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CTK:55: The Surprising Truth About Rugby That Will Change Your Perspective · Cut The Kak

• Byron: back to another episode of Cut The Kak. The show where we talk about the sport we absolutely love but know very little about. That clown over there is Chad. Great jersey today, by the way. I'm Byron and Chad, let's Cut The Kak. Chad: Byron, you the Byron: Cher. Chad: amount of shit you've given me for wearing this jersey before, and now you come around and say, sick jersey. Byron: No, I've never given you a shit about that Jersey. Chad: I will find the clip. Byron: because it's the navy blue one. You are right. I did give you shit about that jersey. You are one hundred percent correct. Chad: Y you're impossible. This is why you can't have nice things, Barn. Byron: I can't have nice things, Chad. I can't, can't do it. How you doing? Yeah. What'd you think of all the rugby Chad: Yeah, Lekka. yourself? Byron: this weekend? Because we got spoiled. Chad: I know. I absolutely love it. I had to make a it wasn't even that hard of a decision actually, but I had to choose between watching the Hong Kong China game and the Australia England game. Byron: I did the same thing. Chad: What did you choose? Byron: I started watching the Hong Kong China USA game. And then when that went to half time, I switched over to England, Australia. Then I watched that until half time and then I went back to Hong Kong China. Went watched that to the finish and then back to the Australia England Chad: The only bit of the England Australia game that I watched live was during the halftime of the Hong Kong China game. Byron: And what did you think? Chad: bro Hong Kong China got robbed with knock ons that weren't called and offsides. Byron: Offsides that weren't called, especially at the end of the game when they were so close, they were in the USA half, and there was a there Chad: Yeah. Byron: was offside after offside after offside and none of them were called. we'll dive into Chad: wild. Byron: proper proper details from that match. do you want to Chad: But yeah. I I I just love it when there's so much rugby on. It's so good and it's such good rugby across the board. Byron: There's nothing and I think we'll talk about this a little bit now, but there's we're obviously big fans of the URC, big fans of the the the MPC we spoke about a lot this season. we'll be fans of super rugby when they start back up, but there's nothing like international rugby union. And to before we get into the greatness of international rugby union, I think we should go over quickly the the League World Cup. Because this Okay, so the semi finals. The semi-finals Chad: All you I watched none of it again. I've given up. Yep. Byron: were on this weekend. New Zealand destroyed Tonga thirty-four ten. And Australia destroyed Samoa. what was the final score for that? Forty four twelve. So as we said, Chad: So we end up where we said we were going to Byron: yeah, we've got an Australia New Zealand final just Chad: Full circle. Byron: like the opening game. But I wanna I want you to do something. I want you to go watch the Civital, the Samoan challenge that they do before a rugby game. Chad: I did see that. Byron: Brother, I wanna know who made it allowed or who who said no one's gonna start a fight when they let them get that face to face. I thought I thought Chad: I think Byron: punches were gonna be thrown. Chad: I'm all for it. I think they should do it with all blacks. They should do it to the Fiji. Let let the boys get in your face. Just don't Byron: I agree. I agree. Chad: obviously, no punches being thrown. That's don't be a doers be lacquer. Byron: Brother, but they were Chad: Yeah. Byron: there was the the it it was like a a a UFC face off before before the Chad: Yeah. Byron: fights. Chad: It's good. Byron: And Samoa in that challenge I thought looked deadly. And then the match started Chad: Yeah. They played rugby. Byron: and and and and it was pretty one sided. Chad: Yeah, that was the only boat that they won. Byron: It was man, I've got I've got nothing. I watched both games start to finish. I genuinely don't have something to sit and talk about. there's An oak from the Australian side who did a backflip after scoring, which was pretty cool. That's it. Chad: Reese Walsh. Byron: That's that's all I've got for you. we'll watch the final. It will probably be the same as the intro. And we like you said, we should have had a five match test series between England and Australia and then let everyone else just play for fun. Cause the the the none of the games were close. Chad: You mean New Zealand and England? New Zealand and Australia, except Australia Byron: What did say? What did I say? Chad: and England? Byron: no, fucking but that game's to come. Yeah. New Zealand, Australia, we said it from the beginning. it's not as fun. International League is nowhere near as fun as international union. I know there'll be a bunch of Chad: So I don't think it's not I don't think it's not the fun bit. I think it's just not as competitive. Byron: That's fair because when when I watched granted there were so many errors, but when I watched was it Lebanon, France, I thought that was the best game of the tournament. They were both shit, but I still thought it was the best game of the tournament because it went down to extra time and there was that Chad: Because it was competitive. Yeah. Byron: charge down and there was excitement to the game. The other games weren't close at all. Chad: Yeah. Waste of time, in my opinion. Anyway, move on, that's enough league for Byron: So all right. A big waste of time, but I committed to it. Chad: me. Yuck. P Byron: And as w I got one more game to watch and that's this weekend and then Clarfour. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Done with that nonsense. All right. So that will be for me Sunday at 9 35 a.m. I'll be watching the rugby league final. since you were talking about Hong Kong, China, did you want to start with the Nations Cup? A tournament you and I Chad: Sure. Byron: have bragged about because we said we we're so happy to see what's considered what are they considered tier two nations, I believe is the correct Chad: Yeah. Byron: term. Watching these tier two nations. Duke it out has been so much fun to watch. Chad: It has been. They've been like most of them have been pretty close games throughout the the comp. 'Cause what are we round four now? Byron: It's really only Georgia that runs away with big scores. Georgia and sometimes Chad: And Samoa. Byron: Portugal. Chad: And Samoa. Byron: Okay, fair enough. Well that's we'll talk about that from this weekend's game, I guess. I'll start. I just want to see if I have any notes on these. Any extra notes. But we start with Tonga beating Romania and Bucharest in a lot closer of a game than I was expecting. Chad: Yep. Byron: thirty eight forty three to Tonga. I did. Now what's the game? Chad: Did you watch the game or at least the highlights? It was it was went down to what, the last ten minutes? Byron: Yep. Yeah, this game what was nice. It was a Friday afternoon kickoff for me. so that was a Chad: Yeah. Byron: a fun thing to to to have in the the backpack. great game. Yeah, like you said, final ten minutes to be for I think for Romanian rugby, that's a phenomenal achievement. Chad: Yeah, I think it's a win. Byron: 'Cause Tonga's a mainstay. they're at every World Cup. So for Romania to be competing against them, fantastic to see the growth in rugby, especially here in Europe. Chad: Yeah. Byron: then a little bit of one sided game in Tbilisi, Georgia beating Canada fifty nine fourteen. Portugal. Chad: That was a that was a that was a shame. I felt bad for the Canadians. They were just they couldn't put it together. Byron: No, it it was the two different games of rugby being played there. Georgia Chad: Yeah. Byron: just a little step. Georgia's in a weird place. 'Cause I think Georgia, no offense to the other teams in this competition, but I think Georgia's too good for the Nations Cup. But I don't think they're good enough for the nations championship. You're seeing that with Fiji and Japan. They're really sh and I want to get into that a little later when we talk about what the logs look like in the championship. But Georgia's or in that weird space where they're too good for this comp but not good enough for the other. Chad: So should there be a religion? Byron: I'd love there to be a relegation. I'd love it. Chad: Can you imagine? So who would drop down? Byron: At the moment, from the southern hemisphere would be Fiji. from the northern hemisphere. Chad: And then it would other be Zimbabwe would go in would be Georgia or the Byron: Italy? Chad: USA. Byron: you mean going up? Chad: Yeah. Byron: 'Cause I think it should be one from the north, one from the south that gets relegated. Chad: Yeah, no swap. Byron: Swap. So then we have well Chad: one from the north and one from the so Georgia would go into Fiji's spot, yeah. Byron: trying to w I can't find the log at the moment. I I'm on their website but for whatever reason Chad: I've got it here. So for European, African Asia pool, it's Georgia, Byron: Yes. Chad: Portugal, Spain, Romania, Hong Kong, China and Zimbabwe. Byron: that pool I have. I was talking about which northern hemisphere team from the championship is at the Give me a second. Sorry, viewers. Chad: yeah, I'll tell you. Yeah, if I go there the northern hemisphere is France, England, Byron: Actually. Chad: Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy. Byron: Yeah, there it is. Yeah, Italy on zero points, Fiji on zero points. Makes sense for them to go down to the Nations Cup and then have what would be at the moment the US and Georgia come up to this competition. And then the big thing would be but they're not in the north and they're not in the south, blah blah blah. We already have that with Japan and Fiji. And Chad: Yeah. Byron: for whatever reason, Ireland played Japan in Australia. So t we can we can find a way to make it work. Chad: Do you know what? Do you know what I think we should do? 'Cause I'm fucking Byron: I'm curious. Chad: I'm s so over Australia at the moment. Can we just trade them? Byron: Kick Australia. Chad: Get rid of them. Let them do give us I think we should do a trade to the Northern Hemisphere. Give us give us Scotland. You guys have Australia, do what you want with Australia. And we keep Scotland. Byron: Scotland were impressive, I think, against the All Blacks. Wait, we're getting sidetracked. It's your fault. It's always your fault. Chad: Sorry. I just the Australians pissed me off. Byron: I don't blame Portugal Chile, we said that one already. 36 15 to Portugal. Spain, Uruguay, which was I think it would have been fun to watch. I did not watch this game. 1812 Chad: I didn't watch this game. Byron: to Spain. And then although we wanted it so, but it just wasn't meant to be. Zimbabwe lost seven forty three to Samoa. Two yellow cards to Chad: Yeah. Byron: Samoa, though. That I thought was interesting. but The pick of the game, the pick of the weekend, game of the weekend, whatever you want to call it. Brutal, brutal last minute loss. US savers Hong Kong China twenty eight twenty six to the US. Chad: yeah, I woke up at three thirty on a Monday morning to watch this game. Happy I did, but was fuming at three like actual angry. And yeah, if if you're gonna watch any of the highlights from this weekend or rewatch any of the matches, that's the one you need to watch. Byron: And we've spoken about Luke Ramos before, the referee. Chad: Yeah. Yeah. Byron: He he He's confident in his decision and he moves forward and works from his decision. Unfortunately, his decisions are not always the right ones. Chad: Yeah. The yeah. The one that got me was the I think it was in the first half. There was like three knock-ons that were I don't know how the three blind mice could have seen that they were knock ons. Byron: Yeah, the first one he called straight down, I think it was, and then the other ones were called backwards. Yeah. Chad: Yeah, and none of them were backwards. and then yeah, the off sidelines. my at the end of the game. And Byron: Yeah. Chad: the thing is that was annoying me was they were all kickable three points. Byron: That's the thing, they were within they were within forty meters. And they it was dead centre. Chad: Forty meters and yeah. Yeah. Bro, Byron: No. Chad: I was so angry. I was screaming at my TV at five o'clock in the morning, woke up the entire house. Byron: And what's crazy with that one? Is Hong Kong China are ranked twenty fourth and the US are ranked fifteenth. Do you know what that would have done for Hong Kong China rugby for getting a win over the number fifteen ranked side? It would have shot Chad: Yeah. And they Byron: them so far up their world rankings. Chad: And they actually they won that game. I I don't care what Byron: They did wouldn't they go? Chad: people say. That that was a Hong Kong China win. The the try from what's the flanker? Number six, goddammit, forget his name, in the first half. Byron: Let's see if I can find it so we can give him a proper shot. Number six, Hong Kong China, Jack Bartlett. Chad: Jack Bartlett, bro, where he picks up and just sends it like he's a wing, tries to get tackled and just says, Nah, it's okay. I'm just gonna I'm heading this way, boys. Thank you. Thanks for coming though. Yeah. Everything about that. Byron: It was such a good game. And if I look at the the first three games from Hong Kong China versus this one game against the US, the growth Chad: Their defense, the the Byron: Yes. Chad: in that first half where it w they were the USA was just attacking, attacking, attacking, and the boys were just holding for I'm saying whoever's the defense goes to Hong Kong China, get in the Springbok camp. They've leaked less points. Byron: Okay, hold on now. We only leaked seven points, so you can't talk about defense there. Chad: Yeah. Yeah, but we we didn't play against who would be fifteenth we wouldn't it's us playing against the USA. Byron: Yes. So they would get one try against us, maybe. Maybe. Whale scored a try against this Chad. Chad: This is true. You make a good point. Byron: do you wanna do predictions for next week? Chad: yeah, let's let's bring it up. Do you want me to read them out and you shut them out? Okay, we've got Georgia Tonga. Byron: Sure, sure, sure, sure. What a game. Let's just stop and appreciate the game that the Nations Cup is giving Chad: No, we we rapid fire. Byron: us. I'm gonna go Tonga. Yeah, Tonga. Chad: Georgia, Tonga. Tonga. Okay. Hong Kong, China, Canada. Byron: Hong Kong China. This is the game I was supposed to be going to, but due to changes in plans, I very sadly am not attending this game anymore. Chad: This is not rapid fire bar. Byron: Okay, sorry, cheese. Hong Kong China beats Canada. Leave me alone. Chad: Portugal and Samoa. Byron: Portugal. Chad: I Samoa wins the one. Zimbabwe and Uruguay. Byron: Let's go sables! Chad: Yeah. And then Spain and Chile. Byron: España Chad: And then Romania and USA. Byron: Looking at what Romania did to Tonga, I'm gonna go Romania for this game. Chad: Yeah, I also don't like the USA at the moment, so Byron: Fair enough. Chad: they got s gifted a wood. Byron: An unnecessary one. Okay. Now we can talk about the nation's championship. Where should we start? Let's start with the results. Then Chad: At the top, baby. Yeah. Byron: I want to talk about the log and what the log is teaching us. Okay. So Friday night, Ireland beat the shit out of Argentina. Chad: Yeah, it was rough. Byron: I don't really Chad: Shame. Byron: know. Chad: Just everything about Ireland looked really good in that game, but Argentina weren't Byron: It's not the same Argentina that was playing in the rugby championship two two seasons ago. It's not the Chad: Yeah. Byron: same Argentina. Chad: Skull they don't have the same couch. His check is not there anymore, is he? Byron: They they they they lack the and this is again with all due respect to the Argentinian national side because obviously they are great players, but compared to where they were, they lack the creativity, they lack the tenacity. you know, Argentina would be able to come back with ten minutes left in the game and score three tries. Now I don't know if Argentina is going to be able to find their way to the try line. And it's it's sad because I was really enjoying watching the rise of the Lost Pumas. and I hope they come back soon, but at the moment it's just not looking good for Argentina. Chad: Yeah. Byron: So forty two twelve to Ireland on that one. Then Saturday afternoon the Bacca taught Italy an absolute lesson. Chad: Yeah. I thought we were looking at a hundred points at halftime. Byron: Yeah, it's it's slowed down in the second half. And Chad: A lot. and I don't think I think it was our fault too. I Byron: Yes. Chad: don't think Italy got better. I think we were making a couple more handing errors and just like almost overplaying. Passing passes that shouldn't have been passed, just weren't doing what we just changed. Intensity just changed. Byron: I think that that that normally happens when you have a big enough lead though. Oaks want Chad: Yeah. Byron: to score tries and Still a good game. Chad: But do you think that that's the case? Because like I I think like Rassie and and the coaching squad, coaching team, have kind of Byron: gotten rid of that mentality? Yeah. Well I think Chad: H have a culture of that not being a thing of not being I wanna score a tri it's the the the Springboks are gonna score, not not C not circle. Byron: score a try. Yeah. Which is the best thing for a team to have. But I think it was Russi's post match interview where he was saying that the box didn't change anything at halftime, but Italy made good defensive reads during halftime and that made it more difficult for the Chad: Maybe. I I didn't see it the way. I saw it the other way around. Byron: so I feel like that's a generous response or a way to talk about what happened. I think he was just being, you know, kind about what was going on. But I want to talk about the line that Visa ran for that inside pass to Villimsa. Right? No offense to to Visa when you look, when you see his face, it doesn't look like there's much going on. Behind the eyes, but he loves his rugby and he knows his rugby better than anyone else. But then you watch him choose that line that he ran Chad: Yeah. Byron: and that inside ball, and I ate my word. I apologized immediately to nobody but to Visa in in Imaginary Land to be like, I just thought you were a brute, but brother, what you did there, pure class. Chad: Yeah. Byron: What an inside ball as well. but that line he chose. okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. Anything more about the box, Chad? Besides how impressive they were. Chad: Mornay von den Berg. Mornay van den Berg is absolute class. He's tack not not just it for Byron: He's tackling. He's tackling. Chad: me, it's how quickly he gets the ball out of the ruck or out of wherever he needs to get and it's going straight into Sasha and Willemson, all the boys that we need to score, getting it into their hands. I feel like Byron: It's like he's got glue on his fingertips. Chad: But yes, they're like rockets, dude. He passes it. Byron: Because he gets to that ruck and the ruck's not even properly formed and that ball's already on the way out. It's very impressive. We Chad: Yeah. It's so good. I think I think at the moment, best scrummy. Byron: Yes. Yes. Chad: But a fashion I think is more useful than a Quibus. And I'm not saying Quibus is a worse player, but I think he knocks the ball on less Byron: No. Different styles as well. Chad: and yeah, and just so much quicker. Byron: Yeah, we've spoken many a time about Reynx knock ons at the most inopportune moments at the Rux. Chad: Yeah. Byron: And that's just not a problem that Mornay has at the moment. and starting next week, we'll do you wanna go over the the squad quickly? Chad: Yeah, do you have it? Do you want me to bring it up? Byron: You can share it if you would like. Chad: Yeah, you if you can share it if you can. Byron: I don't know how to share my screen on this thing. why is it so hard to find all of a sudden? It's so much easier on Instagram. Chad: I got it. Bring up the Springboks. Yeah. Byron: There we go, I've got it, I got it, I got it. So starting the front three, you got Oxen Chair, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Low. Scrum machines. Chad: Unlucky. Byron: at luck we have Lutha Yahacha and Ruhanokia. then I think the maybe the best loose trio in the world. Sierra Khalicia, Peter Stef Totoy, and Jasper Visa, six, seven, and eight. Chad: That's sus. Byron: Morne Vandenberg at nine, Sasha Feinberg and Gomezulu at ten. Happy to see it. Ethan Hooker, Damien Dielende, Jesse Creel, Kurtley Arensur, and Damien Willemser to round out the backline. Chad: That is a dangerous, dangerous pack. Byron: It's it's arguably our best fifteen. Chad: So from last week we've got what one change, real change? We've got Byron: can't even remember the squad from last week, it's Chad: So we've got Vilcolo coming in at prop and Thomas O'Toy on the bench. And we have Grand Williams out and Kubis in. So really it's two changes, but one one person's actually out, one person's in. Byron: Yeah. And that's just the Reynach swap. Chad: Yeah. So no that's good. I like that. Byron: 'Cause then listen to this bench for flip's sake. Jan Hendrik Vessels at sixteen, Gerat Steencom, Thomas DeToy for the replacement props, Franco Mastert and Cameron Hanekom and Paul DeVilius for the other forwards. And then you have Reinach and Mani LeBok as Chad: sixty split. Yeah. Byron: the back line replacements. Chad: Another six two. That's I think that's just gonna be our that I don't think we're ever gonna do a five three ever again. Byron: No, but we don't need to because we have so many players that can play in odd positions. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Speaking of plays in odds positions, when we get to the England game, we need to talk about Pollock at wing. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Because fuck me. squad four for this weekend's game, he announced it on Monday. He knew Saturday which team was playing the following Friday. Chad: Yeah. How good is it Byron: Crazy are. Chad: though? It's so I I love it. I love it for for us that get to talk about it. Fucking hey. Byron: Yeah, we got the whole week to look at it. And then if you're a opposing team, it you I guess you can plan ahead. But what does it what do you do? Chad: But what do you do when you've got there's nothing you can there's nothing you can do. exactly what's coming for you. Yeah. you're gonna get scrubbed. Byron: ox and chair, oxen chair is gonna scrum you. What whether ox is there, Wilco's there, Steen Cup, it doesn't matter. They all scrum as if there isn't another day. And if you look at our Chad: Yeah. It's just Byron: props as well, you can go back even the T the guys that aren't there, Paul Thin. You just keep saying names, and they're all fantastic fucking players, scrummers, everything. Chad: Yeah, no, it's gonna be I think this is a this kind of feels like a a semi final this game is coming up. 'Cause in reality it's probably gonna be France, South Africa in the final. That's where I see it. Byron: Depending on how this game goes, yes. Because Chad: I think we would. Byron: we'll get let's go through the other games and we'll talk about that log. KKK. We're we're always good. Chad: Okay. Yeah yeah. Sorry, we're skipping it. Scotland, New Zealand. Byron: Scotland looked good, they just weren't good enough. Chad: Yeah. One thing I did notice and from the very first one is the Scottish for all the up and unders didn't go for the ball, went where the all blacks tapped the ball back to. And I think that is because the Kiwis have been struggling with that high ball, and that's what the tactic they've taken to play, which I think is a little bit silly. Byron: Yeah, but it also didn't work in Scotland's favour though. I think they would have done better just challenging in the air. Chad: You reckon? I think they were just disrupting the ball, waiting for the Kiwis to Byron: There was a lot of mistakes in that game from both teams. Chad: Yeah. Byron: There was a lot of stop start nonsense. I did I did see something that did frustrate me throughout that whole game. Two things that the All Blacks were doing that the referee didn't pick up on. Number one was at the breakdown, they were winning so many penalties, New Zealand, for Scotland holding on. But if you watch the replay, I don't think they were showing enough daylight. Chad: Yeah. But that's always been a kiwi Byron: if you're the t Chad: thing. Byron: it's very annoying because it used to be you have to show both hands in the air and then go for the Chad: Yeah. Byron: ball. They got rid of that and you just needed to show a little bit of daylight. But You can argue that there isn't any daylight for some of those New Zealand penalties. Chad: Yeah. Byron: They kinda roll with him and then go for the ball, which is not daylight if you ask me. Chad: Well, when you become a referee you can you can tell him. Byron: But no one asked me, so I am a referee. Chair, I've actually got a little story to tell you about this weekend that just finished about my refereeing. Chad: Yeah. Byron: I did find one thing interesting. It was in the later bit of the game, after the 65th minute, I should have written down the exact time. But Barrett ran into Kinghorn's shoulder head first, and the game stopped, and everyone was the commentators were talking about I was gonna see red, you can't do that, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. King One did nothing wrong. Barrett ran head first into his shoulder and Chad: Yeah. Byron: the game had to stop and it restarted with a scrum and then he went off for a an HIA. That was okay. Chad: H yeah. Byron: But I just I thought it was so strange about the way they reacted to the situation. Chad: Yeah, but isn't that that's I think that's a normal thing though. Byron: Yeah, but they were there was initially the it was going against Scotland. Chad: Yeah. There's I don't know. the some of the calls that you've made for these head contact things I understand Byron: Touching guy, look. Chad: I understand player safety and I get it, I'm all for it. But Yeah. There's sometimes there's to be a layer of common sense Byron: Well, sometimes we see it, especially with the legend herself, Hollie Davidson. She always Chad: Yeah, but Holly's an exception. She's a fucking weapon. Byron: She considers every single angle and what was happening before she makes her call, and it really makes things a lot easier. And then the other thing. Chad: And all in a couple of minutes too. She doesn't wait twenty five minutes going back and forth and she's like, Nah we're Byron: No, she sees the angle she needs and she goes, Okay, yeah, let's move on. We're we're we're done here. I love Chad: Yeah. Byron: it. It's fantastic. the only other thing I had from the All Blacks was that they were constantly offside. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Constantly. And it was never called. So I don't think Scotland would have won that game even if New Zealand played clean. Not saying New Zealand's a dirty side, I'm just saying they were taking advantage of the referee not calling it, which any team does. clip it before the explanation. Chad: No. It's I that's that's all it's gonna be. It's gonna be two seconds of Byron saying th that the Kiwis are dirty players. Byron: The all blacks are always off side. And in end of clip. Chad: Yeah. Byron: but no, look. a few more games then I want to talk about that log. Last two. Wales, Chad: But Byron: Japan. Japan should have d at least drawn that game. Chad: Yeah. pff also, sorry, one last thing about the Scotland game. Byron: Scotland O'Blax? Yeah? Chad: How did Will Jordan not score? In that game. Wild to me. Byron: I think it's because they had they had too many try scorers on the field. Chad: It was just frustrating. Anyway, had I don't understand how you didn't score. Byron: There were too many players that could have, should have, and did score. Chad: Yeah. Byron: the loose trio for the All Blacks against Scotland. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Wales Japan should have at least been a draw. I don't think Wales deserved that win. but twenty Chad: Yeah. Byron: eight twenty one to Wales. Chad: France Fiji. Jake White's got his I don't think that the score line also I think Fiji played well. They did. Byron: Fiji looked like a top class test team in the first fifteen minutes. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Solid contact, no mistakes, good structure, Chad: Up to the yellow card, yeah. Byron: good decision making, But also, Fiji were hitting the French so hard. Chad: Yeah, but that's what they do. I I thought to myself, Byron: Yaw butt. Chad: I was like, There's no way that they can keep this up. no no human can do this for this long. Byron: They just beat a sh. Chad: Yeah. It was up until the thirtieth minute and then it kinda all not fell apart, but I think s France scored two tries towards the end of the half. The thirty from the thirtieth minute. And then at half yeah. Byron: Yeah, and they just put the game away. But another flower half loss for the for the French, losing Intermac. Chad: Apparently I was looking last night and I saw that they've got four injuries. not good for them. I love it for us. Byron: Great for us, not good for not for them. See if I can get boom boom boom. Let's see if we can find There's too many weird names in there. I'll figure it out later. But yeah, some injuries there for France. Excuse us for the delay. And then we had England who just beat the shit out of Australia. Chad: Yeah. Byron: wait, sorry, the France Fiji game. Do you the fourth try that France scored? Chad: Mm-hmm. Byron: The Fijian called the mark on the twenty-two and slid and knocked Chad: yeah yeah yeah. Byron: it on. France went on to score. I agree with the call, but I am curious on your opinion. Does the mark count when you call it? Or do you have to continuously Chad: No, you gotta catch a clean. Byron: show control in order for the mark to count? Chad: No, you gotta catch it clean. Byron: I like the rule where the mark was on one foot when you caught it. Chad: Yeah. But you haven't caught it, you've touched it and put your foot in the ground. Byron: That also was the reason that people were getting absolutely lined up Chad: Yeah. Byron: and just cleaned out. Chad: Yeah. Byron: England destroyed Australia, to put it politely, forty five twenty two. Chad: Yeah. I mean England did a lot of cool stuff. I you touched on it earlier with Pollock being on the wing and scoring two tries and Byron: Just cause of injuries, yeah. Chad: but Yeah, I just I'm so frustrated with Australia. It's every single time I want them Byron: The note I have yeah. Chad: to do something is just maybe it's me. Byron: Doesn't happen. The the note I have here is Australia will not beat the all blacks in the World Cup and Hong Kong China beat them in the opener. Chad: I sick. But you know what also think? One thing I did know about notice about the Aussies, they're still playing it felt like they were playing super rugby level rugby. Not Byron: Yes. That it doesn't they it doesn't step up. Chad: Yeah, it's just there. you could play that team against the Hurricanes or Crusaders. Byron: And it will look the same. Chad: And it would be a a much closer game. I mean, n maybe not the Hurricanes. Hurricanes would probably still put a hundred points in them. Byron: Hurricanes will probably put a win on the on the Australian side. Maybe for force. Chad: Yeah. No, shame. Yes, it's not the force. like a good a good side, like a the Chiefs Chiefs last year was shit. Crusaders. Crusaders versus the Byron: Blues. Chad: Australian side would be an actual good game because that's what it feels like where they're playing at. Byron: When you watch what was that documentary Chasing the Sun? They explain the way the box look at that defensive line. I don't think Australia is bringing that same mentality to each and every game. Chad: Hong Kong China defensive coach. Australia's got an opening. Byron: And no no no, we no no no. Stay exactly where you are. You've got to beat Australia in a few months. Chad: Yeah. Yes, if that happens, Byron, I'm gonna fucking lose my lid. Buck it'll be fun. Can you imagine? Byron: Well we ideally we're ideally we're both in Australia for the opener. Maybe not at the game, but we're both in Australia for the opener. We'll figure it out. Chad: I'll be at the closest pub to the stadium in Perth. Just sending it. With my Aussie Byron: Oof. Oof. Chad: passport in my pocket and my Hong Kong jersey on. Wearing Byron: Ha ha Chad: my Hong Kong and yeah. Byron: I can't wait. Chad: I'm actually envisioning it in my head. Might what fuck it'll be fun. God. Byron: it would be such a blast. It would be so much fun. Then something Chad: October next year. Yeah. Cap. Byron: crazy happened in that game because of injuries. But Pollock was sent to the wing. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Scored two tries. Nutmegged an Australian with the grubber. Chad: Yeah. Byron: And I know we give him shit. I know he's this new type of rugby player, whatever it is. But he's good. He's good. Chad: He's good. Byron: He's good. But what I did laugh about was I saw a post on all things rugby, quote from Steve Borthwick, who is obviously the England head coach. And Chad: I yeah. Byron: it says he's going around the changing room, telling the wingers it is easy. So we s so so we have that to deal with. And you know what? Chad: It must be so difficult to be on his team. Full shit like that. Because yeah. Yeah. Byron: Yeah. Because you wanna give him shit, but then he proves you wrong at every every opportunity you get. He nearly scored Chad: Yeah. Byron: a hat trick as well. Chad: Yeah. Could you imagine? Imagine going to the wings. Byron: I I love I also his reactions after he scored the second try and he's looking and he's like, Two, already, two, I just got on the field. fuck. Alright, that was the games. Now I want to talk about the logs because it's becoming abundantly clear that there's a bit of a skewness to this log because of the inclusion of Japan and Fiji in the Southern Hemisphere. Now we have to all agree, as much as we love the rugby, that compared to the other 12 teams, Japan and Fiji. are of a lower tier. Let's put it that way. That's a polite way to put it You you you would expect Italy and Wales to beat both Japan and Fiji. Maybe not Wales and Fiji. But you would expect Wales and Italy to beat Japan and Fiji on most days. Chad: I disagree, but yep. Byron: Where do you do you think Fiji beats Wales and Italy? Chad: I think Fiji yes. Fiji was quarter final World Cup quarter final team. Byron: Yes. But they lost twenty four thirty nine to Wales already. And then they play Italy, Chad: Mm-hmm. Byron: I believe, in the last in the last round. Chad: No, I think was I believe in Fiji. I think Fiji's gonna be in the quarter f yeah. No, I think they'll be better than them. Byron: I believe in Fiji. But if you're comparing Fiji to Ireland, Chad: Okay, that's yeah, different. Byron: You're comparing Fiji to England, you're comparing Fiji to Scotland. So what I'm trying to say is the Southern Hemisphere, the real Southern, the top nations out of the Southern Hemisphere is the rugby championship, and the top nations Chad: The four, yeah. Byron: out of the Northern Hemisphere is the six the six nations. Chad: Yeah. Byron: So there's a little bit of a skewness towards the Southern Hemisphere table because of those two teams. Chad: Are you saying that we need to bring in South Africa A and get rid of Is that what you're trying to get to Byron? South Africa has two teams. Byron: Chad, now that you I didn't I didn't think of that, but now that you've said it, it's a brilliant idea. We we did it in the Chad: South Africa. Springboks, South Africa A. Byron: we did in the what was it the under-20 championship. We had the under-20 Springboks and the under-20 Springbok A. So it would drive the world, not world rugby, but the world of rugby insane if we did that. Chad: I wouldn't say no. Byron: Anyway, the reason I'm bringing this up or because although it skews it, it doesn't change the fact. South Africa and New Zealand are especially if we can get a a result on Friday against France, it will prove that South Africa and New Zealand are above everyone else when it comes to to rugby. Chad: What's the re the things for this weekend, the fixtures? okay, yeah. New Zealand's playing Wales. Byron: Yeah, so France plays South Africa, tight game. New Zealand play Chad: South Africa. Byron: Wales. We know what's going on there. Then in the last round, South Africa play Ireland and New Zealand play England, which I think is two the Probably the some of the best games we'll get to watch, besides this France South Africa game. But that's Chad: Yeah. Byron: why I said it's important for the top of the log, this win against France. Because France are first on their log, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy. But what's important is that everyone on the Northern Hemisphere side has at least two wins, except for Italy. Whereas everyone on the Southern Hemisphere log has one win. or zero wins unless you're South Africa or New Zealand. So it means that the southern hemisphere can only beat Italy. Unless you're South Africa or New Zealand. That's a problem. Chad: Fun, they're like our little step brothers, let him be. Byron: 'Cause Australia lost to Ireland in the first round, Australia lost to France. Chad: Yeah, but Australia's f don't talk to me. it's a trigger for me. I'm over them. Byron: The only win from Australia was against Italy. So that's all Fiji I mean that's all Japan has and Fiji has as a hope. Chad: Yeah, but also Australia couldn't beat an egg at the moment, so Byron: All right, so then you do the predictions for this coming week. Let's go. Chad: Okay. Yeah. Byron: France versus Africa. Chad: South Africa. Jeez, almost in France. Byron: Italy, Argentina. Chad: Argentina win that one. Byron: Has to be right. Chad: Surely. Byron: I don't know why I'm asking you this. Wales, New Zealand. Chad: New Zealand bar fifty five. Byron: Not a bad shot. England, Japan. Chad: England. Byron: Ireland, Fiji. Chad: Ireland. Byron: Scotland, Australia. Chad: Scotland absolutely more the wallabies. Yeah. Byron: So nothing changes. Only change ideally is that Argentina pick up another win, which would be the win against Italy, and then the everything else Chad: Mm-hmm. Byron: is status quo. Chad: Yeah. Byron: So what everyone's talking about and I agree with it that the strongest teams are in the south, but the most depth is in the north. Chad: That was literally the post we posted yesterday. Byron: All right. Chad: It is right though, she's true. Which is better. Byron: Then Chad. Chad: Just better in every way. Byron: I sent you an Instagram post with the number of internationals in the squads from the URC, I think it no, yes, from the URC. Chad: Okay. Byron: If you don't mind sharing your screen, sir. 'Cause I want to show you something that we've spoken about and here it is in proof. Chad: Whoops. Byron: Look at that. So, what this is is the URC teams and the number of players from each of their teams in the nations championship. Obviously, for Benetton and Zebre, it's the Italian players. So there's a lot of them there. The Walsh players, you've got the Dragons, Scarlets, and Ospreys. The Irish and the Scottish, you can see all of those, blah, blah, blah. Great for everybody. What I want to show you. Is that number for the Lions? Granted, he's Mornay Vunenberg is phenomenal. But when you look at squad depth and class, it we s I speak about it all the time. The Lions always have these phenomenal players. they'll end up leaving. And now all players Chad: And let him go. Yeah. Byron: are coming back to South Africa from Japan. we're seeing Malcolm Marx come back, we've seen Kacha Smith come back, we've seen Peter Stef Datoy come back. N Damien D'Allende is apparently coming back. None of them are going Burland. But only Chad: Did you see who they're gonna be signed up for? Sorry, I never got off topic here. Bro, crazy. Byron: in the Curry Cup and though they still have the opportunity to join a a URC side. Chad: Yeah. It's probably gonna be the stormers. Byron: It's not gonna be the Lions. Chad: That's yeah, I think that's fair to say. Byron: And you know what? I say this with all love and respect because I'm gonna be in South Africa and I'm going to Lions versus Toulouse. I've already bought my tickets. Just just some of the Springboks, just come to Joburg, man. Chad: Ha ha ha Byron: Yokes are killing me. That's all I have to say on that. That's all. Then Chad, I sent you another reel. I wanna see your opinion on this step. Chad: Okay, let me bring it up here. I overwatched it though. Well Okay, Byron: Don't watch it. I watch it live. Chad: tell me when. Byron: Got. Chad: Assass. Unluggie. Byron: Broken ankles. Chad: Just and zero I don't even know what to call it. no. Byron: She didn't know where she was going. She didn't know how she was gonna tackle her. Chad: She wasn't going to. She never had any chance. And that was Byron: It what a step. Chad: like what I expected to look like when if Ches and Colby or Curtis Orange was running towards you and you trying to make a tackle. It's the same Yeah. Byron: Yes. It's exactly what it looked like. Yes. Because I they would have stepped me so badly that I wouldn't even have been able to fall to one side because part of my body would have gone this way and my other part would have gone that way. Chad: Yeah, you have a ruptured disc in your back. Byron: my my forehead would have pulled something. So I just wanted you to see that. I thought that step was was quite phenomenal. Chad, is there anything else from World of Rugby? I need to tell you about my referee this weekend. Chad: Yes. Hit hit us up. Byron: So it was a seniors game, third class, third division, whatever you would have der club was Rush versus rugby club versus Westfriesland. Little did I know, only after the game do I come to find out that it is a little bit of a rivalry between the two clubs. Chad: Yeah. Byron: I wish someone told me before the game that this was something I needed to be aware of. Because, brother, were there some fights? Chad: On the in the field? Byron: There were four South Africans on the Chad: Yep. Byron: Westfriesland side. One of them got a yellow for fighting. Completely, completely avoidable. There was no reason for it. There wasn't even a reason for there to be animosity between the sides. Everyone Chad: Yeah. Byron: was friendly. And then all of a sudden it there were Chad: Mm-hmm. Byron: more kicks and punches and scratches and pinches and grabs and throws than I could watch the real game. I ended up watching the ball, watching the fight, watching a ball, watching a fight, watch I missed Chad: She need shout the mouse. Byron: So who? The South Africans or the guys who got yellow cards? What are we talking? Chad: Yeah. w like what's Byron: So the the first yellow Chad: Well yeah, what were they for, first of all? Byron: Okay, so the first yellow, there were quite a lot of high tackles, which I thought was interesting, more so than what I'm used to. But the first yellow, what? the hooker from Westfriesland pulls the prop from Schaeche out of the ruck, and the the prop from Schaacher holds onto him and Chad: so she can say our Byron: The that's that's exactly what he did. He just started punching him. It's for him to let Chad: It's Byron: go. Which is not the right thing to do. So I'm watching that happen and the game's going on and someone shouts they're fighting. But they weren't throwing f fists yet. So in my head, I'm thinking, Well, they're not gonna throw punches, they can talk to one another. I told him to let go of him, and that's what should have happened. So then I had to stop the match when the fighting started and I spoke to both of them and it was like a yellow card. Then the next one. Schaker gets a breakaway. the number eight gets tackled two meters from the try line. They do a pick and go. Unfortunately, the person who tackled them, the scrum off, was still running back when he made the tackle. Chad: Jesus. Byron: So I was like, look, there were other defenders there, so it's not a penalty try. But you you tackled two meters out, you were coming from an offside position. I have to give you a yellow for that. But then the game ended, both teams scored four tries, but Schaecher won by four points because West Friesland missed two kicks. Good game. I enjoyed the game. I thought Chad: I like as rugby. Byron: at the end of the game when I was speaking to both sides, both of them were like, Yeah, it's a rivalry, this normally happens. I was like, Why did someone tell me before the game I've got to keep an eye out for for fights? I've ref Chad: Or at least tell him before the game, mean like oi, don't be don't be a tourist. Byron: Yeah, I've ref double I've ref double digit games now in the Netherlands, and not once did any games come anywhere close to even a a face-to-face sort of confrontation. Then they throw me in the game where oaks are throwing elbows, the one guy comes to me, he puts his shirt up like this, he's got ruck marks all the way across his chest from someone kicking him in a ruck. And I was Chad: Yes. Byron: like, Where how? What no one told me Chad: It's hilarious. Byron: It was a fun game though. Look, after the game everyone was in good spirits. They both agreed it was a lacquer game. they said it was a good ref, but I suppose they say that to everybody. But that was good. One down. I Chad: Good. Byron: don't have my next match scheduled yet, but hopefully it's soon. It's so much fun refereeing Chad, you have to start. Chad: I know, already want to. Next year, when they open up I'm gonna throw my hat in the ring. Byron: It's if it's the same process as was it is if it's the same process there as was it what it is here, go to your local club, tell them you want a referee, and you'll either have to do your R1 there or they'll tell you which club it's at next and you go there to get it. Then you can start. So much fun. You have to do it. I recommend it. And it does give you a little more respect to the referees and the shit that they miss. although I won't stop giving ref shit. Chad: Yeah, me neither. Byron: 'Cause they're professionals. They should be better at it than I am. and well Chad: They are. But sad rumors. Byron: Wee, shots fired. I'll take his space. I'll referee the next Hong Kong China game. Chad: Only you allow to you biased. Byron: That don't I guess they would know that if they anyone watches the show. But I'm a Chad: Yeah. Byron: neutral Chad, didn't you know? Chad: You also South African Byron: Don't I look neutral? Chad: easily persuade. Byron: I you I you can't I can't referee the Springboks and I can't referee the Lions. Everyone else is fair game. Except maybe the Netherlands, 'cause I live here. I'd love to referee the All Blacks. I think that's everyone's dream, right? Chad: Yeah. That would be pretty cool. Byron: What's a referee at a World Cup? Unless you're Harvey Barnes and then Chad: Can ask for a bit of seat. Byron: and then they That's what I was speaking to someone about as well. They were because I obviously I can't play anymore because of my mountain climbing accident. For those of you that don't know, it's I'm not explaining it. Chad: Great story. Yep. Byron: but I can't play anymore because of my head injury. So my options were coach or referee. I didn't want to coach. But what I've realized with refereeing is I have the best seat in the house. Chad: Yeah. You couldn't be Byron: It is so it's so sick to be that close when someone's ankles get broken and they step them. Or Chad: yeah. Byron: when the fuck, the number eight, the the eighthman for Westfriesland, South African Oak. Brother, when he built up a head of steam, he didn't look for a soft shoulder. He looked for the nearest victim. Chad: Yeah. Byron: There was there was a moment where he got a com a clean break, and it was just him and the fullback. And instead of trying anything else, all he did was lock in on the fullback, drop his shoulder, and he ran straight over him. He went down as well, but he could have done 12 other things Chad: Slowed him down, yeah. Byron: to score a try. No, no, no, no, no. He wanted to murmur. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Chad: It's just that it inflicts pain. Yeah. Byron: Proper PK. Chad, I think we've got the KAK. Chad: I think we have. Thank you. Byron: No, thank you. It was fun. For anybody who stayed and watched the whole show, thank you for watching. Please like, share, and subscribe. We didn't talk about Surfshark in this episode, but we'll talk about it in the next one, I promise. Chad: Yep. Buy a VP in from us. Byron: Yeah. Thanks for watching. Peace.