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Aviva Premiership Review - Round Nine
Round 9 of the Aviva Premiership was, once again, jammed packed with rugby goodness but, to be honest, served up no surprises. Contentious, I know, but stay with me. If you’d been paying attention to this league (and this column) of late, you would have seen a few things coming.
Saracens negotiated Gloucester on Sunday afternoon, and having watched the Cherry and Whites last weekend against Wasps, no one should have been surprised with the way they hustled and harried the home side in the first half. Mistakes were capitalised on, and Gloucester took the lead on more than one occasion. Sarries managed to regain their composure, like only they can, and the boot of Alex Lozowski continues to show its worth. Close but no cigar for Humphreys and his men. Gloucester at home to Bristol next, Saracens away at Bath: both tasty morsels.
The Exeter Chiefs punished Worcester at Sandy Park and look to have put any early season worries well and truly to bed. It was, in many ways, vintage Exeter, and not a lot Worcester could do much about. Well organised forward prowess accounted for the first three tries and then the bonus point came just after half time. Having turned over the ball in their own 22, Ian Whitten found some space and he set Chudley free, who in turn found Woodburn for the try of the weekend. The Warriors flickered late on but could do little else without much ball. They slink closer the bottom but there remains a fair few yards between themselves and Bristol. Just in case you were wondering when those two meet: Boxing Day.
Perhaps you felt Newcastle winning at Northampton was a little unforeseen. Well, Saints are at a low ebb at the moment and Newcastle have more than enough firepower to exploit such vulnerability. Saints’ job was made all the more harder by Kieran Brookes’ red card and as Niki Goneva streaked away following an intercept, those wearing black, green and gold were staring down the barrel of a third home defeat. Just the prospect of Leicester away for them next, Newcastle play Harlequins. You feel Jim Mallinder’s men must find a performance in the East Midland derby. Like, really must.
Leicester themselves overcame a spirited Bristol side, who ended up claiming a losing bonus point. It looked somewhat comfortable as Ellis Genge’s try extended the Tiger’s lead but this Bristol side (the post Andy Robinson one) seemed to be able to conjure up a greater freedom. And as Adrian Jarvis converted Rob Hawkins’ try, the gap was five points and the briefest of questions flashed across one’s brain. It wasn’t to be; Tigers held firm; they remain in the top four. (Manu Tuilagi came on in this match; just thought you’d like to be kept updated sir.)
Bath travelled to the Stoop and attempted to dismantle Harlequins’ fine home record. The game seesawed as both side flexed attacking muscle with Tim Visser, Karl Dickson, Kane Palma Newport and Nathan Catt all going over for scores. The difference would prove to be the 40 metre boot of South African Tim Swiel. Having replaced Nick Evans, Swiel slotted a beauty to bag the points and send Bath home with only their second defeat of the season.
Wasps refound their mojo with a comfortable win over Sale Sharks at the Ricoh Arena. Two tries in two minutes from Rob Miller made the game safe but, across the park, Sale couldn’t quite cope with the pressure created by the home side. Danny Cipriani led the attack well but can’t seem to help himself at the moment; there is always one moment that has you scratching your head. His attempted chip over Bryn Evans, gifted Sale and the New Zealander a second try but by then, the game was already gone. Dai Young termed it ‘in control but not fantastic’ and who am I to argue? Wasps away to Worcester next, Sale entertain the Chiefs.
Same time next week chaps; until then you can go back to watching Jonny May scrummage.
Aviva Premiership Team of the Week - Round 9
15 Rob Miller (Wasps)
14 Niki Goneva (Newcastle)
13 Kyle Eastmond (Wasps)
12 Ian Whitten (Exeter Chiefs)
11 Tim Visser (Harlequins)
10 Tim Swiel (Harlequins)
9 Will Chudley (Exeter Chiefs)
1 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
2 Schalk Brits (Saracens)
3 Kane Palma Newport (Bath)
4 Bryn Evans (Sale Sharks)
5 Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
6 Ashley Johnson (Wasps)
7 Jacob Rowan (Gloucester)
8 Luke Hamilton (Leicester Tigers)
Written by Sam Roberts for The Rugby Pod
@samrobertsrugby
