Matt Williams on South Africa's 7-1 split vs Ireland. 

Mat is the male version of a Karen

What an id!ot this Matt Williams is. His whole argument is totally flawed. It has nothing to do with fresh players. Rugby players will get injured. Scrums are dangerous whether it is in the 1st minute or 60th minute. Players got various injuries the past 100 years as a result of the game and not, because of fresh players. There are numerous studies done by renowned sport scientist that less subs equals more injuries in rugby which is more dangerous for player welfare. This guy is crying, because we use 7 forwards. Our 7th forward, Kwagga Smith is smaller than most backs. In that case, put Andre Esterhuizen on who is a centre, but as big as a flank and ask him to scrum in some scrums when he gets on. Is that problem solved then?

Unlike Matt Williams, Erasmus actually uses data when he develops an hypothesis. People don't realise his bomb squad innovation is a long time coming and was born out of close data-based monitoring of player performance etc. He's being scientific as well as innovative. And the insinuation that he's unethical is repugnant. What's "ethically incorrect" is to call on real life tragedies to lube up your agenda to push yet another law change to stifle one team's innovation. Rather call on some data of the link between fatigue and safety? Shocking lack of self awareness from this proud man. I suspect if you really cared about player safety you'd be surprised to find the data would point to increasing the number of subs and protecting the coaches freedom in how to employ them. Matt Williams today has "abused the bench" of traumatic past experiences with no demonstrated relevance to the argument

What Matt is doing is called Emotional Blackmail, I've played amateur Rugby. We get hints and tips from Pro's but we don't copy absolutely everything they do, because we are not stupid enough to think we have access to all the resources they do, and trust me, there's a difference between being paid to do something full-time and having, dieticians, masseurs, private chefs, doctors, Strength and Conditioning coaches at your disposal, compared to being an amateur, having a full-time job and ther commitments Second: How many amateur teams are just gonna go out there and develop 14 forwards and a versatile backline with Guys like Willemse that can cover 12, 15 and 10! Also, with a guy like Kwagga who played wing and center. MOST PROFESSIONAL TEAMS CAN'T EVEN COPY THAT EVEN IF THEY TRIED! THE ARGUMENT IS FLAWED AND MATT IS USING SYMPATHY LOGIC TO BACK UP HIS BS. And by the way, we lost a family member in an Amature rugby game before anyone thinks I'm insensitive. The game can be cruel yes, but I hate it when people hide behind smoke and mirrors thinking they're clever than the rest of us

Never heard a peep from him about a 6-2 split. But when SA introduce one more he finds it morally corrupt! Obviously has serious personal issues against the Boks.

7-1 split adds a wonderful additional strategic element to the game. You now need coaches and captains that can think strategically.

so by this logic there should be no replacements, not even for injured players because that would mean there is a fresh player against a fatigued player, and that will be a safety concern.

Here's some history. The West Indies cricket bowling attack, in the late 1970s through the 1980s had the most fearsome fast-bowling line-ups ever seen...including legendary bowlers Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh. When the West Indies toured England, in the late 1970s and 1980s, there was controversy and public debate concerning their "aggressive" fast-bowling style. This mainly revolved around the tactic of "bodyline". This bowling was considered intimidating but it was highly effective. It was not only the speed but also the accuracy that unsettled batsmen, making the West Indies attack incredibly hard to face. The debate reached a point where cricket authorities considered whether such bowling style should be outlawed. The West Indies were not the only team employing short-pitched bowling; they were simply the most effective at it. Yes - guidelines were put in place to protect batsmen such as bouncers aimed at the head. But the point is that the West Indies' fast-bowling legacy was incorporated into cricket worldwide, and fast and aggressive bowling remains a vital part of the sport. Teams like England, Australia, Pakistan, and South Africa have since also produced fast bowlers who have used these tactics effectively. The West Indies set a benchmark that others went on to emulate, contributing to the development of fast bowling. Now - when it comes to rugby - we are seeing a similar evolution. Those who compianed about the West Indies bowling attach were judged by History as whingers. Come on guys. This is rugby.

Dear lord these pundits are so ignorant on how subs impact injuries. More subs are actually safer overall and the highest risk collision is between 2 fatigued players. Also it’s actually speed, not size, that contributes much more to injuries. Just because other pundits also have the same ignorant view, means absolutely nothing. As for Matt trying to blame South Africa for future disabilities, frankly shameful and disgusting and should apologise and retract.

Is it morraly correct for Ireland to have 8 foreign born players in their WC squad to boost their skillset?????????

Springboks are living rent free in Matt Williams head. An 8-0 will probably send him to a shrink

no one is being forced to play, rugby is a tough game for tough people

Let's stop new Zealand from bringing on backline reserves, because they breaking ankles

Mat Williams has the worse record in Rugby can we maybe get some perspective from someone that knows something about Rugby. Good on the Irish to relish a challenge that’s why we love our brothers in green🇿🇦🏆🇮🇪 Slainte to an all green final gents from your saffa brothers💪

Matt Williams' tears are my lullaby.

Pointless argument. SA's extra forward for their match against Ireland is 91kg. Because he has to cover the backline as well. Yet Ireland has so many back-line 100kg backline players. In fact this is innovative as it says a smaller forwards who who get pummeled the full 80 minutes because their size disadvantage is too big, can now be able to get selected and make a career in rugby. I can easily say that these huge backline players at school boy level that are 20kg bigger that there opponent is, is much bigger risk to create quadriplegics with tackling than what SA is doing.

Love it! Love the 7-1 split. As Ireland fan, I am intrigued to see how Ireland will try to adapt and overcome it. This is adding an additional edge and facet of the game. Ireland can also do a 7-1 split if they wanted.

I love the 7-1 split. Big ups to the Springboks for taking initiative. They changed the game with the Bomb squad now they are changing it again with forward dominance. This muppet is waffling!!!

Matt is going to pop a vein over this.

Your reaching haha the point of a substitute is to bring someone fresh. The persons size cannot be up for debate 🥴 if the other team used a 7-1 split against south Africa also it wouldn't make a difference!!! So you guys are basically moaning about the size of the South African players

To obtain financial freedom, one must either be a business owner, an investor or both, generating passive income, particularly on a weekly and monthly basis. That's the key to living a financially stable life. This trick has never failed. I pray that anyone who reads this will be successful in life and put this basis to work and practice. Jessica Darrell have been a great manager, mentor and guide. Her support and advice has helped shaped my crypto trading career.

Yes. Let's take everything out of Rugby that makes it such an exciting sport to make Matt happy 💚💛🇿🇦 He should start this campaign asap before the Boks come out with other dangerous tactics. Nobody asked any other team to follow the Boks strategy like the 6/2 split and yet many teams are using it now. I give up 👀

using Matt's logic UFC fighter's should no longer punch or kick because they might get injured

As an Irish fan i have no problem with South Africa doing what they do you play to your strengths and thats what they are doing

Fresh players are also able to think and tackle with more caution... But carry on gents.

Terrible and non sensical panel discussion talking about “trying to reduce the impact of collisions “ what do you think rugbys popularity is based upon??? Strength, big collisions, big tackles. Or would the panel rather have a touch rugby World Cup. What a sad discussion.

Matt is dramatic. Both sides have substitutes. As much what he is saying is important, but it’s irrelevant in this point.

Matt Williams - the online is not "ridiculous". Harsh and perhaps inconvenient fact: We online are a partial reflection of what rugby is i.e. the fans, the supporters, the financial and future lifeblood and sustainability of this game. You put yourself into the space and so you should accept there will be pushback if you take up a position which some of us fans and supporters don't agree with. If you can't handle it then stay away from the space. If you think it's "ridiculous" then why be involved in online platforms? That said, you're doubling down on your moral high ground position about the risks - fair enough but the way you've done it by attacking the Boks is not advancing your cause. You have zero friends in South Africa and you probably don't care about that but think more carefully about how you advance a (worthy) cause. Why have you not brought this up before? Or have you? There's nothing about your concern about it ever on Google - I've checked. Did you object during the 2019 RWC? Do you have a record of being a militant activist for player safety or have you just fallen clumsily into this because you made (frankly) stupid, ill-considered, off the cuff, emotion based degrading comments about the assumed mala fide intentions of one of the most elite teams and innovative coaching staff set-ups in the history of rugby? I suspect it's the latter. You had a platform, a mediocre rugby track record and an unchecked ego and ranted (in the wrong way) about something important which has come back to bite you. Respectfully.. again, respectfully, get some credibility for your position because, frankly, at the minute, you have none.

Bundee Aki was red carded for a dangerous clear-out at a ruck last year and banned for 8 matches. What Ireland is doing by selecting these huge 102 kg centers that can ruck more aggressive than loose forwards and hurt other players is dangerous for rugby. Bundee Aki is built like a prop. Ireland's tactics will be copied at lower levels of the game and the result will be quadriplegics at lower levels of rugby. This will devastate whole communities. Is it legal? Yes. Is it smart rugby? Yes. Is it good tactics? Yes. But it is not morally correct! World Rugby needs to act against Ireland because what they are doing is immoral.

The fact that Matt said SA were going against the spirit of the game (as if they are horrible people) is why he got so much back lash. He know goes on about the past and again blames SA. Come on...enough. He was an ok player and a ....okishhhh coach. Why are you still giving him a platform?

Matt Williams - the gift that keeps on giving.

Should we also ban big wings like Lomu? Weight limit for the back line? Rugby has inherent danger whether you are tired or not. If your forwards are fatigued, then change them? That's why you have subs?

Quit your winge-ing...🙈🙈🙈 Maybe if you thinked outside the box you would've had a better coaching record...

Did Matt take the vaccine?

What Matt seems to forget its not 7 fresh forwards, the other team with a 6-2 split would only have 1 less fresh player than a 7-1 split. It’s absolutely insane to assume that that one fresh player would make all the difference to player safety.

Is it true that Matt Williams wants rugby teams to have "golf-like" handicaps and only similarly good/powerful teams can play each other? Just in case one teams scrum is too much for the other - or is that not the point of scrumming??

Is there any team at lower levels that boasts of enough versatile players to organize a nuke squad ?

Really Matt It’s a different world today.. Adapt to change or get off it.. U can’t call a way back when accident as a yard stick for today’s game.. Some props in the modern game can run circles around old legends like Campese and even Gerber That’s just the way of it

Respectfully, Matt, while the tragic events you mentioned are concerning, using them as anecdotal evidence against a 7-1 bench split might lead to overgeneralization. A more robust argument would demonstrate a direct correlation between bench splits and injury rates across all levels of play. Given the recent transition over the last couple of years from a 5-3 to a 6-2 split in many teams, such a trend would have already emerged if it were significant. Though your concerns are undoubtedly valid, basing conclusions without a clear causative link isn't productive. Factors such as poor technique, playing surfaces, and inadequate or mismatched physical conditioning at lower levels are likely more substantial contributors to injuries than the relative freshness of players during a game.

Lowkey waiting for that 8-Nil Bench!!!...just to rub it in.

Scotland won three games out of 17 under Matt William’s tenure - against the Tier 2 nations Japan and Samoa in 2004, and against Italy in the 2005 Six Nations . After his role as Scotland coach, Williams was sacked as Scotland head coach in April 2005 having the worst win percentage of any Scottish permanent head coach, with Scotland's results immediately picking up with the arrival of new coach Frank Hadden, a former schoolteacher.

so low level clubs are going to be bringing on 7 BOK FORWARDS at half time?🤔

The biggest player safety issues is the length of the season and the number of games players play. Not substitutes!

Alan's face is killing me 🤣🤣

I totally agree player safety, must be our main priority especially on grassroots level. But for this game we talk about two world class teams playing for the pride of there respective countries..North vs South..the best attacking team vs the best defensive team. Different skill sets on teams. With all do respect to Matt Williams but you are the one breaking the spirit of the game. This game was being set out to be one of the great spectaculars of this world cup... The springboks play to win, not to entertain people. To Rassie, Jaques and the rest of the springbok team make us proud. Remember 65million South Africans are in your corner. #stronger together# one team, one country.. Go bokke.

Rassie probably one of the best rugby brains in rugby without a doubt.

Alan Quinlan always impresses me. Grounded, intelligent, experienced and thoughtful.

Am I on the same planet as Alan Quinlan? Did I just hear him say that he doesn't have a problem with SA's 7 to 1 split on their bench but then he expects to hear a lot more about it? Quinny, either express an opinion or don't. But please don't try and play both sides. You're better than that and, more important, the viewers deserve better. Think I'll switch to Two Cents or Rugby Analyst. Tks!

Love the timer as he is so entertain to watch please keep featuring him....😄

Not sure if Matt has even watched an NRL game in Australia Far more brutal than union

Funny how no-one on this show was clutching their pearls when Sexton was subbed half way through the last couple of games....... These guys must want 38 johnny sexton to play every waking minute of the rest of the RWC, cos subbing him off unless he's injured would be against the Spirit of rugby. .

Mat. Nothing is stopping the other teams from also bringing on seven forwards.This oversensitivity and over saturation is realy putting people of.Every person that plays rugby know there is a risk of getting injured or the possibility of death.Dont be suprised if there is a rebel leage of rugby in the near future.Lets call it REAL rugby.Bec uase todays rugby union is starting to feel less and less like rugby.

And suddenly substitutions are a problem. What will they blame when subs are banned and South Africa starts having the fittest players. Too funny.

South Africa announced their team first so Ireland had time to change their bench. Can't help but laugh at this guy😂

Buddy! Rugby is a full contact sport! There are some backline players on other teams that are larger than some of our loose forwards. Its a tactic, its a gamble and we are rolling the dice...enough said.

When Jonah Lomu was flattening everyone in front of him nobody was complaining...

Hi Matt, you know that this is Rugby right, you can break your neck even if the entire team was just backline players. Not sure what you are ranting about considering Rugby is a physical sport, this isn't cricket.

Matt Williams typical ozzy when the great Shane Warne was bowling 90 to 100 overs a test match and taking 10 wickets never did south Africans which where world number 2 for long say that spin bowling should be illegal we just accepted that man got great talent and we lost a lot of games back then.

What the hell does the boks bench have anything to do with spine injureis😅😅

The argument that is being made by Michael and the pundits doesn’t make sense . . . Tonga has a 400KG front row, Romania 320KG. Is that a risk? Where do we draw the line? What data / analytics do they have supporting their arguments?

Matt is just funny, he did not think of useing the 7-1 split 😂😂😂

The problem is not Springboks 7:1 split, it's the lack of depth the other teams have. Why must Springboks sacrifice their style and depth of players when the other teams are suppose to step up? If it was any other team there would not have been an uproar

In life, you are either a follower or a leader.

I don't understand these people!! This is International sport, you can't be whining about the opposition playing to their strengths when you can do the exact same thing. They haven't broken any laws. Why is this even a talking point? Is it because it's South Africa?

Matt has his concerns but as he said he’s not worried about Ireland for this test . If world rugby is concerned that club players get injured then they should change the rules and SA will adapt . Good discussion gents .

Lets ban players who run the 100m in less than 12 seconds. Lets ban players weighing 100kg or more. Lets ban players taller than 1,9m. Lets ban players who bench more than 80kg. Maybe Matt will be happy then.

how come williams comming out now with 7-1 when forever teams have used 6-2 whats the difference

If the 7-1 split didn't work out for the Springboks nobody would've had a problem with it but now that it's effective and so hard to stop it gets a lot of negative criticism and it's apparently against the culture of the game.Every team has different tactics,for years players that were on the bench weren't necessarily on the bench because they weren't the best in their positions but because they were tactical substitutions and were "impact players".You have to respect the coaching staff for making it work because it's a huge risk to play with a bench like that, but the coaching staff has put together a team with so much depth and took the time to develop a team where players can play out of position comfortably even on a international stage. Definitely doesn't seem against rugby culture to me,seems more like brilliant coaching utilizing players talent very efficiently and effectively within the laws of the game. 👏

What a ridiculous argument. Wonder if he blames every high speed car crash on Lewis Hamilton.

It is morally correct. injuries happens in all circumstances

Next we will put a speed or size limit on the wings. Cos your opposition cant match up to make it far.

The thing I have a problem with people bashing the boks with there tactics is if this was a Canada or a romainia team doing this it would not even enjoyed air time but because it's the boks it's obvious that no one in world rugby has the bench that the boks have and that's a fact.

you did not think of this first that is why it is a problem welcome to great couches and the world cup of rugby

As a rugby fan and former player at school boy and club level I admire your concern about the level of injury in the lower levels of the game. Rather than blame the Boks about the tactics they are using, rather get the RFU to change the rules of the game altogether. The changes to the high tackles and dangerous impacts are one such example. But the game of rugby is changing drastically compared to what it used to be in the 70's is very different to modern rugby today. But even in those days there were still injuries and even deaths.

Questionable logic from this gentleman.

People complain about this - next season, they will be doing the 7-1 split. Last RWC people complained about Springboks aerial bombardment strategy, now EVERYONE is doing it. Now the complain about Rassie's lights - next time they will deploy some signaling method. Next RWC Rassie will play a 1-7 split with 7 fresh backs - This guy will find a problem with it - "it's immoral to run that fast" This is the pain of the trailblazer - you have to walk in front and open the path in the forest for the others walking behind you, complaining about the route you took, how tired they are and "are we there yet?" Rugby is dangerous. Stay at home.

I think the best is we must change the rules in this way: American football helmets for everyone including the Waterboys, cheerleaders and linesmen. Also the players on field must wear TUTU's, no more spiked rugby shoes but grass friendly wooly socks and they may not run only walk briskly. Also lets just change the name to Soccer/Football and make the ball round. 100% agree with Miss M Williams

Good to hear proper reasoning behind opposition to the split.

Oh FFS!

Matt is Angry 😢😂😂😂😂

I think Matt is confusing issues here - a 7/1 split does not mean someone is going to become a quadriplegic.

Matt mate, there is a reason we love this game and your take on this is blatantly not shared by most rugby fans.

Matt refers to the 80s. In the 80s almost anything went from taking men out of the air to kicking to punching left, right and centre. The game is now more safer than it's ever been before. What Matt says doesn't make any sense.

Again with all due respect, fresh legs do bring on energy, but that could also be whether that player (s) are effective to begin with. Equally you can have injury because of a player being fatigued and making a reckless tackle. If the argument is not to have replacements where does it stop?

The 7-1 split is literally one more forward and one less back than the usual 6-2 split. One either way, what's the big deal. This could disadvantage us. It's a risk, a very exciting one. Good for the game and goid for the competition. This shows our massive respect for the Irish as well. Come on Bokke

The difference between a 6-2 and a 7-1 is literally one forward at lock or back row. I think the reaction is over the top, if you want to make it safer by avoiding fatigued players vs fresh players then limit the number of overall subs allowed in the game

More risk more reward. The boks have power and they just playing to their advantage

Rassie got every Ireland fan crying over 7-1 split bommmmmb squuuaaaddd 💣 😂😂😂

He says his concern is only with player safety at grass roots level but then going as far as to say in a nutshell that its immoral by the South Africans is actually showing his real agenda. He could of said, emmulating South Africa is not what must happen at grass roots level. And leave it at that. But this guy takes it to a personal level.

Covid has gotten to Matt 😂

Matt needs to rest his tired

Poor ole matt. Everyone talking about his reaction, frickin hilarious

It going to ruin the lower levels of the game is utter hogwash. In the lower levels of the game the difference between the best and 2nd best for a position is a huge difference. A fresh player 2nd team player is just not as good as a non fresh 1st team player. Lower levels are all about playing and using the game to become fit. Players hate only playing half the game. Club and school squads are not big be able to do what they do at world cups. Few years ago with Jonah Lomu mania some clubs decide to play 120kg wings. It didn't ruin the game or resulted in opposite number wings becoming quadriplegic. Smaller players adapted, just look how South Africa is starting tiny wings against Ireland.

Rugby is a CONTACT sport... The risk lies on each individual... They make the choice to play the game...if it was up to Matt, there would be no scrums, no rucks, no mauls, no line-outs...

If Ireland were innovative and were doing the 7-1 split, would this be a discussion?

He has a point, a good one too. But Instead of moaning during a World Cup he should be advocating for changes to be done at the lower levels so teams don't do the 7-1 split. Get the data and then help make the changes where it matters. This constant need to be the public contrarian, without evidence, during a World Cup is annoying and helps no one right now.

8-0 split is coming. Cause some of the forwards can play in the back

Bring your own “fresh” players on if you think it’s unfair?

With all due respect to Mr Williams and sincere sympathies to all families that have suffered tragedies from sports, there are current rugby play practices that are equally injurious with attended dire consequences for players - does that mean those practices should come under review? If so, then let's look at the whole bucket of rules, practices, coaching activities, etc.

According to Matt Williams's reasoning, Jona Lomu should never have trampled Mike Cat....''You cannot have an 80 kg back against a 115 kg back.''