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CTK-54: The Tension Rising in URC: Are South African Teams Gaining Their Edge Back? · Cut The Kak

• Byron: Welcome back to another episode of Cut the KAK, the show where we talk about the sport we absolutely love but know very little about. I'm Byron, that fool over there is Chad. And Chad, let's cut the KAK. Chad: Let's do it. What did you learn anything this week, this past week of rugby? Byron: Did I learn anything from the professional game or did I learn anything from what I did over the weekend in terms of regular? Chad: Bye. Byron: I did actually. I actually have a point that I wanted to bring up. The first one is how many South African URC games did you watch this weekend? Chad: I watched the Sharks game, I watched the last bit of the Lions game, was in the other one Bulls game, and I watched the full Stormers game again. Byron: Okay, sick. All right. So tell me if you got the same feeling that I did this weekend. I got it especially from the the Bulls and the Stormers. And unfortunately, given the result, you could almost say that it's the same sort of level from the Lions. But didn't you feel a little bit of the super rugby ness to the South African sides this weekend? What I mean by that is I don't know if you feel the same way. If you look at the the South African teams since the URC started, they haven't had the same tenacity that I was used to when you watched the South African teams in Super Rugby. There was like a l a certain level of South African pride in super rugby that I feel like has taken some time in the URC to build up rivalries. To build up the aggression, to build up the tenacity. We've also got all of these South African players who left when Super Rugby ended, to continue. And, you know, they joined the the Japanese teams, the French teams. Now you see them coming back, especially to the Bulls, especially to the Stormers. I'm starting to feel that the, especially those sides, obviously the Sharks a little bit because they have the class, they just haven't gotten the results. the Lions being exactly where they were in Super Rugby, where we have great players, watch them leave, which I'll talk about later in the stormers game, and still get, you know, some good results, some average results, maybe better at home. But that whole long story was do you think that the South African sides are getting a bit more South African in the URC than what we were used to in the super rugby? Am I just imagining all of that that I just spoke about for three minutes? Chad: I think you're just imagining it, but I do think the rugby is getting more heated. I Byron: Ha ha. Chad: think, I think you, the only thing I agree on the whole story you spun was that we are building more Alvarese between the teams. Byron: I heard a lot of it, a lot of it in the the Monster Sharks game. Chad: here. Byron: And there it was I heard a lot of it from the commentators, but then I also saw a lot of it on the field. The sharks players getting under the monster player skin, slowing the game down when Monster wants it sped up, Chad: Yep. Byron: annoying the fans, doing silly things like kicking the ball away when they didn't need to kick the ball away. I enjoyed it because, like I said, it reminded me of Super Rugby. And how the super rugby teams used to have that that rivalry-ness to them. Chad: Yeah. Byron: I think in the URC we were almost just happy to be part of a a big international club competition again. but I think now it's starting to develop that that tenacity. And I'm enjoying it. I'm really enjoying it, especially with the way the Bulls and the Stormers are playing. Chad: Yeah, well, speaking of rivalries, Byron: Mm-hmm. Chad: I learned two things this weekend. One of them is that Springboks and All Blacks is not the greatest rivalry in rugby. Tonga and Samoa. Byron, there was oaks with flag poles two meters in the air out of their car here in Nelson. It's been unreal. And then the game... Byron: Couldn't have been better. Chad: support. You couldn't have put a grain of sand in that stadium. I reckon that is the greatest Robert insane crazy. Yeah. And the second thing is that Byron: All right. Yeah. I like that. Chad: I am not a casual Hong Kong China fan anymore. I'm, I'm invested. Byron: You are a dedicated, violent Chad: Watching the game with Belgium, I was invested. Absolutely invested. Byron: completely wholeheartedly ruined your day that they didn't get the victory type of support. Chad: I very surprised. was very shocked. I thought Hong Kong China would go in there and do an absolute number on Belgium. Obviously, I'd seen maybe half an hour of Belgium rugby being played and then all through highlights. Yeah, man, I was quite upset. Byron: So I got introduced to Belgium rugby in that reprochage game or tournament with Samoa for the qualification for the Rugby World Cup. And they narrowly lost to Samoa. Belgium. and I think they're the highest ranked team that's not in the Rugby World Cup. So and if I'm not mistaken, Chad: Belgium, Hong Kong, China. Byron: no Belgium. I think they're twenty third in Hong Kong, China or twenty fourth in world rankings. So it was always gonna be a tight and a close game. Do you wanna start there then? Chad: sure. Byron: Hong Kong China getting the opening try, which I thought was very exciting. Chad: I thought it was GG. I thought it was going to be game over. The boys were looking like they were on point and then towards the end of the game, the Belgium team just looked like they were, they were cramping up. They were broken humans. And I was like, okay, the comeback's on. Let's do this boys. And it just didn't come. It just never came. The Byron: Just didn't come. No, but it was it was it was exciting. Chad: It was a game. Good game of rugby. It would have been, I would have enjoyed it more if I was a neutral. And I realized that at about the 70th minute when I was like, fuck, I was leading forward in my chair and I was. Byron: Yeah, you violently in invested. So Chad: The only thing that was missing was a Hong Kong, China rugby jersey and I'm going to have to get one because just us. Byron: I'm gonna have to get one as well. So for those of you who don't know, if the t the tickets are basically confirmed, I will be in France on the fourteenth of November, for a three o'clock kickoff between Hong Kong, China and Canada in Chamboree. Chad: Look, it's tough, but someone's gonna do it, Byron: Someone's gotta go and cover the game. and I guess I'll be the one to do it. Pretty excited about that. Chad: We thank you for your service, Baron. Byron: you know, like I said, it's tough out there, but someone's gotta do it, so I'm gonna be the one. So I'm looking forward to that. but that's all the big rugby fixtures next weekend. We got the return of the nations championship and the return of the nations cup. but quickly on that one, final score was twenty seven seventeen for the game between Belgium and Hong Kong. wasn't too far away from me, but since I was already planning on gonna go see them play Canada, I didn't land up going down. Go watch this game. But yeah, we're invested with the Hong Kong China team through and through Hong Kong, China, and Zimbabwe. So invested. Chad: Yeah. Byron: So invested. Also, on a side note, before we get into rugby, can we just talk about how exciting the test match series was with Australia? Chad: How we pulled that off was unreal. It was very late for me and I was trying my absolute best to stay conscious. But I saw when we got our first two wickets. Byron: You're talking about the fourth innings in the third test now. Chad: Yeah, yeah, day five, where we came back and bowled them out for 111 or something. Byron: What a day f what a day four and what a day five. Chad: Yeah, I thought that was a draw, that game for sure. Byron: Didn't they Chad: They had different ideas. Byron: My favorite was 'cause obviously the game was in Cape Town. There was that oak in the stands with the sign that said, Can we hurry this up a kick off for stormers? Is that one forty five? Chad: I'm astounded. That's amazing. Byron: And I think at the time they showed that, I think the score was like sixty-two for five or sixty-two for seven or something like that. Proper, proper South African mumbo jumbo going on then. all right. Now, Chad, since we're talking internationals, do you we wanna go over the nations championship and nations cup fixtures coming up? Do you want to talk about the URC or do you want to talk about the Rugby League World Cup? Chad: Let's go to nationals. I'm looking at them up here. All of Byron: Okay. Chad: the pictures up over here. Where do you want me to start? I've got them. Byron: Go on. Well let's start Nations Cup. if we look at the pools real quick, I'm just gonna go over them. pool A, you have USA on top, Chile second, Samoa third, Tonga fourth, Uruguay fifth, and Canada in sixth. with only the USA being the undefeated team. then if you look at the other group we have Georgia pool in first. Portugal second, Spain third, Romania fourth, Hong Kong, China fifth, and Zimbabwe in sixth. blah blah blah. But now we look at the matches. Do you want to do the predictions? Chad: Hit me. Byron: All right. First up we have Romania versus Tonga in Bucharest. Chad: on it. Byron: After what you said about this weekend with Tonga and Samoa. Different different code, but still the tenacity's there. Same violence, same chirus. Chad: Same vibe, same... ...chius, if you will. Byron: Georgia vs Canada. Chad: Georgia? Georgia vs Canada? yeah, Georgia, you next week. Yep. Byron: All right. Yeah. Following week, yeah, yeah, yeah. Portugal Chile. Chad: Portugal? Portugal. Byron: I think so, I agree with you there. Spain Uruguay is actually gonna be a goodie. Chad: Yeah, look here. What's there? They've played three times, Spades won twice. Byron: Uruguay are fifth on their log with a draw and two losses, zero wins, and Spain's one one one. Chad: The last time they played, the score was 33-24 to Spain. It two years ago. I'm gonna go spine. Byron: I think I'll agree with you there. And now the two bias fixtures for next weekend in the Nations Cup. We have Zimbabwe playing Samoa. Chad: I hope some of them can pull that one off. But that's 4AM for me. yeah. Byron: That'll be a nice and exciting one. And then Sunday morning, one of the other games I had the option of going to, but the travel was a little more complicated. Hong Kong China play the US. Chad: Hong Kong China beat the brakes Byron: All day, every day. Chad: off of the USA. Byron: The USA is basically three Americans and the rest are Pacific Islanders. Chad: I believe you. Byron: Ha ha ha. but then you know, the Hong Kong China team is made up of Australians, and South Africans, so Chad: South Africans. Yeah. Byron: all right, sick. So that's the Nations Cup. Then we have the Nations Championship returning as well. I'll go over I'm pretty sure I can bring up the pools real quick. Do you have the pulls up? Chad: I don't know the pulls, no. Byron: Give me second there. Chad: Got the fixtures. Byron: I've got the fixtures too. There it is. There it is. All right. So in the Northern Hemisphere, we have France in first with twelve points. Scotland in second with eleven points. England in third with ten. Ireland in fourth with ten. Wales in fifth with five. And Italy in last place with zero points. What I find interesting is first, second, third and fourth, so France, Scotland, England, Ireland, all have two wins, one loss. But obviously bonus points being the difference there. Then we look at the Southern Hemisphere pool. You have South Africa in first with fifteen points, New Zealand in second with fifteen points, Australia in third with eight, Argentina in fourth with seven, Japan in fifth with four, and Fiji unexpectedly in last place, zero points, zero wins, zero draws. Chad: Who's feature Byron: Alright. Chad: playing this weekend? Byron: Fee G. So I'll go quickly in order. Ooh, this is exciting. So Friday night kicks off the fixtures. Ireland hosting Argentina. I think it's gonna be an Irish win, but fuck I hope it's an Argentina win. Chad: fucking same let's have a look at what Byron: I really enjoy Argentinian rugby. Chad: was If you had to pick the... So they've played. Argentina and Ireland have played each other 20 times. Byron: Course they have. Of course they have. Chad: What was the, what would you, how many wins would you give Ireland? Byron: Probably fifteen. Maybe more? Chad: 114. Byron: Fourteen. I c I'm not I know a thing or two. Chad: I would have given them way more. I would have thought it was 19-1. Byron: No, Argentina interestingly, has these periods where they're they play some of the best rugby in internationals and then they have these downward slopes where almost anyone can get a victory over them. Chad: For the last time Argentina and Ireland played, the was 22-19. Byron: I'm assuming an Irish one. Chad: Inaudible, yeah. Byron: Okay. Yeah, so then Ireland I would obviously be the heavy favourites in this one. but it would be nice to get an Argentina. Chad: What's their results been like? coming in, I don't have their form. Byron: Interestingly neither do I. Chad: Anyway, sorry off topic and then. Byron: No problem. Then we have the game of the weekend for us, unbiasedly of course. Italy hosting South Africa in Turin. Chad: They're going one way. Byron: I'm I'm so impressed with our squad. I can't wait for the announcement of the the actual twenty three players. Chad: might even happen while we on here. I'll keep refreshing. Byron: That that flip the the the travelling team is incredible. Chad: Yeah. Byron: this one, according to everything we've been saying and watching, is probably one of the better fixtures of the weekend. And that's Scotland hosting New Zealand in Murrayfield. Chad: I know I'm excited for that one. look, New Zealand is coming the two wins against Australia. I reckon New Zealand. Hey, yeah. Byron: Two good wins. Two good wins over Australia. Chad: that looks rock solid. Obviously the missing some players, but they've got some absolute demons in there. Ethan Blackhead is back there. Tabata and I was back in there. I just, I, yeah. New Zealand takes the one I think. Byron: But if everything you've been saying is gonna be true, then Scotland out of all the teams that New Zealand will face in this nations championship that I mean, they've already gone ahead, they've beaten Ireland, which was a big win for them. They've beaten France, which you would argue is the best team out of the north. So they've beaten Chad: Not the team that played. Byron: huh? Chad: Not the team that France sent over. Byron: I well yeah, 'cause no they never have a traveling team for whatever reason. They don't like leaving France. but they beat France and they've beaten Ireland. if they can get a win over Scotland, the only thing that really remains to them as a challenge is gonna be England in the last weekend. So we'll see what happens there. But if everything you've been saying, Scotland beating Ireland in the World Cup is something you're you've been dead set on for over a year now. Scotland should at least make this one entertaining, if not get the victory over New New Zealand. Chad: I think it'll be close. just, yeah. Let me see the team that gets put out and I'll make a separate clip. But at this point, I reckon New Zealand's got it. Byron: Yeah, I can't see New Zealand losing anything at the moment. But then again I said the same thing about the Spring Box to Australia and just saw what. Chad: You and the rest of the world. Byron: All right, so we a New Zealand win in Scotland. Then another close entertaining game that I hope goes the Japanese way, but we have Wales, Japan, and Cardiff. Chad: pen wins. Byron: I hope so. God, I hope so. Then, oof, rough going for Fiji here. France hosting Fiji. Can only be one winner. Chad: I think this game will, I don't think so. I don't think France is going to name there. I think they can underestimate Fiji and also Fiji, Jake White's Fiji at that too. So you've got that flea and that just. Anger is that Jake White. Byron: Flip, flip, flip las hears. Chad: Yeah, it's a scary thing. Byron: I really hope for Fiji's sake, even if they don't win, just to make it competitive. I really hope so. It's in Lyon, where I'll be flying to. Chad: Do know where they're playing? It's obviously not in Paris. yeah, France, but also Fiji. Fuck. I want them to pull a miracle off. Byron: Okay, so we want a Japanese win and a Fiji win in those. And then a great way to end the weekend, I think, in terms of competitiveness, England host Australia. Chad: Are joking? Byron: No. What do you mean? What are you talking about? Chad: I think England destroyed Australia. Byron: Okay. I think it's gonna be I think it's it would be a tighter game than England New Zealand. Chad: Maybe I just I'm so over Australia. I'd give I'm not giving them anything anymore every time I want them to win they get absolutely smoked every time I want them to lose they somehow win Byron: So so does does that mean you've changed your opinion when it comes to the World Cup? Australia don't beat New Zealand in the group stage? Chad: At this rate Australia don't beat Hong Kong China in the opening game. Byron: nothing would make me happier. Chad: Can you imagine the scenes? I'd have to fly to Perth and have some beers. Byron: I just w yeah, I would I just wanna be in the country when it happens. Chad: Yeah, it would be rough. Byron: Just to watch the the the the the joy drain from their faces. Chad: Yep. Byron: man, I can't wait for international rugby. Anyone who says that the nation's championship was a bad idea, so far off from reality. Chad: Tube, get him out of here. Byron: Yeah. Brilliant, brilliant idea. We I mean it's the same fixtures, but there's just more to it now. Chad: Yeah, I love it. Byron: And they're like, it's a money grab. Yeah, so what? So what? Let us enjoy it. If anything, we get Chad: Yeah, yeah, take my money. Byron: an extra an extra weekend of games because you have the finals that following weekend after all of these. What I do think could be interesting and also slightly unfair is if you look at the the pools and you get to finals weekend, it is very possible that New Zealand and South Africa all end this competition with zero losses, but only one of them get to play for the first place title. Chad: best. Byron: Well, at the moment, if you look at the log, it is us because of I think it's point difference. Chad: points difference, Byron: which, you know, that's how the the cookie crumbles, but it it's also crazy to think that you could play for a second place trophy without losing a game. Chad: Got a scope points, buddy. Byron: Do you you say that now because we're in first, but how gutted would you be if I if New Zealand land up playing for the first place trophy and neither of us have lost the game? this is pretty cool. Holly Davidson's the one of the ARs for the Ireland Argentina game. Chad: Man she's so good. I watched when she was on the field the other day for think it was a URC. Byron: Great. Absolutely spectacular. The best. Chad: Yeah, she's that's that's crazy how I was watching the two games are on at the same time. Was the it was a sharks game. Yeah, sharks Byron: And Chad: and lens to go. Byron: Ali não. Chad: no, Byron: Yeah, I think Chad: sorry. I'm completely lying. It was two different competitions. Byron: You're thinking Friday. Chad: It was the, the prem. had the prem on the TV, dude. I had the prem on the TV. had the F1 on my phone and I had the sharks game on my iPad. Byron: The laptop. Chad: was, it was nuts. anyway, the, refereeing in the prem, I felt was way better, from, forget his name, English referee. Fantastic compared to the French dude that was roughing the sharks game. Both kicked off at seconds apart, but half time was significantly shorter in the prep than it was in URC. Like about almost five minutes. Byron: It's supposed to be ten minutes. It's supposed to be ten minutes, right? Chad: Yeah, but all the stops in the plays and all that kind of stuff. Byron: I can't see what you're saying, it's what you're saying, it's what you're saying. Chad: The game was a lot quicker. in the prep than it was in the UIC. It was literally five, 10 minutes. 10 minutes is rough, about five minutes after. Byron: Difference. Yeah, but it depends on handling errors as well from the teams, and it's not only the referee. Although the referee does play a part. Speaking of refereeing Chad, this weekend I had an absolute blast refereeing. Chad: Yeah, tell us more. Byron: what I think the thing that is is the thing that I'm seeing now, because when I started I was a club ref, so I was only refereeing at at my home club. Yes, the Saturday was the first time I went to go referee two teams that, but what I found interesting is no matter which club I go to to referee, there's always a group of South African dads. Always. Chad: as to be. Byron: They are fucking everywhere. Chad: Yeah. Byron: I went to a little small town in the middle of the Netherlands called Purmerent and there were three South African dads. It's awesome. And also, the thing that I I find absolutely fascinating is how they treat referees. Chad: Yeah, in a good or Byron: Absolute Chad: bad way. Byron: the best way possible. Brother, I've heard in South Africa the wildest things shouted at a referee. The worst. Unimaginable Chad: Yeah. Byron: things said towards the referee. Not the same here. Not the same at all. Only love and respect. And what I did find interesting, I gave a yellow card to the away team for too many penalties. Most of them were offsides and high tack. So I gave the warning to the captain. I said, look, we got to stop it. Otherwise it keeps going, someone's going to get a yellow. Then they gave away a penalty for advantage. And during that advantage, they gave away another penalty for coming in from the side at a ruck. So the captain landed up getting a yellow card. Who was the guy who came in on this the second war infringement after the warning. After the game, the dad, who I didn't know was his dad, but he was one of the coaches. comes up to me and says, We caught the the yellow card on camera. Can you show us what he did wrong? And I thought, shit. So anyway, we went through the footage. It was very easy. You could see he came in from the side when he tried to steal the ball was no problem. But what I thought was interesting, instead of shouting at me, they asked if I can show them what he did wrong so that they can fix it in the future. Chad: That's so good. Byron: Right? And then when I showed them, they were like, so he can't I like, No, no, he's gotta come around and then steal the ball from here. And it was a completely different interaction than what you're used to in South Africa. Also, I got a big ball of pasta after the game, a drink, enjoyed it, people came Chad: I was just about to ask you how was the food? Byron: Food was spectacular. It was I think I sent you a photo of the pasta, didn't I? Yeah, brother. It was so good. Chad: Yeah, you did with a very funny comment afterwards. Byron: It was so good. so yeah, refereeing again next week. it was under fourteens this weekend. next week is they call him seniors here, but it's basically, you know, anyone above the age of 18. It'll be next week's game. All right. But shout out to shout out to Rugby Netherlands and shout out to the parents and players. it's so it's just so nice to be in a environment that's not extremely violent towards the referee. rugby league, you wanna do it? Chad: No. No. Byron: He's such an awesome. Chad, we've made a commitment. Stop it. It's nearly over it. Chad: Brother, I gave up. didn't watch any last week. I watched the highlights and I watched the build up to the Samoa game. Byron: There's two weeks left. It's almost done. There's four games, three games left. So Chad: I would rather not. I'll wait until the final when it's New Zealand and Australia. Go! Byron: I'm going to anyway. I'm going to. Now I'm doing it. It will be New Zealand and Australia. It will be one hundred percent. Chad: will be. Byron: England beat Papua New Guinea, which you and I spoke about as a slightly more interesting game. New Zealand beat Fiji. I did watch it, but that game was over in the first five minutes. It was it Chad: Yeah, that's one with a fucking uppercut and those oaks throwing punches. Byron: Brother, actual proper roles. I couldn't couldn't Chad: You Byron: believe it. I it was I you know, sometimes every now and then in rugby they'll throw a fist or two. But it's normally quiet. Do you know what I mean? Like it's it's in the grapple and it's a nah, not in league, my friend. There was that high shot and he came Superman punching in Chad: Yep. Zero... Zero fucks given. Byron: And it's also the smallest oaks who throw the punches. Chad: Yeah, well, it's same in Union where there's always the scummy causing KAK. Byron: Yeah, but he doesn't throw the punch. He'll just he grabs the lock like what is it, the clerk. Chad: Yeah. Byron: goodness. But I couldn't believe that they were actually throwing hands in that game. but Chad: I know, it felt, when I watched, I didn't watch the game, I watched the highlights and obviously Byron: Bahalax. Chad: all the clips on Instagram and stuff. It felt like it was a rugby game from like 1998 when Oaks would just call 99 and just send it. Byron: The number of shoulder charges between both sides. There were so many no arm tackles. Yeah. Chad: Yeah, they're just geeking on each other's skin. That's why. Byron: That's what was violent, man. but a very, very one sided score, 78 0. same thing, Australia absolutely destroyed Cook Island, 666. Then I think the game of the tournament, even better. Then the opening game between Australia and New Zealand was Lebanon France. Chad: Yep. Byron: And I'm sure you've watched the highlights, but if you watch the game, neither of them were any good. But that made the game so good. Because no one could score a try. But when they did score a try, it was spectacular. Because neither team was good enough to actually get over the try line until something magical happened. And then The end of the game, if for those of you who didn't watch, I highly recommend you at least catch the highlights, but you won't get the excitement that you got if you were watching it live. Those of you who don't know, France scored a 40 meter drop goal in the last 30 seconds of the game to send the game into golden point. Then in golden point, France get the opportunity. For a drop goal to win the game. Drop goal goes over. However, France is celebrating. Fans players are crying. Coaches it everyone's losing their minds. And it's France's first win in a rugby league or cup. Then they review the drop goal. And it turns out that there was a French player blocking one of the Lebanese players for charging the ball down. So the drop goal doesn't count. Now I have to assume That having that amazing influx to of the high of thinking you've won your first rugby league World Cup game, to have that taken away from you and then have to play again, I think that must have I think they were completely and utterly emotionally drained. then what happens is Lebanon knock the ball on. No, no, no, excuse me. Lebanon get a penalty. To win the game. Homie takes a shot at goal, misses. France catches the ball. As they're running out, he kicks it. Chad: was kickable. Byron: The Lebanese player charges it down and catches it before it bounces, which is in on itself a miracle. You'll never see it again. You'll Chad: One... Yeah, I didn't see that. Byron: never see it again. He kicked it into his hands, basically. It was ridiculous. And then Lebanon goes on to score and they get their win. Best game of the tournament. And compared to everyone else, probably the two worst teams in the competition. Chad: I did watch the way that game ended. I first thought it was AR generated. I was like, there's no fucking way that happened. Byron: That that charge down catch, you y you see a hundred charge downs and it never ends up like that. Chad: Yep. Byron: but yeah, I think the French after having their their victory taken away from them, I think they were just they were just emotionally wrecked. And then as you said prior, Tonga versamoa in terms of fierce rivalries. Chad: Dude, it's nuts. It must have been such a vibe to be in that stadium, would have been such a joy. Byron: It the game was in Australia. I think it would've been sick if the game was in Tonga or Samoa. Like they did with some of the the other games. But that one ended twenty eighteen to Tonga, which Tonga surprisingly now got their way into the semifinals, which doesn't really matter. Chad: It doesn't not. Byron: yeah, it could have been Tonga or Samoa in that semi final. New Zealand are gonna destroy Tonga and Australia is gonna destroy Samoa the semis. And just like we had in the opening game and we said at the start of the opening of the competition, we will have a New Zealand Australia final. Easy as. Chad: And we could have just had a Byron: A three game test series between the the two sides. Chad: Yeah, fucking five game. One every week. Just break the players. Yeah. Byron: There you go. It would have been more entertaining. Otherwise, we just have Lebanon versus France and New Zealand versus Australia. Tonga plays Samoa. Three game test series for everybody. Chad: Yeah, and then everyone Byron: but yeah. Chad: has a good time. Byron: So I don't know if you saw the comments on Instagram about us and rugby league. Did you did you have a look at those? Chad: us. Byron: Yes. There were a bunch of people commenting about how we shouldn't badmouth league and it Chad: us, us. thought you meant to the Africa us. Yeah. Byron: No, no, no, no, no. Well they did they did comment that it would be good for for League if South Africa joins. Chad: Please don't sir, it's not worth it. Byron: Because then we'll be forced to watch more league. Chad: Yeah, I can't. Byron: And then the Rhinos, we have to talk about the Rhinos. I still think that's maybe the coolest team name. Chad: Yeah. Byron: South African Rhinos, but we'll see what happens with that. so that's league. We already know who's gonna be in the final. Thanks for coming. keeping on with international fixtures, you wanna do the last week of the women's fifteen, the WXV. Chad: Hit me. Byron: USA hosted England. Didn't matter. England crushed them twelve fifty-five. New Zealand hosted France, which we spoke about at Christchurch, 36 7 to New Zealand. Wales went to Japan, picked up a victory, 529 to Wales. And the South African ladies hosted the Irish ladies again, didn't pick up a victory. final score 1738 to Ireland. Chad: Here we go. Byron: That sh should end the the fifteen series for now. We'll wait for next year. Let's see if we can see the standings from the challenger series if it'll load. But that's it for now. Then URC. Do you wanna get stuck into these, the results? Chad: The results, sure, do you me read them out? Just get it open here. Byron: There's there's a big one where when we did the the predictions last week, you looked at me like I was one of the dumbest people on the planet. And it came true. So I'd Chad: I Byron: I would like to get your opinion when you tell me the the results to that fixture, but please start wherever you would like. Chad: I'll start at the bottom, work my way up. So Conor and Lenster. Byron: Mm-hmm. Chad: Close game, 5 points to 50. Byron: A close game, he says. Linster was so good. Chad: Lions, Glasgow, what a game. That was such an exciting, rough game. Byron: Lions almost almost had it. Chad: I thought that they did, to be honest. I thought that was their... Byron: Brother, if Lions had picked up an away win against Glasgow, that would have been absolutely insane. Absolutely insane. Chad: was so so close and also the the lions in glasgow when they played each other it's always been Byron: The home team. Chad: Yeah. And yeah, I mean, they play each other six times. It's three a piece and all of them. Byron: Yeah. And if I'm not mistaken, each each wins the home team only. Yeah. Keon Horns try saving tackle. Spectacular. Spec Tak I don't Chad: every time. Dude, how good was that? You could not script it better. Byron: I don't even know how how he did it. How he how he turned him while sliding to prevent that ball from hitting the g it was Chad: Yeah. Byron: Yeah, that was that was springbok level try saving tackle. That's what we talk about. That's what we look for. That was spectacular. Chad: Stormers, Ulster, 33-7 Stormers are just too good, too many big names Also, pissed Byron: Chat. There's something Chad: off with the Stormers Byron: Boah. Chad: They've got bongi. Now. Do they need? Byron: I know how sick. Hasick. Chad: They don't need bongi. Byron: Listen, sharks, stormers and bulls don't need any more springbox. They you've got enough. Let's share some with the lions for fuck's sake. Chad: I don't know what happened with Bongi and the sharks, but sharks... Byron: Missed the beat on that one. Yeah. Chad: Pull your head in. And apparently Malcolm Marx is going to the pools also. Byron: I saw it's already signed three year contract. Chad: It's not okay. Byron: Another s another Lions player, let me just point out. Another Lions player Chad: Yeah. Byron: gone. Chad: And then the game that asked said that... Sorry, sorry, sorry, go back. Byron: Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold hold can't can't move past something from that Stormers Ulster game that I want to talk about. Hashim Pede, Ahmed Khan, as a 9-10 partnership. Ridiculous. Chad: The next Springbok. Yeah. Byron: Future spring bar combination. For Chad: 100 % Byron: sure. For sure. And the every time I watch Pede play Wallet the Stormers, it breaks my heart. Because he was that gem that the Lions had that we wasted. And that's no disrespect to Chad: It's just always going to be like that, Byron. The Lions are Byron: Doesn't Chad: going to be this factory that rolls out these awesome players that don't see the potential, that send them away and that they become amazing. It's just how it's meant to be. Byron: D it's happened. It's always happened. Look, you can go as far back as you want to. Brian Habana was a lion before he joined the Bulls. Malcolm Marks was a lion before he left for Japan. Kwa Smith was a lion before he left. Hashimpeed was a lion before he left. Even for this weekend, Gianni Lombard for the Sharks Chad: Yep. Byron: had an incredible game. Guess where he was before he joined the Sharks? A lion. It doesn't end, man. We have all of this talent and we waste it year after year after year after year. Sorry, go on. I'm pissed off. Chad: Perfect, just to have like... The game that I thought you were on fucking meth... Benson, beating... Byron: Go on, let me Chad: Beating Inbrah 3112 Byron: Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. I'm pretty sure when I said that, you the words you said to me were you don't know rugby. Pretty sure Chad: Probably. Byron: those were those were the words you used. And when I watched that game, Chad: It checks out. Byron: as soon as Benetton had that lead, I thought, I'm gonna rub it in Chad's face. I can't wait to rub it in Chad's face. I know a thing or two about a thing or two, Mr. Sir. Chad: I did not see that happening in a million years. thought crazy time. is there? Let's have a look here. What is there? Records. Byron: That was Benetton's first win of the season too. Ha ha. Chad: The last time Edinburgh Okay, it was a one point game. But that was in Bennington. The last time they played in Edinburgh. Edinburgh 1 43 0 Byron: I just I had the feeling. I had it. It was I had it in my soul. Chad: Crazy. Absolute scenes. And then the Bulls and Scarlet Bulls are just... If we don't have three teams in the finals, we've failed rugby. Byron: Do you know what where my heart actually breaks is for the Scarlets. Because Chad: What? Byron: Okay, so in week one they lost to Cardiff, almost expected. Week two they lost to the Dragons. It does you never know what's gonna happen when Wales plays Wales. But then they beat Benetton in the third week, and then they score forty points against the Stormers and still lose. And then they score twenty six points against the Bulls. But still lose. Chad: And still lose. Yeah. Byron: But that's because the Bulls are a tri scoring factory. Chad: But it's a similar thing to was it it last weekend and they played? What was it? What Byron: Who the bulls Chad: was their points last week? Byron: thirty four twenty six. Chad: So lot of points being scored against them. Byron: Yes. Chad: Even though they are scoring lots. Yes, Byron: Yes. Chad: it's important, but. Byron: Twenty six twenty six points in both games they they they they they had against it. Chad: Defense is sometimes important. Byron: I know that but it I feel like in modern day rugby it's so easy to get four tries and lose the game. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Whereas getting four tries used to be a challenge. Now four tries is almost most teams get the bonus point in the first half. Chad: Yeah. I know. They need to change the bonus Byron: And then still go on to lose. Chad: point. I like the bonus point where you've got four more tries than your opponent. Byron: Think it's three more tries than your opponent is the other one. So it's either four or three more than your opponent. 'Cause then it's it's really dominance to have three more than your opponent. but even the clerk who got called up for I think it's the clack, the winger. The clerk? I'm losing my mind here. The bullswinger. He was insane. And that's why he got that spring by call up because even last week I know I gave him shit 'cause he didn't pass the ball and almost cast it for the Bulls. But he was spectacular. Here he is. Sebastian Declarc, yeah. And I know Kowan didn't get the call up this time, but Kowan Bosch at fly half. Chad: He's right, he's so close. sad or frustrating thing is that he has to have an injury happen. Byron: Yes. Chad: get a call up at the moment. But he's bro it was through the middle every time. Byron: And also he's Chad: but also so exciting. Byron: he's What's the word I'm looking for? He's His open play is also just as good. Then the keep going, sorry, I keep interrupting. Chad: The Dragons and Zebra. Dragons winning 35-14. Munster and Sharks. What a weird game that one was. whoever organized the jerseys. I why we decided to wear white and red away kits. Byron: I know Uok's almost look like the home team. Chad: It was really weird. Happy with the win. I don't know how I felt about that game. Byron: That was the one where I felt there was a lot more of a rivalry between the two clubs. There was Chad: Yeah. Byron: a lot of emphasis on not just winning, but getting under the skin of the opponent. Chad: I think the sharks won that battle of getting under the skin. Byron: Mentally, yes. Yeah, yeah. They got under their skin over and over again. But the player we have to talk about is C Aya. Chad: Right, Siyaa. My favorite over the last couple of weeks to watch, Siyaa. Kirwan Bosch. My two favorite players at the moment. Byron: Hashimpeed. Chad: And PDR, it's a good one. Siyaa is going to be something different. with, 100%. Byron: Future Springbok. Future Springbok. Chad: And then he's got Fassi, like I'm sure mentoring. Byron: as a as a mentor. But the pace of the boy, the Chad: He makes everyone look like they're just waiting around. Byron: Yeah, why isn't everyone else chasing the ball? They are chasing the ball. Just he does it so much quicker than everybody else. Chad: Yeah, it's an acceleration. go from one to 60 in. Byron: Instantly. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Yeah, there's no warm-up. He's at full pace. The moment he the moment he kicks that little that yeah. Chad: Yeah, as soon as he decides, okay, now, poof. Byron: Also, this is stupid, but I'm gonna say it anyway. the commentator after he did that over the the chip and chase where Johnny Lombard caught the bounce because everyone missed Chad: Yeah. Byron: it and scored. I had the Irish commentators and after he kicked the ball and they were showing the replay. They said Siya later. His last name is Si Yaya. I don't know why no one doesn't call him the no one calls him Si Yaya later. Chad: We do now. Byron: Anytime he gets a breakaway it has to be CIO later. It's perfect. It's a great nickname. I'm I'm I'm taking that one. Stealing it for him. Chad: That second try he almost scored with that horrible little bounce and came off his like, thaw. Byron: Yeah. It it it bounced and then Munster player, two Munster players missed it, and then I think it was Gianni Lombard who landed up catching it and and scoring. Chad: No, no, I'm talking about the one where he almost got after that one. With a chase chip kick. Byron: yes, again, yeah, same thing. Yeah, the where it came off his shin and he just just missed it going in over the trial. Chad: yeah. Byron: if there was a bigger end goal area he probably would have had it. Chad: And then the commentator on that one says, he should have just, courted and grounded. I'm like, brother, do you not think that that's what he was trying Byron: Yeah. What do you think he was trying? Chad: to do? Like he was trying to kick the ball further ahead. I was like, dude, shut up. Byron: He's not running and going, You know what I'm gonna do? I can't wait to kick this ball over the dead ball line. Chad: You thinking yes to these oaks. I get really frustrated with the comment commentary sometimes because something should they say so so bias. Byron: So out of, it's the same thing you and I do, unfortunately. but I do think South African commentators try and remain neutral. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Whereas I think the Scottish and especially the Australian, they will on the mic, Chad: that's right. Ozzy's are the worst. Byron: they will get a call against them and you will hear the commentator go, you've got to be kidding me. Or they'll be doing something and then it will be like a blatant, blatant, blatant offside. And they'll be like, How are you gonna call that offside? And I'm like, brother, he's three meters off. What do we why is why are you getting upset? You're supposed to be the professional. Chad: But do you think that that's because of just pure passion? Byron: It has to be. It can't it can't be because they don't know the rules. Chad: Yeah. Byron: compared to you and I, they will crush us when it comes to to that sort of thing. Chad: clearly dark because I can't see the offside line. Byron: Passion. I like that. We'll we'll put it down to passion. then something that Russi commented on this weekend. Wait, are we done with the URC? Did we miss any any gap? Chad: No, there was one more game. which is pointless Byron: The Ospreys guy. Chad: game. Cardiff and Osprey 26-0 Cardiff. Byron: Yeah, you it you never get niled in modern day rugby, so that's embarrassing. but now we got a nice big break Chad: Unless you're playing League. Byron: from the URC until December. So thanks to all these international fixtures. I wanted to talk about the thing that Russi commented on this weekend. Obviously, we know that Jan Hendrik Vessels got a nine week ban for grabbing someone's genitals where they couldn't prove that there was a genital ban. Chad: I was going to say allegedly. Byron: But he said my balls were grabbed and then he got a nine week ban, okay? Chad: Yeah. Byron: Irish prop, Todd Furlong, had the same accusation, allegedly grabbing the groin area of the Munster number eight Gavin Coombs in that game. He got no ban. Nothing. Not even a slap on the wrist. What are we doing, World Rugby? What is the what is the where's the consistency? Chad: Well, maybe they realized that they fucked up the first time and they've learned from their mistake. Byron: Okay, so now so they went on nine week and they said, Okay, that was a bit heavy, there's no proof we shouldn't do this again. So then Tide Furlong gets it and they go, We're not doing it again, it's a zero week ban. That's what that that's your opinion. Chad: That's the only logical thing that could have happened. Byron: So now what needs to happen is a South African needs to during a game and Chad: Yep. Byron: we need to see if there's a ban afterwards. Chad: Okay, who are we doing? Who's sacrificing for this? Byron: No one I can't I can't with a straight face ask someone to grab another man's balls during a game of ID. Chad: for science. Take one for the team. We're testing something here. Just rick and flick one time. Byron: Ruck and pluck during a game and let's see what happens. I don't I don't know. I mean look, Jan Hendrik Vessels is back. We're happy to see him. Chad: He should do it again. Byron: No, but then the the the the criteria's different because now he's the it would be he's a second Chad: yeah, he's there. Byron: offense. Chad: Alleged. Byron: Allegedly for grabbing someone's. Yeah. I don't know. It's I don't want to think it's another thing against South African rugby. We know how world rugby feels about it. Which to me is very confusing because this year South Africa has only not been number one, I think, for one week. F in the world rankings. Chad: Really? Byron: Yeah. So now you've got You've got the team who's world number one. They've won the last two rugby world cups. You would have to think that that is the team that's going to bring the most eyeballs to the sport, which is obviously the main goal, correct? Why would you treat them unf purposefully unfair? That's why I'm trying to think it can't have been the case where they were like, he's a South African, he has to get a bigger ban, and then the Irish player does it and they're not going to give him the ban. I would think that world rugby would not treat us better, but not purposefully treat us like shit in order to grow the game. If you've got the world number one team, you want them to continue to do well. So what's going on? Are we imagining that there's a bias? Chad: Maybe? Yes? Byron: Like to think Chad: I don't know. It just makes no sense. Byron: 'Cause it it doesn't make sense that you would purposefully treat your world number one team worse than everyone else. Unless what brings eyeballs is watching number one four? But that was a big thing from this weekend. And I think that's it, Chad. Is there anything else? Chad: There is nothing else. I'm so excited for the rugby that's going to happen this weekend. Byron: International fixtures, tier one, tier two nations at their very best. Chad: Do we want to stream one of the games this weekend? Byron: I would love to. Chad: Which one? Byron: Can we not do a springbot game? Chad: I'm happy because that one's at 1240 AM. Byron: Because if we do a Springbok game, I feel like I just can't watch it with the same sort of focus. So what about Scotland? Hold on, I've got I'm actually so busy this weekend. we'll find a game, we'll talk about it, and we'll find a game that we can we can stream. Chad: Scotland New Zealand's on at 3am for me, but I'll do it. Byron: It's just I don't even want to talk about what I'm doing on Saturday, but I am refereeing on Sunday as well. So we'll figure it out. We'll make it happen. what we didn't talk about, and that's probably my mistake, is that this episode is brought to you by excuse me, Surfshark. If you're a rugby fan, especially a South African living overseas, you know the pain of the internet deciding what you can and can't access, depending on where you are. That's where Surfshark comes in. Surfshark. VPN encrypts your internet activity, changes your IP address, and gives you access to thousands of servers around the world. Plus one subscription covers unlimited devices. And it's not just a VPN. Surfshark also offers features like ad and tracker blocking, data leak alerts, and alternative ID. Head to the link in our description. Surfshark, protect your internet, then get back to arguing about rugby. That's the show. That's it. Thank Chad: That is it. Byron: you for watching. Please like and subscribe. Get someone else from your family or your friend group to support us. Everything you do, we appreciate. so thank you. Keep commenting, keep liking, keep doing all this stuff. and we'll be seeing you soon. And we'll be in France. Well, I'll be in France in a few weeks. see you next week. Thank you very much. Chad, any final words? Doo doo we