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European action returned to the domestic scene over the weekend, with the European Cup taking a break for the Aviva Premiership, Top 14 and Pro 14 to continue. There were more than a few New Zealanders in action, as anticipation builds for the All Black match against the Barbarians this weekend.
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Here’s some of the key performers:
Brendon Leonard, Ospreys
A real blast from the past here, with the former All Black and Waikato halfback coming off the bench to score a try in Ospreys’ 28-14 win over Dragons. Leonard has been at Swansea for the past three seasons, after leaving NZ to play in Italy in 2013. He was joined on the scoresheet by prop Ma’afu Fia, who won a Super Rugby title with the Highlanders.
Matt Luamanu, Harlequins
While Quins were said to be chasing Wellington’s Julian Savea, it was another Wellingtonian that helped them to a high-scoring 41-35 win over Worcester in the Aviva Premiership. Big number eight Luamanu had a huge game, scoring a try, making 25 metres off 13 carries and amassing 15 tackles. Former Chief and Maori All Black Jackson Willison did his best for the opposing Warriors, but it was in vain as Quins ended up with the victory.
Jimmy Gopperth, Wasps
Another Wellington boy makes the list, with the Wasps first five notching up 16 points with the boot in their 38-22 win over Northampton Saints. He also made 45 metres off five runs at the line, and had to do a bit of work on defence with 13 tackles. There were a couple of familiar faces lining up against him for the Saints, former Counties fullback Ahsee Tuala scored a try and Blues first five Piers Francis kicked four penalties (OK, I know Francis is an Englishman but he spent long enough in NZ for us to kind of consider him one of us).
Hikairo Forbes, La Rochelle
Remember this guy? Unless you’re a die-hard Waikato fan, probably not – he last played for the Mooloos way back in 2011, but the hooker managed to score a try for La Rochelle against Toulouse in their Top 14 clash. Forbes also made five carries for 24 metres, and put in seven tackles for good measure in the 37-21 win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyvFlzwaVsM
Toby Arnold, Lyon
The former All Black Sevens specialist has found a grateful home in Lyon, where he played his part in thrashing Oyonnax 52-18. He scored a try, ran 58 metres off four carries and made six tackles. Across the park from him was former North Harbour first five Ben Botica, who still managed to score a try, conversion and penalty in his side’s heavy defeat.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdl_9AXDjy4
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments