Month: September 2024

South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber insists that they are only thinking about winning the match against Argentina and not the amount of points they need to accrue ahead of the Rugby Championship finale.

The Springboks go into the last match of the competition level with New Zealand, but they are in second place due to a worse points difference.

Nienaber’s men have the easier task on paper with them going head-to-head with traditional strugglers Argentina, while the All Blacks host Australia.

Los Pumas have proven to be a tough nut to crack in 2022, however, as evidenced by the clash in Buenos Aires last weekend, and all South Africa’s attentions are simply on getting the job done in Durban.

Disrespectful

“I don’t even want to think about scoring a certain number of points,” Nienaber told reporters. “That would be completely disrespectful to Argentina.

“They are hoping Australia beat New Zealand to give them an opportunity to win the Rugby Championship for the first time in their history.

“Australia and New Zealand are thinking the same thing – they want to win the Rugby Championship, as do we.”

South Africa will know their target when they kick off against Argentina, with the New Zealand v Australia encounter taking place earlier on Saturday.

“Let’s not get caught up in permutations… we will get to that when the facts are on the table,” Nienaber said.

“We are viewing it as a World Cup final: that is what it is to us.

“The only thing I can say is that it will help us that the other game is first, so both teams will know what is required, but I can tell you we will start the game as if it is a final.”

South Africa’s head coach has certainly been impressed by Argentina in the Rugby Championship this year following Los Pumas’ historic victories over the Wallabies and All Blacks.

“They are a proper Test team,” he said. “Look at the experience in their pack – the locks have 70-plus Tests each; the front-row averages more than 50 caps.

“They know what Test rugby is all about, and they are building to a World Cup under a very good coaching staff.”

Sold out Kings Park

Nienaber is also excited by the response his team have had from the supporters, who will pack out Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.

“Personally, I have never been at Kings Park when it has sold out, and we will do everything in our power to produce a fitting performance to thank the fans,” he said.

“If that happens, we should be in a position to win the game, and if things go our way, the Rugby Championship.”

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The French governing body, LFP, have announced a mini-revolution in French football this evening with a series of sweeping changes.

First off, the LFP have announced the dates for the next 2 French transfer windows:

Summer Window: Saturday 9th June to Friday 31st August

January Window: Tuesday 1st January to Thursday 31st January

The interesting take-away in this regard is that French football has decided not to follow the Premier League and others in closing the summer window before the season begins.

In addition, a new schedule for Ligue 1 matches from 2020/21 onwards has been announced:

Friday @ 21:00 – 1 match

Saturday @ 17:00 – 1 match

Saturday @ 21:00 – 1 match

Sunday @ 13:00 – 1 match

Sunday @ 15:00 – 4 matches

Sunday @ 17:00 – 1 match

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Sunday @ 21:00 – 1 match

The aim of this move is to increase attendances with a series of Sunday afternoon games, in an announcement that has largely been welcomed by French football fans.

Finally, following a series of goal-line technology mishaps, the LFP has cancelled its contract with GoalControl, and have announced this evening the signing of a contract with Hawk-Eye until the end of the 2021/22 campaign. Hawk-Eye will be used to implement VAR and as a goal-line technology outlet in Ligue 1 from the beginning of next season.

Springbok fly-half Handre Pollard said he should be fit for South Africa’s end-of-year tour to the Northern Hemisphere in November.

Pollard suffered a knee injury in Round Three of the Rugby Championship against the Wallabies and has been sidelined since.

Reduced time out

The initial diagnosis ruled the pivot out for a significant period, but a second look at his new club Leicester Tigers, has revealed promising news for the Springbok star.

The 28-year-old confirmed that the knee injury is unrelated to his ACL tear suffered during his time at Montpellier and is optimistic his return to play will be soon.

“The body is good,” Pollard told the Leicester Mercury. “I am really coming along nicely. (I’m) Just trying to get as much done as possible. I’ve still got a couple of boxes to tick, from the initial diagnosis we had in Australia. I’ve come back to London and got a different one, which was a lot more positive.

“I’m working hard, it’s really feeling good, so we will see how we go on from here.

“This is completely different (to the ACL tear he sustained while at Montpellier). It’s a little bit of a tear in the meniscus. It’s a lot better than we originally thought, and it’s going really well.

“We’re still taking it day by day, but I am very excited and optimistic.

“I should be good to go for the end-of-year series.”

Pollard opened up that having former Springbok head of performance Aled Walters at Tigers was key to deciding to join the Premiership club.

“He is unbelievable, world, world-class and he is a massive reason I decided to come here. There’s no hiding from it. What he did for us in those two years with the Springboks, we were by far in the best shape of our lives,” he said.

“With them and me personally, the way he does stuff, it’s something me and my body reacts really well to.

“Apart from being a brilliant coach at what he does, he’s an unbelievable person and he’s great to have in a squad. The singing is not great, but it’s great to have a guy like that in the group.”

The fly-half admits his wife has done most of the work in their move to England and claimed he always wanted to play rugby in the country.

“I didn’t expect to be here so soon. I got to settle in under calmer circumstances. My missus has been here for a few months now … she’s sorted out the house. I missed all the heavy lifting and the building of the cupboards. That’s been great. I am staying in Market Harborough,” he said.

“It’s a big learning from moving to France a few years ago. We sorted the house before we came over, which made the transition so much easier.

Always wanted to play in England

“I’ve always wanted to come to England. I wanted to come here three years ago, but there wasn’t really the opportunity so I had to go elsewhere. When the opportunity came up with Fordy (George Ford) going on, it was a no-brainer for me.

“My wife and I always wanted to come to England. We never had the opportunity. Getting an opportunity at a club like this, it’s something you can’t pass on.

“I knew what Steve (Borthwick, Leicester coach) and the boys were doing, it’s clearly going in the right direction. Speaking to Aled – who has been with them throughout the whole process, a guy that I rate very highly and really respect – you could see they were on track to do something special.

“Didn’t quite expect it to happen that quickly like last season already but it’s brilliant. Being at a club like this, personally I’ve still got a lot of ambitions to really win some stuff and improve a lot as a player.”

Pollard’s return is massive for the Springboks, who are struggling with a fly-half crisis after Frans Steyn was forced to fill the void in the final round of the Rugby Championship.

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In contrast to last season, Monaco’s narrow victory at the weekend against Caen came in spite of, rather than because of, Thomas Lemar. As the French international left the Stade Michel d’Ornano, he was confronted with abuse from Monaco fans after another anonymous, lacklustre display. Such performances have come to characterise Lemar’s form in the last year, in a campaign that started with €100m Premier League bids, but might end with him losing his place in the French national team at the World Cup. Prospects of a dream move to Anfield also, at the time of writing, seem to be rapidly diminishing.

The rate with which Lemar’s effervescent form that helped Monaco to a glorious title last year has dissipated has been a major talking point of this Ligue 1 season. Last term’s combined tally of 28 goals and assists has dropped to an admittedly injury affect 10 so far this campaign while his trademark intensity has disappeared. Lemar’s waspish pressing became a feature of Les Monegasques’ title run, as did his mobility, pace and power. Now, the 22 year old regularly finds himself on the fringes of games, unable, perhaps even indifferent, to affect proceedings.

Troublesome thigh and shoulder issues have restricted his game time somewhat, but this remains one of a number of factors that have conspired to rob him of his form. Lemar is not alone, sales of Monaco’s premier performers over the summer has led to a general downturn in performances, with those left behind, Fabinho, Kamil Glik and Radamel Falcao in particular, also suffering. As a result, coach Leonardo Jardim has had to change tact, the iconic 4-4-2 of last term being used less and less, replaced by a more pragmatic 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.

Beforehand, Lemar was given freedom to seek out space, join attacks or drop deep when he saw fit, playing closer to Falcao and Kylian Mbappé in the tighter spaces, which suited his supreme technical acumen. Now however, Lemar is often deployed as a left winger, where he can become isolated, or as a number 10, a role he seems oddly unsuited to. Known as quiet, even shy, off the pitch, Lemar is not one to dictate play or become a creative focal point. In bemoaning his son’s use by Monaco at the start of the year, Lemar’s father even went as far as to say: “He is not at 100% of what he can do… he still plays a little bit with the handbrake on, he is not completely liberated. Technically, he is capable of a lot more.”

Perhaps the principle reason for his drop off in impact is the evaporation of a Premier League move last summer. Interest from both Liverpool and Arsenal intensified as the window drew to a close, discussions with Liverpool in late August at one point included Divock Origi before his move to Wolfsburg, but unfortunately for Lemar, circumstances conspired against him. Liverpool’s various bids eventually culminated in a final €90m offer, made two days before the end of the window, but was rejected by Monaco and hawkish negotiator Vadim Vasilyev, who was holding out for €100m.

When Arsenal offered that sum less than 12 hours before the deadline, Monaco were willing to accept, but the deal came too late to finalise, with Lemar on international duty at the time. The consensus in France is that Lemar would almost certainly have joined either Arsenal or Liverpool in the summer if either club had had a bid accepted by Monaco in good time to complete the deal.

Although a winter transfer was always unlikely, Monaco not wanting to weaken themselves midseason given that making the Champions’ League is so crucial for their model, Lemar’s displays this season have carried a sense that he knows that his stay in the Principality is close to the end. In an interview with Téléfoot in March, he admitted his frustration but also was oddly explicit in stating he was playing for a move, rather than Jardim and Monaco: “I am not going to hide it, I was a bit disappointed. But there is no point fixating on that. I have continued to work so that these clubs might come back for me in the following transfer window.”

Having rejected a series of contract offers, Lemar, again, is intent on a summer move. Liverpool, however, may have moved on. With Naby Keita to come, the €75m spent on Virgil Van Dijk, Monaco’s insistence on a huge fee and reports of an agreement with Lyon for Nabil Fékir are perhaps not all too surprising. The OL captain is in far better form, is more varied in his play and is likely to be somewhat cheaper. Meanwhile, although Arèene Wenger explained last summer, “€100m for Lemar? Yes all true, I wanted him. We will come back for him,” that promise now seems in doubt given Wenger’s departure.

Despite a downturn this campaign, Lemar’s talent is not in doubt and, assuming Liverpool and Monaco could reach a compromise on price, he would remain a sizeable catch for Jürgen Klopp. Klopp’s fluid 4-3-3 would suit the Frenchman, both in design and ethos. A slot as the most forward-thinking of a flexible midfield three would be Lemar’s ideal position, fitting his skillset perfectly, encouraging him to play off those around him while ghosting into awkward spaces where he is difficult to pick up.

Either way Lemar is unlikely to start next season with Les Monegasques. “My future? I am open to everything. I love all the different leagues,” he explained in the spring, seemingly open to options.

However, much could now hinge on his displays at the World Cup but amid strong form from a number of his competitors, Dimitri Payet in particular, Lemar may have managed to play himself out of contention for a start – a scenario unimaginable when nine figure bids arrived following a stunning brace in a 4-0 win over the Netherlands on deadline day. Perhaps Lemar should have followed his own advice, “fixating” on his disappointment might have cost him the move he seems to so desperately want.

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Newcastle Falcons secured their first Premiership victory of the 2022/23 campaign when they beat Bristol Bears 30-15 in an entertaining match at Kingston Park on Saturday.

Mateo Carreras led the way for the home side as he scored a brace of tries while George McGuigan Connor Collett also crossed the whitewash. Their other points came via the boot of Tian Schoeman, who slotted two penalties and a couple of conversions.

For Bristol, who were unbeaten before this encounter, Henry Purdy and Richard Lane scored tries while AJ MacGinty added a penalty and a conversion.

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Bristol looked like they would open the scoring on 10 minutes, with only a last-ditch tackle from Matias Orlando preventing MacGinty from going in under the posts. However, the Bears won a penalty for offside and MacGinty was able to kick an easy three points.

The Falcons stormed back and were held up inches from the try-line before winning their own penalty. They opted for the five-metre scrum and their endeavour was rewarded with Carreras going in at the corner after Schoeman had flung a long pass out to the left.

Ed Holmes was sent to the sin-bin for a cheap shot on 20 minutes, with Newcastle turning the screw. It did not take long for the advantage to work in their favour as Collett waltzed through from five metres out to extend the lead. Schoeman failed to add the extras to either of his side’s opening two tries.

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Kyle Sinckler was penalised at a scrum for not driving straight and an easy kick was turned down in favour of a kick to the corner. McGuigan squeezed over from a pick and go following the lineout before Schoeman split the posts.

The Bears started the second half on the front foot and spent the opening five minutes deep inside Newcastle territory. However, a succession of penalties resulted in Collett spending 10 minutes in the bin. Within the space of a minute, the Falcons lost Sean Robinson – again for infringements close to the line.

Bristol strike back

The numerical advantage eventually worked in the favour of the Bears, with Purdy going over in the corner. MacGinty sent his conversion attempt wide of the post.

Bristol then grabbed their second try of the half as Lane crashed over with Newcastle still down to 13 men. MacGinty added the conversion to bring the visitors back to within a score, with 21 minutes of the game remaining.

Schoeman calmed home nerves with a penalty before hitting the upright from another long-range penalty five minutes from time. The loose ball was not taken cleanly by Bristol and they ultimately conceded another penalty, but this time in their own 22. Schoeman made no mistake from 15 metres to take away the losing bonus point from Bristol.

Newcastle sealed the try bonus with the clock in the red as Carreras showed his wheels to race in for his second try. Schoeman added the conversion to put some added gloss on the score.

Speaking to our colleagues at BeIN Sports, Montpellier left-back Jérôme Roussillon discussed the possibility of moving to China when his contract with the Ligue 1 side comes to an end next month.

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“I like China too. I would like to go to China. I have been in France for 5 years. I have never travelled. The only times that I have travelled have been in June. Why not discover new people, new cultures.”

Wallabies veteran Bernard Foley hinted at a possible return for the great Michael Hooper to Australia’s squad for their end-of-year tour.

Hooper has been taking some time away from the game for ‘mental reasons’ since withdrawing from the Wallabies squad before the Rugby Championship and has been widely praised for prioritising his mental health.

Possible return?

The Wallabies are yet to confirm when he will return to the squad, but Foley admitted Hooper sounds “excited” which could hint at his selection in Dave Rennie’s squad to tour the northern hemisphere.

“We’ve had some brief chats recently. I think he’s in a place where he’s excited, which is when he’s at his best,” Foley told the Sydney Morning Herald. “I think he’s still working on it. It’s going to be ongoing. Just having what he went through and to see him wanting to come back is really exciting.

“Hoops is being Hoops. That’s how you want him. I don’t think he’s going to drastically change. It’s good to see him being himself.”

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The 2022 Bledisloe Cup was controversial, particularly in the first Test, where Foley was blown for time-wasting in the final minutes, opening the door for New Zealand to steal the game 39-37.

However, despite the frustrations in the first Test, the second was harder to stomach as the Wallabies were put to the sword by the All Blacks, who claimed a 40-14 win.

“Bledisloe II probably [was harder] because we were shown up in a number of areas; physically and in the contact areas,” Foley said. “That was the disappointing thing for us. We would have liked to have been a lot better in those areas. Even myself personally, that’s where I was very disappointed in my game. We’ve got to be better in those areas if we’re going to play against top sides and win international rugby week after week.”

Rising stars

Foley weighed in his thoughts on two upcoming fly-halves, both from the Waratahs, Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed, who are fighting for a starting spot for Australia ‘A’ and a call-up for the Wallabies tour squad.

“I’ve done a fair bit [of work] with those guys,” Foley said. “Benny was with us for the last couple of weeks … [and] we have regular discussions. Tane is a great kid and he’s reached out a few times. He’s really lapping it up and wants to learn. He is a real eager student of the game and wants to learn the ins and outs and intricacies of footy.”

AS Monaco have officially confirmed the departure of Brazilian midfielder Fabinho to Liverpool, in a deal which will be processed on the 1st of July.

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The deal is worth an initial €50m, with bonuses seeing the overall package rise in worth to €60m maximum.

Monaco Vice President Vadim Vasilyev had the following to say on the deal:

“I want to first congratulate the player who, despite his young age, has shown himself to be an example on and off the pitch thanks to his footballing qualities and exceptional human ones… I am proud of his progression which once again confirms the know-how of AS Monaco in relation to unveiling the young talents of world football.”

Gloucester claimed a stunning 31-28 triumph over fellow West Country outfit Bristol Bears in one of the games of the season so far.

It was a thrilling clash throughout as the two sides traded blows. The Cherry and Whites were fastest out of the blocks as Jordy Reid touched down before Sam Bedlow levelled matters.

Val Rapava-Ruskin then restored the hosts’ lead but the teams could not be separated as Piers O’Conor crossed the whitewash for the Bears.

Although Freddie Clarke’s try gave George Skivington’s men a 21-14 advantage at the break, Bristol would not go away and scores from Ellis Genge and Andy Uren moved the visitors ahead for the first time in the match.

However, Rapava-Ruskin once again tied the match before Adam Hastings’ late penalty snatched the win for Gloucester.

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Gloucester changes included England wing Jonny May returning to the starting line-up, with Santiago Carreras moving to full-back, while centre Chris Harris replaced Mark Atkinson, who suffered a season-ending knee injury at Bath last weekend.

Bristol handed scrum-half Tom Whiteley a first start since February, taking over from an injured Harry Randall, with Fitz Harding returning to the back-row alongside Chris Vui and Dan Thomas.

Both teams displayed plenty of ambition in the early stages, with Gloucester’s Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit proving a considerable attacking threat.

And it was no surprise when Gloucester took an 11th-minute lead, relying on their outstanding driving maul to breach Bristol’s defence as Reid touched down and Hastings converted.

Bristol had opportunities to hit back quickly, but poor ball retention proved their undoing and Gloucester’s powerful counter-ruck led by number eight Ruan Ackermann often sent them into reverse gear.

The visitors did not lose their composure, though, and patient build-up play saw them draw level through a 25th-minute try for Bedlow that Callum Sheedy converted after the centre crashed crashed through weak Gloucester defence.

It was a game of little pattern, yet the excitement levels continued as the sides matched each other blow for blow.

Gloucester went back in front eight minutes before half-time after Harris caused panic in Bristol’s defence and Rapava-Ruskin dived over the top of a ruck to score.

Hastings’ conversion made it 14-7, but Bristol hit back after Genge’s strong midfield charge created enough space for Uren, who replaced Whiteley, to send O’Conor through a huge gap, with Sheedy adding the extras.

But just when Bristol thought they had done enough to go off level at half-time, Ackermann stormed clear from the back of a scrum and Clarke powered over, giving Hastings an easy conversion as Gloucester secured a 21-14 interval advantage.

It took Bristol just five minutes into the second period to draw level for a third time, and this time it was Genge who did the damage, claiming his fourth Premiership try this season.

Sheedy’s conversion tied the game up once more before the impressive Uren went close to a dazzling solo score, but he was hauled into touch by Gloucester’s last defender.

Bristol should have made no mistake just three minutes later following a piercing Charles Piutau break, but flanker Dan Thomas lost the ball under pressure from Rees-Zammit, and the chance went begging.

Gloucester, though, could not escape Bristol’s attacking menace, and Uren put them ahead for the first time with a try that Sheedy converted.

But Gloucester set up a thrilling final quarter by claiming the eighth touchdown of a pulsating contest as Rapava-Ruskin again crossed Bristol’s line, with Hastings converting before he provided the match-winning moment.

Saracens edge past spirited Bath

Saracens overcame a spirited Bath 37-31 in an enthralling back-and-forth Premiership encounter at the StoneX Stadium.

Tries from Alex Goode, Max Malins, Elliot Daly and Alex Lewington and stellar goalkicking from Owen Farrell secured the result for the table-topping hosts.

Bath took the game to the wire, thanks to scores from Matt Gallagher, Joe Cokanasiga, Max Ojomoh and Wesley White along with the boot of Orlando Bailey.

However, they could not force a late winner as Johann van Graan’s men succumbed to a sixth consecutive defeat in the league.

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Northampton withstand Newcastle fightback

Northampton Saints held off a Newcastle Falcons fightback to secure a nerve-jangling 32-31 win at cinch Stadium.

The home side had appeared to be cruising on two occasions during the game, going 13-0 up in the first half before the Falcons scored twice to make it 14-13 at the break.

Northampton then looked to have regained control, going 32-14 ahead via Tom Collins, Juarno Augustus and Ollie Sleightholme tries, but again the Falcons refused to lie down.

They roared back to just a point down with nine minutes to play as Mateo Carreras, Jamie Blamire and George Wacokecoke went over.

There was plenty of tension among the home supporters, but their side saw the game out to secure their second successive bonus-point win in the Gallagher Premiership.

AS Monaco right-back Djibril Sidibé has reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid vis-à-vis contractual terms, according to L’Équipe.

The 25-year-old will be allowed to leave Monaco this summer, but for the right price. At the moment, Atletico Madrid only intend to offer up to €25m, which ASM view as unacceptable and thus have not told the Spanish club their asking price, as they wait for other suitors to come forward.

Sidibé is interested in the Atletico challenge, in a move that he believes would improve his defensive qualities.

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