Roar Guru
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Now that the Autumn Tour has concluded we can get into full speculation on World Cup squads for the 2023 big dance. In 2019…
This team list was originally posted as a reply in Geoff Parkes esteemed thread. Thought it would be fun to get a bit more…
So the dust has settled on the inaugural United Rugby Championship tournament, with the Stormers celebrating a deserved first championship win over the Bulls…
So, the Bok squad is out for the Welsh tour, RC, end-of-year tour and importantly, also three Springbok A games. I say importantly because…
If this is the first article in the series you have read, then I suggest checking on the first two before proceeding! You can…
Following Part 1 of my series, today is Part 2 of my analysis of the best Rugby World Cup teams to have played the…
Like any deprived fan I have found myself filling the live sports gap with voracious consumption of trips down memory lane and whatever content…
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has surprised a few with his selections for the world XV game this weekend. I count myself one of them.…
So here we are, at the end of pool stages of the Super Rugby season. There has been some scintillating play and some less-than…
With the resolution of the pool stages of the Super Rugby season for 2011, I thought it an apt moment to review one of…
I have always been a fan of the Ranfurly Shield concept. It adds an extra dimension to games, and provides an opportunity to earn…
It’s well known that Super rugby success, or failure for that matter, doesn’t translate to either result in the international arena. However, after nine…
Well here we are again. Super Rugby season and about damn time! It’s been far too long between drinks and the umpteen pointless one…
It's been a while since I hammered away an article for The Roar – must be the work thing, and if I had to…
[caption id="attachment_9838" width="300" caption="Australian Wallabies Coach Robbie Deans, center, talks to players Matt Giteau, left, and Stirling Mortlock during the captain\'s run at Eden…
Before the information gets convoluted by the finals, I thought I would take a look at the overall Foxsports fantasy team and see if…
It's fairly well known in rugby circles that the Springboks will use the test against the Welsh in Cardiff as an opportunity to test…
As the 2010 tournament draws to a close, I thought I would take the time to reflect on what has been an incredibly engaging…
[caption id="attachment_23383" width="300" caption="South Africa\'s Bakkies Botha, left, Victor Matfield and Bismarck du Plessis celebrate winning the Tri Nations Cup. AP Photo/NZPA, David Rowland"][/caption]…
Following on from Sam's excellent article, An International Rugby Team Of The Decade, I thought I'd look at some of the young players right…
Mystery Knock on found v Argentina and obvious knockon missed v Wallabies… luck of the Irish
Wallabies left heartbroken as Ireland stage stunning second-half comeback to win in Dublin
So who are we calling out for player of the season and for each SH team?
All Blacks – Has to be Cody Taylor, nudging Mauvaka for best hooker in the world at the moment. The carries and lines he has run this year have been immense for a tight forward
Argentina – Albornoz has been excellent but I think Ovieda (and Gonzalez fro that matter) have lifted the intensity of the side and they just compete and scrap consistently. Pretty handy link man with a turn of speed as well
Australia – Bobby V – huge work rate and consistently gets his team on the front foot with the ball and is a hard shoulder on defence
Fiji – Caleb Muntz. Oh what might have been if Muntz hadnt been injured last year. Brings calm and direction to a backline that bristles with intent. Isnt afraid to take it up and the through the line either.
Springboks – Its going to be the world player of the year. PSDT filled in at tighthead lock, loosehead lock and blindside flank this season and bar probably the 2nd game against Ireland was a complete menace in all of them.
Wallabies' talent-spotting flaw exposed, All Black rookie stands tallest in Autumn Series teams of the week
The genius of Daret – “Antoine – you are on!”
All Blacks rookie caps rapid rise, PSDT claims Test gong, Levi and Dupont honoured in World Rugby's awards
Even as a Bok supoprter I would have Marx out and either Taylor or Mauvaka in as hooker
All Blacks rookie caps rapid rise, PSDT claims Test gong, Levi and Dupont honoured in World Rugby's awards
Yep – they are very good at disrupting the breakdown and breaking their opponents flow. Made the Boks look pretty average for large parts a few matches earlier.
'Gutted': Wallabies' Grand Slam hopes dashed by Aussie-born Tuipulotu as Schmidt sweats on Suaalii injury
Got some serious gas as well!
'Gutted': Wallabies' Grand Slam hopes dashed by Aussie-born Tuipulotu as Schmidt sweats on Suaalii injury
Reality is that the Scots are a very very good and settled team – very abrasive and combative through the forwards and with some really excellent backline players who know how to make and take gaps.. probably 3rd best in Europe behind Ireland and France.
So yes its a bit disappointing to lose but if at the start of tour – you were offered 2 wins then you would have taken them. This loss should not take anything away from that cracking England win and there is still next week to again show some mettle vs the Irish
'Gutted': Wallabies' Grand Slam hopes dashed by Aussie-born Tuipulotu as Schmidt sweats on Suaalii injury
For break through player you have to have not been playing at the international level for more than a year – so debut’d within the calendar year
According to Wikipedia – he debuted in 2022 – so he doesnt meet the criteria
Three Aussies nominated for World Rugby awards, one All Black in frame as Boks dominate men's Test category
They certainly dont feel far off but its a results business and Borthers is going to have to do better than 3rd in this 6N.
'Painful days': Boks hand England fifth straight defeat as pressure builds on Borthwick, Kolbe scores stunner
Think England actually played very well – definitely had the majority of the possession and defence kept the Boks largely suppressed in the middle of the pitch. They were just naive at times out wide and at the end when a few 3 pointers woud have kept them in the game.
The other reality is that SB (assuming he beats Japan) will finish with a 2024 record of 42% which will be lower than that of Italy… different opponents of course but also very different player base and expectations. 1 from 4 at home is a very poor return..
He has to do well next year but with a resurgent France, Ireland away and the ever competitive Scotland in the mix – it may again be a 40% return and if so .. I wouldnt be surprised if we see a change
'Painful days': Boks hand England fifth straight defeat as pressure builds on Borthwick, Kolbe scores stunner
Cracker game.
France started like a house on fire but lost the ball and then the ABs turned it on and looked just incredible throughout the first half, interplay and post contact carriers were insane. Thought at that time France were in trouble, especially with their ability to hand out intercepts but they hung in there and then it evened out in the second half with immense defence by both teams.
They may have lost but lots to like about the ABs, I dont see De Groot getting his starting berth back anytime soon, Roigard also incredible and probably most importantly – think the backrow with Sititi at 8 and Savea at openside and Lakai running the blindside is the best I have seen it in ages.. This team is going to be a real menace again
'Disappointed': France end All Blacks' winning streak in epic Test, Savea rues bombed chances as ref called out
Shame the Argies couldnt get over the line – replacement prop will be rueing that clean out when they were in the Irish half.. felt that was the game there. Their backrow is immense with Oviedo and Gonzalez just going from strength to strength alongside the old warhorse Matera.
Next RC could truly be anyones title – which is really really exciting
Some exciting new blood for Ireland with Prendergast the long term fly half and the Clarkson is a massive lump. Add Joe Mcarthy who I think is already on the way to being one of the best locks in the world and you have a pretty good spine coming through
'Extra pressure': Ireland survive late scare to edge Pumas after being blanked in second half
I think this rule change is going to have unintended consequences of much more contestable kicking and by virtue of that some great transition attacks and also more scrumming.. hilarious that Borthwick moans about it though and then picks a team to put the ball in the sky
'Don't turn rugby into Aussie rules': Borthwick worried about aerial duels as England ring in changes for Boks battle
I like the look of this team – should be a banger against les Bleus
All Blacks CONFIRMED: Razor makes five changes to starting XV including backrow rejig, Fickou returns for France
Looks like its Robinson
The swing nations that could rock the World Rugby Council - and make or break Aussie's bid to become chair
I hope its Benazzi – have no interest in changing the global game to address a league threat in Australia by mimicking said “threat”.
The swing nations that could rock the World Rugby Council - and make or break Aussie's bid to become chair
which arent? Tupou definitely has the potential – we have seen it before – a couple years ago and he was right up there
But at this present moment with his work rate and impact I would take any of the following – Porter, Malherbe, du Toit, Koch, Antoni, Fagerson to name a few
Schmidt's masterplan coming to life as Wallabies take giant step towards Dwyer's winning formula - five things
Im expecting the same team as the last RC game bar Nortje
Scrappy Springboks pack too great for Scots, Wales sink to new low as Fiji create history despite Radradra red card
yep should have been Darge
Scrappy Springboks pack too great for Scots, Wales sink to new low as Fiji create history despite Radradra red card
You cant drop Kolbe – still the premier wing going. No weaknesses really and offers a lot of cover. KLA has a had a bit of a dip in form but then up until yesterday so had Moodie.. I would keep on with KLA who isnt exactly bad in the air either. Moodie is next in line for wing and third in line for 13
Scrappy Springboks pack too great for Scots, Wales sink to new low as Fiji create history despite Radradra red card
I think the point is more that SRP is commercially dying and filled with fan apathy.. where the T14 is the richest league in the world with intense tribalism whose fans seem happy to pay for the product. URC is heading that way and has eclipsed the Gallagher Premiership commercially with fan engagement growing astronomically. Both have longer seasons – so there is also more to enjoy for longer
The Wrap: Organised and brave Wallabies secure win for the ages as All Blacks’ engine room shuts out limp Ireland
Thought the Italians were pretty good value but Los Pumas just made them pay every time they made a mistake.. hallmark of a good team to convert chances like that
The Wrap: Organised and brave Wallabies secure win for the ages as All Blacks’ engine room shuts out limp Ireland
Been an Ireland tactic for years.. well any good team and thats to make a mess of your opponents rucks
The Wrap: Organised and brave Wallabies secure win for the ages as All Blacks’ engine room shuts out limp Ireland
Welcome back Wallabies!
Chalk and cheese compared to the RC – team finally looked like they had purpose and were hard nosed up front and giving the backs a platform to use. Just as important though – the backs took it
Overall great weekend of rugby for the SH – although not sure Im convinced by the escort change.. definitely against blocking but thought we had seen the end of excessive box kicks.. this may resurrect it if teams get a lot of pay from their contestables.
Of the NH teams, Ireland looked very rusty, England played well in patches but you can feel the belief draining unless they get a result soon, Italy and Scotland both played well without getting the pay and the scoreboard wasnt a true reflection…Wales just compounding that losing habit that doesnt look like ending any time soon. Didnt watch the French game but looking forward to next weeks matchup
The Wrap: Organised and brave Wallabies secure win for the ages as All Blacks’ engine room shuts out limp Ireland
What?! Thats news! PSDT is injured!?! 😂 😂 😂
'Bit of a Hail Mary': Former Wallaby skipper comes out of retirement to sign new pro deal