Brilliant - listening on the radio by the pool in Paguera. A few strange looks at me 60 seconds ago when I shouted Yeeessss
Justice done second half. I'm happy to have got that second half prediction wrong as well Despite all the numerous errors that halted our momentum we hung in there and scored a great try and a brilliant conversion. I think Anscombe should start next week now, even if Biggar fit. Just shows how we can play if we go for it.
They're certainly top of the Northern Hemisphere rankings. Ireland have beaten the ABs four out of the last seven now I don't think we'll ever beat them!
No seriously, France are now Top: Wales up from 9 to 8. (NZ 4th) Today is the first time that NZ, Aus and the Bokke have all lost at home on the same day! In fact, it's just the third time overall that they've lost on the same day (also 09/11/2002 & 20/11/2021)
I was having lunch in New Hampshire and likewise a few strange looks. I tried to explain to a guy on the next table but it was hard work
Wales tour of South Africa: Gareth Anscombe chooses the perfect time to remind of his quality Steve James Monday July 11 2022, 12.01am, The Times It is easy to forget that Gareth Anscombe would have gone to the 2019 World Cup as Wales’s starting fly half. He and Dan Biggar had formed a potent double act when Wales won the grand slam that year, but it was always Anscombe wearing the No 10 jersey and Biggar coming off the bench. Then in a warm-up match against England in August of that year Anscombe injured his right knee, requiring an ACL reconstruction, and then later a tibial osteotomy (where the leg is broken and it is every bit as horrendous as it sounds, as your correspondent can attest, having had the same operation) to realign his leg, as well as a bone graft from a donor into his knee. It was not until an Ospreys pre-season match last summer that Anscombe played again. In October he started for Wales against New Zealand, but that was in extremis and he was clearly not fully match fit. In Anscombe’s prolonged absence Biggar had improved hugely, and this year he has become a fine, inspirational captain. But in this history-making victory in Bloemfontein was a coruscating reminder of Anscombe’s quality. Biggar had suffered a shoulder injury and eventually left on 51 minutes with the game seemingly slipping away from Wales, as they soon went 9-3 and then 12-3 down, the latter penalty from Handre Pollard coming after replacement Alun Wyn Jones received a comically unjust yellow card. But for a long time now Wales have had a reputation for staying in the fight, remaining in games in which it does not overtly appear they have a right to do so. And so Anscombe kicked a penalty, and though he missed another, Wales were always in touch at 12-6 going into the final 10 minutes. Dillon Lewis, the tighthead prop, had also departed injured and in his place was debutant Sam Wainwright, who is at Saracens but has never started in the Gallagher Premiership. On 75 minutes Wainwright had his first taste of international scrummaging. He was up against another replacement and debutant, Ntuthuko Mchunu. It was South Africa’s put-in inside their own half, but Wainwright did so well that Mchunu was penalised for walking around the side of the scrum. Anscombe kicked to the corner and from there Wales pounced unexpectedly, going through eight phases before Anscombe threw out a brilliant long pass to replacement Josh Adams (who had been on early in the first half when Alex Cuthbert damaged an arm) and the wing beat full back Warrick Gelant at the corner for the only try of the match. It was still 12-11 and the conversion had to be taken inches from the touchline. The minds of Cardiff supporters will have gone back to Bilbao 2018 when Anscombe was still with the capital side and he kicked a touchline penalty with a minute to go to win the European Challenge Cup 31-30 against Gloucester. This was obviously much bigger- a first ever Wales win in South Africa resting on it- but Anscombe was just as cool, striking the kick perfectly with that now rebuilt right leg. “Just absolute character, wasn’t it?” said Biggar afterwards. “I thought he was excellent when he came on. I’m really pleased for him because he’s obviously had a really difficult couple of years being out injured. Massive, massive effort, really proud of him.” If Biggar is not fit enough for the series decider in Cape Town next Saturday, then Anscombe, who missed the birth of his second child by hours when belatedly joining this tour, will be a more than decent deputy. “I’m a bit sore,” said Biggar. “It’s a bit of a squashed AC (joint) but I’m desperate to be involved next week.” As Anscombe’s kick went over the clock showed 78 minutes and 47 seconds. There was still time for a re-start and still time for Wales to knock on, meaning another massive scrummage for Wainwright, who held firm again, as did Wales’ defence, until replacement Vincent Koch knocked on, and it was all over. With Lewis seen with his arm in a sling afterwards, Wainwright may well start next week too, but he has already shown that he will not be fazed. “Just exceptional from him,” said Biggar. “He deserves as much credit. He and Gareth were excellent.” So too were the outstanding back-rowers Dan Lydiate and Tommy Reffell. Of course, this was a South African side showing 14 changes from the narrow first Test win, and there was an inevitable lack of cohesion at times, with, ironically, the only survivor from Pretoria, renowned lock Eben Etzebeth, making some crucial errors, but this was a mightily brave Welsh performance, even if it was often a tedious spectacle, particularly compared to the enthralling first Test. South Africa will doubtless revert to their strongest line up in Cape Town this weekend, but Wales can already declare this tour a success whatever happens then.
What an outstanding display by the Irish! Can England, Wales and the Jocks do likewise? Andy Farrell for Lions Coach?
Wow, they're regularly beating the ABs these days! Mmmmm..... He will be in demand, that's for sure. It just goes to show what a good coach can do. The Irish have good players but only the coaching staff can make them world beaters. Same in footy. A mediocre coach can sink you.
Red by the letter of the law, surely. But we're seeing some discrepancy coming back into these decisions now... SA should have had a yellow first half.
Not a surprising result, expected a Boks response. Shame about the lack of composure at the end of the first game, that should have been a draw and then a possibly drawn series. You have to say SA deserved the series though. We did score a great try and defended well but possession and territory wasn't good enough to win that game and the pressure will always tell. Especially after so many penalties. After the Six Nations it doesn't look too bad. Not sure where Wales go from here though, can Pivac push us any further? (Taff don't answer )
Garland’s Wales NEVER EVER played a Soringboks reserve team in a test Other than that comment, I will take the Fifth Amendment
