This from a South African forum I read -

This morning at the post office, while I was in line, two people with masks entered."

TOTAL PANIC!

Then they said: "This is a robbery"...and we all calmed down...

From Fox sports Au.

Winterfell XV Player Ratings

1. Samwell Tarly — 2.0

Forgettable performance from a guy who talked a big game in the lead-up to match day. Openly bragged about being ‘the first bloke to kill a whitewalker’ last week, then went to mud in the warm-up. Much more expected from the big loosehead assuming he gets a start in coming rounds.

1. Tyrion Lannister — 1.0

Went against team code by getting hammered on cheap wine the night before the game. Hangover showed as he was rendered impotent against a more physical and hungrier outfit. Unable to offer up his customary niggle and stirring speeches on account of being too busy sweet talking Sansa. A bad look in every way for a player trying to work his way back into form. Massive improvement required.

1. Lord Varys — 0.5

Where do we start with the 125kg eunuch? Only kept on the park by the coaching team in the hope he’d deliver a touch of brilliance in the closing stages. Offered nothing in attack and could only huddle in defence. Looks certain to be dropped after this woeful effort.

1. The Hound — 5.0

Was late to the frontline of battle and it showed. Appeared distracted at times and went completely missing for a large part of the second half. Redeemed himself by doing an exceptional job of babysitting his flyhalf to help set up the match-winning drop goal.

1. Brienne of Tarth — 9.0

Crushed multiple wights with a willingness to mix it up at maul time. Continues to win new fans with her abrasive approach and will be one of the first picked for their next fight. Also saved the one-armed man’s life, will be popular on Mad Monday.

1. Theon Greyjoy — 9.0

Five-star performance from a guy looking to redeem himself under the guidance of Coach Stark. Dropped countless wights with a bow and arrow, then took to the advancing horde with a spear. Ordinarily a performance like this would gain Theon a spot in the starting team for life. Shame he’s dead, killed with his own spear. Irony for the Ironborn.

1. Grey Worm — 8.0

Since entering the Winterfell XV Pathway Program, Grey Worm has been ultra-disciplined and always looked likely to provide the sort of output to win a big one. Clutch in every way, Mr Worm led his side over the ball and was a menace in the scrap.

1. Tormund Giantsbane — 7.0

Carried strong, ever reliable red-head went hard again . Simple man with a simple game plan.

1. Lyanna Mormont — 9.0

Lady Mormont has excelled at Scrumhalf. Despite battling a crushed rib cage and dislocated spine, Lyanna still found a way to drop the biggest bloke on the park. Sadly, this will be her final game in the Winterfell XV after being unable to overcome the aforementioned injuries. She also fell 60 feet. Bear Island Rugby Club in particular will be rocked.

1. Arya Stark — 10.0

At times, a one-woman demolition crew. Has always promised a flawless 82 minute performance and on her home track, was a cut above. Put a marker down early in the match by icing double-digit wights and she never looked back. Won the game following a half-time rev up from Melisandre. Total perfection from the assassin.

1. Jamie Lannister — 7.5

Hung tough with his one working arm. Like Theon, was chasing redemption. Unlike Theon, Jamie will be back again next week.

1. Jon Snow — 4.0

Didn’t adapt to the conditions, went looking for dominance late but never really figured.

1. Melisandre — 8.5

Surprise packet in this must-win match up. Late inclusion in the starting team and made a statement early by turning normal swords into flaming ones. Result was minimal as everybody carrying one was ripped limb from limb, but her play added much needed spark. Also provided visionary chat to MVP Arya before collapsing in a heap out the front. Big loss.

1. Daenerys Targaryen — 5.0

Struggled to get into the game. Only highlight was burning a bunch of the undead with her dragons. Lucky to get through the full 82 and needs a big week at training.

1. Sir Jorah — 8.5

Played until the final whistle, making it back to back golden performances from the love-struck swordsman. Another to have played their final game for this improving outfit.

Coach: Bran Stark — 5.0

Checked out of the battle for a long while, only returning to tell Theon he was a good man. Sat emotionless as sister Arya plunged her Valeryian Steel dagger into the Night King’s midriff, preventing the end of the world in the process. Had a hand in the game plan and was happy to be bait. Winning is a habit and Bran will be better for it when they hit King’s Landing.

Gotta love a showboating number ten. He scored anyway though!

From BBC Scrum V twitter -
Is that a new centre for Wales?
No no, Bryn Gatland has been training with the team this morning!

It must be 'bring your child to work day'.

Wishing him all strength in his battle and a full recovery.

Benetton Rugby number eight Nasi Manu is set to begin a cycle of chemotherapy in the coming days, the PRO14 outfit announced on Wednesday.

The news was confirmed after the ex-Highlanders back-row went for tests on Tuesday.

Benetton said that Tonga international forward Manu, 30, had an operation at a Treviso hospital on August 30 to remove an abnormal growth. However, he now requires the chemotherapy sessions.

As well as Benetton and the Highlanders, Manu has enjoyed playing stints with Canterbury, the Crusaders and Edinburgh.

Sports commentators resorting to calling everyday life due to having nothing else to do -

@Stargazer I find it hard to equate 3 weeks for repeatedly punching the head of a player pinned to the ground with Telea's four weeks for what was basically an accident of timing.

A genuine legend and one of the greats -
Former Wallabies flanker George Smith has retired from rugby, ending a career notable for its quality and longevity.
One of the great Australian rugby careers is finally over after George Smith announced his retirement following 20 years of yeoman service.

Smith’s short-term contract with English club Bristol finished over the weekend, leaving the 38-year-old to announce he would end a professional tenure that had encompassed half his life, beginning as a dreadlocked teenager with the Brumbies in 2000.

Thought this was cool -
Faf de Klerk having a picture taken with his hero

Sports commentators resorting to calling everyday life due to having nothing else to do -

Nigel Yalden: Super Rugby NZ Team of the Season after Seven Rounds -

1. Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues) is back to full health and steadily returning to top form. He’s been excellent in his core rolls at scrum and lineout time, but to see him hitting rucks, defending around the fringes and carrying with vim and vigour has been especially pleasing given the illness he suffered from last year.

2. Codie Taylor (Crusaders) has been by far the most consistent of the New Zealand hookers. For the most part, he has been accurate in all the key roles of his position whilst mixing physicality and athleticism around the field. However it must be said that the lack of consistent play behind Taylor is very worrying, with the gulf widening over the first seven weeks of play

3. Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes) improvement as a rugby player has been clear for all to see. He’s the most dominant scrummager in New Zealand at the moment and compliments that with excellent athleticism and physicality in general play. Lomax is set to wear the All Blacks number three jersey for a very long time

4. Captaincy very much agrees with Scott Barrett (Crusaders). Adopting the leadership credo of the likes of McCaw, Read and Whitelock – try to be the best player on the field each week – has seen his play lift another couple of notches this season.

5. Like Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues) increased comfort as captain of the Blues has seen him deliver the type of performances that teams expect of their international players. His physicality often sets the tone for his side’s defensive efforts while he’s just a strong and busy on attack.

6. Tom Robinson (Blues) continues to get better and better at this level. He’s a consistent lineout winner, defends and cleanouts strongly and gets through a tonne of other work around the field. Honourable mention for a Rookie of the Year candidate in Cullen Grace (Crusaders) for his power start to his inaugural season at this level

7. Whilst he’s wearing six, I think we can all agree that Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs) is playing an openside role and doing so exceedingly well. His presence at the breakdown, particular late in a couple of tight games, has been superb, as is his ability to turn those attendances into turnovers. He doesn’t mind a tackle, good support runner and carries well when required to.

8. Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) was chosen ahead of Akira Ioane on form and has justified that decision with every start he has made. He has all the physical attributes that you look for in a number eight and a top notch work rate to take full advantage of his size, speed and skill

9. I can’t split Brad Weber (Chiefs) and Sam Nock (Blues). Weber has been more overt in his contributions while Nock is in career best form at this level – I suspect either answer is the right one

10. Aaron Cruden (Chiefs) return to Super Rugby has been excellent. From the moment he run out following halftime of the opening game at Eden Park, his class, demeanour, skill and experience has shone brightly while his braveness as defender remains as staunch as ever; it’s also very clear that he’s enjoying his rugby

11. Mark Telea (Blues) is at the head of the field for NZ Super Rugby rookie of the year. What’s not to like about his play? He runs with purpose, has a magnificent fend, makes great decisions and can finish while defensively his positional play and tackling is top drawer.

12. Plenty of contenders in this position but its Jack Goodhue (Crusaders) for mine. The vast majority of his work, with or without the ball, has been impeccable and his left footed kicking game has given the Crusaders nice options in that regard too. That said, New Zealand is loaded with good second fives as TJ Faiane (Blues) Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes) and Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs) are in great form too

13. Braydon Ennor (Crusaders) edges out Rieko Ioane (Blues) in a tough call. Ennor’s body of work over the season has been more accurate though as stated in the most recent Team of the Week, Ioane, whilst still prone to the odd rush of blood, is providing a lot for those around him on attack since moving into centre and helping lead the backline defence.

14. Sevu Reece (Crusaders) has been consistently effective as part of the defending champs attack. He’s always a threat when he gets the ball in hand whilst also defending his position well.

15. David Havili (Crusaders) has started this season in the sort of form that saw him earn All Black honours in 2017. He’s been influential on attack, provided great organisation and communication on defence and provided steady goal kicking.

Mark Telea with 21 more defenders beaten than the next best player in the comp.

https://www.youtube.com/user/DeliveryWax/videos
This You Tube channel has hundreds of old archive games for you to watch while your in quarantine - many have french commentary and some grainy picture quality though - some examples

@Canes4life They won't come to the Blues. Billy would struggle to make the 23, we have Hoskins at 8 and Akira on the bench!

Wasn't it Sowakula?
@booboo From Stuff this morning -

There was some confusion around who the clutch final penalty was actually against, as Chiefs No 8 Pita Gus Sowakula had also made a late shot on Hurricanes prop Alex Fidow and that was the one replayed on the TV coverage, however it was actually Chiefs prop Reuben O'Neill who was the man pinged by referee Jaco Peyper, for a grass cutter tackle on Hurricanes flanker Vaea Fifita.

@OomPB said in Sharks v Stormers:

Ernst van Rhyn

What can you tell us about Ernst van Rhyn OomPB. He impressed me when he came on against my Blues the other week. I am pleased he's got a start this week.

Wales v Scotland teams -

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg (c), 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Blair Kinghorn, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Ali Price, 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Sam Skinner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Rory Sutherland
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Willem Nel, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Matt Fagerson, 21 George Horne, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Kyle Steyn

15 Tyrone Green, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (c), 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ruan Vermaak, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Frans van Wyk, 2 Jan-Hemming Campher, 1 Dylan Smith
Replacements: 16 Pieter Jansen, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Len Massyn, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Shaun Reynolds, 23 Andries Coetzee

Have not seen much of Joe Walsh. Here are some good clips of him playing for the Stags.