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InternationalJoost van der Westhuizen

Rugby great Van der Westhuizen 'in critical condition'

South African rugby great Joost van der Westhuizen

South Africa rugby great Joost van der Westhuizen is in a critical condition in hospital as he continues to fight Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

Van der Westhuizen, a member of the iconic 1995 World Cup-winning Springbok side, was diagnosed with the debilitating illness in 2011.

A deterioration in the 45-year-old’s condition resulted in his admission to hospital on Saturday, according to a statement issued by the J9 Foundation, which he set up to help MND sufferers.

“The family and friends of Joost ask that you all pray for Joost. He was taken to hospital earlier today and is in a critical condition,” read the statement.

“We ask that you all please respect the family’s time at the moment.”

Van der Westhuizen is widely regarded as one of the greatest scrum-halves in the game’s history and lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy in 1995 when his side beat New Zealand 15-12 in the final.

He made 89 appearances for the Springboks over a 10-year international career, scoring 38 tries.

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Comments on RugbyPass

N
NB 4 minutes ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

The depth of Sarries front row stocks has prob been the single biggest change since they copped the fine. I can still recall how they once had Koch, Figallo, Petrus d P and James Johnston all on the same roster. Then stuck Skelton behind them. Unreal.

284 Go to comments
N
NB 8 minutes ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

Litmus test is often whether coaches are willing to make changes before half time! Eddie used to do it with Eng at his peak!

284 Go to comments
N
NB 15 minutes ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

Coaches wd never agree that BIP is a meanningless metric. Period.😁

284 Go to comments
N
NB 25 minutes ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind



If you are building the same amount of rucks but kicking more is that a bad thing? Kicks are more constestable than ever, fans want to see a contest, is that a bad thing?

It’s good question. The ball-in-play time in both 6N was roughly the same - around 38’ - so those stats may be suggesting that more of the ruck are being set inside the opposing 22 now than they were then?



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284 Go to comments
E
Eric Elwood 30 minutes ago
Huw Jones responds to concerns surrounding Scotland camp

Scotland can surely win but it will be extremely difficult. England are planning to strangle Scotland and not allow them to play. Like the SA-Scotland match in RWC 2023.

So even in good conditions the match might feel a lot like they will need to kick a lot.



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8 Go to comments
E
Eric Elwood 37 minutes ago
Huw Jones responds to concerns surrounding Scotland camp

What’s with your nasty attitude? No way your from one of the six nations….vast majority of English don’t have you attitude?

8 Go to comments
J
JW 38 minutes ago
Opening salvos will dictate Australian Super Rugby Pacific fortunes

Had been getting a similar vibe everywhere to the comments in this article, bit of a low ebb after last years high (and a deflating end), what’s the goal for players this year Brett? Nations Champ is a pretty exciting thing, but maybe more so just for the nations who would like to win it? Whats the Wallabies season like, unsure if theres a hype possibility with TRCs replacement.

15 Go to comments
J
JW 44 minutes ago
Opening salvos will dictate Australian Super Rugby Pacific fortunes

I was wondering about opinion then on preference for fairer round robin or local derbies. Do you also like that Aussie sides don’t play the kiwis often, having either/both local, easier, games? Or is it just that you want your teams to be able to compete on even footing, with a level playing field, and do well?

15 Go to comments
J
JW 57 minutes ago
Opening salvos will dictate Australian Super Rugby Pacific fortunes

Yeah so strange that while popularity numbers appear to continue going up everywhere that rugby tournaments aren’t popular internationally (with no NH comps shown in SH and vice versa you say). Actually, I think PREM might be on here at least.

I assume though that is the broadcasters over value themselves/demand? Wanting too much money for their comp.



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15 Go to comments
A
Ace 1 hour ago
Another ex-player weighs in on new Jacques Nienaber theory in Ireland

I’m sure turdlette will bring a unique perspective, not seen by anyone else.

3 Go to comments
S
SK 1 hour ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

If you are building the same amount of rucks but kicking more is that a bad thing? Kicks are more constestable than ever, fans want to see a contest, is that a bad thing? kicks create broken field situations where counter attacks from be launched from or from which turnover ball can be exploited, attacks are more direct and swift rather than multiphase in nature, is that a bad thing? What is clear now is that a hybrid approach is needed to win matches. You can still build phases but you need to play in the right areas so you have to kick well. You also have to be prepared to play from turnover ball and transition quickly from the kick contest to attack or set your defence quickly if the aerial contest is lost. Rugby seems healthy to me. The rules at ruck time means the team in possession is favoured and its more possible than ever to play a multiphase game. At the same time kicking, set piece, kick chase and receipt seems to be more important than ever. Teams can win in so many ways with so many strategies. If anything rugby resembles footballs 4-4-2 era. Now football is all about 1 striker formations with gegenpress and transition play vs possession heavy teams, fewer shots, less direct play and crossing. Its boring and it plods along with moves starting from deep, passing goalkeepers and centre backs and less wing play. If we keep tinkering with the laws rugby will become a game with more defined styles and less variety, less ways to win effectively and less varied body types and skill sets.

284 Go to comments
j
jb 3 hours ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

I think that would be OK but hopefully we would see more ball in hand. I am not even sure of the idea myself but the current situation is a bit off. To be honest, I used to hate the blatant blocking so its no easy issue to solve.

284 Go to comments
D
DS 3 hours ago
World Rankings record on the line in round two of the Six Nations

This has to be the most meaningless comparison around, but I suppose it gives the opportunity for some meaningless articles.

[Please note, I only read it so I could give a meaningless comment. ]



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D
DS 3 hours ago
Another ex-player weighs in on new Jacques Nienaber theory in Ireland

Definitely HH. While we're obviously keen to support Jacques anyway, the proof of the pudding IMHO is the Boks’ tackling which - apart from poor old Lood's unfortunate red card - is out of this world and the cream on the top of their defensive superiority. It's a joy to watch and goes back to my playing days when this standing-up concussion-causing nonsense was just a blip on the horizon. Jacques obviously did his bit towards that, and Jerry Flannery has finished it off. The Irish - and other countries’ - teams still need to get their heads around how important it is and their commentators too. Oh, and the Blitzbokke ook.

3 Go to comments
H
Hammer Head 5 hours ago
Ireland vs Italy | Italy vs Ireland | Six Nations Live

Italy by a lone point

2 Go to comments
H
Hammer Head 5 hours ago
Another ex-player weighs in on new Jacques Nienaber theory in Ireland

Uh oh. It’s gone quiet around here…

Ireland may have performed better at the Stade de France had they adopted Nienaber’s aggressive defensive set-up rather than the system Andy Farrell deployed, which shipped a concerning 35 missed tackles.



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H
Hammer Head 5 hours ago
Huw Jones responds to concerns surrounding Scotland camp

I will be rooting for Scotland - but they really have to pull finger.

They’ve had an exciting group of players. But not the consistent results.



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J
JW 5 hours ago
Highlanders confirm Fabian Holland will be sidelined until August

Surely they can take him on the Rivalry tour to just play with the ABXV!?!

8 Go to comments
J
JW 6 hours ago
Highlanders confirm Fabian Holland will be sidelined until August

Will be very interesting to see Tengblad get a run instead this season, although young and having been held back so far for his own development you have to see him now being the squads 3rd lock, and given that elevation, lots of gametime now that he’s going to be relied on to cover Holland.

They will still limit his involvement heavily but 2 or 3 starts and half a dozen bench roles is going to be a perfect introduction to Super for him, especially with someone like Lavinini to show him the way.



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8 Go to comments
R
Red and White Dynamight 6 hours ago
'My home away from home': Anton Segner re-signs with Blues

too light for 6, should be tested at 7.

2 Go to comments
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