Sunday Social: Red Roses into the final, 100 up for Wayne Barnes and Test rugby returns

Dylan Coetzee 06 Nov 2022 1:53 PM

It is time for Planet Rugby’s Sunday Social, your quirky recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the past week’s action.

The Red Roses continued their win streak to qualify for the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Zoe Aldcroft was sublime in a tight game against Canada. It is all set for a tasty final against the Black Ferns.

You'd expect nothing less from one of the world's best

The outstanding @zoealdcroft_ was the @Mastercard Player of the Match in @EnglandRugby's semi-final win over Canada #RWC2021 | #CANvENG | #POTM | #Priceless pic.twitter.com/MSZD26nBdZ

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 6, 2022

Hats off indeed to Canada, who, despite losing to England in the semi-finals, won the hearts of many fans through their commitment and talent. A potential giant in the women’s game?

Not being funny but if you’re Rugby Canada and you’ve just seen your amateur team push (possibly) the best pro team in the world all the way, you go ALL IN on women’s rugby. Give them ALL the funding – IMAGINE how good they’d be when fully pro

— Will Owen (@will_owen9) November 5, 2022

A true legend of the sport. Wayne Barnes took charge of his 100th Test match during the Wales v All Blacks clash. A consistent and intelligent referee, who has an excellent feel for the game. Congratulations, Wayne.

A fresh-faced @WayneBarnesRef making his #GuinnessSixNations debut in Rome, 2007.

Congratulations on your 100th Test today in #WALvNZL, Wayne 👏#AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/O3osZO0hyu

— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) November 5, 2022

Rassie Erasmus returns, and so do his views on match officials. This time, though, far more subtle than his infamous video as he congratulates Ireland in this tweet with the video hinting at refereeing errors.

Tough test match, thanks for all the support from 🇿🇦, also thanks to the Ireland supporters at the Aviva, you definetly understand the game and its great to play in an atmosphere like yesterday ! Surely was a game of big battles,but small margins 👇🏿 pic.twitter.com/Jcjci2Jlvo

— Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 6, 2022

Aaron Smith became the most capped backline player in the All Blacks‘ history and marked the occasion with this outrageous solo try leaving the final defender for dead. Absolute class.

🔥 Aaron Smith rolling back the years!

Superb individual try from the great scrum-half. 👏pic.twitter.com/a5XCEacaoh

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) November 5, 2022

WOW! Lalakai Foketi finished off a 90-metre try filled with pacey running down the flank, cleverly timed passes and power to finish. Brilliant rugby from the Wallabies.

Simply outstanding 👏#FRAvAUS #Wallabies @eToroAU

📺 @StanSportAU pic.twitter.com/cIzSVYEVE8

— Wallabies (@wallabies) November 5, 2022

The organisers have done Craig Casey dirty here as he leads out Ireland ‘A’ with a mascot towering above him, much like the All Blacks XV ended up doing. Can’t help but chuckle at this one.

Who’s taking who on to the pitch? 🤣 #rugby pic.twitter.com/5HrAm6IBbu

— BallCarrier (@BallCarrier_) November 5, 2022

Stephen Messi!!! All Blacks playmaker Perofeta whips it in from the byline, showing off his all-around skill set. Love the celebration and energy in the New Zealand camp at the moment.

Stephen Messi. Remember the name 😎 pic.twitter.com/ELpZCs1mmR

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 4, 2022

“Planet fish!” Hilarious emoji game with the Welsh team offering up some interesting answers. Wonder what emojis they would use to describe their performance against the All Blacks on Saturday?

🤨 Planet Fish? Swim Shark? Up Gun?

Can you guess the film from the emoji better than these guys 👇

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 #WelshRugby pic.twitter.com/TCBmuJq2hJ

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 1, 2022

The original rugby video game! Jonah Lomu rugby on PlayStation 1 with Bill McLaren in the commentary box. The stuff of legends and fond memories for many, many fans.