NPR

assfly wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 12:49 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 10:40 am It's fun when they expose just how little rugby they actually watch when it doesn't involve their teams

Nice big brush you've got there.

We're a swarm.

Nonsense though. We watch far more 5N/6N than the Aussies or Kiwis because of the time zone, always have since SA has had TV. Below test level the comps our sides play in aren't designed for every match to be watched, too many matches. Back in Super 12/14 there was 5 to 7 matches a weekend, as you know the norm in SA was group watching them all as a family event. Aussie and Kiwi analysis shows always got a bit bizarre when people paid to watch rugby straight up stated they didn't watch a match or proudly claimed they had managed to watch them all, often they didn't know who our players were (you could see that in forum posts too), the reverse was not true.

Du Pont isn't rated by a lot of Saffas because France haven't been that successful against the Boks for over a decade. It's as simple as that. To be rated by most Saffas a player must do something against our sides. This is also why there's always comments after the Boks play Scotland that "Duhan had a quiet game", because he almost always does against the Boks, we know what he does against other teams. Back in the day there were Saffas who didn't rate Lomu the actual GOAT for the same reason, he just about always "had a quiet one" against the Boks.

Hey quick question why are two people not directly or indirectly referenced by my post pretending I'm talking about them specifically?

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:23 pm Hey quick question why are two people not directly or indirectly referenced by my post pretending I'm talking about them specifically?

We're a swarm.

_Os_ wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:27 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:23 pm Hey quick question why are two people not directly or indirectly referenced by my post pretending I'm talking about them specifically?

We're a swarm.

Nah. You don't have their charm

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:27 pm

_Os_ wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:27 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:23 pm Hey quick question why are two people not directly or indirectly referenced by my post pretending I'm talking about them specifically?

We're a swarm.

Nah. You don't have their charm

To be sure, to be sure!

Bath team for La Rochelle.

No Lawrence so Redpath at 13, wondering if he's out one (he's usually inside) to let Butt get knocked into the middle of next week by Danty.


La Rochelle featuring a crazy-tatted Cornishman on the wing, and some pretty fecking big fellas across the team

Stade Rochelais: 1 Reda Wardi, 2 Tolu Latu, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Thomas Lavault, 5 Will Skelton, 6 Oscar Jegou, 7 Matthias Haddad, 8 Grégory Alldritt (c), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10 Ihaia West, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 12 Jonathan Danty, 13 Ulupanon Seutani, 14 Jack Nowell, 15 Brice Dulin

Replacements: 16 Quentin Lespiaucq, 17 Louis Penverne, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe Reazel, 19 Kane Douglas, 20 Levani Botia, 21 Thomas Berjon, 22 Hugo Reus, 23 Teddy Thomas

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:27 pm

_Os_ wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:27 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:23 pm Hey quick question why are two people not directly or indirectly referenced by my post pretending I'm talking about them specifically?

We're a swarm.

Nah. You don't have their charm

When it comes to rugby knowledge, no one come close to you and Os.

I can only wish, learning all the time.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 8:11 am

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:27 pm

_Os_ wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:27 pm
We're a swarm.

Nah. You don't have their charm

When it comes to rugby knowledge, no one come close to you and Os.

I can only wish, learning all the time.

Knowledge is overatted. For example. No one gives a vok about overrated players in overrated national sides that cannot become world champions. At home. Don't even have to travel south .

Have any of the SA teams been announced yet?

assfly wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 10:16 am Have any of the SA teams been announced yet?

Soon hopefully. It's really been boring on here

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Francois Venter.

Date: Saturday, December 7
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France)
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos (France), Adrien Marbot (France)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (France)

DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Neethling Fouche (captain), 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Seabelo Senatla.

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian De Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 David Kriel, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar (captain), 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 23 Harold Vorster.

Date: Saturday, December 7
Venue: Barnet Copthall, London
Kick-off: 17.30 (17.30 GMT; 19.30 SAST)
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse (Wales), Keith David (Wales)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:35 pm Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Francois Venter.

Date: Saturday, December 7
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France)
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos (France), Adrien Marbot (France)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (France)

Disappointing to see F Venter in the mix. L Cronje and Wright vibes from him hanging around. Plum should've been hanging around Bloem during the November tests. Cheetahs no longer a feeder team is part of the downfall

TheNatalShark wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:46 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:35 pm Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Francois Venter.

Date: Saturday, December 7
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France)
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos (France), Adrien Marbot (France)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (France)

Disappointing to see F Venter in the mix. L Cronje and Wright vibes from him hanging around. Plum should've been hanging around Bloem during the November tests. Cheetahs no longer a feeder team is part of the downfall

Would love to have seen Jurenzo

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 8:11 am

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:27 pm

_Os_ wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:27 pm
We're a swarm.

Nah. You don't have their charm

When it comes to rugby knowledge, no one come close to you and Os.

I can only wish, learning all the time.

You've been talking to the Poms too much, looks like you've picked up sarcasm. Terrible habit to get into, I advise against it, gateway drug to much worse behaviour.

JM's English wasn't easy to follow, he didn't sarcastically mean I had charm and you didn't. He meant Irish have more charm than Saffas. We have driven him to praising the Irish.

Oom the Lions and Cheetahs teams for the Challenge Cup?

Is Torq running a tipping comp for this and if so are there many tipsters, I have an automated mail? Given the amount of teams and leagues involved, is tipping this a random crapshoot and not much fun?

_Os_ wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 3:14 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 8:11 am

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:27 pm

Nah. You don't have their charm

When it comes to rugby knowledge, no one come close to you and Os.

I can only wish, learning all the time.

You've been talking to the Poms too much, looks like you've picked up sarcasm. Terrible habit to get into, I advise against it, gateway drug to much worse behaviour.

JM's English wasn't easy to follow, he didn't sarcastically mean I had charm and you didn't. He meant Irish have more charm than Saffas. We have driven him to praising the Irish.

Oh no, everyone knows they are charmless. It is definitely an insult.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:35 pm Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Francois Venter.

Date: Saturday, December 7
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France)
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos (France), Adrien Marbot (France)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (France)

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Josh Hodge, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Ben Hammersley, 12 Tamati Tua, 11 Tommy Wyatt, 10 Will Haydon-Wood, 9 Stu Townsend, 8 Greg Fisilau, 7 Jacques Vermeulen (captain), 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Franco Molina, 4 Richard Capstick, 3 Marcus Street, 2 Dan Frost, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Jack Innard, 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18 Jimmy Roots, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Will Becconsall, 22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Will Rigg.


Paarl Gim's Jacques Vermeulen captain.
His dad worked at Roadworks but died when Jacques was very young. But his mum was an yster. She supported him through thick and thin.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:37 pm Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian De Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 David Kriel, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar (captain), 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 23 Harold Vorster.

Date: Saturday, December 7
Venue: Barnet Copthall, London
Kick-off: 17.30 (17.30 GMT; 19.30 SAST)
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse (Wales), Keith David (Wales)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)

Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Tobias Elliott, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rotimi Segun, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6 Theo McFarland, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Jamie George, 1 Rhys Carre.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Harry Wilson, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Tiff Eden, 23 Tom Parton.

Cheetahs: 15 Michael Annies, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Pierre-Raymond Uys, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 George Lourens.

Perpignan: 15 Louis Dupichot, 14 Jefferson Joseph, 13 Job Poulet, 12 Apisai Naqalevu, 11 Seta Toganiyadrava, 10 Antoine Aucagne, 9 Sadek Deghmache, 8 So’otala Fa’aso’o, 7 Alessandro Ortombina, 6 Noe Della Schiava, 5 Mathieu Tanguy, 4 Bastien Chinarro, 3 Nemo Roelofse, 2 Victor Montgaillard (captain), 1 Lorencio Boyer-Gallardo.
Replacements: 16 Vakhtang Jincharadze, 17 Johan Barcenilla D’Onghia, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 Max Hicks, 20 Lucas Velarte, 21 James Hall, 22 Gabin Kretchmann, 23 Riko Buliruarua.

Referee: Federico Vedovelli
Assistant referees: Alberto Favaro, Manuel Bottino
TMO: Stefano Penne

Teams

Ospreys: 15 Jack Walsh, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Jac Morgan (captain), 7 Harri Deaves, 6 Tristan Davies, 5 James Fender, 4 Will Greatbanks, 3 Ben Warren, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Steff Thomas, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Lewis Jones, 20 Morgan Morris, 21 Luke Davies, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Iestyn Hopkins.

Lions: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Sam Francis, 9 Nico Steyn (captain), 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Izan Esterhuizen, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Conrad van Vuuren, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Morgan Naudé.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Ruhan Straeuli, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Marius Louw.

Referee: Kevin Bralley
Assistant referees: Vivien Praderie, Flavien Hourquet
TMO: Cedric Marchat

JM2K6 wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 6:50 pm

Oh no, everyone knows they are charmless. It is definitely an insult.

Mate. We’re Saffers and Poms. Successful and unpopular with everyone else. It’s ok. Let’s be friends.

Conditions look bloody awful at Bath
Pissing down and blowing a gale
Bath dealing better with the conditions better in first 10 minutes

Watching Bath play in a Pumas kit is weird.

La Rochelle forwards adapting to the conditions
21 6 up and well in control

Two lost lineouts in the last 3 minutes about sums the first half up for Bath
La Rochelle so powerful

You can take the thug out of Exeter, but .....

That's a bullshit call.

SaintK wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 8:53 pm Two lost lineouts in the last 3 minutes about sums the first half up for Bath
La Rochelle so powerful

They are a seriously powerful unit.

Ewels having a bit of fun upsetting their lineout though.

fishfoodie wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 9:20 pm You can take the thug out of Exeter, but .....

That's a bullshit call.

I'm watching it without sound, surely that was either a block or a charge?

inactionman wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 9:26 pm

fishfoodie wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 9:20 pm You can take the thug out of Exeter, but .....

That's a bullshit call.

I'm watching it without sound, surely that was either a block or a charge?

But he didn't, "change his line",

which is apparently the only criteria these idiots care about.

fishfoodie wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 9:27 pm

inactionman wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 9:26 pm

fishfoodie wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 9:20 pm You can take the thug out of Exeter, but .....

That's a bullshit call.

I'm watching it without sound, surely that was either a block or a charge?

But he didn't, "change his line",

which is apparently the only criteria these idiots care about.

Magnificent.

And Annett didn't change his line there. (Obviously a penalty, but still.)

I thought we weren't calling wonky throws if the opposition don't challenge?

It's just a penalty fest.

Shame, was hoping for a grand finale but not to be.

Bath could have won that but for stupid penalties and unforced errors at the lineout

inactionman wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 9:46 pm I thought we weren't calling wonky throws if the opposition don't challenge?

As the commentators said, that was just the trial during the Internationals, the full implementation doesn't kick in until next year.

It's annoying & confusing for everyone to be trialing a Law one week, & then forgetting it two weeks later.

I realise that the point will be immediately made that this is a sample size of 1 but last night's result points to a continuing weakness in Prem rugby. Bath, runaway leaders, losing at home to LaR who have been dogsh*t in the T14 this season? LaR were hammered at home to newly promoted Vannes last week.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2024 3:44 pm

Full strength RCT.