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Weekend round-up: We should have semifinals every week
The northern hemisphere was the place to be this weekend as the Aviva Premiership and Pro12 semifinals and Top 14 barrages set an impossibly high bar for next week’s finals.
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Pro12: Leinster vs Scarlets
The history books say away sides do not win Pro12 semifinals. Scarlets set out to prove history is bunk with a stunning performance at the RDS – as they touched down three times in the opening half. But then they were forced into full-on defensive mode as a fully Lions-loaded Leinster started a fightback after the Welsh visitors had lost Steff Evans to a red card.
Top 14: Toulon vs Castres Olympique
Mourad Boudjellal said after this game that the refereeing of Alexandre Ruiz had driven him 10 years closer to the grave. Both sides had reasons to be upset at some of the decisions, but they somehow duked out an encounter at Stade Mayol that, on more-than-several occasions, nudged the tensionometer into the red.
Aviva Premiership: Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens
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Do you remember that scene in The Usual Suspects, when conman Verbal Kint graphically describes Keyser Soze’s ‘willpower’ to FBI agent Dave Kujan? Yeah. That one. This match was that scene played out over 80 minutes in the form of a rugby battle of Sandy Park. It was no tryfest – but there was brutal beauty in its sporting savagery.
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Top 14: Montpellier vs Racing 92
Not even the die-hardest of Racing fans gave their side much of a chance of beating brutal and direct Montpellier on their home turf – especially after the last meeting here between the two sides ended in a 54-3 humiliation. But, clearly, no one in the ciel-et-blue camp had read the script for the match. Or, if they had, they’d Brandoed it in favour of something better. Joe Rokocoko and Leone Nakarawa were both outstanding. Then, there’s the sheer comedy joy of seeing a wayward rugby ball smack referee Romain Poite in the unmentionables.
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Aviva Premiership: Wasps vs Leicester Tigers
Exeter vs Saracens was always going to be a tough game to follow. After the two sides at Sandy Park had ramped the Premiership semifinals intensity all the way up to 11, matching it seemed almost impossible. But, Wasps and Leicester more-than managed it with a dogfight at the Ricoh that barely paused for breath. The second half, in particular, was extraordinary. For the second time in as many 2017 Premiership semi-finals, the outcome remained in the balance until beyond the death.
Pro12: Munster vs Ospreys
Truth be told, this encounter was a mostly cagey, defensive affair. But a moment of magic from the hosts’ back three lit up Thomond Park midway through the second half. It would grace just about any rugby highlights package. Meanwhile, departing centre Francis Saili bade farewell to the Limerick faithful with a barnstorming man-of-the-match performance.
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments