1
Sharks and Toulouse dished up some preposterous tries this afternoon
In a thrilling Champions Cup quarter-final clash between Toulouse and the Sharks, both teams scored outrageous tries in the South of France. Despite the lopsided 54-20 scoreline in favour of the hosts, the match was a spectacle of tremendous skill and athleticism from both sides.
ADVERTISEMENT
Despite a valiant effort by the Sharks, Toulouse proved to be too much for the South African team, utterly dominating the second 40 minutes. The French side’s performance harked back to the type of free-flowing tries that the club is famous for.
In the first half it was however the URC side’s halfbacks that shone the brightest.
Sharks scrumhalf Grant Williams showcased incredible pace and timing to capitalize on a 50-meter break initiated by flyhalf Curwin Bosch, which started in the 22. Williams caught up with the South African flyhalf just as he was being tackled, grabbed the ball, and darted over the try line for a stunning score.
? ???? ?
An unreal try for @SharksRugby ?
The steps from Curwin Bosch. The pace from Grant Williams. Sublime ?#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/w3omuG9FJ2
— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 8, 2023
Not to be outdone, Toulouse fullback Thomas Ramos finished off a sweeping Toulouse move that was described as “vintage” by the BT Sports commentators. The try was a result of slick passing and offloading, as Toulouse players exchanged the ball with lightning-fast speed before Ramos received it and raced over the line.
Looking for dummies?
Don't ask @RomainNtamack He's sold all his to a bunch of South African tourists ?
? @ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/NCLvu7b9qr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 8, 2023
There was also a remarkable solo effort from Romain Ntamack, who dummied his way through the Sharks’ defence in the 78th minute.
Looking for dummies?
Don't ask @RomainNtamack He's sold all his to a bunch of South African tourists ?
? @ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/NCLvu7b9qr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 8, 2023
While Toulouse emerged as the clear winners, Champions Cup newbies the Sharks can take pride in their performance.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comments on RugbyPass
I agree ..come on keyboard warriors and journalists looking for a cheap win ….. only 2 mins to go 12 points down …this DID NOT decide the game and beside JM was hit after the whistle and in response it was a pat on the back of the head …harmless ….watch soccer if this is your issue
4 Go to commentsRest is for namby pamby sissies, I see. True men should overcome their trifling injuries by playing week in, week out. Bidwell’s stance reminds me of a Jon Gadsby character from the 70s, a rugby captain giving an after-match speech: “It was a very physical contest. One of our players caught a boot on the back of his head in a ruck, and he died, actually. But to his credit, he played on.”
1 Go to commentsI still see nothing in Sotutus play that hes changed his upright running style that failed so many times against decent international defences like the french. Other than that… Iose? Well you have covered his limitations well. If Sititi had been playing the the season… Jacobson? Grace?…Neither shout pick me. So Ardie it is.
1 Go to commentsThere isn’t one element you mentioned there that every top class or successful team gets up to. The great All blacks sides used to play on the ‘fringes or edge’ but it was essentially saying they were doing something illegal or borderline to gain dominance. The fine margins at the top are minute between the top sides. La Rochelle, the crusaders, Saracens, Toulon etc etc…..have all been accused. Get over it, the comment comes across as salty and naive. Northampton as well as they played to get back into the match were thoroughly beaten and controlled for 60 minutes and Leinster have only themselves to blame for kicking it away and hence losing control of the match and being nearly the architects of their own downfall.
2 Go to commentsThere is some talent coming thru thats for sure. The 10 looks special to me. Rico Simpson is a name to look for in the future.
1 Go to commentsI think this quiet honestly is just an innocent misunderstanding by someone who is pig sh*t stupid. Eben is a fine player but by christ, if he can’t understand or get what the Irish players were trying to say to him after the match…..well i hope he has someone looking after his finances, career and is reading the fine print for him, cause life after rugby may be quite difficult for the vacuous echo chamber.
27 Go to commentsIt could be Doris' day!
3 Go to commentsThe whole thing has blown up because Eben’s words have clearly struck a nerve in Ireland. Otherwise they would just laugh it off. I think some former Irish players, commentators and some Irish fans know deep down this Ireland team started to believe its own press and that a certain amount of arrogance had started to creep in during the World Cup. The topic was actually brought up by Irish pundits on Off the Ball recently. It’s fine to be arrogant if you can back it up. Ireland didn’t.
27 Go to comments‘The Irish are good people'. Why is Goode praising a people who hate his own? Wet wipe.
27 Go to commentsLa mejor final que se puede ver en el emisferio norte.
1 Go to commentsA lot of cope from south africans in the comments. Etzebeth is a liar and a hypocrite; you don’t have to defend him!
27 Go to commentsHe got big and really slow for a flyhalf…not sure he’s relevant in a bok conversation anymore
4 Go to commentsBest tourney team vs best team in the regular season for 3 games in RSA - talk is cheap, let’s see what’s what on the tour
27 Go to commentsOne overlooked statistic from their 2016 winning season is the Huricanes are still the only team in Super rugby history not to concede a try during the playoff rounds.
4 Go to commentsThanks for the article, Nick. The Nienaber blitz D does ask a lot of its scrumhalf. I have been watching JGP on D and he often looks like he has mastered what Nienaber asks for better than Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach! 🤣 Impressive season by JGP if I must make an understatement.
22 Go to commentsOkay last one. I promise. I think it’s despicable for Andy Goode to suggest that Eben can’t count to 12. To be fair he only had to count to 8 - the number of Irishmen who DIDN’T say that. Less the 3 kiwis of course. 23 - 12 - 3 = 8. See Joe. I can do maffs.
27 Go to commentsCheers, Nick! How do you see the Reds’ Jock Campbell’s play this year? Not as strong a carrier as Andrew Kellaway or Tom Wright, but does avoid errors. Do you see Joe Schmidt as wanting safety first at 15 or a try-assisting counterattacker?
91 Go to commentsI’m sure this was all just a big misunderstanding. Irishmen and Afrikaaners conversing in a noisey stadium. Not easy to get the right messages across. A minefield.
27 Go to commentsSay what you will about Andy Goode. But he is right about one thing… I’m not sure what that one thing is exactly… but I’m willing to hear him out.
27 Go to commentsAnother article to bait and trigger Irish fans. This must stop.
27 Go to comments