Weekend Round-up: An Easter feast of tries
Quins and Chiefs put on an entertaining eight-try romp at the Stoop while the Chiefs' tour of South Africa continued in rollicking fashion against the Cheetahs – catch up on these games and the best from the Top 14 and Pro12.
Premiership: Harlequins vs Exeter Chiefs
More than 10 minutes into this game, Exeter – who were chasing a record-equally sixth consecutive five-pointer – had a lineout deep in their own half. More observant viewers may have noticed this was just the third stoppage of a lung-busting opening period. The first stoppage was a try some eight minutes earlier. The second, a penalty. This late-season eight-try Premiership thriller – a must-win for the hosts if their top four challenge was to stay on course – continued in the same non-stop manner pretty much until referee Wayne Barnes blew the final whistle.
Super Rugby: Cheetahs vs Chiefs
Can we make the Chiefs stay in South Africa forever? For the second week in a row, the New Zealanders played their part in a wildly entertaining game of rugby in the Republic, this time against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. This was meant to be easier than last week's clash against the Stormers, but no one told the Cheetahs – the home side racing to a 24-0 lead in as many minutes. But if there's an upside to going 24-0 down in the first half it's that there's still plenty of time to launch a comeback.
Top 14: Lyon vs La Rochelle
This had all the makings of a tense encounter – but few could have predicted how tense it would be. The top-of-the-table visitors headed to Stade Matmut Gerland looking to maintain an unbeaten run in the Top 14 stretching back to November 19. But their hosts have rediscovered some devil in recent weeks, and had won on the road for the first time this season a week previously. What followed was an eight-try epic as two mighty packs crashed into one another from the first minute until the last.
Pro 12: Connacht vs Leinster
The league leaders rolled the dice and took a much-changed team west to the home of the defending champions for the Pro 12's traditional Easter derby weekend. At stake for the visitors, a home semifinal in the end-of-season playoffs. For the hosts, it was win or bust, as they looked to keep their top six hopes alive. But Leinster had an extra concern – next weekend, they're in France for the European Champions Cup semi-final against Clermont, so head coach Leo Cullen decided to rest key players. But could Leinster's second-string do a job?
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Scott Robertson is within his rights to state a case. Richie Mo'unga would have made a huge difference to the All Blacks this year. To say he and Richie worked well together at the Crusaders is a massive understatement. 7 titles speaks for itself. He then guided Brave Lupus to the Japanese League title in 2024. It worked well when Richie's fellow Crusaders great Matt Todd and team mate ,was able to play for the All Blacks while in Japan in 2018.
Go to commentsBilly Harmon is a force of nature with the ball in hand. Great try . Scored one of best tries in his last season for Canterbury , ( for whom he was also the captain), against the Makos in the Quarter Final in Blenheim. He is a big loss for the Highlanders and Canterbury. Good enough to be an AB. Hopefully he comes back , as so many others have.
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