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RUGBY WRAP: Blitzboks finish 5th, La Rochelle crowned European champions and Super Rugby QFs set

Shaun Goosen looks back at this past weekend’s rugby action as La Rochelle stunned Leinster in the Champions Cup, the Super Rugby QFs are set and Blitzboks disappoint again.

Raymond Rhule of La Rochelle - Champions Cup
Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports

Shaun Goosen looks back at this past weekend’s rugby action as La Rochelle stunned Leinster in the Champions Cup, the Super Rugby QFs are set and Blitzboks disappoint again.

Champions Cup Winners - La Rochelle

Springbok Sevens miss chance to seal championship

While a fifth-place finish in London was enough to see the Blitzboks go top of the overall HSBC Sevens Series standings, their missing out on a place in the Cup final means they have to wait until the Los Angeles leg at the end of August for a chance to seal the overall title. Despite leading Australia 17-0 at one stage during their Cup quarterfinal on the weekend, they went on to lose 21-17 to the eventual champions. Neil Powell’s men then went on to sweep Spain and Ireland aside and claim fifth place.

The results of the London Sevens mean South Africa are followed by Australia (second) and Argentina (third) on the standings. All three will have the chance to claim the championship in Los Angeles.

La Rochelle upset Leinster; Lyon thwart Toulon

La Rochelle produced a sparkling attacking display to upset favourites Leinster in Saturday’s Champions Cup final at the Stade Velodrome. Ronan O’Gara’s charges scored three times while keeping the much-vaunted Irish giants tryless on their way to claiming the club’s first piece of major silverware in its 124-year history. Springbok Dillyn Leyds was named Man of the Match while fellow Bok winger Raymond Rhule grabbed their side’s first five-pointer on their way to denying Leinster a record-equalling fifth Champions Cup crown.

In the EPCR Challenge Cup final in Marseille on Friday, Lyon proved to be way too much for fellow Top 14 outfit Toulon, easing past them 30-12. The win was Les Loups’ first major title since their French Championship (now Top 14) win way back in 1933 and condemned Franck Azéma’s Toulon to a fourth Challenge Cup final defeat in their history.

Super Rugby quarterfinal places confirmed

There were several upsets in the final round of regular-season Super Rugby action for the year. Friday saw the Crusaders beat the Reds 28-15 in Christchurch, while Saturday saw the Chiefs pip Fijian Drua 35-34 at Churchill Park and the Blues win 20-17 over the Waratahs in Sydney. In two big upsets, bottom feeders Moana Pacifika beat the Brumbies 32-22 at the Mt Smart Stadium while the Force claimed a 27-22 victory over the Hurricanes in Perth. Sunday’s only match had the Rebels beat the Highlanders 31-30 in Melbourne.

The quarterfinals, which kick-off this weekend, see the Crusaders again host the Reds on Friday. On Saturday, the Chiefs welcome the Waratahs to FMG Stadium, the Blues face the Highlanders in Auckland and the Brumbies tackle the Hurricanes in Canberra.

Rugby Stunners

Pumas show class against Bulls

The Pumas may have lost out to the Bulls by 26-31 in the Currie Cup at Loftus on Saturday, but this first-half 100m effort will remain long in the memory.

Fijian Drua score worldie

Fijian Drua ended their debut Super Rugby campaign with a narrow 34-35 loss to the Chiefs on the weekend, but scored a real beauty.

Raymond rules for La Rochelle

Former Springbok winger Raymond Rhule scored the opening try for La Rochelle in their Champions Cup win over Leinster, with a classy assist courtesy of fellow Bok Dillyn Leyds.

Massive defence from Lyon

Lyon beat Toulon comfortably 30-12 in the Challenge Cup final on Friday, with their defence coming to the fore in a big way. Take a look at some of these hits.

Aussie Sevens win big in London

The Australian Sevens triumphed in the London leg on the weekend after a dramatic extra-time win over the All Black Sevens.

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