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
Connacht have Prendergast starting, and Aki on the bench
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Not the best start by the ABs. Conceding a try and the 10 getting a yellow inside 90 seconds.
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How do France had a lock called ‘Staniforth’?
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This is a lot closer than I was expecting, considering NZs recent performances. I guess France being slightly underpowered is helping them.
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Are the two Prendergast’s related? Asking for an ignorant friend.
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Good start by the Aussies. And then almost botched it at the restart!
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Good response! Try Prendergast! Conversion Prendergast! Different players! May or may not be related!
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Some very good patience in attack from Australia, after a great break by Gordon, and eventually Campbell goes over in the corner! Another conversion missed and Aus lead 10-7.
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From the restart Ireland put on the pressure, get a succession of penalties and eventually tap from 5m put for Van der Flier to take the pop pass and fly over. Extras missed. 10-12 Ireland after 20 minutes.
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Aus break through midfield again – Carter Gordon has shown some useful feet – and keep the momentum for the new 2nd row to score. 17-12 Aus with the extras good this time.
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Ireland look to strike back straight away, but Jorgenson intercepts and gives it to Lonegan to score! 24-12 after 26 minutes.
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Prendergast does seem to be a long-limbed turnstile most of the time.
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Irish lineout is wobbling, they’re losing the aerial battle and Aus have broken through the midfield several times now. Ireland need the half time whistle rather badly.
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Great score Ireland! Scrum on their 22 and instead of kicking it out, JGP breaks and some great hands and continuity sees him finish the move! 24-19 at oranges.
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The Prendergasts are brothers.
I am watching in the homeland! Not very impressed with us so far.
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Ireland take the lead, but Aus strike back from a scrum free kick! 31-26 after 53.
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My business partner is in Ireland at the moment. Sent a pic of Guinness from Temple Bar. Next week it’s through the country, ending up in the Wesht. Ireland lose another lineout. 5m out – not been a good area for them today.
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But they go back and get it right the next time! Excellent maul, splinters the defence and Sheehan goes over! But being checked for obstruction.. but James Ryan is pinged for obstruction. Probably right.
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Ireland swarming all over the Aussie 5m, but Ryan can’t hold the pass! Has to be said the Irish 2nd row hasn’t clicked tonight. Both Ryan and McCarthy have been iffy.
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Ireland are relentless and finally get over! Aus down to 14 for repeated red zone infringements. 31-33 with 2 to go!
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Penalty Aus! On the 10m line way out right. Time up. Can Donaldson nail it? No! Ireland hang on to win by 2! Very entertaining match. Some scrappy stuff, but some very good attacking rugby too. Both sides seem to think set pieces are fairly optional though. Good stuff Ireland!
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Fiji are Fiji-ing all over the park and have scored first.
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If Fiji had a set piece they’d be almost unstoppable!
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Dan Edwards catching the full Semi there.
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Semi leaving the pitch in a cast is a bummer.
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Wales are lucky they didn’t face the whole Radrada!
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The golf cart out for a second player – the Fiji TH. Fingers crossed that the last serious injury of the match.
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Why does the Fiji FB, Rayasi, look like he’s wearing his biggest brother’s kit?
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Fiji are an absolute joy to watch. Even the mister is very entertained.
Ryan was terrible today, as was Prendergast (S).
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Eish. Etzebeth and Siya both late withdrawals. That’s about six or seven locks out! PSDT to lock, Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers into the starting side. We really didn’t need this disruption!
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Fiji really do sublime to ridiculous like no other team. Great tenacity by Adams though!
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That Adams try was a thing of beauty.
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Shitting myself for this match. The disruptions and an England with a point to prove.
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Do they not have any cameras higher than the front row of seating?
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Feeling better now Deebee?
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We started like this against Australia last year too.
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Going high on Nche doesn’t seem like a good plan.
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Hey, when we have the ball we’re not complete crap. Getting the ball can be an issue though.
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Think TMO’s are all wannabe defence lawyers!
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The state of England’s off-load game. Fiji they are not.
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It feels like all the camera shots are either far too close or too far. It’s making watching a bit disorientating as it keeps crash-zooming.
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Baby Rhino!
We’re not pointless.
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That was a lovely tip-on by Chessum, for the try.
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England finished the half really well. Anybody’s game. Boks need to keep the ball a bit more and work the phases. Started superbly but getting more disjointed. England doing the opposite.
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Give Freeman a red, just for being shit at tackling.
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Hell, I didn’t think it would finish like that at half time. Boks just got better, even though it was a (relatively) callow bench.
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For me, this season is throwing down the gauntlet to a lot of the established Boks: can they be carried to another World Cup, and frankly should they be? I was nervous when Siya and Eben cried off, but they were barely missed. Ditto the other walking wounded.
Doesn’t mean they’re out the picture, just that we’re okay with the pipeline. That said, there’s a long way to go to the end of this season and even more, next year’s World Cup.
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‘Mon Scotland!
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Schoooooo!
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Are we far enough ahead yet to start worrying about the Pumas comeback?
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