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Weekend Round-Up: Who'll Rule Pool 1?

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Catch up on the best of the weekend’s games on Rugby Pass, including moving scenes at Thomond Park, a controversial call at Eden Park and some rare good weather at Westpac Stadium.

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Champions Cup: Munster vs Glasgow
Watch: Full Game | Condensed
It would be an understatement to say it was an emotional day at Thomond Park as Munster fans packed out the stands to pay tribute to late coach and club legend Anthony Foley. On the field the sense of passion was palpable and the home side’s intensity paid off almost immediately with Tyler Bleyendaal wriggling over for a try after 3 minutes. Jaco Taute then scored to make it 14-3 after just 15 minutes. But reduced to 14 men after winger Keith Earls saw red for a dangerous tackle five minutes later, it would take an even more inspired performance for Munster to hold on for the win.

Bledisloe Cup: New Zealand vs Australia
Watch: Full Game | Condensed
The final hit out for both sides before they embark on their Northern Hemisphere tours, and for the All Blacks a shot at the record for most consecutive wins by a tier 1 nation. After two early tries to Israel Dagg and Anthony Lienert-Brown inside the opening it looked like it could turn into a rout for the home side, but the Wallabies clawed their way back bravely and when Henry Speight crossed just after half time they had a chance to take the lead. Then the video referee had a word in Nigel Owens’ ear – a controversial moment to say the least.

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Mitre 10 Cup: Wellington vs North Harbour
Watch: Full Game | Condensed
Conditions at Westpac Stadium were unusually perfect for rugby on Saturday afternoon and it made for a hugely entertaining see-sawing Mitre 10 Cup Championship semifinal. North Harbour have been the surprise package of the competition, but with talent like Blues winger Tevita Li in their squad it was easy to see how they made it this far. The side haven’t made a provincial final since 1993 – could they really defy the odds and break a 23-year drought against a strong Wellington side?

Champions Cup: Leicester vs Racing 92
Watch: Full Game | Condensed
Leicester were humbled by Glasgow in last week’s opening round of the Champions Cup, just one of the reasons they were motivated for a big game against Racing 92 on Sunday. Another was last season’s Champions Cup semifinal, in which the French side beat them by three points. Things got off to an ideal start with flanker Brendon O’Connor crossing the line within two minutes. They held that lead going into the break, but a converted Dan Carter try ten minutes after half time made it a one-point ballgame with half an hour to play.

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SK 9 hours ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

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