottles while handing them out. So I'd reckon an absolute minimum of three carriers per side.

Supplying the opposition sounds OK, until the first failed drug test.

Just call me Spike!

One of these in each hand?



Agree with the rest though

[ageinghoody]

...
Is that still valid this season? - reason I'm asking is one of the games on BT this weekend - the waterboy offered the ref one of the water bottles (who politely declined)

England Rugby's updated guidance (Aug 2021) says "Use own water bottle and do not share it with others".
Page 6
https://www.englandrugby.com/dxdam/5b/5 ... e%20v2.pdf

Perhaps the ref knew that even if the offerer didn't.

[DaveAitch]

Well, there you go. Quite obviously the Waterboys are not proper Waterboys because they have not been trained how to do the job correctly.

[DavenportSharky]

Ok colour coded numbered bottles. Trolley comes onto pitch supervised by 4th official at 20 minutes and 60 minutes. It’s on the field for 90 seconds. Even if they are running 8km that’s hydration every 2km. I ran Manchester 10km twice in my 50s without taking water on. Don’t think impacts cause dehydration??
Everyone knows that it is a farce at present and anything that keeps our sport respected should be encouraged. Erasmus was really the last straw (not drinking straw) for me.