Rugby Championship 2016

CatFromHue

SA v Arg on now and what a try Arg just scored.

Certainly a try of year contender

errlloyd

South Africa manage to lose 10 nil while a man up. Hmm.

techdiver

South Africa as useless as they were against us. Puts our test result onto perspective.

pickarooney

I had a feeling NZ would absolutely walk this. No doubt about it now.

Del.Monte

I said it after the Wales series that this was coming, but even I thought the Aussies would put up a better fight. The All Blacks hardly got out of 2nd gear today with their effortless ball handling a joy to watch and the return fixture will be 'interesting'. What odds that the Aussies manage to perform as badly (or worse) again?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjobNt-Dd9U

mogwai81

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIlc8zwAV5A#action=share
VIDEO: South Africa v Argentina highlights

sydthebeat

Very piecemeal aussie team named for the return fixture on Saturday.

The 10, 12 13 axis of copper, Foley, kerevi looks particularly flaky. Of course, it could turn pity to be brilliant, but I have my doubts.

I think foleau was very ineffectual from 15, and Haylet petite was a weak link at 11, yet they don't have much options as Reece Hodge comes in to make his debut from the bench.

Could be another long day for the aussies

Yeah_Right

I wonder if Cooper get as much grief from the kiwi crowd as he has in the past. It's been a while since he played a test in NZ AFAIR. I think they won't let up on him.

Del.Monte

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I wonder if Cooper get as much grief from the kiwi crowd as he has in the past. It's been a while since he played a test in NZ AFAIR. I think they won't let up on him.

How has Cooper been playing recently? I caught a shot of him in the crowd last weekend but I haven't heard much of him and I thought that his ship had sailed. Time to beg James O'Connor to come back.

Yeah_Right

Coopers been at his erratic best this year I believe.

swiwi_

sydthebeat wrote: »

Very piecemeal aussie team named for the return fixture on Saturday.

The 10, 12 13 axis of copper, Foley, kerevi looks particularly flaky. Of course, it could turn pity to be brilliant, but I have my doubts.

I think foleau was very ineffectual from 15, and Haylet petite was a weak link at 11, yet they don't have much options as Reece Hodge comes in to make his debut from the bench.

Could be another long day for the aussies

Dare I say it, but it's getting harder and harder to find sides to give NZ a proper run for their money, which is actually becoming a tad boring. The last time Australia beat NZ was August 2015, not too bad. The last time Australia beat NZ in NZ was 2001! Some of the winning percentages are ridiculous too (Wyatt Crockett 49 tests, win-rate 96%, Sam Cane 96%: 35 tests, 33 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss).

On current form, I would say England at Twickenham, SA on a (very) good day in SA, the Lions on a good day in NZ (even then not sure) are the main chances of defeat.

Of course, Cheika is the incumbent World Rugby coach of the year, so no doubt he'll have master plan up his sleeve...

Just my luck, Aussie will win in the weekend...but I doubt it: crap 2nd row, lack of a quality 8 (Pocock is a 7 not an 8), and Cooper/Foley/Kerevi is just asking for trouble.

Del.Monte

Perhaps Argentina will be the one side to give the boys a scare?

golfer555

Del.Monte wrote: »

Perhaps Argentina will be the one side to give the boys a scare?

Argentina (like their SR side) can't finish there dinner, they seem to always lose tight games.

Without their european based props their very weak in the scrum. Petti is off to Toulon next year so he won't be playing for the national side making them weaker at 2nd row.

They could well lose all games in this campaign.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

The NZL v AUS game is on that new Sky Sports Mix channel tomorrow morning, if you have it. On Virgin Media it's where Setanta Ireland was.

mfceiling

Result...just banged on the tele and there's a new channel...sky sports mix and OZ NZ is on!! She's gone out and the kids are in bed...great start to the day.

Edit...should have read the post above!!

Richard Hillman

#PrayForAustraila

Does Cheika do anything other than the 'dropped-jaw-look-of-disbelief-headshake'?

molloyjh

Hands!

LuckyGent88

Australia started with a lot of fight and aggression but looks to be blinding their ability to control their discipline.

bilston

That should be a YC

molloyjh

Poite called that in real time, why was he going upstairs now?

LuckyGent88

Shocking by poite on the quick line out. Wasn't even watching.

Harsh enough on Coles too I thought. You see that clean out technique numerous times.

mansize

This will have a lot of TMO won't it...

molloyjh

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Shocking by poite on the quick line out. Wasn't even watching.

Harsh enough on Coles too I thought. You see that clean out technique numerous times.

It was Peyper on touch who screwed up there. But the Coles call was right. It was a swinging arm. NZ ill discipline is keeping Oz in this more than they are themselves.

molloyjh

Some kick there. Had another 5-10m on that

mansize

What a kick!

LuckyGent88

God that was just utter stupidity

molloyjh

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

God that was just utter stupidity

Brain dead and total dick move.

swiwi_

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

God that was just utter stupidity

Ye olde niggle worked in the 1970s. In the modern game you just get sent off.

LuckyGent88

All blacks just wait till ozzies go back to 15 to score

molloyjh

One thing we've learned today is that NZs kicking game is quite poor. Even their ability under the high ball has looked a little suspect at times. Much as people won't want to hear it that is an area we can exploit.

swiwi_

molloyjh wrote: »

One thing we've learned today is that NZs kicking game is quite poor. Even their ability under the high ball has looked a little suspect at times. Much as people won't want to hear it that is an area we can exploit.

Poor today. It's not routinely poor. In fact often it's a strength. But worth a lash I suppose, it's generally a strength for Ireland.

Del.Monte

Not as exciting as last week and Australia still look a shambles. Job done anyway.

molloyjh

Del.Monte wrote: »

Not as exciting as last week and Australia still look a shambles. Job done anyway.

Australia offer nothing. They fronted up defensively a bit better and added a bit of bite to their game but ultimately never looked like going anywhere. I said it 3 years ago after the Lions win, they just don't have the players and certainly don't have the depth. Look at Douglas playing the full 80 today for example.

Digifriendly

Improvement from Australia but ABs still some way ahead. Pocock is a better flanker than No. 8 and should be switched back there. Who is NZ centre making his debut? I had never heard of him before but he was very impressive. Also I see online that the Australia sub who kicked monster penalty is being touted as a future star.

ScrubsfanChris

What time is the Arg v SA match kick off?

mansize

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

What time is the Arg v SA match kick off?

20:40 according to ultimate rugby app

matthew8

I've been looking forward to this one. Hopefully Argentina don't bottle it like they've done so many times against SA.

The Pheasant2

Viva los Pumas! The Boks have gotten away by the skin of their teeth in their last few matches - I'd like to see the Argies put them away

Bigbok

The Pheasant2 wrote: »

Viva los Pumas! The Boks have gotten away by the skin of their teeth in their last few matches - I'd like to see the Argies put them away

The last few matches???u forgetting what SA did to the Pumas in the World Cup which was the last time they played prior to last week?

The Pheasant2

Bigbok wrote: »

The last few matches???u forgetting what SA did to the Pumas in the World Cup which was the last time they played prior to last week?

No I'm referring to all Springbok matches of late; not strictly with respect to Argentina

wp_rathead

I'm going for Pumas but prob justice done as didnt seem to be a touch by SA which resulted in the 5m scrum

Bigbok

The Pheasant2 wrote: »

No I'm referring to all Springbok matches of late; not strictly with respect to Argentina

All I see is a **** team still able to grind out wins considering what they going thru.

Swan Curry

was that the same prop that should have been sent off against us last year?

The Pheasant2

Bigbok wrote: »

All I see is a **** team still able to grind out wins considering what they going thru.

I agree - it's not that I don't like the Boks as a team or anything...I just feel they've been lucky to get away with their recent wins

The Pheasant2

Swan Curry wrote: »

was that the same prop that should have been sent off against us last year?

Yep

wp_rathead

haha Ezebeth

matthew8

That Herrera is a complete loose cannon. Got a red card in super rugby this year too.

LuckyGent88

Lovely try

sydthebeat

Great to see such a huge crowd at the game

Richard Hillman

A stadium announcement during SA kicks :pac: