Heineken Cup 2013/14 Pool 4, Round 3 (Clermont v Scarlets, Racing v Quins)

[SelimNiai]

.....and will be better if Hodges refs and does not go to the TMo all the time!!

That is an issue, Hodges is the worst culprit for over reliance on the TMO, did it early for such a random ruck out that the TV guys could even find what he might be looking for.

 

[Tony Manx]

That is an issue, Hodges is the worst culprit for over reliance on the TMO, did it early for such a random ruck out that the TV guys could even find what he might be looking for.

Even more so as it was a penalty for Quins anyway...............foul play could have been dealt with by the Citing officer!!

 

[Tony Manx]

Sums up everything about the has been that is Hernadez! Banker!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Hernandez is a shell of the test player he was.

 

[SelimNiai]

Lethal finishing shown by Quins. 27-3 and it could be game already. Racing look totally stunned by this

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Oh, my. This is just very poor. I think I'm going out rather than watch this poor handling.

EDIT: fair play, Quins are playing with some fire.

 

[Big Ewis]

A disaster for the Racing. Totally missed their match, never got their rhythm and found themselves under big pressure early at home. The worst possible scenario...I guess that's their HC right there.
Harlequins played a very English style: simple, low-risk, physical. They got fortunate from all those lethal mistakes from Racing and played the opportunism very well because their attack was bad themselves but they got a good strong first try and a strong last one on the maul.
Incredible Racing couldn't get that last try to cancel the bonus for the Quins, shocker of a pass...

On another day, Racing at home with all the quality players they have would take this fairly convincingly...they were a disaster, and credit to the Quins for early pressure and converting the points from those momentum sequences.

 

[Tony Manx]

Incredible Racing couldn't get that last try to cancel the bonus for the Quins, shocker of a pass...

On another day, Racing at home with all the quality players they have would take this fairly convincingly...

Wrong on both counts my friend.............the bonus point, unlike the Top 14 is for four tries not by four tries and they would not have beaten them at home either...............they have not been convincing this season. This team was brought together this season due to so many changes and it will take time and stability for them to work out how to play together but with people supporting Hernandez as a first team sure start, one wonder about the management and whether they can do what LaPorte did for Toulon although they have not been great this season either!

 

[Big Ewis]

well I know man, they're 8th in the Top 14. But they've had some much better games than this man, I've seen full matches. They've never played such a horrible match at home with their current line-up, just totally missed everything and chased the score and took more risks on attack and committed more fouls etc...
A disaster.

And, oh ok...I thought it was a +3 tries bonus system.

 

[Tony Manx]

well I know man, they're 8th in the Top 14. But they've had some much better games than this man, I've seen full matches. They've never played such a horrible match at home.......

Have to say that they were not at home (why not?!) and Biarritz 9- 6 Racing was not pretty!!

 

[Big Ewis]

Have to say that they were not at home (why not?!) and Biarritz 9- 6 Racing was not pretty!!

right, my bad. Stade de la Beaujoire...I thought during the whole match they were at home lol.
Oh rriiiiiight, that's right, they lost to the B.O....yikes. Well they're definitely not up to par with expectations for the year, far from those, but today was just awful on all levels.

I did appreciate that Ducalcon looked dominant in the scrum however. He's usually not a great scrummager, and he's clearly not worthy of the XV de France's scrum, but he looked good and the scrum in general for the Racingmen. I wouldn't have thought.

And yes, they've been godawful on the road, definitely noted this all year...

 

[Packman]

Clermont did as we all expected. They are still favs to grab a very high seeding.

Quins were brilliant! Racing so disinterested pretty much stole their week's wages from their owner. Not all bad then! Seriously though, Harlequins have to guard against a backlash next weekend.