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Monday’s Rugby Information – 19/6/23
Greetings, G&GRs, and welcome to Monday’s Rugby Information. It’s with a lot unhappiness that I bid the 2023 SRP season farewell from an Australian perspective, with the one doable representatives from Aus being the referees (extraordinarily probably, although the capability is TBC). We’ll do a autopsy of the semi-finals matches, a take a look at three of the southern hemisphere Invoice squads named over the weekend, a take a look at the departing Rabble gamers, Toulouse win the High 14 trophy, WR supposedly finalising the pseudo-RWC World League, and a mirrored image alone recreation from the weekend.
SUPER RUGBY SEMI-FINALS
Crusaders 52 def Blues 15 – match report right here
The Crusaders dominated their dwelling semi-final to remain on target for a seventh straight Tremendous Rugby title by crossing for six tries in Christchurch. The Blues had been performed off the park because the Crusaders dominated – whether or not it was a choke, the Saders merely being too good, or a mix of the 2 is the one actual factor to be debated on this match. The Blues are very very similar to the Tahs and the Reds – serial underachievers on the pointy finish of the season. They each have enormous participant numbers and bases and important assets, but fail to ship. There’ll be one other new coach for 2024, after Leon MacDonald’s departure, may see change….
Congratulations to the Crusaders. Even with numerous first-choice gamers out injured, they got here out and participant arguably their finest recreation of rugby all season. They merely gave the Blues no possibilities, notably retaining their hazard males in BB and Telea quiet sufficient. Upon reflection, plainly the centre combo for the Blues was the actual space of weak point (even with out RTS!) and, in the long run, that was sufficient to finish their season.
Chiefs 19 def Brumbies 6 – match report right here
The Chiefs have secured a 19-6 victory over the ACT Brumbies within the second semi-final of SRP 2023. Each groups had been drawn into the dogfight as defence and the moist circumstances dictated the conflict, with no less than 60 kicks between the 2 groups making the sport a battle of attrition that generals Haig and Melchett would’ve authorized of.
The choice to pick a monster ahead pack turned out to be, arguably, not the proper choice from the Ponies. They actually missed a real fetcher over the ball, and by the point Reimer was launched the sport wasn’t in his favour. Rory Scott is out with an harm, and Jahrome Brown seems to be a shadow of his former self (numerous injury-plagued years) which means Tom “The Higher” Hooper was thrust into the ‘7’ jersey. Whereas he carried out admirably, with 18 tackles in a stable recreation, fetching isn’t on the highest of his skillset. Additional, with Noss Lonergan himself making 18 tackles, he was evaded pilfering, too.
If Tom Wright needed to dispel his “rocks and diamonds”, he failed abjectly. I’ve been an enormous fan of his enchancment over the season, however I’m wondering if this recreation may have value him considerably on the choice desk. His errors led to a number of factors scoring alternatives for the Chiefs, who actually ought to’ve taken extra of their success. I’ll buck the favored development of gaslighting Noah although. Other than a barely overcooked kick-off, he didn’t do an excessive amount of flawed. Once more, a scarcity of penetration by all the workforce, in addition to the small “coach killers”, meant the Ponies had been toast.
Right here’s to an pleasant ultimate this Saturday.
I can’t await the Australian gamers not in competition for greater honours to go off and play in a aggressive third tier… Oh.
THREE RWC SQUADS NAMED
The Wallaby squad is believed to be introduced on Sunday twenty fifth June. That stated, there are some gamers in camp already.
Samoa’s squad for his or her warm-up video games:
Forwards: Michael Ala’alatoa, Brian Alainu’uese, Paul Alo-Emile, Michael Curry, So’otala Fa’aso’o*, Miracle Fai’ilagi*, Charlie Faumuina*, Jack Lam, Seilala Lam, Titi Lamositele*, Jordan Lay, Fritz Lee, Genesis Mamea-Lemalu, Steven Luatua*, Sama Malolo*, Theo McFarland, Alamanda Motuga, Ray Niuia, Taleni Seu, Samuel Slade, Jordan Taufua, Luteru Tolai, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Tietie Tuimauga, Chris Vui
Backs: Nigel Ah Wong, Ereatara Enari, Neria Fomai, Stacey Ili, Christian Leali’ifano*, D’angelo Leuila, Tumua Manu, Melani Matavao, Tim Nanai-Williams, Duncan Paia’aua, UJ Seuteni, Lima Sopoaga*, Martini Talapusi*, Jonathan Taumateine, Danny Toala
*uncapped gamers.
Tonga’s squad for his or her warm-up video games:
Forwards: Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Feao Fotuaika, David Lolohea, Paula Ngauamo, Siua Maile, Samiuela Moli, Sosefo Sakalia, Ben Tameifuna, Tau Koloamatangi, Sosefo Apikotoa, Adam Coleman, Samiuela Lousi, Halaleva Fifita, Sitiveni Mafi, Vaea Fifita, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Solomone Funaki, Sione Vailanu, Lopeti Timani, Sione Havili Talitui
Backs: Sonatane Takulua, Augustine Pulu, Manu Paea, William Havili, Otumaka Mausia, Patrick Pellegrini, Pita Ahki, Malakai Fekitoa, Afusipa Taumoepeau, George Moala, Nice Inisi, Israel Folau, Solomone Kata, Charles Piutau, Kyren Taumoefolau
Nearlies squad for the Rugby Championship:
Squad: Hookers: Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei’aho; Props: Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax; Locks: Brodie Retallick, Josh Lord, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Free forwards: Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali’i, Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (captain), Samipeni Finau, Shannon Frizell; Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Finlay Christie, Cam Roigard, First-five eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga; Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Outdoors backs: Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Mark Telea, Will Jordan.Shaun Stevenson (harm cowl).
REBELS CONFIRM DEPARTING PLAYERS
The Melbourne Rebels confirmed the departures of Trevor Hosea (Japan), Matt Philip (Japan), Richard Hardwick (Ealing Trailfinders), Monty Ioane (Lyon), Cameron Orr, Theo Fourie, Illikena Vudogo, Moses Sorovi, Tim Cardall, Ray Nu’u, Tamati Ioane and Jaiden Christian, having already introduced centurion Reece Hodge will head to France on the finish of the 12 months.
It comes with the likes of Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Darby Lancaster set to make the journey south, with the Rebels confirming they are going to announce additional signings within the coming weeks and months.
STADE TOULOUSAIN DEFEAT STAGE ROCHELAIS IN TOP 14 FINAL
Toulouse and French worldwide star flyhalf Roman Ntamack sealed a twenty second French title for his aspect as they defeated La Rochelle 29-26. To say La Rochelle will probably be heartbroken is an understatement as they led with simply two minutes remaining on the clock. Then from skinny air, Ntamack confirmed his high quality to create a second of magic that may go down in French rugby historical past. As La Rochelle repelled wave after wave of Toulouse assault, it appeared as if it wasn’t to be for the Rouge et Noir. But, along with his unbelievable footwork and tempo, Ntamack break up the La Rochelle defence to go 60m to attain!
Merely magnifique! It’s a disgrace that I had to search around by way of varied streams, solely to search out the match on Kayo (eugh, Rupert TV) to look at. If solely there was one other streaming service that needs to be the house of rugby in Australia….
WORLD RUGBY’S WORLD LEAGUE
World Rugby’s controversial plans to begin a ‘World League’ is now a achieved deal, in accordance with Planet Rugby
The league will substitute the standard July take a look at sequence, and the November internationals with six groups from every hemisphere break up into two teams and is ready to be launched in 2026.
The format will see Northern Hemisphere sides play three Southern Hemisphere opponents away from dwelling within the July window, with the Northern Hemisphere groups then internet hosting the Southern Hemisphere sides in the course of the November worldwide window.
This may not affect the British & Irish Lions excursions, with the opposite take a look at nations reverting to the standard take a look at sequence for that July window. Shut, however not fairly, tier two nations in Georgia, Samoa, Tonga, and so forth. will probably be unnoticed till no less than 2030.
To be trustworthy, I’ve completely no concept what WR is making an attempt to attain with this pseudo-Invoice. Much more, I hate the concept rugby is being ring-fenced like this, which very a lot goes in opposition to the spirit of rugby is meant to be about.
REFLECTION FROM CLUBLAND
I had the privilege of refereeing in nation Victoria this weekend. I welcome these nation video games as a change of tempo from Dewar Protect sheep station rugby, and as very a lot a approach to give again to the sport. Whereas I’m definitely not Gus Gardner or Ben O’Keeffe by way of skill, I’m definitely not the worst referee working round in Australia (if any of you name me the “Mexican Doleman”, then you may write Mondays!). Additional, I’ve all the time been an advocate of referees going to nation rugby because it’s very a lot a person effort. You reside by the whistle and need to work exceptionally onerous to be correct as there’s no security web of ARs, or video. It’s refereeing, and certainly rugby, in its truest and most interesting kind.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to have two younger lads volunteer to run the road for me. I had a fast chat earlier than the sport about what they might assist with, and I used to be delighted that they had been enthusiastic. It was the half-time chat that left me considerably down. You see, these two u14 gamers had their recreation forfeited. Once more. An enormous-name metropolis workforce felt that the hour or so journey wasn’t price their effort and time, they usually’d gladly take a 28-0 loss on the chin as they’ll probably make the finals anyway. Because it seems, these lads had solely performed in opposition to two groups all season (each shut by areas) and all different video games had both been forfeited by the opposition or a workforce had pulled out of the comp. The draw is a canine’s breakfast. They had been clearly heartbroken as all they needed to do is play a recreation on the weekend. Because of the vanity and the unsporting gesture of a metropolis membership, their likelihood to play with their mates was taken away from them by way of no fault of their very own. I mirrored on this angle of the large metropolis membership, noting that once I was a lad (properly, lower than 15 years since I performed u16 rugby), the mere considered a forfeit was a international idea. Now, granted, I used to be privileged sufficient to attend Marist Canberra and, attributable to numbers, there have been 4 groups every year I performed (u13 – u16) and 5 groups in my ultimate 12 months, normally with gamers left over. It doesn’t matter what recreation we had on the draw, we by no means, ever forfeited and took a recreation away from the opposition or ourselves. Like many non-public colleges, we had our faults, however failure to point out up was by no means one in every of them.
Sadly, this angle appears to be prevalent, if not endemic, down right here in Melbourne. There appear to be little penalties for groups doing this, particularly some golf equipment on a routine and common foundation. It’s not solely the gamers which can be struggling the results, however the golf equipment themselves who’re struggling to make ends meet. Certainly, a forfeit doubtlessly prices a aspect the expense to have the sector ready (if discover isn’t given early sufficient), outgoings for canteen and different overheads which may’t be recouped through canteen gross sales. Certainly, for this specific membership, it was their Sponsor’s Day the place there was fairly an honest crowd for these lads to play in entrance of. However they missed out. And I felt so unhealthy for them, I even instructed them to enroll as referees to make their day higher (with the promise of match funds, after all).
As Helen Lovejoy as soon as stated, ‘Gained’t somebody consider the kids?’
Pleased Monday, people. CM – out.
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