Rugby Union 2009

**kellco88** · 29/06/2009, 1:51 PM

Its a digrace that Burger only got 8 weeks. A case of a big name influencing the citing commission decision. I guarantee if it happened at any other level it would be a minimum 6 month ban.

**endabob1** · 29/06/2009, 2:09 PM

2 weeks for Botha, misses next weeks dead rubber, big deal.

8 for Burger is designed so he misses just the first half of the tri-nations, had it been the 12 that Quinlan got he would have missed the whole thing & rightly so.

**paul_oshea** · 30/06/2009, 9:45 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

De Villers' comments were a disgarce too. As brillliant a spectacle as top class rugby union is, I still can't help feel that there's a reluctance high up to take on some of the worst aspects of the game. Burger gets 8 weeks - a joke of a suspension. I can't imagine he'll lose much sleep over yesterday's headline in The Observer - "5 Lions in Hospital, Burger Takes The Blame" . If anything he'd cut it out & show to his grandchildren

Still, imagine if the ball sailing through the posts with the clock already run down was at Cardiff. Such a fine line and all that. What was it Kipling said about defeat & victory?

Who, Mr Kipling?!

"Exceedingly good cakes"

**pete** · 30/06/2009, 12:00 PM

O'Driscoll is out of the 3rd test as he is flying home tomorrow (wednesday).

**paul_oshea** · 30/06/2009, 12:29 PM

He is out of the test because he is flying home?! I don't get that? Is he injured?

**Stuttgart88** · 30/06/2009, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Who, Mr Kipling?!

"Exceedingly good cakes"

You know the old joke:

Do you like Kipling?

I don't know, I've never Kippled.

**rambler14** · 30/06/2009, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by pete

O'Driscoll is out of the 3rd test as he is flying home tomorrow (wednesday).

2nd bout of concussion on the tour so rightly sent home. I don't think he could take a 3rd dose.

**paul_oshea** · 30/06/2009, 12:49 PM

Its annoying when you see with little time left and one man makes a huge tackle to try and rally the others, yet none step up to the plate. At that time the BOKs really looked like they were going to pull ahead and win quite easily and then o'driscoll does that. None of the other players took up the mantle at that stage. POC as captain should have, but he never seems to be able make those hards yards or make those crunching tackle that I think a good captain should be able make. You could say O'Gara too*

*But the brother did get me thinking that he didn't seem too sure about what he was doing, and that he might still have been concussed. Its not usually like him to "loose the head" i.e. over-exuberant in this case. Though if you have been sitting on the bench for 150 odd minutes of 2 test games it might be hard to contain yourself.

**OneRedArmy** · 30/06/2009, 9:09 PM

I'd worry about O'Driscoll's career and indeed his long-term health. He had another one in this years 6N.

Recent medical evidence is pointing towards multiple concussions resulting in longer term brain injury
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/...cussions_N.htm

**shakermaker1982** · 01/07/2009, 11:34 AM

BOD needs a few months off and maybe invest in a Peter Cech style head cap! Legend.

It will be interesting to see what they do with the team for the third test. Flutey or Earl's at 13?

**endabob1** · 01/07/2009, 11:43 AM

I'd love to see Earls get a run, he's been excellent in the games I've seen him

**pete** · 01/07/2009, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by endabob1

I'd love to see Earls get a run, he's been excellent in the games I've seen him

A Roberts/Earls midfield would certainly not lack for pace. Earls might struggle defensively but would make up for it in attack.

Flutely has done nothing to impress so far & while he could get a place at 12 don't see him as a 13.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 01/07/2009, 11:50 AM

I thought Roberts was out of third test as well?

**endabob1** · 01/07/2009, 12:01 PM

Pre-tour i thought Flutey was the favourite for parterning BOD but he's been absolute sh!t, if Roberts is out I'd stick Hook & Earls in the centre

**joeSoap** · 02/07/2009, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by endabob1

Pre-tour i thought Flutey was the favourite for parterning BOD but he's been absolute sh!t, if Roberts is out I'd stick Hook & Earls in the centre

And leave out a natural centre in D'Arcy? I think not....

**endabob1** · 02/07/2009, 10:55 AM

I'd forgotten D'Arcy was even there

**rambler14** · 02/07/2009, 11:33 AM

British & Irish Lions (vs South Africa, 3rd Test)

15 Rob Kearney (Leinster / Ireland)
14 Ugo Monye (Harlequins / England)
13 Tommy Bowe (Ospreys / Ireland)
12 Riki Flutey (London Wasps / England)
11 Shane Williams (Ospreys / Wales)
10 Stephen Jones (Scarlets / Wales)
9 Mike Phillips (Ospreys / Wales)

8 Jamie Heaslip (Leinster / Ireland)
7 Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues / Wales)
6 Joe Worsley (London Wasps / England)
5 Paul O’Connell (Munster / Ireland, Captain)
4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps / England)
3 Phil Vickery (London Wasps / England)
2 Matthew Rees (Scarlets / Wales)
1 Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks / England)

Replacements

16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh / Scotland)
17 John Hayes (Munster / Ireland)
18 Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys / Wales)
19 David Wallace (Munster / Ireland)
20 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers / England)
21 Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers / England)
22 James Hook (Ospreys / Wales)

**endabob1** · 02/07/2009, 11:42 AM

Earls not making at least the bench is a shock especiallly after his last couple of games. Flutey has had an awful tour, I can't see any justification for him playing & moving Bowe out of position when he's been the Lions only form winger on tour seems rather odd.
Vickery's inclusion is a disaster waiting to happen (again)
Not sure what Wallace did wrong to get dropped, but Williams is fine by me.

**endabob1** · 02/07/2009, 11:53 AM

Boks side, plenty of changes too, not many weak links though, Brussow should be first choice & Kankowski is top class.
I don't rate Olivier but he's very highly thought of in SA, Kirchner is an actual full back which makes a change. Ndungane is an excellent finisher but I haven't seen the other winger (don't see too many Cheetahs games)

South Africa: Kirchner (Bulls); Ndungane (Sharks), Fourie (Lions), Olivier (Bulls), Nokwe (Cheetahs); M Steyn (Bulls), Du Preez (Bulls); Mtawarira (Sharks), Ralepelle (Bulls), Smit (Sharks), Muller (Sharks), Matfield (Bulls), Brussow (Cheetahs), Smith (Cheetahs), Kankowski (Sharks).
Replacements: B du Plessis (Sharks), Steenkamp (Bulls), Carstens (Sharks), Sykes (Sharks), Spies (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), F Steyn (Sharks).