Comments on: Best Of The Weekend: Sarries Cause Clermont More Heartache

By: Pablito

Pablito — Wed, 17 May 2017 10:11:23 +0000

And defense. And sheer bloody-mindedness. And probably tactical kicking (not attacking kicking)

Barrett is a sublime player when it comes to attacking, but he looked much more mortal when the Crusaders defence got in his face. He won’t have the time or space against the Lions to look as good as he does in Super Rugby – that’s not to say he won’t be brilliant, but the somewhat less intense defenses in SR do make his skills stand out that bit more.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 16 May 2017 19:48:52 +0000

Think you are wrong in all three cases Seve, but particularly at 12 where Teo and Henshaw are not in the same class. He is also a much more abrasive and resilient 10 than Sexton which will be important in NZ.

By: GKDA

GKDA — Tue, 16 May 2017 18:49:49 +0000

Sorry, Barrett would wipe the floor with anyone right now, Farrell wouldn’t stand a chance. Farrell may win on placekicking, that’s it.

By: Jeremy Denton

Jeremy Denton — Tue, 16 May 2017 18:07:46 +0000

I’m sorry but you can not now make the argument for Sexy in being a better 10 than Faz. In fact I’d go as far to say that if Faz plays ten vs Barrett you’ll go someway to deciding the best 10 in world rugby. And that’s something I fully expect Owen to come out top in.
Sexton is a very good 10, don’t get me wrong but for me he doesn’t have the all round game Owen does (how many times did he get Ireland really going over last two seasons. In fact I’d say Paddy Jackson is the better Irish offensive 10.)
Owens game just get better and better.

By: sevegolf

sevegolf — Tue, 16 May 2017 16:33:14 +0000

Jeremy and Andy by not starting Farrell doesn’t mean I don’t think he is a superb player he is just not as good a 10 as Sexton or 12 as Henshaw or Teo Fact

By: GKDA

GKDA — Mon, 15 May 2017 19:48:54 +0000

He could easily be guessing Garland’s team. The best 10-12 pairing to me would be Sexton and Farrell, both have shown that they excel with a second playmaker (Carberry & Ford respectively) beside them. But considering Gatland is unlikely to play that, I’d rather have Sexton start and bring Farrell on after the inevitable injury.

Slightly related, as an Ireland & Leinster fan, I honestly wish someone would tell Sexton to just take a 12 month sabbatical, like McCaw or Pocock. The time in France left apparently his body broken and he needs either a season or a calendar year to just try recover from that….

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 15 May 2017 19:42:30 +0000

Agreed Jeremy.

By: GKDA

GKDA — Mon, 15 May 2017 19:42:08 +0000

Despite the mistakes he made, I think Owens also made some very good calls too, for example when he ruled Lopez’s? (I think?) knock-on to be unintentional.

Saracens are phenomenal, though I do think 3 of the NZ clubs are better. Still wouldn’t bet against them going three in a row!
I’d say a global ranking would be something like:
Crusaders
Hurricanes
Chiefs
Saracens
Highlanders
Clermont
Lions
Leinster
Stormers
Exeter.
With (Auckland) Blues, Munster, Wasps and a couple French teams unlucky to miss out.

By: Stu

Stu — Mon, 15 May 2017 18:24:39 +0000

Just read the reports, that is a strange squad !!

By: Stu

Stu — Mon, 15 May 2017 18:20:50 +0000

Willi Heinz has been selected for England’s camp? Is that a mistake?

By: Hammy

Hammy — Mon, 15 May 2017 18:08:24 +0000

I would like to see the Lions (Johannesburg) play Sarries at a neutral venue. that would be a game. the Crusaders would thump Sarries. In this years super competition the Crusaders have scored a total of 366 points and had 231 scored against them. Personally I reckon the Crusaders would thump the majority of national teams playing today. I’m not talking about Italy, Georgia. Canada. I’m talking about the top national teams from the N & S. Finally I’m a Saffer not a Kiwi.

By: Jeremy Denton

Jeremy Denton — Mon, 15 May 2017 17:55:28 +0000

You don’t start Farrell?
C’mon, you’ve got to be seriously one eyed not to.pick him at 10 after the weekend game, surely.
If he doesn’t start, the all blacks breathe a huge sigh of relief.