Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final
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From another thread it would seem that Smith is lining up opposite Giteau.
Manuel
Herbert Moran (7)
The situation for Paris is the following:
They're 7th in the Top 14 table, four points behind Racing Métro with two games left. The top six teams qualify for playoffs and for next season's Heineken Cup. And next weekend, Racing Métro and Stade français play each other... I think their priority is that match.
The main incentive to win the Challenge Cup is that it gives a spot at the following season's Heineken Cup, and Paris have chosen to look for qualification in a different way. They would still qualify if Toulon win the Amlin, though (because Toulon are already qualified through their third place in the Top 14, which gives the spot to the 7th placed).
In any case, George Smith at centre should be fun. And I've always thought it useful to have a centre that can win turnovers.
They're 7th in the Top 14 table, four points behind Racing Métro with two games left. The top six teams qualify for playoffs and for next season's Heineken Cup. And next weekend, Racing Métro and Stade français play each other... I think their priority is that match.
The main incentive to win the Challenge Cup is that it gives a spot at the following season's Heineken Cup, and Paris have chosen to look for qualification in a different way. They would still qualify if Toulon win the Amlin, though (because Toulon are already qualified through their third place in the Top 14, which gives the spot to the 7th placed).
In any case, George Smith at centre should be fun. And I've always thought it useful to have a centre that can win turnovers.
Bardon
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Half time in the semi final Toulon 11 Stade 19. Toulon started really well with a try from Armitage in the first minute and threatened to add more in the first 5 minutes. But some great defence from Stade and their own mistakes kept Toulon out.
Stade then started to take control and scored a try through Bonneval. Ill discipline from Toulon meant they conceded a number of kickable penalties and along with a drop goal allowed Stade to stretch out to 19-8. A Wilkinson penalty right on half time brought it back to 11-19 at half time. Toulon will have the wind at their backs in the 2nd half and if they get close the momentum can easily swing, especially with the team Stade have picked.
Smith has done pretty well at 12 and sometimes in defence they've moved him out to 13. For a guy playing his first game in the centres it's been pretty good. Still I don't think he'll be in the 12 shirt for the Racing game next week.
Stade then started to take control and scored a try through Bonneval. Ill discipline from Toulon meant they conceded a number of kickable penalties and along with a drop goal allowed Stade to stretch out to 19-8. A Wilkinson penalty right on half time brought it back to 11-19 at half time. Toulon will have the wind at their backs in the 2nd half and if they get close the momentum can easily swing, especially with the team Stade have picked.
Smith has done pretty well at 12 and sometimes in defence they've moved him out to 13. For a guy playing his first game in the centres it's been pretty good. Still I don't think he'll be in the 12 shirt for the Racing game next week.
Bardon
Peter Fenwicke (45)
60 minutes gone Toulon 26 Stade 26. 3 penalties and a 1st DG of the season from Wilkinson gave Toulon a 23-19 lead and it's Stade's discipline that's the problem this half. Wilko missed 2 other penalties.
Stade's 1st visit to Toulon's half resulted in their 2nd try. For all the talk about Smith v Giteau in the centres it was another Aus centre who scored the try, Turinui. Right after the try Stade coughed up another pen which Wiko put over to square things up.
An exciting last 20 ahead.
Stade's 1st visit to Toulon's half resulted in their 2nd try. For all the talk about Smith v Giteau in the centres it was another Aus centre who scored the try, Turinui. Right after the try Stade coughed up another pen which Wiko put over to square things up.
An exciting last 20 ahead.
Bardon
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Final score Toulon 32 Stade 29. For the first 70 minutes young Plisson at 10 for Stade really looked the part. But his mistake lead to Arias being yellow carded, for pulling back a player who might have collected a charge down and scored, and his team playing the last 10 minutes with 14. Then a few minutes later another mistake by him almost gifted Toulon a try.
At 70 minutes the score was 29-29 but due to their numerical advantage Toulon spent the last 10 camped in Stade's half. Wilkinson missed a host of chances from penalties and drop goals until finally in the last minute he landed a DG. Toulon won but didn't look very impressive in doing so. Giteau was anonamous throughout the game and apart from the first 5 minutes they never looked like creating a try scoring chance.
Stade will probably be left thinking what might have been if they'd picked a full strength side. Now they have to hope their gamble pays off and they make the top 6 play-offs. They could still finish 7th and qualify for the HEC next year if Toulon go on to win the Amlin.
At 70 minutes the score was 29-29 but due to their numerical advantage Toulon spent the last 10 camped in Stade's half. Wilkinson missed a host of chances from penalties and drop goals until finally in the last minute he landed a DG. Toulon won but didn't look very impressive in doing so. Giteau was anonamous throughout the game and apart from the first 5 minutes they never looked like creating a try scoring chance.
Stade will probably be left thinking what might have been if they'd picked a full strength side. Now they have to hope their gamble pays off and they make the top 6 play-offs. They could still finish 7th and qualify for the HEC next year if Toulon go on to win the Amlin.
Bardon
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Teams for the Amlin Challenge Final
TEAM LINE-UPS:
Biarritz: I Balshaw, T Ngwenya, J-P Barraque, D Traille, D Haylett-Petty; J Peyrelongue, D Yachvili; Y Watremez, A Heguy, E Van Staden, J Thion, P Taele, W Lauret, B Guyot, I Harinordoquy (capt).
Reps: B August, S Marconnet, F Gomez-Kodela, E Lund, T Gray, M Bosch, C Gimenez, I Bolakoro.
Toulon: B Lapeyre, A Palisson, M Bastareaud, M Giteau, D Smith; J Wilkinson, S Tillous-Borde; E Lewis-Roberts, S Bruno, C Hayman, C Samson, K Chesney, P Gunther, S Armitage, J van Niekerk (capt).
Reps: J-C Orioli, L Emmanuelli, D Kubriashvili, J El Abd, G Messina, D Schofield, F Cibray, J Suta.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
TEAM LINE-UPS:
Biarritz: I Balshaw, T Ngwenya, J-P Barraque, D Traille, D Haylett-Petty; J Peyrelongue, D Yachvili; Y Watremez, A Heguy, E Van Staden, J Thion, P Taele, W Lauret, B Guyot, I Harinordoquy (capt).
Reps: B August, S Marconnet, F Gomez-Kodela, E Lund, T Gray, M Bosch, C Gimenez, I Bolakoro.
Toulon: B Lapeyre, A Palisson, M Bastareaud, M Giteau, D Smith; J Wilkinson, S Tillous-Borde; E Lewis-Roberts, S Bruno, C Hayman, C Samson, K Chesney, P Gunther, S Armitage, J van Niekerk (capt).
Reps: J-C Orioli, L Emmanuelli, D Kubriashvili, J El Abd, G Messina, D Schofield, F Cibray, J Suta.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Bardon
Peter Fenwicke (45)
23 minutes gone Biaritz 6 Tulon 3. Very close game so far, Toulon have the better of the scrum where they've won a number of penalties, one of which was very kickable but Wilkinson missed it. Biaritz are playing the greasy conditions much better, Peyrelongue & Yachvili are kicking really well for the corners and Biaritz are putting a lot of pressure on a creaking Toulon lineout.
For those on Aus watch Haylett-Petty has looked very good including a wonderline and one handed take behind himself for a break that almost lead to a try. If Biaritz had kept the ball in hand in that move they might have gone over in the corner but instead kicked the ball in behind.
For those on Aus watch Haylett-Petty has looked very good including a wonderline and one handed take behind himself for a break that almost lead to a try. If Biaritz had kept the ball in hand in that move they might have gone over in the corner but instead kicked the ball in behind.
Bardon
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Half time Biaritz 12 Toulon 9. Sloppy end to the half as the conditions have more of an effect. Toulon still dominating the scrum but also still creaking in the lineout. Biaritz spent most of the half in Toulon's half without creating too many try scoring chances. Giteau for Toulon has looked good defensively and did well to disrupt a dangerous Biaritz move on halfway. Both sides continue to give away penalties and Wilkinson and Yachvili continue to take the points where possible.
Stefon Armitage has put in the kind of performance that makes one wonder why he was left out of the England squad for the tour of SA. Not as barnstorming as some of the performances that say him named Top 14 player of the season but still enough to stand out. Maybe his involvement in the Top 14 playoffs had something to do with his exclusion, but if it did I haven't seen any mention from Lancaster.
It's not a game to set the world alight but it's an absorbing contest between Biaritz, a team who've built their European pedigree over the last 12 years in the HEC and have reached a few finals and are desperate for some European silverware vs Toulon a team who've risen mainly on the back of their bank balance over the last few years who are desperate for any kind of silverware as reward for their huge investment.
Both teams are giving the game the respect it deserves, Biaritz are one of the few French teams who bought into the idea of European rugby (especially the HEC) early and have a long pedigree, Toulon have shown in the last few years that they are serious about being successful in Europe as well as the Top 14.
The game might only end up having one try and whoever manages to get it in the 2nd half may well go on to lift the trophy. It's also very possible that these 2 will continue to swap penalties right until the end.
Stefon Armitage has put in the kind of performance that makes one wonder why he was left out of the England squad for the tour of SA. Not as barnstorming as some of the performances that say him named Top 14 player of the season but still enough to stand out. Maybe his involvement in the Top 14 playoffs had something to do with his exclusion, but if it did I haven't seen any mention from Lancaster.
It's not a game to set the world alight but it's an absorbing contest between Biaritz, a team who've built their European pedigree over the last 12 years in the HEC and have reached a few finals and are desperate for some European silverware vs Toulon a team who've risen mainly on the back of their bank balance over the last few years who are desperate for any kind of silverware as reward for their huge investment.
Both teams are giving the game the respect it deserves, Biaritz are one of the few French teams who bought into the idea of European rugby (especially the HEC) early and have a long pedigree, Toulon have shown in the last few years that they are serious about being successful in Europe as well as the Top 14.
The game might only end up having one try and whoever manages to get it in the 2nd half may well go on to lift the trophy. It's also very possible that these 2 will continue to swap penalties right until the end.
Bardon
Peter Fenwicke (45)
60 minutes gone. Biaritz 18 Toulon 15. Hayman just out of the sin bin wins a penalty at the scrum for Wilkinson to peg Biaritz back. Toulon's line out has been better in the 2nd half largely due to the efforts of van Niekerk.
Biaritz are still bossing territory and Toulon haven't been in their 22 the entire game, but they're still in this one.
Biaritz are still bossing territory and Toulon haven't been in their 22 the entire game, but they're still in this one.
Bardon
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Final score Biaritz 21 Toulon 18. As the clocked ticked into the red numbers Toulon were trying to set up for a Wilkinson drop goal to take it into extra time. They just couldn't get the final drive they needed to peg the chargedown back and ended up giving away a penalty. Yachvili, man of the match, booted the it off the park and the Biaritz team howled with joy.
Not the best spectacle by any stretch of the imagination, the conditions were one factor but also Biaritz love their 10 man rugby.
Delighted for Biaritz getting their first European trophy after so many years trying. Also they qualify for next years HEC, 13th year in a row, and that means that there's no HEC rugby for Stade next year.
Not the best spectacle by any stretch of the imagination, the conditions were one factor but also Biaritz love their 10 man rugby.
Delighted for Biaritz getting their first European trophy after so many years trying. Also they qualify for next years HEC, 13th year in a row, and that means that there's no HEC rugby for Stade next year.
Bruce Ross
Ken Catchpole (46)
Thanks for the updates, Bardon. A very close game but I'd have expected nothing less as they are both MyoQuip users.
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