Latest news with #PeteSamu
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Northampton boss fumes over ‘out of order' Henry Pollock incident in Champions Cup final
A furious Phil Dowson, Northampton Saints ' director of rugby, has accused Bordeaux-Begles of targeting Henry Pollock after an 'out of order' incident after the final whistle in the Investec Champions Cup final. Northampton were narrowly beaten by the French side in a thrilling affair in Cardiff, with Bordeaux securing their first European title with a 28-20 victory. Rising star Pollock has enjoyed a breakout season in which he has gone from the fringes of the Saints first team to a British and Irish Lions tourist, and appeared to be dealt with well by Northampton's opposition. Yet a post-match melee saw Pollock appear to gesture to his throat following a fracas that involved Pete Samu, Tevita Tatafu and Jefferson Poirot and appeared to be sparked by a clash between Saints skipper Fraser Dingwall and Bordeaux-Begles fly half Matthieu Jalibert. Though quick to praise the victors for their performance, Dowson was angry about the incident. "There was a fracas at the end, there was foul play involved," Dowson said. "I have been assured that the touch judge has seen it and will deal with it appropriately. "Henry Pollock was particularly upset by it because I think it was uncalled for and out of order. He reacted, and the officials have told me that they will deal with it." The Northampton director of rugby indicated that the club may look to cite a Bordeaux player if the officials do not, while fly half Fin Smith felt his England colleague Pollock was targeted. 'They were after him,' Smith said of Pollock. 'I don't think they liked him. He will be alright. I remember they (Bordeaux players) all sort of charged at him and were trying to get hold of him. "I am surprised if you have just won a European Cup, the first thing you want to do is start a fight with a 20-year-old. I felt that was interesting." A pulsating contest saw the French club record their first Champions Cup success, but Saints gave it everything after losing backs George Furbank and James Ramm to injuries inside the opening five minutes. Seeking a first Champions Cup title for 25 years, Northampton went toe-to-toe with their opponents as flanker Alex Coles' try double underpinned an outstanding Saints display. Smith added two penalties and two conversions, but Bordeaux's superior finishing power delivered two tries for wing Damian Penaud, while locks Adam Coleman and Cyril Cazeaux also touched down. Matthieu Jalibert booted a penalty and conversion, and captain Maxime Lucu also kicked a penalty as Bordeaux made it five years in a row for French clubs to win the tournament.
The Advertiser
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Wallaby Samu celebrates European Champions Cup glory
Wallabies backrower Pete Samu will return home as a European Champions Cup winner after helping Bordeaux-Begles to a 28-20 win over Northampton in the final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The 33-year-old Samu's taste of European title glory in Cardiff came as he nears the end of his second and last season with the French club he joined after the 2023 World Cup. After Bordeaux-Begles players and staff had trooped off the pitch having been crushed 59-3 by Toulouse in last year's Top 14 final, they vowed to return better and stronger this year and on Saturday, match-hardened, they finally got their reward. Revenge against Toulouse had come in the Cup semi-finals but it was not so much the sparkling backline attacking play they showed there that made the difference on Saturday as their forward power and defensive intensity that blunted a Northampton backline full of England internationals. Star France winger Damian Penaud did score two tries to take his season's tally in the competition to 14 - earning him the player of the year award. But Bordeaux's relentless driving mauls and straight running sucked the energy out of a Northampton side who drained the tanks in trying to keep them at bay. Conductor-in-chief was scrumhalf and captain Maxime Lucu, who also took over the goal-kicking duties after some wobbles by Matthieu Jalibert. His penalty broke the 20-20 halftime deadlock and Bordeaux sealed the deal - the fifth title in a row for France - with Cyril Cazeaux's try. Samu's success came against a Northampton team containing three Australians - flanker Josh Kemeny, winger James Ramm and bench forward Angus Scott-Young. Capped 33 times for the Wallabies, former Brumbies star Samu has signed to return to Australian rugby and play with the NSW Waratahs through to the 2027 home World Cup. "It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn't easy," said Lucu after being named man of the match. "We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there. "Honestly, it feels great - for the club, for the team, for the supporters. After defeat last year (in the Top 14 final) to come back this year, eliminate almost every team that had won this competition, and earn our first star, it's wonderful." Penaud also referenced the Top 14 final defeat as motivation. "After last year's setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson," he said. Saturday's victory meant that Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions in this season's run, with Northampton, winners in 2000, the last to fall. Wallabies backrower Pete Samu will return home as a European Champions Cup winner after helping Bordeaux-Begles to a 28-20 win over Northampton in the final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The 33-year-old Samu's taste of European title glory in Cardiff came as he nears the end of his second and last season with the French club he joined after the 2023 World Cup. After Bordeaux-Begles players and staff had trooped off the pitch having been crushed 59-3 by Toulouse in last year's Top 14 final, they vowed to return better and stronger this year and on Saturday, match-hardened, they finally got their reward. Revenge against Toulouse had come in the Cup semi-finals but it was not so much the sparkling backline attacking play they showed there that made the difference on Saturday as their forward power and defensive intensity that blunted a Northampton backline full of England internationals. Star France winger Damian Penaud did score two tries to take his season's tally in the competition to 14 - earning him the player of the year award. But Bordeaux's relentless driving mauls and straight running sucked the energy out of a Northampton side who drained the tanks in trying to keep them at bay. Conductor-in-chief was scrumhalf and captain Maxime Lucu, who also took over the goal-kicking duties after some wobbles by Matthieu Jalibert. His penalty broke the 20-20 halftime deadlock and Bordeaux sealed the deal - the fifth title in a row for France - with Cyril Cazeaux's try. Samu's success came against a Northampton team containing three Australians - flanker Josh Kemeny, winger James Ramm and bench forward Angus Scott-Young. Capped 33 times for the Wallabies, former Brumbies star Samu has signed to return to Australian rugby and play with the NSW Waratahs through to the 2027 home World Cup. "It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn't easy," said Lucu after being named man of the match. "We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there. "Honestly, it feels great - for the club, for the team, for the supporters. After defeat last year (in the Top 14 final) to come back this year, eliminate almost every team that had won this competition, and earn our first star, it's wonderful." Penaud also referenced the Top 14 final defeat as motivation. "After last year's setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson," he said. Saturday's victory meant that Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions in this season's run, with Northampton, winners in 2000, the last to fall. Wallabies backrower Pete Samu will return home as a European Champions Cup winner after helping Bordeaux-Begles to a 28-20 win over Northampton in the final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The 33-year-old Samu's taste of European title glory in Cardiff came as he nears the end of his second and last season with the French club he joined after the 2023 World Cup. After Bordeaux-Begles players and staff had trooped off the pitch having been crushed 59-3 by Toulouse in last year's Top 14 final, they vowed to return better and stronger this year and on Saturday, match-hardened, they finally got their reward. Revenge against Toulouse had come in the Cup semi-finals but it was not so much the sparkling backline attacking play they showed there that made the difference on Saturday as their forward power and defensive intensity that blunted a Northampton backline full of England internationals. Star France winger Damian Penaud did score two tries to take his season's tally in the competition to 14 - earning him the player of the year award. But Bordeaux's relentless driving mauls and straight running sucked the energy out of a Northampton side who drained the tanks in trying to keep them at bay. Conductor-in-chief was scrumhalf and captain Maxime Lucu, who also took over the goal-kicking duties after some wobbles by Matthieu Jalibert. His penalty broke the 20-20 halftime deadlock and Bordeaux sealed the deal - the fifth title in a row for France - with Cyril Cazeaux's try. Samu's success came against a Northampton team containing three Australians - flanker Josh Kemeny, winger James Ramm and bench forward Angus Scott-Young. Capped 33 times for the Wallabies, former Brumbies star Samu has signed to return to Australian rugby and play with the NSW Waratahs through to the 2027 home World Cup. "It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn't easy," said Lucu after being named man of the match. "We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there. "Honestly, it feels great - for the club, for the team, for the supporters. After defeat last year (in the Top 14 final) to come back this year, eliminate almost every team that had won this competition, and earn our first star, it's wonderful." Penaud also referenced the Top 14 final defeat as motivation. "After last year's setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson," he said. Saturday's victory meant that Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions in this season's run, with Northampton, winners in 2000, the last to fall.
West Australian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Wallaby Samu celebrates European Champions Cup glory
Wallabies backrower Pete Samu will return home as a European Champions Cup winner after helping Bordeaux-Begles to a 28-20 win over Northampton in the final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The 33-year-old Samu's taste of European title glory in Cardiff came as he nears the end of his second and last season with the French club he joined after the 2023 World Cup. After Bordeaux-Begles players and staff had trooped off the pitch having been crushed 59-3 by Toulouse in last year's Top 14 final, they vowed to return better and stronger this year and on Saturday, match-hardened, they finally got their reward. Revenge against Toulouse had come in the Cup semi-finals but it was not so much the sparkling backline attacking play they showed there that made the difference on Saturday as their forward power and defensive intensity that blunted a Northampton backline full of England internationals. Star France winger Damian Penaud did score two tries to take his season's tally in the competition to 14 - earning him the player of the year award. But Bordeaux's relentless driving mauls and straight running sucked the energy out of a Northampton side who drained the tanks in trying to keep them at bay. Conductor-in-chief was scrumhalf and captain Maxime Lucu, who also took over the goal-kicking duties after some wobbles by Matthieu Jalibert. His penalty broke the 20-20 halftime deadlock and Bordeaux sealed the deal - the fifth title in a row for France - with Cyril Cazeaux's try. Samu's success came against a Northampton team containing three Australians - flanker Josh Kemeny, winger James Ramm and bench forward Angus Scott-Young. Capped 33 times for the Wallabies, former Brumbies star Samu has signed to return to Australian rugby and play with the NSW Waratahs through to the 2027 home World Cup. "It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn't easy," said Lucu after being named man of the match. "We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there. "Honestly, it feels great - for the club, for the team, for the supporters. After defeat last year (in the Top 14 final) to come back this year, eliminate almost every team that had won this competition, and earn our first star, it's wonderful." Penaud also referenced the Top 14 final defeat as motivation. "After last year's setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson," he said. Saturday's victory meant that Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions in this season's run, with Northampton, winners in 2000, the last to fall.
Perth Now
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Wallaby Samu celebrates European Champions Cup glory
Wallabies backrower Pete Samu will return home as a European Champions Cup winner after helping Bordeaux-Begles to a 28-20 win over Northampton in the final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The 33-year-old Samu's taste of European title glory in Cardiff came as he nears the end of his second and last season with the French club he joined after the 2023 World Cup. After Bordeaux-Begles players and staff had trooped off the pitch having been crushed 59-3 by Toulouse in last year's Top 14 final, they vowed to return better and stronger this year and on Saturday, match-hardened, they finally got their reward. Revenge against Toulouse had come in the Cup semi-finals but it was not so much the sparkling backline attacking play they showed there that made the difference on Saturday as their forward power and defensive intensity that blunted a Northampton backline full of England internationals. Star France winger Damian Penaud did score two tries to take his season's tally in the competition to 14 - earning him the player of the year award. But Bordeaux's relentless driving mauls and straight running sucked the energy out of a Northampton side who drained the tanks in trying to keep them at bay. Conductor-in-chief was scrumhalf and captain Maxime Lucu, who also took over the goal-kicking duties after some wobbles by Matthieu Jalibert. His penalty broke the 20-20 halftime deadlock and Bordeaux sealed the deal - the fifth title in a row for France - with Cyril Cazeaux's try. Samu's success came against a Northampton team containing three Australians - flanker Josh Kemeny, winger James Ramm and bench forward Angus Scott-Young. Capped 33 times for the Wallabies, former Brumbies star Samu has signed to return to Australian rugby and play with the NSW Waratahs through to the 2027 home World Cup. "It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn't easy," said Lucu after being named man of the match. "We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there. "Honestly, it feels great - for the club, for the team, for the supporters. After defeat last year (in the Top 14 final) to come back this year, eliminate almost every team that had won this competition, and earn our first star, it's wonderful." Penaud also referenced the Top 14 final defeat as motivation. "After last year's setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson," he said. Saturday's victory meant that Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions in this season's run, with Northampton, winners in 2000, the last to fall.
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Wallabies return opens up Lions shot for Pete Samu
Loose forward Pete Samu will return to Australia at the end of the French season with Bordeaux Begles man determined to finally play for the Wallabies at a World Cup in two years' time. Samu, who has signed a two-year deal with Rugby Australia (RA) and the New South Wales Waratahs, could yet get a call-up for the British and Irish Lions series in July and August. The 33-year-old, however, said the 2027 World Cup in Australia was the main focus of his Test ambitions after he was omitted from the Wallabies squad for the 2019 and 2023 editions. "Missing out on a couple of World Cups, that's the big motivator for me, and I'm hoping to get one back at home," Samu, who won 33 caps before he moved to France in 2023, said. "I feel like everything happens for a reason and I'm just really excited to head back home to hopefully get another crack." An athletic and physical back-row forward, Samu started his Super Rugby career at the Canterbury Crusaders before moving to Canberra with the ACT Brumbies. At the Waratahs, he will reunite with his former coach at the Brumbies, Dan McKellar. "He's a player who brings a real point of difference. He can open up a game, and has versatility to cover eight, seven or six," said McKellar. "He has played the game at Test level and obviously had a very good season with Bordeaux in France." Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt this month named Samu as one of the overseas-based Australians who might be considered for the Lions series, adding that he would prioritise players who had committed their future to RA. Bordeaux Begles face England's Northampton Saints in the European Champions Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday (2.45pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
