The Heineken Cup got underway this weekend in Europe, with this year’s tournament potentially being the last due to concerns over governance and distribution of TV income, many in the Northern Hemisphere were happy to let rugby take centre stage.
From an Australian perspective it was a mixed weekend for the players and coaches that have moved north. Without a doubt the top Aussie performer on the field was Matt Giteau, the Wallaby was sublime in Toulons 51-28 win over a Glasgow side which is sitting top of the Pro 12.
Giteau scored two tries, was one of the top players for run metres and topped the stats for defenders beaten and added a conversion as well. While he showed his full range of tricks with ball in hand, his team can’t have been happy about some of their defensive efforts in the 2nd half, albeit with the game won. Matt also saw the Heineken Cup debut of his good pal Drew Mitchell who had a solid if unspectacular 30 minutes for the reigning champions.
Another Australian who can be happy with his week’s work was ex-Brumbies man Matt O’Connor, who took charge of Irish powerhouse Leinster for the first time in the competition. He was behind a tactical master class as Lions Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien spearheaded a defensive effort which saw the Welsh Ospreys beaten on their home patch for only the third time in the competition. Following the hugely successful Kiwi Joe Schmidt is a big ask but this win shows that O’Connor can compete tactically on the highest club stage.
One Aussie who won’t want to remember this weekend is Clermont and ex-Sydney Uni flyhalf Brock James. He faltered on the big stage yet again in Clermont’s 13-9 loss to Parisian rivals Racing Metro, putting in a timid and at times error-strewn performance to show yet again that he isn’t a man for the big occasion. Too often James has been found lacking when the heat is on and Clermont will need him at his very best if they are to be contenders in the Heineken Cup this year.
The weekend also saw ex-Waratahs and Exeter Chiefs captain Dean Mumm lead his side to an impressive 44-29 win over the Cardiff Blues. This puts Exeter in a two-way shoot-out with Glasgow to snatch second spot in the pool behind Toulon who should top the pool. Salesi Ma’afu made his Heineken Cup debut in Northampton’s 20-13 loss to French Champions Castres, and ex-Randwick man Brendan Williams lined out at fullback in Treviso’s home loss to Montpellier.
In other Heineken Cup news there were wins for Saracens, Toulouse, Edinburgh, Ulster and Gloucester.
