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The Tight Five: This Week's Biggest Matches on Rugby Pass
We preview the five best matches to catch on Rugby Pass this week.
NRL: Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs (Friday March 25, 1:00pm HKT)
The NRL’s Good Friday double-header kicks off with this classic Sydney grudge match, before heading north for a replay of the 2015 Grand Final with the Broncos hosting the Cowboys. The Rabbitohs had a tough Sunday afternoon at the SCG, going down 6-8 to the Dragons in torrential rain and losing star forward Sam Burgess with a scary neck injury. The Bulldogs also come in off a loss after the Eels’ Semi Radradra tore them to pieces on Saturday night. Not a lot in it, but the extra day of recovery might give the Bulldogs a slight advantage.
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Super League: Warrington vs Widnes (Friday March 25, 11:00pm HKT)
The Widnes bandwagon is gathering momentum after the Vikings’ sensational come-from-behind win at Wigan last week, but their position atop the Super League table comes under threat again this weekend when they travel to meet the unbeaten Warrington Wolves. Two of the league’s most attacking sides – Wolves put 56 points past Castleford last weekend – slugging it out for top spot, this has got all the marks of a high-scoring thriller.
Super Rugby: Sharks vs Crusaders (Saturday March 26, 11:05pm HKT)
Super Rugby was super weird last weekend. The Sharks looked to have sunk the Bulls in Pretoria – all Joe Pietersen needed to do was slot an easy penalty and the game was theirs, but he missed and it ended 16-16. The Sharks remain the only unbeaten team in Super Rugby, but the traveling Crusaders – fresh from a confidence-boosting drubbing of the Kings – should ask some much tougher questions of the Sharks’ defence.
Aviva Premiership: Saracens vs Chiefs (Saturday March 26, 11:15pm HKT)
Defending champs Saracens were knocked from the top of the Aviva Premiership table last weekend after losing a tight tussle at Leicester. The team that took their place at the top? Exeter Chiefs, who they host this weekend, and who come in off a win over Saints last week. When they hosted Saracens earlier in the season they were pipped 14-11, and while this game shapes to be equally low-scoring it will be a huge indicator of where the two teams stand as they get closer to the playoffs in May.
Top 14: Racing 92 vs Toulon (Sunday March 27, 1:30am HKT)
With a heavy schedule in the coming weeks, and perhaps with one eye to this weekend’s heavyweight clash, Racing 92 rested a handful of their best players last weekend and were humiliated 60-7 by Montpellier. That result has left their position in the top two of the table looking very vulnerable, and a loss to Toulon – the competition favourites – could see them fall as low as fourth. Toulon come in off a bye last week, so their whole squad is rested for what will be a defining match in the Top 14 season.
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments