Sunday, May 02, 2010
Biarritz boot Munster out as they head to the Heineken Cup final
Keith Earls scored a good try for Munster as they went into the halftime lead 7-3 up, but in the second half the forward pack of the Biarritz side ground them down, allowing Dimitri Yachvili to show his class as he kicked them to victory.
Six kicks from six attempts meant that whenever Munster stepped out of line, they were made to pay as they threw everything into it in the final ten minutes.
The game wasnt as entertaining as one might have hoped, with both sides coughing up a few unforced handling errors that halted the flow to some extent. The tension rose near the end though, as Biarritz held on and the crowd got behind them.
Man of the Match Yachvili said afterwards that hes very proud to have made the final.
"This is very emotional - we left everything out there. We were in a bit of bother in the first half - but we realised that our mental strength, solidity and team spirit could get us through and we proved our mettle," he said.
Imanol Harinordoquy, who played with a broken nose and then left with injured ribs after 66 minutes, was overjoyed afterwards.
"The lads did a fantastic job - group spirit brought us through. We want to win it now as Toulouse have been champions before and we haven't."
Posted at 6:40 pm | 49 comments
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Viewing 49 comments
Oli May 02, 2010 7:36 pm
Harinordoquy you freakin hero! What a year this is for French rugby. Let's make a big party in Paris on may 22, and here's hoping Toulon win the Amlin Cup, to lake it a perfect year!
Good game by both Irish clubs in those semi finals. It would probably have been a totally different story had the games taken place in Ireland.
A happy frenchman :)
Good game by both Irish clubs in those semi finals. It would probably have been a totally different story had the games taken place in Ireland.
A happy frenchman :)
Merja May 02, 2010 7:47 pm
Harinordoquy is my hero, there is no words to describe the courage he showed on that pitch. They don't make any of those anymore, Euskadi FTW !
Juggernauter May 02, 2010 8:12 pm
Harinordoquy is one heck of a player. Great to see this result, and I'm starting to get bored of Toulouse winning everything, but, what the hell, they play perfect rugby.
Pitseleh May 02, 2010 8:18 pm
Not the greatest game of the year from the two teams, but it's really nice to see Munster beaten by a team that play exactly like them - with a much better scrum. Hari was incredible, a true warrior.
And could anyone tell Flannery to leave rugby and play football or kick boxing ? Seems that refs love him too much to give him the card he deserves for a while.
And could anyone tell Flannery to leave rugby and play football or kick boxing ? Seems that refs love him too much to give him the card he deserves for a while.
Anonymous May 02, 2010 9:01 pm
Hari looks like a viking with that face mask on. Badass.
Crosser May 02, 2010 9:20 pm
Is Ngwenya the first American to get into the H-Cup finals?
Les Bleus May 02, 2010 9:41 pm
Harinordoquy should be IRB player of the year, seriously. He was my Six Nations player and he is always so so solid.
A bit early I know, but judging my current form of Super 14 rugby and Heineken cup teams, he seems like the form player right now.
A bit early I know, but judging my current form of Super 14 rugby and Heineken cup teams, he seems like the form player right now.
Flooz May 02, 2010 9:52 pm
It was a game made for the forwards.
I thought munstermen would have taken their chances, but they played without spirit and creativity. Biarritz seemed more limited but they had enormous heart and Anoeta crowd was the 16th player.
all credit for Harinordoquy the "ordinary" , what a warrior... He played 60 minutes with a broken nose and bruises on his ribs!
to conclude, i totally agree with pitseleh, manchester united should be very interested by flannery football abilities...
Replays don't lie. he could have broken Hunt leg with that. And i'm sure he will say that he was stupid and dumb just in order to take the minimum of weeks. coward...
I thought munstermen would have taken their chances, but they played without spirit and creativity. Biarritz seemed more limited but they had enormous heart and Anoeta crowd was the 16th player.
all credit for Harinordoquy the "ordinary" , what a warrior... He played 60 minutes with a broken nose and bruises on his ribs!
to conclude, i totally agree with pitseleh, manchester united should be very interested by flannery football abilities...
Replays don't lie. he could have broken Hunt leg with that. And i'm sure he will say that he was stupid and dumb just in order to take the minimum of weeks. coward...
Anonymous May 02, 2010 10:13 pm
Can anoyone tell me what happen to Harinordoquy for him to be wearing that padding on his face? I dont now as i never got to watch the match today! thanks
Anonymous May 02, 2010 10:18 pm
He broke his nose two weeks ago and get a surgery last week...last saturday.
Westerner May 02, 2010 10:21 pm
Unlucky Munster!!
RD if you can get you hands on footage of Tony Buckley picking up one of the Biarritz forwards and tossing him away from the ruck that would be awesome!
RD if you can get you hands on footage of Tony Buckley picking up one of the Biarritz forwards and tossing him away from the ruck that would be awesome!
Anonymous May 02, 2010 10:24 pm
not a forward actually, it was Mignardi n13 "only" 85kg!
Hacman May 02, 2010 10:30 pm
Harinordoquy broke his nose in a shock with Sbastien Chabal two weeks ago during the game against Racing Metro.
He was operated and trained with a mask to prepare himself for the game. although the IRB validated his mask with which he prepared himself they told him the day before the game that finally it wasn't possible to play wearing it... So he had to change it at the very last moment... Certainly not the best way to prepare the game.
However it didn't affect his performance!! AUPA BO! Can't wait to see the final against Toulouse.
He was operated and trained with a mask to prepare himself for the game. although the IRB validated his mask with which he prepared himself they told him the day before the game that finally it wasn't possible to play wearing it... So he had to change it at the very last moment... Certainly not the best way to prepare the game.
However it didn't affect his performance!! AUPA BO! Can't wait to see the final against Toulouse.
Yannoche May 02, 2010 10:58 pm
Harinordoquy catching the ball with this helmet bandage on, was epic!
Anonymous May 02, 2010 11:36 pm
Biarritz were much better at scrumtime and earned a well deserved win. Both French teams were better this weekend and shows how much France have dominated this year.
Can anyone explain why both games were played in France. Wouldnt it make a bit more sense if the semis were played based on pool seedings?
Can anyone explain why both games were played in France. Wouldnt it make a bit more sense if the semis were played based on pool seedings?
Farz May 02, 2010 11:37 pm
Nothing against Match Yachvili taking man of the match but I think this was a forwards game. Not the most reliable work from the backs (my american brother Z dropping kick) and out of the forwards Lund was the hardest worker. Enjoyed seeing the lock find that much action (for once! haha)
cheyanqui May 03, 2010 12:00 am
Ngwenya is a Zimbo who moved to the states in his teens for school. Call him an Eagle if you wish. Would kind of like be calling Riki Flutey a POM.
cheyanqui May 03, 2010 12:03 am
The game was on in the USA on TV5Monde.
Was hilarious to watch the French commentary. Particularly when the referee awarded the final penalty, you see Ronan mouthing "bullshit".
The commentator then says a bunch of stuff in French, giving context, and then he himself says "boolsheet" with an accent reminiscent of the Quebecois goalie (Denis Lemieux) in "Slap Shot".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cyO271GChk
View Video
Was hilarious to watch the French commentary. Particularly when the referee awarded the final penalty, you see Ronan mouthing "bullshit".
The commentator then says a bunch of stuff in French, giving context, and then he himself says "boolsheet" with an accent reminiscent of the Quebecois goalie (Denis Lemieux) in "Slap Shot".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cyO271GChk
View Video
themull May 03, 2010 12:50 am
Without a doubt these two semi finals showed how important it is to pay well during the group stages and earn a home draw....
Well done to the French this year...Very succesful rugby year and I hope to see a very entertaining final from these two quality teams...
IMO however Toulouse, have the better pack (apart from the back row), than Biaritz and defo the better backline and should win....But if Biaritz's backrow manage to control position and keep making first up tackles then they could very well sneak it....
Well done to the French this year...Very succesful rugby year and I hope to see a very entertaining final from these two quality teams...
IMO however Toulouse, have the better pack (apart from the back row), than Biaritz and defo the better backline and should win....But if Biaritz's backrow manage to control position and keep making first up tackles then they could very well sneak it....
Box May 03, 2010 1:05 am
You dont earn a home draw for the semis, it's decided randomly (I think there's a draw just before the quarter finals).
Crosser May 03, 2010 1:36 am
Cheyanqui - I saw the same thing on TV5 - it was hilarious.
mio May 03, 2010 4:41 am
Flooz said...
Replays don't lie.
Hunt gave a complete Italian football-style dive. From his reaction, on the replay, I was expecting Flannery to have done what he did a few weeks ago, but it turns out Hunt completely milked it for everything it was worth.
Replays don't lie.
Hunt gave a complete Italian football-style dive. From his reaction, on the replay, I was expecting Flannery to have done what he did a few weeks ago, but it turns out Hunt completely milked it for everything it was worth.
mio May 03, 2010 4:45 am
cheyanqui said...
Would kind of like be calling Riki Flutey a POM.
Or Mtawarira a Saffa? I guess that those two countries are at least geographically close, though.
Would kind of like be calling Riki Flutey a POM.
Or Mtawarira a Saffa? I guess that those two countries are at least geographically close, though.
Farz May 03, 2010 5:19 am
"cheyanqui said...
Ngwenya is a Zimbo who moved to the states in his teens for school..."
Right, we should have a squad of Native Americans. My bad.
Ngwenya is a Zimbo who moved to the states in his teens for school..."
Right, we should have a squad of Native Americans. My bad.
jorge May 03, 2010 8:45 am
Dan Lyle won the Heineken Cup for Bath in 1998. He was an American. Even played american football.
sebastian May 03, 2010 9:46 am
no adventure in rog's game, therefore no chance to win :(
well done by both french teams
well done by both french teams
Pitseleh May 03, 2010 10:25 am
"Hunt gave a complete Italian football-style dive. From his reaction, on the replay, I was expecting Flannery to have done what he did a few weeks ago, but it turns out Hunt completely milked it for everything it was worth."
Milking of not, it definitely show the kind of player Flannery is. He just took a light ban for using his legs in the same way, and he does it again. This guy is incredibly lucky to get so much friends in the disciplinary panel
Milking of not, it definitely show the kind of player Flannery is. He just took a light ban for using his legs in the same way, and he does it again. This guy is incredibly lucky to get so much friends in the disciplinary panel
POC May 03, 2010 10:57 am
Munster need POC back - their set pieces were in dissarray and that lost them the game
inter fan May 03, 2010 1:30 pm
@ mio
what fuck are you saying? Hunt gave a complete ITALIAN football-style dive..
what are you trying to say?..that
it's usual dive in penalty area for italian football players ?
let's speak here only 'bout rugby
by INTER FAN
WE'LL WIN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN MADRID!
what fuck are you saying? Hunt gave a complete ITALIAN football-style dive..
what are you trying to say?..that
it's usual dive in penalty area for italian football players ?
let's speak here only 'bout rugby
by INTER FAN
WE'LL WIN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN MADRID!
Anonymous May 03, 2010 3:21 pm
Toulon 19 - 9 Connacht
S.Toulousain 26 - 16 Leinster
Biarritz 18 - 7 Munster
France 3 - 0 Irlande :)
France are the best European team of the year tour 2010. Can't wait for the world cup ;)
S.Toulousain 26 - 16 Leinster
Biarritz 18 - 7 Munster
France 3 - 0 Irlande :)
France are the best European team of the year tour 2010. Can't wait for the world cup ;)
Huh!! the 3rd May 03, 2010 3:42 pm
As a long time Munster fan, it drives me nuts that we think we're the greatest fans on the planet (Irish by birth, Munster by the grace of god bullshit), the Biarritz fans were fantastic and created an incredible athmosphere, including the noise when kicking (remember Yachvilli had the same noise ROG had).
Although I agree that Toulouse are the better team, I hope BO can add their name to the list of winners. Everytime Hardinordoquy went down I was screaming for him to go off. How he lasted so long is unbelievable. Biarritz need to wrap him up in cotton wool for the next 3 weeks.
Hayes needs to retire. For the sake of Munster and Ireland please go. If Dave Ryan gets game time now, he'll be ready for the WC. He's the best option either side, can scrum, carry and lift. Cian Healy is too small. Australia will thank us in 16 months if we put Hayes and Healy out to face their ront row. When your best player is Quinny at nearly 36 (36 in July), some strong questions have to be asked about everyone else. Radical change in the forwards. Does McGahan have the balls to do it??
Hope its a great final, but the last 2 all French finals were poor.
Although I agree that Toulouse are the better team, I hope BO can add their name to the list of winners. Everytime Hardinordoquy went down I was screaming for him to go off. How he lasted so long is unbelievable. Biarritz need to wrap him up in cotton wool for the next 3 weeks.
Hayes needs to retire. For the sake of Munster and Ireland please go. If Dave Ryan gets game time now, he'll be ready for the WC. He's the best option either side, can scrum, carry and lift. Cian Healy is too small. Australia will thank us in 16 months if we put Hayes and Healy out to face their ront row. When your best player is Quinny at nearly 36 (36 in July), some strong questions have to be asked about everyone else. Radical change in the forwards. Does McGahan have the balls to do it??
Hope its a great final, but the last 2 all French finals were poor.
Alan Hardiman May 03, 2010 3:50 pm
Well done Biarritz.But when people say that Munster play only rucking rugby and rely on O'Gara is ridiculous. Munster won the try count 1-0. No French running rugby was evident...and couldnt break through Munsters Defence.
So when all the French supporters blamed Munster for boring rugby against Toulose in 2008...take a look at Biarritz...
So when all the French supporters blamed Munster for boring rugby against Toulose in 2008...take a look at Biarritz...
Pierre May 03, 2010 4:33 pm
Believe me, nobody here in France, says that BO has great running rugby...
But they have great talent such as Hari, Barcella, Traille (absent for this game) and Yachvily, combine that to the power of their scrum and defense (except fot the Ospreys game, they were terrible this day...), and you can beat the Munster :)
Well played to 'em, I can't wait for the final !!!
I just hope that Toulouse will win that French final again but I dunno, just have sort of a bad feeling...
But they have great talent such as Hari, Barcella, Traille (absent for this game) and Yachvily, combine that to the power of their scrum and defense (except fot the Ospreys game, they were terrible this day...), and you can beat the Munster :)
Well played to 'em, I can't wait for the final !!!
I just hope that Toulouse will win that French final again but I dunno, just have sort of a bad feeling...
Geoff' May 03, 2010 4:45 pm
Good tense def game. you need to be able to play depending on your opponent.
All the games I see with Munster are def game (have not seen that many I agree) except 1/4 final.
Harinordoquy my hero
Flannery: well...are we going to wait until he breaks someone's leg?
All the games I see with Munster are def game (have not seen that many I agree) except 1/4 final.
Harinordoquy my hero
Flannery: well...are we going to wait until he breaks someone's leg?
Max May 03, 2010 6:13 pm
Just to let everyone know, Harinordoquy has 1 rib broken ... news from Biartiz ... he played 15min with that rib, he is a legend ;) we want more player like him !!!
Doyle May 03, 2010 8:17 pm
Well said Huh on the front row issues, the Irish managerial team need to get involved with the provinces to sort out a decent scrummaging platform before the world cup, otherwise we'll be a laughing stock.
Hard luck Leinster, Munster and Connaught.
Hard luck Leinster, Munster and Connaught.
Mulrain May 03, 2010 8:33 pm
Are there any refs who frequent this site? I had a question about the scrum penalties consistently going against Munster. Early in the match, Munster were awarded penalties for Biarritz wheeling the scrum.
Later of course, the penalties kept going against Munster. However, while watching the game, during a number of the scrums the Biarritz #3 failed to bind on the engagement and then collapsed. Shouldn't that have been a penalty to Munster or were Munster doing something prior to that to cause the penalty?
Beyond that, there was some shoddy reffing at the breakdown as well. Both sides on attacking ball consistently came in from the side and not through the gate.
Later of course, the penalties kept going against Munster. However, while watching the game, during a number of the scrums the Biarritz #3 failed to bind on the engagement and then collapsed. Shouldn't that have been a penalty to Munster or were Munster doing something prior to that to cause the penalty?
Beyond that, there was some shoddy reffing at the breakdown as well. Both sides on attacking ball consistently came in from the side and not through the gate.
Luxi May 03, 2010 9:23 pm
harinordoquy looks so f))king scary on the pic with his "vikingesque" nose protection !!!!
aller la france, aller toulouse, aller biarritz, aller toulon !!!!
pilou pilou !!!!! rouge et noir !!!
aller la france, aller toulouse, aller biarritz, aller toulon !!!!
pilou pilou !!!!! rouge et noir !!!
Madflyhalf May 03, 2010 10:46 pm
Ridicolous obstruction whistled in the end.
@ 2'33" you can see the ball already in JDV's hands, and BO players not yet in contact with Buckley!
ABs do this 7-10 times per match and nothing is been penalised!
Pearson can't referee anything but 13-phases-ruck rugby!!
BO deserves all of this match, cause Munster did not play for 63 minutes, but there were a lot of poor calls from the referee!
@ 2'33" you can see the ball already in JDV's hands, and BO players not yet in contact with Buckley!
ABs do this 7-10 times per match and nothing is been penalised!
Pearson can't referee anything but 13-phases-ruck rugby!!
BO deserves all of this match, cause Munster did not play for 63 minutes, but there were a lot of poor calls from the referee!
cheyanqui May 04, 2010 12:34 am
BRING OUT THE GIMP.
The Gimp's sleeping.
WELL WAKE HIM UP and tell him he's packing down at #8.
The Gimp's sleeping.
WELL WAKE HIM UP and tell him he's packing down at #8.
Toto! May 04, 2010 1:03 pm
Congratulation to BO.
BO-Leinster would have been an original final, and I would have liked that
I'm glad Flannery is out of the H Cup.
Count on Ospreys next year!
BO-Leinster would have been an original final, and I would have liked that
I'm glad Flannery is out of the H Cup.
Count on Ospreys next year!
Anonymous May 05, 2010 11:02 am
Great to see Munster out munstered.
Will someone explain why Hayes is held in such high regard. He can't scrummage, he ain't great in the loose and his defence is nothing special. I think we may see some props heading over the Irish see this summer.
Great play by Biarritz and it was nice to see O'Gara getting agitated. The guy really needs to learn to keep a lid on it.
Nice to see Balshaw is getting a good run out, great player.
Will someone explain why Hayes is held in such high regard. He can't scrummage, he ain't great in the loose and his defence is nothing special. I think we may see some props heading over the Irish see this summer.
Great play by Biarritz and it was nice to see O'Gara getting agitated. The guy really needs to learn to keep a lid on it.
Nice to see Balshaw is getting a good run out, great player.
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