Official United Rugby Championship thread

[Sandstorm]

Karr has tits for hands

[OomStruisbaai]

Willemse is just class

[Sandstorm]

Willemse is just class

So good.

[Sandstorm]

Stormers win 37-27

Nick Mallet talks a LOT of shite

[OomStruisbaai]

Gimga MOTM

[OomStruisbaai]

Jake White take it.

[_Os_]

Jake White threw the Exeter game to target the Stomps, then lost to the Stomps. Should've targeted the Exeter match, the higher level of competition. Low ambition for a good Bulls squad to target the URC first.

[OomStruisbaai]

Jake White threw the Exeter game to target the Stomps, then lost to the Stomps. Should've targeted the Exeter match, the higher level of competition. Low ambition for a good Bulls squad to target the URC first.

Ja it backfired. Maybe they'll click next week. Stormers is in a great position now. They won't make the same mistake as last year against the Lions.

[OomStruisbaai]

Dweba......

You always bring out the best of the Stormers players. Dweba's try silent you.

[Sards]

Stormers win 37-27

Nick Mallet talks a LOT of shite

Eisch. Bad idea bringing him into commentary. He's always pushing an agenda instead of being neutral.

Good win by Stormers. The heads dropped when the Stormers scored the first of that 3. Thought Kitshoff should have been penalized at the scrum beforehand. Elbows straight to ground. Those are the lucks of the game. Looking forward to the Sharks giving them a hiding in February and March

[OomStruisbaai]

Lots of credit have to go to Dobson who invest a lot in young players like BJDixon and Hartzenberg. Dixon is a real workhorse and physical. Compare the old wood running around for the Bulls like Mapoe and Voster. They don't come cheap. Our old stock like Fourie and Brokkie plus chase aways from other franchise all play some outstanding rugby as a team.

[OomStruisbaai]

Connacht dropped us last night with that 2 point loss. Embra loss must be bad for them

[Uncle fester]

Dweba......

You always bring out the best of the Stormers players. Dweba's try silent you.

Some very feeble tackling there.

[OomStruisbaai]

Dweba......

You always bring out the best of the Stormers players. Dweba's try silent you.

Some very feeble tackling there.

You don't expect this from the Bulls.

[Sards]

I just have to say that Manie was phenomenal. Him and Daimanie are the unsung heros of the team. The pulse.

[Tichtheid]

Decent turnout at Thomond Park for Munster Leinster

[Tichtheid]

Cian Healy playing tighthead?

[Tichtheid]

Munster will be able to attack Healy on their own put in by the looks of things - it's a big ask to swap sides these days

[Tichtheid]

Ruck ball healed backwards - they'll be putting the ball into the scrum straight next!

[Uncle fester]

Cian Healy playing tighthead?

Did that switch last year and covered there a few times. Don't know if he's ever started a game there.

[OomStruisbaai]

Munster giving a game here

[Tichtheid]

Munster giving a game here

Thomond is a very difficult place to win, even for The Blue Meanies

[Uncle fester]

Munster giving a game here

Thomond is a very difficult place to win, even for The Blue Meanies

Nah, those days are long gone.

[Tichtheid]

Munster giving a game here

Thomond is a very difficult place to win, even for The Blue Meanies

Nah, those days are long gone.

It's a dip

[Tichtheid]

Thomond is a very difficult place to win, even for The Blue Meanies

Nah, those days are long gone.

It's a dip

That was shite though, very poor defence on the pick and drive

[Tichtheid]

Comms have just said what I was thinking, you've got to be well on top going in to the last 20 to stand a chance against Leinster, in run of play at least

[Tichtheid]

Munster have to show more ambition, going close like that is never going to break down the Leinster defence there, why not go wide?

[Uncle fester]

Munster have to show more ambition, going close like that is never going to break down the Leinster defence there, why not go wide?

Happy now?

[Uncle fester]

Just can't get out of our 22 here.

[Tichtheid]

Very good entertainment that.

Leinster are very good, as we all know.

[Biffer]

Didn't watch it but interested to know how much of a cunt O'Mahony was tonight, say on a scale of one to Dylan Hartley?

[lemonhead]

One of the better Christmas fixtures. You mess up, usually it's a score or a long session in your own 22 till you do something good to get possession back.

Expectations still exactly the same this season, qualify for Europe and bed in the squad to take this project forward. No surprise some of the older guard looking that bit older tonight and would seriously want to be winning this next time

[OomStruisbaai]

Was a very good match. Leinster 2 tries with 14 men sealed it. Great comeback from Munster but just could not get out of the red zone.

[OomStruisbaai]

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30

Edinburgh Rugby v Glasgow Warriors
(Murrayfield, Edinburgh – Kick-off 19.35, 19:35 GMT)

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Ian Kenny (Scotland)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31

Zebre Parma v Benetton
(Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – Kick-off 12.30, 11.30 GMT)

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
Rereree assistants: Clara Munarini (Italy), Riccardo Angelucci (Italy)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)

Sharks v Bulls
(Kings Park, Durban – Kick-off 14.45, 12.45 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa, Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

Stormers v Lions
(Cape Town Stadium – Kick-off 17.00, 15.00 GMT)

Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa, Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Crous (South Africa)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

Cardiff v Ospreys
(Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – Kick-off 15.00, 15:00 GMT)

Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
Referee assistant: Ben Breakspear (Wales), Carwyn Williams (Wales)
TMO: Wayne Davies (Wales)

Scarlets v Dragons RFC
(Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli – Kick-off 17.15, 17.15 GMT)

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Referee assistants: Craig Evans (Wales, ) Mike English (Wales)
TMO: Sean Brickell (WRU)

Ulster v Munster
(Kingspan Stadium, Belfast – Kick-off 17.15, 17.15 GMT)

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Referee assistants: Andrew Cole (Ireland), Paul Haycock (Ireland)
TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)

Leinster v Connacht
(RDS Arena, Dublin – Kick-off 19.35, 19.35 GMT)

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Peter Martin (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

[OomStruisbaai]

[OomStruisbaai]

Leeus: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Henco van Wyk, 12. Marius Louw (c), 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Sanele Nohamba, 8. Emmanuel Tshituka, 7. Ruan Venter, 6. Jarod Cairns, 5. Pieter Jansen van Vuren (c), 4. Willem Alberts, 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2. PJ Botha, 1. JP Smith.
Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Morgan Naude, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Ruben Schoeman, 20. Sibusiso Sangweni, 21. Morne van den Berg, 22. Gianni Lombard, 23. Manuel Rass.

[Sards]

Cell C Sharks
1. Ox Nche
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Thomas du Toit
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Gerbrandt Grobler
6. Siya Kolisi (c)
7. Henco Venter
8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
9. Grant Williams
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13. Lukhanyo Am
14. Marnus Potgieter
15. Boeta Chamberlain

Replacements
16. Kerron van Vuuren
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Carlu Sadie
19. Hyron Andrews
20. Phepsi Buthelezi
21. Jaden Hendrikse
22. Lionel Cronje
23. Yaw Penxe

Ok side
Werner kok out with injuries the only change I would make

[Sards]

Sharks v Bulls
(Kings Park, Durban – Kick-off 14.45, 12.45 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen[ (South Africa)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa, Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

[lemonhead]

Leeus: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Henco van Wyk, 12. Marius Louw (c), 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Sanele Nohamba, 8. Emmanuel Tshituka, 7. Ruan Venter, 6. Jarod Cairns, 5. Pieter Jansen van Vuren (c), 4. Willem Alberts, 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2. PJ Botha, 1. JP Smith.
Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Morgan Naude, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Ruben Schoeman, 20. Sibusiso Sangweni, 21. Morne van den Berg, 22. Gianni Lombard, 23. Manuel Rass.

What's the deal with Lions Oom, are they similar to our Connacht in terms of funding and player base?

Looking at the class of 2018 obviously there was a lot more quality in there. Did the loss of Super Rugby have a bearing or was it just the 2019 RWC win & players on better money elsewhere?

[Sards]

Bulls:
1 Simphiwe Matanzima,
2 Johan Grobbelaar,
3 Mornay Smith,
4 Ruan Vermaak,
5 Ruan Nortje (captain),
6 Marco Van Staden,
7 Cyle Brink,
8 Elrigh Louw,
9 Bernard van der Linde,
10 Chris Smith,
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse,
12 Harold Vorster,
13 Cornal Hendricks,
14 Canan Moodie,
15 Johan Goosen

Replacements:
16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels,
17 Gerhard Steenekamp,
18 Sebastian Lombard,
19 Janko Swanepoel,
20 Nizaam Carr,
21 Embrose Papier,
22 Lionel Mapoe,
23 David Kriel