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Saracens fans respond to Dave Rennie's accusations about their team's alleged underhand 'tactics'

By Josh Raisey
A bloodied Jamie George

Glasgow face a very tough test this Saturday as they travel to Allianz Park to take on Saracens in the quarter-final of the Champions Cup.

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The Premiership champions are one of the main contenders to lift the Champions Cup this season, and having beaten Glasgow home and away in their pool, they will surely have the upper hand at home. Therefore, Glasgow coach Dave Rennie has done all he can to give his side an edge going into their encounter.

The New Zealander has highlighted how Saracens try to con the referee into changing decisions, effectively by creating a scene after an error. Rennie has explained that this is a trait that he has seen in every game Sarries play.

However, many Saracens have come out in support of their team, claiming that this is gamesmanship, which has always, and will always be rife in the game.

Many fans think that antics like this are indicative of any successful team, and while some Glasgow fans have objected to Saracens’ attitude, a lot of fans feel this is just part of rugby. In fact, England World Cup winner Neil Back commented on Twitter saying this is a winning mentality. Back was one player who certainly knew how to push the law to the limits, but equally knew a lot about successful teams and winning mentalities, having played for both England and Leicester during their glory years.

This is what the fans are saying:
https://twitter.com/NeilBack/status/1110842539526025217
https://twitter.com/LargeRugby/status/1110833083945750529
https://twitter.com/MarianEWeadick/status/1110844308310114305
https://twitter.com/Daniel17_Twitch/status/1110678730568028160
https://twitter.com/BenBellamy365/status/1110826555872296960
https://twitter.com/tim_clappy/status/1110827998821920768
https://twitter.com/JulianGent/status/1110826367665561602

Clearly, this is not just Saracens fans that have had a pop at Rennie, as many have accused him of whinging ahead of the game. Nonetheless, just as gamesmanship is commonplace in rugby, so is coaches trying to influence a referee before a match. Press conferences are a perfect way to do this, and Rennie has wisely highlighted something that may play on referee Nigel Owens’ mind. Then again, Owens is arguably the best referee in the world, and is rarely swayed on or off the field.

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Jon 5 hours ago
The case for keeping the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific

I 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.

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