Official United Rugby Championship thread

[_Os_]

It's obvious that Arendse is better then Mapimpi.

Am and Mapimpi together is a much stronger combination they anticipate the moves of the other. If you start Arendse you get a Kolbe lite and a weaker Am, the difference is enough that defences aren't broken open by Am/Mapimpi, kicks aren't contested and won by Mapimpi and strong tackles aren't made. Enough for a close match to be lost.

[fishfoodie]

Well at least that wraps up the game before the main event this weekend kicks off in the RDS

[fishfoodie]

Watched the 7s. Look like Connacht is on a roll.

Good to get the Internationals back

It feels like this was an inportant win, because I think Benetton will be in the same fight as Connacht for those last playoff spots.

Lots still to be worked on, as Carty is only just getting back into form, & they're still very wasteful in the red zone, they left 2/3 tries, that they'd done 99% of the work, & then coughed up the ball.

Still, only a few points away from being in the top 8

That prop that look like a girl with pony tails is really good. Hansen also.

As someone said;it looks like he let his little girl braid his hair, & now he isn't allowed to get rid of them.

[fishfoodie]

Feck. Healy off for a head-on-Head tackle.

No complaints about the decision, but it screws up the match

[fishfoodie]

10 - 22 HT

With Leinster getting a try on HT, to give themselves a bit of hope, with it being, otherwise, pretty much one-way traffic after the RC

[Tichtheid]

I think the ref was a bit quick to dismiss Lowe's elbow to the face as being nothing

[fishfoodie]

I think the ref was a bit quick to dismiss Lowe's elbow to the face as being nothing

Looked a good call to me.He had it tucked close to his body, when the impact happened, & then moved it out to fend; Cooney just got himself in a bad position.

[Tichtheid]

I think the ref was a bit quick to dismiss Lowe's elbow to the face as being nothing

Looked a good call to me.He had it tucked close to his body, when the impact happened, & then moved it out to fend; Cooney just got himself in a bad position.

The arm was very definitely away from the body, then Lowe extended it into Cooney's head

[fishfoodie]

I think the ref was a bit quick to dismiss Lowe's elbow to the face as being nothing

Looked a good call to me.He had it tucked close to his body, when the impact happened, & then moved it out to fend; Cooney just got himself in a bad position.

The arm was very definitely away from the body, then Lowe extended it into Cooney's head

You had the benefit of a slow mo, that Lowe didn't

I think it looked perfectly natural, & Cooney was scrambling & made a mistake, rather than Lowe doing anything dangerous, but hey, we're all trying to get a handle on what a safe defense looks like ?

That YC makes sense to me too, & I think this English Ref is doing a good job, considering It's his first interpro .....

... and as I type Leinster can go into the lead, & Ulster are down to 13 men !!!

[Tichtheid]

Looked a good call to me.He had it tucked close to his body, when the impact happened, & then moved it out to fend; Cooney just got himself in a bad position.

The arm was very definitely away from the body, then Lowe extended it into Cooney's head

You had the benefit of a slow mo, that Lowe didn't

So did the ref if he'd wanted to look at it

[Tichtheid]

The flanker should be stopping G-P getting to the 8 like that

[fishfoodie]

Leinster forwards are putting in a huge shift.

[fishfoodie]

Bloody hell.

I think the UN would call this, "Cruel & Unusual Punishment", if you forced Ulster fans to watch this !

Lowe in acres of space, despite being a man down, to secure the bonus point

38 - 22 with 3 minutes to go

[fishfoodie]

38 - 29 FT

Ulster get a consolation TBP, but otherwise shat the bed.

I don't know who got the MoTM,but Ringer, & Porter where phenomenal, & made up for the inside backs playing shite for most of the game.

[Uncle fester]

Leinster forwards are putting in a huge shift.

When they play like that, there's few in the league who can live with them and they barely need backs.
Sickening for ulster supporters though.

[fishfoodie]

Leinster forwards are putting in a huge shift.

When they play like that, there's few in the league who can live with them and they barely need backs.
Sickening for ulster supporters though.

It's a much needed kick up the arse, for others to put whatever money they have, into their Academies !

You can't just throw money around, & buy in players, & build a sustainable squad; if you do so, you get a Toulon; you get a few wins, & then go down the shitter; you have to build structures; appoint good administrators, & then wait for the pay out.

[Uncle fester]

Still a numbers game and the other provinces are never catching up with the Leinster schools juggernaut.

[fishfoodie]

Still a numbers game and the other provinces are never catching up with the Leinster schools juggernaut.

It's not going to be fast, but they need to copy what Connacht is doing in terms of reaching beyond the traditional schools(because they've so damn few), & building up the smaller clubs, & pushing out that catchment area, so you're not just depending on the traditional teams. Munster & Ulster have been lazy with that, from what I can see.

Provide more access; & capitalize on interest; flood the schools with cheap/free tickets, so the kids are dragging their parents to the games.

The Irish game is on an upward trajectory, & all the provinces have decent stadiums, & a good match day experience; they need to do their best, thru camps, & very cheap access by kids, to spread interest in the game at the under 12 level.

I guarantee you; if you have a young kid get the experience of learning how to tackle/kick from an Irish International; you've a kid who will watch every game from there on out, & they'll evangelize Rugby from there out !

[OomStruisbaai]

Leinster forwards are putting in a huge shift.

When they play like that, there's few in the league who can live with them and they barely need backs.
Sickening for ulster supporters though.

It's a much needed kick up the arse, for others to put whatever money they have, into their Academies !

You can't just throw money around, & buy in players, & build a sustainable squad; if you do so, you get a Toulon; you get a few wins, & then go down the shitter; you have to build structures; appoint good administrators, & then wait for the pay out.

Tell this to the $hark$ supporters.

[OomStruisbaai]

It's obvious that Arendse is better then Mapimpi.

Am and Mapimpi together is a much stronger combination they anticipate the moves of the other. If you start Arendse you get a Kolbe lite and a weaker Am, the difference is enough that defences aren't broken open by Am/Mapimpi, kicks aren't contested and won by Mapimpi and strong tackles aren't made. Enough for a close match to be lost.

try to tell me KLA /Moodie won't be as good with Am as Mapimpi?

[Sards]

Tell this to the $hark$ supporters.

Obsessed much

[Sards]

Well done Bulls. Showed the Sharks and Stormers how it's done. Onwards and upwards

[OomStruisbaai]

Tell this to the $hark$ supporters.

Obsessed much

Obsessed? At least Toulon won a few, the $hark$ went to shite with all their big signings. They should rather invest on their vaktap school, Varsity and Academy structures iso poaching for top structure.

The Stormers and Leinster have strong structures from bottom to top.

[FalseBayFC]

Tell this to the $hark$ supporters.

Obsessed much

Obsessed? At least Toulon won a few, the $hark$ went to shite with all their big signings. They should rather invest on their vaktap school, Varsity and Academy structures iso poaching for top structure.

The Stormers and Leinster have strong structures from bottom to top.

Nothing wrong with the Sharks school structures. They've been improving every year and producing some good players. Unlikely that our Varsity rugby will get any better because UKZN is no longer a rugby varsity.

[OomStruisbaai]

Obsessed much

Obsessed? At least Toulon won a few, the $hark$ went to shite with all their big signings. They should rather invest on their vaktap school, Varsity and Academy structures iso poaching for top structure.

The Stormers and Leinster have strong structures from bottom to top.

Nothing wrong with the Sharks school structures. They've been improving every year and producing some good players. Unlikely that our Varsity rugby will get any better because UKZN is no longer a rugby varsity.

I respect your opinion plus your knowledge about WP structures.

What's your opinion if WP vs KZN structures?

What is the difference?

[FalseBayFC]

Obsessed? At least Toulon won a few, the $hark$ went to shite with all their big signings. They should rather invest on their vaktap school, Varsity and Academy structures iso poaching for top structure.

The Stormers and Leinster have strong structures from bottom to top.

Nothing wrong with the Sharks school structures. They've been improving every year and producing some good players. Unlikely that our Varsity rugby will get any better because UKZN is no longer a rugby varsity.

I respect your opinion plus your knowledge about WP structures.

What's your opinion if WP vs KZN structures?

What is the difference?

The Sharks have a much better management and financial set up. But their grassroots rugby is nowhere near that in WP. We have maybe 8 schools that play rugby of any quality and our universities are not and will never be a factor. Our Craven week teams are nearly always competitive with FS, WP, Lions and Bulls. One thing that has been disappointing is the Academy and U19/u21 results. We're buying in good talent and have good laaities coming through but most of our youngsters are going to Varsity elsewhere. Guys like Xaba, Guy Porter, James Tedder etc.

[Uncle fester]

Still a numbers game and the other provinces are never catching up with the Leinster schools juggernaut.

It's not going to be fast, but they need to copy what Connacht is doing in terms of reaching beyond the traditional schools(because they've so damn few), & building up the smaller clubs, & pushing out that catchment area, so you're not just depending on the traditional teams. Munster & Ulster have been lazy with that, from what I can see.

Provide more access; & capitalize on interest; flood the schools with cheap/free tickets, so the kids are dragging their parents to the games.

The Irish game is on an upward trajectory, & all the provinces have decent stadiums, & a good match day experience; they need to do their best, thru camps, & very cheap access by kids, to spread interest in the game at the under 12 level.

I guarantee you; if you have a young kid get the experience of learning how to tackle/kick from an Irish International; you've a kid who will watch every game from there on out, & they'll evangelize Rugby from there out !

Big concern for me is the drop off with Limerick. There's more forwards from west Cork (that's your non-traditional area there) in the Munster squad than there are Limerick men.

That's Munsters problem in a nutshell.

[OomStruisbaai]

[OomStruisbaai]

Festive period Vodacom URC derbies

23 December - DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls (Cape Town)
23 December - Cell C Sharks v Emirates Lions (Durban)
31 December - Cell C Sharks v Vodacom Bulls (Durban)
31 December - DHL Stormers v Emirates Lions (Cape Town)

[OomStruisbaai]

23 Dec
17:00 CAT | 15:00 GMT
Cell C Sharks v Emirates Lions
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

19:15 CAT | 17:15 GMT
DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls
DHL Stadium, Cape Town

19:35 GMT | 21:35 CAT
Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow

19:35 GMT | 21:35 CAT
Connacht v Ulster
The Sportsground, Galway

24 Dec
13:30 CET | 12:30 GMT | 14:30 CAT
Benetton v Zebre
Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso

26 Dec
14:15 GMT | 16:15 CAT
Dragons RFC v Cardiff Rugby
Rodney Parade, Newport

17:15 GMT | 19:15 CAT
Ospreys v Scarlets
Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea

19:35 GMT | 21:35 CAT
Munster v Leinster
Thomond Park, Limerick

[OomStruisbaai]

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Ruan Venter, 7 Darrien Landsberg, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (captain), 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Stean Pienaar.

Date: Friday, December 23
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa) and Paul Mente (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuisen (South Africa)

[OomStruisbaai]

South African Shield

Bulls 34 points after 9 games

Stormers 34 points after 8 games

Lions 24 points after 8 games

Sharks 19 points after 7 games

Irish Shield

Leinster 43 points after 9 games

Ulster 31 points after 8 games

Munster 22 points after 9 games

Connacht 19 points after 9 games

Scottish/Italian Shield

Edinburgh 23 points after 9 games

Glasgow Warriors 20 points after 8 games

Benetton 19 points after 9 games

Zebre 4 points after 9 games

Welsh Shield

Cardiff 22 points after 9 games

Dragons 16 points after 9 games

Ospreys 14 points after 9 games

Scarlets 9 points after 9 games

[Big D]

Disgusting.

[OomStruisbaai]

DHL Stormers for Bulls clash
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ben-Jason Dixon, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

[Sards]

DHL Stormers for Bulls clash
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ben-Jason Dixon, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

Bulls will have to watch Dan. He is a very good 12. That would be my biggest concern after the scrum. And Libbok too. He may just try put Dan into gaps

[Sards]

Cell C Sharks

1. Thomas du Toit

2. Dan Jooste

3. Carlu Sadie

4. Vincent Tshituka

5. Hyron Andrews

6. Sikhumbuzo Notshe

7. Jeandre Labuschagne

8. Phepsi Buthelezi (c)

9. Grant Williams

10. Curwin Bosch

11. Makazole Mapimpi

12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg

13. Lukhanyo Am

14. Werner Kok

15. Boeta Chamberlain

Replacements

16. Kerron van Vuuren

17. Dian Bleuler

18. Hanro Jacobs

19. Gerbrandt Grobler

20. Siya Kolisi

21. Jaden Hendrikse

22. Lionel Cronje

23. Ben Tapuai

[Sards]

Cell C Sharks

1. Thomas du Toit

2. Dan Jooste

3. Carlu Sadie

4. Vincent Tshituka

5. Hyron Andrews

6. Sikhumbuzo Notshe

7. Jeandre Labuschagne

8. Phepsi Buthelezi (c)

9. Grant Williams

10. Curwin Bosch

11. Makazole Mapimpi

12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg

13. Lukhanyo Am

14. Werner Kok

15. Boeta Chamberlain

Replacements

16. Kerron van Vuuren

17. Dian Bleuler

18. Hanro Jacobs

19. Gerbrandt Grobler

20. Siya Kolisi

21. Jaden Hendrikse

22. Lionel Cronje

23. Ben Tapuai

Ben, Jayden, Bongi , Siya, Gerbrandt Grobler and Eben having a rest. Siya , Jayden and Grobler on the bench

[OomStruisbaai]

DHL Stormers for Bulls clash
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ben-Jason Dixon, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

Bulls: 1 Gerhard Steenekamp, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Mornay Smith, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 6 Marco Van Staden, 7 Cyle Brink, 8 Elrigh Louw, 9 Embrose Papier, 10 Johan Goosen, 11 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse

Replacements: 16 Bismarck Du Plessis, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Chris Smit, 23 Stravino Jacobs

Bulls hot favorites. With that back 3s from both teams it will be a sin to kick away possession.

[GrahamWa]

Glasgow Warriors team to face Edinburgh at Scotstoun, Friday 23 December, kick-off 7.35pm (GMT).

1. Jamie Bhatti (76)
2. Fraser Brown (130)
3. Murphy Walker (11)
4. Sintu Manjezi (10)
5. Richie Gray (91)
6. Matt Fagerson (84)
7. Sione Vailanu (5)
8. Jack Dempsey (27)

9. George Horne (89)
10. Tom Jordan (9)
11. Kyle Steyn (C) (55)
12. Stafford McDowall (44)
13. Sione Tuipulotu (27)
14. Sebastian Cancelliere (17)
15. Josh McKay (20)

Replacements

16. George Turner (84)
17. Nathan McBeth (10)
18. Simon Berghan (18)
19. JP du Preez (9)
20. Lewis Bean (24)
21. Cameron Neild (1)
22. Ali Price (117)
23. Domingo Miotti (12)

Unavailable for selection: Scott Cummings (foot), Rory Darge (ankle), Allan Dell (calf), Zander Fagerson (hamstring), Thomas Gordon (calf), Oli Kebble (shoulder), Jack Mann (head), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Alex Samuel (back), Ross Thompson (ankle), Ryan Wilson (knee)

[Sards]

DHL Stormers for Bulls clash
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ben-Jason Dixon, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

Bulls: 1 Gerhard Steenekamp, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Mornay Smith, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 6 Marco Van Staden, 7 Cyle Brink, 8 Elrigh Louw, 9 Embrose Papier, 10 Johan Goosen, 11 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse

Replacements: 16 Bismarck Du Plessis, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Chris Smit, 23 Stravino Jacobs

Bulls hot favorites. With that back 3s from both teams it will be a sin to kick away possession.

Nizaam should have started.