I’m not saying the Lions aren’t the best team in SA, I’m just saying the Stormers haven’t lost since June.
Lekker game. Lost by Lions rather than won by Crusaders.
Crusaders are a brilliant and polished outfit. The gap is in culture, coaching and management. Decades of relentless focus and commitment from management, administrators, coaches, players. We don't have that.
We probably have more raw talent. But mgt, culture and coaching deficits mean we can't fully develop it in teams.
Thats it, glad I cant watch. TBH, the format seriously penalizes the team that has to travel for a final. Not an excuse, Crusaders are just too good.
Rugby: Japan No. 8 Mafi pleads not guilty to assault
Japan rugby international Amanaki Lelei Mafi pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the assault of former Melbourne Rebels teammate Lopeti Timani.
The 28-year-old No. 8 is charged with intent to injure Timani, a childhood friend of Mafi's, following an early morning incident in Dunedin, New Zealand, on July 14.
Mafi did not appear in Dunedin District Court but his lawyer Anne Stevens entered the not guilty plea, on the grounds of self-defense, and elected trial by jury on his behalf. The charge carries a maximum jail sentence of five years.
A planned restorative justice conference between the pair has yet to take place because Mafi is currently in Japan -- where he is currently banned from all team activities by NTT Communications Shining Arcs until court action is finalized -- and Timani is in France.
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The case is next due in court in November with Mafi, who was recently withdrawn from Japan's Rugby World Cup 2019 training squad, remaining on bail.
Who will replace John Mitchell?
Stonehouse is a blessing, every destination he has coached showed remarkable improvements under his guidance, but the moment he moved on those destination staggered. I believe him to be more a peoples coach. Mitchell being more the opposite. Perhaps that is what the Bulls need, people skills.Pote? Heard Jimmy Stonehouse's name mentioned too. He's done good things with the Pumas. Could be a viable option?
Rugby: Jamie Joseph to stand down as Sunwolves coach ahead of RWC 2019
Japan coach Jamie Joseph will stand down as head coach of the Sunwolves in the build-up to Rugby World Cup, forcing the Super Rugby side to put a new person in charge for the fourth time in as many years.
Speaking at a news conference prior to the launch Thursday of events to celebrate one year to go to the World Cup, which the Brave Blossoms kick off against Russia in Tokyo on Sept. 20, 2019, Joseph said, "I won't be coaching the Sunwolves next year, but I will be involved in appointing the coaches."
The 48-year-old New Zealander said "Some of my staff will be involved with the Sunwolves" but he admitted there would be a change in playing personnel particularly early on in the season.
"What has always been challenging has been giving our national players the opportunity to play Super Rugby without giving them too much rugby," he said.
"Next year we need to be peaking about now, in September, and certainly not in February when the Super Rugby competition starts, so you can expect a number of our players will not be participating at the start of the Super Rugby competition with the Sunwolves. But they will start a bit later in the season."