Latest news with #MusgravePark
Irish Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Munster are taking Champions Cup hopes down to the wire as they face dangerously strong Benetton
URC: Munster v Benetton, Musgrave Park, Friday, 8pm – Live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1 Ever the drama kings, Munster have taken their ambition of reaching the URC playoffs and next season's Champions Cup down to the last game of the regular season. Throw in Peter O'Mahony and Stephen Archer making their farewell appearances on Munster soil in their hometown, as well as the generational Conor Murray , and even by Munster standards this could hardly be pitched more dramatically. [ Munster will face probably the best Benetton side that has ever set foot on an Irish ground ] When there's bonus points involved there are multiple possibilities, but essentially this comes down to a winner-takes-all shoot-out for a place in the playoffs and next season's Champions Cup between the teams sitting seventh and eight in the table on 46 points. Benetton are ranked above Munster by dint of winning more matches, which is the first criteria for separating sides on the same points, to be followed by points difference. Therefore, in the event of a draw and either the same number of bonus points or none on the night, Benetton would finish above Munster. READ MORE Otherwise, bonus points can be ignored, for if there's a decisive result the winner will finish above the loser, who is likely to drop further as Cardiff sit ninth also on 46 points and Edinburgh are on 44 points in 10th. Helpfully, Cardiff meet the reshuffled Stormers in Cape Town beforehand (kick-off 6pm Irish time) and the Edinburgh-Ulster result will also be known entering the final quarter in Cork as that game kicks off at 7.35pm in Hive Stadium. In truth, these feel like sideshows, with this shoot-out in effect amounting to a Round of 16 tie, but with huge connotations if Munster are to retain their status as ever-presents in the Champions Cup over the last 30 years. Munster and Benetton come into this season-defining game on the back of impressive bonus-point wins at home to Ulster (38-20) and the champions Glasgow (33-7) and both have named unchanged starting XV. Benetton's Malakai Fekitoa is tackled during a United Rugby Championship game against Emirates Lions at Stadio Monigo. Photograph: Luca Sighinolfi/INPHO Munster also keep the same 6-2 bench configuration, whereas Benetton make two changes among their replacements by recalling experienced Azzurri prop Tiziano Pasquali and the Pumas outhalf Tomás Albornoz to replace Giosuè Zilocchi and Leonardo Marin. While the former All Blacks and Munster centre Malakai Fekitoa, now of Tonga, retains the number 23 jersey, perhaps nothing demonstrates Benetton's unprecedented strength-in-depth than the dead-eyed Albornoz having to be content with a place on the bench and the talented Marin, who nearly snatched victory for Italy over Ireland in Rome, isn't even named among the replacements. Save for the Italian A scrumhalf Nicolò Casilio, Benetton have an all-international bench which boasts a combined 258 Test caps. Last week it was striking how much energy and impact the likes of 40-year-old ex-Pumas captain Agustin Creevy, Niccolò Cannone and Sebastian Negri provided as the Italians tightened the screw on Glasgow. Save for a draw at the Stadio Monigo in their most recent meeting last season, Munster lead the head-to-head 18-3 and are unbeaten in their last 15 meetings with Benetton. However, this did include a lucky 15-13 win in the 2018-19 quarter-finals against a less accomplished Benetton side that led 13-6 entering the final quarter before three JJ Hanrahan penalties in the final quarter. The vast bulk of the Benetton squad have been together for a few years and they reached the playoffs last season, losing 30-23 in a thrilling quarter-final away to the Bulls. This season they came within one play of winning away to Castres (where Munster lost) and reaching the Champions Cup knock-out stages for the first time after beating Premiership leaders Bath and La Rochelle in the pool stages. Benetton's scrum and lineout are generally very solid, their defences has improved this season, their back three provide a sharp cutting edge and, of course, they have the superb, telepathic Nacho Brex and Tommaso Menoncello in midfield. They can cut any team open. And often do. Munster, and their capacity home crowd, will need to be on it for this gamefrom the off. If there's anything like the same tension in the air as seven nights ago in Thomond Park, and more pertinently a repeat of those recurring lineout malfunctions and defensive glitches, then given any encouragement, unlike a callow Ulster, this dangerous Benetton side has the depth and experience to stay in the fight until the end. Tadhg Beirne is pictured at Munster's United Rugby Championship away game against Connacht last March. Photograph: James Crombie/INPHO Any pack with the experience of Niall Scannell, the brilliant standard bearer Tadhg Beirne and O'Mahony, whose presence should be as inspirational as it was when scoring one try and assisting for two others last week, should be capable of problem solving as it did against Ulster. If they play with the same freedom and if the in-form Craig Casey and Jack Crowley ensure the same tempo, they probably have the greater all-round firepower: for while these two have similar defensive records over this season's URC campaign, Munster have scored 63 tries to Benetton's 47. A nervy start and with it a few hiccups along the way seems a likelier problem than Munster and their supporters being lulled into any false sense of security by history. The highest stakes game of their season should take care of that and see Munster pull through. But it could be dramatic. MUNSTER: Thaakir Abrahams; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern, Conor Murray, Seán O'Brien, Alex Kendellen. BENETTON: Rhyno Smith; Ignacio Mendy, Tommaso Menoncello, Ignacio Brex, Paolo Odogwu; Jacob Umaga, Alessandro Garbisi; Thomas Gallo, Siua Maile, Simone Ferrari; Scott Scrafton, Federico Ruzza (capt); Riccardo Favretto, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone. Replacements: Bautista Bernasconi, Mirco Spagnolo, Tiziano Pasquali, Niccolò Cannone, Sebastian Negri, Nicolò Casilio, Tomás Albornoz, Malakai Fekitoa. Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU).
Irish Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
What Munster must do to guarantee URC playoff spot and Champions Cup rugby next season
If Munster thought they were in knock-out territory ahead of last Friday's 38-20 win over Ulster in Thomond Park, they certainly are now. Next Friday night at Musgrave Park (kick-off 8pm) they host Benetton in what effectively amounts to a straight win-or-bust shoot-out with the Italians for a place in both the playoffs and next season's Champions Cup. Due to results elsewhere over last weekend's penultimate round, Munster only climbed one place to eighth in light of that bonus-point win over Ulster, moving above Cardiff on points difference after the latter's 45-21 loss away to the Bulls. But seventh-placed Benetton stayed above Munster in a three-way tie on 46 points by dint of having won more matches thanks to their 33-7 bonus-point victory over the champions Glasgow at home on Saturday. The Scarlets also stayed above Munster in sixth on 48 points after their 32-19 bonus-point win away to the Lions on Sunday. Lurking two points behind Benetton, Munster and Cardiff in 10th place on 44 points are Edinburgh after their 31-21 bonus-point win away to Connacht on Saturday. The Scottish team host Ulster, now out of the playoff picture and consigned to next season's Challenge Cup, next Friday in Hive Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm). READ MORE As things stand therefore, Leinster (who are assured of top seeding), the Bulls, Glasgow Warriors and Sharks have guaranteed themselves home quarter-finals, while the Stormers have also secured their place in the playoffs. Five other teams remain in the hunt for the other three spots, namely the Scarlets, Benetton, Munster, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Cardiff are away to the fifth-placed Stormers on Friday at 6pm Irish time, meaning Munster will know their fate at the conclusion of their game against Benetton in Cork. A win of any kind would ensure Munster finish above Benetton and Edinburgh and thus guarantee themselves a top-eight finish. However, a draw without bonus points, or with one apiece, would leave Munster behind Benetton by dint of the Italians having won more matches and mean they would miss out on the playoffs and next season's Champions Cup were either Edinburgh or Cardiff to win on Friday night. A defeat against Benetton would also see Munster miss out on the top eight were either Edinburgh or Cardiff to win. Benetton's Sebastian Negri and Federico Ruzza celebrate the victory over Glasgow Warriors at Stadio Monigo in Treviso. Photograph: Luca Signolfi/Inpho Five into three 6 th Scarlets 48 points (9 wins, +54 points difference) Final round game: v Sharks (away) Saturday 6.30pm Irish time Dwayne Peel's side will know exactly what's required of them at kick-off as the four teams below them all play on Friday night. It could be that they will already have qualified for the top eight or might need something from this game. 7 th Benetton 46 points (9 wins, -76) Final round game: v Munster (away) Friday 8pm. Despite a vastly inferior points difference Benetton sit above Munster and Cardiff by dint of winning more matches, the first criteria for separating sides on the same points total. A win of any kind would thus ensure Benetton of a place in the top eight. A draw, provided they emerged from the game with the same match points as Munster, would also suffice provided Cardiff and Edinburgh didn't both win, the latter with a bonus point. However, a defeat would see Benetton miss out on the top eight if Cardiff or Edinburgh win. 8 th Munster 46 points (8 wins, +6) Final round game: v Benetton (home) Friday 8pm Munster know that a win of any kind would guarantee a top-eight finish as they would finish above Benetton and could not be overtaken by Edinburgh. A draw, with a bonus point while denying Benetton one, would see Munster finish above the Italians and might be sufficient to make the top eight provided Cardiff and Edinburgh didn't both win, the latter with a bonus point. A draw, and the same tally of match points as Benetton, would see Munster miss out on the top eight if either Cardiff or Edinburgh win. A loss to Benetton, and a win for either Cardiff or Edinburgh, would also see Munster finish outside the top eight. 9 th Cardiff 46 points (8 wins, -58) Final round game: v Stormers (away) Friday 6pm Irish time The Blues know that a win of any kind in Cape Town against the Stormers, who have secured a playoff place and cannot earn a home quarter-final, will ensure them of a top-eight finish. A draw or a defeat would not be sufficient if Edinburgh win. 10 th Edinburgh 44 points (7 wins, +34) Final round game: v Ulster (home) Friday 7.35pm Edinburgh may sit 10th but they look reasonably well placed to qualify for the playoffs. A Cardiff loss, coupled with a clear result in Cork and a win of any kind against Ulster would ensure the Scots of a top-eight finish. A win over Ulster with a bonus point would seal a place in the top eight provided Cardiff don't win. If the Blues did win, then Edinburgh would be waiting on the outcome of the Stormers-Scarlets match. A draw, without a bonus point, or a loss would see Edinburgh miss out on the top eight.
SBS Australia
08-05-2025
- Sport
- SBS Australia
NITV News: May 8, 2025
Community support for rough sleepers as Brisbane Council moves in to evict them from Musgrave Park. Vigils getting underway to remember the victims and survivors of domestic violence. And - big praise for the New South Wales coaching staff ahead of game 2 in the Women's State of Origin.
News.com.au
07-05-2025
- News.com.au
‘Concerned': Alarming note issued by Brisbane Council
Tents in a well established homeless encampment in inner city Brisbane have been slapped with eviction notices by the local council, while landscaping works occur around their dwellings. The Brisbane City Council have plastered stickers on tents in Musgrave Park, located in South Brisbane, warning owners that if they were not collected by May 7, they may be confiscated or disposed of. 'If you need help with housing options, please contact the Safe Communities Team on (07) 3403 8888,' the notice said. The park is currently undergoing works in preparation to host the Paniyiri Festival held from Saturday May 17 to Monday May 19. Throughout the festival, the park will be temporarily fenced off to the public, and only those who have purchased a ticket will be allowed access. A Brisbane City Council spokesperson said the move-on orders aligned with a new approach to homelessness in the city outlined in March, and were unrelated to the festival. 'Brisbane residents have grown increasingly concerned about the violence, drug use and anti-social behaviour occurring in tent encampments in parks,' they said. 'As a result, we're taking a calm, measured and considered approach with the Department of Housing, Police and Queensland Health to get people out of dangerous encampments and into safe accommodation.' The homeless encampment at Musgrave Park has received widespread attention after multiple attempts to remove the tent city by Brisbane City Council failed. In March this year, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner outlined a new policy whereby in instances where people camping in parks refuse accommodation or assistance, they would be asked to move on within 24 hours. At the time, Mr Schrinner said he believed most campers were 'homeless by choice'. He said that the people in the homeless encampments refused assistance from the Council and other organisations during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, and that accommodation was available to them. Greens Councillor Tina Massey said the removal of vulnerable people from Musgrave Park ahead of this year's Paniyiri festival marked a 'harsh and regressive shift' from the inclusive planning of previous years. 'Dutton's vision for Australia continues right here in Brisbane under the cruel leadership of Lord Mayor Schrinner,' she said. 'I urge the Lord Mayor and Premier to stop criminalising homelessness and start investing in real solutions. We need more social and affordable housing, not more fines and forced relocations.' Greens Senator Larissa Waters urged the Lord Mayor to reconsider his approach to tackling homelessness in Brisbane. 'It is appalling The Lord Mayor of Brisbane is striking vulnerable people sleeping rough with this heartless policy. 'Criminalising poverty is never a solution to poverty. What people without homes need are homes. 'We have the tools to really fix the crisis in this country and the Greens urge all levels of government to use them.' A spokesperson from local charity Northwest Community Group said Brisbane City Council and event organisers for the Greek Food Festival have not adequately provided support to those who are being relocated for the events. 'The festival is an annual event, usually they have a special area put aside for people experiencing homelessness but this year they are just kicking everyone out,' they said. The Northwest Community Group has organised a sit-in at the Park on Wednesday May 7, calling for event organisers to consider the needs of the homeless people who will be forced to relocate. 'People were left in the dark about what was going to happen and where they were meant to go,' a post to the group's social media said. 'The festival footprint maps were not finalised until the day the fences went up, and they were never shared.' In October last year, Brisbane City Council cut the electricity to two homeless tent cities at Musgrave Park and Kurilpa Point Park, leaving them without access to power outlets or barbecues. At the time, Greens Councillor Trina Massey said: 'This callous act denied people sleeping rough the ability to cook food on BBQs or charge their phones – possibly leading to missed calls with offers of housing from the Department of Housing.' 'The removal of power has already made our parks less safe for all community members. Rough sleepers are now resorting to potentially much more dangerous gas based equipment to enable them to cook meals, the most basic of human rights,' she said. 'I've already been told that a gas canister has exploded.'
