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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Rugby-Argentina send Lions down under with 28-24 warm-up defeat
By Padraic Halpin HT Image DUBLIN -Argentina beat a stuttering British and Irish Lions for the first time ever on Friday with a 28-24 warm-up game victory at the Aviva Stadium that left coach Andy Farrell with plenty to do as his squad get ready to leave for Australia. While Farrell barely had enough bodies to make up a matchday squad after deciding to give the majority who played in English Premiership and URC finals last Saturday the evening off, he had hoped the others would grasp the opportunity. Few did and just as Argentina did when the sides' last met in a 25-25 draw before the 2005 tour, the Pumas had the Lions on the ropes early thanks to tries from Ignacio Mendy and Tomas Albornoz either side of a Bundee Aki effort that gave them a deserved 21-10 halftime lead. While the Lions were a different animal early in the second half and regained the lead after a penalty try and another home crowd score, this time for Tadhg Beirne, Santiago Cordero put Argentina back in front with another great team try and the error-strewn Lions could not reply again. "We talked in the week about this amazing opportunity, We wanted to come here and do a good job. It's amazing," player of the match Albornoz said in a pitchside interview. Argentina, who were also missing some key players still involved in the French Top 14 playoffs, showed they were here to play with a couple of early warning shots before a brilliant set piece try after the sides had traded early penalties. Quick ball and quick hands carved the Lions' defence open for fullback Santiago Carreras to throw a deft dummy and find Mendy, whose step inside left Duhan van der Merwe on his backside. The Lions also showed some early attacking intent and after two tries were chalked off for knock ons either side of Mendy's effort, one of the few available Irishmen Aki brought a huge cheer from the sea of red by bulldozing over on 20 minutes. But it was very scrappy for Farrell's men after that, with the rust of their early days together showing up in yet more knock ons, a misfiring lineout and missing almost twice as many tackles as their opponents by halftime. After two more Albornoz penalties edged Argentina in front, the flyhalf benefited from some more untidy Lions play, this time deep in Puma territory, to dive under the posts and into a sea of nearby Argentine replacements right on halftime. "TEETHING ISSUES" The second half started off a lot looser and the Lions were much more awake to it. The game looked like it might swing just a few minutes in when their forward pressure forced the penalty try and a yellow card for Argentina prop Mayco Vivas. Another try looked inevitable before Vivas returned as the Lions began to empty what on paper was a far more loaded bench. Beirne obliged shortly after a huge carry from Ellis Genge. But the mistakes began to creep in again and multiply as Argentina showed all they needed was a sniff, breaking from their own half before replacement Matias Moroni kicked in behind for fellow sub Cordero to beat Marcus Smith to a footrace. Some Argentine players were in tears when the final whistle sounded as they secured their first win in eight attempts, six of which were in tours of South America almost a century ago. For the Lions they have five more games in Australia and plenty more time together to set things right before the first test against the Wallabies on July 19. "There's a few teething issues," said Lions captain Maro Itoje. "We're building a team. I think we showed glimmers of what we can do. We'll learn and we'll definitely get better." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
IOL News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Handré Pollard's return: Can the Bulls finally claim URC glory?
BACK IN BLUE Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard will be back in Pretoria to lead the charge of the Bulls for an elusive URC title. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Comment by Leighton Koopman The Bulls' 32-7 defeat in the final of the United Rugby Championship against Leinster was a bitter pill to swallow for supporters, but making it to a third final in four seasons shows that they are not that far off from a title-winning campaign. With a core of experienced Springboks in their midst, the return of Handré Pollard in the flyhalf position, Jan Serfontein coming back as a vastly experienced centre and some exciting young players, the Pretoria outfit will be able to call on more experienced stars than ever before next year. While there is no shame in losing to a better team, and Leinster were streets ahead of the Loftus side, there will be questions around the Bulls if they can't claim silverware next season, especially with director of rugby Jake White looking to make some key adjustments in the off-season. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Firstly, squad depth remains a concern for White, and he stated it again in his post-match press conference following the final last Saturday at Croke Park in Dublin. But he was the most successful South African coach when it came to rotating his team. He ensured he had players fit to take up positions when needed. But injuries to key players had a big influence towards the end of their tournament. Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw were out for the final and the latter stages of the competition respectively, and the dynamic duo were vital cogs in a physical, yet mobile loose trio of the Bulls. Hanekom's loss in the final was massive, as was the absence of Kurt-Lee Arendse as well. They need to have like-for-like replacements for their important players. Secondly, the Bulls must tighten up their discipline and defensive structures. Leinster found it too easy at times to circumvent their tacklers, and the space they left at the back allowed their opponents' attack to thrive. Three tries in just 23 minutes effectively sealed the game for the home side, and there was no coming back from that 19-0 deficit. Handré Pollard was hungry for classy rugby all day yesterday, and this cross-field kick was absolutely delicious.#SaffasAbroad — Darren (@SaffasRugby) June 8, 2025 Too many penalties due to ill-discipline and missed tackles cost them, and if they can eliminate some of those unforced errors, it will help them keep their footing in crunch games. With the addition of Pollard and Serfontein, their backline will also see some calmer heads. The Bulls' game management in pressure situations, especially in that final, was poor and cost them. Pollard's ability to control the tempo and territory under pressure will be critical.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Maro Itoje keen to road test second row combo with Tadhg Beirne
On Thursday, Andy Farrell admitted to playing some fantasy rugby in his head over the last few weeks, but ultimately he's found it to be a pointless venture. The British and Irish Lions coach had been running potential Test combinations in his mind, and mapping out what his side to face the Wallabies in Brisbane on 19 July could look like, only for that to change by the day. "You actually can't even go there because there's such good competition," Farrell said of his failed attempts to draft a Test squad. "That's how it should be." In his time in charge of Ireland, Farrell has continually referred to the follies of "best laid plans", particularly during the 2023 Grand Slam campaign, when last minute injuries threatened to disrupt Ireland's opening games. He may be coming into this 10-game stretch with an open mind around selection, but on Friday he'll get a first glance at two combinations which have a strong chance of being his Test starters. With Blair Kinghorn still at Toulouse, and a chunk of his squad only joining the group on Monday after their involvements in the URC and Premiership finals last weekend, the matchday squad for Friday's tour opener against Argentina went along expected lines, but the combination of Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu is one that jumped off the page. The other area of Farrell's first starting lineup is at second row, where captain Maro Itoje and Munster's Tadhg Beirne team up in the engine room. The pair played together on the 2021 tour of South Africa, but didn't rub shoulders as much in the second row, with Beirne used primarily as a flanker by Warren Gatland. But having roomed together already on this camp, Itoje is looking forward to getting to know his locking partner further, both on and off the pitch. "I'm really enjoying spending time with Tadhg," the England captain said. "I spent a bit of time with him on the last tour. We built a good relationship and it's been amazing we've been able to continue that. "He's a fantastic player. He has a level of physicality that's really impressive. I've been impressed with his leadership and how he is around the boys in a very calm and mature way. "As Andy said, this is our first opportunity to set the standard that we want to be, set the kind of team that we want to be, and give, our first account of ourselves. So we've had just under two weeks of great prep. And we're excited to get going." Itoje (above) is no stranger to the Aviva, with this being the tenth time he's played at Lansdowne Road in his career. He's won in three of his nine previous visits to Dublin 4, although as a key member of Saracens and England teams, he's looking forward to experiencing the venue as part of the home team. "It's going to be amazing. It's been very nice to be so warmly received in Dublin. That tends not to be the case! "It's going to be a great spectacle. It's one the players can't wait for to be honest. We can't wait to get out there and show ourselves and others what we're about. We're looking forward to it. "I think the big thing that we've all been trying to do is to make this group as cohesive as possible on and off the field. We've players more for four countries coming together, all have different philosophies, all play the game differently, or see the game differently, or have unique talents and attributes. "What we want to do is make the team as tight as possible. We want to make it as cohesive, as solid as possible. If we're like that on and off the field, because off the field is arguably just as important as on it, it will flow into our rugby who will flow into the enjoyment that we want to have during this whole campaign."
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Etzebeth times his fitness run perfectly for international season with Springboks
The pattern of missing large swathes of club rugby while representing the Boks with distinction has plagued (benefited?) Eben Etzebeth's international career and probably added to his longevity. Like a fine sprinter who times their run to the line perfectly, Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has a habit of timing his fitness to coincide with the national team's needs. It may just be blind luck that the brilliant second-rower, the most-capped Springbok in history with 131 Test appearances, often misses large chunks of the club season but is generally available for the Boks. No one plans injuries. Just look at RG Snyman. In four years with Irish club Munster he played fewer than 2o games. In his initial three seasons with Munster he played a total of 54 minutes after being cut down with a variety of injuries. Yet, in his first season with Irish rivals Leinster, Snyman featured more than 20 times, was ever-present for selection and won Player of the Year. If you're a Munster fan it must hurt. Sharks fans might feel something similar with regards to Etzebeth and his long periods of absence. He has missed about six months of the club campaign in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Champions and Challenge Cups over the past two seasons. Yet in that time he has hardly missed a Bok Test through injury. Lucky for South Africa, not so lucky for the Sharks. This week, after an injury-plagued URC season, in which Etzebeth missed about 20 weeks, primarily through complications from concussion, but also because of mandatory Bok resting protocols, the great man announced himself ready for the Test season. 'I've recovered from everything now,' Etzebeth said at a pre-season media gathering in Johannesburg on Wednesday. 'Obviously, I didn't have the best run – the concussion and injury kept me out for about four, four-and-a-half months, which wasn't ideal. Then I had a minor setback just before the URC semifinal, but I'm fully back in training and very excited for the rest of the season. 'As you get older, it does take a bigger toll on your body. Of course, I would've liked to play more this season, but the time off has helped me rest and recover,' he said. 'You don't just sit around – you rehab, work on areas that have been troubling you. You get your whole body strong again. So, while not playing is frustrating, there are positives like getting the body right and spending time with family.' Motivated The pattern of missing large swathes of club rugby while representing the Boks with distinction has plagued (benefited?) Etzebeth's international career and probably added to his longevity. Etzebeth made his Test debut as a 21-year-old against England in June 2012, having made 13 Stormers appearances in Super Rugby that year. He became the youngest player, at 24, to reach 50 Test caps when he achieved that milestone in September 2016 against the Wallabies. Remarkably though, in the three-and-a-half Super Rugby seasons following his Test debut in 2012, he only made another 29 Stormers appearances by the time he left in 2015. When he reached his 50th Test cap he had played a total of 42 times for the Stormers in five seasons and a further eight times for NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in Japan. Etzebeth's 100th Test cap followed in Cape Town against Wales in July 2022 while he was contracted to French club Toulon, for whom he made 40 appearances. Now, at 33, he is comfortably on course for 150 Test caps given that his performances have been nothing short of stellar at Test level for the past two seasons. And he keeps improving. In 2023 and 2024 he was shortlisted for World Player of the Year, losing out to Ardie Savea and Pieter-Steph du Toit respectively. It was unlucky, but everyone in his team knows, understands and appreciates his contribution and value. And despite his 'hard man/enforcer' reputation, Etzebeth has only received three yellow cards in those 131 appearances. 'As you gain more experience, you gain a greater appreciation for the flow of the game,' Etzebeth told this writer on the eve of his 100th Test. 'You get an idea of the referees and what they're looking for. While you play on the edge, you don't push it too far.' And having won almost everything there is to win in the game from a Springbok perspective, is he still as motivated as before?'I've been asked that a few times. For me, it's about putting on the Springbok jersey one more time,' Etzebeth said this week. 'That's the ultimate goal. The day I can't play for the Boks anymore will be a very sad day for me. 'There's no better feeling than running out in a full stadium in South Africa – Loftus, Cape Town, wherever – with 50,000 people behind you. It's incredibly special, and it motivates me every time.' Lood back Along with Snyman, who missed most of the period between 2020 and 2023 through injury, and veteran warhorse Franco Mostert, the Boks have a quartet of quality, grizzled warhorses to choose from. 'It's amazing to have him (De Jager) back – and RG (Snyman) too,' said Etzebeth. 'I think it's the first time since 2019 that all of us are back together in the Springbok mix, which is special. 'We've been through a lot together – good times and tough times – and it's great to see Lood performing well again (at the Saitama Wild Knights in Japan). He's an exceptional player.'
SowetanLIVE
a day ago
- Sport
- SowetanLIVE
B&I Lions nearing full fitness after good Gibson-Park news, Farrell says
The British and Irish Lions expect to have a fully fit squad in the next week or so after a positive update on scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park, coach Andy Farrell said after naming his side for Friday's warm-up against Argentina. The Lions are in relatively rude health as they prepare to fly to Australia having only lost Scotland prop Zander Fagerson to injury in the lead up. Gibson-Park was the other main concern after he missed Leinster's United Rugby Championship (URC) final victory on Saturday with a minor glute strain. Hugo Keenan also missed the final but Farrell said the Leinster fullback ran for the first time a couple of days ago and is going pretty well, while Scotland centre Huw Jones returned to full training this week. 'Good news on most of the injuries, they're all a week or so away from being fit,' Farrell said ahead of the Argentina clash at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.
