Month: September 2022

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DAN McFARLAND SAYS Robbie Henshaw’s unpunished tackle on Robert Baloucoune wasn’t the decisive factor in Ulster’s Rainbow Cup defeat to Leinster, even though the in-form centre went on to score the crucial third try for the home side.

Henshaw floored Ulster wing Baloucoune with a huge tackle in the first half, which was examined by referee Mike Adamson following a captain’s challenge from Iain Henderson. 

Adamson gave the tackle a second viewing but decided against showing Henshaw a card, to Henderson’s clear disbelief. Henshaw was removed for a HIA following the incident, but returned to play a central role in Leinster’s powerful second half display, and scored the game’s decisive score as the hosts came from behind to power to a 21-17 win.

“I couldn’t hear what Mike Adamson said,” McFarland explained.

“The view that we have, it looked to me that if had been a collision with the body and then up to the head, it should have been a yellow card. However, I’m not privy to all the angles and I wasn’t watching that closely. Mike made the decision there and it is what it is.

“I don’t think it was decisive anyway, but it meant that we lost our captain’s challenge, which was disappointing.”

Overall McFarland said he was encouraged by Ulster’s performance, particularly given the manner of their defeat to Munster at Thomond Park last week.

“I’d be really happy with our defence,” he said. “The lads really got stuck in this week. They drove it themselves and I thought the effort out there was absolutely outstanding, and for a lot of that game we kept one of the best attacking sides in Europe very quiet.

“In terms of creating things I thought we probably did a better job, in terms of finishing things we definitely didn’t do a better job. 

“I thought our scrum went well, we got the try off big pressure on their ball. There were a lot of really good attacks, certainly through the middle of the park where we created a lot of opportunities, but unfortunately we couldn’t finish those off.

“There were far too many turnovers that were really of our own doing.”

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen also pinpointed his side’s accuracy as an area in which they can look to sharpen up in the coming weeks.

His team now head into two weekends off – enviously watching next Saturday’s Champions Cup final between La Rochelle and Toulouse from a distance – before taking on Glasgow and the Dragons.

“I thought the scramble was good, defensively. Ulster came out wounded I guess,” Cullen said.

“You knew they would after their last few weeks. We knew it was going to be a real tough, physical battle out there today.

“I thought the intent was good, we probably just lacked a bit of accuracy and a number of facets of the game, but it’s a good win against a team that we knew would be highly motivated. 

“Overall, it’s a good win. Ulster were pretty motivated. A bit frustrating from our end, we scored our third try around 60 minutes in, so still a good 20 minutes to go and we can’t quite kick on.

“Our accuracy levels left us down, so unfortunately we weren’t quite good enough today. I think the effort was good but accuracy definitely needs work.”

Source: The42 Rugby Weekly/SoundCloud

Bernard Jackman, Garry Doyle and Gavan Casey discuss the interpros and, inspired by new Ospreys signing Jack Regan, the need for Irish rugby to expand its methods for producing talent.

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6/25/19 WWE Smackdown Viewership

September 30, 2022 | News | No Comments

Smackdown this week drew 1,921,000 viewers, up 36,000 viewers from last week’s broadcast. It’s the third week in a row that the show failed to pass the two million viewer mark. The show was #1 in the top 50 cable chart among the 18-49 demographic and #8 in the overall viewership for the night on cable.
(Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
click here for the 2019 Wrestling TV Viewership gridClick Here: Palestine soccer tracksuit

In an interview with Sporting News, Roman Reigns said that he wants the fans to react to him however they want, because he’s going to perform the way he wants and do it for them. Here are highlights:
On how the fans react: “I want the fans to do what they want to do. I want to do what I want to do and that’s perform for them. That’s the relationship. That’s what’s so beautiful about our entertainment: We do it together. It’s not like we make it, we work on it, we send it out. No. We make it with the audience. As long as they are achieving what they set out to do when they come to these shows and that’s to have a good time, to get lost in it – whether it’s cheering or booing – as long as you’re having an emotional connection, that’s all I care about because I don’t want you to pay your money and then come here and sit on your hands,” Reigns added. “I want you to go nuts whether it’s in a good or a bad way. I want you to go crazy and have a great time and disconnect from the world and escape with us.”
On his personal story getting involved in storylines: “For me, it rearranged my perspective because I still enjoy creating. I love to go out there and tell a story through wrestling and sports entertainment, but we’re in a place now where we’re not just performers. We are people. I’ve always wanted to have just a little more of a purpose than just being that entertainer and I think now with my story and the things I’ve gone through, people can connect with me and they can see where I’m coming from and the struggles I’ve been through and it gives them a little better taste of the person I am. If they can connect with Joe a little more than Roman, then I think I’m doing a better job at my career and my life than I was before.”
On letting the world about his leukemia: “With my career, being a bit of a polarizing character, you just never know how people are going to take it. And, on top of that, it’s my personal business. Like everyone else, I have the right to my privacy, but I think, in my head, with all the support that I have received and even with, beforehand, a crazy, polarizing reaction, there were still so many supporters, so many people that have always had my back and always had my best interest out for me and have been by my side. When a lot of people were hating and talking down on me, those people were backing me up. I just felt like it was my responsibility to let them know what was going on. That way, they didn’t have to make their own assumptions. They didn’t have to buy into the rumors or the dirt sheets or whatever anyone is saying. They just hear it from me and they know, ‘Alright guys, this is what’s going on with me.’ It’s been a bit of something I’ve already gone through and I never felt the need to share it, but I want you to know that I’m going to be fine.’”Click Here: vodacom bulls rugby jersey

Bischoff Confirms He’s Moving to Connecticut

September 28, 2022 | News | No Comments

On the latest edition of 83 Weeks, Eric Bischoff discussed his new job as Executive Director of Smackdown. He called the job the “great opportunity I’ve had in this industry,” described the job as “23/7”, and confirmed that he will be moving to Connecticut. He and Conrad Thompson also confirmed that 83 Weeks will continue in the same format with no changes, but that the 83 Weeks Live shows will come to an end. Highlights are below.
On the response he has gotten to the announcement of his new job with WWE: “First of all, I want to say thank you, I’m overwhelmed with the support and positive response that I got on social media after WWE made the announcement that I’ll be joining the team and getting involved with Smackdown. The amount of response I got, I knew I’d get response, I knew it would probably be a lot, but I was absolutely overwhelmed by the nature of that response and how positive it was and the sheer volume of it all. I think people are really excited.”
On understanding the magnitude of the opportunity he has: “The magnitude of this opportunity and the challenge and the commitment that goes along with it is not lost on me. There’s been a couple of times over the last few days where I’ve been driving around on my truck or taking my dog for a hike and I’m like, ‘Wow.’ This may be, it’s not may be, this is the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had in this industry. Granted, when Bill Shaw made me president of WCW, obviously that was a very big moment. But I was learning on the job there. I had nothing to lose there. I was taking a company in WCW that had never turned a dollar of profit, that was such a distant number two to WWF at that time that we weren’t even really number two. A company that was fraught with a bad history and all kinds of internal issues, so I had nothing to lose. In this situation, this is an entirely different ballgame here. This is a very sophisticated company in WWE. There is a great team already in place. They’re moving the Smackdown show to FOX Network which is obviously going to have a lot of eyeballs on it in every way. So the magnitude of the opportunity is not lost on me.
On when he will be moving to Connecticut: “I’m honored, I’m humbled, and I cannot express even here, because this is a different kind of excitement for me. I haven’t felt this way in, maybe in forever, but at least 20 years. This is a whole different ballgame. Honestly, Laurie and I, and my dog Nikki, we’re going to load up our truck and we’re headed out to Stamford, probably on the 10th or 11th of July, I mean literally we’re going out there with the clothes on our back and some of it in boxes and we’re starting over from scratch and I’ve never been more excited. The opportunity at this stage in my life and in my career to be able to make a move like this is so, it’s not, exciting doesn’t cover it, it’s thrilling, and I just can’t wait.”
“This is not a remote control kind of opportunity. This is a deep dive. This is, I’m sure, a 23/7 kind of gig. This is not something I can do on my laptop remotely. This is the real deal.”
On if 83 Weeks will be ending: “Oh hell no! Hell no. That was one of the things I was most concerned about going into this, because I love doing this show. And Conrad, I know a lot of people jokingly said ‘Oh, he’s the kingmaker, if you want to get a job in wrestling, just do a podcast with Conrad Thompson.’ It’s not quite that easy, but I think you’ve, couple things that have happened as a result of this podcast. One, you’ve given me the opportunity to go back and look at these shows and discuss all this stuff and even in my own mind, been able to look at things from an entirely different perspective than I ever had, as a result of doing this show. I feel more energized about the industry as a result of doing this show. And I think both of those things probably had some impact, hard to quantify it, but probably had some impact on this entire process. It’s a lot easier for me now to get as excited as I am about the product as a result of sitting around and talking about it with you two or three hours every week for the last year or so. It did have a factor, just reengaging to the extent that we have has really helped me a lot. And that was important. And I have fun doing this, I have fun when you bust my balls, I just have fun doing it, and it was really important to me, I really was hoping that I didn’t have to give up this opportunity.”Click Here: brisbane lions jersey

RAW RESULTS FOR JUNE 10, 2019 FROM SAN JOSE, CA

September 27, 2022 | News | No Comments

 
We are just 13 days away from Stomping Grounds and 72 hours removed from Super ShowDown. What will happen when Raw goes on the air live from the SAP Center? This is “The Real Deal” Billy Rouse, and you are entering the RAW Zone!
 
The show starts with BURN IT DOWN and Seth Rollins comes out with steel chair in hand!
SUPER SHOWDOWN RECAP: Universal Championship Match
Rollins has a microphone. He feels alive tonight. The locker room has three choices: outwrestle Seth, fight him for it or try the hard way. Ask Brock Lesnar how that turns out. Super ShowDown felt pretty good to Rollins. Corbin’s music hits as he comes out. Here Rollins is talking about Lesnar again. MASSIVE f*** you chant from the crowd. Corbin says he’s the best thing San Jose has going on. After Stomping Grounds, Baron Corbin will be the new Universal Champion. Corbin claims John Cone cost him the match. The Stomping Grounds match will have a guest referee chosen by Corbin. Seth asks who the ref is, as Corbin’s own dog doesn’t even like him. Sami Zayn’s music hits as he comes out and says he’s on Team Corbin. Zayn says being Universal Champion isn’t good for Seth. It would be better for Seth, Raw & the fans if Baron Corbin was Universal Champion. Seth asks if there’s anything in it for Sami. Seth talks crap and asks who has Zayn’s back. Cue Kevin Owens. KO defends Zayn & Corbin. Rollins challenges Owens to do something about it. Seth asks the fans. Massive pop. Seth goes up the ramp.
 
Lars Sullivan’s music hits as we get ready for a handicap elimination match, next!
 
HANDICAP ELIMINATION MATCH
Lars Sullivan VS Lucha House Party
Kalisto starts off. Springboard front dropkick, slam, pinfall. Lince Dorado is next. Kicking the knees, attempted hurricanrana, running Liger Bomb, pinfall. Gran Metalik is last. Metalik tried and fails to get him. Modified powerbomb. Kalisto got gorilla press slammed onto the steps outside. Metalik planted and is pulled up after a two. Dorado tries and gets punked. Top rope shoulder attack pins Metalik.
 
Winner via pinfall: Lars Sullivan
 
Backstage Fabulous Truth is chased into an elevator. Cameras catch someone passing gas in the elevator. Backstage Lacey Evans, Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins are shown backstage. A live interview is next.
 
Live Interview: Michael Col with Lacey Evans & Becky Lynch
Cole wants to start with Lynch but Evans interrupts. Lynch brings up Evans submitting at MITB. Lacey won’t stop until she gets what she wants. Costing Lynch the SD Title pissed Becky off. Evans says what drives Lynch is fear. Evans says she will be Champion.
 
Backstage with Alexa & Nikki. Alexa says Bayley is a manipulator and has done that since NXT. Bliss asks asks Nikki to be in her corner tonight.
 
Miz’s music hits, and it’s time for MizTV! The special guest is United States Champion Samoa Joe!
FATHER’S DAY VIDEO WITH MIZ & MONROE MIZANIN.
 
SUPER SHOWDOWN RECAP VIDEO
 
Miz welcomes us and introduces his guest, Samoa Joe. Joe interrupts Miz and claims Rey Mysterio stole his title and he was given an opportunity to win it back. Miz calls out Joe on his behavior. Miz tells Joe not to involve a man’s family unless he wants to get called out. Joe decides he wants to involve Miz’s family, but Braun Strowman comes out and challenges Joe for a fight. Lashley’s music hits and he comes out. Lashley says he’s not done with Braun. Lashley references the TNA history of him & Joe. Ricochet comes out and challenges for the US Title. Cesaro comes out and sucker punches Ricochet. A six way brawl breaks out. Strowman, Ricochet & Miz standing tall as we go to break.
 
SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
Braun Strowman, Ricochet & Miz VS Samoa Joe, Cesaro & Bobby Lashley
Strowman beats on Joe & Lashley. Miz tags in. Joe tags in and mails Miz. Cesaro tags in and crossfaces Miz. Ricochet tags in. Springboard clothesline, flying crossbody, sweep. Fosbury Flop to the outside on Cesaro. Cesaro tags in. Side headlock, Hurricanrana, two count. Lashley tags in. Irish whip, step up enziguiri. Miz tags in for a springboard. Corner kicks to Lashley, trio of running double knees. DDT duo and the double It Kicks on Cesaro & Lashley. Lashley hits a flatliner and tags Joe in. Back senton gets a two. Strowman breaks the pin up. Cesaro Swing on Miz. Cesaro fizzy as he goes for the sharpshooter. Ricochet breaks the submission up. Strowman tags in. Shoulder tackles set up the barricade collision. Club to the chest gets a two thanks to Joe. Joe set up for a powerslam. Samoa Joe grabs the US Title and runs. Uppercut gets a 2 by Cesaro. Neutralizer countered into the Skull Crushing Finale. Ricochet tags in and the 630 gets the pin.
Winners via pin: Ricochet, Miz & Strowman
 
Cesaro is helped to the back
 
backstage interview with Charly Caruso & Baron Corbin. Sami Zayn interrupts
 
Becky Lynch’s music hits and it’s Women’s Division Tag team action!
 
SUPER SHOWDOWN RECAP: Mansoor wins the 51 man battle royal
 
CHAMPIONS VS CHALLENGERS
Becky Lynch & Bayley VS Lacey Evans & Alexa Bliss w/Nikki Cross
Bayley & Bliss start out. Sliding forearm gets a two. Slam and a one. Evans tags in. Two count on Bayley. Another two. Lynch tags in and swarms Evans. Kick and Bliss tags in. Flying forearm, Bexploder countered. Lynch & Bayley knock down Evans. Alexa misses the standing moonsault. Evans tags in and grounds Lynch. Evans thrown. Becky eats the turnbuckle and gets pinned for a two. Lacey goes flying outside. Lacey blocks a tag. Evans eats a trio of strikes. Swinging neckbreaker by Evans for a two. Evans goes for a springboard moonsault and misses. Bayley & Bliss tag in. Corner kick to Bliss. Two count, Evans breaks up the pin. A pair of Woman’s Rights leads to Twisted Bliss being countered. Evans tags in and a third Woman’s Right puts Bayley away.
WINNERS VIA PIN: Lacey Evans & Alexa Bliss
 
Backstage Shane is on the phone and Sami Zayn interrupts. Corbin suggested it. Zayn wants to be the outside referee tonight for the main event. Shane does it.
 
Paul Heyman is introduced in ring. He talks about being disturbed by the level of hostility between Lesnar & Rollins. Lesnar could beat Rollins for the belt any day, but will beat Rollins every day. Heyman says Seth is a thug and not a worthy Universal Champion. Heyman & Lesnar are no longer willing to let us know when they are cashing in. Heyman talks his crap. He hints at Lesnar guaranteeing a beating that will violate the PG era.
 
In the elevator, conversation continues. Arguments are over chasing Truth.
 
The Iiconics’ music hits, and they come out to the ring. Iiconics say they will defend their belts against San Jose’s finest.
 
WOMENS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Iiconics VS Lisa Lace & Aliyah Mia
Billie Kay hits a big boot and beats her opponent down. Royce with a kick as she tags in. Double team for the squash win.
Winners: The Iiconics
 
SSD RECAP: Shane McMahon VS Roman Reigns
 
Postmatch interview with Byron Saxton & Roman Reigns.
 
in ring the setup for a celebration is being erected.
 
The elevator camera captures another segment.
 
Drew McIntyre’s music hits, followed by Shane’s as they make their way to the ring. Shane talks about growing up in the WWE and calls Roman Reigns a future hall of Famer. Shane lists Reigns’ accomplishments. Shane talks about SSD. Roman shouldn’t be ashamed, his best wasn’t good enough. Shane puts McIntyre over now, saying Drew helped him immensely. McIntyre says he’s going to hurt, maim & humiliate Roman. He is going to render Reigns physically unrecognizable. Shane wants to celebrate and pours some champagne. Shane drinks his out of his trophy.
 
Shane introduces the Revival.
 
Revival go to drink some bubbly, but Shane stops them.
 
Tag Team Championship action is next!
 
Backstage interview with Charly Caruso, Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins
 
RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TRIPLE THREAT
Revival VS The Uso’s VS Hawkins & Ryder
Ryder starts with Dawson. Tag into Jey Uso. Lockups and a two. Hawkins tags in for a two. Wilder tags. Dawson tags in. Jimmy flies and a two. Samoan Drop gets a two. Jimmy runs into a punch for a two. Ryder tags in. Rough Ryder leads to a Superkick Party. Splash connects, but Dawson tagged in for the pin.
Winners and new Raw Tag Team Champions, The Revival
 
Charly Caruso interview with Seth Rollins backstage
 
In the elevator, a discussion on marriage is taking place. The elevator finally opens and a brawl ensues, ending with Fabulous Truth going back in the elevator.
 
Up next, we visit the Firefly Fun House!
Bray says hello in Japanese to start. Mercy is trying to eat the bunny again. Bray asks if he wants the Fiend, Mercy is scared of the Fiend. Rambling Rabbit is smashed by Bray Wyatt. Wyatt asks if Rabbit is okay, but no answer.
 
BURN IT DOWN hits, and it’s main event time!
 
Seth Rollins VS Kevin Owens with outside referee Sami Zayn
Zayn checks both wrestlers. The bell rings and we’re underway. Wrist lock and Owens gets to the ropes. Single leg attempt countered. Wrist lock on Rollins. Seth reverses and crucifix pins KO for two. Owens kicking Seth in the corner. Pendulum dropkick on Owens. Rollins gets put into the barricade ribs first and clotheslined. Bow and arrow submission by KO. Seth is getting punished, but kicks out at one. Hammer across the ribs. Owens gets Seth on his shoulders. Seth counters and hits a Slingblade. KO hits the ribs, but the senton Bomb is countered. Rollins goes to fly, gets hit. Kick series leads to a step-up enziguiri. Zayn comes in to check out KO. Owens rolls up Seth for two. Suicide dive to Owens, Burn it Down Stomp. Zayn pulls out the referee at two. Seth grabs Zayn and Zayn immediately calls for the bell to disqualify Rollins.
Winner via DQ: Kevin Owens
postmatch, Corbin, Zayn & Owens beat down Seth Rollins. Corbin grabs a chair, but Seth grabs it and clobbers Zayn with it several times. Seth finally snaps and wears Sami Zayn out with the chair, strips the stripes off Zayn and finally hits the Burn it Down Stomp while glaring at Baron Corbin. The show goes off the air with Seth standing tall.
 
My Thoughts: overall a killer show. Seth Rollins captures that deranged mindset in a way I’ve seen only Jimmy Jacobs, Steve Austin & HHH do. Not sure what Bray Wyatt is being set up for. Personally, I’m gonna love seeing the possibilities for a Nikki Cross/Alexa Bliss feud after the current angle. Very reminiscent of Alexa & Nia Jax. For Steve Gerweck & the rest of the site, this is “The Real Deal” Billy Rouse. Goodnight!Click Here: laois gaa jerseys

Filed to GERWECK.NET:
Celebrating their 400th episode in a major way, The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling welcomes WWE Hall of Famer and founding member of the Four Horseman, “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson. In one of his only interviews since departing the WWE in March, Double A takes to the airwaves to give Chad and John the lowdown on his post WWE career and what may be next for what could be the final chapter in his 37 year career. The full episode can be downloaded at this link.
Full Episode Download Link:
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/tmptow/episodes/2019-06-11T06_10_30-07_00

Arn Anderson On His Future In Wrestling: “Right Now I Am Legally Bound To WWE”

PLEASE CREDIT CHAD & JP OF THE TWO MAN POWER TRIP OF WRESTLING FOR THIS TRANSCRIPTION
The impact of AEW’s Double or Nothing:
“I was in Vegas. I was there. I was in the green room when the AEW guys were all in there talking about this and that and the other and you could just see the excitement on these kids faces and you could see the leadership roles taken up by Cody Rhodes. Cody was just a kid and I’ve known Cody since before he was born and to see him in that role and in this company which does remind me of JCP (Jim Crockett Promotions) from back in the day because everyone is so excited to go out and perform for the audience. If you don’t feel good about what is going on with AEW and the impact it has had on the business you are a fool and that’s it.”
The vibe of the environment:
“I wasn’t at the show. I was there doing some signings and I did a stage show that I did with Tony Schiavone (which was absolutely awesome) and I didn’t go to the show because I didn’t want anybody coming up because make no mistake about it, I do not work for AEW, we haven’t had that discussion as of yet and not to say I wouldn’t be honored somewhere down the road to be offered a position with those guys, we just haven’t had that conversation because quite frankly, I am legally bound to a non-disclosure agreement and for a few more months I am going to be still on a severance package. I can’t talk to anybody about anything as far as going forward but with that being said I was so excited for them that I might as well have been working for them because I was pulling for them every step of the way and they paid it off.”
Does Cody remind him of Dusty at all:
“I think he is easy to be around as was Dusty. Dusty Rhodes was a huge star and to this day I am star-struck even thinking about him much less being in his presence and I think Cody has star quality, I think he has quality of the heart and that he has matured and he is going to take those things that his Dad taught him before he passed and they are going to become something meaningful now whereas they were just words at the time. I think he is going to go back re-think about the life lessons that he got from his Dad and from his older brother to be honest with you. Dustin Rhodes is very mature in this business and he is a very smart man and he came up in a rough way and let me put it to you this way; when you are Dusty Rhodes’ kid it is a horrible shadow to step in to, number two you’ve already got heat because your Dad is the booker and people think you are getting a free ride. Well, he didn’t get a free ride the kid earned his way along and he became really good and it is going to pay off for him and it is going to pay off for Cody but do I think that either one of them want to be their Dad or want to be like their Dad? Not necessarily. They both want to be their own men and they are being their own men and I am proud of both of them.”
Cody using Dusty’s “view never changes” promo following his match at Double or Nothing:
“Awesome. That was special. The people remember and you can go back to it if you do it in a tasteful way whether it is being negative or positive and addressing something that someone said, a promo that stuck through time and to go back to that people will know exactly what you are talking about and those that ask, somebody will be glad to tell them and I think that’s the part of the industry that has been missing the last ten or fifth teen years for sure the last five and it is building something that lasts. Other than putting television on the air because you are financially obligated to a network and they are paying you a lot of money, put something out there that people would rather remember and put something out there where they are going to feel something about one way or the other and that is going to have a memory that lasts for twenty years.”
For this and every other episode of The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling please subscribe to us on iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Podomatic, and Player FM. You can now get The Triple Threat Podcast featuring “The Franchise” Shane Douglas exclusively by joining Vince Russo’s The Brand by visiting www.russosbrand.com. Follow our shows on Twitter @TwoManPowerTrip, @rasslinpal & @The3ThreatPodClick Here: melbourne storm team jersey

LA ROCHELLE MIGHT not have to wait too long for another crack at Toulouse or another shot at winning silverware.

When the disappointment of yesterday’s Champions Cup final defeat in Twickenham begins to fade, Ronan O’Gara and co. will be able to focus on another trophy hunt as they go after their first-ever Top 14 title.

La Rochelle currently sit second in the table with two regular-season games left and will hope to secure a semi-final spot with wins over Pau and Clermont in the next two weekends, meaning they would avoid the barrages round of the knock-out stages.

Toulouse are leading the Top 14 right now, just a point ahead of O’Gara and Jono Gibbes’ men, so they could well end up in another final together on Friday 25 June. 

It would be intriguing to see the pair of heavyweights go to battle again and this time perhaps with 15 men each for the duration of the game. Yesterday in London, Levani Botia’s first-half red card was obviously a huge blow to La Rochelle’s chances.

They were still well within a shout of winning and pushed Toulouse all the way to the final whistle of their 22-17 defeat, leaving eight points behind them off the tee as out-half Ihaia West missed some kickable chances. They also gave away a few cheap penalties that allowed Romain Ntamack to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the victors.

Had Botia remained on the pitch, it’s not hard to imagine that La Rochelle would have a first European star to their name. It wasn’t to be yesterday but O’Gara’s level-headed post-match interviews boded well for the club bouncing back in the short-term and beyond.

O’Gara clearly understands that the best is yet ahead of La Rochelle, a club that has been on an irresistible rise in recent years. They were selling out their 16,000-capacity stadium for every single game before the pandemic struck and we can be certain that those crowds will flock back to Stade Marcel Deflandre again next season.

O’Gara consoles his players at Twickenham. Source: James Crombie/INPHO

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There is a great sense of community about Stade Rochelais as a club, with the scenes around their win over Leinster in the semi-final and as they departed La Rochelle this week to fly to London highlighting just how fanatical their supporters are. 

Filling the stadium every other weekend helps pay the salaries of La Rochelle’s undoubtedly star-littered squad. The likes of Will Skelton, Uini Atonio, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brice Dulin, Dillin Leyds, and Raymond Rhule are top-class players who will continue to drive the standards that O’Gara sets. 

The Irishman will certainly see scope for improving his squad with further investment. Powerful Stade Français centre Jonathan Danty is set to join this summer while there will be several other new arrivals. O’Gara has already enticed one fellow Munster man to La Rochelle in the shape of Darren Sweetnam, while James Cronin has also been linked with a move to the Top 14 side.

O’Gara is a hands-on coach who also believes he can improve the quality of performances from the players he already has in La Rochelle. He and Gibbes, who departs for Clermont this summer to leave O’Gara as the main man in charge, have spent lots of time improving the squad spirit and culture over the last year. 

O’Gara is of the view that a good vibe will always result in better individual showings, while he will also back his technical and tactical coaching to improve these already excellent players.

With a strong budget and a passionate club president in the longstanding Vincent Merling, La Rochelle is a club that now has very solid foundations and big ambitions to push on to the next level of being consistent contenders and trophy winners.

Managing the disappointment of losing a final and having to bounce back quickly – they face Pau next Saturday – will be another new challenge for them but even if this season doesn’t end with a Top 14 title, it will go down as a major step forward for the club.

There’s no reason why they won’t be back in contention on both fronts again next season and O’Gara’s decision to sign a three-year contract until 2024 shows that he can see plenty of scope for further growth.

La Rochelle are still chasing the Top 14 title. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

He has obvious ambitions of coaching Ireland in the future but O’Gara’s decision to stay put in France for the next few years makes total sense. He will find it hard not to see yesterday as a massive chance that slipped away but this is really just the beginning for him as a head coach.

With Gibbes heading for the exit and soon to be a rival in Clermont, O’Gara gets even more control next season. The signs so far indicate that he will make plenty of shrew decisions.

ROG and La Rochelle are here to stay. 

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New tag team champions crowned on Raw

September 25, 2022 | News | No Comments

Zack Ryder’s and Curt Hawkins’ tag team title reign came to an end as the duo lost their Raw Tag Team titles yesterday on Raw in only their second televised title defense since winning them at WrestleMania.
It was The Revival who beat Ryder and Hawkins last night in a match that also included The Usos. This is The Revival’s second title reign after they lost them to Ryder and Hawkins at WrestleMania 35 in April.
The title win for Ryder and Hawkins didn’t do much for them and they only defended their titles once on TV the night after WrestleMania where they beat The Revival in their rematch.Click Here: UK football tracksuit

1. WWE Raw Women’s Championship Match
Becky Lynch (c) defeated Lacey Evans
2. WWE Raw Tag Team Championship Match
The Revival (c) vs. The Usos (No Contest)
3. Eight-Man Tag Team Match
Curt Hawkins, Zack Ryder, and The Usos defeated The Revival and The Viking Raiders
4. WWE United States Championship – Triple Threat Match
Ricochet (c) defeated AJ Styles and Cesaro
5. Six-Man Tag Team Match
EC3, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows defeated The Lucha House Party
6. Naomi and Natalya defeated Sarah Logan and Tamina
7. WWE Universal Championship Match
Seth Rollins (c) (w/Becky Lynch) defeated Baron Corbin (w/Lacey Evans)Click Here: south sydney rabbitohs rugby store

The popular Steve Austin Show podcast will be returning next week with a new episode on PodcastOne.com featuring AEW President Tony Khan.
The Rattlesnake has been on hiatus for several months and hasn’t done a new show in quite a while, with “classic” interviews airing weekly rather than new episodes.
But on June 18, the former WWE champion will return behind the microphone for a one-on-one interview with Tony Khan, the huge wrestling fan who now runs his own promotion All Elite Wrestling. “We talk #AEWDoN and all things pro wrestling,” Austin wrote on Twitter promoting the show.
You can listen to the Steve Austin Show at https://www.podcastone.com/Steve-Austin-Show.Click Here: Military Working Dogs Stamps 2019