Sunday Social: The good, the bad and the Yato
It is time for Planet Rugby’s Sunday Social, your quirky recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the past week’s action.
We begin in Clermont-Ferrand where Harlequins flyer Gabriel Ibitoye showed us why he is so highly rated with this excellent attacking run which set up a try for James Lang in Saturday’s Champions Cup defeat to Clermont.
Gabriel Ibitoye that is out of this world 😱
He had absolutely no right to conjure up a try from that situation!
Electrifying footwork! ⚡️#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/4f3tKqvl02
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) November 16, 2019
That encounter also produced this moment from Les Jaunards’ Fijian back-row Peceli Yato which will be used as evidence to show why forwards should never attempt to kick the ball.
There's a reason Peceli Yato is a forward 😂pic.twitter.com/RnTJyVgpcT
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) November 16, 2019
Although that will be a moment Yato will want to forget, he showed his class earlier in that game by crossing for this fine try.
🏉 #ChampionsCup
🔥 L'essai en force de Yato et Clermont mène 22 à 0 face aux Harlequins !#RugbyPack pic.twitter.com/K7qyHTEH66— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) November 16, 2019
Elsewhere, new Gloucester signing Joe Simpson announced himself to the Kingsholm faithful with a couple of scintillating tries.
Joe Simpson has lightning in his boots 🔥
Tonight wasn't their night but he will be a big player for @gloucesterrugby this season… pic.twitter.com/J4gogMRae1
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) November 15, 2019
Meanwhile, Munster’s CJ Stander went over the top with this needless reaction to celebrate a try in his side’s win against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.
Sterling effort from CJ Stander to try & wrestle the title of Most Unlikable Team in Pool 4 off of Saracens https://t.co/sxkZyBq6ek
— Graham Love (@glove931) November 16, 2019
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton is set to make a return to Test arena in a coaching capacity with his national team. To say he’s delighted with his new role would be an understatement.
I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured. Thanks so much to the @WelshRugbyUnion for giving me the opportunity. I’ll guarantee I’ll do my very best, and can’t wait to work with such a talented group of players and management. Thanks for all your kind messages – been overwhelming! 👍 https://t.co/9FI1lv1l5W
— Sam Warburton (@samwarburton_) November 16, 2019
In the Challenge Cup, Worcester Warriors fly-half Jamie Shillcock was in superb form as he contributed 27 points in his side’s win over Enisei-STM in Hrasnodar.
⚡️ @JamieShillcock carving up with a hat-trick last night! ⚡️
Full highlights ⬇️
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) November 16, 2019
The Barbarians were also in action – against Fiji – on Saturday and their coach, Eddie Jones, left no doubt how he wanted his troops to play in that game.
'That great Gareth Edwards try'
Eddie Jones takes charge of the Barbarians this weekend against Fiji and says he is trying to installed the same courage and skill shown in that try! pic.twitter.com/iDftx9BQ1I
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) November 14, 2019
And this time, a Jones-coached team got their reaction to a war dance right. After the England players admitted that they were meant to form a semi-circle when facing the Haka in the World Cup, instead of the V-shape which saw a few individuals stray over the halfway line, the Barbarians made no mistake against Fiji’s Cibi.
Didn't fancy the fine 😆😉#Baabaas #rugby #rugbyunited #KillikCup 🏆 https://t.co/oqRjFh6fUo
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 16, 2019
Although they suffered a narrow 33-31 loss to the Pacific Islanders, they stayed true to the Baa-baas’ attacking roots and were in good spirits after the match.
Win or lose, Rugby is meant to be fun 😄
Remember that 🙌#Baabaas #rugby #rugbyunited #KillikCup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/5YdAIXt45r
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 16, 2019