Mixed bag: Round 1 of the Heineken Cup had some highs and lows
This week we will mostly be concerning ourselves with the Heineken Cup, loving your enemies, the price of identity and some rugby in the provinces...
Ok, so it's hard to see all the games. With some on at the same time, others only covered by some channels in some places, you just don't get the overview and despite Sky's very best efforts, the highlights program doesn't really give a full picture. And being honest, I missed much of Saturday's action for reasons shortly to be revealed.
But was it just us or was this weekend a little flat? Saracens strolling to a 45-0 win in Edinburgh? The Scarlets turned pale in Clermont? Treviso, Montpellier, Biarritz and Castres humbled on the road?
There were a couple of belters too - Munster's defeat to Racing and Sale's win over Cardiff were the pick of the bunch while Toulouse's win over Leicester was classic intense European fare, but it does seem this year that the gap between the haves and have-nots is a little wider than it used to be.
Which is rendered all the more interesting when you note that three of the six mentioned teams are perhaps three who would be culled should ERC opt to make qualification more merit-based from the Pro D12 in the next European deal, while two of the others are those who would often cite the need for Top 14 success as being of more importance to them than the Heineken Cup.
Again, I didn't see it all. So I am prepared to stand corrected. But looking at the results and the one-sidedness of some of the games, ERC might do very well to examine their current format and tweak the tiers as has been proposed, lest the group stages start becoming too much in the way of formalities.
Heartwarming stuff from South Africa this week, where it seems that the All Blacks extended a warm welcome to the walking wounded from the week before.
Australian fly-half Berrick Barnes, who punctured a lung against South Africa and was stuck in the rainbow nation until able to jump on a plane home was adopted by the visiting All Blacks, with Barnes being nursed by the AB medical staff and performing some team duties - many of them involving driving a golf cart - in return, all the while staying in the All Blacks' team hotel.
More surprisingly, given the current penchant for secrecy and planning, Barnes was a frequent spectator at training. He was also a guest of honour at the nines and tens dinner.
It's good to know that the friendship spirit of rugby still endures...
Less heartwarming in New Zealand was the reaction to the news that AIG - they of Manchester United fame - would become only the second sponsor name ever to be emblazoned across All Black breasts from November onwards.
Disgrace, disgusting, disappointing, disrespectful... there's been no end of the dissing of the Kiwi hierarchy this week, much of the vitriol aimed squarely at Steve Tew.
Well, it's not great, and you have to admire the All Blacks for having held out so long.
But how else could they realistically have got the money they need? For the past four years they've ben able to survive off the World Cup, but that cash cow has now thundered over to England's pastures green to deliver her milk.
Even with that World Cup cash, the NZRU still had to draw up some of the most creative central contracts ever seen to make sure they were able to pay less than, but still live with, the Perpignans, Toulouses and Saracens of the rugby world. That Dan Carter and Richie McCaw are the best-paid All Blacks is common knowledge, less common knowledge is that the contract amount last announced was about half the value of Jonny Wilkinson's Toulon gross (the RWC bonus might have balanced that out a bit).
Lest we forget, while this was all happening, Otago - already struggling on limited NZRU assistance - were days away from ceasing to exist altogether. There was a time - even this year - where it was not even clear if Steve Hansen's coaching staff was going to be affordable to the All Blacks where it would have been to others.
So it's not a great thing to happen, but it was inevitable. If the New Zealand public has any sense, they should first wait and see where that money goes. Steve Tew has done a tremendous job overall for the NZRU, is it not worth perhaps trusting that this is a part of a bigger plan?
Not much Heineken Cup? Well, your faithful correspondent was invited to Frankfurt, attending the game between Germany and the New Zealand Ambassador's Select XV, where the Germans were warming up for a forthcoming clash against the Ukraine.
In front of about 3,000 hardy souls, the Germans sneaked a fortunate 22-20 win, riding their luck in the final ten minutes as Ambassador's XV fly-half Tim Manawatu - whose brother Kieran scored a scorching try for the Germans - missed three kicks at goal.
But this was a quality game. Germany may be ranked 31st in the world but there was no denying the pace, organisation and skill on show at times, nor the quality of their opposition, most of whom were ITM Cup standard players.
Even more revealing was the curtain-raiser, an U21 clash between the north and south of Germany of a quality at times superior to the international match.
Yet it was also a little disappointing to note that Germany's try-scorers were Kieran Manawatu and Pieter Jordaan, while their 8-9-10 axis was composed of Rob May, Sean Armstrong and Raynor Parkinson.
Two weeks ago a colleague on this site opened up the debate of how long the IRB three-year-residency rule would remain something truly desirable or necessary. We're not sure either...
Finally, staying in the provinces and heading down the ranks to the high eighties, Norway may not yet be doing such a great line in rugby teams, but few who have been there will forget the ladies...
Well now we have the best of both!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHiH_LQgE1w&feature=youtu.be
Loose Pass compiled by Richard Anderson
Comments
APV1 says...
@ AWEBLAX - it appears that Oz journalists learned their trade in the UK..!
Posted 10:18 19th October 2012
AWEBLAX says...
Have to say sad but true the Berrick Barnes incident didn't even make a blip on the radar in Oz, for some reason the Australian sporting journalists tend to feed on negativity where rugby is concerned, ala injuries, toxic environments, resignations etc. etc. and then they're in shock when fans are turning their backs in droves and rugby is getting overtaken by other sports, ahhh yes Australian rugby sad but true....
Posted 07:34 18th October 2012
jontheref says...
Have to agree with the comments about Patterson.
How on earth can you have him refereeing as a neutral for Irish teams as a socalled scottish ref?
He is Ulster Irish.
OK Treviso were on the wrong end of him last week, but I have watched the obvious delight he has when he penalises Welsh teams, he does not have the same pleasure lined face when refereeing and penalising other teams.
As I posted on the Ospreys game, for O's to get a bonus win with him there, was pretty remarkable.
Posted 17:49 17th October 2012
Carpelone says...
hellovanite
Try some haggis next time ;-).
Explanation fair and accepted. Cheers.
Posted 14:19 17th October 2012
jamesliveinhope says...
a couple of regular buttons for the pressing there PR.
It always fascinates me that we feel able to prove arguments not from year on year trends but from a single round of matches.
Two things I will guarantee, 1. Leinster will win their group 2. best runners up will come from group 3. I would also place a strong bet that the other best runners up will come from group 2. I have argued the reasons why before and can't be bothered to again. - Feel free to remind me of these remarks if I am wrong. The main concern I have is whether or not I should be able to predict this stuff beofre the competition starts.
PR I hear your argument over the nationality thing BUT, as I always remark, if they are resident legally and consider a nation their home, why shouldn't they be allowed to represent that country internationally. Lets face it, Germany is probably not the pinnacle of ambition for an aspiring rugby mercenary. Could it not be that these guys were about the relocation first, then the rugby. It is not beyond the realms of imagination to consider that British/French/African/Australasian born people are likely to be better rugby players than many of the natives in a non-rugby country so is it not likely that they are more likely to rise to the top locally than those who prefer kicking round balls and throwing themselves to the ground in faux agony?
Posted 10:36 17th October 2012
hellovanite says...
Carpelone... I like my tripe deep fried with heaps of salt. It was a bit tongue n cheek my good fellow. I realise we need sponsors I just wonder if AIG is the right fit... Hey maybe, as I said time will tell. I'm not the only one that feels this way and at least I'm not adverse to the whole sponsership thing. As for the other comments well all I can say is that's how they do it in the heartland Ha..
Posted 06:18 17th October 2012
Sincero says...
Froggy... while Ulster might rival Leinster for academy talent, under the Munster regime of Kidney and O'Sullivan, they are dramatically under-represented at international level... and Connacht are the half-funded 'development' province... Neither are heavily effected by the IRFU policy. Leinster scraped a home victory against a very fit Exeter team, but still a team that are nowhere near the class of the champions. Munster and Leinster, whose success sparked the complaints, supposedly, are currently at a clear disadvantage due to the player protection scheme.
That contradicts last week's Loose Pass piece, which claimed teams that had played the bulk of 8 or so games were at a massive disadvantage compared specifically to Leinster and Munster (and using Toulouse and Clermont as amusingly inappropriate examples).
Hope that clears my point up for you. All the best.
Posted 02:08 17th October 2012
missionary says...
All I can say is, I enjoyed the Norse Goddesses training for 7's! Wow.
Posted 23:44 16th October 2012
2EyedKiwi says...
@northandsouth. PR have got it wrong here regarding the AIG deal response here in NZ, and are grossly exaggerrating with comments like "...no end of the dissing of the Kiwi hierarchy this week" and "If the New Zealand public has any sense, they should first wait and see where that money goes.
C'mon PR and Mr Anderson - surely your research goes further than the odd facebook comment and negative blogs of a few no-names? If you'd bothered to canvas a good cross-section of NZ Rugby supporters, especially some of the old guard like Brian Lachore and Colin Meads but to name a few, you'd know that this sponsorship has overwhelming support and was always inevitable. And its not like we've never had a sponsors name on the Jersey before?! The AB's had Steinlager (great logo - awful beer) on their jerseys for years!
Re Berrick Barnes - love it. Enemies on the field. Mates off. Love that rugby can keep that ethos.
Posted 22:20 16th October 2012
paulynz says...
I love my country.
Here on your own Berrick? Come and bunk in with us bro...
Posted 20:11 16th October 2012
paulynz says...
Norse goddesses playing rugby? I'd think I'd died and gone to Valhalla...
Posted 20:00 16th October 2012
philipjfry says...
'Australian fly-half Berrick Barnes, who punctured a lung against South Africa and was stuck in the rainbow nation until able to jump on a plane home'
Poor Berrick, what hardship. But lets put it into perspective; if say, Uzbekistan is on one end of the 'stuck in' spectrum and the Oslo ladies rugby team clubhouse is on the other end where did Berrick actually find himself?
As for me, I'd like to be 'stuck in' Steenberg vineyard drinking Semillon with the blond at 00.40.
Posted 17:55 16th October 2012
froggy73 says...
@Sincero: I don't see your point there. Ulster won easily. Connaght and Leinster won and Leinster played rubbish but did manage to win. Munster lost because they simply don't have a team to compete anymore (well, not last week-end anyway). Secondly, we are still start of the season. None of the French/English are overcooked (yet)
Posted 15:39 16th October 2012
Carpelone says...
hellovanite
What a load of tripe.
Posted 13:54 16th October 2012
Carpelone says...
Treviso were not humbled, they have been punished beyond their faults by one of the most incompetent referees ever produced by the Celtic brotherhood. I wonder how long the Italians must stand such biased, patronising officiating. The credibility of the game is at stake.
Good to hear about Barnes and New Zealand team. Very good indeed. From a medical point of view, how much a punctured lung can affect your career as a professional rugby player? Did he have a pneumothorax?
Posted 12:22 16th October 2012
hellovanite says...
It's a fair point that you make and it is done so time will tell if this is a good fit. I guess when put into perspective from a monetary position it makes sense. I can tell you that with a dog fetching the balls at training, the coaches wife washing the kits and a couple of blokes from the local pub holding tackle bags NZ would still be able to provide a world class outfit. Look I know we need money we all just wonder if this is a best fit situation. Well it is what it is, time to move on now...
Posted 11:29 16th October 2012
Sincero says...
So, last week's article decrying the injustices of the French and English players having had to play matches this season has been shown to have been a ludicrous fallacy.
Leinster and Munster are undercooked due to the IRFU's enforced resting of internationals, while Exeter, Sarries, Quins, Clermont, Toulouse and Toulon all look sharp and battle-hardened... and the only Leinster player to perform to Champion standard is our open-side, who made your select XV, after having started every game this season.
Yet, out of all that, and having admittedly watched none of the Cup games, you still manage to try and claim you've seen evidence to back up the ridiculous article you posted last week? Interesting indeed.
Posted 11:28 16th October 2012
northandsouth says...
Some of the most balanced and sensible reflection on all things rugby that I've read for a while - particularly nailed the NZRU/AIG issue in all its pros and cons - couldn't agree more. Thanks Loose Pass
Posted 09:49 16th October 2012
melkdave says...
Well i for one ddnt find the HC flat,lolt here was some very good games last weekend Saints V Glasgow,annother example of a good fight back for one.The Scarlets -Clearmont game was also competative till M.Stoddart got himself RED carded,for 2 yellow card offences,1st instintive more than anything else imo,but the 2nd just cynical.Till then the match was well and truly in the balance imo.,and even after Scarlets where still effective at times.Treviso where also quite descent ,they finnally look like they are becomming competative at least against the Pro 12 teams in the league.That the Ospreys just had a liitle to much power/class is understandable ,after all they are the present Pro 12 champions The Quins-Biarritz game was also imo,a good game ,Biarritz didnt hold back ,and came to win away from home,a very good Quins performance denied them,At home though they wil still be a massive force,no one looks forward to playing Biarritz at home not even other french teams lol.Montpellier did have a 2nd string team out against Toulon ,by the look of it,but remember they had a mammoth T14 game the week before,.At home this week they will be a totally different propersion,just like Biarritz.As for Castres god knows what they where thinking ,no time ,no hope of a bonus point and just continued to play ,of course they turned the ball over and gifted Ulster a bonus point for 4 tries.they really didnt deserve imo,but those are the rub of the green ,someties its with you ,other times not lol.
RA nice article on the match in Germany ,,its always nice to read how the game is growing and developing outside the powerhouse nations.And of course the LADIES everywhere are beutiful not just Norway lol
Posted 09:36 16th October 2012