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Sevens

Claims that Ireland-South Africa series has been decided in Paris

Hugo Keenan #8 of Team Ireland is tackled by Christie Grobbelaar #1 of Team South Africa during the Men's Rugby Sevens Pool A Group match between Ireland and South Africa on Day -2 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 24, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Ireland’s tour of South Africa in July featured two pulsating Tests where the two sides could not be split, sharing honours 1-1.

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The Springboks won the first Test 27-20 in Pretoria at altitude, before two late Ciaran Frawley drop goals sealed a 25-24 win in Durban for Ireland’s second-ever win on South African soil.

Under the previous iteration of the mid-year internationals, the world would have likely been treated to a third and deciding Test.

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The last of which occurred in the 2022 season where three deciders played out between England and Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, and Wales and South Africa.

On day one of the Paris Olympics, Ireland squared off against the Blitzboks and managed to win a tight game by 10-5.

Many are claiming that the sevens match is the de-facto third Test that the rugby world wanted to see, meaning Ireland claim the series 2-1 over South Africa.

South African publication Ball Carrier handed the series to Ireland based on the result.

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The Blitzboks Olympic campaign is now hanging by a thread after opening day losses to Ireland and New Zealand. They fell to New Zealand by 17-5 after their tight loss to Ireland.

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In order to qualify for the quarter-finals, South Africa need a massive win over Japan and results to fall their way in order to fill the spots reserved for the two best third-place pool finishers.

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Comments on RugbyPass

C
ClintP 8 minutes ago
There are only three real candidates to be Dave Rennie's All Black captain

Will Jordan, not all captains need to be in the front

5 Go to comments
A
Andrew Nichols 1 hour ago
There are only three real candidates to be Dave Rennie's All Black captain

Tupou Vaii

5 Go to comments
u
unknown 1 hour ago
'A lot has been said... some of it unfortunate'

There go the media , feeling entitled again. Over familiar. No pressure for them. Emotionally charged before a game. Thats where the players have too be. Apology from director, we move on. A TV stunt gone wrong.

1 Go to comments
I
Icefarrow 2 hours ago
The five performers of the week from Super Rugby Pacific round seven

What moment of silence? They just brought up the guy's name out of nowhere and everyone clapped. Source: was at the game.

1 Go to comments
B
Bazzallina 3 hours ago
There are only three real candidates to be Dave Rennie's All Black captain

Jordie is def a option I am still on the Ardie train as the populace support cannot be underestimated imo and he always has good Korero with the refs never petulant

5 Go to comments
B
Blackmania 3 hours ago
There are only three real candidates to be Dave Rennie's All Black captain

I agree with you. I don’t see Taylor in the conversation to be captain, as I think he won’t necessarily be a starter with the new coaching staff. My pick is Aumua to be number 2.

Jordie Barrett could be captain. It would be a smart move by Rennie to transfer the captaincy to Scott Barrett’s brother, and it would probably reduce speculation compared to if it were Ardie Savea.



...

5 Go to comments
B
Bazzallina 4 hours ago
Vern Cotter makes telling admission after messy Drua win

Is Segner playing himself into contention ? Lakai I believe is the best loosie in the country but Anton gets stuck in and man is he good at lineout time really cut down on the penalties and hands much improved but does he have the punch?

2 Go to comments
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Bazzallina 4 hours ago
There are only three real candidates to be Dave Rennie's All Black captain

Would it be wrong of me to say that Cody did not show the form LY ( was still good) or so far this year to be a shoo in as the starting 2? cannot deny the ball carry abilities of Samisoni Asafa and Bell at present with the first 2 in their “ golden” years in terms of age experience

5 Go to comments
B
Bazzallina 4 hours ago
Hurricanes vs Reds takes: Hold on, Hurricanes; Newcastle got a good one

Still got to play Saders Chiefs Blues Brumbies saying that Canes look great Lakai best loose forward in the country Dearns would be a AB no worries Roigard close to if not the best player in comp and blessed in the prop department just gotta watch those turnovers

6 Go to comments
K
Karlos G 5 hours ago
Why Dave Rennie is lobbying hard for eligibility changes to bring Brodie Retallick back

The whole conversation kicked off earlier with these details from someone else on this forum and it was in reference to allowing players playing overseas and would they have been beneficial to the ABs in the last 2 years and Frizelles name was dropped as part of the 5 names

And yes you're right it doesn't greatly matter the finals done!



...

136 Go to comments
M
Massive 5 hours ago
Why Rieko Ioane is struggling to match Barrett's X-factor impact for Leinster

Yes good to see Australia backing themselves again. They have some great players

241 Go to comments
B
Bazzallina 5 hours ago
Geoff Parling swears at and shoves Craig Doyle in bizarre on air bust-up

Agree it’s a warm up not practice dudes just catching the vibe and getting loose

3 Go to comments
J
JW 6 hours ago
Why Dave Rennie is lobbying hard for eligibility changes to bring Brodie Retallick back

I don’t really know what you think you mean by that. Do you think there was just a hole where he should have been and SA made easy meters? Do you think he was missing tackles he should have been making? Do you think he was doing nothing instead? Or are you simply referring to how poor the coaching strategy was?

From memory his lack of tackles was entirely unremarkable. It didn’t seem like he was doing anything badly or that he wasn’t in areas he should have been, or would have been better off in if the coaches had chosen it. I don’t think it makes any sense to think anything about it if that’s the case, it’s just how chance works out, like not having a scrum till the 60th minute in the loss to Argentina. Though I’m sure Foster could/should have thought of something.



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136 Go to comments
J
JW 7 hours ago
Vern Cotter makes telling admission after messy Drua win

Hilarious hearing Spencers South African accent come through, he really brought his NPC play to the team yesterday too, great stuff.

Also cool to see the boys in the stands, ands some rock back to watching rugby from the stands.



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2 Go to comments
J
JW 7 hours ago
Why Dave Rennie is lobbying hard for eligibility changes to bring Brodie Retallick back

I think the balance is about perfect myself SB.

What are you wanting more SR for? Bigger revenue?



...

136 Go to comments
R
Rugby3 7 hours ago
Hurricanes vs Reds takes: Hold on, Hurricanes; Newcastle got a good one

If you keep kicking the ball back to the opposition so they can catch it and score a try against you, how long does it take to figure out this is a losing tactic ?

6 Go to comments
F
Footy Franks 7 hours ago
Force can't wait to unleash Zac Lomax but admit there's one area that needs work

Force have two old guys clogging up the backline. Experience is only valid if they can still contribute.

3 Go to comments
J
JW 8 hours ago
Why Dave Rennie is lobbying hard for eligibility changes to bring Brodie Retallick back

Sorry but when I read things like “Rugby is struggling” followed up with points I just suspect these are outdated views from only read the news headlines.

There are plenty of good stories as well and rugby in the contexts you raise is actually doing really well to stay competitive with other sports.



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136 Go to comments
B
BH 8 hours ago
Chiefs vs Force takes: Chiefs fall short of statement, fullback McKenzie

Just call him “Slow Roe”. He takes so long to pass the ball he could bake a cake and still have time to put on the icing.

He is one of the major reasons why the Chiefs and Waikato haven’t been able to win the big games when they matter most because he takes too long to pass and his box kicks are slow and inaccurate. For the past 2 years he has been diabolical in the NPC in particular and cost Waikato so many games.



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6 Go to comments
B
BH 8 hours ago
Chiefs vs Force takes: Chiefs fall short of statement, fullback McKenzie

Mehhh not a very accurate summary of the game by saying the Chiefs’ attack looked “uninventive” when they were busting open the Force regularly for the whole game. They targeted Beale and Bridge’s channel, Tupaea ran through, around and over the entire Force team, and Taumoefolau did a couple of excellent chip and chase kicks.

The Chiefs just lacked polish in the end and could’ve easily racked up a 50+ point scoreline if they finished off all of their chances. Compare that to the Hurricanes’ insanely great performance against the Reds where by comparison, every pass went to hand, every important ruck was secured, and the bounce of the ball went their way every single time.



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6 Go to comments
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