Weekend Round-Up: Tigers, Tyros ... and Nip-Tuck Matches
Anglo-Welsh Cup: Leicester v Northampton
Full Game | Condensed
Leicester came into this Anglo-Welsh Cup match on a five-match losing streak, adding an extra twist or two of nervous apprehension to a derby that was always going to be a tense affair. And so it proved, though casual observers watching the first half may still be wondering why the hosts’ form in recent weeks has varied between the dismal and the awful. The Tigers – featuring the Anglo-Welsh Cup’s requisite ‘much-changed side’ from usual Premiership and European line-ups – were on the front foot for much of the first period. But Northampton were not about to let their rivals from 40 miles up the M1 motorway have it all their own way.
Top 14: Toulon v La Rochelle
Full Game | Condensed
Stade Mayol has been an unhappy hunting ground for La Rochelle for more than 40 years. The side from the Atlantic coast of France, currently riding high in the Top 14, had not tasted victory on the shores of the Mediterranean since the 1974/75 season of the old French championship. It’s fair to say Toulon are not the unstoppable force they have been – but they had been unbeaten at home in the Top 14 since Brive shocked them in September and included superstars Bryan Habana, Matt Giteau, Ma’a Nonu, Josua Tuisova and Juan Smith in their ranks. And when the hosts were awarded a penalty try with six minutes left on the clock at the end of a nip-tuck match, you would be forgiven for thinking it was all over. It definitely wasn’t.
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Top 14: Castres Olympique v Montpellier
Full Game | Condensed
Don’t select the replay of this game and then go and make a cup of tea, because … 55 seconds. That’s how long it took for Castres’ tyro scrum-half Antoine Dupont to score the first try of the game. On the rare occasions a game starts as dramatically as this, the remaining 79 minutes can turn out to be a little dull. Not so this seven-try encounter at Stade Pierre Antoine, the fourth time these sides have met in all competitions this season. The two sides traded tries throughout a match that was by turns brutally direct then beautifully fluid and open.
Top 14: Bordeaux v Clermont
Full Game | Condensed
In the 66th minute of the weekend’s final match, Clermont’s replacement hooker John Ulugia burst through the Bordeaux defence, and hammered towards the line – with only scrum-half Yann Lesgourges and fullback Jean Buttin between him and a certain touchdown under the posts. What happened next defies belief, and maybe even the laws of physics. Clermont – missing six first-team regulars to Six Nations duty and Wesley Fofana through injury – had fought their way back from 14-0 down after 18 minutes to be just three points behind at the time, and were chasing the win they needed to reclaim their long-held position at the head of the Top 14 table. Like Toulon v La Rochelle, this match went to the wire – and Clermont new boy Stephen Brett, on a short-term cover contract, had the final say.
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
32 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA 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?
13 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.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 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.
27 Go to comments