Wales v Springboks
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Commiserations to @MiketheSnow and @pooler-fan and all others from across the river. That must have been a tough watch.
Apart from the score, the big minus point was that a Bok second team (ish) didn’t have to get out of second gear and were coasting after 20 minutes. The gulf between the teams was huge.
There were some plus points though. Some individual performances, Morgan and Botham. Dyer when he had the chance too. But the most promising bit for me was the heart with which Wales continued to play right up to the whistle. To me that shows they are still playing for Gatland.
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@Catogrande must have been some pep talk.
I quit after 30 minutes as wales were showing no heart at all.
Compare the intensity that Italy through at us and it was chalk and cheese
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I dunno so much. For sure there was ineptitude and a lack of application, but I really felt they went down fighting to the last.
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@sparky said in Wales v Springboks:
The Welsh tight head going off after 35 minutes. He's been eaten alive at scrum time.
Ref created that
Got penalised incorrectly from keeping it low
Then changed to keeping it high and wasn’t strong enough
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@sparky said in Wales v Springboks:
Wales 5 South Africa 38.
If this was a boxing match the referee would have ended it a long time ago.
And some the crowd drift away with ten minutes left.
Bout wouldn’t have been sanctioned
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@sparky said in Wales v Springboks:
Wales have been absolutely terrible. So bad.
If their decline continues, it's going to be very hard to argue for their continued inclusion in the 6 Nations ahead of Georgia, Portugal or Spain.
Nice try
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@MN5 said in Wales v Springboks:
@pooler-fan said in Wales v Springboks:
@sparky are there any decent ones with Welsh heritage?
I'd definitely take a couple of south African monsters if they had a Welsh granny.
We just don't produce physical specimens unfortunately. Test matches are becoming more & more physical and if you lose that contest it's game over.Well, you did in the backs a few years ago. North, Roberts, Cuthbert, Phillips etc were all absolute monsters for the positions they played.
We still do in the backs to be fair, barring injuries we could select Llewellyn, Grady and Eddie James who are all 6'5" ish and well over 100kgs.
It's not just about size though, many of the Bok players for instance tend to punch above their (considerable) weight.
We're awful at metres made post contact. Only Jac Morgan seems to be able to consistently do it. -
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@Smuts said in Wales v Springboks:
@Nepia think most of us do. It’s why Rassie was given an honorary doctorate
I should have said many, I still come across lots of Saffas who whine about it - but didn't mean to tar you all with the same brush. So apologies,.
But why did Rassie get the doctorate? He just benefited from the policy didn't he?
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@Nepia no need to apologize.
The PR on Rassie’s doctorate:
“In addition to his visionary leadership, he has also shown an unwavering commitment to the Sport Transformation Charter – which is included in the Strategic Plan of the Department of Sport and Recreation – that has resulted in a systematic change in the development of talent and skills across the national rugby spectrum.
Erasmus has shown himself to be a nation builder of whom the country can be proud.
“Rassie embodies the principles of resilience, determination and teamwork that we at the North-West University hold dear in our educational mission. His contributions to South Africa, both as a rugby strategist and as a nation builder, serve as a shining example of what can be achieved when passion, dedication and visionary leadership come together. This esteemed recognition is not only well deserved, but also a testament to the remarkable contributions and exceptional impact Rassie has made in the field of sport and innovative sports management,” said Bert Sorgdrager, Council chairperson.
“His commitment to inclusivity and transformation in sport has not only revitalised rugby but has served as a powerful symbol of reconciliation and unity in a nation with a complex history. Under his guidance, the Springboks not only achieved rugby greatness, but also became a unifying force, bringing together people of all backgrounds and beliefs. His emphasis on teamwork, discipline and dedication has resonated far beyond the sports arena, offering life lessons that inspire not only aspiring athletes, but also individuals in their everyday lives. He has meaningfully used his sphere of influence to advocate for social change, fostering an environment in which diversity and inclusivity are celebrated, and differences are seen as strengths rather than weaknesses,” Sorgdrager concluded.”
