Pre-RWC test matches
-
Here is the Bok starting XV for the Saitama encounter, with the corresponding player in each jersey from the 2015 game reflected in brackets:
15 Willie le Roux (Zane Kirchner), 14 Cheslin Kolbe (Bryan Habana), 13 Lukhanyo Am (Jesse Kriel), 12 Damian de Allende (Jean de Villiers), 11 Makazole Mapimpi (Lwazi Mvovo), 10 Handre Pollard (Pat Lambie), 9 Faf de Klerk (Ruan Pienaar), 8 Duane Vermeulen (Schalk Burger), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (same), 6 Siya Kolisi (Francois Louw), 5 Franco Mostert (Victor Matfield), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Lood de Jager), 3 Frans Malherbe (Jannie du Plessis), 2 Malcolm Marx (Bismarck du Plessis), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Tendai Mtawarira). -
This weekend's test matches highlights the difficulties the emerging rugby nations have to get games against tier 1 or even tier 2 opposition. While Tonga and Samoa are lucky to be playing NZ and Aust, respectively, Japan plays SA and Georgia plays Scotland spare a thought for some of the other teams going to the RWC.
Uruguay is playing an Argentinean XV while I assume the best Argentinean squad is playing Randwick (featuring Andrew Walker). For the other teams, Namibia is playing the Southern Kings and Russia is playing Connacht.
-
Cheika has selected some non-RWC players in his team to play Samoa.
Tom Banks, Dane Haylett-Petty, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Toomua, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Jack Dempsey, David Pocock (c), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Adam Coleman, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Jordan Uelese, James Slipper.
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Luke Jones, Liam Wright, Rob Valetini, Nick Phipps, James O'Connor. -
@Daffy-Jaffy Only Pieter Steph surviving in the starting line-up - but three more on the bench.
2015 edition looks a bit stronger to me. Mainly in the halves.... and less old men.
-
Wales team to face Ireland at Landsdowne Road this Saturday named
Pretty much working out who are the starters and who are the finishers come the WC
-
Ooh we've got a proper Test on our hands.
-
England 9 - 0 Italy
Half-timeShitter than shit
-
@MiketheSnow yeah England may well knock some big names out of the cup but recently they are so inconsistent.
Not that the ABs are better
-
-
@sparky said in Pre-RWC test matches:
England won 37-0 scoring 4 tries.
England will make the Semi finals at least in Japan, Italy won't get out of Group B.
Will fall at the QF stage
-
@Billy-Tell said in Pre-RWC test matches:
6N took down 20 odd videos from squidge rugby and filed copyright...!
I finally got round to watching a few of his videos this week, was going quite swimmingly and then got to the OZ video and he called Pocock the best player in the world. I've reported him to YouTube.
-
@Nepia said in Pre-RWC test matches:
@Billy-Tell said in Pre-RWC test matches:
6N took down 20 odd videos from squidge rugby and filed copyright...!
I finally got round to watching a few of his videos this week, was going quite swimmingly and then got to the OZ video and he called Pocock the best player in the world. I've reported him to YouTube.
It's good - but like GAGR videos, sometimes says things with a lot of authority and arrows and things that may not be totally correct. Entertaining, though, and I do enjoy them
-
