It’s a mystery to me, the game commences, for the usual fee, plus expenses, He could throw that ball by you, Make you look like a fool boy. As neither Mark Knopfler nor Bruce Springsteen actually sang. But this is it, after months of travel and travails, outlandish skill and outrageous decisions, flashy footwork and plodding power, sleight of hand, nothing bland, we arrive at the knockouts of the URC. The last eight sides still in with a shout, four matches this weekend that could produce some stunning upsets or predictable eye-rolling. Let’s see.
Glasgow Warriors vs Connacht sets the ball rolling in Scotland on Friday night, with 1st vs 8th on the log being about as deceptive as you’ll get. Glasgow are stacked full of internationals and top the table after a fine season, but they had a couple of notable wobbles later on, losing badly on their tour of South Africa, and sneaking past Ulster in the final fixture to guarantee top spot. Connacht really came out of nowhere after a slow start to the season, but arguably finished the league phase as the form side – a solitary loss to the Lions (of course) in Johannesburg their only defeat since the end of January. Eight wins from their last nine, including wins over the Stormers, Munster – and Glasgow underpinning their pedigree, despite the lack of big-ticket names. Can they pull off what would be one of the shocks of the season thus far? Unlikely – the Warriors have a 100% record at home this season and are fiendishly difficult to beat on their home patch.
Verdict: The Weedge by a whisker!
Bulls vs Munster gets Saturday rolling on the highveld at the ridiculous time of 1:30pm this side, when most parents and kids are still at schools for rugby. Oh well. Both sides had indifferent starts to the campaign, but both have gathered a head of steam lately. The Bulls have only lost two URC matches this year (both to the Stormers) and have scalped Munster, Cardiff and the Lions during that run (as well as Edinburgh to avoid outrage). Both home losses were against local opposition, with a perfect record against European teams. A helluva pack of forwards and some good outside backs along with Pollard’s boot has seen off most at Loftus for a couple of seasons now, but Munster ran them desperately close a few weeks back – 3 points in it. Munster? Won six of their first seven URC matches this season and folks were talking about them being back. Since then, though it’s five wins and six losses, which suggests a side still struggling to get on a run and to finish off the tight matches. Both sides are capable of winning, both have the odd brainfart to undermine them too.
Verdict: Bulls by bugger-all!
Stormers vs Cardiff has upset written all over it. But who is the underdog? Cardiff gave the Stormers a lesson in cohesive, quick-thinking rugby a couple of weeks ago and won’t fear Cape Town Stadium, close to Llandudno, a fabulous, overpriced beach community down there. The Stormers got off to a flyer this season, with eight wins on the bounce, bookended by Leinster at home and then four in Europe, with Munster the final one. After that, though, they’ve spluttered through a series of embarrassing performances, their defence more passive than a noun in a corporate training manual, and their attack more ragged than a tramp’s coat in a tempest. They’ve lost confidence and there are dark mutterings in the camp. The Diff gave them the stiff in the last round, but have been mercurial in their own right this season: two relatively heavy defeats to Glasgow and the Bulls aside, most of their matches have finished within a score – eleven out of the other sixteen. They’re difficult to put away, but can also be their own worst enemies, or perhaps are lacking a little on the bench? A wild ride in, with three wins and three losses, but crucially, all the losses were away, with two in South Africa.
Verdict: Stormers by a sailor’s stubble.
Leinster vs Lions: Obviously the rugby world is backing the Lions to slay the rough beast that slouches towards Scotstoun. Not as obvious is how the Lions will achieve this most magnificent of results. Leinster may be battered and bruised from their hammering by Bordeaux, but they still have pretty much a British and Irish Lions side there. Definitely an Irish international side. Despite whispers of Jacques Nienaber stitching them from the inside, they remain a formidable side, well oiled and with excellent depth. A few injuries for sure, but the Lions are without three key players too – and without anywhere near the squad depth Leinster have. The Pride of Joburg ran Leinster close three weeks ago, being within a score until the last 10 minutes or so, before falling away having tackled themselves to a standstill. They stayed in Ireland and have had two weeks to prepare, whilst Leinster have been battling for higher honours. The word is that they’ve taken the lessons on board from that last match and have a plan. But as Mike Tyson said, “everybody got a plan ‘til they get punched in the face.” I fear we’re going to get punched in the face.
Verdict: The Lions will be more brave, brave Sir Robin than Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog slayers. Leinster by a length.
Deliberations by Deebee7
It’s been many years since I actually watched a fillum, but I can guarantee that not one of the ones on my list would have been made in Hollywood.
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Okay, here’s a quick ‘n’ dirty one.
https://my9albums.org/s/3a7af555879c
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Yes, as someone once said to me, ‘you like it dark’.
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Not sure if this link will work, but here goes…
https://my9albums.org/s/6bb8338ea05e
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Shaun Edwards to the Pumas coaching team. Along with Mario Ledesma as forwards coach. Question has to be asked: why not England?
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Weege squeezing Connacht. 19-7 at HT, with Glasgow scoring three maul tries. A bit too much power going forward and can’t see Connacht coming back from this.
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BB – ooh, some very good choices there! I thought about Steely Dan after I’d finalised my list, although I might have gone for Aja, mostly because I adore Deacon Blues. Must confess I only know one Marillion tune.
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Shaun Edwards to the Pumas coaching team. Along with Mario Ledesma as forwards coach. Question has to be asked: why not England?
Just had exactly the same info/question from the mister! My answer: maybe he fancied living in Argentina, although with Milei in charge, I’d question that decision.
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Bugger, got my times wrong and missed the first half of Bledisloe 1.
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Sounds like the first half was pretty close, ABs only leading 17-14 at half time. But it was all New Zealand in the second and they won 50-19.
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The Bulls have ‘I [heart] boobies’ written on the pitch in each 22. Stay classy, guys. Hope you get stuffed.
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And I don’t care if it’s supposed to be some sort of breast cancer awareness thing: it’s still fucking offensive.
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Thauma, it’s a breast cancer awareness drive. My wife went to a charity swim this morning for it as well – it’s all been organised by a breast cancer survivor who unfortunately has been diagnosed a second time now. The events this morning raised money for women from poor communities to have proper mammograms.
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And they really couldn’t have thought of a better slogan?
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All the women who participated had I ❤️ Boobies tattoos done. Temp ones, obviously. Mrs Deebee has hers on her arm. Others were more anatomically accurate.
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Dunno. I think it was supposed to be light-hearted. Definitely worked in terms of fundraising.
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I just opted for pink nail polish this month – it’s gone down well at work 😁.
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It cannot be overstated just how bad Pollock’s corn-rows are.
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Defence optional (or non-existent) in Saints vs Bath. 55-41 with just over 15mins to play/
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It’s now 64-48 with 75mins on the clock.
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Well, this is a Trisk-pleasing match so far.
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TRY Stockdale!
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Conversion missed by us too (why is Murphy kicking when Doak’s on the pitch?), so it’s 5-5.
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Then Munster maul over the line again.
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Just as the commentator says, ‘It’s from these positions that Munster haven’t been able to find a gap’ … they do.
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By complete contrast to the earlier match, Sarries vs Bristol is 11-0 at half time.
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And Munster get the BPT just before half-time.
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5-26.
Ulster are piss-poor.
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Bristol have scored! 11-7 after 50 mins.
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TRY Stockdale again, but it was very much a team one!
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Saracens score almost immediately and it’s back to an 11 point deficit for Bristol. 18-7
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Awesome, we get a new prop on, his first act is to collapse a Saracens maul and get a yellow and concede a penalty try. 25-7.
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TRY McCann! Converted! 19-26 with just over 10 mins to go.
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TRY McCLOSKEEEEYYYYY!!!!
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Converted!!!!
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Oof! Tomos Williams just got bounced by Bristol’s other replacement prop.
Back to regular programming for Bristol, final score 30-7.
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One for you Thaum
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Possession goes madly back and forth with nae fucker braything for ages, and finally Munster kick it off. It’s a draw.
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Refit – that moment where he runs down Marcus Smith is definitely one of my favourites!
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Presented without comment.
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Inspired by previous submissions…. Here’s my 9 films
https://my9albums.org/s/films/3dca88958b3d
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Disappointed not to come away with all 5 points vs Ulster
Expected them to come back in second half – as they’ve done in all their games
Good start – van der Merwe, Brooks, and Aungier are good recruitment.
Fell off a bit in 2nd half – not sure Kelly and Nankivell are a good combo at centre – even though good players individually.
Few suggested O’Shea to come on earlier but it was starting to go backwards and that’s a difficult spot for a young player.
Aerial balls are something of an issue – we don’t generally deal with them well.
However, overall it’s hugely improved since last season
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McCloskey probably should have been a starter for Ireland much sooner than early 30s.
Schmidt didn’t like his propensity to offload – all about percentages with Joe. Similarly, Zebo’s willingness to chance it made him persona non grata too.
Farrell – like Joe – prefers routine and efficiency. Got us to #1 but no further than the RWC QFs so far.
Draw in 2027 is kind and we avoid NZ, SA, France until a potential final. But Scotland can’t keep imploding against us – and England are always effective in the RWC.
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Northampton – Bath was ridiculous … 71 – 48.
Are there no defence coaches ? It was like an old school Baa-baas match.
Lots of tries are meant to be good – but not from people dropping off tackles etc (now I only saw from 44-41, so maybe I got a partial impression)
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Trisk – I’ve seen one of those fillums!
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I think you’ve got the wrong Philadelphia Story there Trisk. I’ve seen 7 of them – just Philadelphia Story and Tampopo not on the watch list.
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I think you’ve got the wrong Philadelphia Story there
Certainly have…. must have clicked too quickly and not double checked…..
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figured I’d do the albums as well
https://my9albums.org/s/a886aeabd431
Couldn’t get Moving Waves – so Hamburger Concerto will have to suffice
Fisherman’s Blues wasn’t there – so This is the Sea instead.
Omitted “best of” – tried to get LPs I enjoyed from beginning to end.
What did I leave off … Brain Salad Surgery (ELP), Close to the Edge (Yes), Flood (TMBG), The River (also Bruce). Might have opted for If I Should Fall from Grace instead of Rum, Sodomy….
Probably a dozen others……
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Tampopo not on the watch list…
Tampopo is a really funny movie.
There were a few foreign language films I might have put in …. Orphee, Cyrano, Rashomon but might have come over as seriously pretentious (which I probably am but I don’t want to give that impression)
I sometimes wonder if the neceussity to concentrate on the subtitles etc means you concentrate more full stop and get more involved???
Rashomon – now I think of it I should have put it in the list.
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I’ve had a think about fillums, and it’s been about 30 years since I’ve actually seen one in the cinema, but here’s my list: https://my9albums.org/s/films/7024d858c69e
Hesitated to include Tess, but I didn’t know the director was a hebephile at the time.
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