VMTV Rugby Pod | Reaction as South Africa beat Ireland in first test! 

Spirit of the game, will never forget when John Smit was told to talk to the team and time was off, only for Ireland to take a quick tap and score when Boks backs were turned

Matt Williams that scrum was for you ❤

Matt Williams: "If Ireland played better, they would have won"....What a truly great insight from him as usual 😂

Matt Williams comments mean nothing. He coached Scotland in 17 matches, losing 14...

Hey Matt, I thought of you when I watched that last scrum. And I laughed.

Rassie please have a 8-0 split for Durban, want to see Matt Williams loose his shit again, Rassie is in his head in his head

Why does Matt Williams say we as if he is Irish.

From "it's against the spirit of the game" to "It discriminates against backs. This guy always finds a way to top the kak he spoke previously.

Here for Matt😂 Blaming the laws instead of giving credit to South Africa.

Matt Williams is very entertaining to listen to after an Irish loss or whenever the Springboks are going to or have played.

The fact is that the first world rugby teams find it very difficult and actually hate it,for a team like South Africa to be so dominant!!

Surely this programme can afford a better quality of pundit than MW.

Discrimination on the backs is a funny reason 🤣🤣 this old man can't even hate us logically. Bro hates us on pure emotions. We just can't be the best team they actually want to change the rules to stop us. They can say what they want but they hate the way we play.

From SA, all respect for Alan's commentary...always balanced and intelligent...even when reviews go against SA

What goes around comes around. When the Boks lost to Ireland in 2022 by two points a ball was kicked out of a ruck illegally by an Irish player which lead to the winning try which should not have been allowed.

Whinging about tackles off the ball not being picked up, when Ireland were playing offside at SA rucks 99% of the time without being pinged...

Our 6 forwards going on after half time was for matt

I think his hate for SA outweighs his love for anything else

Matt needs to stop whining about the bomb-squad because any team can do it! The playing field is level. Get over it!

Think a South African guy stole Matts girl once upon a time. Bro can’t help himself but hate 😂

Is Matt Williams an honorary Irishman? He keeps referring to "we", isn't he supposed to be an Australian

That Ozzie guy always complains and gives backhanded compliments to South Africa. They seem to forget that Springboks changed their style of play and Ireland weren't ready for it.

I don’t think Ireland played that poorly as being called the worse game played. It was the huge pressure from the Springboks and the accuracy of the Springbok kicking. That’s what I think.

The ref did not give the Boks any advantage for their dominating scrumming until the very last try. They should have gotten far more penalties.

You have to have replacements. Replacements is for safety of players. Not replacing players is a danger

you are only as good as your opposition allows you to be Mr. Williams

Nice to hear Rassie & Siya commenting; no whinging, showed respect, no arrogance; different to the bespectacled one

Matt Williams and John Kirwan had to eat humble pie this weekend... what a turnaround on their view about South African rugby ...sure they now going to say South African attacking rugby is boring in a few months 😂😂😂

From "we're the best in the world " to " we fronted up well against the world champions" 😂😂😂

Guy with the glasses is just ignorant . Bringing in fresh legs will 100% Reduce injuries. Tired people get hurt.

No chance that was a neck roll unless you believe Willie can ragdoll Kelleher like that, and if so you have other issues. It's funny how nitpicky these guys will be on SA around the ruck but curiously quiet on all the Irish infractions.

Matt Williams is living in the past. Bless.

Alan is 100%. Ireland were not off form. They were forced to play badly. The Springboks put them under massive pressure, and they buckled. The All Blacks did the same to them in the QF last year, and the end result was the same.

I love how you gents glossed over the constant Irish infringements around the breakdowns...

Mr Williams ... I love this game that offers something for such a diversity of ages, skills, physiques, strategies and cultures ..... that final scrum was a thing of beauty. COME ON, ADMIT IT!

I just watch this for MW 🤣🤣 and he did not disappoint 🤣

Matt what a w.a.n.k.e.r ... Ireland tried their best, but they were not good enough

The Springboks were also relatively poor with their execution and left a lot of points and try scoring opportunities out there. They could have easily scored 50 points past Ireland at Loftus. Let’s be frank. It’s their first proper test since the World Cup final. The match at Twickenham a fortnight ago was not a test, so much as an exhibition match. Their new dynamic on attack with Tony Brown in the fold is only going to make the Springbok machine more formidable.

Very few of these Springboks train and live at altitude. Used to be a big advantage when 90% of our players played their rugby for the Bulls and Lions. Not so anymore

According to prevailing logic, Magnus Carlen has the responsibility of playing e4 in every chess game

Loophole? The bench can be utilized any manner a coach sees fit. Provide one example where the 6-2 or 7-1 split from SA has compromised player safety

And Matt,You do have something against South Africa. It's very easy to notice this because you cant even say "South Africa" without making it sound like those words taste terrible in your mouth.

Great test match, much respect from a Bok fan 👏 It looked like a slightly fatigued Ireland side vs a slightly incoherent Springbok side - because that's exactly what it was. Both teams can be better, and I can't wait for the sequel in Durban 💚🦌 🇿🇦

Europe likes to cry for fuck sakes just be humble and give credit where credit is due

Matt Williams are harping about six, or seven forward replacements. Calling it unfair, unsafe, etc. Game is for all shape and sizes he says. Well, then cap the size of outside backs, these huge guys coming at speed is also unsafe is it not? Springboks are blessed at the moment with a glut of skilled, powerfull forwards, they use it, find ways to counter it on the field. Stop moaning and complaining about it.

Matt is stuck in the past. That's not what we did in the 80's and 90's. It is 2024. More than 20 years later.

The Shark Park is amazing. Almost as atmospheric as the Shark Tank

Ireland essentially lost against an experimental springbok side that were implementing a very different attack style. That was not the best Springboks performance by a long shot.

"Discriminates against the back!" Is the biggest load of bullshit any rugby analyst has ever said.

The Altitide isnt really a thing because only the bulls players and lions players play at altitude often. Its only 5 players, Altitude never impacted the All Blacks, and it has never impacted any other fit team. Springboks are just rusty but I think they will won the next test by 16pts.

If Browny gets Boks attack flowing ,they will become virtually unplayable

Can Matt quote any club, school or provincial match where 6 forwards were subbed in a single shot, inspired by the Bok 7-1 split?

There is no responsibility to play a more expansive game as world champions. The only responsibility the Springboks have is to give hope and joy to over 60 million South Africans. If that’s playing what Matt would call boring rugby then so be it. Matt has the responsibility to talk positively about the game instead of discrediting the world champions and the refs and the style of rugby being played. He gives the fans an excuse to complain because that’s all he does. It’s hurts the game far more than the Springboks winning with their “boring” style of rugby.

Bringing on 6 forwards is a reflection of SA depth of talent. Any team can do the same IF you have the depth. Matt knows this and so prefers to talk about " player safety and spirit of the game "

Just to make it clear: Ireland fans are complaining about NOT getting away with illegal tries. Let that sink in. To their minds that constitutes being hard done by. It’s absolutely baffling.

can someone tell Matt Stevens that he is not irish

The Boks will be better next week, still finding there feet with new coaching staff

Great to see Colonel Williams again after an SA game😂😂

I am just here for the Irish whinging🤣🤣

You don't understand , rassie wanted this game more than anything. Rassie focus on world cup to be recognized, Ireland debate is the reason rassie wanna clean swip this series to close their mouth for good. We will lose championship bc rassie uses championship to build depth nothing else.

Matt just simply cannot understand. South Africa is carrying the risk with the bench splits. World Rugby cant control how the team decides to replace...How many injuries have they been from changing all the forwards at the same time. Ridiculous

Funny how they comment on any calls the ref missed that hurt Ireland but don’t mention that Porter was scrumming illegally the entire match unpenalised.

We are still living rent free in that old man's head.

This Matt Williams guy is hilarious, i fear if we go 7-1 next week he will certainly go into cardiac arrest......

Matt Williams rather talk about Irelands dodgy scrum tactics like Andrew Porters pulling " technique" in the world cup semis the ref penalised him for doing this....seems to be getting away with it again .

Its crazy the shit that comes out of this man’s mouth! Both teams played bad and missed kicks if SA played better they would of had 20pts lead by half time!

Actually Matt Williams, if the game is for all shapes and sizes and everyone, does that not include the fact that SA as a country chooses that way to do things with what they have got versus what others have got ......

Bad losers again. Blame the ref when you lose 😅

Matt Wllliam ... all teams have the same amount of subs. Thanks Alan for trying to explain it to him. And it innovative. Rules for lower grade must have different rules

The nerve of these guys to make fun of Rassie's video while they go on and on about the ref! 🤣 Ireland got the rub of the green form the ref with cynical play in the rucks and illegal scrumming

Considering the fact that Boks have not played together since the World Cup final and they were playing against a team that has been playing together all along… it was a fairly easy win. I mean Boks were horrible. They were really bad.

@Matt Williams does it really matter how we use our subs. it all has pros and cons why change the rule its not like they are cheating. But seemingly northern hemisphere team have a problem with us whenever we are dominate

Matt Williams PLEASE!!! South Africa has always played attacked rugby!

Can we please acknowledge that the Springboks definitely were not firing on all cylinders in this game,they can play faaaar better. It's just funny to me that you will all go on and on about how Ireland were not their best while pretending that the Springboks were being the best they could be.

@alan knows what he is talking about ! Ireland looked a little flat in sections but still had a good effort under the PRESSURE of the champs .

Funny that Kelleher's neck is at his chest hahaha, Willie not near his neck haha. Just looked at it again😂 And by the way, a penalty can be awarded even though it was not deliberate.....I thought you pundits are supposed to know the rules? Still Alan is much better then Matt

lol what a game. Spring Boks pulled out those individual moments of greatness

The 6-2 split. Matt - "I am against it, it discriminates against backs. Rugby is a game for all shapes and sizes"😂😂😂 Let's be logical about this. It should affect the forwards of the opposition team when a new front pack comes on, if it affects anything. Secondly South Africa picked two utility backs that could play across the entire backline. If safety is indeed the major concern, state your arguments and let World Rugby adjust the laws accordingly. But I haven't heard a solid argument other than "it is a safety concern" but what evidence has been presented in regards to players being injured because of the 6-2 or 7-1 and if such evidence does exist present it to World Rugby to change the laws. You make a statement; present the evidence and then change the law. The burden of proof lies on the person(s) making the claim. Saying things like its not in the "ethos" of "spirit" of our game is not even an argument to be considered as rugby union means different things to different people and is subjective and not evidence of anything. These so called "experts" are giving opinions and not facts and analysis of the game; and opinions are like as*holes, we all have them. Love from 🇿🇦

You know what is abusing? World rugby trying to negate the scrum by not allowing a scrum on a free kick. What about discriminating against forwards there....don't here "expert" Matt saying anything about that. Winging about it since the world cup....what a tool

You cant ask the same question 5 times and get the same explaination, then think the 6th time will. Be different.

Matt, did the crowd also make to much of a noise during the game?

Please can this debate about the BOMB squad end. If picking 6 forwards on the bench works so much then why don't other teams do it. You play to your strengths. If your strength is your backline then you'd pick a 5/3 bench. Let not criticize SA for picking a team based on their strengths.

Matt going on a rant again about the composition of a team's substitutes.

"discriminates against backs"🤣🤣🤣

I really think that this was probably the poorest and the rustiest that you will get the Boks playing at home. I expect a bigger winning margin this week. At least 10 points.

Complaining about a seven point loss, where in all fairness everyone who watched that match should’ve been a lot more. Complaining about the ref is never a good look lads, take the loss and look at your own errors and / or deficiencies, as there are a plethora off.

Firstly, please reverse the negative narrative, we respect and admire Ireland. Secondly, Don't mention altitude or fatigue, only 4 of our players play at altitude, and our boys have been playing a lot of club rugby since the world cup, Thirdly, see you in Durban, we are in our winter, its similair to your summer.

Who is Matt Williams?

You dont need to be able to see the ball to play it on the ground and hook it with your leg....all you need is one peak, and you can know where more or less it is and then try your best to hook it.

First Mr Matt (or is it SIR Matt) went on over 7/1 at the world cup, now hes going on over replacements! Grow some balls GIRLFRIEND!!! Rugby is not that complicated. Lets keep it simple, physical, fast, slow, smart, big, small and everything in between!

Seems Matt Williams didn't read the science behind fresh players entering the game.

5:55 This is genuinely the most insightful comment I've heard in ages. Attack is about creating mismatches, overlaps and getting into point-scoring positions. Not necessarily champagne rugby.

I came here just for the incessant irrational whinging of Matt Williams...

You spoke the whole game about the subs and very little about the game itself

You have to put your best men on the field Matt and that is what South Africa has done. It's not about discrimination of backlines. Every team plays to their strengths here.

What's new here, Ireland lost simple as that. Welcome to rugby at the top level, it's a game of inches and moments and who takes those moments. SA put immense pressure on you in the breakdown and that makes you make mistakes not that you play badly. Why can't Ireland media just take the loss as a loss. Just for facts here it doesn't matter if you lose by 1 point or 20 points you lose and SA showed that in the WC, quarterfinal, semifinal and final they won by 1 point in every game but they still won.

A TMO is only ever too much when the decision goes against you or your team. Irrespective whether the actual call is right or wrong. The Irish are only moaning because they ended up on the losing side. Let’s be absolutely clear about this. Alan is absolutely correct on this point, although he points it out very diplomatically. Unlike this Australian chap in this podcast.

Ireland 🇮🇪 played well in the second half, I hope they put the same fight in the first half

James Lowe gave 110% to execute those 2 plays, unfortunately he got them both wrong.

The rub of the green went with SA . From a SA supporter. We will be a lot better next week and so will Irland be