Who’s hot and who’s not: Those Crusaders, Ronan O’Gara’s apology and a baffling decision

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 after the weekend.
THEY’RE ON FIRE!
Crusaders go seven in a row: The Scott Robertson dynasty is over, but not before the head coach had guided his troops to yet another Super Rugby title. They have found their form over recent weeks, as evidenced by their 52-15 demolition of the Blues in the semi-finals, and they proved too strong for the Chiefs in the showpiece event. The hosts put in an excellent display, but the Crusaders were just that little bit better on the day. Under Robertson, they have claimed pretty much every big honour, with the 2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman trophy the only one which slipped from their grasp. He now goes on to become boss of the All Blacks following the conclusion of the 2023 World Cup.
🏆 Super Rugby's most successful coach.
Scott Robertson's coaching career stats! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jEmFXhy1U6
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 24, 2023
Ronan O’Gara’s apology: After criticising him last week for his classless comments following La Rochelle’s Top 14 final, it is worth giving credit where it’s due after the former Ireland international star apologised for those words. He offered no excuses, stating that it wasn’t in the ‘heat of the moment’ and that he should have been much more gracious in defeat. In an era where saying sorry seems so difficult for so many people, especially those in powerful positions, it is great to see coach O’Gara taking responsibility for his actions and we applaud him for it.
🗣️ 'I showed disrespect by saying that it was an average Toulouse team'
🗣️ 'Those comments are disappointing and small on my behalf'
Ronan O'Gara on his Toulouse comments post-game | @StadeToulousain | #FamilleST #OTBAM with @GilletteUK | #EffortlessFlow pic.twitter.com/vvclx4nFFC
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) June 23, 2023
Wallabies co-captains: Congratulations to Michael Hooper and James Slipper on being named co-captains of Australia for the upcoming Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup campaigns. The pair were unveiled as part of a 34-man squad announced by head coach Eddie Jones on Sunday. It’s great to see Hooper happy to be back in the leadership fold after his brave decision to step away from the squad last year. Congratulations must also go to the eight uncapped players included in the group, with Rebels fly-half Carter Gordon one to watch.
©️ Co-captain structure.
8⃣ uncapped players.
🌍 Several overseas-based stars.🇦🇺 Eddie Jones has named his Wallabies squad ahead of the Rugby Championship and #RWC2023.https://t.co/ELClT1f86V
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 25, 2023
Antoine Dupont in the Olympics: While he will be missed by the XV-a-side game, both at club and international level, seeing the best player in the sport play Sevens at the Olympics is a great way of growing the game. All eyes around the globe will be on the biggest event in sport and seeing Dupont strutting his stuff in Paris will be great for rugby union. Of course, Sevens is a very different game from XVs and there’s no guarantee that he will be a success, but if one player can transition well, it will be the France scrum-half. He’s sure to be a hit.
🗣️ “All the lights are green, but there are other details to settle which are not neutral since.”
😲 Toulouse are prepared to go the entire 2023/24 season without the services of star player Antoine Dupont.https://t.co/fngZxhqAI9
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 23, 2023
Derick Hougaard on the road to recovery: It has been a worrying couple of weeks for his family, with the former Bulls, Springboks and Saracens fly-half in a coma after being diagnosed with respiratory pneumonia. Hougaard was only given a 50 per cent chance of waking up, but thankfully he is now responding to medical staff. There is still a long way to go for the 40-year-old former playmaker but he appears to be on the right track, which is a massive relief for his relatives and everyone connected with South African rugby. Get well soon, Derick!
🗣️ "Derick has opened his eyes! His infection count has decreased and he is receiving new antibiotics."
🇿🇦 Former Springbok Derick Hougaard's condition improves. https://t.co/3o3zmfhF9F
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 23, 2023
COLD AS ICE!
Anton Lienert-Brown decision: How this wasn’t upgraded to a red card had us scratching our heads as the Chiefs centre was lucky to return to the action in the Super Rugby Pacific final after his early yellow. The head-on-head clash with Crusaders wing Dallas McLeod saw referee Ben O’Keeffe send him to the sin-bin while passing the matter to the review team. However, we felt it didn’t need the latter and were subsequently astonished to hear the message come down to the pitch that there was a dip into contact which was mitigation to save Lienert-Brown from the full punishment. Furthermore, why was McLeod allowed to continue playing for minutes after before going for his HIA?
🟨 Yellow for Anton Lienert-Brown. Should it have been red? #CHIvCRU pic.twitter.com/L9oPxrN3V1
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 24, 2023
More misfortune for Izack Rodda: Sadly the Wallabies lock will miss the Rugby World Cup later this year through injury. Rodda has reaggravated the foot issue which has plagued him for the past 18 months. Fit and at his best, the 26-year-old has the potential to be one of the best second-rows in the world. Australia do not lack for quality locks but Rodda would have certainly been a big asset for head coach Eddie Jones as he plans his assault on the Webb Ellis Cup. Hopefully these injury issues relent and he can be playing Test rugby in 2024.
🗣️ “He’s just reaggravated it. Unfortunately, he won’t participate in the World Cup.”
🇦🇺 The Wallabies have lost a lock to injury ahead of #RWC2023, but Eddie Jones did provide some positive updates.https://t.co/dDOhwv7R41
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 23, 2023
Marcos Kremer pays price for stupidity: The Argentinian back five forward will miss the whole of the Rugby Championship after being handed a red card while playing for Stade Francais. Kremer received his marching orders for a needless clearout on Racing 92’s Finn Russell, which saw him strike the head of the Scotland fly-half. He has duly been given a five-game suspension and his absence will be keenly felt with Los Pumas. Fortunately for Kremer and Argentina, he’ll still be available for the World Cup later this year, but their preparation has been hit.
🟥 Shocking clearout from Marcos Kremer on Finn Russell! #Top14 pic.twitter.com/viQQktEK0v
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 3, 2023
Ireland’s World Cup shirt: This hasn’t gone down well on social media, both the look of the new jersey and its rather strange release. Northern Ireland designer JW Anderson – son of former Ireland captain Willie Anderson – donned the new jersey at Milan Fashion Week before Irish Rugby shared the picture saying here is a “sneak peak” of the shirt. But the jersey hasn’t won many admirers at all due to its faded colour while the style of unveiling has also been criticised. While it’s going well on the field, it seems off the field needs some work.
A sneak peak of the new @canterburyNZ Ireland jersey on the catwalk! 👀#TeamOfUs | #IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/p16aZ9J7Av
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 19, 2023
World Cup blow for Emmanuel Meafou: While few expected France to get their wish in terms of being granted permission to select the Australian for their home tournament, there was always still that glimmer of hope for both player and team. That has now been extinguished as World Rugby denied Les Bleus the green light to pick the hulking second-row. The player must be bitterly disappointed to miss the Rugby World Cup but no doubt he will make an impact on the international stage when he becomes eligible in time for the Six Nations next year.
❌ Emmanuel Meafou won't be playing for France this year.
🇫🇷 France dealt blow ahead of Rugby World Cup. #RWC2023 https://t.co/fxexuAlYtE
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 25, 2023
READ MORE: Two Cents Rugby’s five takeaways from the Super Rugby Pacific Final from an All Blacks perspective