News: GP: Saracens vs Northampton Saints - Wembley Preview
By SAINT_aitch
September 10 2009
On the back of a very exciting first match of the season (phew!), this week will find the Saints breaking new records in the first club rugby union match to be played on roundball’s hallowed turf, yes the same place (well, almost) that Sir Geoff Hurst and co beat W. Germany for the first and only time that England have ever won the footy World Cup. Altogether now, “we’re all going to Wemberlee”.
SARACENS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
GP: Saturday, 12th September 2009. 14:45
WEMBLEY STADIUM
MATCH PREVIEW
Now, I am one of those Saints fans that does not particularly like going to Vicarage Road as it always seems to be raining, dark and gloomy when I go there, and I empathise with my brother’s lack of enthusiasm when playing club matches at big stadia like the MadStad when always very short of capacity, made worse as both of the venues mentioned suffer with infernal musical instruments blasting or banging away. I have yet to see the new look Wembley however, and I have been told that it is a fantastic stadium and with tickets being very cheap, I felt it had to be done despite the fact that apparently London Underground are going to try and make it as difficult as possible for us to get there and back.
Our first away game of the 2009/10 season sees us head to London for a clash with the team that ran us so close and inspired much passion and rugby delectation on a balmy Friday evening in early May this year in a semi final that certainly invoked pride and a huge sense of belief in this author when I wrote the report for the game that saw us proceed to lift European silverware for the first time in 9 years. This seasons away trip to Saracens will however be an away trip for both teams really and is all due to the efforts from the Wembley owners trying to bring some revenue in whilst Sarries will take the opportunity of promoting themselves and the game to the bigger populace.
How successful will it be? Well I’ll wage my mortgage that the home of English football will not be full, I seriously doubt it will reach anywhere near half its 90,000 capacity so there’s some serious promoting needed but then that’s rugby for you, fickle and fussy and frankly we don’t just want any old Tom, Dick and Harry turning up do we? Whatever your thoughts about the reasoning behind the game being played here, it’ll be my first look at the new Wembley and I’m looking forward to it and you never know the size of the place may drown out the Sarries hooters!
Of course, given the current league rankings of our two teams, were this encounter to be later in the season it may well be of greater significance, but alas it is only the second week with a long way to go so we both go into this with the prospect of either staying up with the leading group or dropping quite significantly in this fledgling season.
Sarries will be spurred on by their win last week against last season’s runners up, our opposition this week will want to continue this success although Fezheads feedback and opinion of last week’s win would appear to be divided between ‘a win’s a win’ and ‘we didn’t win, they lost’. I only managed to see the highlights of that game but it would seem that, had the Not-Not’s had someone of kicking form, say Shane Geraghty perhaps, then things could have been oh so different, oh wait a moment..
So what of our opponents this week then? Well they are a considerably changed side to the one that fought so valiantly but in vain at the gardens in May this year. The influx of South Africans into the team over the summer, joined by a sprinkling of other nationalities to be fair, have earned the Watford team a new nickname ‘Sarficans’ or something similar. These new signings have been quite impressive though with the bulk of Schalk Brits, Rhys Gill and Carlos Nieto forming a menacing front row who will be playing alongside team veterans and stalwarts of the game the likes of new captain Steve Borthwick, and scrum half Neil de Kock driving a formidable pack with the support of kicking maestro Glen Jackson and some sting on the wing in the form of Noah Cato it’s easy to see how they will be a force to be reckoned with. Saints will have their work cut out if they are to make an impression, and it may come down to Saints having to depend on Sarries apparent lack of stamina in last week’s game at HQ to provide the opening we need to secure an away win at this auspicious venue.
Saints will be conscious of the same reservations and concerns that we all have, namely that our away record last season was so poor. They will want to shake off that demon as soon as possible if they are to be seen as serious contenders this season and I personally think they will have the team to do it. We, the loyal supporters, have seen the fruit of our support with Jim and Dorian taking the helm and with some astute signings over the summer there are many pundits and opposition fans alike who think we are in with a chance of getting in the top four this season. This game has to be one of the games where we need to lay down a serious marker for going forward though as there will be a number of other away games against tougher opposition (at least on paper) and in their own back yards so this one is on neutral territory and with every possibility that there will be more Saints fans than Sarries fans. Let’s hope the boys play like they are at home, you know, toward the south stand in the second half and play the slope, although frankly I could do without another nailbiter like last week’s game. Struth lads, try not to leave it until the last 90 seconds of the game before you take the lead eh?
Right then, what of our boys? Well there are very few mixed reactions this week to our win over Worcester. Generally we are all relieved to have won after being 17 points down leading into half time but there were a number of positives to be taken from the game. For me, Bruce was man of the match. I find myself, and I am sure I’m not alone, anticipating something dramatic every time he gets the ball and he rarely disappoints nearly always making some yards at least. New signing, Shane Gerahty, awarded MoM for the Wuss game, slotted into the 10 role well when Smyler limped off and Phil Dowson made a good impression, but I’m still not sure about Borinio as our scrum struggled against the Wuss boys last week but indications are that we may have the added brute of Brian Mujati coming very soon, I can tell you that a man fitting his general description was sat very close to me in the South Stand last week. Will Jim play him if he is available though? It’s for sure that the pack was the weaker link last week and that we are sorely missing our British Lions representative. So I think that our pack will have an even bigger problem against Sarries than they had against Wuss although some excellent line out management provided some comfort and I hope that we can benefit from that. As for the backs though, I firmly believe that we have one of the best line up’s in the league and they will be the proverbial game winners for us IF they get the feed, but that’s a big if.
Dylan will have a hell of a job to motivate the forwards this week as I can see them being pushed around the park by the weight of Sarries front row under Borthwick’s leadership that will only result in penalties being awarded against us, scrums lost and tensions raised. Discipline must be kept or the game could turn onto one of those farcical affairs with very little running rugby, all the points scored from the boots of Shane and, more worryingly, Glenda and where both sets of fans come away blaming the front row of the opposition team for starting all the trouble.
The statistics for this match do not provide for a very positive Saintly forecast either. Since February 2004, these two teams have met 12 times; Saints have won 5 of these and lost 7. Only one of these wins has been away, at Vicarage Road, and that was right back in February 2004 where controversy reigned over some dubious refereeing decisions in our 18:22 victory.
Team and score Predictions:
Simples!
15 – Fodes - not a great opening day game but we know he’s got what it takes.
14 – Digger - Northamptonshire’s favourite speedster
13 – Clarkey - Solid game last week, always takes a few games to get going.
12 – Joey - Is he fit? We need cover for Shane moving to 10.
11 – Brooce - Nuff said.
10 – Shane - Challenging for the 10 slot and Smyler has a swollen ankle.
9 – Dickson - Good game last week
1 – Tiny - Good ol Tiny, made some yards last week.
2 – Dylan - Keep it going Dyl, keep it going.
3 – Brian Mujati – Welease Bwian!!!!.
4 – Courtney - Very good game last week. The lad gets better and better.
5 – Freddie - Solid, dependable.
6 – Dowson – Can only get better
7 – Best – Nearly scored last week. Did he go off injured?
8 – Sgt Wilson – Good to see him back, needs some game time.
With Nacho, Scotty, James Downey and possibly Flash (as he scored for the Wanderers this week and needs some big game time but sadly for him not at the expense of either Brooce or Digger) amongst the limited forwards reserves on the bench.
As I’ve said, this will all come down to the forward play. If we are demolished up front, then it will be mostly a kicking game with most penalties against us and I fear that Mr Jackson’s boot is up to the job, our defence will be good but… – we will lose.
If, however, our pack does bite back, win a fair share of ball and get it out to our impressive backs, we will see some flowing rugby and possibly some classic tries by messrs Diggin, Reihana, and co – we will win.
My heart tells me – Sarries 18 : 26 Saints
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:13:23:46:30 by Phil..
Saint til I die
Team looks about right though Id start with Lobbe next to Kruger and Gray at 7 - as you say sarries pack isnt to be taken lightly.
Barnes just tipped us to win on Rugby club so we're doomed. A losing bp is the minimum to aim for.
I'd have El Gringo back at six with Dowson benched to cover back three. Definitely JD at inside centre and Shane G at 10.
I'm just hoping that all those South Africans living in London who are being courted all turn up in their Springbok shirts - from a distance all that green and gold will just look like Saints colours.
Many thanks for a cracking piece of work. 'Tis appreciated!
If Rabbit stays sweet and we keep the penalties down, we're in for a chance.
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