The Rugby Championship 2017

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^^^ good enough to get them back to 3rd in the rankings & will surely fancy their chances against NZ esp at home.

 

[Ulrich]

^^^^^^^^^ good enough to get them back to 3rd in the rankings & will surely fancy their chances against NZ esp at home.

It comes and goes in roundabouts.

There is nothing new to see here. It's just a classic Springbok side playing to a classic Springbok pattern.

They will still suffer some heartbreak.

 

[PaarlBok]

It comes and goes in roundabouts.

There is nothing new to see here. It's just a classic Springbok side playing to a classic Springbok pattern.

They will still suffer some heartbreak.

I watched the All Blacks vs Wallabies test. If we started that well as the Wallabies, think we would have beaten them.

The Wallabies needed some metal strength, they missed some easy points during that time.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Where are Argentina at?

Just two wins from 13 in the last year, against Japan and Georgia. Ranked 10th in the world behind Fiji

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[waiopehu oldboy]

It's strange, isn't it? After looking like becoming a permanent fixture in the top six in the rankings they've really fallen off a cliff of late & there doesn't seem to be any obvious reason for it other than maybe the players are struggling to adjust to the extra travel being in Super Rugby brings compared to Top 14 where most of their top players used to ply their trade? They certainly do seem to fade late an awful lot, both in Jaguares & Puma colours. The indiscipline doesn't help, either.

 

[PaarlBok]

The Springbok squad to Australia and New Zealand:

Forwards
Uzair Cassiem (flank), Cheetahs - 3 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Lood de Jager (lock), Bulls -29 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Ruan Dreyer (prop), Lions - 1 cap, 0 points
Dan du Preez (No 8), Sharks - uncapped
Jean-Luc du Preez (loose forward), Sharks - 6 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (lock), Stormers - 25 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Eben Etzebeth (lock), Stormers - 59 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Steven Kitshoff (prop), Stormers - 15 caps, 0 points
Siya Kolisi (flank), Stormers - 21 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Jaco Kriel (loose forward), Emirates Lions/Kubota Spears (Jap) - 10 caps, 0 points
Malcolm Marx (hooker), Lions - 7 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Stormers - 10 caps, 0 points
Franco Mostert (lock), Lions/Ricoh Black Rams (Japan) - 12 caps, 0 points
Tendai Mtawarira (prop), Sharks - 92 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Trevor Nyakane (prop), Bulls - 30 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Coenie Oosthuizen (prop), Sharks - 28 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker), Sharks - 22 caps, 5 points (1 try)

Backs
Andries Coetzee (fullback), Lions - 5 caps, 0 points
Ross Cronje (scrumhalf), Lions - 3 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Damian de Allende (centre), Stormers - 24 Caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Francois Hougaard (scrumhalf), Worcester (England) - 44 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Elton Jantjies (flyhalf), Lions/NTT Shining Arcs (Japan) - 16 caps, 166 points (2 tries, 30 conversions, 32 penalties)
Jesse Kriel (centre), Bulls - 21 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Dillyn Leyds (utility back), Stormers - 3 caps, 0 points
Rudy Paige (scrumhalf), Bulls - 9 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Handre Pollard (flyhalf), Bulls - 20 caps, 188 points (2 tries, 29 conversions, 37 penalties, 3 drop goals)
Raymond Rhule (wing), Cheetahs - 5 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Jan Serfontein (centre), Bulls - 30 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Courtnall Skosan (wing), Lions - 5 caps, 5 points (1 try)

 

[Strewthcobber]

It's strange, isn't it? After looking like becoming a permanent fixture in the top six in the rankings they've really fallen off a cliff of late & there doesn't seem to be any obvious reason for it other than maybe the players are struggling to adjust to the extra travel being in Super Rugby brings compared to Top 14 where most of their top players used to ply their trade? They certainly do seem to fade late an awful lot, both in Jaguares & Puma colours. The indiscipline doesn't help, either.

I wonder if the coaching they're getting is up to it?

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[waiopehu oldboy]

Pumas squad for Australasian matches:

Backs: Joaquin Tuculet, Ramiro Moyano, Emiliano Boffelli, Manuel Montero, Santiago Cordero, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Juan Martin Hernandez, Nicolas Sanchez, Santiago Gonzalez, Tomas Cubelli, Martin Landajo.
Forwards: Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Lezana, Benjamin Macome, Pablo Matera, Rodrigo Baez, Javier Ortega Desio, Matias Alemanno, Guido Petti, Marcos Kremer, Ramiro Herrera, Enrique Pieretto, Lucas Noguera Paz, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Santiago Garcia Botta, Augustin Creevy (capt), Julian Montoya.

Lavanini received no further sanction for his double cheese last week but has been dropped, hopefully his replacement(s) play the house down & he's not sighted (hence unable to be cited ) for a while. Other notable absentee is Senatore who's injured & should be back for the return matches.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Crotty has been cleared to play next week but Cane still in doubt so with Todd out for a month the question is who's ASavea's backup if Cane doesn't come right? The Hurled reckons Dillon Hunt or Blake Gibson (as they would, both being Aucks albeit Hunt plays in Otago now) or maybe James Lentjes from the Clan.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Cane & Crickett have now been ckeared & are available this week but Naholo is now out with a head knock he picked up on Saturday & Franks is have Ng surgery on Friday to fix his Achilles issue.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...waisake-naholo-is-ruled-out-of-argentina-test

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

All Blacks (15-1): Damian McKenzie, Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Reserves (16-23): Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Lima Sopoaga, Ngani Laumape

 

[Derpus]

Sonny Bill must be churning through the brown paper bags.

 

[Braveheart81]

Argentina (15-1): Joaquin Tuculet, Santiago Cordero, Matias Moroni, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Emiliano Boffelli, Nicolas Sanchez, Tomas Cubelli, Benjamin Macome, Javier Ortega Desio, Pablo Matera, Guido Petti, Matias Alemanno, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Agustin Creevy (c), Lucas Noguera Paz
Reserves: Julian Montoya, Santiago Garcia Botta, Enrique Pieretto, Marcos Kremer, Tomas Lezana, Martin Landajo, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Matias Orlando

 

[Brumby Runner]

That ABs side is starting to look a little vulnerable in places. Shouldn't be a problem v the Argies, but are there some chinks appearing in the invincibles?

Just seems to me that Dagg at 15 would be stronger than McKenzie, great player that he is at Super Rugby level, and SBW doesn't seem to be up to scratch lately. Are the 6 and 7 spots as strong as the ABs could put out?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Started raining in New Plymouth yesterday & isn't due to stop until at least Sunday so the track will officially be heavy.

That ABs side is starting to look a little vulnerable in places. Shouldn't be a problem v the Argies, but are there some chinks appearing in the invincibles?

Just seems to me that Dagg at 15 would be stronger than McKenzie, great player that he is at Super Rugby level, and SBW doesn't seem to be up to scratch lately. Are the 6 and 7 spots as strong as the ABs could put out?

Yeah, DMac's not the finished article yet, needs to learn to be more patient rather than trying the miracle play all the time & I still think he's a tad small & could get found out v the Bokke & NH (didn't go well for Chiefs v B&IL).

Ardie for mine is very much a finisher not a starter at this point, but with Todd out & Cane needing a break there's not too many other options right now, they'll be needing to take at least one of Gibson, Hunt & Lentjes on EOYT.

At 6 I'd prefer Shields (not least so Ringinland don't nab him, supposedly he's a potential instant Pom) or Taufua but Shag & Co obviously see something in Fifita, took him on EOYT last year & have had him on a bulking up program (gone from ~110 to ~115kg) so must believe there's a payoff around the corner. Hopefully we see some of that Saturday night.

 

[Dan54]

Yep I a bit of a Shield's fan too WOB, also agree on DMac, but he ok as cover, and will learn a bit getting a little time under his belt. Ardie definitley suited to finishing a test, he lacks the defence in close of Cane, who really is still a bit underrated as his work rate in the hard stuff is pretty good. Mind you in saying that I think Ardie will come on in the tighter stuff as he starts a few more games.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

every time I think yeah, Shields, he goes and drops the fucking thing. Great fitness (think he won the Canes preseason fitness comp thing) and link play, wee bit upright but can't fault the effort/attitude. Then he drops it.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^^ channeling his inner Bloo, perhaps

 

[zer0]

All Blacks scrum has been good, otherwise it's largely been another scrappy performance capped off with a duffed lineout to let Argentina lead at half time. Mckenzie needs to be kicking until Sopoaga gets on the field. Barrett's in a game-loosing kicking mood tonight.

 

[Up the Guts]

All Blacks scrum has been good, otherwise it's largely been another scrappy performance capped off with a duffed lineout to let Argentina lead at half time. Mckenzie needs to be kicking until Sopoaga gets on the field. Barrett's in a game-loosing kicking mood tonight.

ABs should be ahead on the scoreboard given the way they've played. BB kicking has cost them. Why couldn't he do that in Dunedin?