From Vereniki Goneva’s ‘dummy’ to Bristol banter and All Blacks dancing – we wrap up what’s been happening on Twitter this weekend
Vereniki Goneva Denied Try After Footwork Trickery
The first weekend of the 2018-19 season is done – and what a weekend it was. So we’ve put together this round-up of the social media goings-on.
The final game of the opening round of the Gallagher Premiership provided the biggest talking point.
Midway through the first half, Newcastle wing Vereniki Goneva touched the ball down on his boot rather than the ground when over his own try-line, then proceeded to run the length of the field past bemused Saracens defenders to touch down at the other end of the pitch.
Yet the referee had blown for a 22m dropout having not seen what Goneva had done and ruled the try out.
The decision caused plenty of debate on Twitter, with BT Sport pundit Ugo Monye backing Goneva’s trickery…
"I've always dreamed of doing this!"
Game value offence…
"That's nonsense!"
Ugo Monye isn't too impressed with the refs decision here ? pic.twitter.com/vxvqAhYedN
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) September 2, 2018
Yet Rugby World’s Alan Dymock felt it was the right call because the referee had already blown his whistle…
Are people genuinely going on about that Goneva non-try, because the ref blew for a 22, right? Nothing you can do after that…
— Alan Dymock (@AlanDymock) September 3, 2018
Interestingly, there was a little controversy towards the end of the Connacht-Glasgow Guinness Pro14 game over a 22m dropout, with officials failing to spot Stuart Hogg carrying the ball over his own line before touching it down. A 22m dropout was awarded but it should have been a 5m scrum to the hosts, who lost 27-26.
As pointed out by @JohnMuldoon8, Stuart Hogg carried this back over his own tryline in the final minute.
Glasgow got a 22m restart here, attacking scrum would have given Connacht clear chance to win. pic.twitter.com/uSHks7Juju
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) September 1, 2018
On Friday night Bristol marked their return to the English top flight with a derby victory over Bath and the repartee between the two clubs continued on Twitter after the final whistle…
Did they leave a sour taste, @bathrugby? ?? https://t.co/3rslLqCaEs
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) August 31, 2018
The Pro14 clash between European champions served up a treat. Challenge Cup winners Cardiff Blues hosted Champions Cup and Pro14 winners Leinster in a game that ebbed and flowed before a late Bryan Byrne try secured a victory for the visitors. Watch that winning play here…
WATCH:
24 phases of attack led to this late try and a winning start to the #GuinnessPRO14 for @leinsterrugby tonight! #CBLvLEI pic.twitter.com/WVWofmtCSz
— eir Sport (@eirSport) August 31, 2018
Further west, George North marked his return to Welsh rugby with two tries in the Ospreys’ win over Edinburgh. Here’s one of them…
? | @George_North was the star of the show on his debut for @Ospreys tonight, his first here the pick of them ??
It finishes @Ospreys 17-13 @EdinburghRugby#GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/CUp1R4FuoN
— Premier Sports ? (@PremierSportsTV) August 31, 2018
Related: Watch Danny Cipriani’s Wonder Pass
Ahead of their first Premiership highlights show of the season, Channel 5 also put together these brilliant packages with a young stand-in for David Flatman. Not sure the players knew what to make of his questions…
Little and Less Little, getting it done. Chan 5. 8pm. Monday. The highlights are back xxx @Channel5Sport @premrugby pic.twitter.com/pYNWqTUdfO
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) August 30, 2018
Same as yesterday but a bit better basically @Channel5Sport @premrugby x pic.twitter.com/4Z6ZiXU0UY
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) August 31, 2018
Over in France, Racing 92 may have lost 40-17 to Clermont but Donnacha Ryan made his presence felt with this tackle…
Donnacha Ryan pulverising 'The Tongan Bear' with this rib-rattler pic.twitter.com/GZaoWDW8lT
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) September 2, 2018
And there was some unusual footwork on show for Edinburgh Accies in the Tennent’s Premiership…
How about this piece of play from @EdinburghAccies scrum half Robbie Davis v @OfficialAyrRFC today!! @skillacq @uppy01 pic.twitter.com/hkGY9DLZqD
— Neil Graham (@neil_graham1) September 1, 2018
In the southern hemisphere, New Zealand took a break from their preparations for this Saturday’s match against Argentina to visit All Blacks fans around the country. One of the highlights included second-row Sam Whitelock trying his hand at the ‘floss’ dance…
How do you rate Sam Whitelocks rendition of the ‘floss dance’❓??#AB2N pic.twitter.com/YKXFUd9gJj
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 1, 2018
While hooker Dane Coles made the boarding announcement for a flight…
Calling all @FlyAirNZ customers to gate 6⃣. Your flight attendant, Dane Coles is waiting for you to board your flight ✈️?#AB2N pic.twitter.com/ONX9FC1GND
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 2, 2018
In Australia, the Wallabies had a few unexpected fans watching training…
Few visitors popping down to watch training here! #GoldBlooded #AUSvRSA pic.twitter.com/viLJqBUBES
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) September 3, 2018
They play South Africa in the Rugby Championship third round this weekend.
So one round of league matches done, but there’s plenty more action to come between now and May.
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