GOING DOWN the “Galactico” route doesn't always work. This has been obvious for decades, I can just about remember how the Sunderland directors of the time drove a coach and horses through English football's financial rules, back in the 1950s, when they assembled what was known as: “The Bank of England Team” - they won nothing. The word “Galactico” was thought up to describe a star-studded Real Madrid team, who didn't win every week.
In Rugby Union, Racing 92 is perhaps the club which came closest to adopting a Galactico mind set, but, that has not made them pre-eminent in France. In England, Saracens was almost another Sunderland – ok theyt won things, but, their disregard for the financial rules cost them relegation, so, you have to perhaps think, going down the Galactico route is not the panacea it might be.
Which brings us to Hollywoodbet Sharks, perhaps not – given the state of the South African economy – a true example of Galactico thinking, but, rather like present-day Celtic in Scottish Football, seemingly enjoying a financial boost over their compatriots.
A near full-strength Sharks XV will be a match for anyone, and coach John Plumtree paid Glasgow Warriors a huge compliment when he deployed all his big guns for Saturday's clash in Durban. He also got the result he wanted, a much-needed home win, but, although Franco Smith will be annoyed at the result, taking two points from what was always going to be a difficult away match, was still a good show by Warriors.
Sharks' big players all played well, but, Glasgow still won one or two of the crucial individual battles, with Nathan McBeth, back in the land of his birth, showing up really well in his personal battle with Vincent Koch. On the other side of the scrum, I thought Zander Fagerson put down an early marker for the Lions' number three shirt next summer by the way he handled the challenge of Ox Nche.
What a pity then, that referee Chris Busby muddied his escutcheon by guessing wrong at one or two scrum penalties and wrongly penalising Glasgow. The opening penalty goal for Sharks came from what was one such refereeing blunder, while other refereeing mistakes proved costly.
Over the piece, Busby was really poor and gave the impression he had decided pre-game, Sharks were the better side. He let them away with lots, helped by the usual myopic Saffa touch judges.
Over the piece, Sharks probably deserved to win, but, refereeing errors on the day did, I feel, prove crucial in the win.
What was good from Glasgow's point of view was how well some of the lesser lights, McBeth, Max Williamson, Stafford McDowall, Gregor Hiddleston for instance, stood up to the challenge of facing real quality.
Yes, defeat was disappointing, but, this Warriors side will still be at the sharp end of the BKT United Rugby Championship race all season. The way they kept going right to the end, clearly demonstrated this.
EDINBURGH'S EXCELLENT home win over Cardiff, which immediately followed the Glasgow game, was a timely boost for the capital club, since it hoisted them into the top half of the URC league table.
It took Edinburgh a wee while to get on top of a stubborn Cardiff defence, but a sparkling second half show got them home and has probably given the squad the confidence boost they needed to banish any lingering pain from that dire first half on the high Veldt, two games ago.
This Edinburgh side remains a work-in-progress, but progress is being made. Ross Thompson is growing in stature with regular game time, Ali Price is more like the Price of old, while D'Arcy Rae and Paddy Harrison made solid cases for a call from Gregor Townsend.
Speaking of which, there was a clear: “I'm not done yet” cameo off the bench from Hamish Watson, while Messrs Crosbie and Muncaster demonstrated the depth of talent we have in the back row in Scotland.
Against this, I fear, this season, Grant Gilchrist may be at the end of the line and Edinburgh really could use Sam Skinner being back.
A final thought, the way both Scottish sides kept going until the end demonstrates, the bulk of our international team are being kept really fit by their clubs, which bodes well for the Autumn Tests.
FINALLY – Gregor Townsend names his squad for the Autumn Internationals this week. He has already lost Andy Oneyama-Christie of Saracens, probably Robbie Smith of Northampton Saints and there are doubts overf one or two of the home-based Scots, such as Kyle Steyn.
So let's hope he has no further “Sorry Boss but I won't make it” calls between the naming of the squad and the games starting. After the success of the Summer Tour, he has choices to make during these games, to give us the best possible shot at the Six Nations next year, and he needs as many players as possible challenging.
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