Tuesday 25 October 2016 06:01, UK
Stuart Barnes reflects on an unforgettable week in rugby, including Munster's tribute to Anthony Foley, and the All Blacks' record.
1 This week has to start at Thomond Park. In theory it was a European Champions Cup clash between Munster and Glasgow. In reality it was the final farewell to one of Munster's own, Anthony Foley. What could have been a maudlin affair was in fact magnificent.
The crowd applauded Glasgow off the team bus before the game with the same respect accorded their own team. They roared as the Munster and Shannon songs reverberated around the stadium and what a noise they made throughout.
The team too played their part to perfection. A week of wrecked preparation was irrelevant as the red men were inspired by the occasion. The spirit of Foley helped produce one of Munster's most memorable performances in many years.
This was up there with the many Munster European days of old. The tragedy of death has not been forgotten and will not but for his family, this was, if not consolation, then an immense tribute.
As for Glasgow, they played as if uncertain of their role. But maybe that was their role, the bit-part sacrificed on an altar and afternoon of Munster magic. It was a privilege to be there.
2 On more global matters, the All Blacks have broken the record for consecutive Test victories for tier one nations. Cyprus' 24 wins are now in their sights. Australia put up fierce resistance - for a while.
But in the last quarter of the game the All Blacks powered clear yet again. Another seven tries were scored but again, the conversion rate was risible. They have taken the sport to a new dimension but that kicking issue is definitely an Achilles heel.
There was much controversy when Shaun Veldsman, the TMO, suggested that an Australian block on Julian Savea stopped the free-scoring wing making a try-saving tackle on Henry Speight.
Nigel Owens seemed to think otherwise but for once the referee trusted the TMO, who let him down. There exist some deluded people who think this was the game's turning point... dream on you New Zealand deniers.
As for the referee/TMO situation, it is in desperate need of clarification. Often a referee asks the TMO to be the man that rolls the reel as the man in the middle watches and tells the TMO that he is seeing X, is that how the TMO sees it? Asked the leading question it pretty much always is.
The referee has the authority but what is the point of the TMO when this is the usual case? Owens trusts his judgement, sometimes to a cavalier degree, but if the incident is to be endlessly replayed on the big screen whose judgement would you prefer? It is all a bit of muddle that World Rugby needs to resolve for the sake of players, fans, referees and TMOs.
3 More officiating controversy with a few thoughts on the tip tackle. Am I the only person who thinks it a nonsense that referees are spending endless hours deciding whether a player lands on his back or neck? If the tackler spears his man it is dangerous, full stop.
Just send all spear-tacklers off, straight red. For well over 100 years it had nothing to do with union, with a season of zero tolerance we can stamp it out. Keith Earls was rightly red carded, keep them coming and eradicate this ugly trend.
"His goal-kicking was the stuff of headlines but the delayed timing of his passing was exquisite. He is looking more and more like the first name on the Lions team sheet, the only question is what position?"
4 Toulouse's Christopher Tolofua, soon to be a Saracen, stood inside the touchline every time he threw the ball into the lineout. It is a useful ploy if you can't throw but unfortunately it is against the law.
Rugby looks rank amateur sometimes. Imagine a Premiership football game in which every player was allowed to stand a foot or so inside the touchlines? It wouldn't happen, why is it allowed in rugby?
5 Yes, yes, I know Luke Fitzgerald has only just retired as a Leinster player but I was 100 per cent with him on Sunday. Rob Kearney was effectively sin-binned by referee Luke Pearce for not making an effort to get out of Joffrey Michel's way.
The Montpellier man chipped over the Irish full-back's head, Kearney knew the laws and stood unmoving. Michel ran straight into him and was checked. The result was a yellow card despite the Lion not running into his opponent's path.
The only way he would not have been sin-binned is by running out of Michel's way which is clearly preposterous. I am with Fitzgerald in this instance.
6 Nothing controversial about the development of Owen Farrell. Captain of Saracens on Saturday, his goal-kicking was the stuff of headlines but the delayed timing of his passing was exquisite. He is looking more and more like the first name on the Lions team sheet, the only question is what position?
7 Back to Montpellier, wasn't it like the old days of Irish dominance in Europe this weekend. There was Ulster nicking a late win to keep them alive, Munster magnificent at home and Leinster getting an all-important late converted try to come away from France with what so often proved vital losing bonus points
What a turnaround for Connacht too. It was only a few weeks ago that the weather saved them from defeat in Zebre. Now they are scoring half-century, bonus-point wins in Italy. Wasps might be glad of their gutsy draw in Toulouse come the trip to Galway.
8 Let's briefly talk 10s. Danny was the villain with a ridiculous play from beneath his own posts. The wrong time and place; if Eddie Jones hadn't already dismissed the maverick from his plans, he has now.
The heroic 10 was wearing 15 on his back and bailed his mate out. Jimmy Gopperth never looks like missing those pressure kicks. He smashed the conversion through the uprights against Toulouse to give Wasps two instead of one point and importantly, stripping Toulouse of two. Oh, and then there's Carter.
Racing were their usual sluggish self on the road but Carter was all class with a fine try and several superb touches, beginning to end. Racing have made a bad start but don't write them and Carter off yet.
9 Contrasting tales in the East Midlands as Leicester bounced back but Northampton slumped to their version of 'Glasgow round one'. The Saints leaked 41 points opposed to Leicester's 42 in round one but with Castres having lost their last 10 European Champions Cup/Heineken games the loss in France is even more humiliating. They beat Montpellier a week earlier but the match was a terrible game, the Saints are hobbling horribly at the moment.
10 Finally where else to finish but Russia, deep in Siberia. When RC Yenisei-STM qualified for the Challenge Cup by beating Baia Mare from Romania in a play-off, former Dragons coach Lyn Jones said they would surprise a few teams.
They have done just that, beating Jones's old team 38-18 in a tournament where the Dragons tend to excel. This, one week after beating Worcester 19-12. After two rounds, a Russian club sits proudly atop a pool including Brive, Worcester and the Dragons. Heady stuff indeed.
