Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Australia come from behind to beat Leicester Tigers in midweek clash

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Australia come from behind to beat Leicester Tigers in midweek clash

On Tuesday night Australia’s second-stringers played Leicester Tigers at Welford Road as the English side hoped to grab another big scalp to add to their already impressive list. Australia came from behind though, taking 26-15 victory.

Speedster Lachie Turner scored early in the game before Leicester’s Billy Tweletrees kicked them back into the game with five successful penalties. The tourists stuck at it though and thanks to the boot of Berrick Barners, and a late try from Scott Higginbotham, they managed to avoid a repeat of what the Tigers did to South Africa last year.

"We are delighted with the win," said coach Robbie Deans. "This is the nearest our young side can get to a Test match. You can't replicate this on the training ground. Seven of our guys put on the jersey for the first time," he added.

Richard Cockerill was naturally disappointed that his Leicester side couldn’t hang onto the lead they earned early in the second half.

"It was a fierce contest, we gave them an early lead but we got right back in it. The momentum was with us, we were 15-13 up and we should have closed the game out and in the end the scoreline was too heavily in their favour," the former England hooker said.

Loose forward Higginbotham scored a controversial late try that made the scoreline look more comfortable than it probably was for the Aussies. The Wallabies will face England at Twickenham this weekend though with added confidence within the squad.

'Headbutts, forearms, cameos, and Sonny Bill keep rugby fans glued to their TVs' - Rugbydump's guest blog on the Telegraph

Please check out RD's latest blog on the Telegraph website. It includes some thoughts about the passed weekend's goings on, as well as a few links to the best recent videos here on Rugbydump. Read more here

84th

By Anonymous, at November 11, 2010 9:25 pm
1st!!!

By Flooz, at November 11, 2010 9:27 pm
whats with the letters instead of numbers on their backs?

By Pipo, at November 11, 2010 9:28 pm
The letters were for a competition. They spelt out a word and people who got the word correct were entered into a draw for a car. A Ford or something shit.

By Anonymous, at November 11, 2010 9:31 pm
^ Um what? I dont think thats it.. using letters instead of numbers is how it used to be. As recently as 20 years ago they had them, didn't they? Or am I thinking of a different English side?

Interesting if you're right anyway.

Close game if it werent for that last try

By Scotsdale, at November 11, 2010 9:36 pm
16 points and 5 successfull penalties?????

By jente, at November 11, 2010 9:37 pm
You're too sharp, and I'm too tired. Apologies, 26-15 actually, not 25-16 :)

By GMC, at November 11, 2010 9:52 pm
Leicester and Harlequins traditionally used letters instead of numbers.
The front row used to be called the ABC club.
This changed in the early '90s. I don't remember if it was to do with leagues or professionalism but some stuffed shirt decided that they weren't allowed to have their tradition any more.

The most interesting thing about watching this game was how Healey went from considered analyst to raging Tigers fanboy when it looked like they had a chance of winning. He ended up whinging on and on about some minor Oz infringements and ignoring Chuter's punch which should have been a red card.

By Mr Lif, at November 11, 2010 10:14 pm
Great hands for Australia's first try. The Aus backs look so sharp now. Didn't see the game - did Leicester manage to pressure them up front at all?

Just realised that Aus will be playing a much-weakened Munster with all the internationals shorn off - disappointing, I saw a full-strength Munster beat Aus in 1992 back in the shamateur days. Very long odds against that happening nowadays with a second string team :(

By Mike, at November 11, 2010 10:48 pm
The letters - All teams used to play in letters,but over time only Leicester and Bristol played with them.Eventually the game became pro and the tv companies insisted all teams applied the same id so the "newcomers" to the game could workout who should be where.Leicester show the letters on the front of the current strip ,below the badge ,as a reminder of the clubs past history and wore them on the back for the aussie game for the same reason.Bristol wore letters for one season more than Tigers because of relegation - Less time on the Tv !

By Unknown, at November 11, 2010 10:51 pm
It IS the last mans foot, no need to have a leg OVER the ball, right? That's how I've always understood it...

By Anonymous, at November 11, 2010 11:10 pm
The last foot thing only applies to people engaged in the ruck.
All the Leicster players had lost their feet. The ball was there to be played, if it had been the other way round no one would ahve complained.
It's just bias commentating.

By Jono, at November 11, 2010 11:20 pm
I like it how the commentators still mention beating the "world champions"... the only thing the Tigers beat was a team filled with politically selected players along with Mr. I can't handle any sort of pressure kicks Ruan Pienaar.

Btw, does anyone else just really want to punch Scott Higginbottom? Such an unlikeable person.

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 12:18 am
WTF?? Why is he an unlikable person? Have you met him or something?

By Bill, at November 12, 2010 12:26 am
Bill, look how he runs. Runs like a retard and looks like one too. I'd love to punch him right in his stupid convict face.

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 12:33 am
Oh and trust me I could, I'm 130kg 6 foot 7. Scotty the tard wouldnt stand a chance.

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 12:36 am
Right, gotcha.
Makes perfect sense...

By Bill, at November 12, 2010 12:39 am
"There is no way that ball is out."

I'm sure the open sky an absence of any players above it would beg to differ.

16.1 (b)
How a ruck can form. Players are on their feet. At least one player must be in physical contact with an opponent...

The ball was laying behind a number of players, none of whom were on their feet. That is a "successful end to a ruck".

Technically, Leicester were the ones committing the foul by not moving away from the ruck after going off their feet, though I doubt that would ever actually be called.

By for me to poop on, at November 12, 2010 1:46 am
I can't believe how one eyed that commentator was, what a nob.
He's completely wrong too, the last foot only applies to people who are bound to the ruck, not to some guy who's lying on the ground with his feet sticking out the back of the ruck.
Jesus, commentator, learn the goddamn rules.
Leiscter lost that ruck, the ball popped out and not one of them was on their feet to protect the ball.
So the ball was out, Australia had every right to the ball.

By Tom, at November 12, 2010 2:18 am
The fact that the commentators complained about that last steal is everything wrong with modern rugby.

There was no way that was a still a ruck, as the ball was in plain sight.

This game needs more competition for the ball at the breakdown, not less. The game will be much quicker and not a series of controlled, tactical, organized rucks.

Off the feet at the ruck on the team possessing the ball never seems to be called at all anymore.

By Canadian Content, at November 12, 2010 2:27 am
The ball was out, the commentator clearly was just favouring leicester cuz he's a bad commentator.
At least make an attempt to be a little bit neutral.
If anything Leicester should have been penalised for all being off their feet at the breakdown. All the Aussies were on theirs.

By Wallace, at November 12, 2010 3:16 am
I didn't see the match, so pardon the questions here, but was Castrogiovanni on for Leicester? It looked like Julian White was there, but I couldn't tell if Castro had come on or not.

Last year, he helped dominate an otherwise-good SA scrum when they came up for a midweek game...

I was wondering how this second-string OZ side's front row managed the scrum, since that was a poor facet of their game last weekend.

Anyone actually watch it? Thanks.

By fred, at November 12, 2010 4:06 am
Castro wasn't involved, he's away with the Italian camp I believe.
It was two English props, Julian White was one.
The Australian scrum had no problem at all actually, James Slipper in particular was very good.
Not one penalty was conceded by Australia at scrum time, and they weren't backpeddaling at all.
The truth is that they got beaten by Wales at scrum time primarily because they were missing Barnes' calls.
They were simply engaging after Wales did every time, Wales just beat them to the engagement call.

By Jono, at November 12, 2010 4:31 am
I really like the letters as a tradition... the waratahs tried to have initials a few years back but that was just a stupid marketing stunt.

My old Bluffers guide to rugby book used to say that the No. 8 was always 8 no matter which way the team was numbered and even if it was lettered!!!

PS the ball was out as by all the reasons above.

By Ned2or3, at November 12, 2010 4:33 am
LOL at the typical bitching English commentators. Ball was clearly out you numpty!!

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 5:06 am
NZ commentators just refuse to criticise the ABs. Head butt?

But English commentators criticise the opposition unfairly and then heap praise on the Poms just because they managed to dress the same or run in the same direction. "Now, Banahan.. what can HE do?" The answer is nothing much but the commentators make it sound like he's Jonah Lomu or something.

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 5:18 am
"LOL at the typical bitching English commentators. Ball was clearly out you numpty!!"

Any commentators from any nation are guilty of this, so I don't know how it's "typically" English. Or, better yet, it is typical, but typical English, Aussie, NZ, French, etc.

By come off it, at November 12, 2010 5:27 am
Well the commentator that was being particularly biased was Austin Healy, a former Leicester Tiger player, so to be fair he was always going to be a wee bit bias, but the fact he kept on going on about it was the f*cking annoying part.

By Already, at November 12, 2010 5:49 am
Is there anyone out there that doesn't know Austin Healey is a smug, annoying little man?

I thought that was as well-known as 1+1=2, or that Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids...or that Ricky Januarie is probably eating a cheeseburger right now.

By fry, at November 12, 2010 6:41 am
Thanks for the highlights RD!

By Laz, at November 12, 2010 8:54 am
thank goodness aussie didnt put the southern hemisphere to shame like the south africans did last year.

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 10:39 am
Or, like Australia did when losing to Scotland last year.......

By ShortMemory, at November 12, 2010 10:43 am
lol ^^^^

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 11:01 am
Lol at the Anon trying to Troll South Africa. What a fail - loser, anyone who takes midweek games seriously is deluded and needs a wake up call.

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 11:25 am
I just bought a fun facts book from the store today, you know something to read while bored. Oh look here's a fun fact I've just read right now:

Fun fact #12: All Australians are the spawn of English convicts.

Wow, I, like almost everyone knew that! but still an interesting read! LOL owned.

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 11:28 am
I find it funny for anonymous above to bag Australia's roots, however at the moment migration from the UK to Australia is at an all time high. I sense a bit of jealousy ;)

By Bazza, at November 12, 2010 11:47 am
I'm not from the UK.

Also, why do Australians always have to have names like Bazza? Jono, Marto, Clarkie, Kernsie etc. Are you that childish that you have to give every single one of your MAAAATES a little nick name? Hey Bazza? Or is it Bazzie... or Bazzo? LMFAO, you just got owned big time.

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 11:57 am
Arguing on the internet is like competing in the special olympics.. Need I continue?

Cut it out boys. It's lame. Enjoy the rugby.

By Flinto, at November 12, 2010 12:04 pm
kaplan: "in my opinion the ball was out" well that sure explains a lot

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 12:23 pm
haha looks like dave grohl with a beer gut at 03:12

By Patron, at November 12, 2010 12:38 pm
Nice to hear of a competitive midweek tour game methinks...Did Lecicester manage to string together any incisive breaks? (albeit not scoring a try)..

What is it with all the sad trolls on this site insulting the English, Aussies, Kiwis and SA. Why don't you all go an insult single brain-celled people commenting on youtube. It will be like hanging out with your own families......

By NiWiTa, at November 12, 2010 1:33 pm
Patron said...
haha looks like dave grohl with a beer gut at 03:12

That's a brilliant spot!!! Nice one.

By Von, at November 12, 2010 2:53 pm
Flinto, while i appreciate your attempts at dismissing the idiotic comments on the site, without trying to sound like a douche, could i ask that express a little more sophistication in your references to differently-abled people?

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 3:22 pm
Didnt see the game, but i heard about Chuter throwing a punch...any chance of getting that up...

(if its worth it that is...)

By (u-p)rick, at November 12, 2010 3:58 pm
@(u-p)rick ........ I heard Chuter let fly too. Still he always was a bit of a "rugged" player :)

By NiWiTa, at November 12, 2010 4:53 pm
Anonymous, is there something offensive about the term 'special olympics'? If yes, I apologise. I thought that's what it was called.

P.S: Please show your sophistication by commenting with a name next time? Will be easier to reply, thanks.

By Flinto, at November 12, 2010 5:29 pm
Leicester made a few good breaks, the best from Twelvetrees and Waldrom, but generally the Aussie defence was excellent all night, and Tigers didnt protect their own ball too well.

A very competitive match match in the end. The scoreline flatter the Aussies a bit.

By Maverick, at November 12, 2010 6:53 pm
must have been a sh*te game if that was the highlights...

By Anonymous, at November 12, 2010 7:11 pm
Nah, twas a good game. I was there.

They only really showed the scores here, when the contest in the tight was particularly good, and there were a number of half chances and good breaks.

By MadMax, at November 12, 2010 8:31 pm
Anonymous said... infantile stuff, then "LOL owned".

You can't be more than 4 yrs old so you didn't read that book, mummy read it to you. Your fun facts are wrong, your desperation to insult somebody you don't even know is pathetic. What a little jerk you are. Owned.

By Fielding, at November 13, 2010 9:29 am
Canadian Content you don't know what you're talking about. I would most likely assume that this is due to the fact that you're probably, as your name suggests, Canadian and as a result know next to nothing about the intricacies of the game.

This year has seen much more attractive rugby played because the breakdown laws lie in favour of the attacking team, as they should. Your argument of "The game needs more competition for breakdown" was the exact kind of dimwitted logic that lead to arguably the worst rugby ever played in the professional era over the last 3 years.

You're a moron.

And the ball was clearly out.

By Don't listen to Canadians, at November 14, 2010 5:00 pm