Thanks to RugbyAsiaChannel.com for this photo:
NEW YORK, NY – Happy Monday, rugby fans. As usual there was a full plate of rugby on this weekend all over Europe, Asia and the Southern Hemisphere. Let’s get to it…
The biggest story comes out of the Hong Kong 7s, where a much-maligned and banged-up Fiji squad, won the cup in exciting fashion. Was it coincidence that the legend that is Waisale Serevi was with the team during the week and and Fiji retained their title as Hong Kong Champions? We leave that for you to decide. New Zealand won 3rd. Samoa beat Canada to win the plate and England salvaged the weekend by winning the Bowl over hosts Hong Kong. France took down Argentina to win the Shield.
Final, Cup: Wales 19 – 26 Fiji
Third Place: Kenya 5 – 36 New Zealand
Final, Plate: Canada 7 – 12 Samoa
Final, Bowl: Hong Kong 7 – 42 England
Final Shield: Argentina 14 – 19 France
Serevi IRB HOF: Speaking of Waisale Serevi… Finally, one of the greatest rugby players ever – in both union codes – an icon in 7s and an even greater person, was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame. The only surprise here is that this hadn’t happened already. Serevi is the first Fijian ever inducted.
Ewen McKenzie: In a well-timed move, Ewen “Link” Mckenzie announced that he was leaving the Queensland Reds at the end of this season for a fresh challenge. Reports suggest that he is putting heat on the ARU to hire him when Robbie Deans contract expires as national team coach. But Coach McKenzie could also be in line for either the Ireland or Scotland job. They like surnames that start with Mc in both countries… Time will tell.
Aviva Premiership: Sale continue their good form of late and took down Bath, by the slimmest margin. London Irish made short work of Worcester. Gloucester did just enough to beat London Welsh. Wasps lost at home to Northampton in a tight affair, while Leicester beat Exeter in a penalty kicking dual. In a top of the table clash Saracens sent a message to Harlequins with a thorough victory. Here are the results:
Sale 14 – 13 Bath
London Irish 26 – 6 Worcester
Gloucester 15 – 14 London Welsh
Wasps 24 – 26 Northampton
Exeter 9 – 12 Leicester
Saracens 27 – 12 Harlequins
Top 14: Bayonne shocked most observers by getting the better of Toulon. Racing Metro bested Perpignan in a good match, Bordeaux dominated Mont-de-Marsan and Montpellier beat Grenoble in a boring match. Castres easily put away Agen and in a real upset Biarritz beat Clermont in a high scoring thriller. Toulouse sent a message of their return to form as they destroyed Stade Francias. Here are the results.
Bayonne 33 – 28 Toulon
Racing Metro 23 – 19 Perpignan
Bordeaux-Begles 33 – 7 Mont de Marsan
Grenoble 9 – 16 Montpellier
Castres 20 – 9 Agen
Biarritz 32 – 28 Clermont Auvergne
Toulouse 43 – 16 Stade Francais
RaboDirect Pro 12: The Scarlets made short work of Zebre… The Ospreys put the Dragons to the sword… Edinburgh squeezed past Ulster… Munster blanked Connacht while Treviso ambushed Cardiff… Leinster managed to eventually dispatch Glasgow.
Zebre 10 – 24 Scarlets
Ospreys 52 – 19 Newport Gwent Dragons
Edinburgh 14 – 8 Ulster
Munster 22 – 0 Connacht
Benetton Treviso 26 – 17 Cardiff Blues
Leinster 22 – 17 Glasgow
Super 15: The Chiefs beat the Highlanders in a rematch of the round 2 match that still has people contemplating possibly the best 3 minutes of rugby ever. The Crusaders look to be hitting their stride as they dismantled the Kings. The Reds took care of the Bulls while the Cheetahs continued their good play and beat the Force. The Sharks absolutely thrashed the Rebels. The Stormers ended the Brumbies winning streak and the Waratahs downed the Blues.
Chiefs 19 – 7 Highlanders
Crusaders 55 – 20 Southern Kings
Reds 23 – 18 Bulls
Western Force 10 – 19 Cheetahs
Sharks 64 – 7 Melbourne Rebels
Stormers 35 – 22 Brumbies
Waratahs 30 – 27 Blues
Here’s that 3 minutes of exhilarating rugby:
https://youtu.be/WTMcNfs366c
That is it for now, feel free to comment below, look for and “Like” our Facebook Rugby Wrap Up Page and follow us on Twitter @RugbyWrapUp, @JunoirBlaber, @Declan Yeats, @Mathew Drew Turner and @Ebstide52, respectively. And until the next time… stay low and keep pumping those legs.
