Since there’s nothing else worth watching this weekend (Ulster’s season having finished), Flair99 has some top tips on Top14 matches:
Three intriguing games in France this week-end.
Friday at 20:45: Racing vs Stade Français
The winner gets to the semi, the loser goes on vacation (about time). So Paris vs Paris, about 5kms separate their two stadia. Subplot, Fickou who played 90% of the season for Stade now plays for Racing. Probable winner: Racing.
Saturday 17:45: Biarritz vs Bayonne
Biarritz, ProD2 finalist, host Bayonne, who finished 13th in the T14. About 5kms between the two towns. Winner stays – or climbs – to the T14, loser goes down or remains in ProD2. The biggest game in the Basque country since Asterix. Winner? Who knows, probably Bayonne.
Saturday 20:45: Bordeaux vs Clermont. The other QF.
Probable winner, Bordeaux.
LaR and Toulouse lie in wait.
And so does Galthié who’ll fly to Australia without his skipper (Ollivon sidelined for about 6 months) and all the players involved in the T14 final (they may play only in the third test).
And Deebee7‘s take on the SA squad picked to play the Lions:
Actually in terms of Bok selection, I think Lizo Gqoboka should be in ahead of Coenie Oosthuizen who’s scrummaging technique has always been suspect. As one scribe here put it, he’s been off the Bok radar for so long he may need a visa to get into the camp. Of the newcomers in the Bok set up, I love Joseph Dweba’s all-action style of play, I believe Jasper Wiese has been in excellent form for Tiggers, Wandisile Simelane is a classy operator in an otherwise journeyman Lions outfit, Aphelele Fassi is fast and exciting, whilst Rosko Specman is electric with ball in hand and has great 7s experience. The ones I’m not sure about are Yaw Penxe from the Sharks who has oodles of pace, but little else (so did Mapimpi to be fair before Rassie got his positional play and defence up to scratch) and I have no idea about Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg from Montpellier as a lock.
The squad has been picked with not just the two Georgia and 3 BIL Tests in mind, but also the SA ‘A’ side that will face the Lions, so I think some of the selections are expressly with that in mind – have the players in the Bok bosom, up until the SA ‘A’ match, so that they’re part of the structures and plans should any of them be called upon because of injury in the main squad. My pick for that SA ‘A’ side would be something like this, with F Steyn covering 10, 12 and 15, and Damian Willemse covering 10 and 15 as well. Think I’ve gone 5-3 split which is probably not what Rassie and Nienaber will do, but hey ho. So you could probably drop one of F Steyn or Willemse from the backs and put Rynard Elstadt in as an auxiliary loose forward.
The Lions should deal with that combination fairly easily given that it’s a scratch side, but there are some exciting players who’ll be looking to make a mark for the future and potentially the last two Tests and the 4N after that.
Props:
Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks, 12 caps, 0 pts)
Vincent Koch (Saracens, 21 caps, 0 pts)
Ox Nché (Cell C Sharks, 1 cap, 0 pts)
Coenie Oosthuizen (Sale Sharks, 30 caps, 20 pts)
Hookers:
Joseph Dweba (Bordeaux-Bègles, uncapped)
Scarra Ntubeni (DHL Stormers, 1 cap, 0 pts)
Locks:
Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier, uncapped)
Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers, 3 caps, 0 pts)
Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks, 13 caps, 10 pts) – I believe he’s played largely at lock this season?
Loose forwards:
Dan du Preez (Sale Sharks, 4 caps, 0 pts)
Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Júbilo, 6 caps, 0 pts)
Marco van Staden (Bulls, 3 caps, 0 pts)
Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Scrumhalves:
Sanele Nohamba (Cell C Sharks, uncapped)
Cobus Reinach (Montpellier, 14 caps, 30 pts) (difficult choice between him and H Jantjies as to who is 3rd choice behind Faf at the moment)
Flyhalf:
Morne Steyn (Bulls, 66 caps, 736 pts)
Midfielders:
Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles, 46 caps, 60 pts) (Kriel to move to 12 or F Steyn to start there?)
Wandisile Simelane (Emirates Lions, uncapped)
Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs, 67 caps, 141 pts)
Outside Backs:
Aphelele Fassi (Cell C Sharks, uncapped)
Sbu Nkosi (Cell C Sharks, 11 caps, 40 pts)
Rosko Specman (Toyota Cheetahs, uncapped)
Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers, 6 caps, 5 pts)
Onna telly this week
Friday 11th June
| Brumbies v Highlanders | 10:45 | Rugbypass |
| Zebre v Munster | 18:00 | Premier Sports 1 |
| Racing 92 v Stade Français | 19:45 | FreeSports / Premier Sports 2 |
| Leinster v Dragons | 20:15 | Premier Sports 1 |
Saturday 12th June
| Rebels v Crusaders | 05:35 | Rugbypass |
| Bues v Western Force | 08:05 | Rugbypass |
| Waratahs v Chiefs | 10:45 | Rugbypass |
| Bath v Northampton | 15:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| Bristol v London Irish | 15:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| Exeter v Sale | 15:00 | BT Sport 3 |
| Harlequins v Newcastle | 15:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| Wasps v Leicester | 15:00 | BT Sport 1 |
| Stormers v Lions | 15:00 | Premier Sports 1 |
| Sharks v Bulls | 17:15 | Premier Sports 1 |
| Bordeaux v Clermont | 19:45 | Premier Sports 1 |
Sunday 13th June
| Scarlets v Edinburgh | 13:00 | Premier Sports 1 | ||
| Ealing Trailfinders v Saracens | 16:30 | Premier Sports 1 |
Ovally Balls 
Envy this lucky guy
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Lewis Moody not embracing the baw kick leading to Heineken Cup damage:
“At the function, Austin (Healey) handed me the trophy to take a photo,” recalled Moody. “As he did so, he attempted to kick me in the privates. My instinct was to protect myself which meant using the Heineken Cup as a shield. The lid fell off and as it landed the ring on the top snapped off. I was mortified. I had managed to break the Heineken Cup an hour after Leicester had finally got its collective hand on it.”
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“Animals World – Follow to reduce your daily stress”
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My favourite football commentary is the fake “as live” commentary you used to get on Match of the Day when Tony Gubba (or Gerald Sinstadt, but usally the Gubnor) would do highlights of a game. He always mentioned how far into the game the action was and then there’d be a goal because it was the highlights. Something like “12 minutes gone and Ipswich come forward again. Genchev lifts it into the box and Kiwomya scores! 1-0 to the East Anglians!”.
Plus, all fake commentary used in songs or films.
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I don’t care about soccer, but good luck to the English team, they seem like a good bunch.
Queensland got a royal f**@&ng from NSW in the origin. We all expected a drop off when Smith, Slater, JT, GI et all retired, but not like this… (Wayne worked a miracle in Nov2020)
AWJ injured, Tips gone, JD2 not considered….
But it is the LIONZ. I am so off rugger I cant comment, but this team is everything it should be. Murray will be a great captain, Gatz will sort them out, the SA front row will not like Furlong, Jones, Surtherland and co and their outside backs cant cope with what the Lions bring!
I love Dan Biggar
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“AWJ injured, Tips gone”
This has put me on a bit of a downer about it.
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@CMW
Does have a ring of the end of a golden age, and losing the best lock and the best 7 (hell, the best player) is a bust.
There are still great players, though, and much as I detest the modern game of rugger, the Lions is a beacon in the darkness. And SA are worthy world champs and a wonderful test series beckons
I love Dan Biggar
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I love Dan Biggar too, but would also love Russell to start so not really sure what I want there.
Watched the Japan game on playback not knowing the result and have to admit I felt a bit cold towards it. Hopefully it will catch my imagination more once the games in SA start.
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I was also a bit cold. It felt …odd
Japan, were flat (the winger excepted), Lions nervous.
Scots will kill me, but Biggar is better than Russell right now.
I love Dan Biggar
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Word up, Utna!
As usual, you speak the truth.
(That Japanese winger is a Saffer (sort of)).
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I don’t know if I think Biggar is better or not. Russell is more fun though and as I’m not that bothered about them winning (or at least I’m not at the moment) I might veer that way.
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Russell is more fun though
Hard disagree.
I am about done with Union in its current format. Biggar is a f%c^&g legend and about the only player worth watching. Finn is a fine player, but he is a creature of his time.
I love Dan Biggar
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I think if you go with Russell you need Farrell in the team for the goal kicking. Russell’s a handy enough kicker but I get the feeling he could just as easily miss them all as get them all. I suppose that means Farrell has to make the 23 whoever’s selected at outside half unless they want Biggar to play 80 minutes in the tests.
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unless they want Biggar to play 80 minutes in the tests
Yes, that’s the ticket
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I hate Dan Biggar.
Ok too strong a word but I wanted to provide viewpoint diversity.
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Hey Utna.
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I loved that midfield vs the Brave blossoms
Aki and Henshaw will destroy their opposites in SA. Dan will take them on and give these hard running centres the ball in the right place.
and then the big Lions wings (whichever they pick) running into the middle on the angle – the best way to play the modern boks is to smash their quick elusive backs.
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@Craigsman
Dead to me
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This bit of play at 1 minute 14 almost got me killed in a bar in South Africa:
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@craigsman
Sorry – ’twas harsh.
I miss you all so much, but cannot comment too often so when I do I can be overly passionate.
I just dont like pro rugby union nowadays and it messes me up ‘cos I loved it so much for my whole life.
And then, when I see something, or someone, who reminds me of what RU was, adn what my own youth was, I go too much
So sorry. I am out of order.
I love DB
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the SA front row will not like Furlong, Jones, Surtherland and co and their outside backs cant cope with what the Lions bring!
Hello Utna!
I think our front row and the locks behind them will be ok with the Lions contingent. With AWJ gone, who are the best scrummaging locks in the Lions party? I have no idea. Our backs will be just fine too. Kolbe will run rings round DVDM if he’s anywhere near a starting spot, de Allende and Am are solid in the midfield, Willie was very good in the Final and Mapimpi has improved out of sight since he first got the jersey.
What I think many also underestimate is the forwards with engines that the Boks have: in PSDT, ‘Sous’ Mostert, Mbonambi or Marx, we have three guys who will simply run, tackle and cover all day, providing a great deal of cover around the park. To my mind, it was one of the key things in THAT Final. (Will provide a link if anyone hasn’t seen it).
My biggest worry for the Boks is the lack of game time since the World Cup – we need to hit the ground running against Georgia.
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Tomp – probably wouldn’t try that inna pub.
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Utna – no it’s fine. I didn’t take it personally. Bring back proper rucking as they say.
Tbh I worry that it will become unsustainable with the injuries and safety precautions needed.
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TomP – that match was pretty dire until the 74th minute from memory.
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It was a lot better than their next World Cup meeting.
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Biggar will try to stay on for the full 80 even if he gets injured in the first minute. And he might well succeed.
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It was close. A bit like the semi-final v NZ the next week. Didn’t mind us losing as I think the Blacks would’ve murdered our skeleton squad and SA v NZ is my favourite international fixture.
Plus, I’d made it very clear that I was a Wales fan and there would’ve been 300 South Africans nearby, half of whom’d have wanted me to buy me Klippies and coke while the other half’d’ve wanted to kill me.
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Possibly. The only saving grace for both was that the right team won and rugby was the winner.
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All you had to do was tell the murderous half that you are Welsh, not English and also a victim of their oppression and you’d have cut the numbers down to single figures. Or close. Klippies and Coke makes some guys just want to fight no matter the reason.
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Hello Deebs
I don’t mean that the Lions will DOMINATE the Boks FR, more that the Boks wont have it their own way and I think the Lions will have the edge.
I disagree with your backs assessment, the Lions 3/4 will be massive and quick and although the Boks are no mugs, they will struggle with the hard lines of the Lions if they get front foot ball and have DB taking the Boks back row out of the game.
Kolbe in open space will destroy the Lions, but the trick is not to give him that space..
You are right about the Boks back 5 work rate, that is their strength nowadays, and that (and not the scrummage or even the breakdown) is where AWJ and Tips are the greatest loss. There are other great locks, and opensides, but AWJ and Tips would have covered so much field and always been there to shut down space.
I love Dan Biggar
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The spacebar is dead to me. And F%^k the “return” key
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Tbh I can’t remember the last time AWJ was injured. A real shame.
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I have no love for Dan Biggar
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It’s my birthday on Friday and I asked for a book on South African braai. It’s by a guy who’s last name is Braai so I am expecting great things. Pretty sure Amazon just delivered it.
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Nowell not added to England squad……………..does that mean he is being kept on ice as an emergency Lions’ replacement?
(I haven’t thought through how the covid protocols work)
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How to do a barbecue by Dave Barbecue
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It’s my birthday today
neighbour rocked up with a small barrel of eau de vie.
Nice,
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Craigs, he was out for a couple of months in December 2020, January 2021. Not sure he missed any tests. Think he was knackered after the 2019 RWC as well.
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Tomp – it’s the not missing tests part. He’s been so amazingly durable.
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Also, get yourself a potjie. Dave Potjie sells some good ones.
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Happy Birthday, Sladey.
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OT – Australians have these hot metal plates they call bbqs. Probably invented by a Dave.
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Utna, our backs are used to having huge and mobile opponents running at them. Whether it’s domestically or against the Kiwis and Aussies, this generation has grown up facing bigger opponents. I’ll let TomP post the clip of Faf driving Hughes back 25 yards in the tackle as ample evidence.
I’m devastated that your professed love for DB wasn’t me. Feel hollow.
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Happy birthday slade!!! Can you strawpedo a barrel?
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Happy Birthday Slade! Hope it’s a great one!
Craigs, I don’t have the Jan Braai book, but do have one called Beer, Food, Fire which has some excellent recipes in it.
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@Craigs – I have no idea
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Tomp – got me a cast iron pot last year innit and it has a stand so I’m good. Just need to break into Port Lymphe and have a camp fire pretending I’m in the Drakensberg before the police arrive.
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Slade – like this
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I think that if I tried that with Eau de Vie (55-60 degrees approx ) I would die – quickly.
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the lad in the video should have had his head checked before he drank the wine as well as after it hit the floor
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