RugbyBits

Shaun and Thala review the first weekend of Nations Championship games, which include a big 66-7 win for South Africa over Italy.We break down the almost perfect rugby the Springboks played in the first half as they got ascendancy in every area. We rave about the performances of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ethan Hooker. We look forward to the game against France where Rassie Erasmus named largely the same side. While Italy had a lot of injuries and their scrum was fantastic, their performance was still very disappointing.In the other games, we saw England, New Zealand and Ireland impressing against very disappointing performances from Australia, Scotland and Argentina. We debate the yellow card for Angus Bell on the hip drop tackle, we discuss the significance of the victory for the All Blacks in honour of Logan Cadwallader, their head of security. We discuss Boris Wenger trying to avoid having to play at hooker. In the final two games, France beat Fiji but at the cost of Romain Ntamack’s shoulder, as France are now in a major injury crisis before their game against the Boks. We debate the possibility of Antoine Dupont and Maxine Lucu starting at halfback together. Finally Louis Rees-Zammit impresses, but the Japanese bench makes things tight in a Wales win at Cardiff.

Kooks, Shaun and Thala react to the South African squad selected for the clash against Italy this weekend.We discuss how seriously the Boks are taking the Nations Championship, as Rassie Erasmus selects a full strength side for an Italy team battling with injuries. We discuss why Salmaan Moerat has been selected, despite not playing a lot of rugby recently and which of the debutants are likely to be selected for later tests. We discuss why this is a massive November for Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who needs to secure that 16 shirt and debate the inclusion of Markus Muller in the wider squad.We then look at all the other Nations Championship teams and deliver hot takes about what to expect from them this November. We discuss why Ireland v Argentina is a must-win for both sides and whether Ireland can fix their scrum issues and what Shaun Edwards can add to Argentina. We debate if Scotland can finally get their first win against a New Zealand team battling with injuries. We look at the significance of the Wales v Japan game with both teams eyeing a win in this game. France with their injury list will be weary of Fiji and the pragmatism that Jake White can add to them. Finally England and Australia face each other on Sunday and both teams are looking to get their seasons back on track after some bad losses.We finally review the URC performances of the South African sides and the Springbok Women’s loss against Ireland.

Shaun and Thala review an emotional weekend of rugby.We start with the sad passing of Hyron Andrews in France and discuss the Lions’ decision to continue with the game against La Rochelle. While La Rochelle commemorated the passing in a beautiful manner, the Lions played bravely under the circumstances in their loss to La Rochelle.The Bulls and the Stormers had big wins against Stade Francais and Bristol respectively. Cheswill Jooste and Seabelo Senatla impressed in these bonus point wins. In the Challenge Cup, the young Sharks defeated Lyon, while the Cheetahs lost to a last minute try by Herschel Jantjies for Bayonne.In the rest of the Champions Cup, we discuss Toulouse surviving a scare against Exeter after an early full red card to Rodrigue Neti and injuries to their midfield, Henry Slade missed the last minute penalty to level the score. Gloucester and Bordeaux drew the opening game with Jac Morgan and Tom Willis impressing. Bath suffered a loss at home to Montpellier after some senior Scotland players Ali Price, Adam Hastings and Stuart Hogg all starred. And a generally bad weekend for the English Prem sides in Europe.In international rugby, Canada ended the 4-year, 41-game winning streak of the Red Roses with a 24-21 win in Toronto and we discuss what that may mean for women’s rugby. Meanwhile the Wallabies got thrashed by the All Blacks again in Bledisloe 2.

Shaun and Thala review round 2 of the United Rugby Championship where the South African teams won 2 out of 4 games.We start with the Sharks beating Leinster through a strong defensive performance, Thomas du Toit putting the screws of Thomas Clarkson and Siphosethu Mnebelele impressing. The Lions maul and scrum secured their victory over Ospreys, with Francke Horn leading the charge and Erich Cronje maintaining his insane form.In Europe, the Stormers lineout faltered in their loss to Edinburgh, but they are looking forward to a host of Springboks rejoining them. The Bulls lost to Munster with young Charlie O’Shea impressing on debut.The Springbok Women continued their winning run with a 20-0 victory in Spain.Finally in other news, we review the crazy last 10 minutes of the Ulster and Glasgow draw, Louis Rees-Zammit trolling Northampton in Bristol’s win over Bath, the Force winning the (fraud) Super Rugby AU, Shaun hating on Paul Costes and Brendan Venter’s new role as a wine consultant for Saracens (maybe he should help with their attack).

Kooks and Thala review a crazy weekend of rugby with great weekends for the Springbok Women and the South African URC teams, but a loss for the Springboks in Perth.We first look at the Springbok loss an discuss what the Wallabies did so well to get a 42-17 lead, and the craziness of the last 15 minutes with TMO drama and the Boks making a furious comeback. While the likes of Ryan Lonergan and Max Jorgensen shone, there is no reason to panic for Springbok fans as some second string players got valuable experience.We then review a good weekend for the South African URC teams as they won 4 out of 4. Impressive performances from the likes of Luan Giliomee, Jonathan Roche and Erich Cronje stood out.Finally another chaotic weekend in the WXV, which saw South Africa make amends for their loss to Wales with a great win against Italy and England winning against New Zealand in the very last minute.