Author | Lightnews

therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social @therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social · 23h

perspective from an Australian publication

archive.is/BlBmW

original link: www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...

archive.is

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therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social @therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social · 23h

🙏

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Three Red Kings @threeredkings.bsky.social · 1d

I've been trying to find what's been "wrong" with this Irish side over the last 18 months. Something factual I could point at. Some hard numbers.

And then, this week, I think I found them.

Three Red Kings @threeredkings.bsky.social · 1d

THE GREEN EYE #280 :: #IREvNZL

It's Chicago. It's Ireland vs the All Blacks. And there's more at stake than meets the eye.

Get the most detailed preview for this game anywhere for just €3 a month.

www.patreon.com/posts/green-...

THE GREEN EYE #280 :: New Zealand | Three Red Kings

www.patreon.com

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Squidge Rugby @squidgerugby.bsky.social · 2d

Ten years ago today, Richie McCaw lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time and, in the process, crowned the 2015 All Blacks as possibly the greatest team of all time. We dig into how Steve Hansen's side changed the game, and shaped everything that has happened since...
youtu.be/xQSi1tXJYdc?...

So were the 2015 All Blacks the Greatest Team of All Time?

YouTube video by Squidge Rugby

youtu.be

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Grant McDermott @gmcd.bsky.social · 1d

Beyond dispute IMO.

And it's funny to see people twist themselves into knots trying to argue otherwise--including far too many of my fellow 🇿🇦 countrymen--for precisely the reason that Squidge points out: we all instinctively *feel* that they are the greatest.

Squidge Rugby @squidgerugby.bsky.social · 2d

Ten years ago today, Richie McCaw lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time and, in the process, crowned the 2015 All Blacks as possibly the greatest team of all time. We dig into how Steve Hansen's side changed the game, and shaped everything that has happened since...
youtu.be/xQSi1tXJYdc?...

So were the 2015 All Blacks the Greatest Team of All Time?

YouTube video by Squidge Rugby

youtu.be

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therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social @therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social · 23h

one Aussie that should be starting that game is Ben Donaldson. Tane goes down this weekend, we're a little bit up shit creek given Carter Gordon is both new and not really at full fitness

I'll be honest, the NZ side doesn't grab me either, though I look forward to comms attempting Caleb Tangitau

therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social @therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social · 23h

man that's so many saffas for a Barbarians team 😲

also gotta be my lowest name-recognition side in forever, where are our Top 14, URC players at!?

zero Fiji/Tonga/Samoa, Oz, French, Scottish players, 1 Welshman, 1 NZ, 1 Irish, 2 English, and 1 Argie #BARvABXV

therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social @therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social · 23h

team list as an image for the Babarians if anyone wants it 🙏

Barbarian FC team to face All Blacks XV at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, 1st November, KO 13:15.

1. Oli Kebble

2. Bongi Mbonambi

3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye

4. Ernest van Ryhn

5. Ruben van Heerden

6. Hanro Liebenberg (capt)

7. Fitz Harding

8. Evan Roos

9. Rhodri Williams

10. Rob du Preez

11. Leolin Zas

12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg

13. Matias Moroni

14. Werner Kok

15. Max Mallins

Replacements:

16. Andre-Hugo Venter

17. Alistair Vermaak

18. Jack Aungier

19. Cobus Wiese

20. Batho Hlekani

21. Brad Weber

22. Dan du Plessis

23. Rhyno Smith

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therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social @therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social · 23h

team list as an image for the Babarians if anyone wants it 🙏

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Pacific Rugby Hub @pacificrugbyhub.bsky.social · 1d

International

🏉 Barbarians v All Blacks XV
🗓️ Saturday 1 November 2025
📍 Brentford
🕒 1.15pm GMT (local) / 2.15am NZT* (*2 Nov)
📺 Sky Sport 2 (NZ) / rest of the world?

Barbarians team:
www.barbarianfc.co.uk/news/lam-nam...

AB XV:
www.allblacks.com/news/all-bla...

Referee: Nic Berry (RA)

#BARvABXV

Image with the All Blacks XV team list for their game against the Barbarians.

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therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social @therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social · 23h

c'mon boysssss!

Pacific Rugby Hub @pacificrugbyhub.bsky.social · 1d

International

🏉 England v Australia
🗓️ Saturday 1 November 2025
📍 London
🕒 3.10pm GMT (local) / 11.10pm AWST / 1.10am AEST* / 2.10am AEDT* (2 Nov)
📺 TNT Sports (ENG) / Stan (AUS)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)

#ENGvAUS

Image with the team list of England for the test against Australia. Media release with the team naming: https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/news-and-media/england-team-face-wallabies-quilter-nations-series-2025-opener

Image with the team list of Australia for the test against England. Media release with the team naming: https://wallabies.rugby/news/wallabies-team-confirmed-to-play-england-at-twickenham-20251030

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Pacific Rugby Hub @pacificrugbyhub.bsky.social · 1d

International

🏉 England v Australia
🗓️ Saturday 1 November 2025
📍 London
🕒 3.10pm GMT (local) / 11.10pm AWST / 1.10am AEST* / 2.10am AEDT* (2 Nov)
📺 TNT Sports (ENG) / Stan (AUS)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)

#ENGvAUS

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Pacific Rugby Hub @pacificrugbyhub.bsky.social · 1d

International

🏉 South Africa v Japan
🗓️ Saturday 1 November 2025
📍 London
🕓 4.10pm GMT (local) / 6.10pm SAST / 1.10am JST* (*Sun 2 Nov)
📺 SuperSport (RSA) / WOWOW Live & J SPORTS 1 (JPN)

Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

#RSAvJPN

Japan image credit: rugbyjp.com

Image with the team list of South Africa for the test against Japan. Media release with the team naming: https://www.springboks.rugby/news-features/articles/2025/10/28/porthen-to-make-bok-debut-as-erasmus-sticks-with-tested-combinations-against-japan/

Image with the team list of Japan (starting XV) for the test against Japan. Media release with the team naming: https://en.rugby-japan.jp/2025/10/31/brave-blossoms-named-for-historic-wembley-clash-against-springboks/

Image with the team list of Japan (reserves) for the test against Japan. Media release with the team naming: https://en.rugby-japan.jp/2025/10/31/brave-blossoms-named-for-historic-wembley-clash-against-springboks/

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Pacific Rugby Hub @pacificrugbyhub.bsky.social · 1d

International

🏉 Scotland v USA
🗓️ Saturday 1 November 2025
📍 Edinburgh
🕔 5.40pm GMT / 1.40pm ET / 10.40am PT
📺 TNT Sports (SCO) / Peacock (USA)

Referee: Damián Schneider (UAR)

#SCOvUSA

Image with the team list of Scotland for the test against the USA. Media release with the team naming: https://scottishrugby.org/duhan-van-der-merwe-to-reach-50-against-usa/

Image with the team list of the USA for the test against Scotland. Media release with the team naming: https://eagles.rugby/news/mens-eagles-announce-match-day-23-to-face-scotland-in-edinburgh-20251030

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Pacific Rugby Hub @pacificrugbyhub.bsky.social · 1d

International

🏉 Ireland v New Zealand
🗓️ Saturday 1 November 2025
📍 Chicago
🕒 3.10pm CDT (local) / 8.10pm GMT / 9.10am NZT* (*2 Nov)
📺 Virgin Media One & TNT Sports (IRE) / Sky Sport 1 (NZ)

Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)

#IREvNZL

Image with the team list of Ireland for the test against New Zealand. Media release with the team naming: https://www.irishrugby.ie/2025/10/30/farrell-names-ireland-team-to-face-new-zealand-in-chicago/

Image with the team list of New Zealand for the test against Ireland. Media release with the team naming: https://www.allblacks.com/news/all-blacks-team-to-play-ireland-in-gallagher-cup-the-rematch

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Pacific Rugby Hub @pacificrugbyhub.bsky.social · 1d

2027 Rugby World Cup / Samoa

The Manu Samoa squad for the RWC 2027 Final Qualification Tournament has been named. Unlike the PNC, this tournament is played in the international window; because of that, all fit players are available for selection.

More:
www.rugbyworldcup.com/2027/en/news...

List of the forwards named in the Manu Samoa squad.

List of the backs named in the Manu Samoa squad.

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therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social @therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social · 23h

this is how I discover Botitu has been playing 10 lol? very funny concept

a screenshot of The Roar website rugby homepage. menu bar at the top, the story is about this weekend's England v Australia game

Maro Itoje is quoted in the headline "There's not a team we're playing who we can't beat"

Maro is pictured running the ball, in an England jersey and Botitu for Fiji is lining him up with no 10 on the back of his shirt

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HG Rugby @huwgriffinrugby.bsky.social · 2d

At some point probably sooner than later I will share my experiences having media access with the WRU which tho extremely limited somehow made me think even worse of the organisation than i did anyway

(Would have tagged Robert if i knew his @ on here)

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Mik A @mikadooo.bsky.social · 2d

The URC's communication about this controversial incident remains very amateurish IMO. It's widely reported that Wessels' appeal has been rejected (other than a 1 week reduction to his ban) but there doesn't seem to be any official URC communique on the subject...

Mik A @mikadooo.bsky.social · 9d

Does the URC publish its Disciplinary decisions? I don't think so, but they really should. Tough for fans to interpret decisions without the full facts.

www.unitedrugby.com/latest/disci...

Disciplinary Decision: Jan-Hendrik Wessels | United Rugby Championship

www.unitedrugby.com

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therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social @therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social · 2d

not a watchable sport if they are reffed evenly tho!

tangentially, I was very impressed, and surprised by how much better Ben O'Keeffe called out the Japanese defence as offside throughout some passages of our attack

but there could've been about 20 more advantages called #ENGvAUS #JPNvAUS

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therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social @therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social · 2d

without watching the video in this piece (syndicated from The Times).. ehhh

every single attacking side gets cut way more slack than the defence for ruck side entry/offside. broaden this complaint, and I'm with you - it's gone way too far. #ENGvAUS

www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...

Wallabies accused of ‘dangerous and illegal’ tactics ahead of England Test

England coach Steve Borthwick is reported to have highlighted dozens of examples of rule-breaking in a meeting with referees.

www.smh.com.au

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therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social @therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social · 4d

as a long-suffering Australian rugby fan, fwiw - condolences brother. it's a long journey!

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therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social @therugbyfanshaz.bsky.social · 5d

a good office chair is a godsend. mine was probably worth hundreds but fortunate to get it for 50 AUD randomly when a whole office was shutting down. one each for the whole family!

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Thala Msutu @thalamsutu.bsky.social · 5d

England v Australia feels like a validation match. The winner backs up their positive uptick in form and even with harder matches to come this could be pretty much enough for a good November.

Ayr Jordan @theloosestforward.bsky.social · 5d

England Australia
South Africa Japan
Scotland USA
& Ireland New Zealand

This week!

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HG Rugby @huwgriffinrugby.bsky.social · 5d

By all accounts (I don’t watch Sale) George Ford is the form 10 in the PREM so far this season whilst I did see him single handedly beat Argentina in July

At the same time, they had invested in Fin and it clicking very well to the point where he got picked for the Lions

#Masterplan

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Thala Msutu @thalamsutu.bsky.social · 5d

Can’t understand not playing Lawrence. From the Bath games I’ve seen he’s near his best level right now.

I think you can see the Fin Smith and Prendergast situations similarly. Both picked and backed over the Six Nations over experienced options. Both shown promise and some flaws and…

HG Rugby @huwgriffinrugby.bsky.social · 5d

By all accounts (I don’t watch Sale) George Ford is the form 10 in the PREM so far this season whilst I did see him single handedly beat Argentina in July

At the same time, they had invested in Fin and it clicking very well to the point where he got picked for the Lions

#Masterplan

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