AP 1st SF: Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers

[goodNumber10]

Right I'm gonna say it.

Austin Healey is a very good technical analyst.

 

[Maverick1987]

Urgh, worst possible result for the game, and for England.

Yep big big congrats to saints though . Didn't get chance to watch the game but I'll catch up on the highlights . Gonna absolutely shaft us for the first test though . Any chance we can miss the plane and get there on the 8th ?

 

[smartcooky]

JP Doyle has been outstanding tonight. His decision making has been prompt and accurate.

His decision that the Tigers player had not looked away from the ball until after he had already taken off before he clattered into the Saints player (and therefore was a fair contest and no penalty) has, IMO set right the "all about outcomes" bullshiit emanating from Joel Jutge (iRB referees boss) that has been pervading the issue of players jumping for the ball ever since the ridiculous Jared Payne red card in the Heineken Cup.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Right I'm gonna say it.

Austin Healey is a very good technical analyst.

I've said it for ages: Once you get past (or learn to appreciate ) his love of winding people up he really does know what he's on about.

 

[goodNumber10]

I've said it for ages: Once you get past (or learn to appreciate ) his love of winding people up he really does know what he's on about.

I don't mind him winding people up. I'm a bit too much like that myself.

But he really reads what's going on well.

 

[Tmartin995]

What an amazing game that was! Haywood was robbed of man of the match for me. Out played Youngs when he was on the pitch and seemed to get better as the game went on. Corbs also made a huge impact when he was on, surely going to start in the final.

Both Tait and Foden showed just how much depth we have in the fullback department!

 

[goodNumber10]

Was just thinking would be nice to see Tait play the Barbarians.

 

[mad-dog]

Shame Tait came off so early, thought he was playing exceptionally well aside from the two balls straight into touch. The tackle on Fotuali'i was awesome and made a couple of great breaks. Would be good to see him face the BaBaas

 

[ratsapprentice]

What a great game.

Nearly dislocated my shoulder fist-pumping when Wood got that try.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Well just got back I'm having a heavy drink.

God I hate saints

1) Heywood did not outplay youngs at all 1st half youngs was a beast, the YC threw him but youngs was way ahead of Heywood.

2) I'm so proud of tigers this season have played brilliantly dispute having a horrible season.

3) subs won the game Dickson and corbesiro were great, I feel if it was yesterday and then Parling, Stankovich, Hawkins and scully could have played I feel it may have been different. Allen was missed in the last 20.

4) can't wait for next season I love the signings we made (which some tigers fans don't like for some reason) feel gihalrandi. Rizzo, barberi, loamanu, burns and bai.

5) upset to see bowden played brilliantly, and tait was great.

Anyway proud of the guys.

Come on sarries.

(If tigers can't win, I'll support the team that finished 1st)

Anyway back to drinking.

Also I know some dont like him but I love cockers as head of Tigs so passionate and a tiger through and through.

 

[Jaguares]

I couldn't see the game, Argentina's TV showed Top 14. Was a fair result?

 

[Maverick1987]

"Northampton are a good club and we are a great club. They celebrated like they had won the title out there. They will move on to the final and good luck to them, but we will be back stronger next season."

Cockers sticking the knife into saints . He obviously wasn't too bothered we lost haha

 

[Patchey]

"Northampton are a good club and we are a great club. They celebrated like they had won the title out there. They will move on to the final and good luck to them, but we will be back stronger next season."

Cockers sticking the knife into saints . He obviously wasn't too bothered we lost haha

That first bit sounds a bit like sour grapes to me... How does a great club not finish a team who've had a man sent off?

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

What. A. Game. Probably the best non-international game of the year. Games like that is why I am so desperate to see us being back in the AP. Just to be associated with and who knows, be involved in such games. Lets hope Quins/Sarries is as good.

 

[Tony Manx]

What. A. Game. Probably the best non-international game of the year.

Interested to know why you phrased it like that.....do you mean all International games by definition are better than non internationals?

Good luck in play offs but have to admit to following Leeds in these play offs....sorry!!

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Interested to know why you phrased it like that.....do you mean all International games by definition are better than non internationals?

Good luck in play offs but have to admit to following Leeds in these play offs....sorry!!

No, I meant it in that I consider the Rugby Championship decider to be better

Although now I consider it, would that be this season or last.

 

[ratsapprentice]

International games are inherently likely to be of better quality - more elite and nationalistic motivation.

 

[Maverick1987]

That first bit sounds a bit like sour grapes to me... How does a great club not finish a team who've had a man sent off?

I think he means great club in the history/prestige etc . Which I suppose he's right and yes it definitely is sour grapes I just thought it was funny . Northampton definitely deserved a place in the final this year they have been great all season . Tbh it would be a travesty if it wasn't a sarries saints final as they have been head and shoulders above the rest

 

[goodNumber10]

Ma'afu has apologised for decking Young's on twitter.

"Apologies for my actions last night. I'm not proud of what I did."

I nearly tweeted back. "What? Not even a little bit?"




http://twitter.com/SalesiMaafu/status/467581641779855360

 

[goodNumber10]

I think he means great club in the history/prestige etc . Which I suppose he's right and yes it definitely is sour grapes I just thought it was funny . Northampton definitely deserved a place in the final this year they have been great all season . Tbh it would be a travesty if it wasn't a sarries saints final as they have been head and shoulders above the rest

I gotta admit it does come across as sour grapes.

 

[Patchey]

I think he means great club in the history/prestige etc . Which I suppose he's right and yes it definitely is sour grapes I just thought it was funny . Northampton definitely deserved a place in the final this year they have been great all season . Tbh it would be a travesty if it wasn't a sarries saints final as they have been head and shoulders above the rest

Oh yeah, not disputing that at all. Also, your supposed squad for next year looks stupidly good. Its just comments like that that makes Cockers grate on my quite a bit.

That was Floods last game for Tigers/in England wasn't it? Bit of a shame.

 

[Maverick1987]

Oh yeah, not disputing that at all. Also, your supposed squad for next year looks stupidly good. Its just comments like that that makes Cockers grate on my quite a bit.

That was Floods last game for Tigers/in England wasn't it? Bit of a shame.

Yeh made some good signings ! Haven't they signed the Italian TH ? If so will take a lot of pressure off Cole . I don't really mind the comments because all it is is passion pouring out although I wish sometimes he would keep his mouth closed .

Yep floods last game I really hope burns finds his form next season and we stay fairly injury free . I think if we hadn't had as many injuries last nights game would have been at welford road

 

[Patchey]

Yeah I think so, Cole should have a lot less pressure on him. Is Burns still going to Tigers though? Heard some rumours that the move has been canned because of his poor form.

Cockerill clearly cares a lot about Leicester, which is great, but as you say he sometimes needs to just stop talking!

 

[Maverick1987]

Yeah I think so, Cole should have a lot less pressure on him. Is Burns still going to Tigers though? Heard some rumours that the move has been canned because of his poor form.

Cockerill clearly cares a lot about Leicester, which is great, but as you say he sometimes needs to just stop talking!

Well I hope burns is going there . Haven't heard anything to say he isn't . I'll have a scan now see if I can find anything

Edit : just found this from April

Although not confirmed by Tigers yet, Burns will run out for Leicester next season after joining from Gloucester.

While the 23-year-old has enjoyed a couple of impressive years at Kingsholm, he has struggled this season as Gloucester languish in the lower reaches of the table.

World Cup-winner Kay was a veteran of 281 appearances with the Tigers during an 11-year career at the club.

He reckons Burns will offer a different sort of approach from Leicester's long-time first-choice fly-half, Toby Flood, who leaves to play his rugby in France this summer.

"Freddie Burns is coming to replace Toby Flood but he is of a different psychological make-up to Flood," said Kay.

"He is more of a Ryan Lamb in the way he goes about things.

"Burns is a bit of a gamble. A lot of how he performs will be down to how well the coaching staff manage him.

"If you judge him on his past couple of seasons, he has had to perform behind a front five that is going backwards. Even the best 10s are not good in those situations.

"Leicester obviously feel they can bring out the best in him with their pack which is, more often than not, on the front foot.

"But inside centre Anthony Allen will be key for him as well. He will be the eyes and ears outside of him.

"He will protect him and help him make correct decisions.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Pretty crazy he's still not been confirmed.
Original rumours were saying he'd be announced around Six Nations, then it was after the Glaws/Tigers game at Welford, then at the end of Gloucester's season. If it's not confirmed this week, now that Tigers season is over, it'll look even sketchier....or we'll hear "Burns is set to be annouced after the tour to NZ".

 

[munstermuffin]

Just watched game as was in Glasgow last night. Wow what a game and well that was war of attrition. JP Doyle really going up in my eyes as a ref

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Just watched game as was in Glasgow last night. Wow what a game and well that was war of attrition. JP Doyle really going up in my eyes as a ref

Makes a nice change that in an aftermath of a great game that when we do talk about the refs its in a positive light.

 

[munstermuffin]

Makes a nice change that in an aftermath of a great game that when we do talk about the refs its in a positive light.

Well it has to be said in a very heated environment he kept a cool head and his decisions were good but in a nightly feisty game he stayed strong and controlled. Wasn't always a huge fan of him but seen him in last few weeks improve

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I thought tuilagi was very quiet this match. Didn't show his international class.

Also thought Burrell made a few mistakes.

Neither impressed me unfortunately

 

[Maverick1987]

I thought tuilagi was very quiet this match. Didn't show his international class.

Also thought Burrell made a few mistakes.

Neither impressed me unfortunately

It was a bit more of an attritional game by all accounts so not surprising really . Probably cancelled each other out too