Month: March 2023

The Australians have rallied after a shaky start to start Sydney with a 28-12 victory over Brazil.The hosts found themselves locked at 7-all with the South Americans after Thalia Costa raced away to answer Bienne Terita's early try.HSBC SYDNEY SEVENS TICKET FINAL RELEASE: GET YOUR TICKETS TO RUGBY’S BIGGEST PARTY NOW!However, Terita's second and tries to Madison Ashby and Teagan Levi helped seal the result despite the below-standard performance.“It was good to get the win but it wasn’t the greatest performance,” Walsh admits.“We were falling off tackles, they looked heavy. I think the emotion and excitement of it made them tighten up but it was a good hit-out.“We had to work hard at times and show some desire to chase them back. It’s a good way to start and hopefully we can build from that.“It’s game one and we want to keep building into the tournament so I’m not concerned.” Terita got the Triple-Crown winners off to a flyer, catching the Brazil defence sliding before sprinting away inside 60 seconds.Brazil refused to give up and enjoyed their own periods of dominance in the first half, capped off by a try to Thalia Costa.The hosts kept their heads and despite several uncharacteristic mistakes found themselves in front 14-7 at the break after Madison Ashby sliced through a gaping hole.In a wild start to the second half, a superb try-saver from Maddison Levi stopped a certain five-pointer to Costa, before Terita’s second left everyone out on their feet.The injection of fresh bodies helped close out the game, with Teagan Levi diving over after a Charlotte Caslick break to close out the match."The nerves showed in that game but it was good to get it out of the way," Ashby believes."I think our defence was a little iffy, we talked about going low and we didn't but it's good to get that out of the way and get off to a good start."Australia 28 (TRIES: Terita, Ashby, T. Levi; CONS: Williams 3, Du Toit) def Brazil 12 (TRIES: Costa, de Souza; CONS: Campos)Click Here: offaly gaa jerseys

This is part of our 22/23 Ligue 1 Handbook, the ultimate guide to French Football – You can see our end of season predictions and read every team’s profile right here.

Key Man: Branco van den Boomen – With last season’s Ligue 2 top scorer Rhys Healey injured long-term, the importance of Toulouse’s midfield orchestrator, 27-year-old Dutchman Branco van den Boomen, has only grown of late. The technically gifted central organiser became the second tier’s standout player last season thanks to his broad range of passing, pinpoint deliveries from dead-balls and his ability to control the TFC tempo. A major goal threat from free-kicks too, van den Boomen managed an impressive 16 assists in Ligue 2 last season, that was five more than his nearest challenger Youssouf M’Changama of Guingamp, and at least double anyone else. Without Healey, a consistent source of goals will be trickier to find for TFC, but, with van den Boomen and Philippe Montanier’s expansive style, chances certainly won’t be.

Signing To Watch: Zakaria Aboukhlal – Although Dutch second-tier Excelsior’s forward Thijs Dallinga (22) has made an promising start and late-window addition Veljko Birmančević, an attacking midfielder from Malmo, adds quality, Moroccan international forward Zakaria Aboukhlal was TFC’s headline addition in a quiet summer overall. Typically a wide forward, the 22-year-old managed nine league goals in 69 games for AZ Alkmaar, who finished fifth in the Eredivisie last season, after he graduated from PSV’s youth system in 2019. Despite some good European experience and 11 Morocco caps, including four at January’s AFCON, considering the lack of options in the rest of the squad, Aboukhlal’s signing seems odd given he’ll face stiff competition from a host of in-form forwards in the deepest and strongest area of the group – resources might have been better directed elsewhere. However, the Moroccan’s arrival suggests Montanier is considering using a 4-2-3-1 more often than last season.

Transfer Window Analysis – Toulouse enter the new campaign with a very similar squad to their promotion season. Although TFC were comfortably the second tier’s most effective side, they won a weak division, and Montanier had less to work with than Patrice Garande, whose incarnation finished third the year before. Cover for a stable back four is almost non-existent, especially after promising right-back Bafodé Diakité was sold to Lille, while Australian international Denis Genreau is the only reliable option off the bench in midfield. Neither area of the squad received a major addition over the summer. There’s more attacking versatility, however, but Montanier’s squad remains precariously thin, unless TFC plan to trust a raft of promising but largely untested youngsters. However, an eleven which almost picks itself has poise, vision and skill throughout, even if holes could quickly start to appear. Whether Birmančević can replace rapidly developing young forward Nathan N’Goumou’s after his move to Borussia Mönchengladbach remains uncertain.

Strengths – Despite Healey’s importance as a goal threat for Montanier last season, and his injury is a concern for TFC, three others made it into double figures in the league and this TFC team should retain much of its goal threat, aided by van den Boomen and Stijn Spierings as Montanier’s fluid and positive 4-3-3 allows for plenty of chance creation via a trio of midfielders with vision and intelligence. Van den Boomen, himself, managed 12 goals last term, while wide forwards Rafael Ratão and Ado Onaiwu managed 11 and 10 respectively. Winger N’Goumou, who supplanted the skilful pair as Healey’s first choice support act at the end of the campaign, managed eight. However, there will be pressure on untested new signings Birmančević, Dallinga and Aboukhlal to contribute too, but early signs are promising, especially from Dallinga. TFC should be fun to watch this season.

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Weaknesses – So few signings mean that this TFC squad is largely devoid of Ligue 1 experience which could be exposed defensively at this level. Left-back Issiaga Sylla carries the majority of the squad’s top flight appearances but he’s proven a liability in Ligue 1 previously, a loan with Lens also didn’t work out. Goalkeeper Maxime Dupé has seen notable first-team action with Nantes but Toulouse were reportedly worried about his suitability for Ligue 1, despite another solid season, and were looking to replace him at one stage. Valerenga goalkeeper Kjetil Haug has been added as competition. Toulouse’s eclectic recruitment (they’ll likely pick 11 different nationalities at one point this season) has proven deft in recent years, adding starters from varied locations such as Danish football, the J-League and Slovakia to consistent success. However, whether those players are ready for such a jump in quality of opposition here is uncertain.

Verdict – If Montanier can replicate his expansive, attractive style of last season, few will be as enjoyable to watch as Toulouse. They have goals, ingenuity and skill, but the party could be ended by even a moderate injury crisis due to lack of depth, while even their talented first eleven is almost completely unproven at this level. However, much of the bottom half of the table is in a similar position with three promoted sides replacing the underachieving Bordeaux and Saint-Etienne this year. Within that group of clubs, few have the guile or boldness of TFC and, despite the four relegation places, Montanier will be confident of survival.

The Stormers consolidated their place in second position of the United Rugby Championship table after they crushed the Sharks 46-19 in Durban.

Crossings from Herschel Jantjies, Ruben van Heerden, Joseph Dweba, Seabelo Senatla, Suleiman Hartzenberg and Manie Libbok saw them to a bonus-point win.

Fly-half Libbok added a further 14 points off the kicking tee, with full-back Clayton Blommetjies contributing two, as John Dobson’s deadly outfit dominated the coastal derby against a Sharks team that was missing several high quality Springboks for this clash.

Gerbrandt Grobler and Daniel Jooste did go over for the hosts, with Curwin Bosch converting, but the Sharks were well beaten by their South African URC rivals.

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Victory puts the Stormers on 50 points in the standings as they are now just 11 points adrift of league leaders Leinster, with Ulster sitting in third on 43 points. Meanwhile, the Sharks remain in eighth spot after suffering their fifth defeat in 12 URC matches.

The Stormers made a lightning start with the opening try in the second minute when fly-half Libbok broke the line and drew his man before flipping to Jantjies to run in for an easy score under the posts and Blommetjies added the extras.

Van Heerden then took an inside pass before bulldozing through the defensive line to power over and put the Stormers 14-0 up after 18 minutes.

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The Stormers’ dominance continued when Dweba went over from the back of a maul before the Sharks finally got on the board two minutes before the break when Grobler broke through two tackles to go in under the posts.

It only took a minute after the restart for the Stormers to claim the bonus-point try. A long cut-out pass from a maul found Senatla in acres of space on the left wing to coast in for a try.

Senatla was then the provider

Senatla was the architect as Stormers went in for a fifth try, latching onto his own kick ahead before laying off to Hartzenberg to coast in.

Poor handling in the backs from the Sharks allowed Libbok to pounce on the loose ball and sprint clear for the easiest of tries under the sticks.

The Sharks salvaged some pride as Jooste and Grobler claimed late tries.

Queensland Reds head coach Brad Thorn has confirmed his squad for this Saturday’s first pre-season trial against the Western Force in Perth.The 30-man squad features 10 players who are yet to play at Super Rugby level, while new recruits and former Internationals Peni Ravai and Luke Jones will play in the maroon jersey for the first time.Thorn said: “It’s great to have footy back.“We’ve worked hard over the pre-season and it’s exciting to have the season in sight.“This Saturday is an opportunity for a number of players to show what they’ve got at the next level and we’re looking forward to seeing them in action.“The Force are always a tough contest and will be great preparation before the season starts.”After impressing during the pre-season, Wests Hospital Cup winners Connor Anderson, Ethan Dobbins and Ben Navosailagi earn their shot for the Reds, with Phransis Sula-Siaosi, Wilson Blyth and Floyd Aubrey also new faces in the squad.Wallabies Fraser McReight, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia and Harry Wilson will feature as the Reds continue their preparation for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.Queensland kick off their campaign on Saturday 25 with a huge clash against the Hurricanes at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Secure your 2023 Reds membership via https://bit.ly/3UP1YDJ.Western Force v Queensland Reds, Saturday 4 February, UWA Sports Park, Perth, 6:00pm AESTForwardsConnor Anderson – Wests – Brisbane State High School – Everton Park RoostersRichie Asiata – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar SchoolAngus Blyth – Bond University – The Southport School – Casuarina Beach Rugby ClubAlex Davies – University of Queensland – Brisbane Grammar SchoolEthan Dobbins – Wests – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – BrothersMatt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ SaintsLuke Jones – Wests – St Pius X College – St Ives Rugby ClubFraser McReight – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek BrumbiesZane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast EaglesPeni Ravai – TBC – Ratu Kadavulevu School, FijiRyan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College Shorncliffe – Caboolture SnakesPhransis Sula-Siaosi – Souths – St Joseph’s Nudgee CollegeKeynan Tauakipulu – Wests – Saint Kentigern College, Auckland – Kenmore BearsSeru Uru – Wests – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli Rugby Club, FijiHarry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red DevilsLiam Wright – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School – EastsDane Zander – University of Queensland – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Albany Creek BrumbiesBacksFloyd Aubrey – GPS – Marist College AshgroveLawson Creighton – Brothers – Padua CollegeFilipo Daugunu – Wests – Dogotuki District School, FjiiJosh Flook – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – BrothersMac Grealy – University of Queensland – Downlands College – Souths ToowoombaIsaac Henry – Wests – Brisbane Boys College – Kenmore BearsTom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College – Richmond Rugby ClubBen Navosailagi – Wests – St Peter’s Lutheran College – WestsHarry McLaughlin-Phillips – Souths – Brisbane Boys College – Gunnedah Red DevilsHunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, AucklandJordan Petaia – Wests – Brisbane State High SchoolKalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School – SouthsLouis Werchon – Wests – Sunshine Coast Grammar School – Maroochydore SwansClick Here: Womens Rowing Forever Stamps 2022

This is part of our 22/23 Ligue 1 Handbook, the ultimate guide to French Football – You can see our end of season predictions and read every team’s profile right here.

Key Player: Téji Savanier – Club captain Téji Savanier makes everything tick on and off the pitch at Montpellier. Whether scoring an imperious free kick or linking midfield and attack with a breath-taking pass, Savanier is crucial to Montpellier’s style. Often trying passes that others wouldn’t dream of, there aren’t many midfielders in Europe who can be compared with Savanier’s progressive and expressive play, shown by his 5.85 progressive passes per 90 minutes. His success rate may not be the highest, but it’s the Frenchman’s risk-taking that makes him so unpredictable. Savanier is also a threat in the final third, and his eight strikes and seven assists meant nobody contributed to more goals for Montpellier last season. Unafraid of shooting from distance, Savanier can score from almost anywhere. If he can come up with more moments of brilliance and be the same influential figure, Montpellier will owe their successes this season to the Frenchman.

Signing To Watch: Wahbi Khazri – Vital to Saint-Étienne’s few recent successes before their relegation, it will be interesting to see what sort of influence Whabi Khazri holds under Olivier Dall’Oglio at Montpellier. Scoring 10 goals last season shows that the Tunisian will add firepower at La Pallaide, who struggled in front of goal towards the back end of last season. After teenager Elye Wahi enjoyed his best scoring season yet, Dall’Oglio needs to find a way to use Khazri in tandem with his growing list of attacking options, which includes exciting Englishman Stephy Mavididi. Considering the influence Khazri held at Saint-Étienne and his consistent Ligue 1 scoring record, this free transfer could become one of the signings of the season. His early season form has demonstrated as such, helping MHSC revive their goal-shy nature as both a goal threat and a facilitator. 

Transfer Window Analysis – A shrewd Montpellier only spent £900k this summer0. Considering their struggles in front of goal, strengthening their attack was the priority. Khazri already seems at home with three goal contributions in his first five appearances. Former Toulouse centre-back Christopher Julien’s return to France from Celtic, meanwhile, offers experience in the defensive department. That increase in Ligue 1 know-how is key for a club looking to recover from a rocky end to the season but there’s a lack of depth in midfield, which hasn’t been addressed. Savanier is Montpellier’s beating heart and the wily Jordan Ferri has been around Ligue 1 for a long time at the top level but, if Savanier was to get injured, Montpellier’s chances of success would be badly damaged with no evident replacement and a lack of depth in central areas generally. However, Faitout Maouassa, who returns from an unsuccessful spell in Belgium after leaving Rennes, and Aranud Nordin, a versatile forward from Saint-Étienne, add pace, intensity and creativity from wide areas. Both have made good starts in Montpellier’s attacking setup.

Strengths – With Nordin and Khazri free signings, Montpellier have looked their strongest in attack since the departures of prolific strikers Gaëtan Laborde and Andy Delort last summer. There was a lack of grit in their performances at the end of last season and they lacked a clinical edge in front of goal, but, with Wahi still improving, Khazri renowned for being a handful and Mavididi’s impressive finishing, Montpellier should eradicate last season’s more goal-shy nature. Nordin isn’t the most prolific but offers a dynamic and pacey option and depth to what could be an imposing front three while journeyman Ligue 1 striker Valère Germain offers a reliable reserve option up front.

Weakness – While Montpellier are blessed in forward areas, the rest of the team raises questions. Jonas Omlin is one of the best keepers in France but those ahead of him didn’t cover themselves in glory last season. The back line has been strengthened by Jullien but consistency is needed if Montpellier are to improve as a unit which is proving tricky as defensive leader, former Liverpool and Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho, has yet to assert himself in Ligue 1 since his return. Central midfield is also a concern given that Savanier is relied upon so heavily for transition and output and, without him, Montpellier would be looking down the table rather than up.

Verdict – Montpellier have had a mixed start to the campaign but their form has improved from a rocky second half of last season. Attacking improvements should address issues in the final third with Khazri the stand-out acquisition. How quickly Jullien finds his feet, out of favour and injured at Celtic in recent months, will be key but he has the quality to improve the defence. However, it appears Dall’Oglio is a Savanier injury away from his season being derailed after the midfield departures of Florent Mollet for Schalke and Remy Cabella for Lille.

Liam Wraith

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Whilst not reading too much into the pair of victories, ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham believes the club is preparing nicely for their Super Rugby Pacific opener against the NSW Waratahs on February 24.The Brumbies survived a valiant effort from the Melbourne Rebels to secure the 35-33 win in Wagga Wagga.It's the second week in a row the ACT-based club have held on late for victory after holding off a late charge from the NSW Waratahs in Griffith.“We stuck in there. The most pleasing thing from our perspective is the amount of composure the players had on the field,” Larkham said after the match.“Even when things went wrong, we stuck to our principles and worked our way back into the game.“…We don’t really read too much into the trials at the Brumbies. We’ve got a number of players who have never played for the club on the field in these last two weeks“I think we’ve had really good preparation into these two weeks. I would say our execution is off a little bit from where it needs to be but we know that we’ve got a couple of weeks to sharpen up.The presence of their Wallabies contingency helped change the game, headlined by a double from Len Ikitau.The centre scored twice in ten minutes, spinning through multiple tacklers to score before running the perfect line to seal the win.He was amongst several scheduled to miss both trials, only to be cleared late after receiving special clearance from Rugby Australia to get valuable minutes before their opening clash in a fortnight.“It was pleasing for those guys to get out there," Larkham admits.“They spoke to me after the game last week about getting some minutes. They were pretty keen to get out there and feel the intensity of a live game“…That’s exactly what we wanted to do, Lenny (Ikitau) can take a lot of confidence with a couple of nice carries and two tries…it’s hard to come into Super Rugby without any trial time and I think that’s going to allow those guys to have a lot more confidence heading into round one.” Click Here: cheap puma men shoes

As reported by L’Équipe, Christophe Galtier is planning a change in tactics after the team’s 3-4-3 set-up has struggled for the same impact it had in the earlier part of the season across recent games.

After a tricky first half in Israel against Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League this week, a game PSG eventually won 3-1 after falling behind, Galtier recognised that space between his front three, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, and PSG’s midfield and the defence allowed Haifa to cause Paris problems. It seems that, with a chance to analyse Paris’ new set up having seen it across several games now, opposition teams are starting to formulate a stronger defence.

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In response, Galtier could consider moving back to a four-man defence, but that move would demand more defensive effort from his front three, who have offered relatively little protection so far, and Galtier is reluctant to impose restraints on his attackers. Galtier is also thinking about adding a central midfielder to the side, to aid Vitinha and Marco Verratti, who can be outnumbered in central areas. That, however, given the importance of PSG’s wing-backs, means Galtier is contemplating dropping one of Messi, Mbappé or Neymar for a forward more willing to press and hold shape.

The sports daily suggest Galtier is asking himself if PSG can win the Champions League with three attackers who don’t defend or hold shape with the rest of the team. The answer could make for some difficult decisions.

France survived a major scare against Italy in Rome as they hung on to win 29-24 in a nerve-racking Six Nations triumph on Sunday.

Tries from Thibaud Flament, Thomas Ramos, Ethan Dumortier and Matthieu Jalibert saw Les Bleus seal a bonus-point win, with Ramos also kicking nine points.

Italy came agonisingly close to claiming a memorable victory though, with Ange Capuozzo’s score and a penalty try added to by four penalties from Tommaso Allan.

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The visitors were dealt a second-half scare when Charles Ollivon was sent to the sin bin and Italy were awarded that penalty try, at one point taking a second-half lead through Allan.

But Les Bleus fended off the threat and will look to extend their winning streak to 15 when they travel to Ireland next weekend in round two of the Six Nations.

France were on the scoresheet after four minutes when Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney attempted a box-kick only to be thwarted by the six-foot-eight Flament, who intercepted before going on an unstoppable run over the whitewash, with Ramos adding the extras.

Allan booted in a penalty to narrow the deficit before France had a try ruled out, but Les Bleus soon restored their advantage through Ramos.

Allan added another penalty for the Azzurri before Dumortier collected Romain Ntamack’s cross-field kick and dotted down to open his account for France.

Impressive finish from Capuozzo

Italy responded through Capuozzo, who went on a spritely run and was able to evade Gregory Alldritt before getting the ball down in the left corner, with Allan adding a penalty to make it 19-14 at the halfway point.

Ramos added three more but Ollivon was soon punished for bringing down the maul and the penalty try was awarded after a review. Allan soon made no mistake to slot his fourth penalty through the posts to give his side the lead for the first time in the 61st minute.

Five minutes later, however, France displayed their depth when Jalibert came off the bench and made an instant impact, scoring with his first touch to secure the bonus point.