Northern Hemisphere Rugby
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Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Pretty fun round of Top 14. Bayonne has shocked everyone by rolling La Rochelle's best team. Turns out Manu Tualagi is still a freak. Bayonne won a push over try at the end of the game, creaming La Rochelle's scrum which had Skelton packing down. Bayonne are still yet to have the indomitable Reece Hodge to return, anything is possible!
Toulouse, having lost two on the trot without Dupont, bring him back via the bench and he scores a hattrick in 12 minutes lol. Sorry Aussie Clermont.
Maddocks set up two tries to help Pau get a win over Castres (who beat Toulouse last week).
Freshly promoted Vannes just went down away from home to Montpellier by 2 points. I wonder if they have to start converting their close losses to wins or their losing BPs will be enough.
Racing and Toulon had the least interesting match of the season, 3-3 at the 60th minute. Racing went on to win it, yawn.
And Bordeaux absolutely dismantled Perpignan at home, with Samu scoring a peach of a try and Bordeaux nabbing two intercept tries against a very sad USAP (66-12). Bordeaux are clear top dogs after the first 6 rounds, we'll see how they go without their internationals.
Toulouse, having lost two on the trot without Dupont, bring him back via the bench and he scores a hattrick in 12 minutes lol. Sorry Aussie Clermont.
Maddocks set up two tries to help Pau get a win over Castres (who beat Toulouse last week).
Freshly promoted Vannes just went down away from home to Montpellier by 2 points. I wonder if they have to start converting their close losses to wins or their losing BPs will be enough.
Racing and Toulon had the least interesting match of the season, 3-3 at the 60th minute. Racing went on to win it, yawn.
And Bordeaux absolutely dismantled Perpignan at home, with Samu scoring a peach of a try and Bordeaux nabbing two intercept tries against a very sad USAP (66-12). Bordeaux are clear top dogs after the first 6 rounds, we'll see how they go without their internationals.
KentwellCup>ShuteShield
Ted Thorn (20)
Avid Top 14 watchers, how far ahead would you place the top 14 of super rugby in terms of playing style and quality?
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
I wouldn't really place it that far ahead/if at all. I think the Brumbies/Reds would be a mid-table team and top NZ teams would consistently be top 4.
I think they're probably of pretty equal quality these days. Champions Cup is where it gets elevated.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I don't really watch it so can't comment except that some pretty middling players from Aus/NZ still go over and seem to excel which implies its not quite at the same level. Even just in that video you linked above the defense was pretty shameful.
I've no doubt the Waratah's would push for a wooden spoon in any comp they play in though.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Little Wallaby watch in Top 14:
La Rochelle got pumped so hard to blame anyone player but Tolu Latu had three throws stolen, one not straight and a knock on in 40 minutes. Skelton came on at HT and did nothing, gave away a penalty, got stepped for a try and threw a forward pass.
Ineligible but so handsome Monty Ioane got MotM for Lyon.
Newsome and Simone have been unremarkable.
Maddocks has been a firm Serviceable+ this season. Doing his job decently, not terrible but nothing to rave about.
Samu has been a good supersub for Bordeaux. Swinton red carded, Coleman ineligible.
Feleti Kaitu’u has been starting for Racing 92. Had no idea he was over there. Medical joker apparently.
Paia’aua has been playing (okay) at fullback for Toulon.
Don't think Uelese is injured but he's been unsighted.
Simmons and my personal favourites Staniforth and Heewat are all injured. Hodge still hasn't recovered from a persistent knee injury. Unfortunately Jake McIntyre is injured and can't take his rightful place as the Prince of Gold and guide our Wallabies on the EOYT.
La Rochelle got pumped so hard to blame anyone player but Tolu Latu had three throws stolen, one not straight and a knock on in 40 minutes. Skelton came on at HT and did nothing, gave away a penalty, got stepped for a try and threw a forward pass.
Ineligible but so handsome Monty Ioane got MotM for Lyon.
Newsome and Simone have been unremarkable.
Maddocks has been a firm Serviceable+ this season. Doing his job decently, not terrible but nothing to rave about.
Samu has been a good supersub for Bordeaux. Swinton red carded, Coleman ineligible.
Feleti Kaitu’u has been starting for Racing 92. Had no idea he was over there. Medical joker apparently.
Paia’aua has been playing (okay) at fullback for Toulon.
Don't think Uelese is injured but he's been unsighted.
Simmons and my personal favourites Staniforth and Heewat are all injured. Hodge still hasn't recovered from a persistent knee injury. Unfortunately Jake McIntyre is injured and can't take his rightful place as the Prince of Gold and guide our Wallabies on the EOYT.
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
Players from 'Tier 2' nations playing in Europe (2024/2025)
News and opinion focusing on Tier 2 rugby nations.
tier2rugby.blogspot.com
Pretty interesting list. There's a lot more players from Tier 2 nations in the NH comps than I expected
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
A lot of players he claimed are dubious. He includes any player who plays for a Tier 2 nation through grandparents. They're not really from Tier 2 nations.Players from 'Tier 2' nations playing in Europe (2024/2025)
News and opinion focusing on Tier 2 rugby nations.
Pretty interesting list. There's a lot more players from Tier 2 nations in the NH comps than I expected
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
He also includes Japanese players when Japan is a tier 1 nation
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
Nice
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
How has he been doing over there?
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
very, very unremarkable. He's been playing lock recently and their scrum has been going backwards. Bit rough as he's there after they've lost Salakaia-Loto and Courtney Lawes.
If you're going for the spoon, I don't think "push" is the verb you want.
"Stagger" or "Bumble"...
Must be up there as one of the longest losing streaks in first class rugby. Think Southland, Buller, and East Coast would all be up there too.
Steve_Grey
Darby Loudon (17)
Some cracking Gallagher Premiership Matches y/s - Bristol / Saracens and Bath / Harlequins both ended 2 point games, with the former in the 30s scoreline.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Yeah shame the evil empire won in the end for Bristol/Saracens. Hard to believe because Bristol were playing some absolute sublime rugby but they kept letting Saracens back in the game.