THE URC RETURNS | PREVIEW
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- What an awesome competition. 3 winners from 3 countries in 3 years. What does the URC have in store for 2024/25? My thoughts team by team, my predicted playoff qualifiers and some potential breakout youngsters.
I really hope the URC keeps going in its current format😢 such an amazing league! 🇿🇦🇮🇪🏴🏴🇮🇹
SA fans still hate the north
I feel the URC is growing in quality rugby every time a new season starts. Because of the competition's structure, the trainers and owners are looking for talent, trying to buy in new talent every year, and somehow accumulating the cream of the crop, making rugby exciting and fun to look forward to.
The channel is growing i counted more than two million views just in the past four weeks. Im happy for you Tim.
Its your passion for rugby that differentiates you.
The fact that the URC has been won by 3 different from 3 different countries (with 2 away wins in the finals) over the last 3 years makes it the most vibrant, exciting and most unpredictable tournament in the rugby fraternity...yes even moreso than the Champions Cup which is won more or less by the same teams and easy to predict the finalists and winners
URC has to be compared to Premiership and Top 14
The champions cup has gone to the dogs .
I remember in the mid 2000s when there was jeopardy in the group stages of basically every group .
Munster wasps Leinster Toulouse Leicester really had to fight like hell to top their groups and get a home quarter final and one of them would usually fail to make the knockouts yearly.
Remember the English took over running it (the champions cup) and ran it into the ground. The teams that travel to SA or Europe play two games on each trip in the URC.
Remember the English took over running it (the champions cup) and ran it into the ground. The teams that travel to SA or Europe play two games on each trip in the URC.
Massive Lions supporter and it can be really tough sometimes, as soon as I get really excited about a player he gets bought by one of the other SA teams (looking at you 🦈 👀😂).
Just hope we can keep this team together and build on the momentum from the Currie Cup and make the playoffs this year.
You did get two of our best in Nohamba and Marius Louw.
@chris5240 I suppose so, only difference I'd say is that Nohamba was struggling for game time and Marius is very good but not necessarily game breaking. It's normally our top players, who are crucial to our game, that get poached, like the Tshituka brothers. It's a professional sport so no hard feeling but it does suck sometimes. It does make it extra special when we have a run like 2015-2018 though, taking our band of unwanted players and doing something special. I wait in hope🙏
Historically playing for the Lions isn't a road to Springbok colours, Bulls and Stormers have the politics on their side. This hasn't changed. Look how long it took for Faf to get national colours, he had to shine overseas first. When he was playing at his his best, he was stuck with playing for the Lions only. This isn't new. As an old Transvaal supporter I've seen this playing off since childhood. We've had our excellent players poached many times though. Bryan Habana springs to mind.
@pietbliksem well hopefully that will change a bit. We've had a few players get their Bok caps recently so hopefully it motivates the others to stay and work hard for their chance. Just need Henco to stay injury free so that he hopefully gets a chance at the Boks...if someone poaches him I am going to cry😭
@@pietbliksem Yeah, the Sharks needed players in those specific positions -especially Hendrikse. It makes sense too, he went to school in DBN and his brother is there already.
We needed Manu as Kolisi had been sold, and George Cronje had been out for a year (double knee surgery back to back).
The reason the Sharks have had the transfer power is because they are the best run club in SA (from marketing, to backroom deals, social media and facilities).
They need to be as there are not as many feeder schools because rural KZN teens have little access to proper rugby (kit, fields, refs, coaches, etc.). Sharks do have a top-tier academy though, so if any young players make it, they will be able to become true professionals.
These days you need to play proper rugby all the way through high school if you want to be a pro.
As an Englishman, I would love to see the premiership converge with the URC, but absolutely NOT at the expense of the SA or Italian teams. As it is, I’m hyped for the season! Can’t wait.
The Sharks willl go all the way this season. Last season they lacked a competent 10. Back in 2016, we were told that Curwin Bosch was the next Flyhalf messiah and the Sharks put all their faith in him. For some reason, it just didn't work out. He just couldn't get that back line going. Remember last year how things changed for the Sharks once Siya Masuku came in. All of a sudden, the ball was moving and they were scoring some fantastic tries. With Jordan Hendrickse coming in, the competition for the 10 jersey will just push them on. And in the forwards, they are stacked. The Tshituka brothers, Venter, Kolisi, Buthelezi and a number of exciting young talents coming through, Mavasere, Hlekani, Hatton. And those are just the loosies. Among the props, Mchunu, Nyakane, Nche, Koch, and Etzebeth and Jenkins in the locks, complemented by Hugo and Rahl... And I'm not even going to go into the backs. Plum has had a year to work with this team and he's going to get them playing. I'm calling it now, the Sharks will go all the way.
What I'm most excited about with the Sharks this year is that we now have better depth without the Boks unlike previous seasons.
I cannot wait to see Hooker and Julius in Springbok colours. I have been following Julius for a long time glad to see him in this league now.
Hopefully they get the game time.
@@jameswyatt4443 I believe they'll get good game time as I don't see the Boks being back till early next year and with the many games to play there should be plenty of games for them
Thanks TIM Your a Rugby Guru Watch every episode. Your SA trip made me so Homesick. Keep up the GREAT work !!!!!
Tim you said you had the day to chill and score brownie points with the family 😂 looks like a chockablock weekend for you mate
For Connacht, Josh Ioane could be a big signing, out outhalfs have been a big issue for the last couple of years. Hugh gavin is a big prospect, has been tearing it up for the Irosh u20s at IC, Santiago Cordero is like a new signing as well - only played a couple of games last year after getting long term injury in his 1st week in the country.
I'm a Stormers fan, but what i saw in the Curry Cup from the Lions was a eye opener for me
They have done well in the Currie Cup but I don't think it's a good barometer of success. They have done well but the other big unions were not at full strength .. kind of like the Cheetahs or Pumas winning the last 2 years
@@desttu9531 they beat the Bulls my friend and there was lots of URC players, maybe u can't see properly
@Mr.RB123 look I'm a Stormers supporter too so us arguing about the Lions is silly but I think let's see what happens in the URC to gauge how much progress they have made. If they do well in the URC, I have no problems acknowledging my mistake. Stormers to win the URC though!
lions fan from 5 years old ... living in the USA for 32 years already.....
this weekend, I have so much rugby that I don't know how I am going to split my time! Great time to be alive. Also to add, the URC has travel but now you need more than one good team and we are getting introduced to so many players we would never see giving more opportunities and depth strength.
As a South African and Bulls fan I recon the Irish giants will again be very strong. The absence of Internationals will play a role but the cream always rises to the top. I would be wary of the Lions - if they could travel better and get some crucial rsults away from home they will be around come semi final stage. The brand of rugby they are playing is brilliant and if they could repilcate that in icy Europe through Dec - Feb - watch out!
It's an interesting competition, there are a lot of good teams in it that can realistically win it.
The Bulls v Leinster game is going to be very very tasty! I'm itching to head to SA in March. Here's to a fabulous season (and may the English RFC stand well back please).
Lions will be good this year, lots of really good young players there this time around
@eggchasers your channel has been doing great, saw you on boks office even recently. You put out great content! You don’t come across as a journalist but more like a knowledgeable rugby lover. Feels like you're someone you could have a rugby chat with over a few beers for hours. Stuff like this is just quality, positive rugby content!
Im hoping the Dragons have a surprise season. I found out through my ancestry that thats my team. Im hoping i catch a few games here in NZ. Foreign competitions aren't that popular... well at least in my circle so im exited to see the different styles
Kia ora! Glad i'm not the only dragons fan in these comments. The opening game against the Ospreys is crucial for us I think.
thanks Tim...I think URC will grow even stronger. in the nest few years
Go Stormers!
Dylan Richardson had a fantastic summer for Scotland, hope he does well with the Sharks with him knowing he's arguably secured his place as Scotland's 2nd hooker. Let's go Glasgow💪⚔️ can't wait for another year of the best rugby league🥳🏴🇿🇦🇮🇪🏴🇮🇹
I think the URC will be unpredictable and brilliant this year. Hard to disagree with your top 10 but in what order. Watch out for Jamie Dobie finally getting a run at 9 at Glasgow and Ben Muncaster at Edinburgh
Leave the URC alone, its slowly becoming the best domestic league in World Rugby.
on what grounds? Atttendance? No, Success race in Investec Championship? no.
@@jlsimonable Hi! Hope you are doing well.
IMO, its growth; Better attendance and better viewership numbers year on year so far, much bigger than it ever was.
Also, competetiveness. Last season, 10 teams could crack the top 8 with 1 round to go, and the top 4 was also highly contested right to the end. 3 different winners from 3 different countries, 2 of which were away. And the log leader hasn't won it yet. For me, its showing the most potential to catching the Top 14 which is obviously the benchmark. I am curious, which tournament do you think is growing the best?
Cheers.
Being a Dragons fan, I'm expecting the worst and hoping we finish higher. Finishing 10th is a major success for us this season considering we've consistently finished in the 14th/15th/16th slot. What looks like success? Beating Cardiff, losing no more than two games at home. Breakthrough players for us I think Harri Ackerman in the centre and potentially Brodie Coghlan in the front row. Beating ospreys on the opening game is crucial for us.
Sharks team is looking powerful:
Ox - Bongi - Koch
Etzebeth - Jenkins
Kolisi - Phepsi - tshithuka
Williams
Masuku
Esterhuisen - Am
Mapimpi - Fassi - Julius (Hoping he plays wing)
Bench:
Mchunu
Mbatha
Dreyer
Rahl
Tshithuka
Hendrikse (9)
Hendrikse (10)
Really hope The Lion's build on their Currie cup form.
As an Argentinian I am dying to get a price of that URC pie. After we lost the jaguares there were talks that we could end up joining the urc and if I'm honest, I'd much rather take that than super rugby, even if we have to base our teams in Spain and/or Italy, we have enough people in both countries to pack a stadium anyway
RSA being in the URC is like making peace after the Anglo Boer War in a sense. Saffa myself, German at most, quarter French and quarter Northern Irish, realised Bulls not my only team, I adopted Ulster in the URC and still making up my my mind with the complicated Frenc, since having the knox inflluence of French blood flowing thhrough my veins
The Lions are the new Cheetahs with their players being offered contracts at other unions. Excited to see them in the Currie Cup final tomorrow they really play a beautiful brand of rugby! I think Nohamba is going to Stormers. But somehow they just manage to find players whoever is doing their scouting is doing a great job. Lions players to keep an eye on obviously Henco can Wyk and then Renzo du Plessis, Rabz Maxwane and Bronson Mills.
Leinster need to stop the squad rotation at the end of the season. It hasn't worked, it just destabilises the team. Let the guys play.
1.Leinster
2.Glasgow
3.Stormers
4.Munster
5.Sharks
6.Bulls
7.Ulster
8.Benneton
9.Lions
10.connacht
11.edinburgh
12.ospreys
13.cardiff blues
14.scarlets
15.dragons
16.zebre
The Final Leinster v stormers
Prediction: Leinster will again focus on the Champions Cup, again convinced it will finally be their year. And then get beaten by Toulouse or La Rochelle in the knock outs and realise they have once again messed up their URC season for no reason 😅 It is foretold.
Kinda like repeat RWC QF exits for a particular national team ...
This will come down to depth again, for those teams playing in two competitions you will defintitly see a "home" side and a "touring" side. It´s unfortunate but also looking at the longer term picture, it really builds squads of +40 players that can get it done. Short term annoyance for long term benefit.
Im a Lions supporter and went to the Bulls-Glassgow final - was so funny to hear comments as you walk out of the stadium - I could laugh although I did support the Bulls
Great video Tim... I think the traveling can be a good thing because this will force teams to build squad depth & manage player health better, I think this is also something that SA teams have learned with Super Rugby & traveling to NZ & Aus... & gives them a slight edge when traveling because the other teams have not had to travel as much in the past. I also think we will see more new/breakout players because of it.
Kom Bulle, hierdie is ons seisoen 💪😤🐃🐃
I was very disappointed that the Bulls lost the final as they did so well throughout the year but they need to pull their socks up now especially since they are losing Arendse to a Japanese club at the end of the year.
Great run down of the Italian teams there feel like I ready to watch them both week in week out now
Top 14 teams regularly send B teams for away games yet its not seen as an issue.
I dont see why it's an issue in URC.
What is the default action getting to these podcasts? 1. Click on the link to get here. 2. Click like. 3. See what it is all about! LOL Thanks Tim
Great show, thank you Tim!
South African teams in WC finals: 😈
South African teams in club finals: 💩
I'm really hoping my Sharks can put up a convincing season.
Huge problem is to teams ( Bulls, Leinster.. ) sending B teams once in a while and losing. Distance is a massive and structural negative of URC. Besides Leinster one cannot imagine a URC team winning the Europ. Championship
Premiership could join the URC and the. We could have 2 divisions with promotion relegation
Go Sharks! 🦈🖤
Super excited. Thanks Tim.
Tim, I love your rugby brains - I wudnt hv thought you watch Currie Cup or Jnr Boks to notice Jurenzo talent 👋🏽
Paddy McCarthy, Joe McCarthys brother is coming through, and should see more of him this season. who is a Prop.
Among your ones to watch at Leinster are Foley and Milne but, for my money, Tommy O’Brien has the highest ceiling (if he can stay fit).
Leinster being the major contributors to the Irish team feels like its the root cause of their falling at the final hurdle.
Like cut it whatever way you want, everyone would agree leinster are the best team in the competition. And to lose out at the final hurdle so frequently has to have a reason and i reckon its cos they are too stretched cos' they are propping up the bulk of the international side. So for leinster to be more competitive ironically, they need the other 3 provinces to be more competitive and provide more players to the national team. Strange balance there.
Go Zebre !!! Non mollate!
I'd really like to see them get some solid wins this year.
Me too@@Camcolito
As a bulls supporter I think that final loss at loftus is going to.motivate this team to crush everything in front of them this season. I'm so.looking forward to it. I think this season it's going to be a tight one.
People are going to be shocked by the lions this season. They'll get a top 8 for sure and if they continue steaming ahead like they did in the currie cup I wouldent even put it past them to somehow sneak a top 4
RG Snyman is gonna spend the season watching TV again.
To make the playoffs - you have to be committed to winning every game. Edinburgh won 11 from 18 last season, and didn't make it because of one bad loss at home to Treviso. The Sharks cannot be selective in their away games, and expect to get anywhere by winning at home. The difference between Glasgow finishing 1st vs 4th was one underperformance against the Lions (Hardly a week side) AWAY.
Lions are 💯 the Dark horses this year. They will surprise many. Convinced they will nake Top 8.
Good overview, and it should be an interesting season with any of half a dozen teams that could win it all, and also contend with the French sides for Champions Cup silverware. Too bad there aren’t enough European sides to have a promotion/relegation setup (add a couple Georgian, Portuguese and Spanish teams maybe?). This could finally give a proper home to the Cheetahs, who seem to be in such a weird place, playing Currie Cup footie and the Challenge Cup, but don’t have a regular international-level senior competition to play in.
Are you going to post snippets of what you did/saw at Hermanus and West coast?
I think the Lions will be the surprise package this year
Looking at the Sharks squad this season I'm hoping we can take some strides forward. Have to admit though I'm not a fan of John Plumtree so not so sure how feasible that is.
hmm, not sure about Munster, no new real signings in the pack, same front row, which has been a weakness for many years now and still not addressed. We badly need all our best players to be playing to progress, we don't have strength in depth
Interestingly Edwin edogbo’s younger brother Sean has just signed for the Munster academy
Lions will make the play-offs. You heard it here Tim.
URC only becomes interesting in the latter stages IMO. You're not seeing the best players week in week out or have many old rivalries. I've no skin in the game, no team allegiance just a rugby fan. Leinsters approach to the URC backfiring has been pretty entertaining given the outcome, the Glasgow story was compelling.
I truly believe the Cheetahs belong in the URC (Stormers supporter).
SA here. It is a very difficult comp to win.
Who's hoping for a welsh winner of the URC this year?
2024/2025 year of the BULLS!!!!!🎉🎉🎉
Is this not too much rugby for South African players? When are they expected to rest?
As a Stormers fan, I think you are overrating us, Tim. I worry that the backups and rookies are Zebre/Dragons/Scarlets level. Maybe I’m wrong and those players just took it easy during the Currie Cup, but it is a worry that they just aren’t any good.
I’d have the Sharks and Stormers swapped in your chart and Glasgow vs Munster for a top 4 spot is too tight to call.
Renzo du Plesss from the Lions is the guy to watch, he is a Bok in the making!!!
Maybe Sharks have too many Boks for their own good... How much will they be available...? It's like an unbalanced too top heavy structure...
A Munster type model could be more effective...
I agree too many stars sometimes is what is the big problem.With it comes many egos
@@ContendformyFaith Not about egos. Its got more to do with availability coz of international duty
Nah, Sharks without the Springboks are devastating. Beat the Bulls URC team back to back in the Currie Cup. Sharks still have 10 Springboks to return.
I think the team is more balanced this year, there isn't a big gulf without the Boks and if we make it to the knockout stages the experience of the Boks will be invaluable
yeah this has been a real problem for the Sharks in previous years, but this is the first year where I feel they have built very impressive depth. They really should be fine, even without their Boks...some of those young players coming through are seriously good prospects.
Danko Tim.. ek bly a bull.. n go lions
Prediction : All SA teams to reach the quarterfinals at least.
Year of the lions 🎉
Tim, could you perhaps explain why Wales gets 4 teams in the URC and Scotland only 2?
It’s based on regions and areas. I believe Wales would be better served with 3 or even 2 but politics is involved. With Ireland it’s easy as we have 4 provinces
Come Bulls! Also where can I watch URC in the UK?
Welsh teams have no hope of really challenging for any titles. They're all just about keeping it together at the moment.. I really hope they do improve. But I think being proper competetive sides is a few years down the road yet
Ospreys can be ok.
Come back soon with the famdamily!
Bulls have made 3 from 4 finals and are zip since the rainbow cup.
Best league
Such a pity about Wales and Australia for that matter. Their fans should boycott the games to force their unions to make changes that will improve their unions.
calling it now: bulls deny leinster the title again 😂
My Team the Lions are being robbed of players - they need a big sponsor so they can keep players they develop (Marx, De Klerk, etc.)
Tom otoole will be moved to loose head and oli jager will move up to 3rd choice tight head for Ireland
Please do a URC team analyses with local content
You are wrong about Zebre and you'll find out tonight!
I wonder if there is a way to include the premiership teams in the URC, add in a few extra SA teams, like cheetahs, Pumas, maybe some other teams from the current nations (if there are any) and have 2 leagues with promotion and relegation. The URC would be epic if we could replace some of the lower performing teams with some of the better premiership teams. Could also help with the schedule and shorten the season of we have, say, only 12 teams in the top league.
Maybe add in the best French teams and have it as a cup competition .
Could do away with all the old clubs, create a few franchises in the major cities and draft all the top players in, call it super 12. Sounds like a winner 🏆
Please note that I don't think that. I think the opposite of that
@kevinbermingham6186 well now that's starting to sound like the champions cup
@@Thudsrayz 😂🍻 ja im just speculating
I think for the growth of rugby SA teams need to return to Super rugby. British and Irish league. Potentially split into top and second division and then the Italians could join a league with Spain, Georgia etc.
.... Bledisloe....
Damn all these ads
I think Wales should join the English premiership. Make that league 14 teams.
Add the Cheetas to the URC & scrap the pools in the league. 13 teams play a round robin tournament. 6 home and 6 away games. Top 4 play for URC championship trophy. Top 6 team qualify for Championship cup. Fewer games are higher consequence are better in my opinion. Also less travel and smaller squads lowers teams costs.
I agree with this. That would be better for everyone. If some teams want more games they can arrange those fixtures outside of the URC.
I think you are probably right. The Welsh have always wanted to be aligned with the English and they have never really respected the Celtic league and its later versions.
12 games? You do realise that would absolutely tank revenue across the league, right? 😂 It’s already bad enough in the Premiership that they have to scramble a whole bunch of friendlies to fill in all the gaps and try to stay afloat. Successful leagues have a lot of games - the Top 14 has 26 games before the play offs.
Fine with Welsh teams leaving though: they’re always moaning about wanting to go, and don’t add much, so let them go and enjoy the Premiership.
If Welsh left would be better to replace them with 4 new teams as you said the cheetahs could join also black lion from Georgia that's 2 plus 2 franchises from Spain , Portugal or Romania maybe even Argentina franchise based in Europe. Don't think the Welsh will leave in all probability though so a moot point really.
@@conchronic your suggestion would make the travel situation much worse.
For me, the half of the teams being good and other crap is another thing. I heard within itlay there are rumours itlay could replace zebre with a team from Rome or Milan. I feel it goes from strength to strength. If I prodict a Welsh team for knockout rugby I say cardiff
I would be very surprised. There are Italian clubs that would want to replace Zebre.
🦈
Score springboks vs pumas Saturday? 38 to 27 springboks ahead
Ethan Hooker is now being played at wing lol
I'm pretty sure it is just temporary, as he is just too good to leave out of the CC team (he has the speed to play wing, but the size of a flank). I think it is good experience for him though, if he can play multiple positions. Rassie will appreciate that for sure 😅
First 😎
You are going to be so wrong on the Lions
1
URC should stay and remain the same.. Premiership pls stay away you have made your bed