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'I was watching him closely and thinking, 'When do we bring him off?''
Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper believes having a “single focus” will prove a big boost for his team’s Gallagher Premiership aspirations.
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Hooper’s men, whose Heineken Cup hopes are over for the season following a poor run of pool results, edged Sale 16-14 in a thriller at the Recreation Ground on Saturday to register their second victory in as many weekends and move into serious play-off contention.
They will look to make it three wins on the bounce at arch rivals Gloucester next week.
“I thought we found ways to pressure them, kick points and ultimately come away with the four points,” Hooper said. “It sharpens our focus going into Gloucester.
“Europe was going to be a tough competition for us. It was a realisation of where we are. The Premiership is our single focus (now) and we believe that, on any single day, we can beat anyone in the Premiership but we have to play really well to do that.
“Having a single focus is big for us and we go to Gloucester with that single focus. It is not a turning point (beating Sale) but it is an opportunity for us to push hard in the Premiership.”
Saturday’s victory was secured thanks to three penalties from fly-half Rhys Priestland and the conversion of England centre Jonathan Joseph’s second-half try.
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No club domestically has been able to match @Saracens domination of the Premiership and Heineken European Champions Cup during the 2010’s, and that makes their 15 for 10 particularly competitive
– @alexshawsport takes up the task ???https://t.co/S96TtDAvzz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 29, 2019
Sharks had to wait until well into the second half before they got their points when hooker Akker Van der Merwe and wing Byron McGuigan crossed for tries converted by fly-half Robert Du Preez.
That made it 14-13 to Sale before the last Priestland penalty nine minutes from time restored Bath’s lead and, with it, the triumph.
Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau emerged unscathed from his first 80 minutes of the season, just in time to mount a challenge for a Six Nations Championship place under new national coach Wayne Pivac.
“He is pleased he has got through it,” Hooper said. “Credit to him for the work he has put in and to our medical team.
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“PRO14 rugby is much more exciting than Premiership rugby, has been for years."
– Michael Bradley talks Prem v PRO14 with @heagneyl ???https://t.co/iTlvoOlb8y
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 29, 2019
“I was watching him closely and thinking, ‘When do we bring him off?’ But he was going really well and had some big moments at the end of the game which you would expect from a player of his quality.”
Sale’s director of rugby Steve Diamond was not as satisfied with the afternoon’s events, and was adamant that referee Craig Maxwell-Keys should have given his side a penalty six minutes from time when, he claimed, Bath’s Tom Dunn made an illegal tackle on England flanker Tom Curry.
Diamond said: “Tom Curry, who is a world-class player, has had a no-arms tackle but I need to have a look at that.
“For me, (I’m) gutted. I’m disappointed with the referee today and it feels more like a loss than getting two points."https://t.co/7X8cbdQ0r7
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 28, 2019
“Those decisions are really crucial. The wins and losses are decided on that one decision.
“With those decisions, you have to be rock sure and I wonder why he did not consult his TMO.”
As for the game, Diamond said: “Fair play to Bath, they had their 16th man out there (the crowd) but well done to them.
“I don’t know where we are going in the league because we have a dominant scrum and South Africa proved in the World Cup final that, if you have a dominant scrum, you win games.
“But ours isn’t getting anything. There is no point in coaching players and getting them to this standard if they are never going to get any ascendancy. That is really disappointing.”
Diamond insisted, however: “We are in a good place, definitely.”
– Press Association
Comments on RugbyPass
RugbyPass writers are useless! you guys should get a real job because you all suck at writing about rugby!!!
8 Go to commentslooking forward to RWC2027 …. Boks on mission impossible for the Three-in-a-row, ABs to prove they being on par, France wishing to crown the “DuPont-era”, Ireland knocking on the Semi-Door ….. until then we’ll probably have to deal with Weird Ben’s fantasy-RWC23 (fun fact is, the drivel always creates a flooding of comments) …..
221 Go to commentsBen Smith you really make some good points in this article, the Springboks were not close to perfect and good still beat the All Blacks, imagine if they were as good as they were against France what a hiding the All Blacks would have gotten… maybe another Twickenham drubbing
221 Go to commentsIt is a good argument to keep the Rebels for one more year but also isnt this just opening the door as well for keeping them beyond 2025. If they can create some sort of financial stability in the next year and if their performances lift as they have this season then how would RA even cull them after that? It might be the most cost effective decision at this stage and perhaps many people are guilty of keeping relationships going because of the cost to decouple but then again when does that ever work out well?
17 Go to commentsDear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
221 Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
221 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
9 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
61 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
17 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
61 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
6 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
8 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
221 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
8 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
8 Go to commentsWhat a weak article…absolute drivel and clickbait, well done. Will stick to rugby365 thanks
8 Go to commentsHonest, discipline, humility… Priceless.
2 Go to comments