11th April 2010

I’m 100% on my predictions this week (polishes nails). This weekend I caught the Leinster match, the Crusaders, part of the Brumbies, part of the Connacht, Biarritz, Munster, and even a bit of Toulon. And before you wonder if I have a black belt in Marital Arts, no, my wife’s away. And I put some curtains up walked the dogs, did the shopping! Apologies for my April fools blooper about the Lions.

Heineken Cup

This was all vintage stuff, a serious cut above any of the Super 14 I caught, OK it’s a knockout competition but it was still a lot lot better. Leinster squeaked through, Clermont looked the better team for long stretches but couldn’t take their kicks. BOD played through a lot of pain, but I think the only time he goes off is when his leg actually comes off and the medics hide it. The welsh leek nearly made it out of the heat of the San Sabastian cauldron but failed by a whisker, two one point matches that were hugely entertaining. Then Munster provided a master class in winning rugby. Where was the Saints scrum, where was Shane Geraghty? Not to get too carried away, but what team isn’t going to be put off by Thomond Park, the noise (apart from when the kicks are taken) and the signs ‘Stand up and Fight’ and ''To the brave and faithful, nothing is impossible”. The Saints can hold their heads up though, never giving up. Good to see a spot of full blown concussion wasn’t going to put Jerry Flannery off. Toulouse then steamrollered Stade to take up the final semi spot.

Amlin Cup.

Connacht got a good win. It looks like a different class to the Heineken cup though.Wasps and Toulon are also looking good.

Super 14

The Bulls and the Stormers had good away wins. The Crusaders beat the Waratahs but it wasn’t pretty or interesting to watch. And the Cheetahs – why do they bother? Why don’t they try? They don’t deserve to win anything anyway with that hideous jersey.

It’s not looking too good for New Zealand teams at the moment, with only the Crusaders to fly the flag at the top.