Who’s hot and who’s not!

Adam Kyriacou

It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons over the past week.

THEY’RE ON FIRE!

Sunwolves and Hayden Parker: The men from Tokyo and their New Zealand fly-half make it into this section for the second week in a row after another win and superb individual performance, this time against the Stormers in the first-ever Super Rugby game in Hong Kong. That result means it’s the first time that the Sunwolves secured back-to-back victories, since joining the competition in 2016. Parker finished with a 21-point haul courtesy of three penalties, two conversions and a match-winning drop goal. Their two recent wins are also great for Super Rugby.

Saracens and Owen Farrell: Speaking of a team and a 10 shining, Farrell was outstanding in Saracens’ semi-final win over Wasps on Saturday. He ran the show for his club in the fly-half position, a shirt we regularly state he should be wearing for England. Farrell finished with 27 points but it was his defence, game management and territorial kicking that once again stood out. England’s long-term captain for sure.

Scarlets: The reigning PRO14 champions were at their fluent best on Friday evening as they outclassed Glasgow in their semi-final. That has set up a final against Leinster on this Saturday when revenge could be in the air after their recent Champions Cup meeting. Scarlets though were superb against the Warriors as Rhys Patchell, Gareth Davies, Rob Evans and Ken Owens all crossed, with Patchell in particular shining.

Lyon and Castres: Away victories in knockout rugby are difficult to come by but both Lyon and Castres were shock winners over the weekend, beating Toulon and Toulouse respectively. Lyon now face Montpellier while Castres tackle Racing 92 with both full of confidence after the Barrages. Lyon beat, well on tries scored, a star-filled Toulon side while Castres were simply too streetwise for Toulouse. Congrats both.

Exeter: At half-time the Chiefs had 91% possession and 93% territory against Newcastle, quite staggering numbers. There’s no club team in the world better at building phases and Exeter were their usual physical selves against the Falcons. It might come with a hint of a boring and predictable style but try and stop it. They have already beaten Saracens twice this season ahead of what should be a captivating final.

Jaguares: Five wins in a row would have been unthinkable earlier in the season when the Jaguares were ill-disciplined and sloppy with ball in hand. What a turnaround it has been for Mario Ledesma’s men who look a threat to any opposition they face. Such power up front – Marcos Kremer one such player deserving of recognition – and with lethal finishers such as Bautista Delguy out wide, they are bang in form.

BROKEN THERMOSTAT

Royal debate: James Haskell was absent from Wasps’ Premiership semi-final defeat to Saracens on Saturday in favour of being at the Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, a move which drew plenty of criticism from fans and players alike. Wasps have stated that this was due to a foot injury sustained at Newcastle, but many suggested he should have been attendance regardless to offer his support to his team-mates. Should he have been at Allianz Park or does the soon-to-be ex Wasp have every right to miss the game for such an event?

COLD AS ICE!

Tevita Nabura: The Highlanders flyer will be upset with himself after he was red carded for this moment of madness in his side’s clash at the Waratahs. Nabura’s sending off had a big impact on the game as the Highlanders had to play with 14 men for more than three quarters of the match and eventually suffered a 41-12 defeat to end a 40-game winning run for New Zealand teams against their Australian counterparts.

Stormers: Their 26-23 defeat to the Sunwolves was a humiliating result as it was their first-ever loss in five matches against the Tokyo-based team. That result could have serious repercussions for Robbie Fleck’s charges’ play-off hopes and they are yet to win an away match in 2018 after previous losses on the road to the Waratahs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Bulls, Lions and Sharks. They are now bottom of the South African Conference.

Studio drama: There were incredible scenes in South Africa on Saturday when Ashwin Willemse walked off set after a heated rant at fellow SuperSport panelists Nick Mallett and Naas Botha, following alleged patronising comments. The TV channel has since launched an investigation into the incident while on Sunday the country’s Sports and Recreation Minister Toko Xasa stated that Mallett and Botha should be suspended while that investigation takes place. Whatever was said or had been brewing for some time clearly irked Willemse, who was visibly upset as he left.

Michael Cheika-Israel Folau saga: On Thursday Wallabies head coach Cheika refused to criticise Waratahs full-back Folau over his anti-gay sentiments and said youngsters should find another idol if they do not agree with their sporting heroes. One feels Australia’s boss missed a crucial opportunity to send the right message on this one. Imagine, for example, how anti-homophobia campaigner David Pocock would feel if/when he is called up to Australia’s squad knowing this sort of attitude isn’t being condemned by the leadership group. Expect tension.

Steve Hansen comments on Brad Shields: While he might have been named ahead of Shannon Frizell it was probably not a good idea for Hansen to say what he said about Shields’ decision. Yes, New Zealand aren’t known for making rash selections, as we have seen over the years, and maybe it was Shields’ time due to injuries and other departures, but it really was not wise to stir the pot, for Shields’ sake at least.