<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="575357" data-time="1461813616">
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<p>I'm a bit late but...</p>
<p>I was in Paris that weekend and tried to buy some tickets but Racing's home ground only has a capacity of 14K. It was always going to sell out for an all-French QF. I ended up watching the game on TV in my hotel room. If I had been at the game it would have been for the occasion not the quality of rugby on display.</p>
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</blockquote>
<p>To be honest their stadium has great atmosphere but is in the middle of nowhere. With nothing around it. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>They are having a new one built at the moment not sure when its finished.</p>
10 days later
<p>An update from the PRO 12 after a bit of an absence by me. Regular season ended yesterday with playoffs to come in the next 3 weeks.<br>
<br>
Connacht, coached by Pat Lam for last three years, have finally come good, finishing top on level points with Leinster, but just pipped at the post to first place by with Leinster having one more win than them. Connacht have a home semi-final against Glasgow. Leinster host Ulster in the other. <br>
<br>
At tonight's PRO 12 awards, Lam and his team fairly swept the boards in the PRO12 Dream Team awards. A good few of the winners are non-internationals. And, unsurprisingly, a good few from south of the equator.<br>
<br>
15 Isa Nacewa (Leinster) capt.<br>
14 Matt Healy (Connacht)<br>
13 Bundee Aki (Connacht)<br>
12 Ben Te'o (Leinster<br>
11 Craig Gilroy (Ulster); <br>
10 Sam Davies (Ospreys), <br>
9 Kieran Marmion (Connacht); <br>
1 Dennis Buckley (Connacht), <br>
2 Tom McCartney (Connacht), <br>
3 Finlay Bealham (Connacht);<br>
4 Leone Nakarawa (Glasgow),<br>
5 Ultan Dillane (Connacht)<br>
6 CJ Stander (Munster),<br>
7 Josh van der Flier (Leinster),<br>
8 Cornell du Preez (Edinburgh)<br><br>
Player's Player of the Season Award: Bundee Aki (Connacht)<br>
Coach of the Season: Pat Lam (Connacht)<br>
Young Player of the Season: Sam Davies (Ospreys)<br>
Try of the Season: Tommy Seymour (Glasgow)</p>
<p>Yeah, 4 Kiwis there (Nacewa, Aki, Teo, McCartney). Actually, I'm a but surprised by Nacewa, didn't think his form has been anything special. Should be a decent set of play-offs: can Leinster get revenge at home after Ulster's paddling a couple of weeks back, can Connacht do a repeat over Glasgow. I'm predicting a Leinster vs Glasgow final.</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="578273" data-time="1462767588">
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<p>Yeah, 4 Kiwis there (Nacewa, Aki, Teo, McCartney). Actually, I'm a but surprised by Nacewa, didn't think his form has been anything special. Should be a decent set of play-offs: can Leinster get revenge at home after Ulster's paddling a couple of weeks back, can Connacht do a repeat over Glasgow. I'm predicting a Leinster vs Glasgow final.</p>
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</blockquote>
<p>Five Kiwis, if you count Lam, BT.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Was surprised at Nacewa too. But which other full backs have played enough to merit inclusion - Hogg didn't play enough league games to meet criteria? </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;">Pretty sus<span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">picious play from Ben Botica in the <span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);">Challenge Cup final.</span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:15.6px;">Quins were chasing a try to tie the game against Montpellier when Ben Botica inexplicably kicked the ball away, allowing Jessie Mogg to boot the ball off the field.</span></p>
<p style="font-size:15.6px;font-family:Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">Oâ€
Shea consoled the New Zealand native on the pitch afterwards, <strong>who is also, coincidentally, leaving the club. He joins Montpellier.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.the42.ie/ben-botica-kicks-away-2769592-May2016/'>http://www.the42.ie/ben-botica-kicks-away-2769592-May2016/</a></p>
<p>Dan Carter's , Joe Roks and Chris Masoe's Racing 92 taking on Saracens in the European Champions Cup Final if anybody else is watching.</p>
<p>Currently 3-6 Saracens after 26 mins. Yawn.</p>
<p>Game is several levels below Super Rugby, in all aspects - pace, handling, skills, vision and creativity. So slow. arrgh.</p>
<p>The fly hack at the ruck by the defending team is killing the game.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Get rid.</p>
<p>Weather not helping but NH rugby is always so narrow. They salivate over scrums, and penalties are always shots at goal, hardly ever for the corner. Multiples of 3 so far.</p>
<p>The main attacking weapon (scrum penalty) prominent so far. Along with the boxkick. And 1 off the ruck.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Some nice kicks to the corner though.</p>
Mediocre final, Saracens looking more organised than Racing. I think all five of the NZ Super franchises would beat these two clubs by 40+ points.
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="579812" data-time="1463245435">
<div>
<p>Mediocre final, Saracens looking more organised than Racing. I think all five of the NZ Super franchises would beat these two clubs by 40+ points.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Don't think so. Chiefs would have problem at scrum set-piece. Canes were crap today, and the Blues are the Blues.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think the Chiefs, Landes and Saders could do a 40-point job, Chiefs provided their front row held up.</p>
Congratulations to Sarries who are European Champions. Richly deserved for years of hard work by their squad and coaches.
<p>That was a puke-rugby of a game.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Saracens just played left-corner territory all 2nd half, and Racing had absolutely no idea.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anytime people want to give out about Ellis or Hall's slow service, please google "Mike Phillips"</p>
<p>Feel bad for DC. Stated the game obviously injured before going off early to watch that. Doesn't need another feather in his cap but that must've been painfully anticlimactic for him.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Saracens forwards were better and their 10 kicked his goals. That's the closest to praise I can give that game.</p>
Mario Itoje has started 20 games this year for club and country and has won them all. That's some feat in a rookie international year.<br><br>
Mind you, he hasn't faced Brodie Retallick or Sam Whitelock yet....
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="579844" data-time="1463249310"><p>
He's very good. A definite lion starter and right up there with the NZ locks.</p></blockquote><br>
It one should be European Player of the Year and he'll probably be even better by June next year. Brodie and Sam will be looking forward to the challenge.
<p>Ulster are away to Leinster this Friday. Should be a better match than thon. (Though that's not saying much.) Between Jackson, Luke Marshall and Payne we have three decent first receivers; if and when Olding gets on the pitch that's 4. Which has basically meant when we've been able to secure quick ball (wing-and-a-prayer on that one - anyone remember Sean Reidy? He's a starter for us), we've been shredding teams.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If Leinster win, it'll be a crap game for the neutral in all likelihood.</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80015411/bundee-aki-involved-in-standoff-in-ireland-after-a-teammates-laptop-is-stolen'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80015411/bundee-aki-involved-in-standoff-in-ireland-after-a-teammates-laptop-is-stolen</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bundee Aki used as muscle to retrieve a stolen laptop....</p>
<p> </p>
Bundee Aki involved in standoff in Ireland after a team-mate's laptop is stolen
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<p class=""><span>Last updated 09:12, May 16 2016</span></p>
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<div><img src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/b/n/0/n/r/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1bn0ab.png/1463352350800.jpg" title="" alt="1463352350800.jpg"><div><span>Phil Walter/ Getty Images</span></div>
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<p>Bundee Aki, pictured playing for Counties Manukau against Auckland, was involved in a confrontation in Ireland over a team-mate's stolen computer, an Irish newspaper reported.</p>
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<p>Former Chiefs rugby star Bundee Aki has been involved in a confrontation on an Irish housing estate after a team-mate's laptop was stolen.</p>
<p>Aki, who now plays for Connacht in Europe's Pro 12 League, was alleged to have taken part in an attempt to retrieve a laptop allegedly stolen from Connacht and Irish centre Robbie Henshaw, Irish newspaper the <em>Sunday World</em> reported.</p>
<p>The <em>Sunday World </em>said it had obtained video footage of Connacht team members, including 1.78m and 92kg Aki and halfback Kieran Marmion, "arriving at the door of a family in the Sli Burca estate in Galway seeking the return of the stolen computer".</p>
<div><img src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/b/n/0/o/5/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1bn0ab.png/1463352350800.jpg" title="" alt="1463352350800.jpg"><div><span>Stefan Postles</span></div>
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<p>Bundee Aki on tackling duty with the Chiefs.</p>
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<p>Under the headline "Don't Ruck with Us", the <em>Sunday World</em> claimed that the police were called to the house during the rugby players' visit.</p>
<p><strong>READ MORE: <br>
-
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/79809221/pat-lam-named-pro12-coach-of-the-year-ahead-of-playoffs-with-connacht'>Pat Lam, Bundee Aki win big in Ireland awards</a><br>
-
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80014623/dan-carter-says-he-was-of-no-help-to-the-team-in-european-club-rugby-final'>Dan Carter concedes defeat to injury</a></strong></p>
<div><span></span></div>
<p>Ireland's <em>Independent</em> newspaper reported that "a young man living at the house told the players he wasn't aware the laptop was stolen when he purchased it and he would return it to Henshaw".</p>
<p>The <em>Independent</em> said a confrontation took place outside the house. Police were called and the rugby players left.</p>
<p>The housing estate visit took place last week after Henshaw reported his laptop stolen last Tuesday (NZ Time) after his car's back window was broken. </p>
<p>The rugby players had traced the computer after using a "Find my Laptop" app.</p>
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<p>Henshaw tweeted at the time of the theft<u><strong>: "Not the best way to start my Monday. To whoever stole my bag, I hope you find my economics notes useful #happy reading. I'm getting my mate @Bundeeaki – to investigate and knock your block off."</strong></u></p>
<p>The Irish <em>Independent </em>said Aki followed with a tweet saying <u><strong>'Whoever broke into @henshawrob's car, good luck'. </strong></u>That tweet was later removed.</p>
<p>Aki, 26, signed for Connacht in 2014 after playing 47 games for Counties Manukau and winning Super Rugby honours with the Chiefs.</p>
<p>He has had a successful season in Europe, winning the Pro 12 player of the year award.</p>
<p>Connacht finished second in the regular season on points differential to leaders Leinster. </p>
<p>They host the Glasgow Warriors in the semifinals this weekend for the right to play the winner of the Leinster-Ulster clash in the final in Edinburgh on May 29. Connacht's semifinal has been sold out with all tickets snapped up within an hour of going on sale.</p>
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<p><a class="" href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80014623/dan-carter-says-he-was-of-no-help-to-the-team-in-european-club-rugby-final">Dan Carter says he was 'of no help to the team' in European club rugby final</a></p>
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<p>Comforting to read it's not just the Warriors who tweet retarded comments.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>How can guys in the public eye be that fucken moronic, particularly Henshaw who's one of Irelands best known players ?</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="580262" data-time="1463439927">
<div>
<p>Comforting to read it's not just the Warriors who tweet retarded comments.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>How can guys in the public eye be that fucken moronic, particularly Henshaw who's one of Irelands best known players ?</p>
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<p>You mean Bundee Aki, surely, as one of Ireland's best known players?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That's what the headline is all about. ;)</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="580287" data-time="1463442932">
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<p>You mean Bundee Aki, surely, as one of Ireland's best known players?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That's what the headline is all about. ;)</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>I'm sure Quade Cooper had something to do with the theft in the first place.</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ulsterman" data-cid="580217" data-time="1463408122">
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<p>Ulster are away to Leinster this Friday. Should be a better match than thon. (Though that's not saying much.) Between Jackson, Luke Marshall and Payne we have three decent first receivers; if and when Olding gets on the pitch that's 4. Which has basically meant when we've been able to secure quick ball (wing-and-a-prayer on that one - anyone remember Sean Reidy? He's a starter for us), we've been shredding teams.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If Leinster win, it'll be a crap game for the neutral in all likelihood.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Tsk, tsk. You mean if Leinster win, then it'll be all Leinster's fault for playing crap rugby?</p>
<p>Ulster did what they do, and came to the party as a bridesmaid. Sexton kicked out of hand very well. Ulster forwards were spent by the 2nd 40.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Connacht did a pretty decent job to get ahead of Glasgow. Yet another MOTM from Aki.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hope Connacht win, but the smart money is on Leinster you would think.</p>
<p>Pat Lam has silverware. Superb first 40 blew Leinster away. Basically a replay of Argentina vs Ireland 1/4 final RWC.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Happy for Pat after the Blues fiasco.</p>
<p>Well done to Connacht and to Pat Lam. A good guy of the game and his first bit of silverware in 9 years.</p>
<p>Saracens take the double of European Cup and domestic Premiership. About right too, they've been the strongest side throughout the year and have added a decent attacking edge to their more expected dour defensive side. They are now becoming a very good all round side. Unlucky for Exeter Chiefs who lost the Premiership final by 8 points, the fairytale did not have the happy ending.</p>
<p>In the French Top 14, Clermont tops the table and goes straight to the semi-finals, despite their loss to Toulouse yesterday. All thanks to Toulon losing to Montpellier without a bonus point.</p>
<p>Now 2nd placed Montpellier has the best chance to get the second direct semi-final spot, although Toulon and Racing92 can still overtake them. This is not pure theory, because Montpellier plays the last round-robin game (away) against 4th placed Racing92, while 3rd placed Toulon takes on 7th placed Bordeaux at home. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Going by the current rankings, Toulon, Racing92, Toulouse, and either Castres or Bordeaux will go to the play-offs to play for the two remaining semi-final spots.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>All in all, Toulon v Bordeaux and Racing92 v Montpellier will be the most important of the final round-robin games.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Oyonnax and Agen can't escape relegation to the Pro D2. (Agen was only promoted to the Top 14 last season).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Lyon, which was relegated from the Top 14 to Pro D2 at the end of the 2014-15 season, has already earned automatic promotion back to the Top 14.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The second team to be promoted to the Top 14 will be the winner of Aurillac v Bayonne (also relegated from the Top 14 last season).</p>
<p>Madness. the T14 means 26 regular games plus any European involvement then play offs for the play offs (effectively), then the finals. That could be 29 games plus European stuff, plus any internationals. No wonder most of their players look shattered.</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="584098" data-time="1464604264"><p>
Madness. the T14 means 26 regular games plus any European involvement then play offs for the play offs (effectively), then the finals. That could be 29 games plus European stuff, plus any internationals. No wonder most of their players look shattered.</p></blockquote>
<br>
And most of them don't fancy test matches afterwards. The club game has permanently eclipsed test rugby in France. The current schedules have to change.