The British and Irish Lions have lost 27-9 to South Africa in the second Test in Cape Town, with the three-match series now level at 1-1.
South Africa backs Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am have scored second-half tries as the Springboks beat the British and ...Read More
source https://therugbystore.com.au/the-springboks-handle-the-british-and-irish-lions-27-9-to-level-the-series/
The British and Irish Lions’ series with South Africa will go to a decider after the Springboks win a fiery second Test 27-9 at Cape Town Stadium.
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58041234
...Read MoreThe British and Irish Lions will bid to go 2-0 up in a Test series for the first time since 1997 on Saturday, but Rassie Erasmus took the limelight in the game’s build-up.
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58027772
...Read MoreSouth Africa captain Siya Kolisi says Australian referee Nic Berry didn’t give him as much respect as he showed to British and Irish Lions counterpart Alun Wyn Jones in the first Test last weekend in Cape Town.
The World Cup-winning skipper’s comment on Friday backed ...Read More
source https://therugbystore.com.au/i-didnt-feel-respected-springboks-captain-backs-erasmus-rant-on-aussie-ref/
Rassie Erasmus has offered to stand down from South Africa’s series against the British and Irish Lions after posting online an hour-long video in which he launches an unprecedented attack on Australian referee Nic Berry.
Erasmus’ extraordinary monologue lasts 62 minutes and includes 26 clips from Saturday’s 22-17 first Test defeat by the Lions at Cape Town Stadium, with Berry’s performance repeatedly in the crosshairs.
South Africa’s director of rugby is addressing World Rugby’s head of referees Joel Jutge and director of rugby Joe Schmidt during the video, in which he says he’s willing to quit for the second and third matches of the series.
GOT A SPARE 62 MINUTES? WATCH THE ERASMUS VIDEO HERE
World Rugby is understood to be concerned and disappointed by comments that pile pressure on the officials for Saturday’s second Test and is seeking an explanation from SA Rugby.
“World Rugby notes the comments made by Rassie Erasmus. The nature of these will be raised with the union via the usual official channels and no further comment will be made at this stage,” a statement from World Rugby read on Thursday.
The rant sees Erasmus, dressed in a Springbok training top and cap, provide detailed analysis of every decision he believes Berry got wrong.
The most sensitive of many criticisms is that the Aussie official treated South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and Alun Wyn Jones, the Lions skipper, differently.
“There is a vast difference between who he was taking seriously and who he wasn’t taking seriously,” Erasmus said.
“The way they listened to Siya compared to the way they listened to Alun Wyn was definitely not with the same respect. It shows the difference in attitude towards the Springboks and the Lions.”
Erasmus defends his own bizarre and controversial role as a water carrier, accuses the Lions’ illegal scrummaging of inflicting a neck injury to his prop Ox Nche and blasts Warren Gatland’s objection to Marius Jonker being appointed TMO.
Berry, who is replaced by Ben O’Keeffe for the second Test but will still run the touchline, is the real target as Erasmus highlights perceived inconsistencies and rails at the length of time it took to receive officiating feedback from World Rugby.
“We definitely felt that the way things unfolded on the field, didn’t benefit us by staying quiet,” said Erasmus, the mastermind of South Africa’s 2019 World Cup triumph.
“In my position as director of rugby, if this means I step away from being water carrier, that is fine.
“If this means I get a fine I will step away from the management team. If this means the Springboks will be in trouble I will say I did this in isolation.
“If you think this was going over the top and it shouldn’t go out to the media, I did this in a personal capacity and not as part of the Springboks.
“It is me personally that did this because I believe in fairness. I believe two teams must have equal chance of competing in a match.
“I am not saying the referee was a cheat at all. I am saying we just wanted clarity on a Sunday night which we have now got on a Tuesday.
“I am not very convinced with the clarity with what we got from Nic Berry in this match.
“Let the Springboks and the Lions have equal chance on the field when it comes to laws, respect and the way players get treated.”
Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/30/erasmus-offers-to-step-down-after-hour-long-rant-at-aussie-ref/
South Africa boss Rassie Erasmus records an hour-long video monologue railing against the refereeing in his side’s first-Test defeat by the British and Irish Lions.
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58012090
Well then, the Lions Series is on! Despite plenty of commentary about the first Test lacking in the aesthetics department, this was proper old fashioned Test rugby, and the Lions deserved win has well and truly breathed new life into a series that way too many expected would be a comfortable Springboks clean sweep.
No doubt, there will be plenty of soul-searching in the Boks camp. A search for inspiration, no doubt. And of self-reflection, I’m sure. Let me, then, offer up the haunting words of Toto’s 1982 cult classic, Africa…
The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless, longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what’s right
As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what’s deep inside, frightened of this thing that I’ve become
I can certainly picture Kwagga Smith rocking and crying himself to sleep now. “You can’t really see Kilimanjaro from the Serengeti,” he’d be saying.
“But I can still see Courtney Lawes’ thighs, thundering toward me…”
Oh, what a series we now have!
But what of the second Test this week? And are SANZAAR looking at the Tournament Hub pt.2?
Question 1: Did South Africa get out-Springbok’d by the British and Irish Lions in the first Test? And who is now under the most pressure heading into the second Test this weekend?
Harry
The Boks forgot to Bok.
Rassie morphed into Heyneke. Nienaber was more nie than ja. Willie couldn’t find a Lion to tackle.
Kolbe looked small. So did Kwagga.
The midfield was the only good thing, besides the locks who are always good, and the bad front row, which was better than the good front row. The Lions played Scottish until oranges, at which time they played a Welsh-Bok style, and came roaring back.
Pressure is on the coaches. They’ve selected a proper 8. I’d keep props on if they’re still playing well, and hush any chatter of unfair TMOs.
It was a good, well-won Lions victory. Test 2 is going to be a fitting bookend for the 2009 series. Does Gatland become the Dean of coaches? Or does Nienaber show he is the coach, and can learn?
South Africa’s coach Rassie Erasmus. (AP Photo/John Cowpland)
Geoff
I’m not sure the Lions did anything special to win the first Test, which may well be the very point of the question!
What they did do was execute more efficiently, muscle-up in the trenches, kick from and to better positions, and have a few more avenues to victory than their opponent.
The Boks have had a long time off – more than eighteen months – and chose not to come up with new personnel or new tactics. So even though they are now under pressure, it’s hard to envisage them panicking and changing their approach too much in just a week. Going bigger, with a 6/2 bench split, also tells a story.
Off field, things have got a bit weird, with Rassie still pretending not to be coach when he is, and running commentary on referees via Twitter.
The game itself will come as a relief. Even more so if we see a bit more rugby played this week.
Brett
Yep, they did. But the bigger problem right here, right now, is that I evidently forgot I’d asked this question of the guys when I sat down to write my column for Tuesday. There’s 900+ words on this very subject just back down the page a bit!
The pressure question is a good one though, if I do say so myself.
The easy answer would be to say it’s all on South Africa, who now are playing to save the series, on home soil, and after creating for themselves a 21-month preparation period.
They played very bog-standard 2019-Springbok game, which was handy given they’d run the 2019 Springboks out on the park. But the game has moved on a bit since the Boks won the Cup, and there is certainly now pressure on them to show – in a week – that they can tweak their game as they needed. They can’t be outmuscled at set piece again, they can’t concede the breakdown contest again, and they certainly can’t forget about the blokes in jerseys 11, and 13 to 15.
But, I also think there’s a bit of pressure – not as much – on the Lions to prove that the first Test wasn’t just a team coming good on the night. Warren Gatland emerged on top with whatever he said at halftime last week, but it will be every bit as challenging to take his side to another level this week.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Digger
I do not believe the Lions out-Bokked the Boks at all, I believe the Boks out-Bokked themselves.
It is no surprise to see a South African side play conservatively but that was quite mad really. I wanted to reach through the screen and grab Faf by the scruff and strangle him if he box kicked again.
That was a Lions backline to be tested with ball in hand, and with the pace the Boks boasted out wide it was quite infuriating to watch their approach, even more so as they slowly succumbed in the middle of the park.
I still believe the Springboks can get up in this series, but it will take some turnaround tactically in the second outing. It would appear Gatland and co have the upper hand on that front over their rivals, Rassie or no burner accounts, I mean Rassie.
As for the question about pressure, no doubt in my mind it is all on the Springboks. Their rugby public is just as demanding and expectant of their national side as New Zealanders are of the All Blacks and a response will be expected, indeed demanded of their charges and they will be feeling that weight.
They were outplayed up front in an area South Africa prides themselves upon and when you can arguably boast one of the, if not the best player in the world at blindside in the number the rest of the world calls openside, yeah, pressure is well on to front lads.
Question 2: Does the worsening COVID situation in Australia and especially in Sydney shorten the odds of another hub version of The Rugby Championship? And if so, where would make the most sense to play it?
Harry
I don’t think we can know yet what will happen.
Covid has a couple of excellent vaccines, but resistance to the best vaccine response in history is absurdly high.
That’s the key: overcoming decliners and shortage of vaccines.
Geoff
I don’t envy the administrators one little bit.
NSW is almost certainly out of business and the New Zealand bubble restrictions severely curtail options.
Just like with the 2032 Olympics, it’s beginning to look like all roads lead to Queensland, even if, just like the Olympics, nobody else is willing or able to host.
There’s a lot to play out yet, however. Just getting the Bledisloe Cup played will be an achievement, and South Africa obviously has their focus elsewhere.
And if it is to be a Queensland hub, I doubt the Bokke and Puma’s players will be looking on at images of NRL players being banished from their balconies, with those sliding doors gaffer-taped shut, and wishing it was them.
Brett
Yep, looks that way, doesn’t it.
And, taking into account concessions from New Zealand Rugby this week, I think it might end up back in Australia again. Or at least, it will quite likely start in Australia.
Elliot Daly is a surprise Lions selection for some. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Obviously, all stops are currently being pulled out to get the first two Bledisloe Tests played in New Zealand before the All Blacks and Wallabies make their way to a near sold-out Perth Stadium for Game 3.
By that point, South Africa and Argentina will also be playing each other, and I suspect sooner rather than later we’ll find out where those games are to be played. I think everyone thinks Australia, I just don’t think it’s been said yet.
“At this stage we would be planning on remaining in Australia and the two All Blacks-Argentina Tests which were scheduled in New Zealand will be played in Australia,” NZR general manager professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum told New Zealand media earlier in the week.
“That’s our expectation at the moment. We don’t see any way we would be able to bring Argentina into New Zealand for those two games.”
As to the ‘where’ part of the question, I suppose the answer is “anywhere but Sydney” and almost certainly not New South Wales at all, with the other states’ current stance on New South Welsh types.
Melbourne quite likely becomes an option soon, and you would have to think Perth and Brisbane would be in line for extra games too. Probably the Gold Coast and Townsville, too.
Canberra? Doubtful. It was a surprise to get one Test this year; I’d be stunned if there was a second.
Digger
As I consider this question, Sydney is extending their lockdown and increasing the areas to a further eight suburban areas I believe, so those odds look very short indeed.
It would make sense to my mind to shift the matches over to New Zealand in this instance as we seem to be more in control of the virus at present (touch wood) and simply because it was in Australia last year, assuming everyone can get their heads (and New Zealand Govt) around quarantine for a couple of weeks.
Warren Gatland outfoxed the Boks in the opening Test of the 2021 Lions tour. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Seems reasonable to me in that respect, and given the local NRL comp has been shifted up to Queensland and then that fumble ball also, there doesn’t seem to be much room in Australia anyway when you take away NSW.
Come on over boys!
OVER TO YOU: Who wins the second Test of the Lions Series in Cape Town?
And is the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship heading for Tournament Hub pt.2?
Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/29/the-thursday-rugby-two-up-i-bless-the-rains-down-in-africa/
Great Britain sevens star Dan Bibby describes a planned future sevens programme as “a joke” after the team miss out on a medal in Tokyo.
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/57995446
British and Irish Lions name squad for second South Africa test – with Mako Vunipola, Conor Murray and Chris Harris starting.
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57983305
Isolation is a breeding ground for uncertainty and anxiety. If there is one lesson to be learned from the last 18 months, that is it.
Wind back the clock 47 years to South Africa in 1974, and it was not so very different. With apartheid still dictating the social and political mores of the country, South Africa was a nation divided, and an international pariah.
Sport in the republic was isolated from the rest of the world: the Springboks did not play a single international match between their game against England at Ellis Park on June 3, 1972, and the first Test against the touring British and Irish Lions at Newlands a full two years and five days later.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had much the same impact as the political disease. Almost 21 months elapsed between South Africa’s win at the World Cup in November 2019, and the first Test against a new pride of Lions in Cape Town last Saturday.
Without constant testing and exposure to challenges from without, you can never be sure of the legitimacy of your values. It is as true in sport as it is in politics.
In 1974, the Lions went to South Africa confident in the knowledge that their big men – Gordon Brown and Willie-John McBride in the second row, with Mervyn Davies behind them – were able to handle all the slings and arrows that outrageous fortune could throw at them. They had proved it by winning a series in New Zealand for the first time three years earlier.
Those three, with Roger Uttley on the blindside flank, were a quartet South Africa never matched. They went through John G. Williams, Keven de Klerk, ‘Moaner’ van Heerden, Dugald MacDonald, Morné Du Plessis, ‘Boland’ Coetzee, ‘Klippies’ Kritzinger and Polla Fourie in the course of the first three Tests, without finding an answer.
They even picked Johan de Bruyn and his one glass eye, and that didn’t work either.
The Lions have been helped, not hindered, by the other impacts of isolation. They have not had to travel outside Cape Town since July 10 and the third match of the tour. There have been no flinty hard grounds, none of the lung-wrenching thin air on the high veld.
They have not had to visit the unyielding rugby heartlands of South Africa: the Bloemfonteins and Potchefstrooms, where the sight of a red jacket or jersey still summons an echo of deep, ancestral grievances.
The cloudless ferocity of the Afrikaner has largely gone missing from the provincial games, which the Lions have won by an average score of 58 points to 14. It will now be sea level, and the lush grass of Cape Town stadium, for the remainder of the tour.
Beating the Bokke big men is as close to a mortal blow to South African rugby pride as you can get, and that is what happened in the first Test last Saturday.
South Africa thought they would have the power to dominate through the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph Du Toit and Franco Mostert, but it was Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes and ‘the resurrection man’ – captain Alun Wyn Jones – who held sway and dictated terms.
Alun Wyn Jones. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
At number 8, Leinster’s Jack Conan eclipsed the diminutive ‘Kwagga’ Smith.
Such was their influence, that the Lions even had the luxury of riding over a fair few selection bumps of their own making. Mako Vunipola was not in the original 23-man matchday group and Kyle Sinckler was not even selected in the touring squad, but both played key roles in the Lions’ scrum resurgence in the second half.
Elliot Daly predictably found the going tough in contact at centre, coughing up a stream of turnovers and penalties. Courtney Lawes admitted that he had not received a ‘save the date’ email from the Lions’ coaches in the lead-up to the tour.
“I was pretty surprised [to be selected], I just didn’t really have any clue. Some players got emails and things like that, but I didn’t get an email.
“I didn’t last time either, so I was pretty much in the dark and waiting to see if I would get a shot basically.
“And obviously not being fit at the minute I thought my chances were quite slim.”
In the event, Lawes edged ahead of Tadhg Beirne and made an outstanding contribution at Cape Town, along with fellow England forward Maro Itoje. As Head Coach Warren Gatland commented after the game;
“I thought Courtney Lawes was brilliant. His lineout was good, great carries and footwork.
“Maro has had one turnover on the carry where he’s gone in too high, but he’s worked incredibly hard. They put in a really big shift, and then I thought the bench was great for us. In fact, our bench was more significant than theirs was.
“Both of them had outstanding games and that was key for us.”
The roles of the two were interlinked and complementary. Maro Itoje ran the Lions’ lineout, and called most of the throw (six in all) to Lawes. This provided the best ball for the Lions’ drive.
Lawes catches, Alun Wyn Jones and Itoje lead the drive through, and the only way the Springbok big men (Du Toit and Etzebeth) can reach the ball is by swimming around the side of the maul illegally.
The ability of the Lions big men to seal their Bokke counterparts away from the ball and shift the point of attack was key to the first try on the comeback trail, at the start of the second half.
Any time the lineout receiver can turn around from his position ‘on point’ and face towards the opposition goal-line, it is a sure sign of success for the attacking side, and of failure for the defenders.
Despite the presence of an extra second row on the field for South Africa (Lood de Jager had replaced Siya Kolisi), Lawes has shed Etzebeth and spun in the direction of the drive, and he is at the sharp end of a triangle of power which makes the drive unstoppable.
Along with Jack Conan, Courtney Lawes was the Lions’ most potent forward ball-carrier. He carried eight times for 33 metres and seven of those carries were positive; one clean break, two defenders beaten and two offloads just for good measure.
Lawes’ footwork is so good that he nearly always takes an arm tackle and is able to fall forward in contact. That sets up an easy target for his support, and reduces the potential line-speed of the defence on next phase.
Seven of Lawes’ eight carries occurred in the second half, when the men in red enjoyed the Lion’s share of possession. In the first period with the Lions on defence, it was Maro Itoje’s turn to shine in the sun. He topped the forward tackle count with ten and dominated the post-tackle with four turnovers.
In the second example, Pieter-Steph Du Toit cannot handle Itoje one-on-one at the cleanout over the prone Kwagga Smith.
When it came Itoje’s turn to clean out one of the Springbok big men mano-a-mano, he did not miss.
Even though he initially has to go back to re-ruck over the top of Dan Biggar and there is a real opportunity for s Springbok turnover, there is no doubt about who wins the physical contest between Itoje and Etzebeth after they lock horns over the tackle ball. On the day, there was only one winner in the power stakes.
As the 1974 Springboks discovered, it is not easy to return from two years in the international wilderness and hit your straps as if you had never been away. Their successors in 2021 experienced something of the same bitter aftertaste in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Springboks thought they had two front rows who could provide an upward spiral of scrum dominance, but the flow of penalties went in the opposite direction.
They probably also counted on winning the battle of the big men in the second row and on the blindside flank, but found themselves on the wrong end of domination in the physical exchanges.
As in 1974, the British and Irish Lions were even able to survive a number of selection errors in comfort. On that tour, they had passed on the likes of Mike Gibson in the backs, and Derek Quinnell and Ray McLoughlin up front. It was not an issue on tour, because they had a much stronger core group of big men in the area of the team where it really mattered.
Likewise in 2021, they were able to overcome some obvious missteps in selection – the absence of Mako Vunipola and Kyle Sinckler in the front row, the pick of Elliot Daly at centre – because their choices at lock and blindside flanker performed so well.
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Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones and Courtney Lawes stood up to be counted, and if they can repeat the same quality of effort this weekend, South Africa will have a real problem on its hands.
If the Springboks cannot win the physical battle at scrum-time or in the lineout drive, they do not have too many other ways of winning the game.
It wasn’t pretty. Games with an average interval of one minute and 15 seconds between kicks out of hand rarely are. If they can kick and drive their way into the history books like their forebears 47 years ago, the 2021 Lions won’t be too worried about that.
If the Springboks lose again, Danie Craven’s fore-finger will be gesturing just a little more accusingly from his bronze perch in the grounds at Stellenbosch. Some of the 2021 Springboks may be glad that he is not still around to deliver a final judgement.
Without constant testing and exposure to challenges from without, you can never be sure of your values. It is as true in sport as it is in politics.
It happened to Australia in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman and in the series versus France, and now it is happening to South Africa on their home soil.
Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/28/how-the-lions-won-the-battle-of-the-big-men-in-cape-town/
Prop Mako Vunipola rejects Rassie Erasmus’ suggestion that he was “dangerous” and “reckless” during the British and Irish Lions’ 22-17 first Test victory in South Africa.
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57967792
At the time, it seemed like such an innocuous run, but the more the British and Irish Lions came back in the first Test against South Africa, the more I kept thinking about it.
And not thinking of it as a turning point per se, but rather the best indication of just how much momentum had swung the Lions’ way in the second half in Cape Town.
From an Ali Price box kick inside the Lions’ 22, winger Duhan van der Merwe had chased through superbly to the point of being able to contest the catch with Springboks number eight Kwagga Smith, so much so that van der Merwe was able to bunt the ball backwards toward his chasing supports.
Back-rower Tom Curry had also got through to the contest to pressure Smith, but alongside fresh try-scorer Luke Cowan-Dickie was barnstorming blindsider Courtney Lawes, who pulled the ball in cleanly with his outstretched right hand and set off.
From the ten-metre line, Lawes suddenly looked up to see no defenders in front of him, and it was near halfway when his big left hand made short work of Springboks fullback Willie le Roux.
Five or six metres into South African territory, Pieter-Steph du Toit got a hand on a Lawes boot to somewhat slow him down, but it wouldn’t be until several metres beyond the Springboks’ ten-metre line before Siya Kolisi was able to bring him to ground.
The Lions went wide to the right and found space, with fullback Stuart Hogg getting the ball to the Boks’ 22, and the Lions would play another dozen phases to the left and back right before winning the penalty advantage, from which Dan Biggar would ultimately bring them back to within a point with around 24 minutes on the clock.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
They would take the lead in the 63rd minute, and the rest of the match is history.
Lawes ran for 33 metres for the match, with that one run easily accounting for 25 of those. He and number eight Jack Conan were the Lions’ standout ball carriers, with Lawes getting a couple of offloads away as well. Defensively they got through a mountain of work between them, and were right up there with the best red jerseys on the field.
The Lions’ fortunes seemed to change from the second-half restart and after a couple of excellent mauls, Cowan-Dickie bagged the first try of the Test series in the 44th minute.
By the time of Lawes’ aforementioned run, the Lions were carrying with purpose, had the breakdown in control, and were already determining where the game was being played and on whose terms, courtesy of a kick-chase that was already producing results.
It felt at this stage – to me, at least – that a Lions lead was inevitable.
(Photo by Getty Sports)
And by this stage, the Lions were already playing the most rugby. The Springboks’ attacking raids were really only coming from play breaking down. In the case of Faf de Klerk’s try, a Handre Pollard pass flew a long way behind the intended recipient and another 25 metres back downfield before du Toit picked it up and somehow found space.
The Lions, by contrast, were playing to a plan and to a structure that was creating opportunities for both penalties and points.
Many of you have made comment around the match being tough to watch, and it’s true that this match was a throwback to old-fashioned ten-man rugby.
The 65 kicks for the game underlines this, with the Boks kicking the ball roughly every third time they got their hands on it, while the Lions kicked a bit less than one in every five possessions.
But not in the kick-for-corners way, with both teams preferring the box kick and chase approach and the midfield bomb method. Perhaps if the game was up on the Highveld things might have been different.
But it created a real test of patience for viewers and outside backs alike.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
South Africa carried the ball 83 times, but only 13 times combined by the back three and outside centre Lukhanyo Am.
The Lions were only marginally better: 85 carries for a combined 20 carries from the outside backs. None of them on either side made more ground than le Roux’s 39 metres, and old ‘Spiders’ made two clean breaks in his.
In fact, depending on your stats sheets of choice, Am either carried twice for 18 metres or not once at all. Elliot Daly managed six carries that couldn’t even be rounded up to one collective metre gained. I’m not totally convinced he didn’t put his hand up for that long-range penalty attempt in the second half just to spend some quality time with the ball.
Both Damian de Allende and Robbie Henshaw played the battering-ram role at inside centre when a pass was thrown their way, otherwise the ball was sent airborne with regularity.
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The Lions targeted their high balls at Cheslin Kolbe and away from le Roux, and their chase made it work. And the more it worked, the more influence they were having at the breakdown. Hamish Watson was incredible from the minute he came off the bench.
From 12-3 down at halftime, the Lions enjoyed 60 per cent of second-half possession and 64 per cent of second-half territory. They dominated the possession in the opposition half 17-6.
Warren Gatland might not be the most adventurous coach, but he’s found a way to outsmart South Africa at their own game and on their own turf.
And now he’s one win away from a significant slice of British and Irish Lions history.
Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/27/how-gatland-outsmarted-the-boks-at-their-own-game-on-their-own-turf/
http://paleo.medicalhealthfitness.club/an-explanation-of-the-paleo-diet/
What is the Paleo Diet?
The Paleo diet has actually been around since the 1970s.
However, it has only recently gained popularity and was actually the top searched for diet in Google in 2013.
What is the Paleo Diet?
This diet is actually designed after people who lived in the Paleolithic era of Earth’s history.
It’s also called the Caveman diet by some people.
The general idea is that to be your healthiest, you should eat the way our earliest ancestors did.
What is the Paleo Diet?
This diet is actually designed after people who lived in the Paleolithic era of Earth’s history.
It’s also called the Caveman diet by some people.
The general idea is that to be your healthiest, you should eat the way our earliest ancestors did.
What is the Paleo Diet?
Before we had agriculture to plant crops and care for animals, people were hunter-gatherers.
They ate meat that they could catch and kill and they gathered whatever vegetation they could safely eat.
What is the Paleo Diet?
Their diet didn’t consist of any grains, dairy, or processed foods.
The modern Paleo diet tries to mimic this type of diet. You’ll be eating organically grown or raised produce and meat.
But you won’t consume dairy, grains, or any food that’s processed.
What is the Paleo Diet?
Processed foods include those that contain sugar, grains, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, or preservatives.
If you eat the typical Western diet this probably sounds like quite a challenge. Many people rely on processed foods for the majority of their calories.
What is the Paleo Diet?
Unfortunately, those processed foods cause a world of problems including weight gain and disease.
There are many benefits to switching to a new way of eating and you’ll also find that once you get used to it, this diet is fairly easy to follow.
With the Paleo diet, you’ll be eating foods like:
What is the Paleo Diet?
Vegetables, Fruits (especially those low in sugar), Fresh and dried herbs, Poultry, Beef, Pork, Lamb, Fish and other seafood, Eggs, Nuts and Seeds or Healthy oils.
For all of these you’ll want to choose organic foods. When it comes to meat and poultry you want to look for free range, grass fed, organic meats. For seafood, it’s best to stick to wild caught.
What is the Paleo Diet?
The Paleo diet also eliminates foods like these:
Grains (including wheat, oats, corn, rice), Legumes (beans, peanuts etc.), Dairy, Refined sugar, Salt, Vegetable oils that are refined, Potatoes, Alcohol or Anything processed
What is the Paleo Diet?
These foods are ones that may cause weight gain and health problems. Cavemen didn’t have access to this type of food! Remember that soy (or soya) products actually come from soy beans.
These aren’t part of the paleo plan.
http://paleo.medicalhealthfitness.club/starting-the-paleo-diet/
Halfback Ali Price has staked a Test claim to help the British and Irish Lions overwhelm the Stormers 49-3 as Alun Wyn Jones made a successful comeback from injury.
Price is set to pressure tour captain Conor Murray for a starting place in the first Test against the world champion Springboks at the same venue next weekend after impressing on Saturday.
Hamish Watson was an aggressive runner with ball in hand as was excellent hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, while lock Jones returned from a dislocated shoulder three weeks ago with seemingly no ill effects.
“It was hugely physical. When you come up against South African teams you know you will be in for a physical challenge,” Lions captain Stuart Hogg said.
“At times things came off for us, at times they didn’t. But we are happy with that performance.
“We have a game plan that tries to get everybody involved, and if we execute well there will always be opportunities for points. But we still feel we left a lot out there.”
The Lions’ tries came via locks Adam Beard and Jonny Hill, Cowan-Dickie, No.8 Jack Conan, prop Zander Fagerson, wing Louis Rees-Zammit and back-rower Sam Simmonds.
Young five-eighth Marcus Smith kicked seven conversations in an impressive debut.
The opening quarter was scoreless as the Stormers spent much of the time in the Lions’ half without unduly threatening their tryline.
The hosts drew first blood with a penalty midway through the first half but the Lions were on the board shortly after with a sweeping attack finished off by Beard, which allowed Smith to convert for his first points in a Lions jersey.
That was followed almost immediately by a second try as the gaps began to appear in the home defence.
A maul from an attacking line-out was initially stopped by the Stormers but powerful Cowan-Dickie broke away and was able to score.
The Lions got a third on the stroke of halftime when Hill cantered over in the corner after quick hands from Beard and Hogg put him into space.
Conan crossed for a fourth try early in the second period after a well-rehearsed midfield move put him clear, and Fagerson burrowed over from close range for the fifth.
Rees-Zammit finished off an excellent break from Smith as the Lions went the length of the field late on to score, capping a hugely promising display from the 22-year-old five-eighth, before Simmonds cantered in unopposed for the final score.
“The competition for places is ridiculous,” Hogg said.
“There will be some very tough decisions.”
Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/18/wyn-jones-returns-in-lions-tour-match-win-over-stormers/
https://therugbystore.com.au/wyn-jones-returns-in-lions-tour-match-win-over-stormers/
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57874720
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57865603
http://paleo.medicalhealthfitness.club/paleo-vegan-diet-taking-the-paleo-diet-one-step-further/
-----. Short article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7541702
Valued health and wellness authorities, physical fitness experts and also health and wellness supporters proceed to flaunt regarding the advantages of environment-friendly shakes and also beverages. If you've been experiencing from rounds of exhaustion and also reduced power it might assist to include eco-friendly shakes right into your normal diet regimen. There is no best eco-friendly beverage out there so do not be tricked by all of the fly by evening firms asserting to have a "divine grail" eco-friendly beverage. There is no details dish that you have to comply with to make certain that you make a terrific sampling environment-friendly smoothie mix. Following you'll require 1 mug of an environment-friendly veggie such as beetroot, kale or spinach eco-friendlies.http://paleo.medicalhealthfitness.club/the-art-of-creating-a-green-smoothie-drink/
Directions: - Peel bananas as well as cut them regarding 1/8 of an inch thick. - Sprinkle turmeric extract and also salt in a dish of ice water. - Soak banana pieces in the dish of water for concerning 10 mins. - Place the bananas on a paper towel so they can dry out off a little. - Pre-heat the butter in a fry pan. - Once the butter is warm, chef little sets of bananas at once up until they are crunchy, this ought to take around 2 mins per set. This is simply one instance of a Paleo Diet Snack that is certain to please your treat desires while assisting you to preserve a healthy and balanced Paleo Diet. Keep in mind, having a treat food yearnings no much longer has to be a poor point that consists of undesirable harmful foods. Be innovative and also discover healthy and balanced treat alternatives like the ones noted above as well as your body will certainly thank you for it. Short article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6845309
Consume a healthy and balanced Paleo Diet Snack. Paleo Diet Snacks are treats made of just the ideal, most all-natural components such as fulfill, fruit, nuts and also veggies. These treats are not greatly refined, harmful treats that you will certainly discover in a lot of shops, however instead treats that in fact nurture your body in between dishes times to maintain you invigorated throughout your whole day. This is simply one instance of a Paleo Diet Snack that is certain to please your treat desires while aiding you to keep a healthy and balanced Paleo Diet. Keep in mind, having a treat food desires no much longer has to be a negative point that consists of undesirable hazardous foods.http://paleo.medicalhealthfitness.club/how-to-make-your-own-paleo-diet-snacks/
http://paleo.medicalhealthfitness.club/paleo-diet-recipes-modern-recipes-from-ancient-man/
Lunch: Walnut-Vegetable Salad Romaine lettuce - 68g Carrot - 61g Cucumber - 78g Tomatoes - 246g Lemon juice clothing - 31g Walnuts - 11g Broiled lean pork loin - 86g
Supper: Veggie as well as avocado-almond salad Blended eco-friendlies - 112g Tomato - 123g Avocado - 85g Almonds - 45g Red onion - 29g Lemon juice clothing - 31g Fit to be tied broccoli - 468g Lean beef sirloin suggestion roast - 235g
Treat: Strawberries - 130g
Snacks: Orange - 66g Carrot sticks - 81g The Paleo Diet has actually been aiding professional athletes boost efficiency for even more than 10 years. Research studies of remote populaces, of individuals that comply with a lot the very same diet plan as Paleo supporters, expose some serious details. Researches released in the New England Journal of Medicine have actually shown that low-carbohydrate diet plans create reduced cholesterol, enhanced glycemic control, enhanced insulin level of sensitivity, boosted triglyceride degrees, as well as much better weight loss when contrasted to various other diet regimens. Write-up Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5321197
In the words of the diet regimen's developer, "the ideal diet plan for the professional athlete is the exact same one that we as Homo sapiens have actually grown on for virtually all of our presence on the earth - a Paleolithic, or Old Stone Age, diet regimen, albeit one somewhat changed to satisfy the one-of-a-kind needs of professional athletes". The Paleo Diet complies with a low-carbohydrate, high-protein strategy, yet for professional athletes, it likewise takes right into account the requirement for glycogen reconstruction after workout. While comparable to some various other diet regimens, "the biggest distinctions of what we suggest below might be located in the timing of carb as well as healthy protein intake, particularly branched-chain amino acids; picking foods based on glycemic lots at particular times family member to training; the base-enhancing impacts of our diet plan on blood as well as various other body liquids; as well as periodization of diet plan in parallel with training". Professional athletes need to be clear that this diet plan is really various from the typical high-carbohydrate diet plans embraced by a lot of fitness instructors. Researches released in the New England Journal of Medicine have actually shown that low-carbohydrate diet regimens trigger reduced cholesterol, enhanced glycemic control, enhanced insulin level of sensitivity, boosted triglyceride degrees, as well as far better weight loss when contrasted to various other diet regimens.http://paleo.medicalhealthfitness.club/paleo-diet-for-athletes/
http://paleo.medicalhealthfitness.club/paleo-friendly-desserts/
http://paleo.medicalhealthfitness.club/tips-for-the-paleo-lifestyle/
http://paleo.medicalhealthfitness.club/benefits-of-the-paleo-diet/
http://paleo.medicalhealthfitness.club/what-is-the-paleo-diet/
South Africa have organised an extra game for their squad to prepare for the British and Irish Lions Test series, ensuring back-to-back matches at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday in yet another tweak to the tour schedule.
A South Africa A line-up will play domestic team the Bulls before the British and Irish Lions face the Stormers in what’s also their last warm-up for the first Test a week later.
The Springboks are in dire need of match practice after playing just one Test – against Georgia this month – in two years since winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Some players did get a second game in South Africa A’s victory over the Lions in a scheduled tour match on Wednesday night.
But a long lay-off because of the coronavirus pandemic, and a cancelled second Test against Georgia this month because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Springboks’ squad, has left coaching staff fretting over a lack of match fitness for the world champions.
“We want to be as well prepared as possible when we meet the British and Irish Lions,” said South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Erasmus will take over coaching duties for the squad this week while head coach Jacques Nienaber undergoes isolation protocols after being one of more than a dozen Springboks players and backroom staff to test positive for the virus.
Nienaber has now joined the squad in Cape Town.
British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland this week turned down an offer from Erasmus for South Africa A and the Lions to play each other for a second time this weekend.
South Africa A won the first game 17-13.
“I don’t see it as our role to prepare them for the Test series,” Gatland said. “I think he was trying to wind us up saying we’re scared (to play South Africa A again).”
The Lions’ tour to South Africa, which comes around once every 12 years, has been constantly affected by the pandemic.
All the games were moved to the cities of Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town to limit the Lions’ possible exposure to the virus while travelling.
The Lions also had one early tour match against the Bulls cancelled, with different opposition stepping in, because of positive virus tests in the Bulls squad.
Both the South Africa and Lions squads have had players and coaching staff put in isolation, either for positive virus tests or because of possible exposure.
Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/17/extra-game-for-boks-before-lions-tests/
https://therugbystore.com.au/extra-game-for-boks-before-lions-tests/
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie made eight changes for the decisive Test against France, including a huge gamble on youth at the base of the scrum, but played down suggestions his team would be affected by the short turn around from Melbourne’s close defeat.
Australia went with a settled 23 in the opening two matches, including just one starting team change, but head to Brisbane with a revamped line up.
Rennie, speaking to the media ahead of Saturday’s third Test in Brisbane, said he and Wallabies staff had a plan in place to cope with the challenges of the short turnaround. Saturday’s decider is a third Test in 11 days.
He also seemed to shrug off the relative intensity of Test match rugby to Wallabies training camp in saying: “Some of our trainings are actually tougher than the games we’ve played so far, around the running metrics and physicality.
“We knew we would need to manage certain players and we’ve done that.”
The biggest talking points come around the base of the scrum. Tate McDermott replaces Jake Gordon at No.9 while Noah Lolesio and Hunter Paisami are joined by Len Ikitau in the centres. The four of them have 17 caps between them leaving Paisami as the leader of an inexperienced group.
Former Wallabies scrumhalf Will Genia has been calling for Rennie to give McDermott a start, and was also thrilled with Ikitau’s run on debut.
Len Ikitau celebrates with his Brumbies teammates. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
“He’s a player for the future,” Genia told The Roar. “He’s got the ability to break tackles , and there’s something about him. One on one he’s really good at beating the first up man. He’s physical, young and when you watch certain players, he’ll bring a point of difference.
“I like the idea of him in the centres with Hunter. It’s a very young set up. I love the fact he’s given Noah an opportunity to play out all three games and I’m obviously a huge Tate McDermott fan, so I can not wait to see what he does from the start.”
Rennie spoke about McDermott, Ikitau and plenty more during his press conference. Here are the highlights.
On Tate McDermott and the young backline
“He’s played well, he’s done everything we’ve asked from him off the bench. Playing in Brisbane and his home ground to get his first start, he’s worked really hard, and deserves a crack,” Rennie said.
“Jake’s played a few fair few minutes as well and we are really fortunate with the depth we’ve got there.
“Tate’s been working really hard on his core skills around the quality of his distribution and his kicking game, and he brings a lot of energy.”
Rennie was asked if a reluctance to pick him from the start earlier in the season because of weakness in core skills.
“That’s probably fair,” Rennie said. “We have other guys like Nic White, Ryan Lonergan has very good core skills and Jake obviously.
“But Tate provides a point of difference and we like that about him. He’s worked really hard on his core part of his games to see him developing quickly and we just want him to go out and play with the confidence that he does in Super Rugby.
“Hunter has had an excellent season and so has Lenny. Lenny is a bit different. For the Brumbies he’s got a great skill set and the ability to pass out of his hands under pressure, really good feet and is aggressive in the carry and in defence.
“He’s got a left foot which we like, to complement Hunter who can be dynamic with and without the ball and got a really good kicking game.”
Tate McDermott passes during a Wallabies training session. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
On Paisami being the ‘veteran’ of the four young backs with eight Tests
“If you talk to James O’Connor, with Hunter outside him he talked about how much he’s grown, how specific his communication is so James can concentrate on his part of the field and trust the guys outside him.
“Hunter was put into our leadership group because we want more out of him and because he’s got a strong connection with the young men within the group.
“He talks well, he’s not a noisy character, and we want more out of him. When you look at that inside group he’s experienced one with 8 Tests.
“It’s a great opportunity for him to step up and help the other guys.
“We often talk about being a different creature when you cross the chalk. It’s ok to be a mild-mannered man off the field but we need to see a different side of him when he crosses the chalk and we see that in how he plays. We also want him to lead and be vocal. He’s showing those signs.”
On Taniela Tupou being pushed back to the bench after starting game two
“We are lucky we have a couple of world-class tight heads,” said Rennie. “They are quite different.
“ has a massive work ethic and is very strong around the maul, and Taniela is a beast isn’t he?
“I thought he played really well in Melbourne – he was powerful in the carry, his workrate and his ability to get back on his feet and back in the game.
“What we know is Taniela off the bench is a real weapon and a real point-of-difference in that last 30 or 40 minutes.
“History would probably tell us that he’s probably done better off the bench but I thought he was really good in the second match. He played really well in Wellington last year when he got a start.
“Those guys were always going to share the load and as it turns out they’ve been playing 50 and 30 so they’re both getting reasonable game time to make an impact.”
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
On the Wallabies needing to improve their kicking game
“We didn’t see a lot of kicking in Melbourne – I think we kicked the ball just nine times and one of those was half-time with Marika catching it and kicking it over the sideline,” said Rennie.
“We’ve talked about getting balance to our game. We want to see opportunities to kick and turn the French around. We’re pretty confident they’ll probably give it back to us.
“We want to have a real optimistic mindset around how we play. We think we are fitter and can play up tempo.
“It comes with a bit of balance. We should have hurt them from one of the kickoffs but we didn’t, we went multiphase and then turned it over.
“We’re talking about times when we need to kick on the front foot and add balance to our game.”
On the discipline of Lachlan Swinton, who has been called up at flanker
“He’s got a bit of reputation – he got a red card at club level for having a punch up. That’s pretty standard for a forward,” Rennie said.
“He got a red card recently that wasn’t deserved and rectified and then he got a red card in his first Test.
“We looked at 35 minutes when he was devastating defensively and he got one wrong. Six months earlier that wouldn’t have been a card, let alone a red card.
“Lachy’s ready to go. There’s very little in some of those selections. We want him to be really physical and that’s his point of difference, why would you tell him not to do that?”
On the French tactic of laying on the ground and getting in the way of the cleanout
“We spoke about it after the first Test. If you get caught you have to roll east or west, they tend to get on their hands and knees.
“They’ve got no right to be there. They need to be strong around that and we felt they were able to slow a lot of our ball down.
“We want quick ball. We’re happy for refs to be tough on us. We’re not talking about this to influence referees but we’ll be sharing our views. Quick ball for us is massive.”
On James O’Connor’s injury setback
“He tweaked his groin again on gameday. Not quite as bad as first thought and hopefully he’ll be back for the All Blacks series.”
On Fraser McReight missing out
“He’s really unlucky. He’s trained superbly. He probably couldn’t have done any more to gain a jersey. But going into a decider we want our best players in the mix. It’s a Test match, we don’t rotate for the sake of giving a blokes a crack, but he’s been impressive.
“He’ll get his chance, just not this series.”
Wallabies team for third Test vs France
1. James Slipper
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Darcy Swain
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Lachlan Swinton
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Isi Naisarani
9. Tate McDermott
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Hunter Paisami
13. Len Ikitau
14. Filipo Daugunu
15. Tom Banks
Replacements
16. Jordan Uelese
17. Angus Bell
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Matt Philip
20. Rob Valetini
21. Jake Gordon
22. Matt To’omua
23. Reece Hodge
Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/16/some-of-our-trainings-are-tougher-than-games-rennie-declares-re-jigged-wallabies-ready/
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57858884
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57844708
If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times. And that might not be as big an exaggeration as it looks.
Even just last week and again in Tuesday’s two-up panel, plenty of us in numerous discussions were highlighting the breakdown speed and accuracy as being an ongoing concern for the Wallabies.
Here’s a quick cut and paste from my offering, which in itself was pointing to the chaotic final moments of the first Test in Brisbane last week.
“The attacking cleanout needs to be the focus for the second Test. I mentioned last week that it was outstanding to see Angus Bell and Lachie Lonergan first on the scene when Tate McDermott went to ground with the fatally loose French ball last week, and with Rob Valetini, Darcy Swain, and Taniela Tupou not far behind.
“And as I mentioned, this was great to see in the 81st minute, because there had been way too many occasions in the preceding eighty minutes where the attacking clean out was either too slow, too ineffective, or too non-existent.”
And from the first post-match question after France squared the series in Melbourne on Tuesday night, Dave Rennie was already confirming where the Wallabies let themselves down. Again.
“We didn’t get off to the fast start we wanted,” he said.
Indeed, it was quite the opposite, with Les Bleus centre Jonathan Danty first on the scene to isolate Hunter Paisami in the first minute of the game. It was 3-0 after two minutes, and 13-3 20 minutes later.
Rennie continued: “We found ourselves behind, but we fought our way back in like we did last week. I thought we’d stolen it late, but not to be.”
“You’ve got to give France credit. They are really good over the ball. I think we got penalised nine times at the breakdown and obviously that had a massive effect on our continuity and our ability to hurt them.”
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
And this is certainly the truth.
In the end, the Wallabies conceded 12 penalties for the game. Rennie’s figure of nine breakdown penalties conceded feels about right without an itemised penalty list to cross reference, and the scoreboard tells us that fullback Melvyn Jaminet kicked seven penalties from as many attempts.
The short of it: when the Wallabies conceded a penalty at the breakdown, it cost them points most of the time.
Rennie acknowledged that the Melbourne performance was better than the first Test in Brisbane, but even then found himself coming back to a familiar theme.
“We created plenty of opportunities, but it’s probably a double-edged sword,” he said.
“We got ourselves into positions where we probably should benefit, but we didn’t, and again, I think it came down to losing the race around some of the breakdown stuff, and a lack of patience.
“We’ve got to be prepared to go through the middle and squeeze them up, to earn the right to go wide.
“But we found a bit of space down the sidelines early in the game, and maybe they lulled us into playing a bit wide too early at times. We’ve learned a lesson from that, and hopefully we see a better effort on Saturday.”
It was a double-edged sword, but for different reasons, I’d argue.
It was a double-edged sword, because the Wallabies were getting towelled up on the floor and pinged in the middle of the field, so decided to go too wide too early, which then in turn led to blokes getting isolated and pinged out there, too.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
So this has to be the obvious focus for the third Test in Brisbane – not that they’ll have a lot of training time in between matches – but the Wallabies actually need to use the French as a benchmark for the rest of their season and beyond.
Interestingly, neither Rennie nor Michael Hooper had any refereeing gripes to air on Tuesday night.
“I thought he was pretty clear. From the ARs and the man in the middle, I think they communicated well to us what was going on,” Hooper said.
“Look, the French were good over the ball and they beat us. They were more urgent than us to the breakdown. You’ve got to commend them on that.
“A lot of the turnover came from us actually getting the nose through and getting a little semi-line break, and the French were sharp onto that isolated man there.
“From our side of things, a bit of urgency once we do make that initial half break there, and we would have seen a different story. It’s a mindset thing and an important price that we put on that sort of thing that we need to get right.”
It’s a mindset thing.
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Both Hooper and Rennie spoke of “urgency to breakdown” being a crucial lesson for Saturday’s decider, with Rennie even suggesting that he “wants to see a reaction” from the inevitable changes he’ll have to make.
“They’ll be fresh and full of beans, and give us some key energy,” he said.
We should see what those changes are later this morning.
The mindset thing is interesting, because as much as fitness drives a player around the field, it’s their mindset and attitude that pushes them into the dark places.
Just yesterday The Roar‘s own Will Genia spoke of the biggest difference and challenge between Super Rugby and Test matches: “You have less time and space, and you have less room for error.”
I’ve referred several times in recent weeks to a chat I had with Laurie Fisher after the Brumbies returned from New Zealand, where they found out the hard way that being even half a metre behind in the race the breakdown can be the difference between holding onto the ball and watching it disappear behind you.
But the adjustments are quite achievable, Fisher told me: “A metre here, two metres there. Tighten up that bit. That’s how you make great gains, and you can be competitive all of a sudden.”
Being a metre or even just half a metre closer to the tackled teammate in possession is the difference between the arriving opposition defender having a clean shot at the ball, or having to clean out and possibly compete.
(Getty Images)
This was the harsh lesson the Wallabies were dealt on Tuesday night, but it was at least heartening to hear Hooper not speaking in terms of training track form, as he often did in years gone by, but in genuine ‘this is how we do it’ terms that you’d expect from a leader.
“Yes, it sucks losing. Our change room is deathly quiet at the moment. But, the only negative will be if we take nothing from this, if we don’t take a lesson learned.
“How we can get that scrum, deliver that scrum at the end, and then backdating all the stuff that happened beforehand to try and put us in a better situation.
“We got a lot of learnings out of that. That will be the negative, if we don’t take them.”
The negative is the use of “learnings”, but the point certainly stands. And it was notable that Rennie sat there, listening intently.
The current international breakdown yardstick is wearing a Bleus jersey, and the Wallabies have to learn from this.
And quickly.
Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/15/french-breakdown-precision-must-be-the-wallabies-goal-in-2021/
https://therugbystore.com.au/french-breakdown-precision-must-be-the-wallabies-goal-in-2021/
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57819677
It was almost as exciting as the first Test but, for Wallabies fans, the result was far less enjoyable.
With the Wallabies going down to France 28-26 in a thriller last night, it’s time for you – the readers – to rate each player out of ten.
If you’re not across how we do this thing on The Roar, don’t worry. We’ve got handy instructions just here.
Simply, you rate each player from 1-10 based on your assessment of how well they performed. If you don’t think they were on the field long enough, or you just didn’t catch them enough, you don’t have to rate them – you can leave them blank.
Then, we take everyone’s votes, crunch the numbers together and publish them the next day, so you can see where your opinion falls amongst your fellow Roarers.
For a guide on how scores work, check this box out.
1. Had he not played, the team would have been better off. Negatively affected the performance of the side. May
GodJohn Eales have mercy on his soul.
2. Anonymous. Was he even there?
3. Did some things that you expect a player to be able to do, but did a whole bunch of other things that sucked.
4. Was passable in patches, but not up to standard in a match of such importance.
5. Performed his role without anything really noticeable happening.
6. Good.
7. Pretty good, actually.
8. Very good.
9. Excellent.
10. Extraordinary. Calling them man of the match would be an insult.
So, what are you waiting for? Fill the ballot in now!
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Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/14/vote-wallabies-player-ratings-vs-france-2/
https://therugbystore.com.au/vote-your-chance-to-rate-the-wallabies-players-vs-france/
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57810953
Halfback Ali Price has staked a Test claim to help the British and Irish Lions overwhelm the Stormers 49-3 as Alun Wyn Jones made a successful comeback from injury.
Price is set to pressure tour captain Conor Murray for a starting place in the first Test against the world champion Springboks at the same venue next weekend after impressing on Saturday.
Hamish Watson was an aggressive runner with ball in hand as was excellent hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, while lock Jones returned from a dislocated shoulder three weeks ago with seemingly no ill effects.
“It was hugely physical. When you come up against South African teams you know you will be in for a physical challenge,” Lions captain Stuart Hogg said.
“At times things came off for us, at times they didn’t. But we are happy with that performance.
“We have a game plan that tries to get everybody involved, and if we execute well there will always be opportunities for points. But we still feel we left a lot out there.”
The Lions’ tries came via locks Adam Beard and Jonny Hill, Cowan-Dickie, No.8 Jack Conan, prop Zander Fagerson, wing Louis Rees-Zammit and back-rower Sam Simmonds.
Young five-eighth Marcus Smith kicked seven conversations in an impressive debut.
The opening quarter was scoreless as the Stormers spent much of the time in the Lions’ half without unduly threatening their tryline.
The hosts drew first blood with a penalty midway through the first half but the Lions were on the board shortly after with a sweeping attack finished off by Beard, which allowed Smith to convert for his first points in a Lions jersey.
That was followed almost immediately by a second try as the gaps began to appear in the home defence.
A maul from an attacking line-out was initially stopped by the Stormers but powerful Cowan-Dickie broke away and was able to score.
The Lions got a third on the stroke of halftime when Hill cantered over in the corner after quick hands from Beard and Hogg put him into space.
Conan crossed for a fourth try early in the second period after a well-rehearsed midfield move put him clear, and Fagerson burrowed over from close range for the fifth.
Rees-Zammit finished off an excellent break from Smith as the Lions went the length of the field late on to score, capping a hugely promising display from the 22-year-old five-eighth, before Simmonds cantered in unopposed for the final score.
“The competition for places is ridiculous,” Hogg said.
“There will be some very tough decisions.”
Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/18/wyn-jones-returns-in-lions-tour-match-win-over-stormers/
British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland says he expects a lively discussion about selection for the first Test with South Africa.
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57874720
Former British and Irish Lion Matt Dawson says the team “have to look at themselves” after their loss to South Africa A on Wednesday.
Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57865603
South Africa have organised an extra game for their squad to prepare for the British and Irish Lions Test series, ensuring back-to-back matches at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday in yet another tweak to the tour schedule.
A South Africa A line-up will play domestic team the Bulls before the British and Irish Lions face the Stormers in what’s also their last warm-up for the first Test a week later.
The Springboks are in dire need of match practice after playing just one Test – against Georgia this month – in two years since winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Some players did get a second game in South Africa A’s victory over the Lions in a scheduled tour match on Wednesday night.
But a long lay-off because of the coronavirus pandemic, and a cancelled second Test against Georgia this month because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Springboks’ squad, has left coaching staff fretting over a lack of match fitness for the world champions.
“We want to be as well prepared as possible when we meet the British and Irish Lions,” said South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Erasmus will take over coaching duties for the squad this week while head coach Jacques Nienaber undergoes isolation protocols after being one of more than a dozen Springboks players and backroom staff to test positive for the virus.
Nienaber has now joined the squad in Cape Town.
British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland this week turned down an offer from Erasmus for South Africa A and the Lions to play each other for a second time this weekend.
South Africa A won the first game 17-13.
“I don’t see it as our role to prepare them for the Test series,” Gatland said. “I think he was trying to wind us up saying we’re scared (to play South Africa A again).”
The Lions’ tour to South Africa, which comes around once every 12 years, has been constantly affected by the pandemic.
All the games were moved to the cities of Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town to limit the Lions’ possible exposure to the virus while travelling.
The Lions also had one early tour match against the Bulls cancelled, with different opposition stepping in, because of positive virus tests in the Bulls squad.
Both the South Africa and Lions squads have had players and coaching staff put in isolation, either for positive virus tests or because of possible exposure.
Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/17/extra-game-for-boks-before-lions-tests/
