Montpellier deny O’Shea’s perfect send-off
The Challenge Cup final began on a sombre note as a minute’s silence was held in memory of Seb Adeniran-Olule, the young Harlequins prop who had tragically died in a car accident earlier in the week.
When the rugby began it was clear the emotion of the week had fired Quins up, but after Nick Evans and Demetri Catrakilis had traded early penalties, it was Montpellier who struck first. Paul Willemse’s powerful burst upfield left the Quins defence scattered in disarray, and after a long pass from Frans Steyn, Marvin O’Connor and Timoci Nagusa combined to send Jesse Mogg over with his first touch. After a few more penalties had been stroked over on either side, it was Mogg again who struck the decisive blow, leaping majestically to claim Benoit Paillauge’s crossfield dink to dot down in the corner.
Catrakilis kept the scoreboard ticking over with a flawless evening from the tee, before Marland Yarde’s well-claimed try in the 72nd minute gave Quins a lifeline. Ben Botica put Quins within striking distance with another penalty, but then inexplicably kicked the ball away in the 81st minute with the score at 19-26 to gift the win to Montpellier.
Challenge Cup star man: Demetri Catrakilis
Saracens claim first Euro title with ruthless efficiency
It may not have been terribly pretty from Saracens as they squashed Racing 92 to win their first European Cup title, but boy was it effective. They win their first bit of European silverware as the only side ever to have won every single one of their games in the tournament.
Whilst the highlights from the game may not be too numerable, to label Saracens as boring champions is so, so far from the truth. They have lit up the tournament at times this year, but when it comes to finals rugby, the only thing that matters is winning. In poor conditions, Saracens were the more accurate and clinical side, and ultimately this is what won them the game. Mako Vunipola and George Kruis were crucial in their defensive effort, making a combined total of 39 tackles, while Maro Itoje – later to be crowned European player of the year – was everywhere once again.
Owen Farrell’s clever tactical kicking came to the fore, and presented Saracens with one of the best opportunities of the game early on. After grubbering through, Chris Ashton tore after the ball and looked odds on to claim it, only for a fine intervention for Brice Dulin to deny him and the onrushing Duncan Taylor.
Ultimately though it was a kicking duel between Farrell and Johannes Goosen, who landed some absolutely monster penalties to keep Racing in the hunt. His score in the 62nd minute cut the gap to six points and left Saracens fans on the edge of their seats, but two late bits of indiscipline from the Frenchmen as they chased the game in frustration handed Saracens a 21-9 win and the Champions Cup with it.
Champions Cup star man: Maro Itoje
Champion Highlanders down Crusaders
The Highlanders and Crusaders played out one of the most sublime games of rugby you will see this year, setting new standards even for the Kiwi derbies in Super Rugby. The home side triumphed 34-26 to claim a bonus point win after braces from Waisake Naholo and Matt Faddes. It leaves the two sides, along with the Chiefs, tied on 37 points at the top of the Australasian conference.
The Hurricanes kept up the pressure, however, with a 29-14 win over the Reds, which leaves them one point behind the leaders on 36 points.
The result of the weekend came from Singapore, where the Sunwolves so nearly emulated Japan’s shock win over South Africa in the World Cup. A late try from the Stormers just about spared their blushes, as they drew 17-17 against the Japanese side.
Other results saw the Rebels lose 22-30 at home to the Brumbies in an entertaining Australian derby, the Waratahs crush the Bulls 31-8 in Sydney, the Cheetahs breeze past the Kings 34-20, the Lions demolish the Blues 43-5 and the Jaguares fall to a late penalty as they lost 22-25 to the Sharks.
Super Rugby star man: Matt Faddes
Samoa claim dramatic Paris 7s title
Samoa stunned Pacific rivals Fiji – who counted Josua Tuisova and Leone Nakawara amongst their ranks – to claim the first ever Paris 7s title in style. Trailing 22-7 at the break, they stormed back to take the lead before some epic defence in the final seconds forced a Fijian knock-on just metres from the line.
It was an excellent tournament for the hosts, as France finished third overall after beating Argentina in the third placed play-off. There was less good news for the home nations, however, as none of England, Scotland or Wales made it through to the knockout stages of the cup proper. Scotland did get their hands on the Bowl title for the second series in a row, however, as they beat England in the final, but there was ignominy for Wales as they lost the Shield final to Portugal.
Try of the weekend: There was a moment of unbridled brilliance from Canadian sevens player Adam Zaruba in Paris at the weekend, as he leapt to catch the ball one-handed before racing away for a score. Seriously, just watch.
Video credit: ottavio2dr
Hero of the weekend: You could make a case for Maro Itoje being the hero of the season, never mind the weekend. He was crowned man of the match in Saracens’ win over Racing in the Champions Cup final, before later being named the European player of the season. The rugby world is this outrageously talented young man’s oyster.
Villain of the weekend: It’s difficult not to feel sorry for Ben Botica after watching how obviously distraught he was when he had kicked the ball away to hand victory and the Challenge Cup to Montpellier on Friday night. And though the cynics amongst you will note that he is joining Montpellier next season, I highly doubt it was anything other than a moment of brainless madness.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Think Montpellier may be slightly regretting their acquistion…
As for Maro Itoje, I thought one moment from the final summed up his impact. He’d got the ball one out from the ruck and ran at the Racing defensive line. He was lined up by Chris Masoe. Itoje bumped him off as if it was Ronan O’Gara rather than a destructive, hard as nails, ex All-Black, 17 stone, number 8 – leaving Masoe prostrate on the grass.
Also, at that point, I thought Saracens would probably win
The potential for Itoje is so huge it is scary. I hope Saracens can keep his feet planted on the ground
His partnership with Kruis is also full of potential. The pair of the them are rapidly becoming world-class.
Pablito
We’ll see in June if Itoje & Kruis are w class or not.
As they’ve not played together v the SH away yet, I suspect yr ejaculation regds their class is a mite premature.
And wasn’t the same thing claimed, not so long ago, abt Lawes… who can’t even get a start for England nowadays?
You may be better advised to wait a bit b4 making these subjective statements.
Remember, sealed ‘lips’ gather no feet.
Well Don. the fact that they are the starting lock partnership for currently the best club team in Europe, the best international team in Europe and the 4th ranked team in the world, would suggest that there is no hype involved in stating that they are on their way to being, if not are already, world-class.
Note that I have not said best in the world, not already world-class, but on their way to being world-class
And by the way, if we didn’t make subjective statements, there would be nothing on this site, apart from factual game reports.
… and we don’t do factual game reports, so please keep giving your subjective statements!
For what it’s worth, I think Kruis and Itoje are pretty close to the World Class category already. Whether England beat Australia this summer or not, I fully expect them to be brilliant as a duo again.
Jamie
Wanna bet?
‘Whether England beat Australia this summer or not..’? You don’t sound TOO confident? If the ‘brilliant’ engine room dynamic duo are as good as you state, then it ought to be a breeze in Oz, surely?
I’ve heard this ‘World Class category’ thing since 1972! IMO you simply should get out (or stay in) & watch MORE S Rugby. It’s EFFECTIVE! Produced 7 of 8 WC ‘World Class’ teams.
If Itoje & Kruis went down under for a SH S season or two, then you might be ‘talking’. They might both learn to run into space & even offload like like 3/4ers.
Still, this ‘subjective’ stuff sells these spaces I guess.
Why should Jamie be confident Don? England are playing a team ranked two places above them on their own turf. Any win will be an upset. A series win for England would be a disaster for Aus.
If you don’t want subjective, go read an encyclopedia
“If the ‘brilliant’ engine room dynamic duo are as good as you state, then it ought to be a breeze in Oz, surely?”
In a team sport 2 players could play out of their skins and never impact the result. Especially if they are in the engine room of the team rather than the moment of magic players.
Aus are the favorites for every game but England fans can see the potential for an upset based on improved performances for England domestically and internationally and the Aussie teams struggling in super rugby.
Pablito
Ok, pt taken. Perhaps I’m being a bit defensive; ‘.. on their way to being world-class’ then. However, the notion is somewhat nebulous & can only be used as speculation when currently compared to the SH.
‘Talking’ ‘w class’ b4 their actually being ‘w class’, still seems to risk setting yrself up for me. Surely better to wait & see how the Oz tour pans out 1st, because unless Itoje & Kruis actually dominate Kane Douglas & Nick Skelton (or whoever), then they risk being also rans… like Lawes.
And being blunt Pab, ‘the starting lock partnership for currently the best club team in Europe’, is just that, CLUB level. And ‘the best international team in Europe or even ‘the 4th ranked team in the world’, is with all due respect, still only 2nd divi following the not so distant WC.
We’ll see, but for me England & the 2 biggest things since ‘Colossus’ still have it all to do.. down under.
Of course the notion is nebulous Don. Its an opinion. As is everything you write that isn’t absolute fact.
Even the idea of world class is nebulous. I’d say it means the best 10 players in that position world-wide. But others would disagree. And even if they didn’t they’d disagree about who should fill those spaces. To take the Aussie locks you mention as an example, i’d personally say that Kane Douglas is not but is getting there and Will Skelton is emphatically not
But people have their own point of view and this is why we comment here. To have the discussion and to listen to other people’s point of view
And by the way, being world class does not depend on playing in the best team in the world or even the top three.
Sure… up to a point, but Oz did shunt England in the WC & the latter went out of their own WC @ group stage. So nothing nebulous so far.
Just because, Itoje eg, has played in a winning CLUB team in EURO & had a handful of internationals, it has little bearing on his likely influence unless he actually dominates Oz in June.
As a Sarries fan I am immensely proud of the team. They changed the game plan to suit the poor weather and to combat the impressive Racing defence and it worked.
Why Racing even played with Carter is beyond me. He was clearly not fit from the start and after some uncharacteristically dodgy passes it was obvious he shouldn’t have been playing. No matter how good you are, if you’re not fit enough, you’re not actually going to help!
Itoje was immense, but Wiggy and Farrell produced a masterful kicking display to keep Racing pinned back for large periods of the game and forced penalties. A couple of very close opportunities from some clever kicks, but the defence was ultimately too good.
I thought Wigglesworth’s kicking from hand in particular was exceptional at times (not taking anything from Farrell here as I also thought he was right on the money with his kicking, made very good use of the grubber in attack), but on more than one occasion the scrum-half’s control with those little dinks and chips rather than the classic full on box kick were so well executed and utilised they really caused Racing some problems!
That’s why he has been keeping flashier SH’s like Spencer out of the team. Sure he doesn’t snipe from the base well like other scrum halves (which keeps defences honest) but when it comes to putting boot to ball i’m not sure there is a better scrum in the world.
That said without the sniping capability in his arsenal it can limit the teams options so all round i would prefer a more balanced player in my team personally
One thing that has struck me about Saracens Euro win is that i haven’t see much chatter on Facebook or among my social group despite living in Hertfordshire and having several friends as fans. This is a big deal and I for one am very pleased for them
Probably just as well you’re not on my friends list, as I’ve had nothing but videos of celebrations etc on mine since Saturday night!!
That’s great and exactly what i expected to see all over facebook on saturday night but all I got was Eurovision nonsense. Maybe its time i reconsidered my friends list ;-)
I feel a special mention must go to the player who ensured Saracens would win the game and the moment when his play won the game.
Midway through the first half Schalk Brits left the field for a HIA. Upto that point Saracens had been penalised (I felt unfairly as I thought the Racing tight head was binding illegally and stepping back causing Mako Vunipola to slip -ps, anybody else think Nigel Owen I’m in charge pithy one liner putdown shtick is getting wearing?) On came Jamie George, sorted out the front row driving straight and up and then when Brits came back on gave the senior man the instruction needed to keep the Sarries scrum on top. Brilliant moment of changing the game on the hoof.
Other than that huge performances (yeah it weren’t pretty but who cares!) Across the park. Very happy here.
Spot on there Jez. Brits is a fantastic line out thrower and great all round the park with ball in hand, but he is not always the best at scrum time. The communication amongst the team is second to none and this is the perfect example.