Premiership Semi: Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints

[gingergenius]

shtove... a few things.

1. youngs & allen poor? I know youngs hasn't been in form of late but that was one of his best games since the 6N. Did nothing wrong, and kept Saints honest around the fringes. As for Allen... what did he do wrong, at all, to be considered poor? Him and Brad Barritt are about a mile ahead of any other fit 12 in the prem at the moment... I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for some sensible selections for England post world cup (no chance of it beforehand)... 9. Youngs 10. Flood 11. Ojo 12. Allen 13. Tuilagi 14. Ashton 15. Foden would be sweet as.

2. ban Tuilagi for a year? Yes he lost it, yes there was definitely intent but really, a year? Punching is still punching, whether you're throwing a jab-jab-hook combo like Manu or throwing the usual handbags that we see week in, week out. In light of the fact he wasn't punished sufficiently during the match, he should certainly receive a suspension... but throwing a few bangs merits no more than a month out.

3. Geraghty on earlier? Myler is nothing special, but at least he can appear to be able to control a game. The only reason I'd throw Geraghty on at all vs. Leinster is if they're down by 10+ with 20 to go, and he might spark something. Otherwise he can warm that bench and watch Myler kick goals and corners to keep the pressure up.

 

[DariusLovehall]

I dont think Tuilagi should be suspended - Please watch the video closely - firstly the tackle wasn't high it got him around the chest - then Ashton runs over and knees
Manu in the back and shoves him at the same time - then he stands over him after the knee!
Manu of course gets up with Ashton in his face and whoops his ass.
The only reason people are upset is because Manu knows how to throw a punch and Ashton got his ass whooped.
Ashton was the Aggressor here HE ran over and kneed and shoved Manu - its like you guys didn't watch the video.

If you start something - then don't complain when the person you started it with finishes it!

 

[kovana]

Darius are you serious?

Im Samoan.. What Manu did is undignified., is this how you want to promote rugby?

Honestly, he is kin, but Manu needs to be suspended for quite a while.

Here in Samoa we have stamped out those thuggish temperments in our NPC. Not one fight or punches thrown in the past year. Now we have this stupid Samoan throwing wild punches all over TV and the internet in a professional competition.

Suspend his arse. Ashton was very lucky not to be seriously injured.

If Tuilagi does not publcally apologise for his actions, he should **** off from playing rugby and take up boxing.

 

[kovana]

The whole punch scenario has got me thinking...if we saw more punches and rowing openly as we did today do you think it would lead to a decrease in the more sickening and sly bits of foul play ? On one hand you could argue that if people had a row they could settle it right there as opposed to seeing (or worse not seeing) a gouge or headbut in a ruck , while on the other if punching was dealt with more leniently you could see the emergence of each team having a designated "brawler" much like NHL which would not be good...for little people like me anyway.

This is RUGBY. Not BOXING.

FFS how are you gonna grow a game of rugby to Indians and Japs when you show films of Rugby guys punching each other.?

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Ok, in contradiction to what i just said, I just watched the incident back and that was literally awful. He tried to hit him 3 times and the third was absolutely massive. He should have a long ban for that. And I dont like the lack of empathy shown to the guy who has just been punched whereby he gets the same punishment; I know you shouldnt retaliate but how ocudl anyone nto react to that. Sometimes think rugby needs to be more realistic and not pander to these quasi-honourable maxims

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I reckon the touch judge didn't see the incident (properly) which is why he said punches were exchanged,
Probably saw the last hit and said both were punching just to play it safe

 

[Teh Mite]

Rumour has it someone reported Tuilagi Jrs "moment" to the rozzers according to the other boards. In the street, fair enough, but on a rugby pitch nah - Ban the arse for the high tackle for 6 weeks - Suspended until the new season starts - Then give him a further 4 weeks per punch. First chance to see him for it since it happened (and I'll admit to watching the ball while it went on so it was over by the time I looked back). Then hopefully, when he eventually plays again in 2012, somebody will feed him to Ma Nonu in a Tigers/Toulon match. See how tough he is then.

Other thoughts - Castyro had Barnes wrapped up around his little finger all afternoon. I counted 4 times he dropped scrums which wrongly went Tigers way.
Hartley is supposedly being cited for something.
Flood is a coward.
Youngs was much better then he's been for a long time
Allen was not poor - terrible attempt at WUMing shtove. D+, must try harder
Reihana looked like an old man tackling Tuilagi Sr. That wouldn't have happened 4 years ago.
Geraghty came on too late. Myler lost his head after the try and should have been changed immediately (see: the short restart).
Someone told me they watered the pitch to slow Saints outside backs down. Which may explain why it felt like a winter forwards game in the sunshine.
Tigers got it right on the day. Saints pack had parity overall, but Tigers disrupted enough to kill momentum.
Overall, the game wasn't about either team, 24,000 people went to watch Wayne Barnes apparently.

Another point - Welford Road Crumbly Terrace. The fans are a bunch of soccer hooligans. Singing songs taking the **** out of the opposition team is one thing, but aggressively behaving towards a group of away fans (threatening behaviour, bullying of women etc.) is completely unacceptable. One of our lot, who's actually a policeman, even said afterwards "I'm never going back there again". **** city, worse Fans.

 

[Teh Mite]

I dont think Tuilagi should be suspended - Please watch the video closely - firstly the tackle wasn't high it got him around the chest - then Ashton runs over and knees
Manu in the back and shoves him at the same time - then he stands over him after the knee!
Manu of course gets up with Ashton in his face and whoops his ass.
The only reason people are upset is because Manu knows how to throw a punch and Ashton got his ass whooped.
Ashton was the Aggressor here HE ran over and kneed and shoved Manu - its like you guys didn't watch the video.

If you start something - then don't complain when the person you started it with finishes it!

 

[gingergenius]

Rumour has it someone reported Tuilagi Jrs "moment" to the rozzers according to the other boards. In the street, fair enough, but on a rugby pitch nah - Ban the arse for the high tackle for 6 weeks - Suspended until the new season starts - Then give him a further 4 weeks per punch. First chance to see him for it since it happened (and I'll admit to watching the ball while it went on so it was over by the time I looked back). Then hopefully, when he eventually plays again in 2012, somebody will feed him to Ma Nonu in a Tigers/Toulon match. See how tough he is then.

Other thoughts - Castyro had Barnes wrapped up around his little finger all afternoon. I counted 4 times he dropped scrums which wrongly went Tigers way.
Hartley is supposedly being cited for something.
Flood is a coward.
Youngs was much better then he's been for a long time
Allen was not poor - terrible attempt at WUMing shtove. D+, must try harder
Reihana looked like an old man tackling Tuilagi Sr. That wouldn't have happened 4 years ago.
Geraghty came on too late. Myler lost his head after the try and should have been changed immediately (see: the short restart).
Someone told me they watered the pitch to slow Saints outside backs down. Which may explain why it felt like a winter forwards game in the sunshine.
Tigers got it right on the day. Saints pack had parity overall, but Tigers disrupted enough to kill momentum.
Overall, the game wasn't about either team, 24,000 people went to watch Wayne Barnes apparently.

Another point - Welford Road Crumbly Terrace. The fans are a bunch of soccer hooligans. Singing songs taking the **** out of the opposition team is one thing, but aggressively behaving towards a group of away fans (threatening behaviour, bullying of women etc.) is completely unacceptable. One of our lot, who's actually a policeman, even said afterwards "I'm never going back there again". **** city, worse Fans.

Bitter?

Barnes was absolutely fine. Scrums marginally went Saints' way before Cole came on - most of Leicester's pens were through early engagement from Saints, which is basic stuff. And the Tuilagi incident, he was just going on what his TJ told him - not his fault.

Otherwise, there were a few dodgy forward pass calls that he could have let go but besides that he did nothing wrong.

Punching or no punching, what we saw yesterday was a team who were better throughout the regular season and better on the day. Give Saints a proper pair of halfbacks and some more depth and they'll win the Prem one of these days.

 

[Teh Mite]

Barnes was absolutely fine.

I wonder how pragmatic you'd be if Saracens were playing that match. Barnes was a complete joke who lost the plot once Hartley and Flood had their run in.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hartley probably cited for his very late shoulder barge on Flood (though Flood did punch Hartley afterwards so swings and roundabouts really)

Agree on Geraghty, Saints looked much better with him on the pitch, would be worth considering starting him against Leinster imo - he may not be as good a kicker as Myler, but use them like Ireland use Sexton/ROG - flair on at first, then the sensible guy to close it out

Also, I thought Barnes had a good match, so hey ho

somebody will feed him to Ma Nonu in a Tigers/Toulon match. See how tough he is then.

As much as it'd be interesting to see that happen, whoever takes out Manu would then have Alesana breaking them that match, and if it were Ma'a Nonu for Toulon then Henry 'Man Mountain' Tuilagi will be meeting him twice that season too

 

[Teh Mite]

It's been shown numerous times that the Tuilagi clan are only tough until they're put into their place. Vinakolo (and Paul Diggin LOL) have both done that in the past Alesana.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Shane Horgan didn't manage it

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Shane Horgan didn't manage it

haha listen to what Barnes says about Tuilagi checking on Horgan after. There's a better chance that Tuilagi was gloating when he went up to Horgan there than checking on him.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

:lol: I know,
Know way was that "How you doing mate, you alright?"
More of a "Aha, that'll teach ya"

 

[coonor]

So we all know Manu must be cited but what length of ban do we think he should get? He high tackled Ashton without the ball and then punched Ashton three times all connecting to the face with full force. He was hardly provoked and showed complete lack of respect for the game or Ashton. His action were very dangerous and the punishment he received during the game was not harsh enough. The jury will take that all into account and that doesn't sound good for Muna

10.4(a)
Striking another Player with a
hand, arm or fist
LE â€" 2 weeks
MR â€" 5 weeks
TE â€" 8+ weeks
Maximum sentance - 52 weeks

Lower End (LE),
Mid Range (MR),
Top End (TE).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Should be a top end, but being an England prospect, and a Tigers player, I expect 8 weeks
Probably given 10 weeks but reduced due to "remorse shown at hearing" and apologising or something like that

 

[Teh Mite]

I bet his ban will miraculously end a week before the England warm up games. And not start until a week tomorrow.

If anything is done at all...

 

[Sixesandsevens]

I think Alesana is pretty tough, ok hes been hit hard back a few times, but how many times has he scored a try like the one yesterday? I was already cheering before he got to reihana you just know whats coming. I think Austin Healey got this one spot on (on Manu) it wasnt cheating, it was just a loss of temper, and to be fair the kid looked like he was gonna cry as he trudged off. I expect him to be banned, and without the saxons tour to shine on, probably not be selected for the world cup, though probably get capped in a warm up game.....are they being capped this year??

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Thinking about it:
Marler and Ayerza got 2 weeks each for punching and headbutting, respectively
Armitage got 3 weeks for suckerpunching Myler

Going on that, I reckon Tuilagi will probably get 4 weeks - his punched were worse than those, but in the scheme of things not as bad as Armitage (as in, Armitage just punched Myler in the back of the head on the floor for absolutely no reason, Tuilagi was face to face and was shoved etc.)