Saints and Quins laugh in the face of detractors
Nearly two years unbeaten at home in the Premiership against one of the league’s poorest away teams should have resulted in a routine victory for Wasps against Harlequins. Not so. The 2012 champions turned up with a point to prove and got stuck in as soon as the game was underway. A frenetic opening half saw a host of opportunities, a Marland Yarde try for Quins, a Christian Wade one for Wasps, and points from the boots of Danny Cipriani and the excellent Marcus Smith, as well as a yellow card for James Haskell. The Londoners continued to turn on the heat, with Charlie Walker dotting down, before Wasps capitalised on a Kyle Sinkler yellow. As the game wore down, it looked like Wasps may stretch away, but a silly Cipriani yellow gave the visitors the perfect opportunity to kick their way a 24-21 victory. With it went the Premiership’s only 100% start and sets up possibly the most open competition for years.
What a difference two weeks can make in sport. A mere fortnight ago, Northampton’s season looked over before it had even started, capitulating against Saracens on the opening day and having to deal with a barrage of criticism from the media and fans alike. Now, having beaten arch-rivals Leicester last week, they continue their determined fightback to be seen as genuine contenders, rather than also-rans after a resounding 24-6 bonus-point win over Bath. The physicality of the home side was encapsulated by their engine-room pairing of Courtney Lawes and David Ribbans, who claimed three of the four tries between them (George North with the other). With a few seemingly easier fixtures around the corner, Northampton could be finding themselves back amongst the big-time sooner, rather than later.
Newcastle and Saracens played out a match full of physicality, if a little short on error-free and imaginative attacking play, in front of a sparse American crowd. The Londoners were the 29-7 victors, having used Owen Farrell’s boot to punish the indiscipline of the “hosts”, after struggling to break down their organised defensive wall.
A first – and much-needed – victory of the season was ensured by Leicester Tigers when Gloucester came to Welford Road. Tries from Ben Youngs (2) and Nick Malouf helped them into a comfortable 21-0 half-time lead, but they couldn’t grab the bonus point, with Gloucester holding them to a 24-10 final score. Exeter turned on the style to smash a struggling Worcester 41-10, whilst Denny Solomona scored a double in a 36-7 Sale win over London Irish.
Tight wins ensure Munster, Ulster and Glasgow stay unbeaten
A late Tyler Bleyendaal penalty gave Munster just enough breathing space against Ospreys as they held on for a 21-16 win in Swansea. It was a third victory from three for last season’s runners-up, but started poorly for them after a James Hook opening try. They came back strongly to lead at the interval from a couple of tries of their own. Ospreys kept in touch, but just didn’t have the firepower to get past the Munster men.
Glasgow also just about held on to keep their 100% record intact, inflicting yet another loss on Cardiff, 20-19. Steve Shingler missed a crucial late penalty, which would have given the Welsh the victory. Last season’s champions Scarlets were beaten 27-20 by Ulster, who had to come from behind on a couple of occasions.
Edinburgh suffered a shock 20-17 home defeat to Treviso, which was the first victory outside of Italy for the visitors in 41 games. Cheetahs got their first Pro14 win against Zebre in a free-scoring 54-39 game, but fellow South Africans, Southern Kings, are still struggling to get started, losing to Leinster 31-10. Dragons finally have something to cheer about, having beaten Connacht 21-8.
New Zealand inches away from another title
It looks all set to be a Rugby Championship title retention for New Zealand after a stunning victory over South Africa. Just as people were starting to see chinks in the fine chainmail armour of the All Blacks, they break their record winning margin over the Springboks. Eight tries, including a Nehe Milner-Skudder brace, helped them to a 57-0 destruction, leaving them a victory away from the trophy. Australia managed to put a torrid first half behind them as they smashed Argentina 45-20.
Stade still struggling
Stade Francais find themselves languishing in the relegation zone after an embarrassing 53-17 defeat at the hands of Toulouse. They are underpinned only by Brive, who themselves slumped 62-6 to Clermont. Lyon, on the other hand, keep flying high courtesy of a 49-14 win over Bordeaux. La Rochelle won at Agen 20-15, whilst Pau beat Castres 28-13, and Racing got a 25-13 win over Oyonnax. Montpellier’s surge also continued, crusing to a 43-20 win over Toulon.
Hero of the week
When you haven’t won away from home in a ridiculous length of time, you need big performances. Angelo Esposito’s brace was the perfect platform for Treviso to claim that crucial win in Edinburgh.
Villain of the week
Whilst I love the idea of expanding the game and taking it to new markets, it must be done well and be seen as a genuine success. The Newcastle versus Saracens game suffered on two major fronts: a swathe of empty seats; and a dour game to match. I’m not saying don’t try again, but certainly ensure that it is a sell-out at least. Big international games seem like a more logical starting point.
Try of the week
Beauden Barrett’s pass to Nehe Milner-Skudder for his first was sublime. I really cannot say any more.
Discussion points
– Will Saints and Quins find themselves back as title contenders?
– What can be done about “cracking America”?
– Which Pro14 unbeaten record will go on the longest?
– Were New Zealand’s frailties just a figment of our imagination, or was this a one-off amazing performance?
by Joe Large
About the USA trip; Here’s a few suggestions of how to do it better next time:
1. Don’t hold it when the NFL, College Football, & amateur Rugby seasons are playing.
2. Hold it in a city that already has a thriving amateur rugby scene.
3. Hold it in a stadium that isn’t in one of the roughest parts of the city.
4. Go all out with local schools & colleges, handing out free/very cheap tickets.
5. Charter a couple of planes and make affordable travel packages for UK fans (well in advance of the game so people can book the required time off work, etc).
Good suggestions; I know its a minor sport but was still really surprised to see so many empty seats. You’d have thought the marketing guys would have gone all out to make sure it was at least half-full.
I would also add to that list, a part of the country which isn’t so humid the players can’t keep their hands on the ball because they are sweating so much.
Based on the first 4 rounds of the Rugby Championship, is it now making the Lions efforts down in NZ even more incredible? A drawn series having played three away matches really is quite something.
In addition to that, are the NH sides now NZ’s biggest threat? I’d expect to see both England and Ireland beat the other 3 SH sides come the AI series.
Jacob – the Lions played very well no doubt about that and I agree Eng and Ire are NZ’s biggest challengers at this point.
However “incredible” in not the word I would use. There were mitigating circumstances in the Lions series that B&I Lions supporters conveniently sweep under the carpet.
1. RED card 2nd test for 55 mins = impossible to win against a very good team. The Lions were actually pretty poor in the 2nd test and should have won by 10+.
2. NZ missing 11,12,13,14,15 3rd test (12,14,15 all played in RWC final) and the young backs (2 on debut) bombed 3 tries in 1st half alone that weren’t quite up to the Lions.
I am picking another NZ v Aus RWC final – Aus may make you laugh at this point in time but a) Eng have to play NZ in semi b) aus always outperform NH in RWC and c) Ireland never perform in RWC
Jacko
Don’t agree. You are in the realm of what ifs.
You could equally argue…”Oh but what if The Lions had had BillyV and a fit Tuilagi!
They didn’t have them and NZ had their player absentees too but sport deals with the reality of real situations in real time (problems with player selection included).
The 3 x test results were just as relevant and real as any other.
What if it hadn’t rained so much (it probably suited the Lions)? But that’s rugby and learning to win in all conditions IS RUGBY.
The whole AB counter argument is like conspiracy theory belief and certainly akin to some form of denial.
E.g England’s victory in 2012 didn’t count because the ABs had the novovirus! I wonder when an England or Lions victory will COUNT in AB eyes!
AlexD – a fit Tuilagi? You are clutching at straws. Cant defend, cant kick, very little between the ears. J Davies was the best lions back by a mile. Farrell not far behind. I left out Dane Coles in exchange for Billy V both of whom are top 4 forwards in rugby with Itoje, Retallick.
The scary thing for you lot is NZ have finally figured out how to manage the RWC cycles. They (and the NZ rugby public) are prepared to lose more in pursuit of developing youngsters for RWC which 10 years ago was unacceptable.
Jacko
Only “clutching at straws” as you put it because you were inhabiting the land of What Ifs!
Everyone can play that game and its not difficult!
Eddie Jones is going to give you the scare of your life!
Jaco
Some info for you. IMO, judging form past exp, engaging with AlexD is tantamount to attempting a rational conversation with Donald Trump. Up to you of course, but good luck if you do so. Regrds.
Thanks for the name check. I take it as a complement!
Completely disagree with your mitigating circumstances. As AlexD says, the Lions would been stronger with Billy Vunipola and even Manu Tuilagi. Not to mention someone like Ben Youngs off the bench, or Hogg at fullback would have been first choice too.
The red – yes it gave the Lions an in. But they took it, and the red was correct. If you want to play with XV, don’t clobber the opposition in the face with your arm after half hour.
Don’t disagree with you come RWC time. However, I would say that Ireland possibly have one of the best teams they’ve ever had, so I expect them to do better than previously.
“If you want to play with XV, don’t clobber the opposition in the face with your arm after half hour”
To be fair, both Mako and SoB got off lightly in that regard…
Teamcam
Disagree. They got off because it was a get offable offence and the ref got them off! Period!
It was and is rugby!
Get over it!
We also don’t need to justify victories against the ABs.
Assuming your British we also don’t need to placate or ‘big up’ the ABs in any shape or form!
Settle down, luv, we’re all grown-ups here and presumably aware that the sport we’re discussing is rugby, so no need for the histrionics. Maybe pour yourself a little glass of prosecco and calm down a bit…
Teamcam
Had an entire bottle after reading your post
TeamCam
Agree that ‘Mako and SoB got off lightly in that regard…’. Naholo, e.g., DIDN’T return from his HIA after O’Brien practised forearm therapy on his head. Yr new mate AlexD will adv you you that black is white of course, but then his recent bout of shock treatment has obviously failed. You’ve been warned!
‘The red’ – well it succeeded for O’Brien on Naholo didn’t it? But it works when it goes FOR you I suppose. Take off the insular, rosey specs fella.
Don P
Decisions are decisions! Stop whingeing pist event. According to the Aussies the english are “whingeing poms” but your kiwi complaints drag on and on. Its done. Its dusted. The ref made his decision. You want to go and take it up with the ref personally…. go ahaead but failing that go and make a career change as an international ref or put up and sh*t up!
Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jacko
Agree, but then you’re being objective! I suspect that because the NH have such relatively ltd success v the SH, they clutch @ a win or draw, esp so as in the case of the last Lions series, as ‘incredible’. Incredible would have been a series win, rather than merely a 50% win rate on tour. Wonder what EJ would think?
Don P
The reason Lions fans and the media were happy (they weren’t exstatic) with the result was because of the nature of the tour. It is only the Kiwis that don’t GET the Lions. Aussies and Saffas do!
The Lions is like a touring pub team of disparate parties coming together for a one-off tour (an analogy that with todays professionalism excludes the beer drinking) Indeed a Lions tour happens, as we all know, very infrequently and its continued existence was even under threat because of fixture congestion and player exhaustion.
In effect it means the ABs should have SLAUGHTERED these individuals who had NEVER played together (they are disparate internationals under a single umbrella) Imagine it……new calls, code words, moves, tactics and working relationships to form (as well as a different culture to understand and win over). Not to mention the virulently hostile media reception. Then they have to win their matches that upon this occasion were scheduled absurdly compressed into a small window.
From our perspective the result is magnified, augmented and blown up above and beyond the mundane reaction provoked by any bog standard international result. Quite rightly in my opinion. The obstacles and hurdles of a Lions tour are immense (the last one most of all). It’s not like England popping round to Twickers in the tour bus for a home game! The Lions laugh in the face of adversity. In fact that is why they are the Lions.
Warren at some stage will be made a ‘Sir’ and quite rightly so for services rendered to British and Welsh rugby. I’m very happy for the guy and that he’s a kiwi makes it more interesting not less. Equally with EJ and England.
I hope this goes some way to enlightening any previous misconceptions about the Brits and OUR rugby about which we are as proud of ours as you are of yours.
Thought the Wasp v Quins game was a great spectacle for a neutral fan. Watson had the chance to win it for Wasps but fluffed the opportunity (before Yarde had even made contact). A good game overall with both teams showing good phases in attack. A lot being made of Marler’s part in the sin binning of Haskell; there are always niggles during a game and Marler had Haskell hook, line and sinker. The excuse that “he squirted water in my face” does not justify the reaction but a lot of people seem to think Marler should’ve gotten worse.
Bath were woeful on Friday and injuries are really starting to tell, Watson shouldn’t have been allowed to play on and I hope there isn’t any lasting damage.
On that basis I do not think Saints are contenders; Mallinder is not good enough at fly-half for the Premiership and I think they were lucky Bath were not their usual selves in defence.
Neutral witness, and I have got to agree about Bath. There was no intensity to their defence or attack. Underhill stood out because he was actually making aggressive tackles. I am not being critical, I thought he played well but looked better because of those around him. Faletau had some amazing moments/periods as well. There was very little intensity or physicality in attack either.
Saints were impressive not for outstanding skill levels or attacking plays, but because the looked like they wanted it. That loss to Sarries could really help them.
A lot made of Underhill’s performance, and there’s no doubting his talent, but look at other back rowers already this season and there are other (less well known) players hitting similar stats. I think Lewis Ludlow broke the record for number of tackles in a game in the first game of the season. Yet he’s not feted in the same way Underhill is. Yes, there are other facets of play beyond tackling but I think we need to see more of Underhill before we pass judgement.
Jake, I disagree with that. If Saints sort out their scrum issue I am sure they are a contender. The fact that Mallinder is not good enough at that position is probably true but take into account that he is third choice (Myler, Francis in front of him). The lock possibilities are deep and awesome in quality, the pairing of Horne and Burrel seems good and young Collins is a threat with ball in hand all day long. With the addition of Heinrich Brussow in January this team will be a contender imo.
Hutch stated; ‘playing them (NZ) now doesn’t seem as futile as it has been over the past several years, when they have looked completely untouchable’.
Well, premature ejaculations about the AB’s aura being on the wane do seem just that, premature. I just have a longer term view & a series like the AB v Lions matches shouldn’t be taken as an indicatior of things to come. Esp as we’ve been there before. Remember @ Twickers yrs back when NZ were down to 14 for 20, when Soialo was in the bin? When ‘NZ were there for the taking’, but instead Charlie Hodgson went for goal instead of the try? Or when they ‘were there for the taking’ in the 1st test on Lancaster’s tour? The thing is that NZ will fall off the stage from time 2 time, as per Chicago, but they usually get back on to the horse pronto & fix, like in Dublin. They are sometimes run close, but over all their record has been & still is, the most consistent in rugby. The last win v SA is no different. Too much shouldn’t necessarily be read into this result either. After all SA were all over NZ in the 1st 10 or so, but they couldn’t score. Jantjies missed a sitter, suddenly the ball bounced FOR Ioane, M. Scudder intercepted, the Saffa line out floundered & the game had got away from SA. On the other hand, it’s foolhardy to write off the AB’s after 1 or 2 close calls. History, past & recent, indicates otherwise. Last Sat was a reminder, esp so with new players being introduced (ditheringly or not?) that NZ continue towards the nxt WC.. & BEYOND.
Just had a complaint in from Donald Trump! Something about objecting to being libelously name checked with ‘Rocket Man’s’ relative, Alex somebody!? Yikes! Tin hats on all!
Don you must stop obliging me. Yoy’re making me sound famous or something……..Thank you!