The weekend's rugby - four three-match series all at 1-1
Bundee Aki replaces the injured Garry Ringrose in Ireland's only change for their series decider against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.
New Zealand v Ireland
Australia v England
South Africa v Wales
Argentina v Scotland
On Tuesday evening Ireland beat the Māori All Blacks in their second midweek tour match, winning 30-24, having lost 17-32 in their first match.
Irish eyes are smiling!
A great win against the All Blacks to take out the series!
That was a fascinating second half.
Well done Ireland - a performance for the ages.
It's all doom and gloom here
I loved it!
just don’t mention the following game.
Did Australia lose to England? Can123 wants to know as he is making a comeback and needs to know these things. A lot to catch up on while renewing my acquaintance with my many friends here. God bless you all ! Dieu vous benisse! Love andd kisses to all.
Former Wales rugby captain Ryan Jones has revealed he is suffering from early-onset dementia at the age of 41.
Jones, who was involved in three Grand Slam wins for his country, was diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in December.
The NHS describes CTE as a progressive brain condition thought to be caused by repeated blows to the head and repeated episodes of concussion.
Jones, who has 75 international caps and was a member of the British and Irish Lions squad that toured New Zealand in 2005, spoke about his diagnosis in an interview with The Sunday Times.
"I feel like my world is falling apart," he said. "I am really scared because I've got three children and three step-children and I want to be a fantastic dad.
"I lived 15 years of my life like a superhero and I'm not. I don't know what the future holds."
Jones played for Wales from 2004 to 2014 and was appointed captain of the team in 2008. He retired from playing rugby in 2015 and left his post as performance director at the Welsh Rugby Union in October 2020.
He received an MBE for services to rugby union and charitable fundraising at Windsor Castle in February 2022.
"I am a product of an environment that is all about process and human performance. I'm not able to perform like I could, and I just want to lead a happy, healthy, normal life," he said.
"I feel that's been taken away and there's nothing I can do... I can't train harder, I can't play the referee, I don't know what the rules of the game are anymore."
Jones told the newspaper that after experiencing depression he began to have short-term memory problems and was becoming forgetful.
"It terrifies me because I don't know if, in two years' time, we're sat here and these episodes are a week long, two weeks long or permanent," he said. "That's the fear, that's the bit that never leaves. That's the bit I can't shake off.
"Every episode I have also leaves a bit of a legacy. Everything we cancel, every relationship that I poison or don't have time for anymore, just makes it a little bit tougher to cope.
"I don't know how to slow that down, make it stop, what to do."
The sport is 'walking with its eyes closed into a catastrophic situation'
In June, The Alzheimer's Society established partnerships with organisations such as the Rugby Players' Association to provide a permanent way of referring any past and present player or manager who has been diagnosed with dementia or is caring for a loved one.
Jones said he'd "lived that dream" he had as a child of playing for Wales and in the moment, it was "amazing".
However, he said he would change things, if he could, based on his experience now, and believes the sport must do more to take preventative measures.
"It is walking headlong with its eyes closed into a catastrophic situation," he said.
Former Wales rugby captain Ryan Jones reveals early-onset dementia at 41: 'I lived 15 years of my life like a superhero and I'm not' | UK News | Sky News
The next post may be brought to you by my little bitch Spamdreth
Recap of the weekend's results
New Zealand 22 v Ireland 32
Australia 17 v England 21
South Africa 30 v Wales 14
Argentina 34 v Scotland 31
2-1 series wins to Ireland, England, South Africa, Argentina
3rd test South Africa v Wales
Australians behaving badly
Rugby Australia condemns 'offensive remarks' towards England coach
The chief executive of Rugby Australia has condemned the "offensive" remarks and behaviour of fans towards England coach Eddie Jones.
Jones was involved in two altercations with Australia supporters who called him a "traitor" after his side's 21-17 win at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Andy Marinos says the comments by spectators were "unacceptable" and "not representative of the values of rugby".
Man who allegedly urinated on fans from the roof of an SCG grandstand during Wallabies game cops a life ban from rugby matches in Australia
A man was arrested after climbing the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Footage posted online showed him on the roof of the Bill O'Reilly grandstand. He appeared to urinate from the top of the building while playing on his phone.
Daniel King, 31, was arrested by officers and was charged with two offences. He has since been banned to attend games for life by Rugby Australia
Last edited by prawnograph; 18-07-2022 at 04:49 PM.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper withdraws from tour, citing 'mindset' Captain Michael Hooper has withdrawn from the Wallabies' Rugby Championship Test against Argentina 24 hours before kick-off, saying he isn't in the “right mindset” to lead or represent the country.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper withdraws from tour, citing ‘mindset’ | Sport | The Guardian.
All Blacks absolutely outplayed by the Springboks. Three loss on the trot.
All Blacks will struggle at this rate to make the quarter finals next year in the RWC.
^ And without Hooper and at the Argies home ground was a good win.
AN erudite facebook post on the subject:
*** Knowing that there are twats like Willy out there that would make cretinous, snide comments about it.This is a post about a Rugby player, but it's about a lot more than just rugby, so please stay with me.
Over night, only a day out from a crucial Rugby Championship game against Argentina, Wallabies captain Michael Hooper addressed his team and told them that he was simply not in the right mindset to play or lead the team, at least for the time being. He apologised to his team mates, and packed his bags and returned home to his wife and kid.
Recognising the fact his mind was not where it needed to be showed incredible maturity, staring your team mates in the face to tell them took guts... but what is crucial about what Hooper did is that he didn't shy away from letting the World know.
Hooper could have easily had the Coaches manufacture a fake injury or concussion concern to explain his absence, but instead he owned it. He wanted the World to know that one of the most respected men in World Rugby, renowned for his tenacity and toughness, was mentally broken... and needed to rest and reset his mind. He knew how important an example that could set.
Now I know there will be some from older generations that might be a bit bemused by this. There is a belief, especially among Men, that suffering mentally is sign of mental weakness. That if you're struggling, you need to soldier on and get on with it. Be a Man.
I get that mentality, because it was the standard I held myself to when I've struggled in the past. I wanted to be unshakeable... no matter how unsteady I felt inside. Looking back, I think it was stupid of me.
If you are under 40, your most likely cause of death is you. The burden of your own mind, the weight of your thoughts... people who are struggling in their mindset, and like me deciding not to tell anyone about it. Reflecting back, I was lucky to get out alive, and I shouldn't have relied on luck.
Lately I have had a few people close to me speak up about the battles they're facing, and unlike how I used to perceive it, I now look at them in awe of their self-awareness, maturity, and bravery.
The self-awareness to recognise that something isn't right.
The maturity to know this is a battle they shouldn't fight on their own in silence.
And the bravery to speak openly about it ***, knowing full well that it will only serve to help others.
So please remember, if Michael Hooper, the Captain of the Wallabies, a man who has played 121 tests, a man revered as a legend around the World, can put his hand up and ask for help... so can you.
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