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Schalk Brits angered at cynical play by Kahn Fotuali'i

I disagree. Barnes has much more leeway in interpreting the law than he's letting on here. I have seen referees, on many occasions, tell the scrumhalf off for deliberately milking this penalty. Even awarding a scrum feed to the opposition. Barnes could have consulted his touch judge or TMO and penalised Fotuali'i. Rugby is full of situations where the referee has to make a judgement. This is one of them.

1 Week, 2 Days ago

Springboks continue good form with commanding away win over Argentina

Good game. Although Argentina need to sort their discipline out if they want to be competitive. When they had 15 on the field they were pretty good, but that was only half the game. Tomas Lavanini really has become a liability. He's a huge monster of a man, and very athletic. But his brainfarts cost his team dearly.

3 Weeks, 3 Days ago

Pierre Spies dominates with first ever Test try against England in 2007

Loved watching him play, from those early days as a youngster on the wing.

3 Weeks, 3 Days ago

Crusaders beat Lions to claim eighth Super Rugby title

Commentators at the time pointed out the difference between a kick chaser (Smith) running towards a stationary catcher who then leaps to catch it (which is mostly the case), and running towards a catcher who is barreling full speed in the opposite direction (as was the case here). This doubles the speed at which gaps are closed down and halves the time in which decisions to pull out or duck can be made.

As the laws stand, I cannot complain about the card (although I think the ban is ridiculous). But I think before apportioning blame you have to watch this at full speed and not in slo-mo, as we always see the replays. It happened frighteningly quickly.

1 Month, 2 Weeks ago

Lions v Crusaders Super Rugby Final set to break attendance record

So amped for this game. Lions, by a narrow margin. I hope.

1 Month, 2 Weeks ago

Incredible Lions comeback to beat Hurricanes and reach Super Rugby final

The Lions played Kiwi opposition eight times in 2016 - five games in the conference stages as well as all three their knockout games. They won four of those eight games, including away against the Chiefs and at home against the Blues, Crusaders and Highlanders.

They ended the conference stage second on the combined log, just one point behind the Hurricanes. The idea that this Lions team is only good against non-Kiwi sides is laughable.

1 Month, 2 Weeks ago

#Throwback Thursday: Transvaal dominate with great tries in 1993

Yep, feels like they could make one of those brink-of-disaster-and-back sports movies about it.

1 Month, 2 Weeks ago

#Throwback Thursday: Transvaal dominate with great tries in 1993

Old school mate of mine, Jaco Louw, makes the break down the touchline in that first try. Almost forgot he was part of the Transvaal setup in those years. This was such a good era for Transvaal/Lions. Their pack was brutal, and a guy like Hennie le Roux at 10 really thrived off the forward dominance. This era was also when the captaincy was handed over from one Ellis Park legend, Jannie Breedt, to another, Francois Pienaar.

1 Month, 2 Weeks ago

All eyes on Jaco Peyper after controversial Beauden Barrett yellow card

Also, the card hard nothing to do with the Lions erasing a large deficit, as this piece suggests. They had already made their comeback to 22-all way before the card.

1 Month, 2 Weeks ago

All eyes on Jaco Peyper after controversial Beauden Barrett yellow card

It's only controversial because some Kiwis had a whinge. No one doubts he dragged the ball back. It was meters from the line. The try was on. Defence was nowhere. So where exactly is the controversy here?

That's a yellow card all day long.

1 Month, 2 Weeks ago