Best of the weekend: South Africa end All Blacks’ run, Munster stun Leinster

A Weekend of Firsts in the Premiership

As is the standard this season, we had another round of eye catching results in the English league, and perhaps the most significant one – certainly in terms of the race for the title – occurred on Friday night at the Rec. If ever there was a genuine realisation of Bath’s title credentials, it was this 21 – 11 win over Saracens, a side who had frankly looked near-invincible beforehand.

And, in the knowledge that the England coaches were casting a watchful eye over proceedings, it was the likes of Kyle Eastmond and Jonathan Joseph (the tryscorers) that caught the eye to throw their hats into the international ring. Although Chris Wyles went over for the visitors, it wasn’t enough to overturn a Bath side which, if George Ford had had his kicking boots on (despite having another impressive all-round game), could have won by 20-odd points. As it was, Saracens – previously the only 100 percent side left in the competition – slumped to their first defeat of the season.

There was a first win of the season – and of 2014 – for Newcastle Falcons though, and in fact a first win in 21 games, a barren run stretching back almost a year. In fairness, the Falcons have been playing more expansively than their turgid gameplan of last year, and this weekend they got their reward with a hard-earned 29 -24 win over Exeter Chiefs. At the opposite end of the spectrum to hard-earned though was Gloucester’s casual 33 – 16 win over Leicester, the first time the Tigers have suffered three back-to-back defeats (I believe, off the top of my head) since 2011. Although the East Midlanders’ injury list is well documented, they still couldn’t finish a Sunday Roast in attack and a dominant second quarter saw the Cherry and Whites run away with it and probably end up disappointed that they were unable to secure the bonus point.

Elsewhere there was more entertainment on offer as Harlequins overcame their tricky start to the season to obliterate London Welsh, who lost 52 – 0 for the second time this season. Harlequins ran in seven tries to make sure that the Exiles have now conceded 249 points from their first five games – it looks like this season could be as embarrassing as it is long. In Reading, London Irish made Northampton Saints work hard for a 12 – 19 win, and Sale Sharks showed real tenacity in defence to turn over the in-form Wasps 25 – 14 in Salford.

Aviva Premiership Star Man: Kyle Eastmond

Munster take Irish Bragging Rights, Glasgow and Ospreys remain unbeaten

In the classic Irish provincial battle between Leinster and Munster, it was the fans in red who had the biggest smile on their faces as they left a packed-out Aviva Statium in Dublin. Munster started the game with real venom and obliterated their opponents up-front in the style of traditional title-winning intercepts. James Cronin and Robin Copeland both crossed for tries before Ian Keatley chipped in with an interception effort to effectively end the game as a contest before half time. Two yellow cards for the visitors saw the men in blue attempt to come back into it with a score from Darragh Fanning, but two more Munster penalty kicks quashed any hopes of a turnaround and left a late Leinster penalty-try as nothing more than a consolation.

Elsewhere, Glasgow and the Ospreys continued their superb start to the season with wins away from home over the Italian sides, the Warriors picking up a bonus point in Treviso with the Welsh side squeaking past Zebre by a single point. In the other games, Connacht and the Blues played out an entertaining 24-24 draw, whilst there were wins for the Scarlets and Ulster.

Guiness PRO12 Star Man: Ian Keatley

Toulon go top, Clermont battered by Bordeaux

Toulon managed to claim top spot in the Top 14 from Clermont with a nervous 21 – 18 win over Oyonnax away from home. The Galacticos were, for the large part, kept unusually quiet by their considerably less-well-financed hosts, but a late score from Drew Mitchell was enough to wrap up the points. The team whose place they took at the head of the Top 14 table, Clermont, looked anything like title contenders as they took away-game flakiness to a whole new level, shipping 50 points in a hammering in Bordeaux. Clermont had only conceded three tries in the competition prior to the weekend, but they had no answer for their hosts’ precision as they allowed their whitewash to be breached no fewer than six times.

Elsewhere, Toulouse finally got back to winning ways after five defeats on the bounce with a 22 – 10 win over Stade Francais. There were also big wins for La Rochelle, Castres and Racing Metro, with Montpellier picking up a nervy win on the road at Bayonne.

Top 14 Star Man: Romain Lonca

South Africa break All Blacks unbeaten streak, Argentina claim first Championship win

Although it seems odd to perhaps skirt past the fact that the mighty All Blacks have finally been toppled, the bigger news – in my book at least – was the fact that the Pumas managed to pick up their first win in the tournament and their first over Australia since 1997. In front of a fervent Mendoza crowd, the hosts overcame an injury-struck Wallabies side that had missed flights and had fights (allegedly) on their way to the game, but who still managed to roar into a 14 – 0 lead with scores from Scott Higginbotham and Tevita Kuridrani. But Argentina could smell blood and they knew this was their big chance, with scores from Juan Imhoff and Leonardo Senatore – and a yellow card apiece for Nick Phipps and (harshly) Michael Hooper – opening the gate for the hosts. The boot of fly half Nicholas Sanchez did the rest to claim a 21 – 17 win only marred by the fact that Bernard Foley had his vision affected by a laser pen in the build up to missing a crucial kick in the second half.

Across the pond in Johannesberg, South Africa confirmed that they are building nicely for next year’s show piece by finally turning over New Zealand – the All Blacks’ first loss since 2012, and their first loss in the Rugby Championship for 18 matches. In another classic, following in the footsteps of last year’s encounter (by my money, one of the best games ever played), South Africa had the best of the first half, taking a 21 -13 lead in at half time after Francois Hougaard scored a stunner and Handre Pollard grabbed a double to wipe out an effort from a Malakai Fekitoa. The Springboks seemed to have the game sewn up but two quick-fire tries from Ben Smith and Dane Coles in the final quarter seemed to have given the visitors the win yet again. Step up Pat Lambie – he may look like a cherub but he has plums of iron – to smash over a 55-metre penalty following a dangerous Liam Messam tackle to give the men in green a famous victory.

Rugby Championship Star Man: Handre Pollard

Try of the Week could, oddly, have gone to Leicester, through David Mele who scored a belter away at Kingsholm in an otherwise unthreatening display, but the real treat was Francois Hougaard’s finish to a sweeping move at home against the mighty All Blacks.

Hero of the Week so nearly went to Handre Pollard for his man of the match display, but the big cajones award goes to Pat Lambie for nailing one of the ultimate pressure kicks.

Villain of the Week was undoubtedly that berk in Mendoza with a laser pen. What would possess somebody to do that, I don’t understand – all he/she has done is sour an otherwise magnificent win. If they’re found, I think a lifelong stadium ban should set a suitable example.

By Mike Cooper (@RuckedOver)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images