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European Challenge Cup: Stade Français shocked in Siberia
By Harry West
Krasny Yar sprung a huge surprise on the opening weekend of the European Challenge Cup season, claiming a bonus-point victory over defending champions Stade Français in Siberia.
No side has successfully retained this trophy, and Stade's quest to be the first got off to a disappointing start as they went down 34-29 on Saturday.
The clash started positively enough for Stade, who went ahead early on through Julien Arias' try down the right. Azamat Bitiev was the man to score Krasny Yar's first European points with a score from a line-out drive, but Stade were soon 12-5 ahead as Tony Ensor went over.
Seemingly stung into action, the hosts crossed the whitewash three times in a 13-minute spell, Victor Gresev stretching over before Sione Fukofuka and Andrei Mahu breached Stade's defences.
The visitors reduced the arrears to 24-17 at the break as Terry Bouhraoua raced over and their cause was aided early in the second period as Krasny Yar's Kirill Golosnitskiy saw yellow for a deliberate knock-on.
Stade capitalised on their numerical advantage, Arias going over for his second to level matters, but Gresev matched the former France international in doubling his tally with 13 minutes to play.
Lasha Malaguradze converted that score and then kicked a penalty, meaning Karim Qadiri's try was only good enough to secure a losing bonus point for Stade, while Krasny Yar were left to celebrate a famous victory.
Elsewehere in Pool 4, Edinburgh joined Krasny Yar on five points with a 37-14 win at London Irish.
There was a first-half hat-trick for hooker Joe Taufete'e in Worcester Warriors' 30-20 win over Brive, while the other match in Pool 5 saw Connacht thrash Oyonnax 43-15.
In Pool 1, Newcastle Falcons overcame the Dragons 32-27, both sides earning bonus points.
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Latest Comments
The difference between Fassi and Le Roux?
Almost 100 tests. Fassi is growing from test to test and is already world class. It’s going to be difficult for Damian Willemse to usurp Fassi at 15 and may find himself destined as the utility back on the bomb squad.
South Africans love hating on their fullback. A proud tradition since Percy Montgomery (before he won us a World Cup). So I don’t pay much mind to the noise that follows anyone who puts on the 15 jersey for SA.
15 is a high risk, low reward position. You don’t dare drop a high ball, certainly don’t shank a kick into the stands. In fact if you’re not kicking 60m torpedoes into the opposition corners - stay at home.
And miss tackles? After everyone else on the team has let a break through - best you not miss!
Only Andre Joubert strikes me as a fullback that has been better than Willie. Yet Willie has been widely panned on a regular basis. Irritating.
Fassi is great. And I’m sure he’s learning a lot from Willie.
Go to commentsNo, Penney's win rate as a Super Rugby coach BEFORE he was given a 2 year contract here, was 23%. He came in with a very poor success rate at SR level.
This loser vibe was borne out over the SR season where we won only 4 games while losing 10. Finishing 9th in a 12 team competition & missing a QF spot was next level DOWN.
There's zero evidence that suggests we will win 10 games (70%) as you predict. I understand there may be new assistant coaches coming on board. At this stage, we can only hope for the best.
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