Sutherland has had a tough time of it BB, I’d take him back at Edinburgh over Boan Venter and Luan De Bruin every day of the week, unfortunately contracts etc
Wasn’t a stone cold classic, shitty conditions in the first half and not great handling by either side. Argentina will be happy to have got through that, but can’t see them going very far on their performances so far. It’s a pity, they’ve got some great players but don’t seem to be gelling so far.
Argentina seem a bit lethargic to be honest. They were great against Australia and the Boks a couple of months ago, but have been flat since. Don’t think they’re ‘playing possum’ which is a pity, because they’ve got some lovely players.
Hmmm. Rugby mad South Africa? Popped into a takeaway place on my way to the office this morning, wearing my Bok jersey, and the only other two people in the place asked who is playing and what time! The one was relieved when I said 9pm (our time) because “oh good, so it won’t interfere with my day.”
I’m now surreptitiously checking for hidden cameras in case this is a set up!
13 hours to go. Nervous but can’t wait! The one area the Boks have improved massively since Awfulness in Auckland is getting out the blocks quicker and not conceding early points. They’ll need to do that today as well and hopefully repel the Irish early assaults and then gradually wear them down.
SBT, Dupont had an operation yesterday. He’ll be back in the French camp in a few days, meaning Galthié does not replace him yet. But…he needs 4 to 6 weeks of rest. I seriously doubt he’ll play again in the WC. Galthié will probably call Serin and make him his #1 SH, at the expense of Lucu (too slow) and Couilloud ( excellent but a bit green). I think France is good enough to beat Italy without him, and potentially Ireland, but not SA.
Him being Dupont.
They’re talking of trying to play him in the SF, if France make it this far, with a mask à la Harinordoquy. I think it’s daft, not only because considering the draw the SF must be much easier than the QF, but more importantly because they should take it on the chin (like Dupont) and let him quietly recover. There will be other games and other WCs.
Flair, it would be a story for the ages if Dupont did recover in time and make it back for the semi, assuming France make it. Still think the winners of those two QFs will contest the Final, with little evidence so far that the other side will produce anything dramatic. ‘Cept maybe Fiji.
Flair, it’s obviously far too soon for him but for me the most impressive player in the U20s this year was the French scrum half, Jeaneau, is that his name?
Ticht, yes Jauneau. He plays for Clermont. Will be there or thereabout in 4 or 5 years. Probably ahead of him is Legarrec ( with Racing) , same age or a year older.
Whatever the doom marchants say, I think rugby, at least pro rugby, is in a better place now than ever. Ten years ago, who would’ve imagined teams like Georgia or Portugal playing so well ?
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Ovally Balls 
35 seconds in Samoa get a yellow with bunker review.
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Staying yellow. Argentina have scored.
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Rory Sutherland (Unattached)
Average Scottish scrumming technique.
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Thanks for the new post, Thauma!
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Got it up just in time (Karl)! Plus, I had to pretend to be doing something else.
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Bit more context on Rory Sutherland’s situation.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66890447
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Sutherland has had a tough time of it BB, I’d take him back at Edinburgh over Boan Venter and Luan De Bruin every day of the week, unfortunately contracts etc
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That’s a shame, I completely mixed up the timing of the Arg Sam game
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@Ticht – Both teams seem to have their timing a bit mixed up too.
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Very true, CMW
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Wasn’t a stone cold classic, shitty conditions in the first half and not great handling by either side. Argentina will be happy to have got through that, but can’t see them going very far on their performances so far. It’s a pity, they’ve got some great players but don’t seem to be gelling so far.
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Argentina seem a bit lethargic to be honest. They were great against Australia and the Boks a couple of months ago, but have been flat since. Don’t think they’re ‘playing possum’ which is a pity, because they’ve got some lovely players.
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Yes, that was a seriously boring match.
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It was a bit on the early side, but still just about Friday night rugby. And on that front it was better than watching Welsh teams lose at Ravenhill.
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Thanks for new post Thaum. Won’t bother watching that on catch up then. Any updates on Dupont ?
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Hmmm. Rugby mad South Africa? Popped into a takeaway place on my way to the office this morning, wearing my Bok jersey, and the only other two people in the place asked who is playing and what time! The one was relieved when I said 9pm (our time) because “oh good, so it won’t interfere with my day.”
Ireland by 32.
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The other asked why we’re playing Ireland in Paris, especially since the French are interested in tennis, not rugby! 🤦♂️
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I’m now surreptitiously checking for hidden cameras in case this is a set up!
13 hours to go. Nervous but can’t wait! The one area the Boks have improved massively since Awfulness in Auckland is getting out the blocks quicker and not conceding early points. They’ll need to do that today as well and hopefully repel the Irish early assaults and then gradually wear them down.
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Mates of mine who own a restaurant in the south of France are going to the match today. He’s South African, she’s Irish!
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SBT, Dupont had an operation yesterday. He’ll be back in the French camp in a few days, meaning Galthié does not replace him yet. But…he needs 4 to 6 weeks of rest. I seriously doubt he’ll play again in the WC. Galthié will probably call Serin and make him his #1 SH, at the expense of Lucu (too slow) and Couilloud ( excellent but a bit green). I think France is good enough to beat Italy without him, and potentially Ireland, but not SA.
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Him being Dupont.
They’re talking of trying to play him in the SF, if France make it this far, with a mask à la Harinordoquy. I think it’s daft, not only because considering the draw the SF must be much easier than the QF, but more importantly because they should take it on the chin (like Dupont) and let him quietly recover. There will be other games and other WCs.
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Flair, it would be a story for the ages if Dupont did recover in time and make it back for the semi, assuming France make it. Still think the winners of those two QFs will contest the Final, with little evidence so far that the other side will produce anything dramatic. ‘Cept maybe Fiji.
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Flair, it’s obviously far too soon for him but for me the most impressive player in the U20s this year was the French scrum half, Jeaneau, is that his name?
Brilliant prospect
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Portugal my team in the sweepstake. C’mon mighty Portugal! 💪
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Ticht, yes Jauneau. He plays for Clermont. Will be there or thereabout in 4 or 5 years. Probably ahead of him is Legarrec ( with Racing) , same age or a year older.
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What a try by Georgia! Properly Toulousain in Toulouse’s stadium!
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Wooo, handbags.
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It’s a bit feisty.
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Georgia looking good so far and pretty sharp with ball in hand.
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Oh, that was almost the most chaotic of tries.
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Excellent game in Toulouse. Georgia show great skills.
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Lovely try Portugal! First real attack too!
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Great try from Portugal, good pace
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Lovely break by the Portugal 14, and he’s in at the corner.
Game one!
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Beautiful from Portugal! I’ve got a dozen pasteis de nata riding on this!
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Portugal prop is in trouble there. No arms and maybe some head-on-head. Yellow & bunker review.
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Surely red? Shoulder charge with no mitigation.
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Didn’t think there was any head involved there Refit, but definitely no arms – and no attempt either.
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13-5 to Georgia at half time. This is a lot of fun.
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Whatever the doom marchants say, I think rugby, at least pro rugby, is in a better place now than ever. Ten years ago, who would’ve imagined teams like Georgia or Portugal playing so well ?
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Oof, the prop who got a yellow has collected 27 others during his playing career. Lavanini’s got some competition.
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Lucky boy! Really was a cheap shot, but just because it stayed below the shoulder it’s only a yellow.
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Another beauty from Portugal
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Another great Portuguese try! They’re well on top now.
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C’mon Portugal! Just keep playing the game!
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The Portuguese hooker has an unfortunate name, or it would be in Scotland
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Tadjer?
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Flair, it’s the equivalent of bite in Scotland
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Yep, had looked it up.
Excellent player, mostly with T14 bottom clubs or ProD2.
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18-18 with 30 seconds to play.
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