The Silver Fern

Davies earns rookie of the year award, but unfortunately got landed on by another rider after crossing into the other riders line… nowhere to go for the already airborne Smith. Broken nose and arm for Davies

I’m not sure Moyo is the answer for SA at 10. Quite a bit of aimless kicking at critical times. NZ deserved winners

@NTA said in Happiness Scale:

Well, just to fuck life up when things seemed to be getting on track after the recent episode:

Boxing Day 2023 I woke up with a bit of vision loss in my left eye. Hospital is always fun that time of year (not) and after spending most of the next day there and running all sorts of tests, they decided to pump me with steroids and sent me off to see a Neuro-Opthamologist.

The diagnosis was optic neuritis. But they wanted to know what was causing it.

And today - after over a year of mostly waiting between tests - the same specialist reckons the diagnosis is Multiple Sclerosis.

Now for another MRI to see if it has advanced, so we can look at treatment options from there.

Given the extended and repeated kicks in the balls our family has received over the past 8 years, I fully expect to win the lottery any minute now.

On the plus side, the doc said it was caught very early and treatments were becoming more and more effective. We're a long way from people being wheelchair-bound by the time they're 50 (I'm turning 49 in June).

He's talking 10-20 years before any impacts to lifestyle at the moment, but needs the next round of tests before being sure.

I've got 5 caps to get for the rugby club to get above two other blokes (absolute peanuts) who don't deserve to be there TBH, and then refereeing. A trip to Europe and other shit once my daughter finishes school this year.

Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'

Nick, just read this. Keep on keeping on, lots to live for mate. Cliche I know but wordiness is not my strong suit. All the very best. You’re a good person.

Australia win by 5 points

Australia running away with this game. SA playing really dumb rugby

Good grief, Argentina.

@Mauss said in U20 Rugby Championship 2025:

@W32 said in U20 Rugby Championship 2025:

Having watched the SA game again I’m not feeling that optimistic about the next match. Sure there was a lot of enthusiasm and emotion, but there are big problems with all departments. The handling errors are particularly worrying. I don’t see this team beating Aus or NZ. They are just too static in the way they play.

I think the handling errors are to be expected, it comes with the territory of playing a more expansive game. It's something they'll have to get through if they want to become more comfortable playing that way.

For me, the Junior Boks are definite favourites for this tournament. There should be some changes to the team - I'd probably start Moyo and put Malgas on the bench, Kyle Smith out of the 23, start Hlekani, probably play Mars on the wing ahead of Cupido, and maybe start Juandré and JD Erasmus - but they have lots of pace and power, which I think will get them across the line against both Australia and NZ.

I think NZ will improve for the U20 World Cup but they'll need some serious reinforcements coming in.

I do think the coach was trying to do the “bomb squad” thing. He very nearly came unstuck as the SA players started to go into their shells for a period. Certainly they will have grown in confidence from winning, but they seem fragile. I guess that is an age thing.

Good racing today. Davies leading his race with the points leader in hot pursuit. They make contact when an overly aggressive pass by Deegan puts Davies over the side of the track. Pretty unnecessary by Deegan… roundly booed by the crowd and cheers for Davies. Payback can be a bitch in this sport and Deegan has it coming. Cant wait to see it.
Easy to dislike Deegan who is the quintessential ugly American

Having watched the SA game again I’m not feeling that optimistic about the next match. Sure there was a lot of enthusiasm and emotion, but there are big problems with all departments. The handling errors are particularly worrying. I don’t see this team beating Aus or NZ. They are just too static in the way they play.

Plenty to work on for the lighties, but a good start

SA looking like a much better side this year

Fair result for the game. Enjoyed it

@Mauss said in U20 Rugby Championship 2025:

Junior Bok team announced. Some interesting selections, with Kyle Smith (WP) getting the nod at 10 and Hlekani on the bench. I'm guessing Foote is looking for impact? I'd hope he isn't underestimating the Pumitas because they bulldozed the Junior Boks twice at the U20 World Cup last year.

Foote's analysis of the Argentina U20s - "We understand and respect their passion, and they are also looking forward to this opportunity to play for their country." - wouldn't fill me with confidence as a Bok supporter. Always a passionate bunch, eh, those Argentines?

Anyway, should be an interesting game.

Fairly sure no team is being underestimated given the poor SA u20 results last year. Respect being given to the Pumitas. Junior bok sides have traditionally been a bit underwhelming.

@voodoo said in Supercross:

I don’t know anything about Supercross, other than Cole Davies being a fucking great name for a rider. Straight outta Talladega Nights!

Dudes a stud

Davies wins the East/West shootout race. Very impressive considering he is a rookie. 17 years old, very very impressive.

South Africa can’t do any worse than the last few years. Such a disappointment last year with the talent thats available

Is it verboten to discus Tesla stock on this thread? FWIW - good buy right now

But I’m not a financial advisor

Bulls win. Leinster suck

Super kak. Terrible handling skills. Clueless

Bulls are kak