So much to talk about this week, but let’s get started straight away by paying tribute to Canada’s EXTRAORDINARY Women!!!! The past few weeks have been a glorious celebration of this remarkable team’s commitment, hard work, and downright skill. In short – WHAT A TEAM!!! By claiming this year’s Pacific Four series Championship title, they have propelled themselves into second place in the World Rugby Rankings. Sure there is the daunting task of trying to topple the seemingly untouchable Red Roses and then try and beat England in their own backyard at next year’s World Cup, but there is no denying that on current form Canada has probably the best shot at giant slaying it has ever had. Any Canadian passionate about rugby should be making travel plans to Vancouver this year for September 27th – October 13th as Canada takes its first steps on meeting that challenge in the WXV Tier 1 competition.
This week our attention shifts to the prospect of a classic European Champions Cup Final and one of the biggest rivalries in the European game, as the two best club sides the competition has ever seen face off in London. France’s Toulouse look to add a sixth European star to their fabled jersey, while Ireland’s Leinster seek a fifth. These are arguably the two greatest teams of the professional era in European rugby, and wherever your regular season allegiances lie, we have a hunch you’ll be telling family and friends that you are unavailable Saturday morning. There’s also the prospect of a rather tasty Challenge Cup Final the day before as South Africa lends its brawn and pace to the competition by facing off against England’s Gloucester who have a raft of outstanding internationals in their midst. In short, this is the closest you’ll get to full-blown Test rugby until the international season resumes in July.
It may not be the Champions Cup, but the United Rugby Championship which has become a fan favourite here at the Lineout due to its mix of playing styles from five different countries heads into a genuinely fascinating final round of fixtures after this weekend that sees the middle of the table more hotly contested than it’s ever been. There is no question that it will have ramifications on the biggest tour of the year as Ireland head to South Africa. Meanwhile, the English Premiership has thrown up a fascinating question regarding which young buck flyhalf will be England’s starting 10 for a hugely anticipated tour of New Zealand by the Men in White.
So, in short, there’s plenty to talk about, so let’s get into it, starting with our outstanding women!
Canada claims this year’s Pacific Four Series and with it the number 2 spot in the World
We can honestly say that we have never felt prouder to be Canadian rugby fans than we did at 230 AM on Sunday morning when French referee Aurelie Groizeleau blew the final whistle, sealing an historic 22-19 win for Canada over New Zealand. The sacrifices and effort made by these phenomenal players was perhaps best summed up by a very emotional player of the match Tighthead Prop DaLeaka Menin, as it was plain for the world to see what that win meant to the team. To travel to New Zealand and face the World Champions in their own backyard and come away with a win is a massive achievement for a team that continues to grow in both confidence and ability. Perhaps most refreshing of all, though, is that despite their success, none of it seems to be going to their heads. While they have earned some well-earned rest and reflection, they are also cognizant of the challenge that lies ahead of them and the need to continually improve.
That performance in Christchurch, however, was nothing short of spectacular, particularly given that they had to hold firm against a determined New Zealand onslaught for the final ten minutes with only 14 players. Canada’s defense was absolutely immense, but what has impressed us week in week out has been how organized and cohesive this team is. What’s more is their ability to quickly fix issues as a game unfolds. In the game against New Zealand, their lineout was clearly struggling in the first half, and the Black Ferns were capitalizing on Canada’s difficulties. In the second half and the appearance of Emily Tutosi, problem solved, and that takes nothing away from starting Hooker Sara Cline, who had a stellar tournament. In short, they play for each other, and it means that everyone knows their roles and how to support one another. We have seen very few teams across all the competitions we follow who have managed to develop such a level of organization and cohesion.
In a team that performed so well as a group, it’s hard to make honorable mentions but there is no denying that certain players really made their presence felt and as a result kept popping up on the highlights reel of Canada’s Pacific Four Series this year. Without a doubt, one has to start with their inspirational leader, Sophie de Goede. The fact that the back rower is a mere 24 years of age and is one of the most accomplished players of all time in the Women’s game speaks volumes about her ability. De Goede is a once in a generation player and is recognized as such by players and fans alike around the globe. Oh, and did we mention she probably has the most reliable boot of any back rower in either the men or women’s game?
We were incredibly impressed with Tighthead Prop DaLeaka Menin and felt her player of the match award reflected an impressive campaign in this Pacific Four Series. We felt that Sara Cline and Emily Tuttosi were outstanding, with the latter bringing a stability to the number 2 jersey that is needed in crunch moments such as that last half of the Black Ferns game. Veteran second rower Tyson Beukeboom shows no signs of letting up and at 33 and a record breaking 68 caps looks set to continue to trouble Canada’s opponents, alongside Laetitia Royer who was a notable addition to Canada’s second row stocks. The halfback pairing of Olivia Apps and Claire Gallagher showed enormous promise for the World Cup. In the backs, Alex Tessier’s experience and composure is such an asset to the team, while newcomer Shoshanah Seumanutafa also made us sit up and take notice. We’ve always been excited by the potential that Fancy Bermudez brings to the team, but in this tournament, the live wire utility back really shone.
Like we say, our honor call could go on for a long time with this team, and by singling out a few names, it in no way detracts from the contributions made by every other member of this remarkable team and the outstanding Coaching squad led by Kevin Rouet. Canada will know that bigger challenges now lie ahead of them, starting with a meeting with England in September/October at the WXV Tier 1. However, given the ability and desire of this team to constantly improve and learn from each experience, we simply can’t wait to see how this outstanding group of women continues to fly the flag for Canadian rugby over the coming year and make us even prouder of their achievements than we already are.
From all of us here at the Lineout an absolutely massive vote of confidence and round of applause for Sophie de Goede and her exceptional charges. Onwards and upwards ladies!!!!
Does club rugby really get any bigger than this?
As rugby fans, what a treat we are in for this Saturday! The two most successful teams in the history of European club competition, France’s Toulouse and Ireland’s Leinster lock horns in London, in a game that has all the trappings of a full blown Test match. There will be battles all across the pitch, but the one that is likely to stand out the most is that between the two gentlemen chosen to wear the number nine jersey. The analogy we draw with it is the surgeon in the shape of Gibson-Park meets the visionary artist in the shape of Dupont. The Leinsterman’s understanding of his team’s game plan and how to create those lightning quick linkages between his forwards and backs is remarkable. Meanwhile Dupont’s ability to think on his feet and see and create space, while at the same time making chaos theory appear a natural part of Toulouse’s game defies all logic and is practically impossible to defend against.
Therein, though, lies the rub. Some critics have pointed to the fact that the defensive structures that World Cup winning Coach Jacques Nienaber has brought to Leinster, have blunted their attacking ability somewhat, allowing sides such as Toulouse who thrive on creating opportunities from unstructured play a chance to unseat Leinster’s best laid plans. We’d agree to a certain extent, but by the same token given Leinster’s structural integrity in both attack and defense, Toulouse may find it impossible to create such opportunities. The sheer effort of trying to contain Leinster’s powerful physical attacks will create gaps in the Toulouse defense, which Gibson-Park has become a master at exploiting.
Where both sides will excel, though, is the presence of some remarkable jackalers in their packs. However, we’d argue that Toulouse are slightly more stacked in that department than the Irishmen. Peato Mauvaka, Jack Willis and Julian Marchand are serious threats in this regard for Toulouse and if Leinster leave themselves exposed at all in any of the breakdown exchanges it could be a long afternoon for them with these three in the mix. If Toulouse create any momentum in attack from quick turnover ball at the breakdown from a jackal, then their ability to create space through their offloading game invariably orchestrated by Dupont is remarkable and Leinster will have to be at their best to negate this.
Lastly, we’d also argue that Leinster may well want to control their traditional lightning charge out of the blocks in their last two Final appearances in the first quarter. They have struggled to maintain that momentum for the rest of the match, and although they may have built up an impressive lead in the first 20 minutes, they seem unable to build on it. The same issue was evident in their semi-final performance against Northampton this year. Eventually, their opponents start chipping away at such leads, and a sense of doubt and desperation starts to creep into the blue jerseys, and we all know how things end once that happens. If anything, Leinster almost need a low scoring match of attrition in the first half, allowing them to exploit Toulouse’s tiring defenses in the second. Put it this way, if Leinster look like they are running away with it in the first twenty minutes, the blue jerseys in the Lineout crew watching the game on Saturday are going to start to feel distinctly uncomfortable.
Either way, we’re in for an absolute belter on Saturday morning, and we hope you’ve all made your excuses to family and friends. As everyone is saying, it’s a game that is essentially impossible to call, so we won’t. Well, maybe Leinster are tired of being bridesmaids for the last two years, and really want the same number of stars as Toulouse on their jersey this time around? Just saying…………..
The URC gets spicy!!!!
Next weekend one of these teams seasons will be over, but which one is almost impossible to call, making next weekend’s last round of the URC regular season one of the most fascinating we’ve ever seen, and essentially knockout rugby before the Quarters have even started. It’s a photo finish before the finals and, as a result, one of the most exciting conclusions to a regular season in a competition that is packed with international flavor.
Edinburgh 6th, Benetton 7th, and the Lions 8th all have 49 points, while Connacht sit with 45 at 9th on the log. For the Lions and Connacht, the challenge is the hardest. Connacht is faced with the unenviable task of traveling to Leinster to take on a side that may be basking in European glory if they come right against Toulouse this weekend. Will this make the men from Dublin vulnerable through complacency or one that has so much momentum they are too much for a Connacht side that has not dealt with confidence crises all that well at times this season? The Lions despite a phenomenal late charge this year, and that game in Johannesburg against a powerhouse Glasgow outfit last weekend that had to be seen to be believed, have a tough assignment in their final game by having to travel to Cape Town to face the second best South African outfit in the competition the Stormers.
Perhaps though it’s that matchup between Edinburgh and Benetton in Italy that holds the highest stakes. Lose and potentially both teams could find their season over, but then that also depends on what happens across the board. When the final whistle is blown, neither side, regardless of the outcome, will really be able to relax until the referee calls time on the final game of the regular season in Cardiff between Ospreys and the Blues. If things don’t quite go according to plan, then Ospreys could suddenly find themselves in the hunt for that 8th playoff spot if they walk away with a win. In short, that’s how close it is for everyone. Bonus points will be the order of the day for the four teams we’ve focused on, especially if any of them are on the losing side. If they are, then two losing bonus points are simply non-negotiable.
In short, we very much doubt any of these games will be lackluster affairs in a competition that has genuine international flair week in week out, given that it is technically considered a domestic league. Compared to competitions such as Super Rugby, the stakes just seem so much higher. There’s everything to play for next weekend, and for all intents and purposes, the knockouts have already started in what we’d argue has been one of the most entertaining leagues this season.
Expectations Massive – but how much will fatigue play a part?
If you’ve followed this blog or listened to the podcast, you’ll be familiar with one of our pet peeves – player fatigue. It’s the specter of that concern, which is casting a shadow over a set of two matches that we and the rest of the world are looking forward to immensely. Many are dubbing Ireland’s Two Test Tour to South Africa this summer as the World Cup final that never was, as the number one and two sides in the World go head to head. We don’t doubt it will be a great series but are also concerned that for many of the players, it will be yet another exhausting outing of intense rugby in a season seemingly without end.
While we respect the fact that rugby players, particularly at this level are well paid professional athletes, there is no getting away from the fact that it’s a long old season, especially with a World Cup thrown into the mix last year. Paid they may be for their labors – but robots they are not. Think about it, for both South Africa and Ireland, their players will have been playing rugby almost nonstop since August 2022.
For both teams, their domestic seasons got underway in September of 2022, with South Africa now competing in the United Rugby Championship as well as the European Champions Cup. A long arduous domestic season with plenty of travel wrapped up at the end of May last year. Admittedly, the players got a break in June, but towards the end of that, there were the initial training squads for the World Cup. Then, in July, South African players were involved in the abbreviated Rugby Championship. Roll on August and some grueling World Cup warmup matches for both sides and then into September and into the teeth of a very challenging World Cup Pool for both sides. Although Ireland exited at the Quarter Final stage, they were right back into it with the URC in November, as were the World Cup winning South Africans. That was followed up by Champions and Challenge Cup action in December and January in addition to the URC. Some of South Africa’s players had a break after the World Cup before they headed to Japan for the start of the Japanese competition in February. Consequently since the start of this year, for the South Africans, there has been Japan League One, URC, Challenge and Champions Cup, while for Ireland it’s been URC, Challenge and Champions Cup and a grueling Six Nations campaign.
By the time that Ireland and South Africa meet at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on July 6th, their players will have been playing top level rugby with hardly any breaks for a period of 22 months (almost two years)! Yes we know there are such things as squad rotation and the like, but that is still a TON of top flight rugby, which begs the question of how much will be left in the tank for both sides come July 6th? Agreed pride will be at stake and there will be a great sense of occasion and expectation surrounding these two Tests, especially in terms of the World pecking order, so it is unlikely that players will lack motivation. However, they’re only human at the end of the day and will the intensity and spectacle of both matches suffer from the simple fact of too much rugby and the toll it takes on athletes regardless of the peak physical conditioning they are able to maintain these days?
We sincerely hope that the series delivers on its promise, but we’d be dishonest if like many others we didn’t voice our concerns that players are being asked too much in order to satiate a seemingly endless demand for more rugby and more revenue. In short, let the players and games be the judge, and may whatever lessons need to get learned as a result be taken on board.
The Smiths – England’s music makers on the pitch pose a finely tuned dilemma for Coach Steve Bothwick
If you were Steve Borthwick, you really would be spoilt for choice right now wouldn’t you ahead of England’s two Test Tour to New Zealand in July? In Marcus Smith and Finn Smith, you have two of the most exciting fly half talents England has seen since Johnny Wilkinson helped England lift their only World Cup in 2003. Also, let’s not forget George Ford, hero of the most recent World Cup. So, who does the England Coach choose for a Tour that is likely to set the tone for England’s journey to the next World Cup in Australia in 2027?
If he is asking himself that question, the one with a view to 2027, then for us, the choice is pretty straightforward. It’s between the two Smiths plain and simple. If you’re building for the future, which is essentially what Borthwick needs to do, then that is where his focus needs to lie. There is no better test of character than playing the All Blacks in their own backyard. Marcus Smith now has enough Test experience under his belt to help mentor his younger namesake on big pressure moments, but these two are the future of England in the ten jersey, and George Ford despite his considerable talents is not. Furthermore, although Ford supplies a steady hand to England, their attack, which was starting to show so much promise in the Six Nations at long last, is still not as flash under his tutelage as it could be. The Smiths are so much more dynamic in that regard and that is a quality you will need against a free running side like New Zealand.
Some have argued that throwing a youngster like Finn Smith into the cauldron of playing New Zealand in front of the All Black faithful at Eden Park is likely to push him too far too soon, and as a result shatter an otherwise promising career. We’d argue that while that is a risk, it’s one worth taking. Given that the World Cup is in Australia in 2027 and with the preponderance of Kiwis living in Australia, any All Black game at the next World Cup will be akin to a home game for the Men in Black. Finn Smith will need to learn to adjust to that pressure, and the sooner he does so, the better. Hence a golden opportunity awaits in July, and even if England do get put to the sword with the Northampton Saints pivot on the pitch, processes need to be in place to help him work through it in readiness for when the two sides meet again at Twickenham this fall and beyond.
As you may have surmised from the above, we are firmly in the camp that says take the Smiths to New Zealand and leave Ford at home. As to who starts when and where, that’s a more complex issue, and certainly, for the second game at Eden Park, we’d argue that it has to be made at a later date. For the first Test though we’d argue that Finn starts with Marcus on the bench. It will only be New Zealand’s second game under new Coach Scott Robertson, and from what we’ve seen of Super Rugby so far we think there will be more than just a few creases to work out especially defensively. We’d argue that the younger Smith is the player best able to manage a controlled game, while Marcus Smith can come on in the final quarter to really get New Zealand guessing and clinch those big game moments, particularly if the All Blacks find themselves behind on the scoreboard. However, for the second Test at Eden Park, a ground that New Zealand just doesn’t lose on, we’d argue Marcus Smith’s big game experience may make him the more logical starter. Nevertheless, what happens in the first Test will really determine the answer to that question.
Either way, we can’t wait to find out and, even more importantly, who ends up getting tickets for the long flight South. A bit like our concerns with the Ireland/South Africa series, player fatigue at the end of a very long cycle courtesy of the World Cup, may be a concern though more so for England than New Zealand, but as a look into both sides prospective futures it’s a series that will tell us a great deal.
Well, that’s it for this missive. Once again, a HUGE shout out to our fabulous Canadian Women and book your tickets to Vancouver this fall. Summer is finally here, and one of the most eagerly anticipated Cup Finals in years awaits this weekend. Dust off the barbis, get out the coolers, and strap yourselves in!!!!!!
The Lineout 