The Rugby Thread - Part Deux

Werner1975 said:
As per the Google -

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Cambridge Dictionary, citing sports governing body's definition of the formerly-English meaning of the word exhibition.

When dictionaries submit to monopolizing the meaning of language, you are toast.

I defined 'exhibition match' earlier... to clarify how the term was being used prior to the match.

Nobody claiming it was an exhibition match prior to Saturday implied it wouldn't be an official test. They were speaking in plain English.

🤷‍♂️

This mybb forum hornet's nest just sounds like dogmatic, fixed-thinkers - who don't tend to look at the bigger picture or question official positions/statements - losing their shirts, to me.
 
sand_man said:
That's not really what he/we are saying.

Surely some context is required here.

The way the series has been structured is a little nuisanced and unique too.

Purists and pundits alike consider a home series for SA, (an away series for NZ), to be constituted by the 3 tests played on South African soil.

If the 4th test was played in Mbombela for example, we are not having this discussion. The fundamentals of a home series, on South African soil, have been met.

That organizers and unions decided on a neutral venue for the 4th test, deviates significantly from the criteria required to qualify a home series. It's really that simple...
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It's definitely a non-standard series. But Lexity clearly stated that the series was won 2-1 by the Boks and that the last game was something separate (exhibition) and was not to be included in the series result.
 
Nerfherder said:
In the begining it did feel a bit like a random Currie Cup game but both teams brought it and if we had lost it we would have had to share the trophy.

They even made a special one that could break in half.
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Yes, there's no debate that the series organizers intended for this to be a 4 test series and made every allowance for it, including a very smart shareable trophy. Very well done actually...
Werner1975 said:
Will be interesting to see the team Rassie picks for the Ozzie game in 2 weeks time. I hope he gives the fringe players some game time.
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One would expect significant changes. Some of our stalwarts need a well earned rest. A few injury concerns from this weekends fixture too.

The last time we played Aus we lost 1 and battled to win the 2nd. I can't see Rassie resting on his laurels for this one. Suncorp is also a venue the Boks, historically, have battled to win at...

It would be easy to underestimate the Aussies and/or go into the test lacking the prerequisite motivation.

Wouldn't that be a massive downer? Smash the world's no.2 side and then lose to the world's no.7?
 
lexity said:
Cambridge Dictionary, citing sports governing body's definition of the formerly-English meaning of the word exhibition.

When dictionaries submit to monopolizing the meaning of language, you are toast.

I defined 'exhibition match' earlier... to clarify how the term was being used prior to the match.

Nobody claiming it was an exhibition match prior to Saturday implied it wouldn't be an official test. They were speaking in plain English.

🤷‍♂️

This mybb forum hornet's nest just sounds like dogmatic, fixed-thinkers - who don't tend to look at the bigger picture or question official positions/statements - losing their shirts, to me.
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But you said this...

lexity said:
The boks won the series 2 - 1.

Anyone disagree?
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arguing semantics on what you meant by "exhibition" doesn't change that original false statement.
 
Cray said:
It's definitely a non-standard series. But Lexity clearly stated that the series was won 2-1 by the Boks and that the last game was something separate (exhibition) and was not to be included in the series result.
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Well, I agree with him and stated as much earlier in the week. The same view is held by most purists and punters.

On the basis of a "home series" and what you understand that to mean??!!

Forget how the series was marketed.
 
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sand_man said:
Well, I agree with him and stated as much earlier in the week. The same view is held by most purists and punters.

On the basis of a "home series" and what you understand that to mean??!!
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You seem to be arguing both sides here, was it a 4 match series or not? Forgot how the series was marketed.
It's not about how it was marketed, the trophy was awarded at the end of the 4th test to the winner of the series.

The official website describes it as below...

The Springboks and All Blacks reignite a century-old rivalry in an all-new eight-match touring series.
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The springboks website describes it thusly...

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, presented by Castle Double Malt, was launched in 2026. An alternating quadrennial tour between South Africa and New Zealand, RGR marks a defining new chapter for the intense rivalry between the sport’s most successful and storied nations as the Springboks and the All Blacks go head-to-head in four Tests, three in South Africa and one in the USA, while the tourists will also face the four South African franchises, the DHL Stormers, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Vodacom Bulls and 10bet Lions in non-Tests.
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Cray said:
But you said this...



arguing semantics on what you meant by "exhibition" doesn't change that original false statement.
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Again, nobody said or implied the 4th test would be unofficial(wouldn't count towards stats)/friendly. Go back and quote anyone who did, if you don't agree.

Yet Bozos United is going to argue on the strength of that presumption.

Dishonest.

p.s. You're starting to look like Cam Roiguard.
 
lexity said:
Again, nobody said or implied the 4th test would be unofficial(wouldn't count towards stats)/friendly. Go back and quote anyone who did, if you don't agree.

Yet Bozos United is going to argue on the strength of that presumption.

Dishonest.

p.s. You're starting look like Cam Roiguard.
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Do I have to post your comment again? You stated that the Boks won 2-1, which means that the last Test is not according to you, part of the series, which is clearly false based on the rules agreed by both Unions.
 
Cray said:
You seem to be arguing both sides here, was it a 4 match series or not? Forgot how the series was marketed.

It's not about how it was marketed, the trophy was awarded at the end of the 4th test to the winner of the series.

The official website describes it as below...



The springboks website describes it thusly...
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Geesus christoes....

The South African leg of the series was 3 tests! The South African leg of the series fulfills the criteria for a home series! The winner of the South African leg was the Boks 2-1!!

The 4th test, on neutral ground, should have been its own entity IE A ONCE OFF TEST ON NEUTRAL GROUND.

However, organizers included it as the 4th test of the series.. South Africa, officially won the 4 test series 3-1...
 
I hate losing vs Aus, but I can't see Rassie picking his best team yet again. Time to give the fringe players a chance. Something like :
1. Mchunu
2. Wessels
3. Porthen
4. Wiese
5. De Jager
6. De Villiers
7. Louw
8. Hanekom
9. Jantjies
10. Libbok
11. Hooker
12. Esterhuysen
13. Moodie
14. Van der Merwe
15. Fassi

Bench : Venter, Grobbelaar, Sadie, Mostert, Dixon, Van den Bergh, Pollard, Horn.

Not sure about injuries.
 
sand_man said:
Yes, there's no debate that the series organizers intended for this to be a 4 test series and made every allowance for it, including a very smart shareable trophy. Very well done actually...
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I also thought it was clever.

In retrospect though... if we drew with them, it might have been a bit lame. Like patting each other on the backs.

sand_man said:
One would expect significant changes. Some of our stalwarts need a well earned rest. A few injury concerns from this weekends fixture too.

The last time we played Aus we lost 1 and battled to win the 2nd. I can't see Rassie resting on his laurels for this one. Suncorp is also a venue the Boks, historically, have battled to win at...

It would be easy to underestimate the Aussies and/or go into the test lacking the prerequisite motivation.

Wouldn't that be a massive downer? Smash the world's no.2 side and then lose to the world's no.7?
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Agreed... there is even more pressure now.
 
lexity said:
Correct.

They won the series 2 - 1. And then went on to play, and win, a 4th test which was an exhibition match, as I defined it earlier.

🤯
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To be fair, labelling it an exhibition match is a bit unfair. It was a lot of things...

As the fixture drew closer I realized how much was actually at stake...

AB win would have seen them move to 1st on the rankings, they would have avoided the ignominy of losing to the same opposition 3 times consecutively and officially they would have drawn the 4 match away test series 2-2 (see the abnormality)? They would also have gained a psychological advantage over the Boks re performance at neutral venues, ahead of the 2027 RWC. Over and above that NRU stands to make a significant purse out of the fixture, essential given world cup years tend to be rather lean as there are no home tests.

For the Boks, the converse of the above rings true IE stay at no.1, 3 consecutive victories, series win etc etc etc

So yes, to refer to the 4th test as simply an exhibition match is selling it short and rather disingenuous...
 
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