Connacht’s rain dance pays dividend
The champions of the Pro12 are floundering in a bad way so surely a trip to the whipping boys of the league over the weekend would be the perfect tonic that they needed to kick start their campaign but that just wasn’t the case.
In fact, if it had not been for some help from the weather gods then their season may well have been over after three games.
22-10 down at half time to Zebre and struggling to put more than single phases together as the rain poured down, the men in green must have wondered what they had done in a former life to deserve this start to the season, but as the heavens opened the ref had no choice but to cancel the match and resign Connacht to travelling back to Italy later in the season.
Two and a half matches played and not a point on the board means that more stormy times lie ahead.
Argentina missing Juan special player
As The Pumas were left toiling in the opening ten minutes of their game against Australia and conceding early tries, their most deadly finisher was doing exactly the same in an almost identical shirt in France.
Juan Imhoff, who was left out of the Argentinian Rugby Championship squad due to his Olympic commitments, bagged himself a hat trick for Racing 92 as the reigning Top14 Champions put Toulon to the sword in a repeat of last year’s final.
The flying Argentinian was simply sensational for the whole match and scored a brace in the first ten minutes before finishing off his treble in the 62nd minute.
Racing jump up the table to third whilst Toulon drop back down to fifth.
Spring in Bok step has lost its bounce
It is obvious that there is the All Blacks, and then there is the rest of the rugby world but the gap between the Springboks and the other top nations may be getting even bigger but in the wrong direction.
It started so well for the Boks when Bryan Habana sliced through for an early try but when Elton Jantjies dropped the restart and Israel Dagg finished in the corner then the writing was on the wall.
The men in green capitulated as New Zealand didn’t need to get out of third gear to put 41 points on their sorry opponents.
South African rugby is losing its identity and even in Super Rugby it is no longer a feared place to visit. Players are travelling all over the world to play club rugby and seek lucrative contracts whilst the franchises and provinces at home suffer.
It’s time for the South Africa union to step in and truly look deep into its structure.
Wasps’ sting leaving scars on their opponents
After ending their eight-year losing streak at Welford Road last week, Wasps welcomed Bristol to the Ricoh Arena and sent them home with nothing but a harsh lesson in the school of Premiership Rugby.
Wasps were electric throughout with a performance of power, pace and precision and showed signs of a team rejuvenated by the creativity of Danny Cipriani and Jimmy Gopperth’s move to inside centre. Gopperth couldn’t wipe the smile from his face for the whole match and nor could Elliot when he scored the contender for luckiest try of the season as the ball bounced back off the corner flag into his hands.
The depth of the squad looks better than it has for years as well. When you consider that Nathan Hughes is on the bench at the moment due to the form of the impressive Guy Thompson, you get a good idea of where this exciting squad is heading.
Once bitten, twice shy for Ashton
When will Chris Ashton ever learn? Such talent, pace and a natural ability to score a heck of a lot of tries, yet once again his inability to control his behaviour has let him down.
He faces a disciplinary hearing today for an alleged bite on Alex Waller at the weekend and judging by the video evidence it is not looking good for the Sarries flyer.
After a ban for gouging in January and subsequently missing out on Eddie Jones’ first England Squad, he now faces a ban of between 12 and 24 weeks if found guilty and affectively ending his England career.
The ban could be worse however, as this could be his second major offence in 8 months, so could this also mean the end of his glittering club career as well?
Houston, we have lift off!
They say you should never go back to a lit firework but Leroy Houston’s love affair with Bath Rugby continued at the weekend as he took to the field once again in the Blue, Black and White.
Fresh off the plane from Queensland, the Australian hit the ground running in a MOTM performance culminating in a try right at the death. The swan dive was questionable at best but Houston showed the form that prompted Michael Cheika to convince him to move to Australia to fight for a Wallaby Jersey.
Australia’s loss is very much Bath’s short term gain as they sit proudly at the top of the Premiership.
Andy Daniel
Follow Andy on Twitter (@scrum5ive)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
It appears that Ashton is now accused of biting Waller twice – the second time at a ruck almost immediately after the video that has done the rounds. If so, there can’t be much of an excuse for it.
Re Houston – I never understood why Cheika persuaded him back and then never used him given the Aussie team was crying out for a big ball carrier. Good for him that he hasn’t let it get to him though and has thrown himself straight back into it for Bath
He’s only back at the Rec for two months I believe, while Faletau recovers. Agree about it all being a bit baffling though in regard to his non-selection for Aus when he could help balance their back row much better, but then again despite the recent wins Cheika’s selection policy still isn’t making too much sense at times it has to be said. A good two months for Bath though and Houston puts himself right in the shop window for the Autumn Internationals, so it’s a win-win for both him and Bath.
Ashton……Karma .,…utter utter …Karma.
After all those ‘AshSplash look-at-me-scoring for England’ incidents we will now remember him for foul play such as eye gouging and biting.
Perhaps he will be the next England captain after a few more violent offences and playing bans?????
Can’t let you get away with that comment Don. Sorry old chap! Hartley’s selection was inspirational (because it proved to be correct!) and because it was a brave one (I remember all the comments being made on here and in the media at the time – similar cheap shots to this one) I was on here at the time saying it was the correct decision – to pick him that is!
Anyway ignoring this one and moving on……
Oh yeah…. I forgot to add….Richie McCaw in his day was a regular professional offender and he mostly got away with it. Latterly he had to clean up his act because of the all seeing eye that is modern rugby.
Not sure on your comparison there Alex. Sure McCaw was a regular offender but it’s one thing entering a ruck illegally and another thing altogether biting/gouging/head-butting.
Hartley’s appointment could have back-fired spectacularly. Imagine how different our opinion would have been had he not managed to rein his temper in and had been cited for an offence during his first few games as captain. It would have been destructive to the team and to Jones’ start as coach
It was quite the gamble but it has paid off so far and Hartley deserves plaudits for putting his past behind him
The only downside is that personally I don’t think Hartley is England’s best hooker!
Hartley was a little hard done by towards the end. The elbow and the headbutt bans were very minor incidents but he got the book thrown at him because of his track record following genuine bans for gouging, biting and abusing a ref.
It seems to me that Ashton has managed to garner a similar reputation and is now getting harsh bans for offences which may have warranted a yellow rather than a red
Your points are taken. I was just 99% confident that Jones was a good judge of character and would inspire loyalty. He has ‘a bit of the dog about him’ and in rugby that’s a good thing. Plus a gamble (albeit a low percentage one) can also be a good thing. Despite all the stats, the analysis, the coaches and the shrinks it’s still a sport and there’s an element of the unknown in it (always will)!
Alex, ha what an insane comparison. When did McCaw ever eye gouge, headbutt, bite or punch players or swear at referees? Never.
Hartley is maybe not so bitter about been a NZ castoff anymore but he would still not make the AB bench.
I made no comparison of player prowess or international ranking just took exception to what was IMO a cheap shot at Hartley’s past felling record (on the pitch) and his captaincy. There isn’t one! He’s been excellent as I knew he would be (see my reply to Leon above)
Red the McCaw comment you’re right there’s no comparison with severity of action but there’s certainly one in number! McCaw was a serial offender and normally got away with it; commentators and fans alike say because the referees were reluctant/scared to apply the letter of the law to a rugby God (well a mere mortal really!) and if I’d been Reffing I’d have had an eagle eye on the bugger and pinged him every time!
Should have said “Hartley’s past fellony record”
No mention of Bath continuing their upward momentum, thought they looked good again at the weekend with players still missing. Banahan has started strongly again and seems to be key no matter where he plays, thought he was very good in midfield and would like to see him considered as a different option for England.
Good to see them playing some good rugby and looking back on form again, although top of the table does flatter a little given that two of our opponents so far are likely to be competing for spots in the lower half of the table come seasons end and Saints looked distinctly “opening game rusty” in the first. Sunday’s fixture against Tigers will be a good test to see if its luck of the early season fixture list or a genuine return to form!
Don’t agree with that. Banahan was appalling for England! Not sure his distribution skills are good enough for 12 or 13 for England. Haven’t studied his play for a bit but Slade/Devoto/Farrell/Joseph et al have the answers handling and distribution wise. The days are over for mere ‘Bashers’ at 12 in the mould of Barrett and Tindall!
i think if you had watched him recently you might be surprised by his distribution and rugby intelligence. The tag of basher, which he certainly can do, is a little unfair imo. Agreed there are other really good options but for something different (he has called up Te’o) then he might be a good shout