Wyles bows out in style as Saracens regain Premiership crown
The retiring Chris Wyles enjoyed a dream send-off as Saracens clinically regained their status as the best team in England with a 27-10 victory over Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership final at Twickenham.
Domestic kings in 2015 and 2016, as well as European Cup winners in the two seasons prior to this one, Sarries lost in the Premiership semi-finals to eventual champions Exeter 12 months ago.
The Chiefs also finished top of the pile in the regular season this term, but they were ruthlessly beaten on Saturday as Mark McCall’s side produced a hugely impressive display and overcame a second-half injury for Owen Farrell.
In the final appearance of his professional career, veteran wing Wyles crossed in each half to leapfrog Josh Lewsey as the man with the most tries in Premiership finals.
3 – @Saracens' @ChrisWyles is the first player to score in three @premrugby finals. Trick. #EXEvSAR ??? pic.twitter.com/Bn56J4mIYN
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) May 26, 2018
Saracens’ success also ensured Schalk Brits ended his glorious career with the club on a high note, although the hooker did spend 10 minutes in the sin bin after coming on as a second-half replacement.
Trailing by 16 points when Brits was yellow-carded, Exeter piled on the pressure with a numerical advantage and reduced their arrears through a converted Gareth Steenson try.
Farrell – named as England’s captain for the upcoming tour of South Africa – then limped off to add to his side’s worries, but Saracens were not to be denied and Nathan Earle’s 79th-minute score confirmed their success.
The Chiefs totally dominated the early exchanges, Joe Simmonds landing one penalty and pushing another wide before their opponents had enjoyed any possession.
However, when Saracens did eventually get hands on the ball, they capitalised ruthlessly with two tries in quick succession.
Alex Goode has scarcely featured for England under Eddie Jones, but there can be no doubting his value at club level and the full-back played a key role in both scores.
It was Goode who latched on to a chip over the top from Owen Farrell when Saracens first attacked, setting in motion a brief spell of pressure that culminated in Billy Vunipola crashing over from first receiver.
Try time | Great first try of the game from Billy Vunipola! pic.twitter.com/5Sd7Edar4H
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) May 26, 2018
Goode then made a delightful half-break before releasing Sean Maitland, who duly laid on a simple finish for fellow wing Wyles.
Exeter struggled to threaten in response and were grateful for Farrell missing his second conversion attempt and a subsequent penalty in windy conditions.
Farrell did hit the target nine minutes into the second half, splitting the posts from the touchline after Saracens had made the most of numbers on the left to hand Wyles another routine score.
The Chiefs were given hope when Brits was sin-binned for collapsing a maul and fellow replacement Steenson scored before converting his own try with 16 minutes remaining.
After pulling up from the subsequent kick-off, Farrell was replaced to provide a concern for watching England coach Jones, but Saracens soon steadied the ship and Ben Spencer knocked over a penalty prior to Earle’s late try.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments