GBR Reacts: All Blacks v England/Australia v Wales/Springboks v Ireland

Following an action-packed weekend of international rugby, Alex Payne catches up with Mike Tindall, Jon “Fox” Davies, and Shane Horgan to analyse the weekend's events.
Season 4 is sponsored by Continental Tyres

[@soltangriss3163]

As a Springbok supporter I am pleased that the the England team is performing again. Rugby needs top teams to perform well and keep the competition healthy. Holding thumbs that the Wallabies are also on the road to recovery.

[@michaelpeacock1481]

Agreed. England also did very well in the world cup, where the Springboks managed to beat England by only 1 point thanks to a long range penalty just before the end that Pollard kicked over. However I do realize that England was not good recently in other matches, apart from beating Ireland in the 6 nations

[@michaelpeacock1481]

And if course England also beat Argentina to win the bronze medal in the WC

[@ajs17897]

You ever thought maybe not listening to the shite that Stephen Jones spouts? His rugby knowledge hasn't changed since 2003, the Clive Woodward of Rugby Journalism

[@patrickmoore6775]

Yep. Such a cynical English sycophant.

[@peterp9918]

How he's still employed by the Sunday Times is an absolute mystery.

[@johnrichards4097]

Many of us who read the ToL want him gone and you have just encouraged this sad old man. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

[@johneales5024]

Joe is a great fit for the Wallabies - already we’re looking more organised and confident in attack and will only improve. Excited to see how we go next week in Melbourne. I feel for our Welsh mates who are clearly in the doldrums … but jeez we needed that! Go Wallabies!!!!

[@64jkn]

Absolutely , I have two Children living in Australia , We need a Strong Australia 🦘,Go Australia love from Ireland ☘☘

[@khayakoko2331]

Welcome back, England, to the top table of international rugby. We really missed you. Go Springboks. 🇿🇦♥️

[@charlthompson1527]

England played VERY well and smart. I fancy them for the next world cup. I like the new coach and what he is busy doing with the team. And I'm a South African...

[@fawltyoldboybasil.2178]

Far rather listen to Mike Tindall discuss the games than read Stephen Jones.

[@colinmeehan791]

Jones is just awful,needs to get over himself.

[@71bootneck]

Unless it’s South Africa 😂. He not a fan. I personally think he likes it that England havent won since 2003. Because hes still on the cocktail circuit. Or he’d be obsolete

[@johnrichards4097]

Would rather listen to my Auntie who has never watched a game.

[@user-gv6vj7xw4u]

England have won 8 matches (against NZ) in 120 years so not sure why there is so much confidence . All Black first game is always rusty but they manage to win most. Eden Park is a nightmare for most I would not be surprised by a 20 point battering for England.

[@LotusEliseNZ]

I'm in New Zealand.... whenever we play the English in this window it's always "The ABs are rusty having just come together", whenever they play them in the UK in November it's always "They're tired at the end of a long season"...... what it never seems to be is "England played brilliantly and beat us / ran us very close" England spent a good chunk of the 20th century being a very ordinary rugby team. When England and NZ meet the score's rarely different by more than a single score in either direction. Yeah, NZ still has the wood on England for sure, but not by any great margin.

[@user-gv6vj7xw4u]

@@LotusEliseNZ Well if England get within 20 points at Eden Park then I would concede they are improving a little .

[@PF-vu2gd]

​@@LotusEliseNZi've heard about comment like you but england still lost to the ABs...

[@user-tj8ox8iy8m]

It's true that New Zealand have lost their air of invincibility. 10 years ago, the series between England & NZ would be a foregone conclusion, with the All Blacks damaging any side that would visit their shores. But since South Africa left Super Rugby, there has been a marked decline in both Kiwi & Ozzie rugby. So I reckon that for the first time since 2003, England have a real shot at winning the next test match. Let's see how it goes this weekend...

[@MeanAzz_13]

​@@user-tj8ox8iy8mhow has SAF leaving S.R affected The A.B'z in any way? In 25 odd years of S.R they only won 4 Titles, with NZL winning 20. Not sure how we suffer without them?

[@jameswyatt4443]

I’ve seen so many fans say the tmo shouldn’t intervene for James Lowe’s try to be disallowed, even though the correct call was made. But then also say tmo should have disallowed Kolbe’s try.

[@Edgycoo]

please south africans stop bringing up the reffing. It is somehow ingrained in your psyche now.

[@eugeneduplessis140]

So what you are saying is... Fans are biased? 😅

[@Hiltok]

Kolbe's try was good. His charge down came after he was offside at the kick-off.

[@danielgriffin9431]

James Lowes try should have stood, as Kelleher was being neck rolled as he inadvertently kicked the ball back .. how the TMO & ref missed that is baffling .. my opinion too much interference in the game from TMO, not the first time they got it wrong in the match as well ..

[@jameswyatt4443]

@@danielgriffin9431 A neck roll doesn’t change the infringement of playing the ball on the ground. How slow are you Irish fans. You all think one infringement cancels out your own, it doesn’t.

[@ElijahMan2633]

Waiting for Mike Tindall to have hardly anything good to say about the Boks. Edit: Nvm…

[@uSbusiso_]

England will get better, ABs will definitely be better.. interesting times

[@speak_your_truth.]

Cry harder dude 😭😭😭

[@fredkelly6953]

England will never get this All Black outfit so vulnerable again. The All Black air of invincibility is a hurdle that still exists, you could see it with Ireland at the RWC and you saw it with England in the weekend. Of course NZ still has to produce results or that air will dissipate but Razors appointment has filled the lungs again so there is hope of a true All Black recovery. England should not be counted out yet though because there was blood in the water and that team will be hungry for a win.

[@1974ribtickler]

Performances from both teams were impressive. A true arm wrestle. If Marcus Smith had his kicking boots on it could have been a win for England. Although DMac wasn't much better. Both teams will step up next weekend. Just hope the ABs take the bigger one.

[@Edgycoo]

go the all blacks. No retreat, no surrender, lets build.

[@LotusEliseNZ]

@@1974ribtickler the difference was that DMac's misses were sideline, ones that you'd say even the best of kickers would only nail 60% of the times. Marcus missed a couple of absolute sitters. Yeah in the end that wasn't the only reason England lost, but to miss a couple of kicks like that in a clutch match is the sort of things a world-class kicker can only have once or twice in his international career. Farrell has been through this and had passed the kicking duties to Ford during the game. If there were more kicks in the game, it should have been Slade taking them. Still, next week is another week and a chance for Smith to make amends.

[@austingtir]

The ireland game was nothing to do with an air of invincibility NZ were just the way better side and frankly the only thing that kept ireland in that game was the ref. NZ were about to blow them out of the park on about 3 or 4 occasions and go two tries up and then Barnes and co would come out with utterly BS decision and let Ireland back into the game. Barnes wont be around to save ireland and whoever else at the end of the year when this team is battle hardened from two test series southafrica (Which I think our tight 5 will dominate them just like they did to England I mean we still have two monster props as backups to our guys that are already doing the damage now. Tamaiti williams is 23YO 144kg and 1.94 meters tall and almost all of our props and hookers are monsters). So the building blocks are there for another dynasty AB team we just need to sort the loosies out find another good lock (thats NZ's weak depth area atm) and change up the centres for someone more like Bundi Aki who can consistently carry straight rather than constantly running sideways like we are now to try go around teams.

[@shonunezekiel]

So where did you see evidence of an aura of NZ invincibility affecting England at the weekend?

[@gunner4life568]

I said I would be surprised if England win any of the test matches but boy was I surprised by how good England was the challenge now is repeating the same or better performance

[@mayurbhuta]

8 players from 2023 were not in the All Black's (Dane Coles, Aaron Smith, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Richie Mo’unga, Shannon Frizzell and Leicester Fainga’anuku) but England still could not beat them! The AB's team is young in terms of experience. They will get better and hence more lethal.

[@mungoblizzard6114]

England were missing Farrell, Lawes, Young, Freddy Stuart and Johnny May

[@BJJPaulos74]

And England had lost Genge, Lawes, Chessum, Youngs, Care, Farrell, Ford, Tuilagi, May, Daly, Marchant, Stuart, Vunipola, Arundell, Willis and Watson from last years world Cup. That's 13.

[@lukawilliams4822]

@@BJJPaulos74this is the best England team in years!! With 6 international games under their belt!

[@speak_your_truth.]

What's your point?

[@davebetts]

As a fan, I’m really pleased with England’s progress. We’re not perfect by a long stretch, but moving forward in the right areas with a bunch of new faces. I like where we’re going!

[@Edgycoo]

they had great defence

[@patrickmoore6775]

Young team. Plenty of potential. I’m pleased for Borthwick, too.

[@ThirdEye_oOo]

Love the style of play England has adopted, looking threatening all the time. I remember hearing Borthwick refusing to make any excuses after the WC exit, instead saying how the team was going to work hard to be better. I think this England team is going to be great under him. International rugby has never been more competitive IMO. Good luck at Eden park next week, go the ABs!

[@PF-vu2gd]

How many years the northern hemisphere teams to build up..? Have heard about this theory ten years ago and world cup after world cup but still building up...

[@eugeneduplessis140]

England should have won that game.... Played great rugby and at Eden Park of all places

[@jameswyatt4443]

South African fans used to be called whiny babies for complaining about referees not making the correct decisions. And now rival fans complain that tmo made the correct decision, “why is tmo intervening there?”How can anyone complain when the right call is made. You hypocrites.

[@davidwalker2402]

South Africa are whiny and have enormous mouths you haven’t lost this trait , let’s see what happens when you lose….

[@Edgycoo]

please stop whinning bok fans

[@Kbyr083]

@@Edgycooplease don’t confuse laughing at you to whining 😂

[@Edgycoo]

@@Kbyr083 I cant tell if youre laughing or smiling because youve seen a burger

[@cella6495]

@@Edgycoo Stop whining about SA fans just because its SA.

[@user-mg6wl6ty4i]

The IRB have always been scathing and dismissive of southern hemisphere rugby. I call it jealousy without a comeback. They are so pissed off with southern hemisphere rugby, they continuously change the rules to suit their northern hemisphere teams, all to no avail. What hurts IRB the most is how many times a southern hemisphere team appears on the World Cup. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😂😂

[@fawltyoldboybasil.2178]

Who are the IRB and what have they got to do with rugby?

[@wakapaul]

@@fawltyoldboybasil.2178 International Rugby Board, now known as World Rugby (governing body).

[@fawltyoldboybasil.2178]

@@wakapaul Thank you.

[@joemoody7440]

What a load of nonsense! do you enjoy making yourselves out to be poor victims of world rugby vendetta against SH teams?? You must love crazy conspiracys..

[@phillipmiga3961]

True! Last time I ask Webb Ellis about which of the hemisphere he loves most he chose southern,Northerns are jealous of the relationship we have with that cup, rules changing are meant to discredit Rassie n the boks period world rugby n some pundits hate our style of rugby n it's unique impact, after 2019 it was reduce number of subs after 2023 it's get rid of scrums😮 after 2027... Loading...

[@calvinprice1204]

Everyone complaining about the lack of our wide game. *suddenly realises they shot themselves in the foot*

[@PF-vu2gd]

England is a young side is what Ive heard about ten years ago but still struggling to beat the southern hemisphere teams...

[@jeremyrameka1634]

Southern hemisphere supremacy

[@user-tj8ox8iy8m]

Except for Argentina.

[@mungoblizzard6114]

@@user-tj8ox8iy8mBroo against a third string France team. Ffs one job !

[@michaelpeacock1481]

I think it's pretty close these days between the 2 hemispheres. Seems like SA and the All Blacks are still just able to hang on to the top ranking spots. France and Ireland and England surely the next best teams I think.

[@revenant2979]

Winning by 1 point....is still winning 🇿🇦😅

[@schnickeringhen]

😂

[@thomasfynn9113]

2 true

[@thomasfynn9113]

A decade from now some people will have forgotten or be dead and all that will be remembered is that SA won the World Cup in 2024. Remember the England team that had to go to Oz to beat the defending World Champions Ozzies to win the World Cup? Those guys were brilliant

[@Damcarnivore]

100%

[@Damcarnivore]

😂😂

[@peterrose8944]

I'm a NZer and I thought England was impressive. The small size of the rugby field at Dunedin was a factor. NZ got to the edge of the field and found 3 defenders waiting. I won't be like that at the vastness of Eden Park.

[@VKM33]

The pitches are the same size in NZ

[@kainoizking]

No such thing as a smaller field bro 😂 every rugby field used for a proffesional match must meet regulation. Englands defence has always been solid and we’ve always struggled against high pressure rush D. They knew how we would try to get around them and countered effectively.

[@Damcarnivore]

What? The pitches are the same size.

[@Hiltok]

@@kainoizking Check the Laws. Pitches are 68-70 metres wide and 94-100 metres in length with ingoals 6-22metres. The smaller end of these ranges are to include some historical grounds and also where a ground is also used for other sports and may not have enough room to allow the typical modern dimensions of 100x70. With that out of the way, Dunedin's ground is a full modern size rugby pitch. Eden Park might look bigger to some because it is an oval rather than a rectangular field, but of course, the marked playing area will be the same.

[@speak_your_truth.]

😂😂😂🤫

[@bulletboom2097]

ABs are not wiping England by 20 points next week. I will come back and eat my words if they do.

[@dupex2]

England is a young side, Itoje was the man of the match for me. England is going to mature into a world beating team.

[@thomasfynn9113]

If you lose how can your man be Man of The March? I'm not an All Blacks supporter. The All Blacks won and as such you need to find the man who empowered them to win. Imagine if you had a player who made 7 turnovers but his team lost the match? Are you not supposed to find the player on the winning team who played the best for his team a mnd led to his team winning?

[@MeanAzz_13]

​@@thomasfynn9113maybe both Fullbacks!

[@Damcarnivore]

You do know that the ABs only have 1 possibly 2 players that won’t be around for the next World Cup?

[@MeanAzz_13]

@@dupex2 here comes that Northern Hemisphere confidence again *3 years out* from a W.C, and we all know how the W.Cs been turning out! 😂😂😂

[@kelbatt7729]

your side on the day is your side on the day ,and on the day- England weren't good enough

[@jboi903]

On the James lowe try it was very clear and obvious at home that the ball had come out the ruck illegally and were talking about the exact same phase pf rugby for when he scofed the try.

[@jacquesventer3170]

It doesnt matter if its a rugby incident. If you are on the ground. You cannot kick the ball out of the ruck. He knew exactly what he was doing. Dont put yourself in that position to give away the penalty

[@miguelangel3254]

Do yourself a favor and watch nigel owen's whistle watch.

[@ManaBlack208]

Mckenzie is lucky we ended up winning becoz if we had lost that game he would have been public enemy No.1 for sure 🎯

[@rorygilmoreNZ]

I think the Tony Brown factor is a bit overstated. The Boks have been developing their running game for ages. Especially at URC and lower levels.

[@mthunziphakathi4215]

Let them believe what they want to believe.

[@Steph-we8jg]

So why hire Tony then?

[@mthunziphakathi4215]

@@Steph-we8jg Felix Jones left for England that's why.

[@phillipsugwas]

Tony Brown, classic forward thinking Rassie stuff.

[@mungoblizzard6114]

It’s All Tony Brown -

[@douglasdejager8450]

The Boks know how to win. Just like the ABs when they were at their best. Simple as that. Stop crying about the ref - he made the right calls.

[@fawltyoldboybasil.2178]

You should forward your comment to Rassie.

[@Kbyr083]

@@fawltyoldboybasil.2178stay current…Rassie himself has changed and no longer complains about the ref, very old news.

[@Hiltok]

The Lowe try was a correct call. The Kolbe try was a correct call. The Kolbe charge down - he was offside at the kick-off. If the TMO was good enough to spot Kelleher's boot, he was good enough to see Kolbe in front of the kick-off, but it would have really embarrassed the ref and AR's for not spotting it.

[@Trajan2401]

​@@Hiltokif you are SA

[@douglasdejager8450]

@@Hiltok which charge down? In the RWC? That one was good.

[@andrewbrennan4423]

I nearly wavered and supported England versus NZ. Well done.

[@korocam9137]

The AB’s last game was the WC final.. they have been together 12 days. England have played six games and have been together for months. Looking forward to seeing the in form Clarke this weekend at his home ground Eden park.

[@fawltyoldboybasil.2178]

England last played as a team in late March in the Six Nations, 3+ Months back. What are you talking about?

[@korocam9137]

@@fawltyoldboybasil.2178 they played two weeks ago.. Six games is more than No games?

[@Steph-we8jg]

You've been together as a team since 6 nations had longer in camp before to tour. We had less th 36:53 an 2 weeks new team 9 out of starting 23 at WC gone or injured entirely new coaching set up.

[@jeanm27]

People who complain about TMO intervention, wants errors to be overlooked in order to win and that is just cowardly...

[@docgonzales]

i’m glad Tom Wright scored the try of the weekend for Australia but sad as it reminds me that a standard NRL back can make a difference at Test Rugby level

[@w00000]

TMO involvement also reduces any possible ref bias.

[@rorygilmoreNZ]

Oddly… much of the AB team is exactly what Foster picked and probably would have done so again. I didn’t see any new evolution in AB play from where they were under Foster at the RWC. Foster was not as bad a coach as kiwis seem to think. And I hope Razor is as good as they think, but I won’t be surprised if he faces the same difficulties and questions as Foster did. NZ’s rugby “troubles” stem from not battling against hardened (if perpetually jet lagged) players from Africa in Super rugby.

[@duncanhunter2714]

You can't start a team from scratch. You need to use players that have experience and slowly change what you want about it. I think you will see the changes over time. Have faith .

[@user-eq9jv5uf7d]

Razor had a week to prepare this side, that is nowhere near enough time to implement much change .SA involvement in SR has become greatly romanticized & they became poorer & poorer as time progressed winning a mere 3 titles in 25 years, ask any NZ rugby player & they will tell you the toughest matches were always the local derby's..

[@rorygilmoreNZ]

@@user-eq9jv5uf7d good points

[@rorygilmoreNZ]

@@user-eq9jv5uf7d yes some of your points are fair. A week is definitely not enough time. It’s a crazy schedule. As for the SA teams being excluded from Super Rugby, I’m merely paraphrasing the comments from a number of ex all blacks and NZ coaches. But it’s true that SA did not travel well on those long trips to NZ and Oz. Jet lag is a real thing. But as a kiwi, I’m not afraid to admit we got some very hard games against SA teams. The NZ teams often had to raise the bar when playing them. It’s precisely why the rivalry is so important. Which explains why they share most of the RWC titles over the period of SuperRugby. The travel factor is all important, but NZ is a harder place to come to from the west, than from the east. Which might be why all of SA’s titles bar one have come overseas. But not in NZ.

[@user-eq9jv5uf7d]

@@rorygilmoreNZ NZ teams are quite capable of pushing each other. People want to talk about a decline in NZ rugby while also talking about how their teams have improved, considering the fact that NZ are still there or abouts does not leave much room either way.

[@pheasantplucker6117]

TMO's stay out of on field decisions made by the ref. Unless refered by the refered. Foul play etc.. We can't keep pulled play back a half a dozen phases . Plain stupid.

[@colinmeehan791]

CORRECT.

[@rorygilmoreNZ]

Don’t agree. The TMO is great. Remember what it was like before the TMO. It Was dreadful.

[@yanikvanderveen8678]

Well you also cant allow players to make illegal turnovers that lead to tries. They scored directly from that. Its not like they went back 10 phases. Ultimately it was the correct call too. You can’t complain about correct calls.

[@christoduplessis8177]

I think Romain Poite singlehandedly killed that argument off when he incorrectly ended up red carding Bismarck du Plessis in a game against NZ in bloody NZ. That day he specifically told the TMO to look at nothing else but some handbags after his massive hit on Dan Carter. And clearly got it very wrong, to the point where the NZ commentators were in disbelief and World Rugby apologised to South Africa. The TMO is here to stay as is. For good reason.

[@bernieflynn4803]

Well done to both England and NZ. Need 3 or 4 test series. Both teams improve over the series, interest grows and the storylines are amplified . S Jones is just a clown, best response to him - "OK Boomer"

[@rorygilmoreNZ]

Don’t make the mistake of using Stephen Jones as a yardstick for the baby boomer generation.

[@jonesyjones7626]

Don’t be ageist!

[@chabirandjeanmarc7032]

and very young french beat argentina

[@barryl1602]

Hahaha all of a sudden… “undoubtedly the best team in the world”

[@CC-om8ze]

TMO used to be just for checking on Tries... It's like a virus now... going through play in slow mo is just ridiculous

[@conorfurlong]

Shane Horgan. What a spoofer. Says one thing on Irish tv and another on English media.

[@thomasfynn9113]

Have to ask this. Are the Irish commentators saying that their player couldn't get out of the way and that the 'turnover' leading up to their disallowed try should be overlooked because the try looked brilliant?

[@nickeybotha2155]

I actually think England had a brilliant game, if ever there was a time to beat NZ its now

[@docarw]

If England keep on this trajectory they will have a real chance at RWC 2027. Championship team. Etoji is probably as good or better than Etsebeth. Furbank is impressive. Earl, Martin are proper bruisers.

[@rorygilmoreNZ]

I don’t think Itoje will ever be better than Etsebeth. He’s good… but a typically overhyped English player.

[@ThirdEye_oOo]

Etzebeth is several levels above Itoje, and that's saying something about how good Etzebeth is because Itoje is damn good

[@JackN13_]

Did you just say itoje is better than Etzebeth???😮

[@ManaBlack208]

Every team has a real chance, RWC is a different beast all together,history isn't on englands side

[@aidanmasterson50]

Unlike Tinds who denied that there was any improvement in Irelands game until it was totally undeniable, I can see a constant game by game improvement in Englands game plan with bits being layered on each game and the only question over them being the dominant force in next years 6 Nations is specifically in the area of aging props which is starting to be fixed also. PS Stephen Jones could only be compared to a nasty food critic.

[@kev63inuk]

You make some great points there Aidan. Hopefully you’re right about Englands improvements and I do think it will be a belter of a six nations next year. Ireland still favourites but bit worried for your boys as they must be tired and will have the majority of players for the Lions next year to contend with. Good luck Saturday. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇮🇪

[@aidanmasterson50]

@@kev63inuk a 13 month season this year a we are loosing players to injuries with regularity now. So not particularly hopeful but at least it’s at sea level. I think at this point they’ll just be glad of the break. Get the style of rugby right at prem level and it filters up and there was some great attacking rugby in that this season.

[@Dickie2702]

Firstly, you can't give Slade the kick8ng duties as he is unlikely to make the nect RWC. We will see over the next dozen tests if MS has the cajones in tight games. Personally, I think he will fail that test. FS will be Englands first choice in a couple of years.

[@johnrichards4097]

George Ford is the best 10. And has been for years. Why can’t he be that at the next WC. Smith is fun to watch in the prem. but he is not a test match player. He has a couple of little tricks like the goose step (which I think every one reads now) and his double pump (FS and GF bring others in far better). His cross field kicking is good but his silly little grabber kicks in the 22 are dreadful. And is goal kicking is only ok. I don’t think he is the answer.

[@kev63inuk]

Brilliant show today. Good guests with Tindall talking well of England. Alex the best presenter on rugby podcasts.

[@johnlewis2972]

Different teams offered Different challenges for England a struggling newzeeland is still miles better than most teams in the world, England is definitely top 3 now, and can topple any team...this result is not bad .England will get better, go England.

[@emfairclough]

Top 3?

[@patrickchilds2987]

With respect, England are definitely improving but their current ranking of 5th is about right for now . They have a way to go to be 3rd

[@nzfreeski]

The All Blacks missed a kick and let the clock wind down on one

[@speak_your_truth.]

That was tactical 🤫🐒

[@Steph-we8jg]

What abou the smack in the chops Dmac copped ftom Englnd center in the tackle? Saw same player do a. couple more from the Owen Farrell school of tackling! Other players not so much.

[@Faust_ZA]

England showed they still tackle like owen farrell late and no arms so i dont agree with the statement that they made big hits

[@greenplasticgun]

Ireland did great considering their current uncertainty and lack of regular 9,10 and 15. And I guess regular wing. Also being an away game for the first time since 2016 for them. Boks did great considering brand new defense coach, brand new attack coach, Pollard first time back for the Boks at 10 (who actually had a bit of a mare) and playing a brand new 'no kick' style of rugby which gave Ireland more territory than they'd have gotten with a regular Bok kicking game and maybe didn't test the slightly green Irish back three as much as they could have. It was never going to be a classic of WC proportions because of all these things, but at the end of the day the better team on the day won. As for TMO stuff. Are we going to bring up dubious decisions or are we going to chalk it off as home ground rub of the green, as was the case when last the two teams played in Ireland and the Irish back row got away with murder on multiple occasions one I think leading to the winning try?

[@kelbatt7729]

it's pointless talking about who played and who didn't ,who was injured ,who was unavailable, 23 v 23 on the day- and Irelands 23 on the day was not good enough- end of story.

[@WhinjingKiwi]

How is warren gatland still the coach that scrum play 5m out to get the winger 1 on 1 was the dumbest play I’ve seen been called that far out is that all you got

[@Tekjoe25]

Did Mike Tindall sell his old nose to Steve Borthwick???

[@fxt363]

Englands new fullback was a worry to us Antipodeans. Dangerously good.

[@Faust_ZA]

Why complain about the TMO for a game between Number 1 and Number 2 ??? are we trying to have errors ? Would he have said that if the shoe was on the other foot.

[@mitakon21]

They played away in NZ and lost by 1 point to an inspired new Razor regime. Keep things in perspective. Great Eng run..

[@davidwalker2402]

Ok yes the lost to NZ by a point, we were told by England 20 months ago not to expect to much under new management new set up etc, but now you think its possible that the ABs can produce a great game in 8 days under new management , England record last 6 games won 2 lost 4 soon to be 5 -2 the win came off a reaction to being hammered by Scotland a last minute score against Ireland and a win against a tier 2 Japanese team , we shouldn’t get carried away here unless we beat ABs well this week which I don’t think we will.

[@peterp9918]

As an England fan a win next week would be amazing but the performance is more important. I think there is so much relief that we've started playing again that most fans are willing to take some losses as long as the general trajectory continues to go in the same direction.

[@glenndouglas.T]

England had a monster lineout. Tigthen up the scrum and it will fall into place. You will be hard to beat later in the year when we tour there...

[@nzfreeski]

Stephen Jones - hating NZ since forever

[@richardscanlan3419]

He's a certifiable idiot.

[@rorygilmoreNZ]

And everyone else down south

[@richardscanlan3419]

SJ - the poster child for NH rugby "yournalism".

[@schnickeringhen]

He probably just reruns the same stories every year and changes a few minor details to match the occasion. His hatred for the ABs is pretty consistent.

[@richardscanlan3419]

@@schnickeringhen frankly,it's borderline creepy. If Jones is legit,and not taking the proverbial,then he ne needs some serious therapy.

[@user-rn9co7jc4t]

I thought England were amazing at times but lost that game by making some silly errors and missing some key penalties.However we also quick to forget how young and inexperienced a lot of those players are so we can’t too harsh. Also thought Furbank, Mitchell, Martin and Itoje were awesome also can’t forget about Feyi wabuso For all the talk of Ben Earl, he missed a key tackle in SAVEA try but he was below world class level but still OK England can definitely build on this performance if they clean up all the little things and give the same energy they did - then I think they have a good chance to win Test 2

[@davidwalker2402]

How can a team be amazing if they’re making silly mistakes Marcus smith missed 3 sitters there was nothing amazing about him. I think Finn Smith should be given a start.

[@TargetBreaker1234]

@@davidwalker2402 ooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooo oh oooo Oi Oi is is it it was the ooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooo ooooooooooooo ooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo o ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooocv aall vù v go Vuy

[@TargetBreaker1234]

@@davidwalker2402

[@davidwalker2402]

@@TargetBreaker1234 thats amazing didnt realize you were only 4 🤣

[@TargetBreaker1234]

@@davidwalker2402 that’s not me?! Hmmm

[@elialvah]

South Africa wins 50% of the world cups they participate in. There’s no “if they start blah blah blah”. It’s already plenty bad for the world as it is and the Boks are never moving away from the approach that brings that level of success. This is an international obsession, it’s not even a discussion in South Africa. This obsession with style of play and rugby laws are side issues that won’t affect the Boks. The world is worried about the wrong things here. What the world should be far more concerned about is the sheer quantity of elite, beastly, nasty talent coming through. It’s disgusting. Be deeply concerned about that. Deeply.

[@MrWillt100]

It seems that every country in the world other than New Zealand is worried about the Boks. The Northern hemisphere is shit scared of the Boks they talk about the Boks like they are gods. Man get off the Boks and move on.

[@user-eq9jv5uf7d]

Where is this elite quality up and coming talent? Certainly not at the under 20 RWC..SA has far more players to choose from than most other countries but quantity does not necessarily equal quality.

[@elialvah]

@@user-eq9jv5uf7d I said quantity of elite talent. That implies quality. Why make your comprehension limitations my problem? And also are you out here in these streets questioning whether the most comprehensive schools system in the world, that the reigning back to back world champions came through is really producing quality? lmao Imagine an incompetent nation that emphasizes winning at u20 rather than talent identification to put in the feeder belt to the top level as well as exposure to top level processes 😭

[@user-eq9jv5uf7d]

@@elialvah Cant see it myself but admire your patriotism.

[@elialvah]

@@user-eq9jv5uf7d I am patriotic but don’t confuse this for that. If we’re shit we’re shit. If we’re good we’re good. We just happen to be good right now for the present and future. And it’s okay the talent isn’t dependent on your capacity to see it. It doesn’t have to concern you, that was a mere warning, not force. You’ll see it clearly enough when it gives you chest pains where & when it really matters. At test level and world cups.

[@tobymcflurry258]

That was the best performance ive seen from england in a while, i finally see Borthwicks vision! Was great to see flowing attacking rugby again

[@Fletcher806]

Wow, TMO calls are now the issue. Is that because your teams are now being affected by some of their decisions that you disagree with which could have resulted in a win for your team. Where was this outrage during the AB's/Ireland series, or the recent RWC final? I'm not saying the AB's would have won the series or the RWC final had the calls been ruled differently, but the AB's were seriously affected by those TMO and referee calls in those games. Maybe if something had been done about the TMO two years ago results might have been different over the weekend. Every time I hear Richie's name being mentioned and described in a way that he was a player with no regards for the rules and pushed them pass their boundaries on many occasions, he is automatically classed as a cheat (without people actually calling him a cheat) and no other player playing in the same position is put in the same category. All players on the field try and bend the rules to get an advantage. I find it quite funny. I've watched rugby a long time and I swear, I've heard that the AB's aura is dead or the AB's a ripe for the picking for years. Lions in 77, 83, 93, 05, 17 ripe for the picking. 96, start of the professional error, NZ will lose all their players to overseas clubs, AB's ripe for the picking. 98-2003, AB's losing more games than expected, ripe for picking. 2008, after our exit in the 2007 RWC quarter final, AB's ripe for the picking. The aura is something other teams give to the AB's willingly, their problem. History always repeats itself. The AB's will find a way as they always do and be back on top when the time is right. If it's during Razors tenure, the world better look out. We all know what he's like with trophies. Greedy Bast@*d! England and Ireland have a good chance to make history this week. I think it will get worse for Wales. Good luck to all teams. Hopefully the TMO's aren't the stars Sunday morning.

[@nahshondaniel5824]

The TMO is there to make the right call. Not the call u want them to make

[@Fletcher806]

@@nahshondaniel5824 Noooooo... You don't say...🙄

[@christoduplessis8177]

Ah the old "Northern hemisphere talk about the ref" vibe but then it is okay. Anyone from Africa asks a question and the mob are out. I was at the stadium, Ireland didn't lose because of the referee. The conditions were tough (the cold dry weather you only really get in the highveld which feels more like a burn than cold), the Irish got away with murder at the scrum and let's just say they were flat when they didn'thave the ball. If they pulled it through then fair play to them but the Boks deserved the win, leave the ref nonsense alone.

[@StaalBurgher0]

I will be very surprised if Boks don't get more scrum dominance in 2nd Test.

[@JM-ky2nm]

Before that loss to England MANY pundits were saying that they were still the number one. I don't know why it's getting talked down now.

[@cornedenecker1636]

South Africa played shit to be fair. Soft tries with missed tackles. And the knock on's from kwaga was terrible

[@michaelpeacock1481]

We have to acknowledge that New Zealand has been the best rugby playing nation over the past 120 odd years with a positive winning record againt any other nation. Maybe the 60 percent winning record has been scewed in the last few decades against SA, since they have been clearly the better team since the start of the tri nations in 1996 and with the majority of the test matfhes having been played since then. Just after the Isolation times, the Springboks has a positive winning recored against the All Blacks over the previous 90 years.

[@graemeduane5760]

Asking the ref to ignore the penalty before the James Lowe try? That's crazy. He saw a transgression and asked the TMO to call it. Pretty clear and present, how can you ignore? By that logic, almost every held up try over the line should be awarded.

[@honahwikeepa2115]

AB's don't have an elevated view of themselves. That's a foreign idea that teams hoping to be as good as the AB's have. Northern Hemisphere teams have been saying this for decades. They've won one RWC.

[@Damcarnivore]

You can compete as much as you want. But the Blacks won and that’s where the aura comes from. A team losses their 5/8, top ever 1/2 back and second rowers and still wins. After getting a new coach team and not playing for 8 months. While England are playing only their 7 match of the year. And an opportunity to be playing the ABs in NZ. You are not tired and England didn’t show any signs of being tired either

[@7MSkinner]

Tinds shouldn’t be making excuses for Stephen Jones. He has zero in common with England fans and their opinions. It’s quite clear that not enough people giving their opinion on English rugby watch Super Rugby. He’s just looking for someone else to bash after Faz has left. Nobody in their right mind expects to watch us beat NZ at home right now especially if you’ve watched the teams in NZ play this season. The term “English arrogance” comes from the press behaviour these days. Bin the press and enjoy watching the lads and their transformation. NZ are 8 to 10 games behind us in their own transformation and I don’t believe they have lost their aura at all! These two teams will be dangerous come the next RWC. Fair play to both teams.

[@markrusden3651]

England have had 6 or 7 test matches this year where this is the ABs first having only been together for 10 days. ABs will improve and will win comfortably at Eden Park. Glad to see Aussie back and can’t wait for ABs vs SA. Hopefully the TMO won’t red card this time

[@angusmacmillan7749]

Complaining about online scrutiny, when that's exactly what they are doing!!!

[@thomasfynn9113]

If you score a try off an illegal play it's not a try. I didn't complain while the officials were checking whether the ball was still in play after Springboks score their 2nd try. I 1st celebrated the try but had to wait for the TV Refs to give their decision on whether the ball was still in play or not. Either we do not use the TMO at all or we become adults and accept the fact that the TMO came about because the on field Ref is fallible due to pressure and his position when certain important plays are made.

[@sachinbangaru737]

Miss these boys.

[@Balk777]

World rugby needs a England at Twickenham that is unbeatable, so I like the growth shown by England in the last 10 or so matches

[@robertwood6297]

England playing well. They can take the next game. Australia was impressive. Italy will bounce back. Samoa looking good. Ireland was tenacious. Boks doing the business. Wales can and will improve.

[@MetYsJa]

I thought England were really good this weekend, NZ had to dig really deep. Theyre def on the up, and my Bokke were still a bit cold and managed to beat Ireland. I think that if we manage to switch on, and get more comfortable with Tony Browns style, then we should be sitting good. Glad to see aus finally getting a win, pity for Arg but otherwise a good weekend for the south.

[@jonathanredman2153]

i think Ireland with Sexton and Gibson Park would arguably be the best team in the world but the boks can play 3 different players in each position and beat most teams, Ireland missing one or to of their best struggle

[@nepiahemopo1702]

You maybe right. Injuries/retirements etc affect all teams. Replacements are what matters.

[@langi4klelu]

England should win that game because they still have consistency and familiar with each other after six-nation. The ALL Blacks is a new coach and they just get together for just a week before the Test, All Blacks will get better and i think they will win the second game ..😅

[@OurDigitalClassRoom]

G8 show. Thank you.

[@markp2348]

Ref was 100% correct in Boks v Ireland. Irish whining won't change the result.

[@kev63inuk]

Ireland not at their best as expected I guess . Certainly they were trying a few new things but just wondered what Irish fans on here thought about joe McCarthys and jack Crowleys performance. ? Asking because they do seem to this England fan that they are now nailed on starters for Ireland despite lacking a lot of experience at test match level.

[@FloatLikeABee]

TIME STAMPS!!! HAVE YOU HEARD OF THEM???

[@janhbhugo5085]

England are poised for a resurgence , and will start getting the wins !

[@nepiahemopo1702]

Oh yeah when?

[@twinnett1714]

Not sure why the FH has to do the kicking, I can go back to the days of the fullback doing the kicking, quite succesfully, Webb, Hastings and Thorburn to mention a few.

[@miguelangel3254]

25:21 yes, 100% hyperbole.

[@ianjacobs2998]

Imperfect game (correct !!!) 🇿🇦

[@justina7041]

England are really starting to look good. It looks like a team going forward. NZ were never clear winners. Dmac is a great player, but not a Richie. Boks were also in 2nd gear but threatened to do better.

[@joep7584]

Dumb comparison. Richie was no Dan Carter when he first came into the All Blacks. DMac been a test fullback & just getting started as a test 10.

[@Faust_ZA]

I think the irish SA game went the way it shouldve it kept us all on our feet the whole 80 and it couldve went either way .

[@jonathanredman2153]

Forgot i even watched this game but England was great, so many standouts, Martin, Earl, Underhill was good in the carry and obvi the tackle, Furbank Great!!!! Slade Great!! Lawrence was average unfortunately... Mitchell Great!!

[@brianmurray6287]

SA got all the 50/50 calls.1 forward pass on the first try.. 2 Doris touched the whitewash..3 clear SA knee hit the ball for lowes try..4 lowe was in touch..5 biggest player on the pitch knocked out the smallest player on the pitch..scrum boks...wait what?

[@tobyhart]

1. It wasn't forward - the ball came backwards out of the hand 2. Watched it multiple times and it's almost impossible to see the ball touch the line - however if on field had been try, I would have accepted it 3. What knee and when? - Kelleher deliberately pushed the ball back, it was clear 4. He released the ball while still airborne and therefore technically, he was not in touch - as was the case in Ireland's first try (which was allowed) 5. What relevance is the size of the 2 players? Does that mean RG Snyman can only tackle certain players? Then Doris cant tackle Cheslin too, yes?

[@nicobr00]

And Ireland get all the 50/50 calls in Ireland as do most home teams do.

[@brianmurray6287]

@@tobyhart it was forward..there was also a neckroll in the ruck for the lowe try ..scrum to SA...RG hit was off the ball.

[@StaalBurgher0]

​​​@@brianmurray6287 Aki went off his first so penalty to SA even if that non-neck roll was a neck roll. RG wasn't off the ball, he was clearly already committed. I assume you were ok with McCarthy's tackle on Willie in the URC semi final? 😂

[@tobyhart]

@@brianmurray6287 1. I watched it 6 x in real time and slow motion and KLA is well behind Siya when the ball is released and Siya's hands are in a backward motion, plus KLA gets the pass in line. It's definitely not forward by any law definition. 2. The neck roll by Willie possibly but if so it's a potential penalty Ireland, not a try

[@cici2716]

WE THE SOUTH!!!!!!!!💚💛🖤🧡💪🏽🔥🔥🔥

[@jeremyrameka1634]

Ireland great team but lost to the world champs ,no excuses ,

[@jaycordner3890]

Reason Mark Telaha is so good he is half South African Half New Zealander

[@VKM33]

*Tele’a... and he’s half Samoan 🇼🇸

[@korocam9137]

Father is Samoan.

[@nepiahemopo1702]

I presume his mother is black?

[@Mr.RB123]

My greatest disappointment was the infringements from Ireland at breakdown and the scrums, that was shocking how the ref allowed them to get away with it

[@robcousins231]

Hahaha! I love it, that was one area where Ireland got the better of the Boks, and the breakdown. And the early scrums, Ireland were clearly better,

[@stephendoherty981]

The ref and TMO helped SA win that match.

[@user-bq6bp5ze2w]

When you say the ABs have lost that air of invincibility... I mean.... Ireland clinched a first ever series win there but apart from that, the only other team that gets periodic wins in NZ is the Boks. NZ still made the final of the world cup in supposedly a 'dip era' or however you want to describe it and again, lost to the Boks. I'm not convinced. Maybe the Boks,have a marginal claim having beaten them 3 in the last 4 (the one the Boks (we... yes I'm a Bok fan) lost was a hiding btw) and even there I'd want 2 wins from 2 to even consider that a consolidation of Bok dominance over the ABs AND even then those would be home wins so still not really enough for me. I think its waaaaaay too early to talk about them having lost their 'aura', particularly as an English fan, win the second test and I'd say you can let a brave whisper past yer lips. 😊

[@user-bq6bp5ze2w]

Having said that, great effort from England, they'll be gutted as that was a great opportunity. I was rooting for them (ahem don't tell my friends though). The gap has certainly closed between all teams.

[@mfp4136]

You forgot Argentina played France.

[@ricardocarvalho1290]

In terms of England vs NZ....well hats off to England because you can never acxuse NZ of playing badly. Wales vs Australiala.......go Southern hemisphere. SA vs Ireland.... I love the Irish but......FORZA BOKKE!!!

[@DM-rp9ik]

Shane Horgan playing up the poor old paddy again. Ireland have been a top 3 side for a few years now. The talent is there. His inferiority complex is incredible. He wouldn't be allowed anywhere near the current Irish squad with that mentality. ......then predicts they will beat the world champions at home I don't get this guy

[@MrIanito]

Call him that to his face you bigot ‘poor old paddy’ 🙄

[@TopgunB]

Best team in the world can change by the month or even week these days. SA were lucky to win , match could have gone either way. Pollard nails his kicks Louw try allowed. Kolbe try disallowed and so on.

[@peasant5612]

For nearly 15 years northerners have spoken about the All Blacks losing their aura. In that time they won 2 world cups and for one cylclr boasted a 90% win record Lol