Gallagher Premiership XV of the Week - Round 9
The Gallagher Premiership signed off for the upcoming European window in fine fashion, with Round 9 of the competition offering up some eye-catching results.
Harlequins kicked it off by ending Exeter’s unbeaten start to the domestic season, with a 28-26 win at the Stoop, whilst Bristol Bears reaffirmed their ability to cut it at this level, beating Leicester Tigers 41-10 at Ashton Gate.
We have rounded up the top performers across the weekend’s action.
- Mike Brown, Harlequins (RPI – 67)
It’s a mark of the level of Brown’s performance that he sees off fierce competition from Charles Piutau and Jason Woodward here. The full-back was rock-solid under the high and contested balls, brought incision in the back line and on counter-attacks, with his straightening of the line, and made multiple broken field one-on-one tackles, one of which was a certain try-saver.
- Luke Morahan, Bristol Bears (RPI – 54)
The Australian has been one of the most consistent performers at Ashton Gate this season and maintained that rich vein of form against Leicester. He definitely won his duel with Jonny May, grabbed a deserved try and was inches away from latching onto a kick and finishing another. His industry chasing kicks also regularly goes unnoticed.
- Will Hurrell, Bristol Bears (RPI – 56)
Flashes from Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant caught the eye, but it was Hurrell that arguably turned in the most complete performance at 13 this weekend. His decision-making at outside centre was excellent, gauging well when to straighten the line and when to involve Morahan and Alapati Leiua. His handling on the gain-line, just prior to and after contact, was also very impressive.
- Francis Saili, Harlequins (RPI – 62)
An insightful glimpse into what Saili could offer this Quins side, if he can stay fit. The former All Black was punching holes in the Exeter defensive line all evening, showed good awareness and ability to free his hands after contact, and a solid array of passing brought the threats of Brown, Nathan Earle and Gabriel Ibitoye into the game.
https://twitter.com/premrugby/status/1068784414241538049
- Ollie Thorley, Gloucester (RPI – 68)
This spot could easily have gone to Earle, with both he and Thorley picking up braces of tries this weekend, but the edge goes to the Gloucesterman, just because of the little bit more he had to do for his two tries and the work he did off of his wing, creating space and opportunities for other players. The 22-year-old is arguably the form wing in the Premiership at the moment and his tormenting of Worcester Warriors was a testament to that accolade.
- Ian Madigan, Bristol Bears (RPI – 58)
The Irishman delivered an extremely composed display at Ashton Gate, guiding Bristol around the pitch with aplomb and rarely putting a foot wrong in his decision-making. Leicester may have been reduced to 14 men for much of the contest, but that shouldn’t detract – too much – from the measured passing, darting runs and clinical boot of Madigan, that handed him a haul of 21 points.
- Cobus Reinach, Northampton Saints (RPI – 64)
A couple of tries and an aggressive tempo from the scrum-half put Northampton into a commanding position against Newcastle Falcons. He did fade out of the game a little in the second half, losing some of his control, but the first 40 was so effective it had put Northampton into a winning position in the game, despite their inability to see it out in the final minutes.
- Joe Marler, Harlequins (RPI – 68)
Marler embraced the battle with Greg Holmes that injury denied him the opportunity of taking part in on the 2016 England tour of Australia and he came out well. His ball-placement on his carries close to the ruck helped Quins deliver the quick ball they needed to test the formidable Exeter defence.
- Harry Thacker, Bristol Bears (RPI – 59)
Jack Yeandle was impressive at the Stoop on Friday night, but there was no denying Thacker, who followed up his hat-trick off the bench last week with a brace of tries in his start against Leicester. In addition to being a threatening and composed operator with ball in hand, Thacker was extremely accurate at the lineout and the Bristol set-piece boasted a significant advantage over their rivals from the East Midlands.
- Nic Schonert, Worcester Warriors (RPI – 64)
Worcester were under the pump for much of the second half against Gloucester, but the visitors at Kingsholm had a solid first 40, with Schonert one of the more noteworthy operators. He was key in repelling several threatening Gloucester attacks.
- Maro Itoje, Saracens (RPI – 92)
The lock looked as if he’d never been away on Saturday, almost single-handedly wrecking the Wasps lineout at Allianz Park. He carried strongly, too, and brought his customary line-speed in defence that regularly had the visitor’s attack stymied. He showed no signs of fatigue after a busy November with England.
- Ed Slater, Gloucester (RPI – 74)
A strong showing from Slater, who kept Gloucester’s lineout ticking along in efficient fashion, as well as providing a powerful carrying presence on the pick and go and as a receiver close to the ruck. His mobility for a tight five forward, to get around the pitch and influence the contact area battle, was also very noticeable.
- Alex Dombrandt, Harlequins (RPI – 63)
The former Cardiff Met and Wales U20 man continued the scintillating start to his Premiership career on Friday evening, giving Exeter a taste of their own medicine with a dynamic power game. The flanker was a force with ball in hand that Exeter had no answer for and he even led Quins in tackles, many of which were textbook, aggressive one-on-one hits on or behind the gain-line. An extremely worthy man of the match-winner at the Stoop.
A mention, too, for Steven Luatua’s heroics in Bristol’s 41-10 victory over Leicester.
- Jaco Kriel, Gloucester (RPI – 82)
Jack Clifford is narrowly denied a spot that would have completed an all-Harlequins back row by the South African fetcher, who is looking every bit as comfortable in the Premiership as he was in Super Rugby. His selective involvement defensively is helping Gloucester prosper with their high-octane, counter-punching style as he bolsters their transition game, whilst he is a dangerous runner, complementing the more physical, direct carriers elsewhere in Gloucester’s back row.
- James Chisholm, Harlequins (RPI – 58)
Chisholm is not only bearing the burden of captaincy well at Quins, he is seemingly flourishing under the increased expectations. He delivered another colossal performance on Friday night, keeping Quins moving forward against a solid and resolute Exeter defence, as well as showing ruthless efficiency at the contact area against adept operators like Dave Ewers and Don Armand. Eddie Jones’ door isn’t just being knocked on, it’s being hammered down.
Watch: The latest episode of The Short Ball, with Scotty, Mils and Ali Williams.
Comments on RugbyPass
Well that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
2 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
2 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
2 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
19 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
19 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to commentsMake what step up? Manie has a World Cup winner’s medal around his neck and changed the way the Springboks can play. He doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. The win record of the Boks with him in the team is tremendous. Sacha can be wonderful and I hope he has a very succesful Bok career, but comparing him to Manie in terms of the next Bok flyhalf is very strange. Manie is the incumbent (not the next) and doing pretty incredibly.
4 Go to comments00 😍 U
1 Go to commentsSabbaticals have helped keep NZ’s very best talent in the country on long term deals - this fact has been left out of this article. Much like the articles calling to allow overseas players to be selected, yet can only name one player currently not signed to NZR who would be selected for the ABs. And in the entire history of NZ players leaving to play overseas, literally only 4 or 5 have left in their prime as current ABs. (Piatau, Evans, Hayman, Mo’unga,?) Yes Carter got an injury while playing in France 16 years ago, but he also got a tournament ending injury at the 2011 World Cup while taking mid-week practice kicks at goal. Maybe Jordie gets a season-ending injury while playing in Ireland, maybe he gets one next week against the Brumbies. NZR have many shortcomings, but keeping the very best players in the country and/or available for ABs selection is not one of them. Likewise for workload management - players missing 2 games out of 14 is hardly a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Again let’s use some facts - did it stop the Crusaders winning SR so many times consecutively when during any given week they would be missing 2 of their best players? The whole idea of the sabbatical is to reward your best players who are willing to sign very long term deals with some time to do whatever they want. They are not handed out willy-nilly, and at nowhere near the levels that would somehow devalue Super Rugby. In this particular example JB is locked in with NZR for what will probably (hopefully) be the best years of his career, hard to imagine him not sticking around for a couple more after for a Lions tour and one more world cup. He has the potential to become the most capped AB of all time. A much better outcome than him leaving NZ for a minimum of 3 years at the age of 27, unlikely to ever play for the ABs again, which would be the likely alternative.
3 Go to comments