1
The Mark McCall verdict on 'magnificent' captain Owen Farrell
Friday evening we were witness to a tight and nervy top of the table affair between Bath and Saracens at the Recreation Ground, in which only a last minute penalty from former England captain Owen Farrell separated the two sides.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 12 – 15 victory to the travelling Saracens side pushed them ahead of Bath in the table as the season hits crunch time. It was far from a thrilling affair, but as Bath coach Johan van Graan would later say, “It was as close to an international test match as you’ll find in the English Premiership.”
More from van Graan shortly, but first up, Saracen’s lead man, Mark McCall had a few words to say about say about the encounter. Discussing Saracens need to “rediscover that spirit”, the Saracens head coach said:
“It’s always been there, but we lost it for two or three weeks. I’m hoping [this win] could be a springboard for us because our rugby can improve and we now have that team energy, and I think it was awesome to be a part of.
“Even though it was a difficult game and a real battle, it just felt good right there and when it’s like that I think our players rise to the occasion.”
In the back of many Saracens supporter’s minds will be the exit of their fearless captain Owen Farrell at the end of the season with the flyhalf exiting the English capital for the French one, as he looks to settle into Parisian life with Racing 92. The dialogue inside camp appears to be rather different, with McCall claiming that he and his captain “Haven’t really discussed it”, with the prime focus being only on his side’s current campaign.
As Farrell edges closer towards his final few games for the club he’s been a part of for a majority of his life, the 32-year-old appears to be intent on going out with a bang.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I’m just so pleased that he led the team the way he did today, he was unreal and magnificent”, McCall continued.
“He competed for everything in the game and that meant his teammates just followed suit. He’s got a magnificent influence over the group when he’s in that kind of mood, especially in these sorts of games when everything’s on the line – he led incredibly well today.”
Bath’s hopes to make the playoffs took a slight dent thanks to Farrell’s men, but Van Graan remained positive in his conclusion of the match, saying:
“We actually came out of this game stronger. We’re disappointed that we lost the game, but congratulations to Saracens, that’s why they are the Champions.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It was a titanic battle and I shook Mark’s hand afterwards and said ‘across the 80 you guys were better than us’ so no issues with that.
“For us, we came within one moment of beating them in a in a titanic game we’ll take our one point and we’re just going to keep running our own race as we’ve been doing all season.”
Saracens, who now sit in second place in the table, head into the final two rounds with important battles against playoff rivals Bristol and Sale – two must win matches otherwise they could be relying on other fixtures.
Bath, on the other hand find themselves travelling to winless Premiership strugglers Newcastle Falcons, before their vital final match at home to Northampton Saints on what Is expected to be a sellout occasion.
Comments on RugbyPass
Let’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
121 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
1 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
5 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
121 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
36 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
5 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
121 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
36 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
36 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
16 Go to comments