Racing v Saracens Post Mortem

I assume everyone fell asleep, this s why no thread. Both sides tried their hardest to lose that game.

One of the worst gamed of rugby I have seen in a long, long time.

LondonTiger wrote:I assume everyone fell asleep, this s why no thread. Both sides tried their hardest to lose that game.

Racing succeeded in the end ...

Meh... Clermont won't have been too worried!

Only saw the second half but don't think I've ever seen so many marks called in a full 80 before. Really enjoyed Bosch's kick though

Brainless stuff from Racing, Owens was looking to give a pen there, he always does as well. If Sexton was still on I think he would have spotted this and took control and kicked it long.

Terrible game though.

Sexton was really out of his depth today though. Hope he didnt got any bad injury. As for the game itself, racing should have won that with ease if their decision making and accuracy wasnt so bad. In the end it was a 50/50 game and owens harsh penalty in the end went saracens way.

whocares wrote:Sexton was really out of his depth today though. Hope he didnt got any bad injury. As for the game itself, racing should have won that with ease if their decision making and accuracy wasnt so bad. In the end it was a 50/50 game and owens harsh penalty in the end went saracens way.

It wasn't a harsh penalty, when a team runs down the clock like they did at the end, it's only logical that refs will be willing to penalise them at the 1st offense, as marginal as it may be.

Racing's decision to sub Sexton off probably cost them the match.

I agree; refs should look to reward the team playing more positive rugby. It comes down to judgement, but if one team is trying to wind down the clock they should be more harshly scrutinised.

VinceWLB wrote:

It wasn't a harsh penalty, when a team runs down the clock like they did at the end, it's only logical that refs will be willing to penalise them at the 1st offense, as marginal as it may be.

Racing's decision to sub Sexton off probably cost them the match.

In fact he was reasonably lenient to them by warning them in the penultimate ruck to stop going off their feet rather than blowing for a penalty. If the warning was heard and understood then it was absolutely brain dead to continue the up the jumper stuff.

I am really happy for Saracens, might have been a poor game but to get the win is a credit to them.

Clermont wont take them lightly that's for sure, looking forward to that game.

Fuzzy Dunlop wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

It wasn't a harsh penalty, when a team runs down the clock like they did at the end, it's only logical that refs will be willing to penalise them at the 1st offense, as marginal as it may be.

Racing's decision to sub Sexton off probably cost them the match.

In fact he was reasonably lenient to them by warning them in the penultimate ruck to stop going off their feet rather than blowing for a penalty. If the warning was heard and understood then it was absolutely brain dead to continue the up the jumper stuff.

Correct. The first time he did nothing. The second time he warned them. The third time he gave a penalty.

They can have no complaints.

Classic Saracens tbh, little possession or territory but enough pressure and a bit of well manufactured luck gets the win.

Great to see schalk Brits back as well even if it was a cameo to forget!

Scrappy game, but excellent result.

Tough, tough semi-final coming up, but if anyone can beat Clermont it's probably Sarries.

Serious case of deja vu looking at the semi-final lineup. As my own side were out of the running before Christmas, was hoping to see some new blood in the semis or old powerhouses returning. It will be very dull from now on if its the same four or so teams in the mix every year, but can't see Toulon or Clermont being caught up with short term...

Think sarries deserved it. I didn't see the first half but that was braindead and negative at the end and Nigel rightly gave the penalty

Notch wrote:Serious case of deja vu looking at the semi-final lineup. As my own side were out of the running before Christmas, was hoping to see some new blood in the semis or old powerhouses returning. It will be very dull from now on if its the same four or so teams in the mix every year, but can't see Toulon or Clermont being caught up with short term...

Well Leinster made it back in again after long gap........

To win away in France is tough. Wasn't pretty if you're a neutral but it was a gripping slugfest.

Racing Metro have only themselves to blame for that penalty at the end. Should have kicked the ball long and forced Saracens to attack from deep.

Also Saracens are one of the rare teams who has someone like Bosch in their team with the siege gun boot who can nail penalties like that - Racing Metro should have done their homework.

Both teams made some bizarre bench changes - Racing taking off Roberts and Machenaud (he had scored all of Racing's points), Saracens bringing on penalty machine Gill who gave away 3 points almost as soon as he got on the pitch, Brits who hasn't played a game in over 6 months - made some silly errors which almost cost Sarries.

I do not understand why Sarries persist with Gill! As a player he is average, but on top if that he gives away so many stupid penalties!

Let's face it, it'll be an all French final.

beshocked wrote:Both teams made some bizarre bench changes - Racing taking off Roberts and Machenaud

Machenaud played right to the end.

Yappysnap I completely agree. Coaches seem to love him though. It's a big worry though because Saracens are basically heavily relying on Mako to stay fit.

Barrington in my opinion is far superior to Gill but doesn't seem to get the nod.

Big example - I remember Munster vs Saracens earlier in the season - Barrington helped Saracens gain the upperhand in the scrum, at half time they took Barrington off, lost scrummaging superiority and adding insult to injury Gill got sin binned too which proved decisive in the loss.

LondonTiger wrote:

beshocked wrote:Both teams made some bizarre bench changes - Racing taking off Roberts and Machenaud

Machenaud played right to the end.

Who did Phillips come on for then?

Jimpy that's the most likely yes but got to be in it to win it. Saracens and Leinster still have a chance. I don't think either side are going to roll over.

Phillips replaced Sexton. Sexton had taken a bang to the head and Phillips was only back remaining on bench.

Fair enough. I just assumed that a 9 would replace a 9! As I was at the match I didn't have the benefit of the TV!

Jimpy wrote:Let's face it, it'll be an all French final.

Oh No it Won't!


oh sorry, I'm late for the Panto season....

LondonTiger wrote:Phillips replaced Sexton. Sexton had taken a bang to the head.

Another bang to the head?

I'm beginning to think Sexton might have a shorter career than a few of us were hoping. These repeat-concussion victims are a growing list and their resilience seems to go down with every subsequent hit.

SecretFly wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Phillips replaced Sexton. Sexton had taken a bang to the head.

Another bang to the head?

I'm beginning to think Sexton might have a shorter career than a few of us were hoping.  These repeat-concussion victims are a growing list and their resilience seems to go down with every subsequent hit.

Look on the bright side, all those knocks to the head won't make him any uglier.

....................

Okay Jimpy.  If you like small, pretty-boy, boybandesque chappette type 10s like Ford, I'll ................em..................... well, I'll leave all that poster-boy stuff with you

Jimpy wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Phillips replaced Sexton. Sexton had taken a bang to the head.

Another bang to the head?

I'm beginning to think Sexton might have a shorter career than a few of us were hoping.  These repeat-concussion victims are a growing list and their resilience seems to go down with every subsequent hit.

Look on the bright side, all those knocks to the head won't make him any uglier.

OK that was funny

1 week for Burger. Disgracefully lenient.

Chunky Norwich wrote:1 week for Burger. Disgracefully lenient.

If that was earlier in the season he would have gotten at least a month.

http://www.the42.ie/jacques-burger-one-week-suspension-champions-cup-2038614-Apr2015/

profitius wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:1 week for Burger. Disgracefully lenient.

If that was earlier in the season he would have gotten at least a month.

http://www.the42.ie/jacques-burger-one-week-suspension-champions-cup-2038614-Apr2015/

So swinging arm on the head, off his feet tackle and late tackle but no yellow card given on the day. What a joke the sport has become.

VinceWLB wrote:

profitius wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:1 week for Burger. Disgracefully lenient.

If that was earlier in the season he would have gotten at least a month.

http://www.the42.ie/jacques-burger-one-week-suspension-champions-cup-2038614-Apr2015/

So swinging arm on the head, off his feet tackle and late tackle but no yellow card given on the day. What a joke the sport has become.

judge : " [enter serial-killer name here] , you are sentenced to 25 years jail"
convict : "but Sir, I regret my acts and wasnt really on purpose"
judge : " err ok fine, 5 years then"

seriously though, makes a mockery of previous bans (including nathan hugues) as this was a clear red card

whocares it is lenient of course it is but swings and roundabouts.

Monsieur Rolland did not red card this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn7sXouUXBI

beshocked wrote:whocares it is lenient of course it is but swings and roundabouts.

Monsieur Rolland did not red card this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn7sXouUXBI

sorry but I have enough of this swings and roundabouts excuse.
Rolland probably didnt see much (which is understable if you watch it in real "speed"). the point is that Estebanez got a 4 weeks ban which is fine regardless of the intent etc (could be higher I suppose)... but having a ban reduced even below the minimum of 2 weeks (on the basis of good behaviour during the hearing ?!) only suggests there is some kind of dodgy dealings going on and one can wonder about the impartiality of such commission (can you tell me where most members of this jury are coming from?).

Rolland didn't even look at what caused Strettle to be injured - appalling reffing. He didn't see it but he had access to the TMO.

I don't disagree with you - 1 week is lenient but we've seen reductions like remorse,good behaviour during the hearing happen before.

Dodgy dealings? Perhaps but I think you'll find most clubs doing it!

whocares wrote:  only suggests there is some kind of dodgy dealings going on and one can wonder about the impartiality of such commission (can you tell me where most members of this jury are coming from?).

No jury just this guy:

http://www.epcrugby.com/europeanrugbychampionscup/news/30669.php#.VSfsyfnF-So wrote:The independent Judicial Officer, Simon Thomas (Wales)