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Points divvied up in abandoned Newcastle-Sale match
By Kim Ekin
Premiership Rugby have have confirmed that Newcastle Falcons have been awarded four match points and Sale Sharks two following the cancellation of their Gallagher Premiership Rugby Round 11 game.
The match score shall be recorded as 0–0 after the Premiership Rugby Panel - comprising Premiership Rugby chair Martyn Phillips and Rugby Director Phil Winstanley - reviewed the situation.
On Christmas Day Sale returned positive coronavirus tests and “a significant number” of their squad have been ruled out of the match.
After consultation, with both the Professional Game Board (PGB) Testing Oversight Group and the Sharks, it was agreed that the risk was too great for the fixture to take place safely.
Premiership Regulations state that: "In the event that the Premiership Rugby Panel decide that a Referred Match in the League Season is cancelled, or any governmental authority recommends or requires that a Match in the Premiership League Season is cancelled (in either case, a " Cancelled League Season Match "), then (without prejudice to any action which may be taken under or relating to any Covid Minimum Operating Standards): the result of that Cancelled League Season Match shall be deemed to be 0-0; and four league points shall be allocated to the club who was able to play the Cancelled League Season Match and two league points shall be allocated to the other club."
A Premiership Rugby spokesperson said: "The health and safety of players, staff, management and officials is our priority, so following consultation with Professional Game Board Testing Oversight Group and Sale Sharks the correct decision was taken to call the game off.
"Newcastle Falcons have been awarded the win and four league points. Sale Sharks shall be deemed to have lost the match but awarded two league points. The match score shall be recorded as 0–0.
"We wish those affected at Sale Sharks a safe and speedy recovery."
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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