Midweek Lions let their Prey escape …..British and Irish Lions vs Hurricanes …Westpac Stadium 27 June 2017

Vince Lombardi once remarked “You don’t do things right once in a while. You do things right all the time” and this was the painful lesson the Lions had yet once again had to learn on this tour of New Zealand.Lately being against  The Super Rugby champions; Hurricanes who kicked and scampered back to life when it looked like they were down and out. Many pundits and correspondents have written and commentated saying what a fabulous game it was .I beg to differ as the Lions were in a position to seize the day and blow away the Hurricanes with their superior talent and strength yet once again they could not cope with kiwi side’s relentless endeavour with ball in hand and collective team spirit .It should have never got to the point of flyhalf Dan Biggar trying to win the game with a long range drop goal attempt.

This unsavoury performance has once again resuscitated some of the uncomfortable issues that many have chosen to sweep under the rug. Firstly the controversial geographical callup of the replacements , the continual dangling of the carrot with the promise of making a test matchday 23 when you have 96 hours to recover and then compete against the best side in the world. Thirdly would be the continued ill discipline of the team and lack of concentration for the full eighty minutes. The Lions had the opportunity to put this game to bed way before the yellow card and in a team of seasoned international players one would think they had the nous to be able to deal with the loss of a player for ten minutes. I was flabbergasted to hear Head Coach Warren Gatland’s comments about not devaluing the jersey , why on earth would he even consider calling them up as cover if they were never going to take to the field ? More importantly when they were there,why did they not get the chance to at least show their wares and try to repay the faith shown to them ? It goes against the “All for One ” motto that is supposed to embody the Lions spirit and will be soul crushing for the chaps confidences. As a collective what kind of ripple effect will this have on the rest of the squad ?

This brings me onto my second point and the need by the coaches to continually tout players with carrot of being able to make the matchday squad 3 days later . Granted these chaps are professional athletes but even if you make it into the test squad chances are you will not be operating at your optimum  in then having to face the best side in the world  after having expended so much energy  trying to impress. I was not totally impressed with performance of the Lions against the Hurricanes , yes they scored three tries but they could deliver the killer blow and pull away from the “Canes”. They were notable contributions from Biggar, Ian Henderson,Courtney Lawes, cameos from Rory Best,Tommy Seymour and George North but these were not really outstanding  performances of what I would expect from test capped internationals . Maybe I am being too harsh ? Lawes may have played himself into contention for the second test but that is largely due to the way he is known to play already, bar the head injuries he has suffered did he really need to go out and show what he is capable of ? Ian Henderson had a mixed game as he showcased his brilliance at the breakdown and in loose play but may have yet compromised his chances with a yellow card that cost his team victory. However I don’t think  he is  totally accountable : The Lions management need to have a closer examination of themselves, it was evident that they needed fresh impetus off the bench when the team lost Robbie Henshaw . Yet they decided to move George North into the centre and Leigh Halfpenny to fullback instead of bringing on Finn Russell. Towards the end of the game it was visible that the side was tiring from the sustained pressure of the revived Hurricanes.

I should not forget the mighty effort displayed by the Hurricanes who perhaps showed that collective team spirit , where each member of the team plays for each other is cultivated over a period of time rather than over a matter  of weeks .The Hurricanes driven on by the “little bus” Ngani Laumape, scored two tries in the space of four minutes to draw level and could have won it late on unfortunately hero turning villain with  neck roll. With the midweek matches finished we are left with two matches against the All Blacks , how these Lions play will determine how history will remember them.

 

Outgunned and Outmuscled……… British and Irish Lions Vs New Zealand All Blacks First Test Eden Park…24 June 2017

The excitement including mine preceding this game was of metronomic proportions, everyone was caught in the passion and drama of the special occasion that happens every 12 years. I am pretty sure the deep inquest and analysis to the Lions defeat is well and truly in session, there be will many views cast as to what transpired at Eden Park. I was very confident that Warren Gatland had picked a side capable of defeating the All Blacks at a venue they have not lost in twenty three years. The Lions are bristling with strength and quality to overcome the New Zealand team, add in the wet conditions and I thought this was a great opportunity to secure a confidence boosting victory. An explosive start to the game saw the Lions go a metre short of the try line. They should have scored as Connor Murray’s final pass was a fraction late to Elliot Daly and this type of precision or lack of would be one of the differences between the two teams. Daly would get bundled into touch by Israel Dagg, chance gone. Much has been said about Gatlands style of rugby named “Warrenball” yet I certainly did not expect the All Blacks to use directthe  route rugby and unlock the rush defence. However they are not the number one test team for nothing! The All Blacks pack dominated the Lions pack in the scrums, Tadgh Furlong was visibly struggling and his face showed midway of the first half. New Zealand second row Brodie Retallick was immense as time and time he led the charge in the narrow channels which left the forwards scrambling to contain him. The first try of the game was lesson in never switching off for the full eighty minutes; Lions defence coach Andy Farrell must have been having kittens as Lions had enough time to reorganise their lines after referee Jaco Pepyer had given the All Blacks a penalty. Scrumhalf Aaron Smith took a tap and passed to Barrett, who threw a long ball to Dagg and his long pass found hooker Codie Taylor patrolling the right flank and able to pick up the ball from his feet beating Daly to score. This is something that should not happen on a junior level let alone on the test arena. A positive from the Lions before the end of the first half would see them score a sensational try, Aaron Cruden posted a deep kick into Lions territory, Anthony Watson secured the ball on the touchline and fed fullback Liam Williams who fooled Kieran Read before setting off on an arching run, ghosting past Aaron Cruden and Sonny Bill Williams in midfield to take play to the halfway line. Daly who did an in-out before sending it back to Davies who fed flanker Sean O’Brien in for a superb score. The half would be evenly poised at 13-8.
The second half saw chances go begging for the Lions despite being in theirs opponents 22, unforced errors would see them lose territory and possession at crucial times. The All Blacks were definitely not as generous, as they punished the Lions with timely precision. Their runners came onto the ball at pace which would allow them to go beyond the gain line. Centre Sonny Bill Wiliams was effectively used in the forwards channel as a battering ram and his offloads always found a recipient. The battle of the number eights was won by New Zealand skipper Kieran Read as he had an immense 77 minutes and outshone his opposite number Talupe Falateau. Read was involved in a crucial second half try, showing excellent hands at the back of the scrum to pick and off-load in the lead-up to Rieko Ioane’s try and move the game beyond the Lions reach. So what could have been for the Lions will make their video analysis session painful to watch. I would not recommend wholesale changes but perhaps a few tweaks. They were outmuscled in the forwards so perhaps bringing in Maro Itoje to start and the abrasive Courtney Lawes. I feel that skipper O’Mahony did not have good game and failed to lead his team vocally and especially in controlling the referee as at times the All Blacks were streetwise in some of their plays. Cue the inclusion of tour Captain Sam Warburton to the starting line-up, he was very good when he came on and is excellent at the breakdown an area they lost comprehensively. Sinckler or Dan Cole should replace Furlong on the tighthead position. The scrum cannot ill afford to have a bad day and not feed their backrow and backline of quality ball. Its baffling why Farrell had an ordinary game, however I would resist in changing the flyhalf. The backline was fantastic and should be allowed to carry on as they are and supply them with more clean ball to play with. Anthony Watson and Liam Williams were fantastic to watch. Despite the score line the team is very close to clicking as a whole, rugby is a team sport that requires cohesion,outright commitment and keeping that penalty count down is imperative. I am sure the chaps are hurting but they must take solace in that they bombed a few opportunities on Saturday. The All Blacks showed in doing the simple things right and very well victory is yours.What will define this Lions team and how they want to be remembered is in the manner of how they get up. They may have been outgunned and outmuscled but rise Lions  you must and roar.

Form, Spice and All that’s Nice……..British and Irish Lions Matchday Selection vs All Blacks…Saturday 24 June Eden Park

Sun Tzu once said “The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim”. Warren Gatland is standalone man, making the decision on the Lions match day 23 to engage with the All Blacks at Eden Park come this Saturday. Let us examine his troops to see their efficiency, effectiveness and readiness for the Eden Park skirmish. The scrum has been the mainstay of the tour so far, with its ability to disrupt provided they adapt quickly to whoever is officiating. They have dominated in the lineout and the coal face, Mako Vunipola is an extraordinary player with wonderful hands and high work rate. His one tiny blemish is that he may not be the strongest scrummager but he will be valuable in his loose play. He combines with his Saracens teammate Jamie George, who has strength, pace and accurate throwing essential for the set piece. Much has been said about him getting his England caps coming off the bench, it is wonderful to see how he has definitely earned his test start. Tadhg Furlong has been tasked with keeping the scrum stable, straight and he certainly returns that and more with his tackling. He definitely has got All Blacks attention after his Maori performance. Alun Wyn Jones provides composure and experience which probably edged him over Maro Itoje in selection as the latter has been guilty of indiscipline, something they can ill afford to give free points to the All Blacks. Alun has a phenomenal engine and work rate .Second row partner George Kruis is simply world class, he has an amazing presence in the lineout, a great rugby brain and I will go as far as saying he is equal with New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock who is regarded as the best in the business. A nice balance has been struck in the backrow as Taulupe Faletau has negated the absence of his cousin Billy Vunipola at number eight. He has been outstanding in the games he has been chosen, showing his ball in hand skills and excellent defence. He provides an extra option in the lineout and I am pretty confident he will outshine All Black Captain Kieran Read. Sean O’brien is destruction personified he is abrasive in his ball carrying as well as destructive at the breakdown. New Zealand will be wary of him as he hunts down their backline. Matchday Captain Peter O’Mahony completes the backrow and what a transformation as he nearly didn’t make the Ireland game against England let alone the tour. O’Mahony‘s mental toughness and leadership will be vital when the Lions have to go into the dark places to extract victory.
Warren Gatland (Gats) has gone with a backline with a bit of spice and nice about it. Liam Williams at fullback is certainly spicy; he had a good tour thus far besides his forgetful performance against the Blues .Make no mistake this Welsh operator is key to lighting up the Lions backline with his ability to run great angles, counter attacking and courage under the high ball especially in the wet. Anthony Watson brings electrifying pace and endeavour, safe under the high ball as wel,l one hopes he gets his hands on the ball to showcase his skills. Elliot Daly has embodied what Gatland has said all along in playing well and you will have a chance. Daly cemented his starting berth with an influential performance against the Chiefs; he has a nice balance about him when he runs with the ball, astute in defence and a magnificent boot in his arsenal. Outside centre Jonathan Davies brings experience and great support play, along with solid defence he combines well with Ben Teo in the middle of the park, the Auckland born inside centre is a big destructive direct runner with great footwork and a offload .The damp conditions will suit him as he leads the challenge to the All Blacks especially against the mercurial Sonny Bill Williams. The final but yet vital combination is Connor Murray and Owen Farrell. In some circles Murray has been vaunted as the best scrumhalf at the moment in the world with his precise box kicking and great delivery to the backline. He has an air of authority and control which will be vital to link up the forwards and backs. Farrell is highly respected in New Zealand, he is in my mind their general .The Saracens and England flyhalf has great control and aggression, at times may he be guilty of over exuberance. Consistence with the boot makes him valuable along with ability to pass releasing his runners. He is not afraid to tackle and will lead the charge on his father’s Andy (defence coach) rush defence. The substitute’s bench is littered with an array of firepower, Kyle Sinckler adding dynamism with his ball carrying although he must exercise good temperament. Ken Owens is good solid player and will give it his all when he comes on .Maro Itoje starts from the bench; he was unfortunate not to make the starting line-up. In my view being slightly impetuous at times in giving away unnecessary penalties has counted against him. However he is brilliant in lineout stealing effecting turnovers and taking the ball up. Jack McGrath is silent assassin with strong scrummaging skills and good ball skills he will definitely make his presence known when he comes on .Rhys Webb is a lovely sniping runner and will up the tempo of the game if need it be, I hope he will be able to fit his game to the Lions setup .Leigh Halfpenny provides you with safety and reliability and this what has seen him start off the bench as he does not have the attacking prowess of his Welsh counterpart Williams. Johnny Sexton is a talent to have on the bench as seems to be reclaiming his “mojo” he has great tactical kicking awareness as well the ability to get stuck into tackles and produce turovers. Injuries have hampered tour Captain Sam Warburton in making the start; I would actually stick my neck out and say he was fortunate to make the 23 as CJ Stander has been playing well. Sam brings great venture at the breakdown and should have an impact on the game. So the decision has been made, it’s a bold section full of verve. I have them to sneak a win by 6 points; General Gatland has shown real intent in wanting the Lions to devour the All Blacks.

 

Stand and deliver Midweek Lions…….. British and Irish Lions vs Waikato Chiefs… FMG Stadium 20 June 2017

“Winning is a habit. Watch your thoughts, they become your beliefs. Watch your beliefs, they become your words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character.” Were the famous words of Green Bay Packers superbowl winning coach Vince Lombardi . The Lions mid-week team can at least feel they have restored some pride and confidence and done much to improve the general perception of their abilities, in their last hit out before the first test against the All Blacks on Saturday. Head Coach Warren Gatland has caught a lot of flak from both the British and New Zealand press corp as he took the Lions to his hometown stadium where is amassed 140 plus caps for Waikato and is still fondly loved and remembered. His words to the team were simple yet direct play well, enjoy being in the red jersey as the door is still open to make the test team. Traditionally this is the game no one wants to play but Gatland made sure that his team knew that being a Lion is about, an honour one should cherish and that each performance midweek or on the Saturday contributes to the harmony of the group.
This match was a potential banana skin for the Lions as the Chiefs were bereft of nine first-team players after being ransacked by both the All Blacks and Maori All Blacks. Nothing less than a resounding victory would be required to both the record 30 000 in attendance, global audience as well as the coaches. The Lions were dominant from the onset winning both the lineout and scrums; they constructed a 20 phase play that allowed them to take an early lead through a Dan Biggar penalty. Indiscipline would rear its ugly head for the Lions as prop Joe Marler over exuberance saw him with a late shoulder charge on opposite man Nepo Laulala and earning himself a yellow card. Fortunately this seemed to galvanise the Lions as they managed to win a penalty with a powerful scrum. The Lions would emerge from the sin bin period ahead and not having conceded any points. The Chiefs would get punished for their poor set plays as the Lions’ went over for the first try of the night, after great backline play and Nowell scooping the loose ball from the ruck to dive over the line. Biggar converted making the score 13-3 –Lions in command. The rest of the first half petered into a foray of dross misadventure and lack of enterprise from both sides with handling errors creeping up.

The second half saw the Lions click into gear and raise their standard of play; a hallmark of the Lions has been the forwards who managed get the second penalty try of the tour as Chiefs Mitchell Brown was guilty of pulling down a driving maul bound for the line, earning himself a trip to the sin-bin. Courtney Lawes before the try had departed for his second HIA of the tour-a worrying sign for the coaches after clashing heads with teammate Marler. The Lions now in ascendancy would add a third try with a beautiful flowing move that so Elliot Daly speed down the left wing and delectably produced a divine pass to kiwi born Jared Payne who found Robbie Henshaw. The Irishman would be tackled but a quick play of the ball allowed the Lions to score through Nowell as he shimmied and cut back to score his second try of the match and Biggar adding the extras. Nowell would be involved once again as he deftly collected a miskick from Chiefs Captain Stephen Donald, feeding Liam Williams who cut back a superb line beating a raft of defenders to give former Hamilton schoolboy Payne a walk in to score .Conversion added on and the score was 34-6: great counter attack from the Lions.
The Lions would have another opportunity to score at the end as replacement Tommy Seymour butchered a certain try after a beautiful arching run from his own 22 metre line only for his final pass to Payne to go horribly wrong five metres out and also lead to his teammate being forced off at the end with a head injury. The match ended with unnecessary scuffles as ref Jerome Garces blew for full time. British and Irish Lions mid-weekers finally got the job done on this tour, they beat the Chiefs tonight by first relentlessly grinding away with that rush defence, strong set piece and then finally the backline sizzled and dazzled taking advantage of the space in attack. Forget about who was missing from the Chiefs as it was still a formidable side. The Lions had to harness their thoughts put them into action and make winning a habit thus determining their character and destiny ensuring the Lions will roar come Saturday at Eden Park but tonight the Lions ate.

 

The Duping Of The Lions British and Irish Lions vs Highlanders…Dunedin 13 June 2017

The result will read 23-22 and will have the perception that it was a tight close match; on the contrary the truth could be nowhere near. The Highlanders duped the British and Irish Lions into playing super rugby. A game of high risk and reward, In my last article I alluded to the Lions knowing their enemy and playing applying their own game plan, somehow they failed to build on from the Crusaders game. So many turnovers, penalties and too maany points left to rue. Why did a team made up of some of the finest rugby nations on the planet lose to a team depleted of regulars?
In Baltic like conditions inside the stadium the match started with Lima Sopoaga, opening the scoring with a penalty in the fifth minute when Courtney Lawes was caught offside. The Lions would soon draw level with Dan Biggar converting a penalty, The Highlanders game plan was all about stretching the Lions one way, then the other and getting the ball into the hands of both Malakai Fekitoa and Waisake Naholo, who both had points to prove for different reasons. Fekitoa, unwanted by the All Blacks, was bristling attitude without over doing it. He ran hard but with awareness and accuracy to ensure there were no wild offloads or poor decisions.As for his tackling – that was world class. Naholo, with his first touch, managed to go from a standing start with four Lions in front of him, to charging down the wing. With his second he nearly dived in at the corner and then got his just reward with his third when he popped up at first receiver and smashed over – sadly collecting Courtney Lawes’ head along the way in what was a nasty blow for the big Englishman. The Lions would respond once again which should be seen as encouraging as they scored their third try of the tour through Jonathan Joseph with a wonderful individual effort after taking a neat pass from Dan Biggar. It was all level at the end of the first half. The Lions would come out all guns blazing in the second half ensuring a purple patch for the men in red as they added more tries , Tommy Seymour read one of Lima Sopoaga’s kick-passes to perfection to score . Tour Captain Sam Warburton showed sheer bloody-mindedness to crash over from close range. With the score at 22-13 it was the Lions game to control and put the game to bed, however they let the Highlanders back into the game with indiscipline conceding penalties to which Highlanders replacement flyhalf Marty Banks took full advantage with his tactical kicking finding touch five metres out. This would lead to the Highlanders scoring from a driving maul from their lineout through Coltman. Banks would add the extras and the lead was reduced to two points. Somehow the Highlanders managed to totally dominate the Lions Scrum and gain a penalty with six minutes to go which Banks gleefully converted making the score 23-22. The Lions would get one last reprieve when Elliot Daly was given the task of converting a penalty from 60m out unfortunately the Hail Mary kick was agonisingly two metres short and with that, the game was over.
Both teams put on a fantastic show as the game was played at such a ridiculous tempo; take your eyes off it and you’d miss a piece of ingenious handling, a sidestep or a moment of sheer desperation. However the Lions deviated from their own game plan and were way too undisciplined. 19 turnovers and 12 penalties are not good enough to win an international game. Dan Biggar did not impose himself as he let his scrumhalf Rhys Webb dictate the pace of game. The scrum should be a key weapon for the Lions. This is the best of Britain and Ireland after all. Four countries who pride themselves on scrummaging. As it turned out, it was the Highlanders who dominated the set piece. Missed opportunities such as the final pass from prop Kyle Sinckler to fullback Jared Payne when the try was on. The angle option taken by Rhys Webb when he had a man in support were far too many. Basic game management was lacking as well as failing to adapt to the southern hemisphere referee, let’s hope this will not be a talking point come the first test. Time is running out for the Lions too feed properly on their meals before the great battle of the First Test.

 

Shutdown at Christchurch 10 June 2017 British and Irish Lions vs Crusaders …..Christchurch

“Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster” was what Chinese strategist Sun Tzu once said . The Lions definitely employed that philosophy to their game against the Crusaders .The game did not follow the same pattern of running rugby that is usually seen in New Zealand. One has to remember that the New Zealand teams are playing the best players from four different countries who play a completely different style of game. The tour is back on track for the Lions, who showed in this match against the Crusaders that they might have bite about them after all. On a cold night at AMI Stadium, they matched the Crusaders punch for punch and emerged deserved victors.
It wasn’t pretty but definitely was effective ,defence coach Andy Farrell’s rush defence in particular offered Scott Robertson’s men few opportunities, and the constant high kicks, while a boring tactic for many in the Southern Hemisphere was pragmatic and right for the conditions.Connor Murray played more field position and territory than playing from anywhere. Murray, JohnnySexton, and Owen Farrell controlled the tempo of the game and squeezed the Crusaders into mistakes.The pack had the look of a test eight with Taulupe Faletau again impressive at No8, George Kruis strong in the lineouts in combination with Jamie George, and Sean O’Brien giving Warren Gatland all sorts of headaches at openside flanker.Sam Warburton is the tour skipper but O’Brien was fantastic against the Crusaders.

The Crusaders have been successful this season because of their superior skill level and fitness, but they couldn’t play the high-tempo game they prefer due in part to their handling errors and stifling Lions defence which put the previously undefeated Super Rugby leaders on the back foot.Luke Romano spilled two kickoffs and Richie Mo’unga a kick and a pass. They all combined to stop the continuity they like to play with and it meant the Lions weren’t as stretched as they could have been.They were restricted to just three points which is a stunning feat. Jack Goodhue was impressive for the Crusaders with the ball, Israel Dagg extremely good without it along with Matt Todd .Nine All Blacks were in the home line-up in Christchurch and they will join their national squad knowing that the Lions may pose more of a threat than many Kiwis had thought following two underwhelming outings prior to this one. Match referee Mathieu Raynal had a poor game as he failed to communicate with the teams effectively but the Crusaders failed to adapt to him as players and home fans were frustrated at scrum time, where Raynal came up with some baffling penalties against the locals.especially. While the Lions kept on his good side.

Did the game live up to expectations and hype? There were no tries, so probably not in terms of attack, but as far as an enthralling contest goes, I believe it did.The Lions should and will play their own game plan. Their mission is to beat the All Blacks no matter what that looks like.If they play their own game plan then surely they have a better chance of success.

Wasps vs Leicester ……………………………………Titanic tussle at the Ricoh

Ulysses S Grant once said “In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten, then he who continues the attack wins” This quote perfectly depicted an epic sensational semi-final thriller that the crowd and global television audience were treated to at the Ricoh Arena between Wasps and Leicester Tigers. Gladiatorial tussles entwined with late twists, it would be Josh Bassett that would typify the obdurate General and President words.
Two rugby giants of English rugby with 16 premiership titles between them converged at the Ricoh Arena, the Swashbuckling buccaneering style of Wasps unbeaten at home since December 2015 versus a Leicester side that has gone through three coaching changes and a captain with facing personal heartache . England coach Eddie Jones in attendance the prize of Twickenham in sight for one of these teams, it would take a Brendan O’Connor infringement for Wasps to get on the scoreboard in the first minute with a penalty that Jimmy Gopperth converted. Leicester’s Telanu Veanu dazzled as he tried to hit back only for his teammate Freddie Burns to unnecessarily put their side under pressure with a loose kick. Wasps took advantage with a lineout drive and the ball was fed to their superstar backline who combined well allowing Kurtley Beale to score. Would this be a rout as Leicester fritted away good field position and possession? Fortunately they showed grit and determination as they got their first points on the board with a penalty, Nathan Hughes failing to release the ball with poor body positioning after driving upright. Another penalty soon after and Leicester were back in the game trailing 10-6, Wasps would punish Leicester’s indiscipline stretching their lead a further three points. Referee Matthew Carley in his first semi caused some controversy, as he allowed play to continue after Wasps Danny Cipriani was hit somewhat late by Dom Barrow. Freddie Burns took advantage looping a huge pass to Peter Betham out wide to score with boos ringing around the Ricoh, bringing the teams all square after the conversion .The remainder of the half would see the Welford road side continue to give away penalties in their red zone, Profligacy from Wasps would only see them add only three points to finish the first half.
The second half started brightly for Leicester as they built pressure with phase after phase only to spill the ball at crucial times. However it seemed as if they were now bullying Wasps as they continuously beat them at the breakdown and this would translate into a forced pass by Wasps Hooker Ashley Johnson, Owen Williams tipped back the ball creating a try for Veanu to score. Freddie Burns who was having an excellent game adding the extras and Leicester led for the first time 20-16. It would get worse for Wasps so it seemed as they lost their Australian star fullback Kurtley Beale as he left the field with a leg inury. Leicester Captain Tom Youngs would depart the field to a standing ovation from both sets of supporters fully acknowledging the personal turmoil he faces. The match came to life as both sides threw everything at each other neither taking a backward step. It would take a man of the match resilient effort from Joe Launchbury to set up substitute Josh Bassett to score just as it looked like Leicester had done enough to win. Gopperth failed to convert leaving a nervy finish ninety seconds to the end of the match, James Gaskell managed to take the restart brilliantly and Wasps played out the remainder of the match. What a battle that ebbed and flowed, table toppers Wasps back in the final since 2008.

 

Exeter Chiefs vs Northampton Saints ……………………….Chiefs tomahawk Saints

 

After eight months of hard graft the business end to the season always provides unrelenting drama, excitement and this match did not disappoint. Exeter Chiefs looking very impressive on a thirteen match unbeaten run that has included six successive bonus points victories, unbeaten at home for eight matches and sitting comfortably on the second spot in the premiership table. Their opponents Northampton Saints were reeling from three successive defeats all of which they were leading with less than three minutes to go, would missing four key men prove too much? One can never write off such a star studded under achieving side.
The sunny conditions with a strong wind at Sandy Park provided a backdrop for some entertaining rugby. A bright start to the match was made by Exeter compiling a multiple phase passage of play, only for the ball to be stolen by Northampton’s Teimana Harrison at the breakdown fortunately it amounted to nothing as Harry Mallinder kicked the ball out on the full. They were not as fortunate with the following play as disaster struck when Ollly Devoto rushed a pass midfield allowing JJ Hanrahan to intercept and score under the posts. Things went from bad to worse as they lost flanker Dave Ewers and Prop Greg Holmes in quick succession to injuries.
The pace seemed to drop after such a frenetic start and there was a lull in the match, Jack Nowell livened things up with an exceptional finish over the try line. Match referee JP Doyle referred it to the television match official and the replays showed Nowell losing the ball as he tried to place it. Exeter would not be denied as Don Armand powered from close range after good work from the Exeter forwards. This seemed to revitalise Exeter as Devoto powerfully beat Northampton defenders notably ex England international Luther Burrell, only to be wrongfully denied a scoring chance by Ken Pisi who deliberately knocked on the ball. With that happening it left referee Doyle no choice but to yellow card Pisi , immediately Exeter capitalised on this and Olly Woodburn a Sandy Park favourite to score on the short side. The half ended with an Exeter thirteen phase play coming to nought in contrast to being under pressure for most the half the Chiefs led at halftime.
The second half started with frenetic pace from the Exeter Chiefs as their backline executed a brilliant play that allowed centre Witten to ghost through a dog leg defence and score their third try. Northampton’s JJ Hanrahan tried to stem the tide with a break of his own but did not have enough support as his backline failed to function with Burrell not having the best of games. Jack Nowell was profligate as he made a hash of the final pass to Turner that allowed Saints Ben Foden to try and intercept. Exeter Chiefs Head Coach Rob Baxter sensed another bonus point victory and he sent on scrumhalf Will Chudley to unpick Northampton , his introduction was almost immediate as his threaded kick was nearly picked up by Woodburn only for Foden to get back across in time.
The defensive effort by Northampton seemed to be taking its toll on the players as they were unable to contain Exeter who piled on the pressure and somehow Luke Cowan Dickie managed to get stripped by Saints Mallinder with the try line begging. Jack Nowell would not be denied as he secured the bonus point try on his second attempt after replacement Estelle had seemed to have stopped him. With sixty one minutes on the clock Northampton had made 171 tackles which were causing them problems with their play build up as they barely went beyond three phases. After another patient build up Replacement Sam Hill burst through the saint’s backline scorching past Hanrahan and Foden making the score 27-7 with the conversion to come. They would score again four minutes later with yet another innovative and incisive play this time the ever impressive Woodburn getting his second of the match. Northampton would have the last say as fullback Ashee Tuala scored from a Burrell offload, muted celebrations from the Saint’s men probably a combination of exhaustion and dejection. Exeters Chief’s with a champion like performance display euphoric.

 

The Aviva Premiership Final

Twickenham Stadium or “HQ” as it is affectionately known was host to final of gladiatorial delights, two teams with their own romantic backstories took to the field in a humdinger of a match. Wasps had not having been in a final for nine years faced administration and liquidation in between that period, before relocating to Coventry were back in the big time with an exciting brand of rugby. Exeter back in the final once again and hoping to exorcise the loss to Saracens the year before. Would they realise their dream and land the premiership crown? The last time these two teams met in February it ended in an enthralling draw making it difficult to predict, Match Referee JP Doyle’s last premiership final ended in a stalemate and had extra time. Ultimately it would be left to Gareth Steenson boot to settle the grand showdown.
A minutes silence was observed by all in attendance for the victims of the Manchester attack, Wasps had the bright start to the game as they showed their silky skills through their backline albeit missing Kurtley Beale through a leg injury. Director of Rugby Dai Young commented before the match saying “when Kurtley has been fit to play he has lit up the premiership and undoubtedly would have sizzled today” However it would be Wasps who would be penalised of infringing at the scrum, Exeter kicking for touch to relieve the pressure. More of the same would ensure as in the thirteenth minute Exeter executed a text book try from probably countless hours of video analysis, as they won a lineout which has been a weakness of Wasps all season. Exeter’s hooker Cowan-Dickie drew Wasp’s Thomas Young and created a gap for Jack Nowell to slice through and score, Captain Steenson converting to make it 7-0. Nathan Hughes for Wasps was having a huge influence had to come off to have a head injury concern addressed but not until he had set up a penalty for his team that brought the scores to 7-3. The error count from both sides was mounting as they tussled for supremacy, the dominant Exeter scrum would however induce a penalty that would allow them to kick for a lineout downfield.
The ferocious breakdown contest was providing quite a challenge for the referee as he incorrectly awarded a scrum to Exeter when it should have been a penalty to Wasps as Taylor brilliantly brought down Chief’s Devoto and was back on his feet and have his hands on the ball. Exeter took full advantage and orchestrated an overs play spreading the ball wide, playing a loop pass behind the dummy runner enabling Devoto to straighten and charge through the gap before taking the ball into contact, offloading out of the back of his hand to Dollman who uses his physicality to reach for the line. Again, Steenson converted making it 14-3. Anyone would be a fool in thinking that a whitewash was in store as Wasps mounted a resistance with wave after wave attacks that would ultimately pay dividends on the stroke of halftime,as Danny Cipriani popped a ball back into Taylor who surged through before passing to Robson who fed Kiwi Jimmy Gopperth for a simple run in.Gopperth adds the extras 14-10 to Exeter with oranges to come.
The second half kicked off with Exeter trying to make the hard yards but an excellent Nathan Hughes for Wasps had other ideas. He tackled Gareth Steenson wrestling the ball from him and then trundling through Townsend taking five defenders to haul him down. This allowed the ball to be spread wide to top try scorer Christian Wade who took advantage of a stricken Phil Dollman by kicking the ball downfield to chase, as ever the unpredictable bounce of the rugby ball was unkind to him but not to his teammate Daly as he scored. Jimmy Gopperth converting and Wasps were in the lead for the first time 17-14. Sensing blood Wasp’s Willie Le Roux nearly pulled off an amazing try only for him and Bassett running out of room. Exeter Chiefs Head Coach Rob Baxter probably sensing dejavu changed his entire front row in the 49th minute, it seemed to have the desired effect as end to end rugby forced Wasps to employ a high risk strategy attacking deep from their try line. The Wasp’s backline created an intricate play that freed up Gopperth, to jink his way beyond the halfway line earning a penalty which he gleefully converted stretching their lead by six points. Momentum would swing back to Exeter but they failed to capitalise on good field position, fortunately they would get points on the board playing up the middle through the “big men”, Waldrom, Parling and Armand. Parling losing the ball in the tackle… but it had been done illegally giving Exeter a penalty. Steenson converted the penalty and there were now three points behind. Drama would ensure as both sides searched for the killer blow, Wasp’s front five suffering from the pressure of the Chiefs. The noise levels within the stadium were of epic proportions as both sets of supporters will their team to win. In the 79th minute with Wasps looking to have won the game, Exeter once again produced their last minute heroics of last week as they built an attacking platform earning a penalty right in front of the posts and a guaranteed three points after the impressive Hughes failed to heed the referees call to leave the ball. Scores tied at 20 apiece and the game went into extra time.
The first half of extra time was scoreless, though Exeter looked the fresher side and with just minutes remaining they were denied a try by the television match official after an impressive 25 phase play in a pulsating match. It would take two minutes from the end of the second period of extra time that allowed Exeter captain Steenson to hold his nerve and land the winning penalty, crushing the valiant Wasps and vanquishing the memories of last year’s Final and realising their dream.

 

History in the making

An all-time baseball great once said “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime”. Saracens certainly epitomised what Babe Ruth was saying as they belligerently made history joining Leicester Tigers, Leinster and Toulon as back to back winners of the European title.
Saracens took the field in a slow march but once referee Nigel Owen making history himself- officiating in his 100th European game blew the whistle, the champions roared out of the blocks and almost scored through Chris Ashton in the first sixty seconds. It needed great cover by Nick Abendanon, one of Clermont’s two English exiles with his fellow wing and ex Saracen’s Dave Strettle, to cut Ashton down.He would not be denied in a short while, as he raced onto Andy Goode’s grubber kick through the Clermont back line and celebrated his record score, moving one ahead of Vincent Clerc of Toulouse with his trademark swan dive.
It would be pertinent to point out that Owen Farrell had been the only Saracen to score in a European Cup final, as he slotted seven penalties to beat Racing 92 in Lyon last year, and two penalties in the loss to Toulon in Cardiff in 2014.The windy conditions were definitely putting the England flyhalf to task as he missed the conversion and audacious 49m penalty attempt.
Sarries had their second try on 21 minutes when England lock George Kruis crashed over at the posts, following a punishing series of pick-and-go drives from the Saracens highly pack. Farrell converted for 12-0 and one could help thinking that Clermont’s stigma of perennially failing in finals had returned to dog the French club and the thousands of their ‘yellow army’ inside a colourful Murrayfield. It seemed to spur the men from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes as they did not fold and in a dominant last 15 minutes before the interval they nabbed the only try conceded by Saracens in first-half European rugby this season. Aurelien Rougerie gained a half-metre of space on the end of a lovely flat pass by Morgan Parra, and his midfield mate Remi Lamerat finished it off, with scrum-half Parra adding the conversion.
Saracens were uncharacteristically undisciplined as they conceded three penalties and one knock-on turnover in their opponents’ 22 in the first half, frittering away excellent positions. The breakdown punishment continued after half-time – which Exeter will surely take note of – Clermont closed the gap to 15-14 with a spectacular touchline run and offload by flanker Peceli Yato finished by Abendanon and converted by Parra. Saracens needed all their big-match reliability experience and with the introduction of the ‘’Schalks “ Britts and Burger was telling influence as a great chance for Saracens was missed when they Lopez managed to spoil an overlap, then Abendanon bravely halted a clattering blindside charge for the line by Billy Vunipola off a scrum with the match finely poised at 18-17.The next team to score would be in the driving seat and Goode got it for Saracens, as a scrum wide on the left gave them an open field to attack, Lions duo Maro Itoje and Vunipola drove hard into Clermont’s forwards, and the gap opened for Sarries’ mercurial full-back to glide in capping an outstanding performance and surely making Lions Head Coach think about including him on the standby list .Farrell converted for 25-17. “Cometh the hour cometh the man” however this would not be the case as Camille Lopez cracked and missed a drop goal attempt and penalty. Brave and valiant just not enough and Clermont’s bridesmaid tag would continue as Farrell’s penalty goal in the 78th minute ensured this, Onwards with Saracens celebrations and the quest for global domination.