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Northampton fans are having their say on Reinach's Saints exit
After weeks of rumours regarding Cobus Reinach’s future, it was confirmed on Tuesday that the scrum-half will leave Northampton Saints at the of this season.
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This will bring to an end a three-season stint in which the recent World Cup winner was named Saints player of the season in 2018/19. Inevitably, his sensational form at Franklin’s Gardens attracted interest from abroad.
While it has not yet been confirmed, he is expected to move to the Top 14 to join Montpellier, who have a growing South African contingent.
This is obviously disappointing and damaging for Chris Boyd’s team, as the 29-year-old has been the catalyst for Northampton’s progress over the past 18 months. Many teams have fallen victim to his searing pace.
However, many supporters are understanding why the player has opted to move away.
(Continue reading below…)
The Top 14 can offer far larger salaries than the Gallagher Premiership, particularly a financial powerhouse such as Montpellier.
And although Reinach is now in a way old as he turns 30 in early February, he is entitled to make as much as he can in the remaining years of his career.
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Gutted, an incredible player for us. Would have loved you to stay. But at 29 and with the performances you've put in for Saints you've earned a big pension top up, absolutely no complaints if you go to France and take the ?. Hope you leave on a high and good luck with your move!
— Matt Edwards (@mattedwards05) January 14, 2020
Major developments this Tuesday regarding Northampton's popular scrum-half Cobus Reinach https://t.co/Vhiu8rNHub
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 14, 2020
Understandable but nonetheless sad. Good luck.
— robert boyle (@frankieboyledad) January 14, 2020
Ultimately, Reinach’s form has been so good since arriving in England that he worked his way back into the Springboks team in 2019 after a four-year absence. That equally came at a price for the Saints, as if further left him catching the eye of many suitors.
Such a special player, has a knack of making things from nothing, a skill that you cant coach. Hes doing the best for his family and goes with everyone's best wishes no doubt. However i believe this will be the making of Alex Mitchell as England's no.9
— Charles McGillivray (@saintsman13) January 14, 2020
Can happily say (even for the short time he’s been in the prem for) he has been one of the finest SH I’ve had the pleasure to watch. Deserves his retirement fund.
— Jake Turnbull (@JakeRTurnbull) January 14, 2020
There is nevertheless a lot of confidence in Northampton’s back-up scrum-halves who will have the responsibility of filling the void left by the South African.
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There is a particular focus on Alex Mitchell, who pushed Reinach for a starting berth last season. Although injured currently, he is expected to return soon and will surely relish the chance of becoming first choice nine next season.
Such a shame but completely expected. Taylor is looking good and when Mitchell is back, we'll still be strong at 9 https://t.co/RN5UzBsb1n
— Jake Marshall (@JakeMarshall91) January 14, 2020
Sad to see such a great player leave. But great news for England and Alex Mitchell. https://t.co/ABHtOhV1f5
— Kidiaba’s Ponytail (@KidiabaPonyTail) January 14, 2020
With over half the season still remaining, the Springbok can still leave the Saints on a high. His team currently sit in second place in the Premiership and could next weekend qualify for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Champions Cup.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
9 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
3 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
3 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
2 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
3 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
9 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
9 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
17 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
9 Go to commentsMost articles (none Irish) said JGP might be second best globally (after Dupont). Anyway, he is playing great. Different player but maybe he is equal to Dupont in how he is reading games now. He is also running a lot of Dupont support lines and scoring a lot of tries. Dupont is best scrum half but JGP in next pack.
17 Go to comments