Seven-try Bulls make it another miserable URC away day for Ulster

1 DeGroot

2 Taylor

3 Lomax

4 S. Barrett

5 Vaa’i

6 Blackadder

7 Savea

8 Sititi

9 Roigard

10 B. Barrett

11 Clarke

12 Lienart-Brown

13 Proctor

14 Nawara

15 Jordan

16 Aumua

17 Williams

18 Tosi

19 Tuipuloto

20 Lakai

21 Ratima

22 McKenzie

23. Ioane

Watching the Sharks bugger around for 15 minutes not being able to convert territory and poession into points was painful.

They should have taken 3 points, reset and tried again. The dragons were allowed to concede penalties, and with Brace not doing much to put a stop to it, they just kept infringing.

The sharks looked completely one dimensional on attack, although the Dragons defence was very good.

Agree that Nohamba is one to watch - but I can’t understand why he hasn’t featured. I’d certainly pick him ahead of Morne VDB.

If Nohamba doesn’t feature in November - will he ever?

Grant Williams and Hendrikse performed well for the Boks. The hype around Hendrikse is justified. His all round game is excellent and his kicks have become pin point accurate.

Grant Williams, for me, is a like for like replacement for Reinach.

There’s nothing wrong with our stocks at fullback. Fassi, in particular, has universally earned praise for his showing for the boks this year.

I stand to be corrected, but the boks have had 7 debutants this year to the ABs 6.

The median age of the boks debutants: 23. The ABs? 23,5.

So in terms of debutants at least - your comment doesn’t fly.

rassie selected one young prop and one young fly-half? every other coach does more than that.

And again. Bringing up age. I mentioned inexperienced. I.e. debutants or players with relatively few caps.

every other coach does more than that.

Just with regards to debutants in 2024 (the most inexperienced players in any squad), to say every coach does more than the boks is balls based on the info I’ve looked at.

France has outdone everyone - but they can afford to and have to as they don’t seem ti tour with their top players.

Ireland had done the worst it would appear.

As for the rest of the top 5 teams - remarkably similar stats.

1. France

• Number of Debutants: 11

• Median Age: 25 years

2. England

• Number of Debutants: 7

• Median Age: 23 years

3. South Africa

• Number of Debutants: 7

• Median Age: 23 years

4. New Zealand

• Number of Debutants: 6

• Median Age: 23.5 years

5. Ireland

• Number of Debutants: 3

• Median Age: 23 years

With New Zelands games lined up in November it’s doubtful they’ll be experimenting with new players.

Likewise Ireland and France, France using their recent tour south to bleed some players.

South Africa’s lineup in November is less threatening - and I’m sure we’ll see at least 4 more debutants across those three games.

So by the end of this year SA may well be ahead of everyone in terms of selecting debutants on 2024. Unpredicted between 10 and 15 debutants at the beginning of the year. Looking likely.

He can take it easy now and ride the gravy train.

With possibly Finlay Christie and Noah Hotham as injury cover being picked for iithe All Blacks A squad.

The question is who is 1 and who is 2.

As good as Ratima has played in the RC, Roigard was the best player in Super Rugby before his injury.

If DMac starts at 10, I would have Ratima start at 9. If DMac plays off the bench, I would have Ratima on the bench with him just as in the Wellington test and start Roigard.