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Mauger bows out with dramatic win, Robshaw returns in Quins romp

Leicester Tigers’ outgoing head coach Aaron Mauger

Leicester Tigers provided a victorious send-off for outgoing head coach Aaron Mauger by beating rivals Northampton Saints 36-31 in a high-scoring Premiership thriller.

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The Tigers announced the return of Matt O’Connor on Monday, meaning Saturday’s game at Franklin’s Gardens represented a final contest in charge for Mauger, who had taken charge of team affairs following Richard Cockerill’s sacking in January.

Northampton led throughout an action-packed first period that began with three tries in the opening nine minutes.

Yet Leicester came storming back to climb up to fourth in the table, Owen Williams converting second-half touchdowns from Ben Youngs and Lachlan McCaffrey before kicking two late penalties to snatch victory.

Exeter Chiefs produced a gritty comeback to beat Sale Sharks 30-25 and move level on points with leaders Wasps.

The Chiefs looked set to be beaten on a gusty afternoon at Sandy Park when they fell 19-5 down, thanks to a converted Denny Solomona try and five kicks from AJ MacGinty.

However, a Luke Cowan-Dickie score before the interval gave Exeter a lift and further tries from Olly Woodburn and Don Armand saw the hosts earn victory and a bonus point.

Former England captain Chris Robshaw enjoyed a successful comeback from injury as a Harlequins side boosted by the return of several players thumped Newcastle Falcons 53-17 at The Stoop.

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Robshaw missed his country’s successful Six Nations campaign due to a shoulder problem, but played the full 80 minutes against Newcastle and will hope to do enough over the next three weeks to book a place in Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions squad.

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BeamMeUp 55 minutes ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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