This Week’s Biggest Matches On Rugby Pass
We preview the best matches to catch on Rugby Pass this weekend, including an emotional match for Munster, a record-setting match for the All Blacks and the Currie Cup decider.
Bledisloe Cup: New Zealand vs Australia (Saturday October 22, 2:35pm HKT)
The Bledisloe Cup may already be locked away in the NZ Rugby trophy cabinet for yet another year but the third test still has a fair bit on the line. The All Blacks are going for their 18th consecutive test win, which would break the record winning streak by a top tier nation – a record currently shared by the ‘65-’69 and ‘13-’14 All Blacks and the ‘97-’98 Springboks. The odds, form and history books are all stacked in favour of the home side – the All Blacks aced the Rugby Championship with six-from-six bonus point wins, and haven’t lost a game at Eden Park since 1994.
Champions Cup: Munster vs Glasgow (Saturday October 22, 8:00pm HKT)
Emotions will be running high at Thomond Park on Saturday when Munster play their first game since the shocking, tragic death of coach Anthony Foley in Paris last weekend. Their game against Racing 92 was rightfully postponed, whereas Pool 1 rivals Glasgow Warriors come into the match in prime form after a record 42-13 win over Leicester Tigers last weekend. But buoyed by a passionate home crowd expect Munster to leave nothing in reserve as they play to honour their talismanic leader.
Currie Cup: Cheetahs vs Blue Bulls (Saturday October 22, 10:00pm HKT)
The Free State Cheetahs put last year’s Currie Cup champion Golden Lions to the sword in their semifinal last weekend, keeping their perfect season alive with a 55-17 win which included a hat trick to Sergeal Petersen. The Blue Bulls’ path to the final was tougher, taking a 78th minute try from Ivan van Zyl to see them past Western Province, while lock RG Snyman left the game with a fractured skull. Unsurprisingly he’s out this weekend as the Bulls look to pull the rug from under the rampant Cheetahs. Both teams are competing in their first final since 2009, when the Blue Bulls won in Pretoria.
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Mitre 10 Cup: Canterbury vs Counties Manukau (Sunday October 23, 9:05am HKT)
They were shown up last weekend but Canterbury are still runaway favourites to win the Mitre 10 Cup title again this year – it takes more than one loss to dent their impressive record. Counties are having one of their best seasons since the glory days when Lomu and Vidiri prowled the wings, and they ran the defending champs ragged in the second half in Pukekohe. Can they do it a second week in a row, this time in Christchurch with a parochial crowd of Cantabs in the referee’s ear all game? The odds are against them, but what a glorious upset it would be.
Champions Cup: Leicester vs Racing 92 (Monday October 24, 12:30am HKT)
Leicester’s loss to Glasgow last weekend came as something of a surprise. Not so much the result – Warriors are a good side, and especially formidable at home – but the way in which it was achieved. With a final score of 42-13 the Tigers left Scotland on the wrong end of a hiding. Back at Welford Road this weekend, they face a Racing 92 side who are struggling to get back to the form which saw them win the Top 14 and reach the final of last year’s Champions Cup. A win here would put Tigers back on track and avenge their 19-16 semifinal loss to the Parisian club earlier this year.
Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments