The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

^ Close, but it seems Google Translate has got confused with masculine and feminine - Christ, even the Welsh language is anti-WOKE (no "Neutral")!!

But hey, if you took notice of what I recommended, there's no need for the additional Rugby Pass.. (get that bloody Firestick!!)

[pharvey]

Well, it's the final "Warm-up" before the 1st Test and we see an "Invitational XV" from Austral and New Zealand playing the British and Irish Lions for the first time since 1989! Back then they were referred to as the ANZAC XV, but apparently this is classed as insulting to those who fought in the World Wars.... I shan't share my opinion on that one. This team is now an "AUNZ Invitational XV" and I'm sure will provide another cracking match against what is ultimately a Lions side made up of "Fringe Players" looking for a Test place.

The following is a pretty dire quality video from YouTube, but the 1989 match was a cracker and well worth the watch (if only on a smaller screen)! I remember having a long shift at work, a long(er) shift at the pub (rather the getting up at the crack of dawn) to watch the match in the very early hours.... Some class players involved in this one



Anywho, very good to see Jac Morgan at 7 and Pollock at 6... Not so much Farrell on the bench DM loves to see French Refs, so we'll see how that goes..


The Teams

AUNZ Invitational XV: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 AJ Lam, 13 Ngani Laumape, 12 David Havili (cc), 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (cc), 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa,
1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Joshua Fusitu’a, 18 George Dyer, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Joe Brial, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Jock Campbell

British and Irish Lions: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Ben White, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Henry Pollock, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 4 James Ryan, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Owen Farrell

Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Kick-off: 20:00 AEST (11:00 BST, 10:00 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

[dtaai-maai]

DM loves to see French Refs, so we'll see how that goes..

Well we'll have to wait for another day as Mr Piardi is Italian...

[pharvey]

DM loves to see French Refs, so we'll see how that goes..

Well we'll have to wait for another day as Mr Piardi is Italian...

The subtle one there was the TMO, oh come along dearest..... You know, the one (holds things up)

[pharvey]

Aside from the British and Irish Lions, there's masses of International Rugby on yet again

Truly looking forward to the Lions match as there'll be players trying to get a look in to the Test Squad and the AUNZ side are going to run all with a bit of luck!!

I will also however wake early to prepare myself for "Japan vs Wales ver.2". Pleased to see Edwards replace Costello at 10, but bemused as to why Hardy remains at 9, thankfully we can call on Wainwright to come in at No. 8 but the loss of Faletau is devastating. Archie Griffin coming into the Front Row is an issue at scrum time, but he's very good in the loose - similarly Freddie Thomas in the Second Row, too small for that position in International Rugby IMHO, but very good in loose play. It certainly seems to show the way coach Sherratt wants to play..... Please for the love of God, let's not go to 19 matches without a win!!

"Soapbox Apologies". As for the rest of the matches, take a look at https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rug ... t=20250712

[PeteC]

The first time I've watched the All Blacks this season. They convincingly dismantled France today, makeing it 2 wins out of 3 so far in the series.