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.

[pharvey]

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.

In all fairness, it's a very much second string French side who the AB's underestimated in the first Test. "The Blackness" were always going to come back with a bang. Understandably though, there's many pissed off with the French selection which could well have been a hell of a Test Series - of course, you can argue that the majority of French players need the Summer Break!!

I however was watching Japan vs Wales and the Welsh avoiding a history making 19th straight loss for a "Tier 1 International Side" (held by France between 1911 and 1920). They have however lost 18 consecutive matches spanning 644 Days - but who's keeping up with stats?!!

JAPAN 22 vs WALES 31

This was a much wanted and much needed victory, but hardly impressive to be honest - we welcome South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and Japan in the Autumn and are going to be handed our backsides by at least 3 of the 4 playing like this!!

The records will show Hardy at 9 scoring 2 Tries - his first was falling over the line almost losing the ball, his second purely in support of Josh Adams who made the try with a hell of a break. Hardy yet again kicked away possession aimlessly and his passing erratic at best (this to his Regional Teammate Dan Edwards at 10). The latter didn't have a bad game at all and was an improvement on Costello, but Hardy's service put him on the back foot at times.

Wainwright and Macleod performed well in the Backrow which I honestly think saved Wales - Keelan Giles came on to replace the injured Josh Adams and I think he could add a spark in future. Dewi Lake put in a Captain's performance at Hooker yet again and will relish this win.

Ultimately though, it's dark, dark days for Welsh Rugby with a long way to come back - the WRU and Regional Management have put us back years.

AUSNZ 0 vs BRITISH & IRISH LIONS 48

This was not the result I expected!! In fact the Lions' defence was that good, the match became boring in the latter stages. By far the best display by the Lions so far on this tour and certainly a few put their hands up for selection. The Backrow has been a sticking point from Day 1 IMHO and all 3 today put their cases forward. Jac Morgan (sorry I'm biased) put in a great shift and did a lot of the donkey work that get's unnoticed, (I don't like the guy) but Ben Earl played a blinder and again Pollock has shown he could be an impact player off the bench - how the hell do you choose?!

Huw Jones in the Centre was again immense, how can you leave this guy out? Smith at 9 an outside bet? Not a member of the original touring party and brought in due to Tomos Williams' injury, but what a game he had (and after all partners Russell for Scotland). Keenan I think will take the 15 spot especially after Kinghorn's injury - he was another stand out performer today. "Springjock" Van Der Merwe may well have scored a hattrick of tries, but to be brutally honest, they were "run-ins" and his defence is very much suspect especially when the ball is kicked behind him. Cowan-Dickie was having a blinder until taken off with a head injury, which sorry to say I think will rule him out of contention.

I guess we'll see come Thursday (ish) when the teams are named!