JON CARDINELLI writes that the conservative Stormers and Waratahs should be criticised for inconsistency rather than poor tactical intent. Rugby supporters need to face up to the reality that tactical kicking is a fundamental part of the modern game. Until the IRB changes the laws, the smarter teams will continue to play for territory
They say defence wins world cups, or test matches, or tournaments, or something like that. Anyway – defence is important. So how are the Super teams doing?
Rugby has a long and dishonourable tradition of fixing the unbroken while failing to mend the bits that are patently falling apart, so it comes as no great surprise that certain elements of the Heineken Cup fraternity – the English and the French, basically – should be pressing hard for a mutually beneficial restructuring of the sport’s most captivating tournament. There is no current agreement on the precise way forward, but this much is obvious: if the clubs from Europe’s two biggest union nations are serious about restoring their joint domination of the competition, they will have to find a way of stopping Leinster from playing in it.
It was some Saturday evening for the boys in blue. It was a momentous, memorable win for them in their grand European final. It wasn’t such a bad night for Chelsea either.
YOU would think that Ryan Atkins’ hat-trick and assist in yesterday’s thumping win would have been enough to satisfy Warrington coach Tony Smith.
Morning sports fans Here it is… Dan Dibley on LiveSPORT Dan Dibley joins us from the USA to bring us up to date with the latest from stateside, Co-host of The Rise Guys on 95.7 FM THE GAME Murray Mexted on LiveSPORT Iconic All Black Murray Mexted joins us to review the weekend’s Super 15 action Sir Trevor Brooking on LiveSPORT In a massive coup for the Breakfast of Champions, on the back of West Ham United’s promotion to the Premier League, we have secured an interview with the great Sir Trevor Brooking. One of the Hammers’ most celebrated figures (Upton Park’s famous Centenary Stand was renamed The Trevor Brooking Stand in 2009) the majestic midfielder amassed 639 games for the club, scoring 102 times between 1967 and 1984. Kane Williamson on LiveSPORT Black Caps prodigy Kane Williamson joins us from England where he has been starring with the bat for the John Bracewell coached Gloucester side.
El Seleccionado Argentino de Rugby derrot a Uruguay, por 40 a 5, por la primera fecha del Campeonato Sudamericano 2012, que se desarrolla en Santiago de Chile.
• Heineken Cup final win over Ulster is Blues’ third in four years• Schmidt already talking about next season’s tournamentThe euro may be wobbling but Leinster’s European stock continues to soar. To win three Heineken Cups in four years is a massive achievement. To boldly go where no champion team have gone before in terms of quality and ruthless execution is something else
Former Blues utility back Isa Nacewa has signed for another year with Heineken Cup-winning Leinster and will reconsider his future in 2014.
Retrouvez les réactions à l’issue de la seconde demi-finale d’accession entre Mont de Marsan et Dax.
Leinster captain Leo Cullen has highlighted coach Joe Schmidt’s ‘relentless pursuit of excellence’ as a driving force behind their ascent to the European rugby summit.
The women’s arm of the Welsh Rugby Union is urging all hookers and props with ambitions of playing at the highest possible level to attend a special series of skills sessions.
There was a double cause for celebration after Welsh sides claimed the major men’s and women’s crowns at the annual Manchester Sevens on Saturday.
Rory Best will use the pain of a Saturday’s Heineken Cup final defeat as motivation for next season’s tournament
Fernando Torres has rained on Chelsea’s Champions League parade by attacking his treatment by the club and threatening to quit Stamford Bridge this summer.
Le Stade Montois rugby n’a pas failli face à son voisin dacquois. Vainqueur 24-20 Mont de Marsan rejoint Pau en finale d’accession à Bordeaux.
Veteran centre Brian O’Driscoll still committed to the cause as Leinster win third cup in four years.
• Irish province has become major force in Heineken Cup• Supporters travel to European matches in numbersNext season’s Heineken Cup final is in Dublin, fittingly so as Ireland is the country the trophy has called home for five of the last seven seasons. A competition that in its first few years was regarded as a fight between England and France has turned green, along with the clubs in the Aviva Premiership and the Top14.Much has been made in England and France about an inherent advantage enjoyed by the leading Ireland provinces. Not only do they not have to worry about relegation with the RaboDirect Pro12 ring‑fenced but qualification for the following season’s Heineken Cup is never an issue.
Chelsea fans lined the streets of west London as the team celebrated the club’s historic Champions League and FA Cup double with a victory parade.