The Rugby thread

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sand_man said:
Just having a closer look at Frances injury woes and it's a lot worse than I thought. Might have to reconsider my prediction of a French win. They have incredible depth though, only we can match them in that department. Evidence of how much depth, how well their "B team" did in NZ in July. Yes, they lost 3 out 3 but they were super competitive in every fixture...
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The perfect list of excuses when they lose...
 
Speedster said:
These disciplinary hearings are becoming a farce. If WR doesn't like the outcomes of decisions they should change the protocol, not throw their refs under the bus.

Murphy punches a guy (twice) - red card rescinded.
Beirne shoulder charge to the head - red card rescinded.
Wessels accused of foul play (no evidence) - 9 week ban (reduced to 8 on appeal).
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It will remain a farce due to the dynamic and nuanced nature of the sport.

This has always been rugby unions issue. Very specific laws and regulations with subjective and ambiguous interpretation.

The framework guidelines are black and white, rugby is grey.

Context is everything.
 
sand_man said:
It will remain a farce due to the dynamic and nuanced nature of the sport.

This has always been rugby unions issue. Very specific laws and regulations with subjective and ambiguous interpretation.

The framework guidelines are black and white, rugby is grey.

Context is everything.
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The farce is that WR aren't willing to let the big unions lose important players to bans.

They're caught in a quandary. They need to take strong action against head contact (to ward off legal action), but they need to protect the influential unions too.
 
My hate for the french sky rocketted since the 2023 WC. Bunch of entitled crying children. They never made this hullabaloo when their forward pass knocked NZ out in 2007.

They act like it was all O Keefe, but he didn't defend those two high balls. He didn't have his kick charged. And he didnt defend like a lost fart then got skinned by Kolbe.

This game I really REALLY want us to win.
 
I've just solved it....

What you notice is that Kolisi's smile disappeared in 2016 and then reappeared in 2025

2016 = married Rachel
2025 = divorced Rachel

There you have it folks, the evidence is clear :ROFL::ROFL:

576838105_2221898138288157_7336116758505172794_n.jpg
 
Speedster said:
Thanks. I saw it released shortly after my post.

Interesting call with Esterhuizen as a flank again. And Libbok doesn't inspire confidence as a closer in a tight game.
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Yip. I think Rassie wants this won comfortably by the 60th minute. Doesn't intend winning with a last minute penalty.

Given the injuries, possibly the strongest side he could pick.

Willemse fit again is significant. If he was not Rassie may have persisted with the same back 3 that played against Japan. Ethan perhaps a little unlucky to miss out.

Also he doesn't have the appetite for gambling at centre. Gone with the tried and tested.

Boan starting ahead of Steenekamp is a little surprising.

Bench as expected. Solid bench. Barring RG, that's the Bulls tight 5.

Andre instead of Kwagga as the hybrid player (back/forward)... Kwagga a little unlucky.
 
So how are we feeling?

I got burnt when Australia came to JHB. I was confident there was going to be no doubt but they lost against a well performing Aussie team.

I'm thinking we got this easy but it being in France I already feel the ref not giving us an inch.
 
We should steamroll them. But the ref and that kuk crowd will play a part

Boks by 15
 
cavedog said:
So how are we feeling?

I got burnt when Australia came to JHB. I was confident there was going to be no doubt but they lost against a well performing Aussie team.

I'm thinking we got this easy but it being in France I already feel the ref not giving us an inch.
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Do we know the France line up yet?

Edit: yes we do

15-Thomas Ramos, 14-Damian Penaud, 13-Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12-Gael Fickou (captain), 11-Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10-Romain Ntamack, 9-Nolann Le Garrec, 8-Mickael Guillard, 7-Paul Boudehent, 6-Anthony Jelonch, 5-Emmanuel Meafou, 4-Thibaud Flament, 3-Regis Montagne, 2-Julien Marchand, 1-Baptiste Erdocio.

Replacements: 16-Guillaume Cramont, 17-Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18-Dorian Aldegheri, 19-Romain Taofifenua, 20-Hugo Auradou, 21-Oscar Jegou, 22-Maxime Lucu, 23-Nicolas Depoortere
 
cavedog said:
I'm thinking we got this easy but it being in France I already feel the ref not giving us an inch.
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Won't be easy at all.

Angus Gardner in Paris, 50/50s are going 60/40 in Frances favour. We must accept that.

One could argue this Bok side is stronger than the one that won the quarter final, while France have injuries to key players. They got good depth though and they will be super motivated.

I'd happily take another 1 point victory, if you offered me that today.

Wonder what the weather forecast is for Saturday?
 
sand_man said:
Won't be easy at all.

Angus Gardner in Paris, 50/50s are going 60/40 in Frances favour. We must accept that.

One could argue this Bok side is stronger than the one that won the quarter final, while France have injuries to key players. They got good depth though and they will be super motivated.

I'd happily take another 1 point victory, if you offered me that today.

Wonder what the weather forecast is for Saturday?
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Cold and wet
 
Speedster said:
Do we know the France line up yet?

Edit: yes we do

15-Thomas Ramos, 14-Damian Penaud, 13-Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12-Gael Fickou (captain), 11-Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10-Romain Ntamack, 9-Nolann Le Garrec, 8-Mickael Guillard, 7-Paul Boudehent, 6-Anthony Jelonch, 5-Emmanuel Meafou, 4-Thibaud Flament, 3-Regis Montagne, 2-Julien Marchand, 1-Baptiste Erdocio.

Replacements: 16-Guillaume Cramont, 17-Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18-Dorian Aldegheri, 19-Romain Taofifenua, 20-Hugo Auradou, 21-Oscar Jegou, 22-Maxime Lucu, 23-Nicolas Depoortere
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Quite a few changes from the 2023 quarter finals side.. No Cyril Baille (1), Mauvaka (2), Atonio (3), Woki (4), Ollivon (7), Alldritt (8), Dupont (9), Jalibert (10), Danty (13)... those are big guns they're missing...
 
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