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European Challenge Cup: Stade Français shocked in Siberia

Victor Gresev in action at the 2011 World Cup

Krasny Yar sprung a huge surprise on the opening weekend of the European Challenge Cup season, claiming a bonus-point victory over defending champions Stade Français in Siberia.

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No side has successfully retained this trophy, and Stade’s quest to be the first got off to a disappointing start as they went down 34-29 on Saturday.

The clash started positively enough for Stade, who went ahead early on through Julien Arias’ try down the right. Azamat Bitiev was the man to score Krasny Yar’s first European points with a score from a line-out drive, but Stade were soon 12-5 ahead as Tony Ensor went over.

Seemingly stung into action, the hosts crossed the whitewash three times in a 13-minute spell, Victor Gresev stretching over before Sione Fukofuka and Andrei Mahu breached Stade’s defences.

The visitors reduced the arrears to 24-17 at the break as Terry Bouhraoua raced over and their cause was aided early in the second period as Krasny Yar’s Kirill Golosnitskiy saw yellow for a deliberate knock-on.

Stade capitalised on their numerical advantage, Arias going over for his second to level matters, but Gresev matched the former France international in doubling his tally with 13 minutes to play.

Lasha Malaguradze converted that score and then kicked a penalty, meaning Karim Qadiri’s try was only good enough to secure a losing bonus point for Stade, while Krasny Yar were left to celebrate a famous victory.

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Elsewehere in Pool 4, Edinburgh joined Krasny Yar on five points with a 37-14 win at London Irish.

There was a first-half hat-trick for hooker Joe Taufete’e in Worcester Warriors’ 30-20 win over Brive, while the other match in Pool 5 saw Connacht thrash Oyonnax 43-15.

 

In Pool 1, Newcastle Falcons overcame the Dragons 32-27, both sides earning bonus points.

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Nickers 4 hours ago
The All Blacks strongest midfield partnership for the next World Cup is already clear

Under Schmidt Jordie was a constant attacking threat. I don’t think he has been asked to play that role over the past couple of years. He generally receives the ball while we are on the back foot and there are very few options available, and where running in particular is the worst option.

Not so much splitting the field but having lots of options and lots for the defence to think about. If the 9 can go to the 10 who is up flat, who in turn has a pod with another back in it say Jordan in the boot, and another player like Jordie/BB/Dmac out the back coming into the line with players inside and outside them (could be Jordan) it’ a very dynamic situation with 3 options, 2 of which could be kick/long pass as well as run. Having that final player out the back as a strong kicker and distributor/decision maker gives you so many opportunities. As good as Jordan is, he is not a playmaker the way those other guys are. His strength is running and timing, so when he has the ball that is the main thing the defence has to worry about, and the main way he will hurt you. Only one 10 on the field let’s the defence know the 9 only really has one option, 2 at best. Leaving players like Jordan to roam to where he thinks there is space and having two or three players that can find him, rather than him being involved in the spine makes the backline far more potent.



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