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Five of the best Dillyn Leyds moments

THAT offload

You’ve probably seen his behind-the-back offload already, but the Stormers utility has always had a knack for outrageous highlight reel plays.

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One surefire measure of a person’s success (or complete lack thereof) these days is the ability to go viral. Stormers utility back Dillyn Leyds did that last week with a play that managed to outshine the team try of the year scored in the same game.

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But Leyds is no one-trick pony. The 24-year-old has been lighting it up for the last few seasons, despite being on a Stormers team whose gameplans have until this season been a pretty good cure for insomnia. Here’s some more from South Africa’s latest must-watch player:

He can chip, and he can chase: Some pretty slick skill here from the winger, putting in a chip and chase that Beauden Barrett would be proud of. Ultimately it was the home side’s only try against last year’s finalists, who went on to win. Still, sweet try.

Try of the year in 2015: What do you do when you almost get cleaned out catching a bomb? Burn 60 metres upfield and score. Leyds clapped on the pace against the Blues here, scoring a sensational try that helped the home team to a comfortable victory.

https://youtu.be/KleaWCx2d7Y?t=2m12s

THAT offload: If you have access to social media, you’ve seen this already. Probably a few times, but it’s worth watching a few more. While Leyds’ pass is spectacular, spare a thought for teammate Cheslin Kolbie. His improvised grubber while getting head-high tackled deserves some credit too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivCwZUVXecE&t=15s

Beating New Zealand: Leyds hasn’t made the Springboks yet, but has worn the dark green rep jersey before. He helped the South African U20 team to a historic win over New Zealand in the 2012 final, which was the first time anyone had beaten the boys in black in the five-year history of the tournament.

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Even when he doesn’t score, he scores: When you get up shaking your head, waving your arms and generally being so disappointed you tell the ref not to waste his time going upstairs, you probably shouldn’t be awarded a try. Not Leyds last year against the Brumbies though. He’s so good he fooled himself into thinking he’d botched it. To be fair, this was a pretty touch and go TMO call.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2de1N8d6OEE

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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