Properly, what a cheerful Monday it’s GAGRs, particularly for these north of the border. With each the Tremendous Rugby Pacific Spherical Three and the 6 Nations on this weekend, it was a weekend the place we paid scant consideration to our households and dived deep, like actually deep, into match after match of scintillating rugby.
So this morning I’ll evaluation the 6 matches of SRP 2024, and a fast evaluation of the SRP ladder after three rounds. Then we could have a fast have a look at the three matches within the Northern Hemisphere. And to wrap up it with a fast ‘previous man shouting at clouds’.
So dig deep, seize your self a cup of Kwoffeeeee ☕, and bounce aboard for an enormous morning of Rugby Information on GAGR.
As all the time this can be a fan-run website and any contribution is welcome, be at liberty to achieve out to me at bris@greenandgoldrugby.com.au be it with an article an concept, or an opinion piece. There’s additionally a ‘Submit a Story’ choice. So be at liberty to have a crack because the extra the merrier.
Tremendous Rugby Pacific 2024 – Spherical Two – Tremendous Spherical Melbourne
Melbourne Rebels 29 defeated Moana Pacific 23
The Insurgent Scum have made it 2 in a row, beating Moana Pasifika 29-23 in a Friday night time thriller over the ‘dutch’! The Rebs ahead pack actually stood up, preventing a spirited comeback from Moana Pasifika. The Ginger Ninja once more performed his bottom off, in addition to demonstrating how versatile a participant he’s shifting from Fullback to Wing, which I’m certain #InJoeWeTrust could have seen.
The Rebs appeared like they have been cruising to a simple win, capturing out to a cushty 19-3 lead. The Rebels ahead pack lived as much as their on-paper potential and dominated play. With their pack effectively on high early, the Rebels went 12-0 up. However as the sport progressed, the Pasifika lads began to get their mojo again, as former ‘All Again’ Julian Savea led the cost to carry his crew again into the sport.
The MP boys ended up taking part in the final quarter-hour of the sport with somebody within the naughty nook. That was all the prospect the Rebels wanted with the Ginger Ninja weaving his solution to ship Ripley over the road for an incredible attempt. The Rebels now have 2 from 3, and what began as a horrible season in opposition to the Brumbies, has them sitting fourth on the ladder! Who’d have ‘thunk’ it?
Otago Highlanders 23 defeated NSW Waratahs 21
The Clan dug deep and pulled off a gritty victory over the resurgent NSW Waratarts, kicking the targets that have been wanted, in contrast to their opposition to drag off a 23-21 victory. Tane ‘Sloth’ Edmed fluffed an important penalty in damage time to lose the sport. Thoughts you, it wasn’t completely Edmed’s fault, with NSW ruing their alternatives to place this recreation away, however missing the flexibility to take action.
Either side would have been disillusioned with the variety of alternatives that they’d, however attributable to fumbles or unforced errors, they have been unable to capitalise on them. The errors, and turnovers, and killed any probability of momentum for both crew, in what was a really stop-start type of recreation. NSW held an anorexically skinny margin of 16-13 when oranges got here out.
The final quarter of the sport nonetheless proved way more entertaining than the primary three quarters, with each groups banging down some actually entertaining tries. And thank god, up up to now I used to be about to start out studying Pleasure and Prejudice quite than maintain watching this dribble! In the long run the Ginger 10 fluffed his traces and the Highlanders breathed a sigh of reduction and went dwelling comfortable to have gotten out of jail on that one.
Fiji Drua 20 defeated Canterbury Crusaders 10
Properly, the flying Fijian Drua have proved that final 12 months wasn’t a fluke, downing the Crusaders but once more, in a superb recreation in Lautoka, on Fiji’s Western Coast. In an ominous warning to all different Tremendous Rugby Pacific groups, the Fijians appear to develop an additional leg when taking part in at dwelling. No crew can pencil in an ‘straightforward’ win in opposition to Fiji, anyplace! However Particularly in Fiji in entrance of their adoring followers! In an inspiring post-match interview, the ‘proud as punch’ Fijian Captain Meli Derenalagi made it recognized that his crew are “simply custodians of the jersey” and that the Drua are the “Individuals’s crew!”
The Darkish Saders obtained off to a fast and decisive begin, going up 10-0 with a penalty and ‘candy’ little transformed attempt from Fijian Born Sevu Reece. To not be outdone, the Drua got here again laborious with their very own penalty and a attempt from Ravutaumada, to lock the scores at 10 a-piece at oranges.
I don’t know what Australian-born Coach Mick ‘the Kick’ Byrne stated to the Fijians at half-time, however boy did they arrive out laborious within the second half. Frank Lomani was capable of cross for a 5-pointer, to place them a transformed attempt forward. Then Ravula within the final 5 minutes iced a penalty to present the house town-hereos a well-deserved victory.
Hopefully Fiji Drua can achieve some momentum and get their season again on monitor. However the Crusaders are going to want one thing particular out from the place the solar doesnt shine to redeem their season. Whoever would have thought that in a Tremendous Rugby Championships, the Crusaders can be 0 from 3?
ACT Brumbies 22 defeated Western Pressure 19
The Twiggy Forest ‘Finest Funded Staff’ in Australia, will rue their efficiency in opposition to Canberra on a 31-degree day, to blow a 14-point result in lose by 3 factors. However the Pressure weren’t the one ones who will probably be disillusioned of their efficiency, with the Pet Killers line-out imploding taking solely 14 out of 21 of their ‘personal’ lineouts. It was this poor efficiency by the ‘Kenberrans’ that saved the Pressure within the recreation, capable of construct up a sizeable lead. However the Pressure then exhibiting they’ve neither the persistence nor the self-discipline to maintain it.
The Pressure’s Harry Potter exhibiting that when he places his foot down on his Nimbus 200, he has some critical fuel. Ben Donaldson additional demonstrated why he shouldn’t be the Wallabies 10, by lacking a cruicial 3-pointer for the Pressure within the recreation’s remaining stanza. Potter copped a cheddar cheese for a ‘Quidditch’ type airborne problem. This creator thinks he was fairly unlucky there, and it ought to have solely been a penalty, because it was a official problem for the ball. However alas, this numerical benefit was capitalised upon by Bobby V, pushing the house crew in entrance.
I don’t assume each groups will probably be ‘enamoured’ by this efficiency, and while the Brumbies will probably be comfortable to get the win, their backs’ defence, and their line-outs have been an utter shambles. The Pressure at the moment are sitting on the backside of the ladder questioning what has occurred to their season.
Wellington Hurricanes 29 defeated Auckland Blues 21
The Wellington Hurricane’s younger again Josh Moorby managed to dot down two 5-pointers to assist his crew to a different stable victory. This time over their North Island rivals the Auckland Blues 29-21 to start out their season off with a 3 from three, placing them on the high of the SRP ladder.
The Canes again line, particularly, was fed effectively with actually good service from Cam Roigard, who’s clearly nominating himself for greater honours within the 9 Jersey. This mixed with some rock-solid defence, enabled the Wellington boys to carry on to a well-deserved victory.
The Blues gambled with a 6-2 bench, solely to have that gamble blow up of their faces when each Zarn Sullivan and AJ Lam failed HIA’s early within the recreation. Backup No. 9 Taufa Funaki, ended up taking part in the vast majority of the sport as a winger. We additionally noticed free ahead Hoskins Sotutu masking for injured winger and resident speedster Mark Telea.
Each groups had their probabilities on this recreation, however in the long run, it was the Blues Saffa-styled technique of a packed ahead’s bench that got here again to chew them.
Queensland Purple 25 defeated Waikato Chiefs 19
Why is it that the Reds are the Chief’s ‘bogey-team’? In what was virtually an similar repeat of final 12 months’s recreation, the rising confidence of the Queenslanders has upturned the apple cart but once more, defending to the loss of life for a 25-19 victory. The younger Queensland crew, cheered on loudly by the parochial 17,000-strong crowd, defended for over 20 phases on their attempt line to carry onto the sport.
The Chiefs who’re recognized for his or her strike energy, struggled to penetrate the ‘Wall of Purple’, managing to solely rating one attempt in every half of the sport. Not even the ‘D-Mac’ may get the Chiefs assault firing, copping a number of large hits all through the sport. He wasn’t the one one, with Purple’s 10 Lynagh Junior copping a few late hits, one which warranted a pleasant little serve of cheddar cheese for Samipeni Finau, however alas BO’Okay noticed in any other case.
The Reds scrum turned from common within the first stanza to dominant within the second. This mixed with the Purple’s latest deadly weapon, their rolling maul, and the Reds have been capable of push the Chiefs laborious with their set-piece play. Harry Wilson had 21 tackles and his brother in arms Fraser MacReight, managed 19 tackles, two turnovers, and a attempt to get this creator’s MOTM efficiency. The Reds are proving to be the little crew that might this 12 months, and it’s time for all Aussies to leap on this bandwagon.
#InJoeWeTrust, for those who have been watching that recreation, which I’ve little question you have been, there may be the Wallabies 7-8-9-10 mixture for you. The rock-hard backbone of your crew to construct round.
Tremendous Rugby Pacific 2024 – Ladder
Properly, effectively, effectively! Three holes within the floor normally containing water! Who would have thought at first of this season that the 2 high Aussie groups can be the Reds and the Melbourne Rebels, and the Crusaders can be sitting second backside with no ‘W’ subsequent to their identify?
Sure, it is just the third spherical, however wow! There are quite a few attention-grabbing mixtures and permutations, popping out of this one. However one factor is for certain, tipping this season is proving more durable to choose than a damaged nostril! And I, for one, am loving it! Gone is the fait accompli! Not is it an Aussie crew taking part in a Kiwi crew means an automated defeat. That is going to be an incredible season! Carry it on!
6 Nations
England 23 defeated Eire 22
In one other large upset over this weekend of rugby, we’ve got seen the Cleaning soap Dodgers defeat the Paddies 23-22, in a Johnny Wilkison type final second drop aim. That kick that has blown Eire’s probability of a Grand Slam, and opened up the 6 Nations competitors. It has additionally killed Eire’s 11-win straight streak, and their momentum within the back-end of the championships.
The Pom’s having had a crappy 6 Nations to this point, and coming off a nasty loss to the Haggis Eaters, bolstered themselves at Twickers for his or her shot on the reigning champs. And bolster themselves they did. A scientific begin to the sport, dominating each territory and possession. Choosing up two tries to a few in opposition to the Paddies. But it surely wasn’t all going their means, with a ruled-out attempt, and 7 factors off the kicker’s tee not attained, they may have actually utilized the screws to Eire.
The see-sawing nature of the sport noticed the lead flip-flop 5 occasions, in addition to the Irish having to play with 14 when O’Mahony was served a pleasant little piece of cheddar for knowledgeable foul which in my guide was fairly unprofessional, which added to the joy and texture of the sport.
In the long run, it got here right down to the dying minutes of the sport and Marcus Smith earnt his maintain by slotting the sector aim to ice England’s victory. A recreation that’s positively value watching the complete bundle quite than the highlights.
Itlay 31 defeated Scotland 29
In one other absolute beautiful upset, the Azzurri overwhelmed Scotland in a attempt scoring slam down in entrance of crowd going off their collectives nuts at Stadio Olimpico to drag off their first dwelling Six Nations victory in over a decade. A merely wonderful efficiency by the ‘fashionistas’, egged on by a really loud dwelling crowd, to douse scotlands hopes of a 6 Nations revival.
The Haggis Eaters obtained off to their traditional flying begin with tries to Pierre Schoeman, Kyle Steyn and Zander Fagerson. However the Itlains racking up factors of the tee and funky attempt to Juan Ignacio Brex saved them inside 6 factors at oranges.
The second half was dominated by the Italians, with younger Aussie Louis Lynagh exhibiting his wares, to carry the Italians again into the sport. This was the Azzurri’s first win in Rome since 2013, and their first win in a 6 Nations recreation within the final 2 years. Properly carried out Italy! Higher luck subsequent 12 months Scotland!
Wales V France
Not coated in at this time’s information. will depart that for tomorrow, as the sport hadn’t been accomplished on the time of publishing.
Outdated Man shouting at Clouds
Properly after final weeks obvious ‘epic win’ by the Waratahs over the Crusaders, Brisney needs to come back in off the long term up and have a rant over sure components of the Rugby media panorama. I’m sick and bored with components with within the media (Stan and Christy Doran) ‘pumping up’ or because the boys from the Rugby Report Card name it, “Swinging off the nuts” of sure gamers. Particularly gamers from the Waratahs.
Popping out and saying the Tane Edmed or Jake Gordon are the beginning favourites for this place and that place after one good recreation is taking hyperbole to new ranges. Stating that Joe schmidt has discovered his new saviour within the 10 function or another function is simply utter rediculous, and it’s giving so referred to as skilled journalists a nasty identify.
Sure we all know NSW is the house of RA. Sure we all know the sport doesnt exist outdoors of anyplace however Sydney. Sure we all know you’re pandering to your property viewers. However for farks sake it’s actually laborious to take these individuals’s articles and exhibits severely, espeically when the Waratahs have had one win this season and are within the backside half of the ladder. There are additionally clearly quite a lot of gamers effectively forward within the pecking order for these positions.
Come on guys you are able to do loads higher than this!
Anyway, sufficient of this previous man shouting at clouds. Over to you GAGRs! Have at it.