Sunday Social: July Tests aftermath, Georgia’s centurion and pre-season preparations
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.
We start by looking back at the July internationals and firstly the influence Ardie Savea has had on the All Blacks. They may have lost but Savea continues to stand out.
🇳🇿 Ardie Savea carrying this All Blacks team on his back. pic.twitter.com/OJY1Qgj0S5
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) July 18, 2022
Equally, it was a good personal series for South Africa’s Damian Willemse, who won the first encounter against Wales with a last-gasp kick. Willemse is more renowned for his running game, however, and he has a rather distinctive style.
Damian Willemse before contact pic.twitter.com/vZ6rLkxQSJ
— A-P (@rugby_ap) July 22, 2022
It wasn’t such good news for Australia, though, who succumbed to England, and this shot of Nic White almost makes your heart break. Some couldn’t risk mocking his oversized coat, however.
Me on the first day of secondary school with the blazer my mum said I’d grow into pic.twitter.com/vpUsYNYBRf
— Graham Love (@glove931) July 17, 2022
Continuing with the Australian theme and a clip of Will Skelton’s brother went viral during the week. Cameron is both bigger and taller than his sibling, which means he has a significant size advantage over everyone else here.
Pray for the poor opposition 😩 #Rugby pic.twitter.com/Kfs09BHt4F
— Rugbydump.com (@Rugbydump) July 20, 2022
Meanwhile, in Georgia they celebrate Test centurions quite literally by presenting them with a helmet of a centurion soldier.
You can be Cool, but never as Sandro Todua cool wearing Centurion helmet 🪖 to celebrate 100th international Cap for Georgia ❤️ https://t.co/tQWPBWV7oC pic.twitter.com/Y6PMkgPuLs
— Georgian Rugby (@GeorgianRugby) July 19, 2022
There was another heartwarming moment from Georgia with a video of this passionate young fan celebrating.
💬 we are writing a history” – Rugby is about pure excitement & emotions ❤️
This is Alexandre, The Lelos’ most die hart fan 🔥 from Georgian Rugby’s Supporters Club “BORJGALOSNEBI” 🏉 pic.twitter.com/WeLjNYcr9C
— Georgian Rugby (@GeorgianRugby) July 20, 2022
There was one key international game this weekend and it saw Tonga confirm their Rugby World Cup place following a 44-22 victory over Hong Kong on Saturday. Congratulations, ‘Ikale Tahi!
Getting the party started @officialTongaRU! 🎇#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/rPIbBwA6W9
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) July 23, 2022
Elsewhere, pre-season has started in the northern hemisphere and Wasps gave this fascinating insight into their early preparations.
𝑩𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔 – 𝑷𝒓𝒆-𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝑾𝒆𝒆𝒌 1⃣ 🎥
Welcome back to the Wasps Nest 🏉#COYW🐝 pic.twitter.com/nEZpv3qWU2
— Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) July 19, 2022
The initial part of pre-season is traditionally brutal but Cardiff combined work and play on a trip to Cardiff Bay.
😄🌊🌊 Smiles and Waves, boys, Smiles and Waves.
As a brutal first block of pre-season winds down, great to head down to Cardiff Bay for some team bonding and to enjoy each other's company.
Diolch i @AquaParkGroup am y croeso wrth i ni gyrraedd diwedd y 4⃣ wythnos cyntaf! pic.twitter.com/0TWUJMlLpI
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) July 20, 2022
There is slightly more fun to be had at the Sharks as they played this music quiz, resulting in a pie to the face if they got it wrong.
Rugby ✅
Music ❎#OurSharksForever pic.twitter.com/ByLlJxnSwo— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) July 22, 2022
Finally, photos emerged a couple of weeks ago of Antoine Dupont about to get into a jet and now there’s a video of him taking to the skies. What an experience!
✈️🇫🇷 @Dupont9A x @PAFofficiel 😍#14Juillet pic.twitter.com/cv7RBTCtwI
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) July 23, 2022
READ MORE: Rugby World Cup: Tonga beat Hong Kong to join South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and Romania in Pool B