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Hooker hat-trick helps Glasgow to big win over Zebre Parma

By PA
Johnny Matthews of Glasgow Warriors, centre, and teammates celebrates their side's sixth try during the United Rugby Championship (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Glasgow hooker Johnny Matthews grabbed a hat-trick during a 40-12 win over Zebre Parma on an emotional night at Scotstoun.

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Oli Kebble, Ryan Wilson and Jamie Dobie also crossed as Warriors moved five points behind United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster. Only the width of a post stopped Ross Thompson adding six conversions.

Alessandro Fusco and Luca Andreani scored late in each half to give the Italians something to show for their visit.

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RFU Belonging – Back in the Game

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RFU Belonging – Back in the Game

There was a poignant precursor as Warriors paid tribute to former player Federico Aramburu, who was shot dead in Paris a fortnight ago at the age of 42. The former Argentina back played for Glasgow during the 2010-11 season.

An Argentina flag flew and a Pumas shirt lay on the pitch during a minute’s applause as a group of the South American’s former team-mates, including Chris Cusiter and Ruaridh Jackson, lined up on the touchline.

Another of Aramburu’s former colleagues, Rob Harley, blew his cheeks out as he battled his emotions during the applause ahead of his 261st game for the club – and possibly his final match at Scotstoun. The 31-year-old announced earlier in the week that he would be departing in the summer.

Warriors wasted no time in atoning for losing a 13-point lead in Cardiff last weekend.

Stafford McDowall’s kick into touch put the visitors on the back foot in the opening seconds and Matthews powered over in the fourth minute after a driving maul.

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The front row continued to do the damage as Kebble showed great footwork and strength to go over in the 10th minute.

Wilson added the third when he dived underneath two tackles and stretched to touch down on the line after replacement scrum-half Sean Kennedy had got the ball out of a halted maul in the corner.

Dobie – back on after a head injury assessment – got in on the act when he took the ball out of the back of the scrum and darted between two Zebre players in the 33rd minute.

The Italians had the final say of the half when Fusco intercepted opposite number Dobie’s pass inside his own half and sprinted for the line to make it 28-5 at half-time.

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Glasgow could not add to their lead while Potu Leavasa was in the sin bin for a high tackle on Cole Forbes, but Matthews twice touched down during mauls either side of the offence.

Andreani finished well after a line-out in the 79th minute as the Parma men ended on a high.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
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