Step forward, in a manner of speaking, the late Donald Rumsfeld – the American politician who persuaded multiple Presidents that he knew a thing or two, even when he didn’t know that he knew them.
The vast majority of rugby followers would, in Rumsfeld’s oft-quoted formulation, place the Springboks in the category of “known knowns”. They are the reigning world champions, they have a fair sprinkling of the sport’s highest-profile players, from Cheslin Kolbe and Faf de Klerk behind the pack to Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit in the trenches, and have set down such deep roots in the European club game, we might as well hand out passports with their pay packets.
But the man referred to as “The Donald” long before “THE DONALD” ever ran for office would surely disagree. To him, the Boks would fit more neatly in the “known unknowns” bracket, for the simple reason that they have played only a single Test in 20 months – and that against Georgia, who, despite their many virtues, were at least a dozen players short of a miracle.
Denne historien er fra July 18, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra July 18, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
