Raymond rules my rugby weekend

It was an action-packed weekend of rugby, and seeing South Africans star overseas has become a consistent joy of the 2021 season. Oliver Keohane picks his top three moments from this past weekend’s rugby.

Raymond Rhule stars for La Rochelle

Raymond Rhule was phenomenal in his side’s 45-21 win over Montpellier in the Champions Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. Rhule, playing on the left wing, was impactful all around the field and scored two fantastic tries and assisted one. Since playing for La Rochelle he has turned out often at outside centre, and the shift in his positional awareness is evident. He was ever present under the high ball but perhaps most notable were his defensive contributions which spoke of a player much matured and more rounded since leaving South Africa. Watch Rhule’s monster performance below.

Golden-point finish in Super Rugby Aotearoa

I love the concept of the golden point that has been introduced in Super Rugby Aotearoa. It’s far more exciting, and far more pleasing, than a side holding onto the ball for 20 phases in the 85th minute only for a prop to knock it on and the game to still end in a draw. With the scores locked at 27-27 after a fine 80 minutes from the Hurricanes and Crusaders, the game went to the golden point and David Havili delivered a drop kick after just six phases into extra time to secure a 30-27 win. It has also been refreshing to see the Crusaders not dominate so heavily the last few weeks, with all four franchises looking equally threatening.

Julian Savea crosses the line

Julian Savea in 2012 had the effect on me that I’m sure Lomu had on the large population of rugby watching 12 year olds circa 1995. Savea raced to 46 test tries in 54 matches, starting 51 of them and winning 48, giving himself a 91 percent win average as an All Black. He was a beast at the 2015 World Cup but just as quickly as he burst onto the scene, he fell out of fitness, out of form and out of favour. Savea went overseas and struggled and to see him return to his Wellington base and start firing again for the Hurricanes brings a smile to my face. He finished a great try in Savea-style down the right wing this past weekend and I would love to see him carry on rebuilding and potentially earn an All Black call up again. Watch the highlights above to check out his try.