Saracens expose same old problems for Saints
Once is a mistake but twice is a pattern and a second embarrassment in six weeks at the hands of the same opposition shows Northampton haven’t learned their lessons.
This was worse than that opening day defeat to Saracens in the Premiership. You can try to brush off a game like that at Twickenham as a one-off because you can say that it was on a neutral ground or a big pitch or that it was the first game of the season so you were rusty.
But to lose even more heavily than that, and in the manner that they did in front of their own fans, is unforgivable.
Going into the first game of the Champions Cup, you expect the team to be absolutely pumped and really fired up to make an impression, especially given that they had to work so hard to get into the competition and play for an extra couple of weeks at the end of last season in the play-offs.
Courtney Lawes showed some physicality but that was about it. They got bullied all over the pitch. It was a lacklustre performance and there wasn’t much evidence of physical intent for me.
It’s a cliché but forwards win you matches and backs decide by how many and I’ve thought for a while that, Lawes aside, this Saints pack just isn’t physical enough. When you take Louis Picamoles out of it from last season as well, it really is very underpowered.
Northampton have got a decent backline but if you can’t match the opposition up front and be as physical as them, then you’re in trouble.
When you get a second bite at the cherry against a team that embarrassed you just six weeks ago, the least you expect is a gung ho attitude, some real fight and a massive effort to physically dominate them.
It just didn’t look like there was any fight in that Northampton team and they looked shell-shocked from the very first minute.
I’ve been on the wrong end of hidings before but body language and giving the impression that you’re putting everything into the game physically is important and I just didn’t see that. You have to question the mentality of the players and ask how much playing for Northampton means to them.
They travel to Clermont this week and you have to hope there will be a reaction, as there was in round two of the Premiership campaign, but they’re on a hiding to nothing at the Stade Marcel Michelin.
That is one of the most intimidating places to play in the world and if you can’t turn up against Saracens on your own patch after you’ve been embarrassed against them six weeks ago, then you have no chance over there.
As bad as Northampton were, though, Saracens were unbelievable. There are a few pretenders to their European crown but that is the definition of laying down a marker. They have reasserted that they are the best team in Europe and shown that they intend to defend their title and are as serious as ever.
That’s 19 games unbeaten in the top tier of European competition now. Nobody has ever done that before. It’s a unique achievement and they’re a special group of players who look determined to emulate Toulon’s achievement of winning three straight European Cups. http://gty.im/861835092
Saints face Wasps when the Premiership returns and that game will be huge in terms of momentum and mood in the camp because a two-week break for the Anglo Welsh Cup follows that and then we’re into the autumn internationals.
Wasps have got their own issues at the moment, having lost five games on the spin, and they’ll be going into that match off the back of a cup final against Quins this weekend. Both will have been disappointed with their results in round one and the loser is, realistically, going to be out of the Champions Cup already.
Wasps were underpowered when they faced Saracens recently with 20-year-old Jack Willis starting and his 18-year-old brother Tom coming off the bench but at least they showed some fight and the desire to play for Wasps.
I didn’t see any Northampton player, apart from Lawes, looking like they really wanted to fight for the jersey.
They have certainly got a mental block playing against Saracens now but I think it’s more than that and they lack the power to compete at the highest level.
They won four games on the bounce before losing at Gloucester last week and went top of the Premiership briefly but I think that has papered over the cracks and this latest thrashing has exposed the fact that there are still major problems to be addressed.
Sport does give you the opportunity to right the wrongs of the previous week, though, and prove to everyone what you’re all about. They have got to go and get some pride back over in France but whether they can do that remains to be seen.
Comments on RugbyPass
Kinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to comments