Watchability Rankings November 2017
The Autumn Internationals have dominated rugby headlines in recent weeks, so for this month’s Watchability Rankings, we thought we’d cast the net a little wider and include international sides in our breakdown of the must-watch sides from November. Inclusion is based on the performances each side has produced over the past month, whether that’s the product of phenomenal skill or a horrifying train wreck.
4: Gloucester
Gloucester’s remarkable run of late which has seen them lose only once in the last six games was capped off by an emphatic victory away at Newcastle on Friday night, which saw the Cherry & Whites climb to third in the Premiership. Whilst they’d be back down in fifth by the end of the weekend, it’s nonetheless an impressive accomplishment for a side many were anticipating might be staring at the southern end of the table this season. The four-try Newcastle victory was all well and good, but the real reason for their inclusion in this list has to be their dramatic comeback win against table-toppers Saracens. Heading into the tunnel at Kingsholm 3-9 down, Gloucester somehow racked up 20 points against Saracen’s formidable defence in the second half, and only a late penalty from Ben Spencer meant Saracens got anything out of the game. Gloucester remain unbeaten at home and, whilst not as picture-perfect as other sides, they’re getting those all-important wins to prove the doubters wrong.
3: South Africa
From impressive wins to…something else. South African rugby has become something of a go-to punching bag of late, so it seems a little harsh to include them in this list. However, there’s certainly a sense of morbid fascination to be had from watching a once-proud rugby nation with bags of potential making history for all the wrong reasons. They kicked off their tour with a record-setting loss to an impressive Ireland side in Dublin, with the 38-3 drubbing the largest winning margin Ireland have ever had over the Springboks. An unconvincing one-point victory over France followed, and whilst some honour was restored with a 6-35 thrashing of Italy, South Africa will not be looking forward to this weekend’s visit to Cardiff to take on Wales. South Africa’s inclusion in this list is largely down to the curiosity to be had from seeing exactly what’s going to happen next – both on the field and off.
2: Worcester
There’s a new in-form team in the Midlands of late, and it’s not who you’d expect. Worcester have done the double over both Leicester and Northampton this month, and in the process might have just about done enough to secure their Premiership safety for another year. Things off the field might not be completely rosy, but having won at Welford Road for the first time in 122 years, as well as embarrassing a pitiful Saints side, things at Sixways are looking up. Not only were the results impressive but so were the performances, with a hat-trick of tries from Bryce Heem contributing to a bonus point victory over the Saints, and were it not for a late Gareth Owens try at Welford Road the scoreline would have been even more impressive. Worcester now head to Sale full of confidence, and if they can keep their dangerous backline involved, they’re more than capable of pulling off another very entertaining performance.
1: Scotland
What can be said about Scotland that hasn’t been said already? For the past few years, Scotland have been undergoing the kind of journey usually only seen in summer blockbusters or particularly well-written professional wrestling. After coming agonizingly close against Australia in the 2015 World Cup, everyone’s favourite underdogs have been getting better and better, only to find themselves facing another setback, before dusting themselves off and continuing their upward climb. Nothing has exemplified this better than their performances this month. They opened the series with an emotional battle against a tough Samoa side before last-minute heartbreak saw Stuart Hogg knock on just shy of securing a famous victory over the All Blacks. Having made the best side in the world work so hard only to see New Zealand take home the win anyway would have deflated any other team, but Scotland seem to made of sterner stuff than most (something about girders…). A week later, Scotland obliterated an in-form Australia side with their largest ever winning margin over the Wallabies. In true Scotland style, they added a pinch of drama with the injury to Hogg in the warm-up, but after a brutal clear out saw Sekope Kepu sent off, Scotland capitalised and eventually put eight tries past the Aussies. Scotland top our most watchable list for their stellar performances and guaranteed drama provided the sound of bagpipes doesn’t leave you reaching for the earplugs.
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments