SA Rugby mag’s Late Tackle

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Junior staff writer DYLAN JACK pokes fun at rugby’s crazy underbelly.

SURF’S UP

The Toulouse players were clearly intent on getting full use of the Top 14 trophy after claiming it for the first time since 2012. Not only did No 8 Gillian Galan slide headfirst into the trophy during their post-match celebrations, but youngster Romain Ntamack also made headlines when a video surfaced showing him surfing on the trophy in the week following their triumph over Clermont in the final. The 20-year-old was filmed placing the giant rectangular shield into the surf before hopping on to it and losing his balance, face-planting into the sea. One hopes the tournament organisers have a backup. The trophy may not last at this rate.

 

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Ils l’ont gagné, il est à eux, ils peuvent en faire ce qu’ils en veulent et même l’utiliser pour faire … du surf ? ? #rugby? #rugby #rugby4life #romainntamack #rugbyplayer #bouclierdebrennus #top14 #fun #funny #stadetoulousain #stadetoulousainrugby #beach #plage #amazing #videooftheday

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RATHBONE’S MULTI-MILLION PROPOSITION

Responses to Israel Folau’s attempts to fund his estimated A$3-million legal case against Rugby Australia through public donations via a GoFundMe account were mixed, to say the least. However, Durban-born former Wallabies star Clyde Rathbone made his feelings on the issue clear when he tweeted: ‘For three million I will make sweet love to Israel Folau. We can even do it in a church to make sure it’s not gay sex. Call me @IzzyFolau’. Point made, Rathbone.

‘ROACHES HAVE THE LAST LAUGH

The award for most awkward press conference of the season has a clear winner after Sharks coach Robert du Preez blasted his critics following their win over the Stormers in the final Super Rugby pool game. The tense post-match proceedings kicked off when a journalist, who had quietly made his intentions clear on pushing Du Preez’s buttons, asked whether the coach felt secure in his position, given the speculation in the Durban papers that he may be sacked. As he did earlier in the season, Du Preez made the analogy between those who criticised him and a small insect one would look to fumigate. It got even more awkward as the Sharks PR manager stepped in to prevent further questions on the matter. To add fuel to the fire, Du Preez suggested that a repetition of his side’s drab performance in the 12-9 win would be enough to see them overcome the Brumbies in the quarter-finals. It clearly wasn’t as they took a 38-13 drubbing in Canberra, with the Durban media getting the last laugh as the headline ‘Sharks finally free of ROACH’ appeared in one of the local Sunday papers.

LEYDS DOPPELGANGER SPOTTED

An uncanny lookalike to Stormers back Dillyn Leyds did the rounds on social media declaring his decision to quit rugby for a music career. The musician, who sported Leyds’ distinctive shoulder-length hair and lanky build, looked so alike to the Springbok that it was ‘speculated’ whether it may in fact be him. Leyds, who has been in excellent form for the Stormers this season, went along with the joke, tweeting: ‘Was planning to make this announcement post 2019 season but somehow the media just managed to beat me to it. Trust me, wasn’t an easy decision to give up bus trips and tours with the boys for studio time.’ One wonders whether his singing is as good as his stepping.

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Dylan Jack