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Weekend Round-Up: Five of the best from the Top 14 and Aviva Premiership
High-tension, high-scoring, all-action games from the Top 14 and Aviva Premiership to watch while you wait impatiently for the next round of the Six Nations and/or the start of the Super Rugby season.
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Aviva Premiership: Worcester Warriors vs Exeter Chiefs
Full Game | Condensed
There’s something about Exeter. A week after they were involved in a 70-point 10-try thriller at Sandy Park, they headed to Sixways – this time for an 11-try, 80-point extravaganza. Three of the visitors seven tries came in 10 minutes early in the second half, while Warriors’ Alafoti Faosiliva was in the sin-bin for a clumsy off-the-ball tackle. Despite that setback, the hosts – 11th in the table and desperate to put clear water between themselves and basement club Bristol – kept up the fight until the final whistle, managing a vital try-scoring bonus of their own at the death.
Top 14: Clermont v Bayonne
Full Game | Condensed
Clermont are used to being in the mix for top spot in the Top 14, but the pressure this season is coming from an unlikely source. Having seen La Rochelle beat Stade Francais the previous evening, Franck Azema’s men knew only a bonus-point win over bottom-of-the-table Bayonne would be good enough to take them back to the head of the table. What followed at Stade Marcel Michelin involved nine tries, three of them coming in the last five minutes – and the matter of the hosts’ bonus point still very much in the balance after the hooter sounded.
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Top 14: Pau vs Grenoble
Full Game | Condensed
Pau were looking for their sixth Top 14 win in a row to consolidate their place in the all-important top six. Grenoble, for whom the Six Nations break could not have come at a worse time, were looking to build on a domestic improvement as their Irish head coach plots an unlikely great escape from the relegation zone. After Pau’s Colin Slade had opened the scoring with a 40-yard drop goal, the visitors drew first try-scoring blood. The two sides continued to duke it out all game, as lowly Grenoble refused to give up, and the result was far from a foregone conclusion until the closing minutes.
Top 14: Bordeaux vs Castres Olympique
Full Game | Condensed
What do you get when a side that has not won a match at home for three months entertains one that has only won once on the road this season? You get this tense, all-action affair which takes on extra importance as the business-end of the Top 14 season looms closer. Results elsewhere in France this weekend meant that this was a must-win game for both teams, who have ambitions of the play-offs and a place in next season’s Champions League. At the end of the 80 minutes, one of them has seen itself cast adrift of the all-important top six places, while the other leapt up the table to – for a while at least – third.
Aviva Premiership: Newcastle Falcons vs Northampton Saints
Full Game | Condensed
Kingston Park descended into an early silence as notorious slow starters Northampton fairly exploded out of the blocks and raced in two tries in the opening six minutes. While that would have been enough to see other sides roll over and die, Dean Richards’ Falcons have been hewn out of sterner stuff – and clawed their way back into a game that is worth the entry fee simply for the non-stop opening period. The second period was even better, as the two side matched the try-count of Worcester and Exeter.
Comments on RugbyPass
What a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to comments