NH club rugby
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@Catogrande said in NH club rugby:
@Pot-Hale I haven't seen much of him but he was pretty much Barry White v Sarries in the semi final.
I couldn't agree more. I don't get the hype about him. He's gone missing in critical matches, and some less than critical. The abject defeat from victory against Cardiff earlier in the season featured several Cardiff players waltzing through himself and his backline. I'd have Ross Byrne over him most days - and I'd hope quicker into a green shirt too.
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@Stargazer said in NH club rugby:
This weekend is going to be the last and most important round of the regular season of the French Top 14.
Clermont will play La Rochelle in a top of the table clash. La Rochelle is already certain of the no. 1 spot, but Clermont still has to win to secure a home semi-final.
Montpellier can still contest that 2nd place and will play St Francais Paris. After the (failed) merger between these two teams that was almost forced upon St Francais, they will have plenty of motivation to try to beat Montpellier. Also, St Francais is on equal points with Racing 92 for the last spot in the finals play-offs, so we can be sure they will throw the kitchen sink at it.
Racing92 can expect a visit from Bordeaux. Racing must win to secure a play-off spot, while Bordeaux has nothing to play for but pride.
Toulon will host Pau, and while Toulon is certain of a spot in the finals play-offs, Pau currently sits outside the top 6 but is still within reach and needs a win.
Toulouse v Bayonne will be an absolute meaningless game. Toulouse is safe, but not in contention for a place in the play-offs and Bayonne is certain of relegation to the Pro 2.
Grenoble will receive Lyon, and this won't be much more exciting. Grenoble is certain of relegation and Lyon only have a very theoretical chance to make the play-offs (Racing92, St Francais and Pau would all need to lose).
Brive will play Castres at home. Brive has nothing to play for but Castres needs one point to be absolutely certain of a spot in the play-offs. If they lose without a bonus point, and Racing92 and St Francais both score bonus point wins, Castres is out.
Such a pity we can't watch these games on tv in NZ. All games are played at the same time (Sunday morning, 7 May, at 6.45am NZT), so you can only watch one game and only via a dodgy stream online.
Clermont v La Rochelle is definitely the game to watch.Results last round-robin Top 14:
Clermont beat La Rochelle 30-26 and secured a home semi-final. La Rochelle was already certain to have the other.Montpellier beat Stade Francais with the smallest of margins: 27-26. This means that Montpellier is certain of a play-off spot. Stade Francais' season is over (no play-off spot) despite it's losing bonus point because ....
Racing 92 has narrowly won its game against Bordeaux: 22-20. This result earns Montpellier the final play-off spot.
Toulon, already certain of a spot in the play-offs, beat Pau convincingly: 32-12. Pau's season has also finished.
Brive 33 -27 Castres. Brive can start its Summer break and Castres claim a play-off spot despite its loss, because St Francais lost.
Toulouse 40 - 12 Bayonne
Grenoble 53 - 21 Lyon. At least Grenoble went out with a bang before its relegation.I assume the play-offs will be:
Montpellier v Racing 92
Toulon v CastresNext weekend at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh:
European Challenge Cup final between Gloucester and Stade Francais. Kick-off NZT: Saturday, 13 May at 7.00am
European Champions Cup final between Clermont and Saracens. Kick-off NZT: Sunday, 14 May at 4.00am -
Charlie picks up players player of the Pro 12 award.
His recent form has apparently been a bit poor, caught up in the general Ulster malaise.
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@Billy-Tell He's the best back at Ulster so their coach plays him on the wing. If he has stopped giving a fuck, I wouldn't be surprised.
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I saw this gif recently:
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@Tim The question has to be asked; where was the blindside defence from Ulster and why is their scrumhalf standing so deep on the wing?
Also; who much did Munster try to fuck up scoring that try?
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@antipodean Absolutely. He was pointing for a reason. He didn't exactly put much into the chase though ...
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Can't believe he was chosen as Player of the Year - he's been off-colour/disinterested for a few matches this season. Sure that a lot of that is down to the poor performance of Ulster this season, but still at least look like you give a fuck when you pull on the jersey.
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@Tim said in NH club rugby:
@antipodean Absolutely. He was pointing for a reason. He didn't exactly put much into the chase though ...
Pointing? I thought he was saying "Touch! bro...."
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That's the efforts of someone who is no longer interested.
Maybe he's homesick and wants to get back to Auckland. Who can blame him, he's probably in the prime of his career and he's not involved at the pointy end of either European or Pro12 seasons. Sure if he was playing for the Blues he probably wouldn't be playing playoff rugby either but at least he possibly would have All Black duties to look forward to.
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@Frye He was playing very well for Wasps last season, they were gutted to lose him to Ulster although that was always going to be the case. But if he's not interested in playing for Ulster anymore, he's not really screaming out "buy me" to any other team with that piss poor attitude.
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@Catogrande He has also been relegated to the wing for some 21 year old who would struggle to make the grade at ITM cup. Fairly galling.
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@Frye said in NH club rugby:
@Catogrande He has also been relegated to the wing for some 21 year old who would struggle to make the grade at ITM cup. Fairly galling.
I presume you mean Jacob Stockdale who played 16 and scored 9 tries. (CP 18 and 6). He's fairly handy for a 21 yr old. Hopefully, he'll tour in US and Japan in the summer.
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@Pot-Hale said in NH club rugby:
@Frye said in NH club rugby:
@Catogrande He has also been relegated to the wing for some 21 year old who would struggle to make the grade at ITM cup. Fairly galling.
I presume you mean Jacob Stockdale who played 16 and scored 9 tries. (CP 18 and 6). He's fairly handy for a 21 yr old. Hopefully, he'll tour in US and Japan in the summer.
Yeah, he looks handy.
Certainly makes sense to invest in a local youth with promise than a foreign star who packs a sad.
I was flabbergasted at the time at the risk Hansen took leaving Piutau out of the RWC squad for 2 rookies flakey under the high ball. I still actually think it was the wrong decision. But clearly they hold 'desire' as a selectable skill , so I'll give them a pass on that now.
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That video reinforces my opinion that he wouldn't make an ITM cup team. I feel bad ripping on the kid but lets be realistic here, half of the highlights are catching the ball and falling over the try line. The other half are against some awful Edinburgh, zebre or age grade defences.
I wouldn't be surprised if this was poor management from the Ulster coaching staff which initiated the issue.
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Jesus that gif makes me sad. What have you done Charles? You look big and disinterested. A huge test career turfed in for some more money doing something you clearly don't enjoy.
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@Frye said in NH club rugby:
That video reinforces my opinion that he wouldn't make an ITM cup team. I feel bad ripping on the kid but lets be realistic here, half of the highlights are catching the ball and falling over the try line. The other half are against some awful Edinburgh, zebre or age grade defences.
Dearie me, we are choosy. Yes some of his tries were against Edinburgh and Zebre, but also against Glasgow, Ospreys and Scarlets.
So okay, he wouldn't make it into an ITM cup team, he'll just have to make do with Ulster and possibly playing for Ireland in the summer.
New Zealand truly is in an exalted place.......
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@Frye said in NH club rugby:
That video reinforces my opinion that he wouldn't make an ITM cup team. I feel bad ripping on the kid but lets be realistic here, half of the highlights are catching the ball and falling over the try line. The other half are against some awful Edinburgh, zebre or age grade defences.
I wouldn't be surprised if this was poor management from the Ulster coaching staff which initiated the issue.
Hasn't stopped Keith Earls having a career and a huge Munster cheerleading squad.
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