FYI the standard Wessels had to reach in the first hearing was that he didn't do it

So you can shout about evidence this or that. But the process is clear. If a citing is brought by probability you have to prove innocence, they don't have to prove guilt

bsky.app/profile/the2...

*one week

JAN-HENRIK WESSELS – APPEAL HEARING ban reduced by knee week An Independent Appeal Hearing was held today (Wednesday, October 29) regarding the citing and subsequent suspension of Jan-Hendrik Wessels of the Vodacom Bulls which had resulted in a nine-game ban…

The Wessels ban has been reduced by knee week.

Full summary below

the2ndrow.com/2025/10/29/j...

I was going more for Lols
Over adding to the chaos but ok

I wonder if we can start some mad Irish team sheet rumours just for the craic

Like Bundee starting at 8
Or Ahern on the wing

Be more enjoyable than the usual shite we be chatting about

Connacht Fight, Munster muscle, & Ulster upended URC rd 5 Connacht come away from a physical interpro with a losing bonus point. Munster's Muscle gets then over the line eventually, Leinster make harder work than expected of Zebre. Altitude and injuries take

If you're worried you'll need to wait until Tuesday for a podcast this week don't fear I have you covered

The 1st block of the URC is over another interpro in the bag Leinster return to winning ways and Ulster get stung at altitude

on.soundcloud.com/JcrinXG1v4zp...

Connacht Fight, Munster muscle, & Ulster upended URC rd 5 Connacht come away from a physical interpro with a losing bonus point. Munster's Muscle gets then over the line eventually, Leinster make harder work than expected of Zebre. Altitude and injuries take their toll on Ulster in South Africa. Ireland announce a XV squad. In the news the WRU are at it again.

Connacht Fight, Munster muscle, & Ulster upended URC rd 5 (🎙️@the2ndRow) #Connacht #Munster #Ulster

Munster 17 Connacht 15
That was a 2nd 40 minutes of defence by Connacht barely in the Munster half a HUGE physical shift

Couldn't get flow forward going due to penalties & errors with a makeshift backline towards the end
That's a hard earned LBP for Connacht
#BKTURC #MUNvCON

That looks bad for Ralston. He was having a good game!
His foot gets caught in the turf making the tackle.
#MUNvCON #BKTURC

A try to end the half Munster 12 Connacht 15
A scrappy half defences on top between the 22s huge physicality from both teams
If Connacht can cut out the errors - not give soft counter attack opportunities they'll give themselves a good chance to win this
#BKTURC #MUNvCON

You have a time machine???

Good because the marathon has made parking a nightmare

Sports in 2025 requires an economics &/or sociology &/or psychology degree

Rugby needs an added law degree

There's now a generation of fans, the 30ish & under that only know these 4 teams as professional rugby in Wales.
To pull from a fan base that's ready to start spending is going to kill the miniscule good will and trust the WRU might have had if they just got out of their own way

The WRUs wait and see who goes bankrupt first strategy is insane right? It's with that or they are wanting turkeys to vote for Christmas
For all the flaws that have been talked about re the creation of the regions
Waiting for private investment to run out of give up is a proper passing of the buck

2 then it's upto the person cited to prove they didn't if do the act of foul play - If they don't accept they committed an act of foul play
Explains the Wessels citing and outcome TBH

Which I think Bulls are right to and are appealing

Ok so I've been doing light reading of regulation 17:discipline - foul play
Especially 17.15
1 It feels like the citing commissioner cited Wessels on probability 17:15.1
put it through to committee

My odd annoyance is that it's not a designated Wolfhounds team so won't tie anyone to Ireland

Wessels has been banned for 9 games
& Murphy is available to play this weekend
Im surprised by both outcomes
I'm sure the Bulls will appeal given the conversation on field re camera angles
I think Murphys lucky-he swung an arm maybe more forearm than fist made contact but the acts the act

Such a good video. The message here is clear and simple. Your club is the future of rugby not the London lemon lynxes
R360 is a pyramid scheme designed to take money out of the game to enrich people who ok don't need it
As always @squidgerugby.bsky.social nails it

Shamus Hurley-Langton (shoulder) is still in rehab and a call will be made on him later in the week

🟢🟢 Connacht Rugby injury update 🟢🟢
Hansen picked up a foot injury Vs the bulls no return date yet
Buckley (hamstring), is unavailable this week
As are the long term injured Oisin Dowling (knee) and Temi Lasisi (knee)
Positives Niall Murray and Paul Boyle both available for this weekend

Connacht lack accuracy, Ulster deserve more respect & Interpro 1st blood URC 5 rd 4 Connacht are still looking for the spark for a full 80 minutes of performance lose to the bulls at home Ulster beat the sharks well with accuracy and pace Munster beat Leinster in Croker with an assur

A lot to talk about as the URC motors on
Decision making in the Dexcom
Ulster didn't need a bigger boat
And Munster leave Dublin with 5 points and bragging rights

soundcloud.com/the-2nd-row/...

One day AI will learn to understand and spell my name

But today is not that day

Connacht lack accuracy, Ulster deserve more respect & Interpro 1st blood URC 5 rd 4 Connacht are still looking for the spark for a full 80 minutes of performance lose to the bulls at home Ulster beat the sharks well with accuracy and pace Munster beat Leinster in Croker with an assur

A lot to talk about as the URC motors on
Decision making in the Dexcom
Ulster didn't need a bigger boat
And Munster leave Dublin with 5 points and bragging rights

soundcloud.com/the-2nd-row/...

Scrum had issues, lineout had issues, a high penalty count, the scrum the leading cause, losing the kicking game. Can't build a platform with that.

That's a poor loss to be honest