We Found the Usain Bolt of World Rugby, and He is a Touch Judge

As for the rest, it’s easy to sit in retrospective judgement. Particularly when today’s athletes are far more protected from similar situations. Or perhaps you’re telling us that every Russian/Belarus athlete should be banned from all international sport currently?

Here in the US (all the games are free to watch) we get the Aussie commentators during the games and I love their blend of technical knowledge and enthusiasm. The England Argentina games had South African announcers including Joel Stransky and they were so, so good. So much better than the English announcers which are often dreary or chihuahua-like.

Any thoughts, Paul?

I remember having this very same engagement with you about SFM. In which you were wrong. Again.

Anyway… I’ll give you an opportunity to deny making the claim that SFM wouldn’t play for the boks as soon as he did (and I said he would).

There’ll be space for someone like Pead in the opening games of 2026. He’s too good not to try out.

2. If the first man isn’t impactful it doesn ‘t matter what the second guy does.

I also find it hard to understand that you can intentionally cause a line-out (because you are good at them) but you can’t deliberately cause a scrum, because it is one of your strengths??