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Heineken Cup 2014 - The Final

And indeed Saffycen, both teams are widely different in their individual matchups. Hadn't noticed until you broke it down, but even in the backs, widely different. And yet, they'll both play an ultra-conservative style anyhow !
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In fairness to Toulon when the opportunity presents itself they do like to play. Just their games v Leinster and Munster have really allowed them to move away from their power game. Saracens have a very simple gameplan- Get in the opponents face- Smash them- Be clinical with your 4 or 5 opportunities- smash them again - hope Toulon don't turn up.
Last year a lot was made of whether Toulon would have the guts to win the HCup, people like Botha, Hayman, Wilkinson, Giteau, Lobbe aren't going to be fazed by playing in the Aviva. They have world cup winners in their team and medals galore; have Saracens got the guts ? We don't have the accolades upon accolades of this Toulon team, players like Farrell and Vunipola might be young up and coming intls' but they've never been here before, You look at our talisman Burger and he hasn't won a lot. Players like Brits, Borthwick, Brown, Burger, Billy, Farrell, Barritt, Bosch (all the b's and Farrell) are going to have to step up and make this time count, because we aren't going to be here again.
 
I know what you're saying, but at the end of the day, 2/3 of Toulon's roster are fkng 50 years old, 3 guys are home-grown and very young, and then Bastareaud is the one young guy near his prime (but with lots to work on). They do have Habana who, although he's got a ton of mileage, still is very effective. I'm not demeaning Toulon, I'm really stating facts. Facing that, Vunipola is pure MASS regardless of the context, Farrell is ready this time, and they've got the underdog label, so that can only boost them. Toulon MUST win this as the defending champs, Wilko's last H Cup game ever...etc...so I'm saying if all those Toulon guys were in their prime, they'd be the best side in the world, but they're not at all. And ppl must remember that. They still play great as a team, but the Saracens are the "new kid on the block", and are where the Toulon individuals were a bunch of years ago.
 
I have said what needs to be said.....Toulon are not the foregone winners as sarries do have something to say about the result but RCT will win....and then do the double next week against Castres!!!
 
Tony Manx said:
I have said what needs to be said.....Toulon are not the foregone winners as sarries do have something to say about the result but RCT will win....and then do the double next week against Castres!!!
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nah, nah...beat the Saracens, but lose to Castres. Picture perfect, everybody wins ! :p

I predict for this final here....mm....thought about it for a while....1 try for each team, with a chance Toulon could score 2.
 
I have to go with my heart and say Toulon as they are the French team, but i also think that Sarries will give them a good run for their money, for me the Wilko - Farrell could be the decider, remember the pat on the back after the Sir Jonnie drop goal last season, whatever Jonnie said to Farrell he will have remembered every word and sometimes he has been known to lose it under pressure. This could be the game that finds the maturity Farrell lacks or it could be his down fall, but after watching Fords goal kicker and overall display last night, Farrells place is still safe, with or without Daddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Strange to watch this as last final. Hope it goes to a PEN shoot out :)
Agree Gaston the 10 battle will be exceptional but the backrow will be super battle too and Sarries have a good unit but have to admit I'm a huge fan of Toulons backrow
 
I personally think that the pen shoot out is bull sh** there should be 10 mins extra time as it will be, then sudden death, much better way to end what could be an epic last H Cup final............. and nobody would have it on their conscious that they missed their penalty and lost the game for their team, as per the gay fooooottttttie ballers!!! ......................................... and of course if Toulon win there is no discussion on how many times French Clubs have won the H Cup and who is top of the all time winners list!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SORRY GUYS just could not resist.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but of course i really hope its just a great game !!!!! (says he beneath a very loud chuckle to himself)

And of course the backrows will be a brilliant battle as Monsieur Muffin de Munster mentioned!!!!!!!!!!
 
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I must be honest this will be won in the front row. They are playing in the Millennium and with the roof closed, the ball will be greasy and will be knocked on a lot. Vunipola and Stevens are not scrummaging props, Hayman and Chiocci will absolutely destroy them come scrum, Borthwick and Hargreaves don't have the ballast to help out. Saracens front row weighs 352kg and the scrum weighs 919kg, But the vunipola's bring 256kgs themselves. Toulon front row, 330kgs and the scrum 890kg, which I can't believe for a second Juan Smith is 112kg and Armitage only 103kg. Expect the score to be Saracens 6-15 Toulon at half time.
 
If Stevens isn't a scrummaging prop, then what is he?
I know he's a poor scrummager but his work rate around the park is rubbish and he gives away a ridiculous amount of penalties at the ruck.
I just always presumed he was a scrummaging prop who was terrible at his job.
 
He isn't anything !!! He's just a fat guy who use to be able to cover both sides of the scrum but now it doesn't matter and I don't know why he is playing for the best team in England.
 
I always thought Stevens was meant to be a good loose prop back in his non-coke days. Not that I'd know, I didn't watch back then.
 
He was, to be fair.
And he was good when he came back from his ban, right up until he started playing for England again, when he decided he didn't need to try anymore, got really fat and forgot all the laws of the game.
 
'Non-coke days' Ha!

It amazes me that Stevens hasn't been slimmed down by the Sarries S&C coaches. He must eat a lot of pies.

Out of interest, how many World Cup winners/finalists do Toulon have in their 23? Does anyone know?
 
I counted 8 give or take mostly Southern Hemisphere + of couse Fattie in the centre Sir Jonnie and Mermoz, but not sure about him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
The f**king Argentina's TV will not show the H Cup Final on live. They are very busy with the f**king Champions League Final with the f**king Simeone.

I wonder, the f**king Champions League Final is more important than the H Cup Final??? NO NO NO NO NO.

Thanks god there streaming!!!

Rugby rules, baby!
 
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In terms of viewers, and popularity, of course it's more important. You have to be deluded not to see that.

Oh wait..
 

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