In pictures: British and Irish Lions ease to big win over AUNZ Invitational XV
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Reuters
16 minutes ago
- Reuters
Springboks borrow playbook from Under-14 B schools team
July 13 (Reuters) - South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has always been an innovator in the game, seeking an extra edge for his side with the unexpected, and found a new ploy he successfully unleashed on Italy from an Under-14 B schools team. The Springboks thumped the Italians 45-0 in Gqeberha on Saturday despite an early permanent red card for number eight Jasper Wiese, and from the kick-off they were full of innovation. They had demolished Italy in the scrums in the previous week's 42-24 win in Pretoria, and wanted to keep that psychological edge. The Springboks therefore intentionally conceded a scrum from the kick-off of the game. It did not work out as they were penalised with a free-kick for an early shove, but the writing was on the wall for a game that would be far from ordinary. Twice they created a maul in general play from which they gained penalty advantage and scored tries on both occasions. Lock Ruan Nortje was lifted to receive a pass, and as he came down to the ground, it created a driving maul from which the Springboks could use their powerful forwards. They received penalty advantage on both occasions as the Italians immediately infringed, but did not need it as centre Canan Moodie and hooker Malcolm Marx crossed for tries. When the powers that be drew up the laws of the game at the line-out, they certainly did not envisage them being used in general play, but Erasmus, who said he was "fairly happy" with his team's performance, has found a way to legally exploit them. "Many teams do different tactical moves and we did a maul in general play with a guy that we lift (to receive the pass)," he told reporters. "We actually saw an Under-14 B schools team doing it, Paul Roos Gymnasium (in Paarl, South Africa). "You get all the benefits from a line-out if you lift a guy in general play and it worked for us. But obviously now people will be alert for that. "We tried a few things and sometimes those things work and sometimes they don't, and you have to take it on the chin if they don't work." The Springboks next host Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday.
Telegraph
30 minutes ago
- Telegraph
There have been 16 back-five combinations on Lions tour... but this is right one
The ferocious scrap for places in the back five of the British and Irish Lions' starting pack for the first Test encapsulates both the selection quandary faced by Andy Farrell and how he has endeavoured to keep his hand concealed from Australia counterpart Joe Schmidt. Over six matches so far, accounting for starters and in-game replacements, the Lions have fielded 12 different back-row trios. Factor in the locks and there have been 16 combinations used across 480 minutes. Farrell cannot be accused of failing to cycle through scenarios or presenting individuals with an opportunity to impress. Following a 48-0 defeat of an underwhelming Australia and New Zealand invitational side (AUNZ) in Adelaide, it is decision time. Frankly, for those of us outside the inner sanctum, an immensely competitive landscape does not seem too much clearer than it did prior to the tour. All we can do is review potential clues. There is one central question, which is whether Farrell opts for collective agility or set-piece solidity and it hinges upon the identity of his blindside flanker. From a squad packed with bustling athletes who made their name as opensides, there was always the necessity to deploy a hybrid lock-flanker in the number six jersey. After lasting the entirety of the loss to Argentina in the second row, Tadhg Beirne has spent more time at blindside flanker (two starts and 129 minutes in total against the Western Force and the Waratahs) than he has at lock (just 58 minutes against AUNZ) on Australian soil. As a mark of how tours need adaptability, these figures were swayed by Henry Pollock's withdrawal against the Waratahs, a fixture Beirne was due to start at lock before trading places. Ollie Chessum had only a single start at blindside flanker during the 2024-25 campaign, coming in Leicester Tigers' ghastly 80-12 thrashing in Toulouse. He has shifted around for the Lions, coming on at lock against the Force and starting in that role against the Reds. Then he wore six against the Brumbies and moved to the engine room for the last 23 minutes of a 36-24 victory. Chessum ended that outing, which was viewed as a rehearsal for the Test series, alongside captain Maro Itoje. Together, those two can certainly make a set-piece work. Interestingly, when they are in tandem, Chessum scrummages on the tighthead side as testament to his power. The line-out and the breakdown are two more critical areas that will be heavily contested by the Wallabies. With Harry Wilson helping out at the front, Jeremy Williams and Nick Frost derailed Fiji's line-out platform on July 5. Beirne, a trusted favourite of Farrell from Ireland successes who adds a jackalling threat, and Chessum are evidently options at blindside – especially if the heft and dynamism of Joe McCarthy makes him a foil for Itoje. Tom Curry, who has started each of his last six Tests for England at blindside flanker, would appear to be in the strongest position if Farrell resists the hybrid approach. Thanks in part to years under the tutelage of Steve Borthwick, the 27-year-old has become a polished line-out forward. That is not just in the jumping stakes, though Curry was hoisted to secure four throws in Dublin against the Pumas. He will shuttle around various set-ups fulfilling whatever responsibilities are required – dummying, lifting or peeling away to pass – and has done them plenty of times in harness with Itoje and Chessum. Expect the Lions to send throws over the top into midfield, either to an onrushing carrier or to a forward like Jack Conan peeling from the tail. Curry and Jac Morgan spent 50 minutes together in the Argentina game before lasting the whole of the 52-12 victory over the Reds together with Conan. That has been the only match in which Farrell has kept an unchanged back row. James Ryan replaced Chessum but Ben Earl came on at inside centre. The Lions surrendered just one of 77 rucks they spent in possession at Suncorp Stadium, having been similarly tidy in that area against the Western Force (losing one of 78 rucks). Morgan gradually grew more prominent during the Reds match, particularly as a carrier, and did so again on Saturday as AUNZ were vanquished. Despite some confrontational running, AUNZ did not lay a glove on the Lions, who won all 74 of their rucks. Now, attacking breakdown efficiency encompasses many factors – refereeing interpretation, kicking strategy, support play, punch in collisions and technique in contact – but that return reflects well on Morgan. Inspired by the scrapping of Charlie Gamble and Luke Reimer, respectively, the Waratahs and the Brumbies disrupted the rhythm of the Lions, who lost seven of 95 attacking rucks in Sydney and six of 92 in Canberra. Such results can be disastrous in Test matches, and Fraser McReight is a fantastic scavenger. Again, there are many moving parts in a team's breakdown performance, but the Lions began both of those unconvincing games with a lock starting at blindside flanker. That gives you a sense of the trade-off at play. To their immense credit, the players have made Farrell's life as difficult as possible. Scott Cummings could have faded into obscurity after a difficult outing in Perth punctuated by botched restarts. Instead, he has responded superbly. Ryan, burlier than when he broke through in spectacular style, remains a dependable and rounded operator. As for the back row, Henry Pollock has underlined his capacity for game-breaking moments. That is not to say he shirks the tough stuff. Against hulking AUNZ boppers like Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Shannon Frizell, the 20-year-old chucked himself around. Josh van der Flier has been an unselfish and industrious facilitator as well. Earl has become more influential with every performance and Andy Farrell calling him ashore on the hour-mark against AUNZ must have been promising for his prospects. Schmidt has tended to team up McReight with two of Wilson, Rob Valetini and Langi Gleeson to ensure the Wallabies are loaded with stinging carriers and the Lions will need to control the pace of Australia's phase play either on the ground or in the tackle. Will Skelton could be unleashed as well, of course. Farrell has the capacity to plump for a six-two split among the replacements, yet has not favoured that slant as Ireland head coach. He did want to apply that tactic for the Waratahs game before Pollock's tight calf caused a reshuffle, Cummings coming off the bench and Beirne heading to the back row. For the Tests, which will surely demand plenty of high-speed running from the backs in kicking duels, a five-three split would appear more likely – even if Earl can be a midfield contingency. Farrell can still mix up his back five over the course of 80 minutes by deploying two back-rowers in the 19 and 20 shirts as he did for the Brumbies with Van der Flier and Pollock as super-subs. Given it will influence just about every facet of the series opener, from restarts to rucks via line-out work, scrummaging and gain-line momentum, this is Farrell's most pressing question. Charlie Morgan's back five and replacements for first Test 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. Tom Curry, 7. Jac Morgan, 8. Jack Conan, 19. Joe McCarthy, 20. Ben Earl This would require Farrell to take a leap of faith and overlook Beirne and Van der Flier, a pair of loyal performers with intimate knowledge of his intricate systems, while holding back Pollock and trusting a Curry-Morgan double act to deliver on a month's worth of alchemy as opposed to years of familiarity. Margins are terribly fine, but I like what these seven offer as a collective and feel as though Earl has forced his way in. The cold truth is that there will be attrition and turnover during the next fortnight anyway. Squad depth is a major advantage for the Lions, not that they can risk a slow start in what should be a compelling series.
BBC News
32 minutes ago
- BBC News
What did we learn from McInnes' first Hearts game?
"I enjoyed it, but I want to enjoy it a wee bit more."Derek McInnes allowed himself a wee smile at the end of his victorious first game as Hearts head scoreboard read a comfortable 4-1 win in the Premier Sports Cup, but scoreboards don't always tell the full story. For much of the stuffy second half Hearts endured against Dunfermline Athletic, McInnes was seated in the dugout. He must've thought all his dreams had come true when James Wilson fired Hearts in front with three minutes on the clock, much to the delight of a boisterous home crowd, but it was not a perfect sign of things to a rapid start, Hearts soon played safe and lacked the killer instinct to put the game to bed before the break. Instead, they went into it level. A draw after 90 minutes appeared increasingly likely until Lawrence Shankland - who McInnes played a pivotal role in keeping at Tynecastle - tucked away two identical penalties in under three minutes. With just over ten minutes to go, the points were in the bag but substitute Stephen Kingsley's fantastic finish in stoppage time ensured a sigh of opposite number, Neil Lennon, said it was "a great game", but what did we learn from McInnes first outing in the maroon dugout? Strong start shows desired style For the first 10 minutes, Hearts were tremendous. They came flying out the traps and could have scored within the opening minute, had Shankland found the net rather than Pars goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet's play was sharp and speedy, getting the ball into the final third as soon as possible. McInnes was heard hollering at his defenders to get the ball to Shankland and Wilson even quicker."I thought we started the game like a train and missed two or three really good chances and had Dunfermline where we wanted them," McInnes said."We got the early goal, which was the perfect start and what I asked for. I thought the energy and the intelligence of the team was really strong in that part."Although it didn't last nearly as long as McInnes would have wanted, the early signs of his system were on show. As confidence grows and bodies come in, there's every chance it'll be effective. Incoming wingers will be welcomed Among those new bodies are likely to be wingers Sabah Kerjota and Pierre Landry Kabore who have long been reported to be Hearts players this said pre-match the club are "quite far down the line" in signing two wingers and Saturday's run out suggested of only two starting debutants, Claudio Braga on the left was key to the quick start, but the Pars soon sussed out the Portuguese. It was quite clear he wasn't an out-and-out were glimpses of his guile and his gleaming smile at full-time was as wide as Gorgie Road, but he will surely be searching for a shot as a striker Forrest's work-rate down the right couldn't be questioned, but it didn't click for the 28-year-old. McInnes did note pre-match he prefers Forrest on the left, but he's been "really effective" on the right, more players coming in to a 29-man squad, there is certain to be a few heading out the exit door at Tynecastle, too. Good things come to those who wait He won't publicly take much praise for it, but McInnes was instrumental in ensuring Scotland striker Shankland stayed with Hearts and signed a new talked up his captain, but never applied a hard deadline for a decision on a new contract. His patience and persistence paid off, and Hearts are already reaping the didn't look like a guy who'd spent a chunk of pre-season weighing up his options - while also holidaying and getting applause he received pre-match as he led his team out was hearty, while he earned an endearing reception on his departure once he'd dispatched two penalties in a smart was his arcing shot off a post which also teed up Wilson for the made a point post-match that in football, particularly at this stage of the season, games are "won by mistakes", rather than tactics or individual someone still needs to capitalise on those mistakes. Step forward, Shankland."When the game needs calmness and that confidence to take a penalty, Lawrence is there," the head coach added."When the game's in the balance, you're never going to be in a rush to take somebody like Lawrence off."
