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69 Test caps
Media at it's best. I watched the interview. This is once again taken out of context by the media.Etzebeth says 'Irish media definitely targeted me' after RWC comments https://the42.ie/6424707
Are they incapable of getting their head space right without this ****?
New rules in play plus a trial on new TMO protocols.Not expecting good things for our second half scrums in particular.
Are the new rules re free kicks in play for this or is that just the 20s so far?
Media at it's best. I watched the interview. This is once again taken out of context by the media.
If we were at full strength and Sexton was still around this wouldn't be happening. They smell blood and want to embarrass us, need to create a false narrative to do it.I think their are large cultural difference in humour and how we communicate between the countries which is contributing a lot but the eagerness of coaches and players from SA to make loads of comments about us is just strange.
Ben Youngs was joking on his podcast about how he almost got into a fight with Etzebeth (pushed whoever pushed him without realising who it was) and how Etzebeth is lucky everyone else piled in and split them up, and the comments sections were full of the angriest nerds you have ever seen as if it wasn't a very blatant jokeI think their are large cultural difference in humour and how we communicate between the countries
There is a rivalry brewing atleast from an SA perspective. Pair that with having lost the last few against Ireland, and a narrative in the SA media that Ireland maybe does not quite accept the world cup results.Weird build up to this one. Lots of noise from SA camp telling Ireland what Ireland have said and why SA are ******. Tony Brown with the claims that Ireland have been claiming to be the best team in the world again.
I think Ireland's squad have too many miles and too many losses under the belt this season so I suspect whatever squad SA name today will win on Saturday.
Yea, a lot of this feels like media trying to build up hype (the videos - especially with the desire to try to sell out the stadiums) and journalists repositioning statements and perspectives that come up in broader discussions as a lot more malicious than what they are.Media at it's best. I watched the interview. This is once again taken out of context by the media.
I find the noise a bit manufactured myself. For my part, I see it more as a media stunt than anything else. Tbh, I've gotten used to the noise and just ignore it. It's been a hallmark of the "Rassie" era and I wouldn't be surprised if Eben specifically is taking on the role of the court jester in order to satisfy the media and take that pressure off others (players) but that is pure speculation and I can fully understand non South Africans not having to deal with it on a near day to day basis finding it weird or annoying.I think their are large cultural difference in humour and how we communicate between the countries which is contributing a lot but the eagerness of coaches and players from SA to make loads of comments about us is just strange.
I find the noise a bit manufactured myself. For my part, I see it more as a media stunt than anything else. Tbh, I've gotten used to the noise and just ignore it. It's been a hallmark of the "Rassie" era and I wouldn't be surprised if Eben specifically is taking on the role of the court jester in order to satisfy the media and take that pressure off others (players) but that is pure speculation and I can fully understand non South Africans not having to deal with it on a near day to day basis finding it weird or annoying.
For me it is enough to get me up the mere fact that we have had a poor run vs Ireland and Ireland have been the form side the last while and we are hosting. Expecting a cracking few games. Just a pity about the unavailable players but that is rugby.
I mean Rassie is a known factor at this stage and everyone expects his shite.
The Etzebeth stuff I think is genuine to a degree from him but a misunderstanding of what any Irish players would have meant when saying that.
But it's not just those two. De Allende called Irish players emotionless (insane from a teammate of POM) and Tony Brown has said we think the world cup doesn't win for SA doesn't count, which he's pulled out of his arse.
It's definitely manufactured but it's manufactured imo by the SA camp knowing the media will lap it up. From my perspective it's just weird that they feel the need to do it. Why do they need the external motivation? They're favourites and most Irish fans are predicting a home sweep for a reason.