Weekend Round-Up: Cards, Fightbacks, and Brief Returns
The pick of the weekend’s action from the northern hemisphere
Aviva Premiership: Newcastle Falcons v Bath
For the second week in a row, Newcastle’s Kingston Park provided the Friday-night lights for a breathtaking encounter as Dean Richards’ Falcons entertained Todd Blackadder’s Bath. The hosts were the quickest out of the blocks, with Vereniki Goneva scoring early, and threw the ball about with abandon – but the first-half was notable mostly for the wayward kicking of England fly-half George Ford, who missed his first two kicks at goal and was regularly outplayed by his less-illustrious opposite number Joel Hodgson. But the match exploded almost immediately after the restart as first the visitors stepped up a gear, then Newcastle responded to set up a dramatic finale.
Aviva Premiership: Northampton Saints v Bristol
Having watched this match, viewers who do not know the story of the English Premiership season so far would be hard-pressed to understand why Bristol are propping up the table, such was the quality of their performance against Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday. For long periods, the visitors – who before Christmas were giving opponents attacking bonus points as if they were running a score-one-try-get-one-free promotion – played the brighter rugby. If Bristol keep playing rugby like this – and in Jason Woodward, they have found a gem of a player – they could even pull off arguably the greatest rugby escape.
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Aviva Premiership: Saracens v Exeter Chiefs
Proof, if it was needed, that matches do not have to be high-scoring, mass-try affairs to be utterly absorbing. The English top-flight’s first red card under World Rugby’s newly toughened high tackle laws meant the champions – who were already missing the services of the Vunipola brothers, George Kruis and Owen Farrell – played with 14 men after 10 minutes. Five minutes later, they were 10-0 behind thanks to some wing-wizardry from England man Jack Nowell. And Exeter domination really should have been the story of the rest of the match – but Saracens, who have won the last four meetings between the two sides, had clearly not read the script. Or, if they had, they had thrown it out in favour of one they decided to write themselves on the spur of the moment.
Aviva Premiership: Wasps v Leicester Tigers
Half an hour into Aaron Mauger’s first game in charge of Leicester Tigers, the omens did not look good. His side were three tries and 19-0 down against a rampant Wasps at the Ricoh Arena. And what had started as a difficult day at the office against a side that was defending an 10-game unbeaten run at home looked certain to only get tougher – with James Haskell, Danny Cipriani, Joe Simpson and Rob Miller all chomping at the bit on a mighty bench. So, Mauger really should try to remember whatever it was he said in the changing room at halftime because the visitors were suddenly on the front foot and threatening from all angles. As for Haskell, brought on as Wasps were forced into desperate defence in the second half, his return from the injury that has kept him on the sidelines since the second Test of England’s tour of Australia in June lasted all of 35 seconds…
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“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.
24 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
4 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.
10 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 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)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments