Month: September 2024

Glasgow Warriors produced an impressive response to last weekend’s disappointing United Rugby Championship opener by hammering Cardiff 52-24 at Scotstoun.

In Franco Smith’s first game in charge, Glasgow were beaten 33-11 by Benetton but the South African will have been pleased with how they hit back on Friday.

Despite a slow start, which saw Josh Adams cross the whitewash for the Welsh region, the Scots were 28-10 ahead at the interval thanks to Fraser Brown, Cole Forbes, Matt Fagerson and George Horne tries.

Kristian Dacey did briefly give Cardiff hope at the start of the second period but Zander Fagerson and Brown scored before Tom Gordon and Stafford McDowall rounded off a superb win for the Warriors.

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Cardiff were leading 7-0 through an early Josh Adams try and Jarrod Evans conversion when Thomas Young was yellow-carded for side entry at a ruck on his own line in the 21st minute.

Brown, Forbes and Matt Fagerson all then scored in quick order, with Horne slotting all three conversions from tricky positions wide on the right to make it 21-7.

Warriors then had to endure a spell a man down when stand-off Tom Jordan saw yellow for a high challenge on Adams, and an Evans penalty two minutes later following a ruck offence narrowed the gap by three points.

But Warriors were not prepared to let the numerical disadvantage slow their progress.

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The home team finished the first half with a flourish when scrum-half Horne dived over from close range to claim the four-try bonus point.

Cardiff started the second half brightly with a try from a line-out maul by Dacey, but that was as good as it got for Dai Young’s side.

Warriors marched straight back upfield to score try number five when Zander Fagerson surged under the Cardiff posts.

The visitors lost replacement centre Uilisi Halaholo to the sin bin for a high tackle on Brown just two minutes after he came off the bench, and Warriors scored straight after the penalty was kicked to the corner, with Brown claiming his second from a line-out drive.

Warriors thought they had scored again when Jordan went over on the left, but referee Chris Busby was persuaded by the TMO to chalk the try off for a forward pass earlier in the move. It was a bold call because the conversion had already been taken.

It was a temporary hold-up for Warriors, and there was no doubt that the next try would stand when Jack Dempsey broke through the middle and sent Gordon over.

Liam Belcher scored a consolation for Cardiff with 10 minutes to go, but Warriors had the last word with a McDowall charge-down try.

Dan Sheehan scores four in dominant Leinster win

Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan helped himself to four tries as Leinster had little trouble in beating Benetton 42-10 in the United Rugby Championship at the RDS.

One of a dozen players returning from the New Zealand tour, Sheehan scored a 28-minute hat-trick to give the hosts a 21-3 half-time lead.

Replacement Manfredi Albanese ended Benetton’s wait for a try, but Leinster ended up running in six tries in total as Josh van der Flier, Sheehan and Luke McGrath added further scores.

Sheehan is the eighth player, and first from Leinster, to score four tries in a URC match. The last one to do so was Marcell Coetzee for Ulster against Zebre in November 2020.

Another Zebre comeback comes too late

Zebre Parma had a late try disallowed as they fell agonisingly short of completing a second-half fightback for the second week running, losing 42-37 to the Sharks.

The Italians pushed Leinster all the way in a 33-29 defeat last weekend having trailed 28-10 at the break, and they were on the wrong end of the same half-time scoreline again on Friday.

Reniel Hugo, Kerron van Vuuren, Werner Kok and Rohan Janse van Rensburg all touched down as the visitors wrapped up the bonus point in less than 30 minutes, but Zebre – who were temporarily reduced to 13 men early in the half – responded through Luca Bigi before the interval.

Simone Gesi and Taina Fox-Matamua then went over early in the second period, before Gabriele Venditti and Jacopo Trulla both crossed to set up a tense finish, with Dan Jooste scoring the Sharks’ only try of the second period.

Trulla looked to have pulled Zebre level at 39-39 with the conversion to come four minutes from time, but the hosts were penalised for a block at the preceding kick-off flagged by the TMO, denying Tiff Eden an opportunity to kick Zebre in front for the first time.

After Chamberlain kicked the resulting penalty, Eden was able to salvage the losing bonus point with a three-pointer of his own, with both sides having earlier secured the try bonus.

There has been no progress in discussions between Arsenal & Bordeaux for the transfer of Brazilian winger Malcom, according to SFR Sport.

Nothing has moved since Friday, with Bordeaux having no intention of selling the player this winter. Arsenal, on their end, are not willing to send him back to Les Girondins on loan until the end of the season if they were to purchase him this month.

As a result, no offer has been made at the moment, but everyone is talking.

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Ulster head coach Dan McFarland praised Ronan O’Gara for his work with La Rochelle ahead of the showdown between the two sides this weekend in the Champions Cup.

The two sides enter the clash in different spaces after McFarland’s men slumped to a heavy 39-0 defeat to Sale Sharks in the opening round, whilst La Rochelle claimed a strong 46-12 win over Northampton Saints.

Tough loss

McFarland admits the big loss was tough for the group to take, particularly given the side’s solid start to the United Rugby Championship prior to the Champions Cup opening round.

“We’ve got to own a 39-0 defeat, don’t we? It’s very difficult when you’re a very honest group like these guys are; we measure ourselves by certain standards,” McFarland told the Irish Examiner.

The Ulster boss only had good things to say about O’Gara, who he thought has been “brave” throughout his coaching career so far in the decisions he has made.

“It’s very interesting,” McFarland said.

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“One, he is very brave. I think stepping out of what you know and going and trying something different is very difficult, full stop. I know that. I left Connacht and had lived there for fifteen years to go to Glasgow.

“I was probably way more experienced at that stage than he was when he moved away. I know that was tough for me.

“He clearly made the decision that the experiences he needed had to be expanded. So I think that is very brave. He’s obviously in a situation where he has been able to go to great clubs, who are very successful in their own right and learn under people who are doing great things.

“That can only help. I don’t know Ronan that well, but when he speaks and the stuff he has in the media, he makes a lot of sense, doesn’t he? He obviously thinks a lot about what he does.”

Impressive club ethos

The Ulsterman commended the ethos that O’Gara has developed at the club and sees a clear alignment between the coaches and the players.

“Well, I think they definitely have something they stand for. That’s the biggest thing, you have a way of playing that you can clearly see that’s what Ronan and the guys there have developed,” said McFarland.

“There seems to be a common thread and ethos within the club, and I think that’s probably the biggest challenge as a Head Coach, to get that into place.

“I don’t really know the details of what they do, but you can look at a team and see what they are doing week-in, week-out, and they are doing it well and doing a good job.”

France Football report that Ligue 1 newly-promoted side ESTAC Troyes have made an enquiry for 28-year-old EA Guingamp striker Sloan Privat.

Antoine Kombouaré’s side will let the player go if a suitable offer comes in.

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Former All Blacks hooker James Parsons has questioned coach Ian Foster’s approach to managing the development of the New Zealand squad.

Parsons’ criticism comes after Foster claimed the squad is still “rebuilding” after they lost to Argentina in New Zealand for the first time – another unwanted record picked up by the All Blacks in 2022.

Learn from the Black Ferns

The former Blues man used the Black Ferns as an example of how building and developing a squad should look like and contrasted their approach to that of Foster’s, where limited opportunities have been handed to players needing time at Test level.

“If you look at the amount of changes every week, every test there’s opportunity created for players to put their hand up, to make the World Cup squad and set the tone of that competitive edge within that group,” he told The Aotearoa Rugby Pod.

“It’s working, and they’re still having the ability to win Test matches.

“Whereas [with the All Blacks] we have seen quite a consistent form of selection for a while now in those key (areas),” he explained.

“If I was a player and I heard coach talk about rebuilding, you’d probably have to expect a few changes this week.

“If that is the case, give guys opportunities, Hoskins [Sotutu], Roger [Tuivasa-Sheck], Stevey [Perofeta].”

Time be realistic

Meanwhile, former All Blacks full-back Mils Muliaina called for fans and pundits to be realistic about where the team is and that they will not suddenly click back to where they once were.

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“Are we being realistic about where and how close we are, we’re not dominant like we used to be,” he said on The Breakdown.

“We’re not going to get back to those (dominant) stages in the next two to three test matches.

“We’ve got to be patient about where these guys are heading”

The pressure is firmly back on Foster so soon after being backed by New Zealand Rugby until next year’s World Cup. Another loss will spell more trouble for an All Blacks side that is not living up to their performances of old.

The All Blacks face Argentina again in New Zealand and will be hoping to bounce back and make a charge in the wide-open Rugby Championship that sees only a five-point difference between top and bottom of the table after three rounds.

Premier League side Chelsea were one of a number of clubs with representatives at the Parc des Princes on Saturday to watch 20-year-old central defender Nordi Mukiele in action for PSG against Montpellier, according to L’Équipe.

The player is receiving enormous European interest, with AS Roma’s Sporting Director Monchi having allegedly informed the player’s representatives that he is ready to make an offer for the Montpellier man. Will that offer come this month? One wouldn’t rule it out.

RB Leipzig would also love to add the player to their ranks.

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Springbok number eight Jasper Wiese says his team are looking to claim a bonus-point win against Argentina in their backyard as the world champions push for the Rugby Championship title.

The competition is wide open, with all four teams able to take home the trophy after the final two rounds, meaning every point matters during the final push.

A bonus point in Argentina has become a much more challenging task in 2022, with Michael Cheika’s influence powering Los Pumas to unprecedented heights in the tournament, claiming a record win against Australia and their first victory in New Zealand during this year’s edition.

Points are vital

Wiese knows that bonus points will be crucial if the Springboks are to close the deficit to the competition leaders New Zealand.

“I think every team is playing for a bonus point at this stage of the tournament. First of all, you want to keep it in mind that you want to win the match but every team has the same mindset and it is important to try to get a bonus point,” Wiese said.

“We simply just have to go out there, play our best rugby and make our country proud. If we play our best rugby, the bonus point will take care of it itself and that sums it up perfectly.”

Wiese said it is a privilege to be in the same set-up as the legendary Duane Vermuelen as the pair battle for the starting role in green and gold. The number eight is looking to learn as much as possible from the veteran in the Springbok environment.

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“To have such an experienced player playing alongside you is amazing and to learn from him is a real privilege. As for competition for places, it is really tight and I don’t think anyone’s spot is guaranteed,” he said.

“It has been a massive privilege playing alongside everyone here in the team and especially Duane. He has years of experience and there is so much I can still learn from him, it is just a massive privilege for me being next to him in this environment.”

The Premiership champion expects a difficult challenge playing in the “proud” country of Argentina, but everyone in the squad is aware of the task at hand.

“It is the same when you play abroad, you always have to deal with the crowd, Argentina is a very proud country and they are a team that doesn’t go away, especially when they play at home,” he added.

“Even when they play away from home, they don’t go away. They are a very tough team and it’s something that you have to deal with when playing abroad: it is to deal with the crowd.

“It was a decision from management to get us here as soon as possible and adapt as soon as possible and get us into a mindset of still having a job to do.

“Training has been good, it’s a little bit warner than in Australia, the city is nice and everybody knows what we have to do.”

Tough challenge

Electric Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi echoed Wiese’s comments and expects a tough challenge from Argentina but looks forward to facing up against the resurgent side.

“Argentina are a good team with quality players and they have several experienced players – some of whom we have been playing against for a few years now,” said Mapimpi.

“We know the intensity and physicality with which the All Blacks play after seeing their result against New Zealand last week, and Argentina were on the same level against them in their first Test match (which Argentina won 25-18).

“So, we are really looking forward to playing against Los Pumas next week.”

The Springboks bounced back against Australia with a more dominant performance in their 24-8 Rugby Championship win in Sydney and Mapimpi was pleased with his side’s improvement.

“It was a good thing to be able to do what we enjoy doing, and especially to score tries when we had the opportunities,” he added.

“It was really great for us as a team to bounce back from the previous game (against Australia – which the Springboks lost 25-17). And personally, it was a nice feeling to score a try.”

Speaking before Nice’s clash with PSG in an interview with Téléfoot, Mario Balotelli slammed PSG for their early Champions’ League exit.

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“They deserved to lose. Real Madrid were more efficient and performed better. It is always shameful to see a big team like PSG exit the Champions’ League so early. But Real Madrid deserved it, they were better… Money does not make a team. Money allows you to buy great players, but not a team… PSG are like Guingamp, a Ligue 1 team… Marseille and Lyon are also big teams. I do not care whether we are playing PSG or someone else.”

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson expects Manu Tuilagi to be fully up to speed soon, after featuring in the Sharks’ Premiership opener on Sunday.

The 31-year-old was making his return from a knee injury sustained towards the end of last season.

Tuilagi underwent a minor operation to correct the issue, which kept him out of England’s tour to Australia, but he was back in action for the Sharks at the weekend.

Sale began their Premiership campaign with a 29-22 victory over Northampton Saints and, although Tuilagi’s impact was limited, Sanderson believes the England man will get back to his best.

More positives than negatives

“It is good to see Manu get that game-time under his belt,” he said.

“Hopefully we will get a full 80 minutes out of him soon. He showed what he’s about and he’ll keep working hard.

“It is great to have him back on the field and overall there were many more positives than negatives.”

It was an excellent start to the season from the Sharks, who touched down four times through Gus Warr, Luke James, Sam James and Tom O’Flaherty.

They have looked to alter their game in pre-season and Sanderson insists that it is only a “glimpse” of what they can offer in 2022/23.

“We have seen an exciting glimpse of what we’re going to be about,” he said.

“There has been a shift in focus in the way we will endeavour to attack opposition teams and there was also lots of physicality in defence I thought.

“We look like we could be hard to stop this season.

“In previous seasons we have looked undercooked at times, but today we showed good signs of form and that’s encouraging.”

Northampton’s character

Sale will have been disappointed with the final 15 minutes as the visitors scored three tries to rescue a losing bonus-point.

Sanderson’s men outplayed Northampton in the first hour, but Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson was pleased with the character they showed.

“I feel like we let too much go in the first hour of the game,” Dowson said.

“We created opportunities to score, but it is frustrating we did not go on to finish off more of them.

“Overall we were not quite as efficient as I know we can be and Sale took advantage of that.

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“It was looking ugly for us at 29-3 behind, but to be fair I thought the lads showed plenty of heart and commitment after that.

“There are lots of things we can look back on and work on making improvements, but it is early days and we will get better as the season progresses.”

OGC Nice striker Alassane Pléa told RMC tonight that he would eventually like to move to a club outside of France.

“I have always said that going abroad would be something that would please me. One day, I hope to go, see another country, another football culture, learn another language and other things… That would make me enormously happy. Now, I have stages to reach. This is my fourth season at Nice. I hope to complete this season. Injuries have previously stopped my progression. After that, we will see. If one day, there is a super club that wants me, we will see what is possible.”

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