Sarries storm into semis
6 Apr 2008
Saracens, led by Neil de Kock, surprised the Ospreys with their 19-10 victory in the Heineken Cup quarter-final at Vicarage Road.
This is the first time the London-based club have reached this stage of the tournament, and much thanks can go to captain De Kock. His leadership and experience at scrumhalf has proved invaluable in bringing a hard-nosed edge to Sarries’ play.
Former Springbok prop Cobus Visagie also dominated in the scrums for Saracens, repeatedly getting the right-shoulder against Welsh prop Duncan Jones. De Kock and New Zealand flyhalf Glen Jackson used this platform to dictate play with their clever tactical kicking. Fellow South African Brent Russell had a less productive day however, as he left the field with an injury after 30 minutes.
Russell’s injury was one of many in the Saracens backline, and De Kock showed his commitment to the cause when he played the last 10 minutes of the match on the wing due to the shortage of players.
Saracens will now face Munster in the semi-final in three weeks time.
Toulouse hammered Cardiff Blues 41-17 and will play London Irish in the other semi-final.
By Grant Ball
17 Comments
6 Apr 2008, 16:28 pm
Some excellent defence from Sarries. But their tournament will probably come to an end against Munster.
6 Apr 2008, 17:29 pm
Well done Neil
6 Apr 2008, 17:47 pm
Sarries bt Wales…in fact I’d say, due to the inclusion of Marty Holah, that the Ospreys side has a better back row than the Welsh side…
6 Apr 2008, 17:52 pm
Visagie scrummed in the whole game, only got pinged twice in the whole game for it. Rautenbach looked better yesterday. Daan Human and Sowerby played very well in Toulouse’s win over Cardiff this afternoon.
6 Apr 2008, 18:17 pm
The Toulouse game was a lovely game to watch.
I watched two games this weekend. The Sharks draw with the Canes & the Toulose win over Cardiff Blues.
I don’t care what anyone says, the NH rugby is (sometimes) lovely to watch!
The Sharks couldn’t have kicked more ball away if they had tried, while both, Toulose & Carfiff ran the ball beautifuly.
6 Apr 2008, 19:36 pm
Sarries pretty much beat most of the Welsh team, plus a few all blacks. R hill was fantastic, Dekock played very well, and the team defence was excellent.
Plus Sarries lost Russel early and Chris Jack was injured.
So those who think Wales will beat the Boks, better not look at this game.
6 Apr 2008, 20:23 pm
Six comments – says everything you need to know about the esteem in which Southern Hemisphere supporters hold the second-rate club competition that is the Heineken Cup.
I saw more exciting rugby in the recent Varsity Challenge (or whatever it’s called).
6 Apr 2008, 21:17 pm
The Ospreys, (sorry Wales), have to be thinking that if they cant beat a weakend Sarasens, then they have no hope in beating a bok team in SA.
7 Apr 2008, 01:03 am
8
Different coaches Coachpete.
Don’t kid yourselves that Wales won’t compete with the Boks, they’ll be two tight tests.
7 Apr 2008, 01:44 am
True, but still has to be a worry . That was an average Sarries side, who defended like crazy, and the welsh players cant be happy.
7 Apr 2008, 03:06 am
De **** should have been a bok, but JW did not see value in him. Pitty. Great pitty.
7 Apr 2008, 03:12 am
Stavros he was a bok, but as you say out of favour with JW, so he moved on.
7 Apr 2008, 04:02 am
Stavros/Pete
Morning boys.
Yes, Niel played in 10 tests, one of them played wing from the bench.
He is a Bellville boytjie, went to Settlers High.
Also played N-OFS, I think.
Kobus van der Merwe was the one who let him go, preferred Bolla.
7 Apr 2008, 04:06 am
Hi Pietman, Yes good scrum half bit unlucky We are all on the most latest thread.
7 Apr 2008, 04:18 am
So does this success mean their Director of rugby, Eddie Jones gets to fly back to London, or does he have to fix up the Bulls first?
7 Apr 2008, 07:57 am
5… Couldnt agree more was a fantastic game,the commentators were refreshingly unbiased and the refing was spot ondont really know what the ELVs bring to the game of rugby,I know plenty of people will disagree which is fine.Ihave been dissapointe with the super 14 so far cant wait till the internetional season when we can mix it with the NH and get some classy commentating and unbiased refing as well as some old fashioned attritional rugby with flashes of brilliance.
7 Apr 2008, 14:39 pm
Huge heart and guts shown by the Saracens. 12 of the Ospreys starting line-up were 6-Nations champions, the balance made up of Marty Holah, Justin Marshall and A.N.Other.
Pierre (#7) Stick to knitting!
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