Latest news with #DuhanvanderMerwe
The 42
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
Lions set off for Australia after an error-strewn opener
ANDY FARRELL HASN'T got pissed off at his Ireland team too often over the last five years. To be fair, he doesn't often have great cause to be angry with them. But what seems to really get him worked up is performances like the one the Lions delivered last night. There were lots of bright moments from Farrell's team and he will pick out the green shoots in the performance as he reviews it during today's long-haul flight to Perth, but he strongly dislikes when his team looks less energetic and alert than the opposition. Argentina always play with passion and pride. Those things seemed even a little elevated last night as they pulled off an historic win. It just seemed wrong that this wasn't a capped international game as the Pumas celebrated their deserved victory. But Farrell will question how it was that his team looked a little less passionate and proud. He would have hated a moment like the one that saw Argentina streak away for a sucker-punch of a try just before half time. Duhan van der Merwe losing control of the ball as he was tackled around 15 metres out from the Argentina tryline was typical of a night when the Lions were too loose with possession. But then, with the ball bobbling on the ground, it was the Pumas who reacted sharply to scoop it up and surge away down the other end. Ultimately, that was the deciding of the contest and while it took scintillating skill from Argentina to score it, Farrell will feel it was sloppy and lethargic from his side. He hates when his team lose the 'scraps' on the ground in such instances or when the ball breaks from an aerial contest. Ireland have made it a point of pride to be the best at hoovering up the scraps and he will want his Lions team to do much better in that regard. Advertisement Duhan van der Merwe and Ben Earl. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO Those uncommon times when he has clearly been annoyed after Ireland games also usually come when his players have been wasteful with the ball. There were many instances of that from the Lions last night. They repeatedly got into promising situations only to throw a loose pass or offload directly to an Argentinian player or slightly behind a team-mate. This kind of stuff can happen because of overexcitement or overeagerness, which seems likely given that these Lions players know they only have a few more games in which to state their Test credentials. These errors can also happen when people are distracted by something like a flight to Australia the next day. We won't be able to put our finger on it from outside the Lions camp, but Farrell has already made it clear that this stuff is unacceptable to him. The lineout was also a major weakness on the night, with a 78% return on their own throw limiting how often they could strike at the Pumas. And yet, even while Farrell set out his stall with his show of annoyance and refusal to make excuses, this kind of stuff isn't entirely unexpected on opening night for the Lions. Unconvincing performances in the Lions' first game are not a rarity. It's also worth underlining that the Lions' first game isn't usually against one of the best teams in the world, which is what Argentina are. Ranked fifth in the official World Rugby list, Felipe Contepomi's men had a fine 2024 season and picked up where they left off. They're a creative, gritty team and they made the Lions' lives difficult. The Australian Super Rugby teams may be inspired to produce next-level performances, but the Argentina game could be the Lions' toughest pre-Test challenge. It certainly wasn't all doom and gloom for the Lions. Their scrum was excellent, with Ellis Genge and Finlay Bealham impressing as they won several important penalties from a proud Pumas pack. Henry Pollock in Dublin. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO There were more than a few glimpses of quality from the Lions attack, including two clever plays from goal line drop-outs, which have been a calling card for Ireland under Farrell. Some of their phase-play shapes were smooth as they stretched the Pumas. The Bundee Aki and Tadhg Beirne tries were excellent, while a maul penalty try is always a happy moment for the forwards. The slick skills from Luke Cowan-Dickie, Marcus Smith, Sione Tuipulotu, and Fin Smith before Aki finished powerfully shows what the Lions can do when their handling is accurate. The power from Ben Earl and particularly Genge before Beirne's try was a reminder of the athleticism in this squad, their carries paving the way for scrum-half Tomos Williams to deftly pick out Beirne running a clever line to finish. Most Lions players had good moments and made a couple of errors. Some of them know they now have ground to make up, and the players who watched from the stands last night must sense an opportunity to make a statement against the Western Force next Saturday in Perth. Happily, the Lions didn't appear to pick up any big injuries last night and they will still set off for Australia this morning in optimistic form. The show is on the road and Farrell has laid down a marker for what he wants to see from these Lions.
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
British and Irish Lions 24 Argentina 28: Lions stunned by Pumas to lose opening match for first time in 54 years
Scroll down to see the scorers LION TAMERS British and Irish Lions 24 Argentina 28: Lions stunned by Pumas to lose opening match for first time in 54 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MARO ITOJE's Lions failed to roar as they were mauled by the Pumas to start their summer with a flop. Itoje's side will fly to Australia with a massive hangover from this reverse and only days to sort themselves out down under. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Argentina edged out the British and Irish Lions Credit: PA 3 It is the first time the Lions have lost their first game in over 50 years Credit: Getty 3 Itoje was taken off with nine minutes to go Credit: Getty Itoje himself was replaced with nine minutes left and although his side chucked everything at it in the final 10 the Pumas held out. The Lions had fought back from 11 points down at half-time thanks to a penalty try and a score from Tadhg Beirne made by Tomos Williams' pass. Most of the team on show have only had 10 days together and it showed with dropped passes and some wonky line outs before they hit their stride in the second half. In 2021, the Lions beat Japan 28-10 in Edinburgh in a warm-up and seven of the starters made into the run-on team in the first Test against South Africa in Cape Town. READ MORE RUGBY NEWS BEACH LIFE Swansea set to have new seaside stadium with club to leave 21,088-seater home So this was an audition which England wing Tommy Freeman passed with flying colours but Duhan van der Merwe fluffed his lines. The Argentinians beat all of the southern hemisphere big dogs in the Rugby Championship last year and are no mugs and are ranked fifth in the world, three places above Australia and ahead of England, Scotland and Wales. And the best of British were 21-10 down at the break as their defence was ripped open too often for comfort. The Pumas were quickly 8-3 up thanks to a score from wing Ignacio Mendy who cut inside a back tracking Duhan van der Merwe to touch down. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Then Itoje's side had tries for Luke Cowan-Dickie and centre Sione Tuipulotu chalked off by the TMO. Cowan-Dickie dropped the ball over the line and Alex Mitchell knocked on in the build-up to Tuipulotu's effort. The Lions scrum held up well and their attacking finally got some change out of the visitors when Bundee Aki went route one to bulldoze over on 18 minutes. But Puma fly-half Tomas Albornoz added a try from his own half to his three first-half penalties just before half-time. But Farrell must have had some harsh words at the break as the Lions came out firing and were soon over for the penalty try and Beirne's score put them into a 24-21 lead but Santiago Cordero's score grabbed it back and the Pumas stayed in front.
BBC News
30-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Van Der Merwe out as Ritchie starts for Edinburgh in quarter-final
Duhan van der Merwe misses out on Edinburgh's URC quarter-final against Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday as head coach Sean Everitt makes just one Van Der Merwe, who has been sidelined since March with ankle ligament damage, has resumed training and is with the squad in South Everitt said: "He's probably still a few days away from being ready to return to full match action. We're managing his return carefully to ensure he's fully prepared when he does step back onto the field."Jamie Ritchie, who will join Perpignan this summer, starts at blindside flanker as Ben Muncaster drops to the bench from the team that beat Ulster to clinch a play-off spot."We know the Bulls are always a massive physical threat, especially here at Loftus," added Everitt."To compete, and to win, we will need to be at our absolute very best. That means bringing passion and intensity, but crucially, it also demands composure and clinical discipline for the full 80 minutes."Edinburgh XV to face Bulls: Goosen, Graham, Currie, Lang, Paterson, Thompson, Price, Schoeman, Ashman, Rae, Sykes, Skinner, Ritchie, Watson, BradburyReplacements: Harrison, Venter, Sebastian, McConnell, Muncaster, McAlpine, Healy, Bennett.
Scotsman
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Duhan van der Merwe set to fly for Edinburgh but major worries in pack
Scotland and Lions Winger has not featured since injuring ankle Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Edinburgh Rugby are confident that Lions winger Duhan van der Merwe will be fit to face the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship quarter-final in South Africa on Saturday - but there are concerns around their options in the second row. Edinburgh Rugby hope to have Duhan van der Merwe involved this weekend. | SNS Group Van der Merwe, 29, has not played since limping off in the 11th minute of the home win over the Dragons in March. Scotland's record try-scorer injured his ankle but has been able to train this week. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Edinburgh are due to leave for South Africa on Tuesday and head coach Sean Everitt expects van der Merwe to be part of the travelling party. Edinburgh Rugby hope to have Duhan van der Merwe involved this weekend. | SNS Group 'Duhan will be travelling with us,' said Everitt. 'He came through training well on Monday, he's got one more training session to do on Tuesday. But as we stand right now, he'll be on the plane. 'Duhan's a world-class player as an international. He will bring a wealth of experience to the team. The team will take a lot of confidence from him [just being there]. We just hope that he pulls through on Tuesday and he can get to his best as soon as possible.' Second-row concerns Everitt is expecting a huge physical battle against the Bulls who were defeated by Glasgow Warriors in last season's final and there are question marks over the availability of Edinburgh locks Grant Gilchrist and Glen Young. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gilchrist, the club co-captain, has missed recent matches with a hamstring issue while Young's wife is due to give birth. 'Gilco will do his final fitness test to see if he's able to play the game on Saturday,' said Everitt. 'We can't take a player with us that might not play, so we'll make a final call at lunchtime on Tuesday. 'Glen Young is waiting for his wife to give birth to their third child, so there's a question mark around his availability for the trip to South Africa. We've got a flight booked for him on Thursday night. And should all be okay, then hopefully he'll join us on Friday.' Edinburgh started with Marshall Sykes and Sam Skinner in the second row in the recent wins over Connacht and Ulster and the pair are both available to face the Bulls. If Gilchrist and Young don't make it, the contingency plan is to have No 8 Magnus Bradbury providing cover at lock. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Grant Gilchrist has a hamstring issue for Edinburgh. | SNS Group There are also injury problems at scrum-half. Charlie Shiel has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a blow to the kidney in the latter stages of the win over Ulster which sealed Edinburgh's place in the last eight. With co-captain Ben Vellacott already out with a foot injury, there will be a call-up for Conor McAlpine who will provide back-up to Ali Price. McAlpine, 21, has had one outing for Edinburgh's top team, as a replacement in this season's Challenge Cup match against Gloucester, but he did play for the second string in their recent match against the Georgian side Black Lion. 'We've got Ali and we've got young Conor McAlpine, who will be covering us on the bench on the weekend,' said Everitt. 'Conor had a really good runout against Black Lion last week, so it's an exciting time for him. He also did the business for us against Gloucester, so we're not too concerned about him.' Bulls 'carry massive threat' Edinburgh lost 22-16 to the Bulls in the URC at Loftus Versfeld back in September but beat them 34-28 at home in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals last month and Everitt is looking forward to locking horns with them once more. 'The Bulls are a massive threat up front,' said the coach, who had a spell working with them prior to his Edinburgh appointment. 'What we have at our disposal now, apart from Grant Gilchrist, is the same as what we went with against them the last time. We know that it's going to be a set-piece battle, it always is. Especially at Loftus. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Edinburgh flyer Duhan van der Merwe to make comeback in URC play-off against Bulls
Duhan van der Merwe of Edinburgh is set to meet his brother, Akker, in a fortnight's time in the URC quarter-final against the Bulls, Photo: EPA Edinburgh are set to unleash Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe on the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship quarter-final on May 31, the big flyer's first action in nearly two months. Scotland's record try-scorer has not played since injuring his ankle against the Dragons on March 28 and coach Sean Everitt will be happy to have Van der Merwe's firepower for the huge challenge awaiting his team. Duhan will, at some point in the game, be up against his older brother Akker, the Bulls hooker who is likely to back up Johan Grobbelaar. Akker is four years older than 29-year-old Duhan, who, despite missing seven games, was still included in the Lions squad for a second consecutive tour. He started all three Tests in the series defeat to South Africa four years ago. After his team had produced an excellent performance to demolish Ulster 47-17, Everitt said van der Merwe will be available for the trip to Pretoria..
