2024 Rugby Championship Thread

[RDW]

2024 Rugby Championship Thread

[RDW]

Sorry for the rubbish thread content - will add more in the future.

SA 7-0 v Wallabies and looking incredibly powerful and dangerous.

More Razzie surprises - Kolbe feeding the scrum at 9!

[RDW]

Too much power and pace and Boks 14-0 - Australia really struggling to contain them

[RDW]

21 -0 HT. Scoreline in no way reflects how much SA have dominated that half - wallabies barely had a sniff.

[Galted]

More Razzie surprises - Kolbe feeding the scrum at 9!

Etzebeth playing wing was also unexpected.

[RDW]

Much better from Wallabies in 2nd half who actually have some possession, but not enough quality to get some points. A badly malfunctioning lineout in the red zone not helping things.

[RDW]

I might be wrong but it seems like every single scrum this game has turned into a Springbok penalty

[mikey_dragon]

I might be wrong but it seems like every single scrum this game has turned into a Springbok penalty

Not surprising, look at the gulf in players. Is there a reason Schmidt didn’t pick Skelton?

[RDW]

I might be wrong but it seems like every single scrum this game has turned into a Springbok penalty

Not surprising, look at the gulf in players. Is there a reason Schmidt didn’t pick Skelton?

Not sure what the go is with Skelton - you'd think if he was available and fit he'd be playing.

[formerly known as Sam]

Teams for reference

Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Isaac Kailea.

Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Dylan Pietsch.

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handré Pollard

[RDW]

33-7 FT.

Totally dominant Springbok win!

[formerly known as Sam]

New Zealand starting lineup: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Tele'a, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Dalton Papali'i, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Tupou Vaa'i, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan De Groot

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Will Jordan


Argentina starting lineup: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Matias Moroni, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (c), 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Eduardo Bello, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 1 Thomas Gallo

Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Efrain Elias, 20 Tomas Lavanini, 21 Joaquin Oviedo, 22 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 23 Tomas Albornoz

[formerly known as Sam]

33-7 FT.

Totally dominant Springbok win!

Didn't see the game but from the online updates I saw it looks like discipline will be their only concern. A smattering of yellow cards late in the game might let a better side in.

[RDW]

33-7 FT.

Totally dominant Springbok win!

Didn't see the game but from the online updates I saw it looks like discipline will be their only concern. A smattering of yellow cards late in the game might let a better side in.

Ach it was game over after about 30 minutes and they pretty much coasted the rest of the game - they had several more gears to go through. Frightening display of power and pace at times.

[formerly known as Sam]

Much closer in the other game at half time. 20-15 to the ABs. Kicks at goal proving the difference.

[RDW]

Very close game ABs v Argentina. Still think Scott Robertson is playing these games like a Super Rugby game and not a Test match. Wonder how that will go against the Springboks.

[mikey_dragon]

Teams for reference

Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Isaac Kailea.

Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Dylan Pietsch.

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handré Pollard

Was Snyman replaced at 2nd row by du Toit? He was wearing 5 and I didn’t see Snyman on the pitch.

[RDW]

Yeah Snyman was in the non playing squad in the stands - maybe a late change

[RDW]

Could the ABs really lose this?

There's a good chance!

[RDW]

This is the worst ABs performance I've seen in a very long time

[Duty281]

South Africa/Australia was a very sad watch. Australia were just completely destroyed in the forwards and I'm still not used to seeing an Aussie RU team so off the required standard. SA will win this competition by a distance.

NZ/Argentina very interesting. There's simply no aura about NZ anymore, teams don't fear them. And after an error-strewn performance like that, why would anyone fear them?

[mountain man]

Wow! Argentina beat NZ 38-30!

That's a result and a half.

[doctor_grey]

Argentina could easily have scored more. To win like that in NZ is quite something.

[mikey_dragon]

Argentina have got a few wins against NZ home and away now, but I’m not yet convinced that they are consistent and could still finish 3rd, as surely Aus are the worst team. The rematch could see the All Blacks beat Arg like they did at the World Cup…

[bsando]

Foster was hounded by AB fans prior to the rugby world Cup but the quieter opinion was that rugby in NZ was facinging increasing problems with player retention. It may just turn out to be a blip but that feeling of fragility has reappeared.

[doctor_grey]

I don't think that was the Pumas best lineup.  And they are not afraid to give a first cap in New Zealand.

I thought the Pumas were the better team over the full 80, too.

[formerly known as Sam]

I don't think that was the Pumas best lineup.  And they are not afraid to give a first cap in New Zealand.  

They've got to rejuvenate their squad at some point, can't keep sending out the older guys forever. Argentina have some good younger talents and given the chance they've done well.

NZ have got a similar problem but there's a greater expectation to win. The job Robertson is facing is bigger than most in NZ would like to admit.

[doctor_grey]

I always enjoy watching the celebrations after big wins.  The Argentinian players and supporters were having the time of their life.  It really just doesn't get better than that.

[bsando]

I hadn’t realised that Finlay Christie had been dropped completely from the squad. Crazy decision.

[Maine man]

I might be the only one but I don't rate Christie that highly. Just never been that impressed by him

[bsando]

Think he has a very good all round game and in particular his defensive organisation is excellent. As a starter though he has had a few games where he’s gone quiet.

[RDW]

Interesting debate in Aussie rugby circles (my forum on the side...)

Seems to be half split between "we were absolutely terrible and even the most experience players were a huge letdown' and "we were up against the world champions with an inexperienced team - what do you expect"

As always the truth is probably a mix of both. Australia were very unlikely to win but it wasn't unreasonable to hope for a better performance. In particular I thought Harry Wilson and Bob Valentini (who I think could be a world class 8) were very disappointing - they looked like they didn't want to be there. The Wallabies needed them to be leading the charge as the two most physical players!

Hopefully there'll be a response from the team this weekend, especially in the physicality front.

[bsando]

Joe Schmidt did well with Ireland but I recall the players found him pretty exhausting by the end of his tenure. I think he demands a lot from players.

 Ultimately the wallabies need to forget about past records and recent failings. The first step is becoming competitive once more. If Schmidt can harden up their defence it’ll serve them well against the better sides. SA first up after wales and Georgia was a tough fixture, but there is a lot of work to do to improve the side.

[formerly known as Sam]

Schmidt is only contracted to the Wallabies for 18/24 months. He's there to lay the foundations and then pass the job on to somebody else by the sounds of it.

I doubt he'll be anywhere close to happy with seeing the side marmalised up front though it's hardly surprising Vs the Boks. The inability to look after the ball in contact will be the real cause for concern. Be interesting to see what does from here as he did a great job bringing a simplified and yet effective attack to a fairly rudderless AB team that did have the significant advantage of far more quality though.

[doctor_grey]

From The Telegraph:
The Springboks’ matchday 23 to face the Wallabies in Perth contains three players who can play hooker, three who can play scrum-half, and three bona fide fly-halves. With both Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard among the replacements, versatility and creativity will be the order of the day at Optus Stadium.

Given South Africa’s latest fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is also comfortable at full-back, there is a very realistic possibility of all fly-halves playing concurrently. Libbok at 10, Pollard at 12 – as the Leicester playmaker did towards the end of his Montpellier tenure – and Feinberg-Mngomezulu at 15. If the past seven years have taught us anything, however, it is that second-guessing Erasmus is a mug’s game.

So the Boks are going with what appears to be a pretty different kind of lineup (until we see another 7:1 or 6:2). Also, must be some comment about how Erasmus sees the talent levels between the Boks and the Wallabies.

[formerly known as Sam]

The Boks attack is really being expanded upon with Tony Brown. He seems intent on bringing more creativity to the party and getting more playmakers into the backline. Willie le Roux still turning out at 15, Kolbe in a roaming position where he pops up at half back. Erasmus likes his different ideas and putting more decision makers into the backline and/or orchestrating more time for them on the ball or to make decisions is going to make South Africa an even trickier team to play against.

It's not like they've been sacrificing much power in order to gain the additional playmaking ability. Off the bench as the game opens up having three flyhalfs could be a master stroke. Possibly not needed against the Wallabies if we are being brutally honest but in games to come against tougher opposition it could well be.

[formerly known as Sam]

For reference;

Australia starting lineup: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Angus Bell

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 James Slipper,18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Seru Uru, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen


South Africa starting lineup: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Handre Pollard

[formerly known as Sam]

New Zealand starting lineup: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Dalton Papali'i, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Tupou Vaa'i, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele'a

Argentina starting lineup: 15 Juan Cruz Mallía, 14 Matias Moroni, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Marcos Kremer, 3 Lucio Sordoni, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Thomas Gallo

Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Tomás Lavanini, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Thomas Albornoz, 23 Bautista Delguy

[doctor_grey]

For reference;

Australia starting lineup: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Angus Bell

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 James Slipper,18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Seru Uru, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen


South Africa starting lineup: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Handre Pollard

This is pretty wild - the Bok replacements are as good or better than the starters. Bringing on Marx, Koch, Nché, and Etzabeth is almost unfair....

[formerly known as Sam]

For reference;

Australia starting lineup: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Angus Bell

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 James Slipper,18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Seru Uru, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen


South Africa starting lineup: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Handre Pollard

This is pretty wild - the Bok replacements are as good or better than the starters.  Bringing on Marx, Koch, Nché, and Etzabeth is almost unfair....

Less of a bomb squad and more of a tactical nuke squad.

[RDW]

Much more like the usual All Blacks so far! 21-3 after 25 minutes, and completely dominating.

[RDW]

35-3 HT.

If this continues it probably points to last week being more like a really bad day at the office than the gap between teams narrowing.

[Galted]

35-3 HT.

If this continues it probably points to last week being more like a really bad day at the office than the gap between teams narrowing.

Pretty much a replay of the last time Argentina dared to win in NZ.

[RDW]

42-10 FT - ABs absolutely cruised through that one

[formerly known as Sam]

35-3 HT.

If this continues it probably points to last week being more like a really bad day at the office than the gap between teams narrowing.

Robertson will have been less than pleased with last week's effort. Players were dropped and no doubt the remaining given an absolute rocket. Argentina are a good side but they were playing away in NZ it's a hard place to win, to win twice in a row a heroic feet.

[RDW]

Shame it's a wet weather weekend - weather was rotten in Auckland and looks just as bad in Perth.

[RDW]

Absolute dreadful weather ruining this as a spectacle. Wallabies a lot more competitive this week but also the architects of their own downfall at times, with terrible discipline and poor choices (multiple cross field kicks in a monsoon??)

18-12 Boks with 24 remaining

[RDW]

Really disappointing 2nd half from the Wallabies. It was terrible weather but discipline collapsed and basic errors all round. Springboks did what they do best and ground them down to pull away for a 30-12 win.

1 try and 63 points against is not a good look.

[formerly known as Sam]

For the Wallabies it's going to be incremental improvements. They aren't going to just get better in a massive jump from one week to the next there's to little stability and structure left from the world cup. Schmidt will probably still be trying to iron things out by the AIs.

He'll probably be happy that they didn't just get mullered in the scrum and beaten up physically in the first half.

[bsando]

The two debutants looked good, although Uru got a yellow for collapsing a maul. Jorgensen had serious wheels when he got into a bit of space despite the sodden pitch.

Overall though the Wallabies didn't offer much in attack but the conditions really didn't help with that. Some of their cross field kicks were incredibly poor, almost inviting the Boks to put them out of their misery.

They have some great forwards and backs and it's going to take time for Schmidt to build a squad that looks more robust.

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