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Leinster withstand Zebre test as Connacht claim big win

Dave Kearney (Getty)

Leinster ultimately withstood a spirited Zebre to win 40-24 and go 22 points clear at the top of Pro14 Conference B, while Glasgow Warriors fended off Cardiff Blues and Connacht earned a crucial victory over the Cheetahs.

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Champions Leinster came roaring out of the blocks and led 21-0 in the 22nd minute with Max Deegan, Dave Kearney and Ross Byrne touching down.

Zebre, rooted to the bottom of Conference A, clearly had not read the script, though, and Francois Brummer, Jamie Elliott and Gabriele Di Giulio each scored to bring the score to within two by the break.

Brummer had a second after Scott Fardy had extended Leinster’s lead, but the Italian side were stretched in the closing stages as Conor O’Brien and Deegan ensured a comfortable margin of victory.

Glasgow are just two points off Conference A leaders Munster after a thrilling 38-34 success in the Welsh capital as Aled Summerhill’s hat-trick proved in vain for the Blues.

In a match where the teams split 10 tries, the Warriors saw a 21-point lead chipped away at by Summerhill and Owen Lane scores either side of the break.

Tries from Nick Frisby and David Tameilau had seemingly put Glasgow out of reach, but Summerhill’s third and a late Garyn Smith score set up a frantic finish that the Warriors managed to see out.

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Connacht left it late to secure a potentially big 25-17 win over South African outfit the Cheetahs to go third in Conference A.

Sibahle Maxwane and Louis Fouche helped give the Cheetahs the early advantage, but Tom Farrell responded in the 25th minute and the hosts led when Tom McCartney touched down early in the second half.

Shaun Venter’s fine break helped the Cheetahs level the scores but Jarrad Butler crossed with the clock running down after Jack Carty had edged Connacht ahead to seal the match.

Benetton Treviso boosted their play-off push and simultaneously dented the Scarlets’ chances with a 25-19 victory.

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Toa Halafihi, Luca Sperandio and Federico Ruzza were all on the scoresheet, while Ian McKinley kicked 10 points in a win that leaves Treviso third in Conference B.

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AM 39 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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