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Stirring showing sees Scarlets into Champions Cup semis
Leigh Halfpenny kicked 19 points as the Scarlets produced a stirring performance to reach the semi-finals of the European Champions Cup with a 29-17 win over La Rochelle on Friday.
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Playing in their first Champions Cup knockout phase since a run to semi-finals of the then Heineken Cup in 2007, extra seats needed to be installed to take the capacity at Parc y Scarlets up to 15,000, the minimum requirement for the quarter-finals.
And those who crammed into those new seats were treated to a brilliantly dogged display from the Pro12 champions, who were able to progress despite injuries to wings Paul Asquith and Steff Evans.
Though Alexis Bales crossed for La Rochelle, Halfpenny’s ability from the tee kept the Scarlets ahead and Rhys Patchell and Scott Williams went over as they set up a semi-final with Leinster or Saracens.
See you in the semi-finals @Scarlets_Rugby!#ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/FecAut7S1r
— Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) March 30, 2018
Halfpenny opened the scoring in the fifth minute but was at fault as the Top 14 side scored the game’s first try, misjudging a chipped kick from Arthur Retiere before being beaten to the ball by Bales.
Asquith’s withdrawal forced flanker James Davies to take up position out wide but, despite that blow, the boot of Halfpenny turned the game back in the Scarlets’ favour.
He nailed three further first-half penalties, but Bales answered just before half-time with a three-pointer of his own.
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Another kick from Halfpenny stretched the advantage back to five points soon after the restart, though he soon had to shift out to the wing after Evans came off for a head injury assessment having been on the receiving end of an elbow.
Congratulations @scarlets_rugby Hard fought win. SF to look forward to can now watch the rest of the weekend’s rugby with a smile on their face. @ChampionsCup
— Scott Quinnell (@ScottQuinnell) March 30, 2018
Even with that misfortune the sense it was their day must have been growing among the Scarlets fans as the hosts held firm amid a passage of play in which La Rochelle piled immense pressure on their line.
And the decisive blow was struck in style as Hadleigh Parkes spun away from a tackle to break free before the ball was worked wide for Patchell, who passed up the chance to offload to Halfpenny and finished confidently.
Will Boyde was sin-binned for the hosts and Halfpenny produced a rare miss, but makeshift wing Davies showcased some excellent handling to set up Williams to surge over, with Pierre Boudehent’s late breakaway try scant consolation for La Rochelle.
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Comments on RugbyPass
You ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
32 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks 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?
32 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.
5 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.
5 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
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 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.
5 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 …..
32 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
32 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
19 Go to comments