Harlequins
Preview: Harlequins vs Northampton
By Wyddy
September 11 2013
Squib : A squib is a miniature explosive device that resembles a tiny stick of dynamite. Usually very consistent apart when dry, if they are exposed to the elements they can attract moisture and become... damp
Damp Quib : A failure to meet expectation... Which pretty much sums up last weekends performance at the LDH.
The explosive anticipation was there, bolstered as it was by a few ales watching a clinical yet unadventurous Sarries roll over a timid London Irish side. Of note however for watching Quins fans was just how well Sarries operated off the back of the new scrum laws. Bringing backs into play off the No8 and a few old school bullocking runs straight off the back of the pack. No substitute for hard work and practice... and that’s something Saracens won’t lack.
However with everything lined up for a dynamite game of quality between two sides packed with talent, it was as if someone spilled their pint on the squib for first Quins and then after 2 minutes for Wasps as well. The Pests started well with Varndell just tapping back their kick off, rampaging runs by Sam Jones and Guy Thompson made the holes. Mike Brown pulled of a wondrous tackle on Jones as he was through dragging him down like a lion on the back of a black and yellow zebra, but Jones managed a superb offload and Launchberry ambled through to score under the posts. All in under a minute.
Game on! Or so we thought. The rest of the first half became turgid as both sides defended stubbornly and Quins in particular struggled to ignite any breaks through phase play which swung both left and right. With Care prompting to good effect Quins put 3 pts on the board however then Evans fluffed a couple of shots which you can only guess a certain other Kiwi may have slotted. However NEv wasn’t having a dreadful game, some choice dinks over defence and general passing was sound against an obdurate Wasps defence. George Lowe saved the game for Quins with a diving tap tackle at the end of the first half as Varndell accelerated to the touch line having left Easter and the industrious Robson in the dust.
With Evans finding his range in the early part of the second half Quins pulled themselves back into contention, and although quality was short, Karl Dickson carried on where Danny Care had left off and managed to create some space and dive through after yet another period of sustained uninspired phase play. Whilst criticising our own lack of invention it has to be said that Wasps also showed very little in the second half until stung by the converted try. As so often happens Quins began to sit back and Wasps pushed forward for the converted try for the win, turning down a couple of pots at goal to eventually scramble over with their other lock scoring in the corner. Up stepped the otherwise impressive Goode and fortunately for Quins he pinged it off the post. 16-15 Quins. Jammy.
A few things to take from the game were the performances of George Robson, he stood out well as the senior member in the 2nd row, guiding young Merrick along, also showing up well in the loose. Up front Collier didn’t let us down and Marler had a signficant advantage over Cooper-Woolley, however Gray lacked penetration in the loose and had little impact other than a solid line out throw. Unfortunately the much requested back row of Wallace, Robshaw and Easter didn’t have the dramatic impact that was hoped for, whilst a lot of graft was performed, gainline busting was at a minimum.
The backs were uninspired, DC and Dicko excepted, JTH had a game to forget and has unfortunately given his detractors more ammunition, however he wasn’t helped by the lack of direction from 10 or the errors that appeared to afflict everyones games. One major change that needs to happen rapidly is the replacement of Sackey until he is at least fit and ready to step up. Seeing him coming inside to hide at the side of rucks was disappointing, he managed to keep his side quiet but offered very little to nothing in attack and was shown up out of position on a number of occasions. Lets let him learn the way we play and in the meantime give an opportunity to one of our youngsters, Charlie Walker I’m looking at you, to try and inject some pace. That all being said putting one of the kids up against North maybe doing them no favours. George Lowe however showed signs that his sharpness is back, with that one revenging tackle on Varndell at full stretch particularly impressive, hopefully banishing some of the demons from last years LDH, however Quins again lacked creativity in the middle without Hopper, the midfield conundrum remains for Conor.
Coming up this Friday evening, after starting like a freight train, are Northampton Saints. They demolished Exeter Chiefs at Franklin Gardens in the first half with some clinical finishing rugby. Exeter made a decent fist of it in the second half but the game had already gone away from them by then.
Of note for Saints were the performances of Sam Dickinson and former bosh merchant, Luther Burrell. Dickinson had a fine game at No8 for Saints, finally having recovered from an arm injury and showed Saints have yet another bullocking, aggressive baby eater in their arsenal. Burrell showed he’s learnt a few things since he was considered in the same mould as our own Turner-Hall, firing out long passes and some searing pace to set up a couple of tries. Another one knocking on the door of the England squad, Lancaster certainly seems to have his options at centre.
Saints new signings had a fairly easy intro to the season, hardly having to get out of 2nd gear, however North showed what he’s all about with a break in the first half and Quins will need a solid unit up against him on the wing which may spare Sackey the axe. Corbisiero coped well with the new scrum rules which should be right up his alley and was withdrawn once the job was done, presumably to save him for a tussle with Collier. My tip for signing of the season also made an appearance for Saints last season, little Fotuali’I came on in the second half and I hope he will be on the bench again this Friday as this kid has serious gas and a great step.
Saints will come at us with a massive physical challenge, with monsters like Lawes, Manoa and aggressive players like Hartley, Clark and the aforementioned Dickinson the contact area is going to be hostile and Quins will have to show some mettle. The breakdown will be an intriguing place to watch, if Quins are unchanged there could be as many as three potential England openside flankers competing for ball. Tom Wood had a great game against Exeter barring his little dance of the kneecap which went a little close to an Exeter players head, and he will combine with, I would imagine – Callum Clark, to attempt to snaffle Quins ball.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lancaster at this game with all the potential England squadmembers on show, add to that the duel of the full backs that will be taking place once more as Mike Brown goes up against an in-form and injury free, Ben Foden. Foden looked back to his best in the game against Exeter, Quins will need to keep their kicking to touch tight and reduce the amount of free ball to a dangerous Saints back three.
An area where there could be a weakness would be Saints 9/10 channel. Dickson didn’t have the best of seasons last year and has fallen off the radar for England, whilst Myler now has to deal with being the recognised fly half for Saints with no real back up on the bench. Quins need to put serious pressure on Myler, get some big ball carriers heading at him and test that confidence, the chance for disrupting Saints ball to their centres and wings has to be cut out at source.
Quins will make few changes to the team that produced that stolid performance against Wasps, with only perhaps Tom Casson coming in for An error prone, Jordan Turner-Hall and possibly Fa’asavalu coming in at the expense of Wallace to provide a more aggressive ball carrying option at 6. Ben Botica excelled during the reserves game on Monday and is putting some serious pressure on the previously messiah-like, Evans, the young pretender is widely regarded as the best kicker in the Quins squad. Not to mention that his big game nerves have been tested and not found wanting, he is a serious contender for game time this Friday. Sackey will most likely get another chance to impress in quarters, however he needs to put in a big shift to impress after his debut. Similar story for Mr Gray as well, if he continues in the same vein then look for Rob Buchanan to come on early doors in the second half and add a bit more power carrying optionality to the Quins front three.
Saints have recently found the Stoop a difficult place to come and Friday will be a good contest, if Saints can get quick ball to their wings and break the gain line with return ball the same way they did against Exeter, then Quins will struggle. Quins need to put a focus on physical confrontation and hope that Saints well known lack of a Plan B crops up again, the disruption of their quick ball is key as is minimising giving away ball to their pacey back 3. However more than anything Quins will just be looking to play their normal game and avoid the errors that so disrupted their plans last weekend.
On the basis that Quins won’t play that badly again and Saints may be a bit cocky... Quins by 5pts, Botica to come on and make sure of the win in the last 20.
COYQ!!!!
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1) As you said, pressurise their 9-10 axis. Is Fotuali'i fit, as he is better than Dickson, but even an off form Nev is better than Myler and Care looks to be continuing his form. Our backrow should look to trouble their HBs in attack and if we play Mo we can test them on defence with him and Care.
2) saints have a big pack as always. Our maul defence needs to be on form
3) let's not panic
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:09:11:19:55:02 by Quinky Kin.
COYQ!
By the way.. it's Manoa not Samoa, easy mistake, still hear Saints supporters getting it mixed up. Dickson/Myler... under estimate them if you like, but they are much better than a lazy media give them credit for. As for a backup to Myler, we have NZ's Glenn Dickson, Otago's ex captain, and James Wilson, formerly of the Highlanders and the Chiefs plus Chukka Kahn who's played 10 Internatonally for Samoa.
It has the makings of a superb game, as most of them are between our two sides. There is a lot to admire about Quins and your side is rightly respected. If the Saints of last weekend turn up, you'll have your hands full, as no doubt we will if your side play nearer it's normal capacity.
I wondered if Kahn had played 10, certainly has the skillset. Thanks for the info on the info on Dickson and Wilson, will be interesting to see them play if they get game time.
Here's to an entertaining game and some blistering rugby from both sides.
COYQ!
I'm frankly nervous having seen Saints form and agree this is a key game for our season. I hope we see some great rugby!
COYQ!
We may not have played that well on saturday but we beat a good Wasps side who we had two close games with last season. Wasps will run plenty of sides close this season and Adams park will be a tough place to go.
Another way to look at Saturday is rather than we were poor and look doomed, we did not play well but managed to grind out a tough win. I think somtimes we can get a bit carried away. We are still a very good side who most teams will not fancy playing.
COYQ!
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
"WILL YOU PLEASE SIT DOWN!"
Thank you.
Saints by enough.
"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."
-- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:09:12:17:32:31 by Paul Flatt.
"
I’m really looking forward to my trip to Twickenham this week; we will travel with high expectations and it’ll feel good to be back on the road with the Saints. I hope the journey down is a little less arduous than the last time I visited The Stoop when the four-hour slog through evening rush hour traffic had us keeping an eye on our watches and an ear on the travel bulletins.
On that balmy night in 2010 there wasn’t a Mighty Quin in sight as Saints strolled into town and secured the Amlin trophy. My little girl was lucky enough to be the mascot that evening, and was very excited running out onto the pitch, hand in hand, with her idol Bruce Reihana. I was equally beside myself, as child minder, with access to the players tunnel immediately before kick off. What has always stayed with me from that evening is the intensity of the players in those minutes before the whistle goes. Running off the pitch drenched in sweat after their “warm up” and the palpable tension as they steeled themselves in the tunnel to do battle. It was a fascinating insight and I imagine there will be the same intensity on Friday evening as these two “top four” clubs face each other once again.
Saints failings against the other title contenders, during the regular season last term has been well documented and it is something that needs to be addressed if we are to secure a comfortable top four finish. Quins on Friday evening would be a fantastic venue for The Saints to prize that particular primate from their backs.
Harlequins and Saints have been there or thereabouts for the past few seasons with Saints making the last four play-offs and Quins making three out of the past five, including their win in the final in 2012. They also did the double over the Saints last time around but ran out of steam during the second half of the season and failed to secure the home semi-final that had looked nailed-on. Who knows, perhaps the international calls that come with domestic success had an impact.
There will be potential match-ups all over the field this Friday with England contenders Dickson v Care, Foden v Brown and Burrell v Turner-Hall all possibly going head to head. The most fascinating of course is Woody v Robshaw with not only an England place at stake but also the captaincy. Doran-Jones up against his former teammates will be interesting too!
Quins have a great balance of youth and experience and in Luke Wallace have a real diamond that looks ready to really break through and ultimately take on the mantle of club captain. Joe Marler has grown on me and become so much more than a mere pantomime villain with a silly haircut and an easy line in sledging. His performances over the summer with England marked him out as being full of potential and a real threat.
However, in the event of a Nick Evans injury, Ben Botica will need to show far more than Rory Clegg seemed capable of last season, if Quins are to be championship contenders once again. The loss of James Johnson will hit Quins hard as he is a class act and we wait to see if the smiling Doran Jones can fill his shoes. There will be some nervousness on Friday in the home ranks as the performance last weekend against Wasps was far from convincing. However, they won and that’s what good sides do even when they underperform. Be in no doubt, Quins are a good side.
As for Saints, well they certainly lived up to the hype in the first half against Exeter and gave us all a tantalizing glimpse of what maybe possible this season. In the first forty minutes on Saturday Saints showed us more promise, skill and penetration than I recall from the whole of last season, save the wonderful display at Allianze Park.
In the three-quarters the pace of Foden, Burrell and North is going to terrify the opposition and in the pack Samu and Courtney will do the same…..in a less subtle way!
I could write enthusiastically about each member of our squad, as I firmly believe that this bunch of lads can deliver. I’m generally optimistic at this stage of each season but this year more than ever and, from the atmosphere in The Gardens last Saturday, I think you lot are too.
However, I’m not going to make a prediction for this game, as it’s too close to call. My heart always says Saints but home advantage and Saints failings against the big sides last time around still makes me nervous.
Alas, what I can say with some certainty is that I will not be back in a Twickenham tunnel come Premiership final day next May, as my little girl is not so little anymore. However, I am certain that Saints will be there again as this fine squad of players comes of age too. My Team Selection: "
I'm also thinking Buchanan will come on at about the 50 minute mark. Concered about North's pace, but tbh it doesn't take a huge amount to bring him down, it's just getting to him before he is at full tilt.
I must say on the prediction league I've predicted a Saints win, but would obviously love to be proved wrong. It's a big test for the Quins side after Saturdays slow start. But these are the kind of home games we must win to get in the top 4 again.
Quote:rdc
I found this on the Saints fan site, interesting to read their view of the game...etc"
rdc,
the link to this article has already been placed on this site, by me, down below.
In case you are not aware, the SportNetwork sites rely on hits on articles for income which may help to defray running costs of the site or perhaps get donated to charity when monies are paid across to the site Editors. These articles also help to keep a SN site "live" - no articles, no messageboard.
Is it too much to ask that you provide a link in the future rather just "copy and paste", please?
Thank you. Here's to a crackerjack of a game on Friday evening!
Phil
Editor, COYSDC
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to bleat about it all over the internet"
Quote:suspect that our lads will not underestimate evans ability to put the ball in the right places in the wet.Grins
I think that given the weather we'll struggle - they have more big ball carriers than we do.
God help the quins!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:09:14:08:19:42 by adst.
