Jiffy is indeed terrible, for either code. The commentary has left something to be desired at times, but the studio pundits (esp. Fitzgerald) are generally pretty good.

I understand, although it's not being widely reported, that Craig Joubert also had stuff thrown at him as he left the pitch.

In the circumstances, I don't blame him for wanting to get out of there sharpish

The NH nations have only themselves to blame. They promote within their club rugby an emphasis on strong forward play and set-pieces. Forwards are taught only the skills the coaches consider they need to do their primary job, which is win and retain possession. South Africa often used Schalk Burger as an extra centre on Saturday, popping up lovely little passes in midfield. I can't think of a single Home Nations back rower who could have played in a similar style, because they're not encouraged to work on those parts of their game.

The "Big Four" (and I include Argentina, who for many years were the ultimate exponents of ten man rugby) have learned that there is more to be gained from keeping the ball out of contact than from endlessly ploughing into tackles and trying to recycle quick possession. They are essentially playing rugby league under the six tackle rule, while the NH nations are still trying to play under unlimited tackles with two yards and a cloud of dust being considered a good play.

For the sea change that is needed to take place, it needs someone to win the top prizes in European rugby playing an open, handling style and forcing everyone else to take a look at the way they play at club/provincial level. As it stands, the southern hemisphere is way in front and the gap is only increasing.

The old school tie brigade are out in force and indignant to the last about a decision which was probably correct and fairly officiated by the referee.

Yet, not one peep from any of them about the blatant knock on before the try that won Scotland the game and knocked Samoa out in the final group match.

There have been loads of dodgy calls, especially around the scrums, which the commentators/pundits have dismissed with a "dashed-bad-luck-chaps" attitude.

What makes me laugh is how they're all obsessing over the final penalty decision, which he wasn't allowed to refer to the TMO. The decision they should be focussing on was the sin binning earlier in the match, which the TMO had a good look at. That should never have been a yellow card, and during that 10 minute period the Aussies gained 4 points over Scotland (i.e. more than the winning margin).

No idea as to whether or not the ref's decision was right, but wondering how much attention is being given to the Aussies' attempts to throw the match away in the closing stages, first with a pathetic attempt at a clearing kick which was easily charged down and led to a Scots try in the corner, and second with a wild pass across their own posts which provided a gift interception and try under the sticks. That's 12 points thrown away by incredibly sloppy play.

It was hilariously cringeworthy listening to various ex players and indeed even the Scottish 9 when interviewed about the game/incident.
It was clearly an incorrect decision, the Australian player flicks the ball back into the waiting hands of wee jock. Earlier knock on by Scotland so it was a scrum to Australia, but as others have said the referee wasn't allowed to check the TMO, I thought it was pretty clear what had happened the first time of asking but that's sport for you and yes Scotland have had a few favours their way already.
Argentina pretty much did a 'New Zealand', very light but mobile pack, (almost 5kg a man lighter than Ireland) not commiting men to the ruck, excellent passing with dummy runners. They just lost form and went back to the old ways for a period and the chip over the top by the SH was crazy high risk when they where fully in control. If they can contain themselves and continue playing the way they can then it'll be the pumas in the final. Can't see past NZ to win it though tbh.

To be fair, the SH teams have been light years ahead in this area as well, for at least a couple of years now.

I'll be at the three England v NZ tests but also looking forward to watching the BBC recordings after each match.

Would love a 3-0 England series win.

Would be a great follow up to the RU World Cup becoming the farce it has. Hoping in that game it is a repeat of the 2013 RL World Cup final but with NZ beating Aus. We know the grounds will still be full of the corporate free loaders etc but what a 2nd rate farce the RU 6 nations will now be - a play off for 5th best in the world! Ha

I've just let a US blogger on YT know about the three test series. he seemed genuinely interested in watching it. I'm coming up to the KC and popping round the corner to the Olympic stadium (40 minute drive), can't wait.

Noticed league got a mention on the 5 live sports bulletin yesterday. Apparently someone from the South Wales crusaders has been banned for 8 games for mis conduct. Fascinating stuff, no mention of a test series though.

Typical BBC. Focusing on the negative in Rugby League.

The elephant in the room with union and its southern hemisphere bias? Doubt you can find a single article acknowledging it either...

Rugby league. It so dominates rugby union in Australasia in terms of media (NZ with 4 million pop - ie. far less than Sydney) - I mean you have stuff.nz and nzherald as the only widely read written NZ on-line sources lol - that it continues to have a massive impact on union where it counts. That is in the best country at it - NZ.

You can even see it in the way the All Blacks play, basically rugby league to union rules.

Surely that is pretty obvious to rugby league fans?

Can you now print this in English please

And the following day they covered signings by Wakey and Wire. I know the £150k for Westerman's a bit of a rip off but it's hardly reporting a negative aspect of the game. And bear in mind, the BBC depends largely on press releases from the RFL upon which to base its coverage. If all's quiet, they'll glean whatever scraps they can. Whether the RFL should be pushing the test series harder is another question entirely.

I've always described Super Series as "Rugby League with line outs". To be fair though, part of the reason Super Series is played like that is because of the way the ruck is refereed, or more accurately the way that the laws are completely ignored. In Super Series if you have the ball anything goes as long as you recycle quickly, if you're defending don't attempt to counter ruck unless you want to concede a penalty.

The reality is that there are 3 codes of rugby being played, Rugby League, northern hemisphere Rugby Union, and Super Series. The elephant in the room for RU is that they are pretending this isn't the case.