It came with drama and a little controversy, of course it was, because this was the Boks v the ABs. New Zealand skipper Sam Cane was sent off for a high hit on Jessie Kriel in the 27th minute and that influenced but did not ruin the game. Cane is invariably pretty upright when he goes for those big pile drivers but in recent matches has directed and timed his challenges perfectly. Alas, on the biggest night of all, he was slightly off and paid a heavy price
In the last month or so, since official doms’s draconian opening salvo on such challenges at this World Cup, refs have been a tad more lenient but in truth it looked a likely red from the off. When the man with no name in the bunker at Roland Garros gave the thumbs down it was disappointing, but not a surprise.
Meanwhile, back at the Stade were cards, disallowed tries, frequent recourse to the TMO, close calls. We had the lot. There are many South African heroes in this story from the innovative coaching duo of Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus to stand out players in every compartment and last night it was Pieter Steph Du Toit – World Player of the Year when the Boks last won the World Cup – who produced a supernatural physical effort up front to spearhead the Boks challenge. Handre Pollard wasn’t far behind, an individual who can look ordinary in ordinary games and world beating on the very best occasions.
Denne historien er fra October 29, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 29, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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.