European Club Rugby
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<p>The main attacking weapon (scrum penalty) prominent so far. Along with the boxkick. And 1 off the ruck.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Some nice kicks to the corner though.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="579812" data-time="1463245435">
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<p>Mediocre final, Saracens looking more organised than Racing. I think all five of the NZ Super franchises would beat these two clubs by 40+ points.</p>
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<p>Don't think so. Chiefs would have problem at scrum set-piece. Canes were crap today, and the Blues are the Blues.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think the Chiefs, Landes and Saders could do a 40-point job, Chiefs provided their front row held up.</p> -
<p>That was a puke-rugby of a game.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Saracens just played left-corner territory all 2nd half, and Racing had absolutely no idea.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anytime people want to give out about Ellis or Hall's slow service, please google "Mike Phillips"</p> -
<p>Feel bad for DC. Stated the game obviously injured before going off early to watch that. Doesn't need another feather in his cap but that must've been painfully anticlimactic for him.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Saracens forwards were better and their 10 kicked his goals. That's the closest to praise I can give that game.</p> -
He's very good. A definite lion starter and right up there with the NZ locks.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="579844" data-time="1463249310"><p>
He's very good. A definite lion starter and right up there with the NZ locks.</p></blockquote><br>
It one should be European Player of the Year and he'll probably be even better by June next year. Brodie and Sam will be looking forward to the challenge. -
<p>Ulster are away to Leinster this Friday. Should be a better match than thon. (Though that's not saying much.) Between Jackson, Luke Marshall and Payne we have three decent first receivers; if and when Olding gets on the pitch that's 4. Which has basically meant when we've been able to secure quick ball (wing-and-a-prayer on that one - anyone remember Sean Reidy? He's a starter for us), we've been shredding teams.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If Leinster win, it'll be a crap game for the neutral in all likelihood.</p> -
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80015411/bundee-aki-involved-in-standoff-in-ireland-after-a-teammates-laptop-is-stolen'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80015411/bundee-aki-involved-in-standoff-in-ireland-after-a-teammates-laptop-is-stolen</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bundee Aki used as muscle to retrieve a stolen laptop....</p>
<p> </p>Bundee Aki involved in standoff in Ireland after a team-mate's laptop is stolen <div>
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<p class=""><span>Last updated 09:12, May 16 2016</span></p>
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<div><img src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/b/n/0/n/r/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1bn0ab.png/1463352350800.jpg" title="" alt="1463352350800.jpg"><div><span>Phil Walter/ Getty Images</span></div>
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<p>Bundee Aki, pictured playing for Counties Manukau against Auckland, was involved in a confrontation in Ireland over a team-mate's stolen computer, an Irish newspaper reported.</p>
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<p>Former Chiefs rugby star Bundee Aki has been involved in a confrontation on an Irish housing estate after a team-mate's laptop was stolen.</p>
<p>Aki, who now plays for Connacht in Europe's Pro 12 League, was alleged to have taken part in an attempt to retrieve a laptop allegedly stolen from Connacht and Irish centre Robbie Henshaw, Irish newspaper the <em>Sunday World</em> reported.</p>
<p>The <em>Sunday World </em>said it had obtained video footage of Connacht team members, including 1.78m and 92kg Aki and halfback Kieran Marmion, "arriving at the door of a family in the Sli Burca estate in Galway seeking the return of the stolen computer".</p>
<div><img src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/b/n/0/o/5/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1bn0ab.png/1463352350800.jpg" title="" alt="1463352350800.jpg"><div><span>Stefan Postles</span></div>
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<p>Bundee Aki on tackling duty with the Chiefs.</p>
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<p>Under the headline "Don't Ruck with Us", the <em>Sunday World</em> claimed that the police were called to the house during the rugby players' visit.</p>
<p><strong>READ MORE: <br>-
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/79809221/pat-lam-named-pro12-coach-of-the-year-ahead-of-playoffs-with-connacht'>Pat Lam, Bundee Aki win big in Ireland awards</a><br>
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<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80014623/dan-carter-says-he-was-of-no-help-to-the-team-in-european-club-rugby-final'>Dan Carter concedes defeat to injury</a></strong></p>
<div><span></span></div>
<p>Ireland's <em>Independent</em> newspaper reported that "a young man living at the house told the players he wasn't aware the laptop was stolen when he purchased it and he would return it to Henshaw".</p>
<p>The <em>Independent</em> said a confrontation took place outside the house. Police were called and the rugby players left.</p>
<p>The housing estate visit took place last week after Henshaw reported his laptop stolen last Tuesday (NZ Time) after his car's back window was broken. </p>
<p>The rugby players had traced the computer after using a "Find my Laptop" app.</p>
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<p>Henshaw tweeted at the time of the theft<u><strong>: "Not the best way to start my Monday. To whoever stole my bag, I hope you find my economics notes useful #happy reading. I'm getting my mate @Bundeeaki – to investigate and knock your block off."</strong></u></p>
<p>The Irish <em>Independent </em>said Aki followed with a tweet saying <u><strong>'Whoever broke into @henshawrob's car, good luck'. </strong></u>That tweet was later removed.</p>
<p>Aki, 26, signed for Connacht in 2014 after playing 47 games for Counties Manukau and winning Super Rugby honours with the Chiefs.</p>
<p>He has had a successful season in Europe, winning the Pro 12 player of the year award.</p>
<p>Connacht finished second in the regular season on points differential to leaders Leinster. </p>
<p>They host the Glasgow Warriors in the semifinals this weekend for the right to play the winner of the Leinster-Ulster clash in the final in Edinburgh on May 29. Connacht's semifinal has been sold out with all tickets snapped up within an hour of going on sale.</p>
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<p><a class="" href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80014623/dan-carter-says-he-was-of-no-help-to-the-team-in-european-club-rugby-final">Dan Carter says he was 'of no help to the team' in European club rugby final</a></p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="580262" data-time="1463439927">
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<p>Comforting to read it's not just the Warriors who tweet retarded comments.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>How can guys in the public eye be that fucken moronic, particularly Henshaw who's one of Irelands best known players ?</p>
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<p>You mean Bundee Aki, surely, as one of Ireland's best known players?</p>
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<p>That's what the headline is all about. ;)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="580287" data-time="1463442932">
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<p>You mean Bundee Aki, surely, as one of Ireland's best known players?</p>
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<p>That's what the headline is all about. ;)</p>
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<p>I'm sure Quade Cooper had something to do with the theft in the first place.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ulsterman" data-cid="580217" data-time="1463408122">
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<p>Ulster are away to Leinster this Friday. Should be a better match than thon. (Though that's not saying much.) Between Jackson, Luke Marshall and Payne we have three decent first receivers; if and when Olding gets on the pitch that's 4. Which has basically meant when we've been able to secure quick ball (wing-and-a-prayer on that one - anyone remember Sean Reidy? He's a starter for us), we've been shredding teams.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If Leinster win, it'll be a crap game for the neutral in all likelihood.</p>
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<p>Tsk, tsk. You mean if Leinster win, then it'll be all Leinster's fault for playing crap rugby?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="580288" data-time="1463443052">
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<p>I'm sure Quade Cooper had something to do with the theft in the first place.</p>
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<p>The Sunday World wouldn't have a clue who Quade Cooper is. Honestly.</p> -
<p>Ulster did what they do, and came to the party as a bridesmaid. Sexton kicked out of hand very well. Ulster forwards were spent by the 2nd 40.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Connacht did a pretty decent job to get ahead of Glasgow. Yet another MOTM from Aki.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hope Connacht win, but the smart money is on Leinster you would think.</p>
