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Glasgow fans left in disbelief at the Warriors lack of luck as bounce of the ball costs three tries and possible finals place
In a match where a combined eight tries were scored, it seems like Glasgow and Exeter’s drawn Champions Cup fixture is being talked about for everything except the actual scores.
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The Glasgow Warriors, who raced out to a 14-3 lead off the back of tries to outside backs Tommy Seymour and Huw Jones, were eventually made to play catch up with an Exeter Chiefs side that will now fancy their chances at completing an unthinkable double, winning the English Premiership as well as securing a first every Champions Cup title.
The game ended 31-31, ensuring that Exeter will qualify for the knockout stages of the European competition while Glasgow will be left licking their wounds after suffering two home defeats in a row.
The biggest talking point out of the match has been the quality of refereeing (or lack thereof), with Glasgow fans, in particular, lamenting Romain Poite’s performance in the hot seat.
The other matter that has Glasgow fans riled up is the sheer lack of luck the Warriors had when it came to the bounce of the ball.
Continue reading below…
On three separate occasions, Glasgow players would have had almost unimpeded runs in to score tries had the bouncing ball not thwarted their attempts.
Part-way through the first half, Glasgow fly-half Adam Hastings threaded an angled grubber through while hot on attack in Exeter’s 22 for wing Kyle Steyn to run onto – but the ball lurched up at the last second, which forced Steyn to have to stop in his tracks. The Exeter cover defence may have been able to get fingertips onto Steyn if the ball had popped into his arms, but a simple dive would’ve seen Glasgow touch down for their second try of the match.
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In the second half, it was Huw Jones – who otherwise had an excellent game – who was made to look like a fool.
First, with the game tied up at 24-all, Steyn made an excellent break into Exeter’s half and put a kick through for Jones, past the oncoming defence. Luck wasn’t on the centre’s side, however, as the ball stayed low to the ground and Jones fumbled the pick-up.
Then, with the scores still locked up, Jones hacked forward a dropped Exeter pass and again found himself faced with an undefended tryline – if only he could pick up the ball.
Instead, the ball took turn after turn but wouldn’t sit up for the Scottish midfielder and Jones was left holding his head in his hands after again knocking the ball forward while attempting to gather it up.
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Three almost certain tries, three opportunities that went begging.
Fans were quick to take to Twiter to express their disbelief at the horror luck the befell Glasgow, who will now be relying on the PRO14 for some silverware.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
That's yet another game that Glasgow should have won, but their errors and the officials' shiteness meant they didn't. Huw Jones must be spitting that the ball defeated him twice. Cracking game of attacking rugby, especially in the conditions. Poite, are you Clancy in disguise?
— Alastair Campbell (@RadarLanark) January 11, 2020
How unlucky was Huw Jones ?
— Kerry finn (@kerrydoc08) January 11, 2020
He didn’t score those two chances but Huw Jones is getting very close to his top form, or certainly his best in a Warriors shirt. Another try today and looked attacking all day long.
— The Pen (@thepenGW) January 11, 2020
Oh Huw Jones, what have you done there?!? How have you managed not to score from 10m out when all you have to do is pick up the ball and stroll home? Have you been training with Yoann Huget?
— Tom Dare (@Repka) January 11, 2020
Huw Jones vs the bounce of a rugby ball is an emphatic 2-0 to the rugby ball today so far… ????
— Josh Gardner (@joshgardner) January 11, 2020
Huw Jones almost away after a beautiful catch, step and grubbed by Steyn but Shug just couldn’t collect the kick as it bounced its way down the turf. So unlucky.
— The Pen (@thepenGW) January 11, 2020
huw jones didn't play enough soccer in his youth
— graham mccready (@MccreadyGraham) January 11, 2020
Indeed but it wasn't mistakes that are ones to get overly concerned about, missing pick ups on kicks with odd bounces happens.
Glasgow's luck with bounce of the ball was atrocious.
Bryce also desperately unlucky.
— maxtrail (@maxtrail1) January 11, 2020
Glasgow binned three tries for the luck of a bounce, very even match overall. Gibbons very lucky to not see red though.
— stu C (@vadersjester) January 11, 2020
But for the awkward bounce of a rugby ball Glasgow would have been out of sight. Exeter relieved with the draw. Glasgow gutted. Glasgow looked the better team all game.
— True Scotsman (@AlwaysAWarrior_) January 11, 2020
Oooof are Glasgow not getting the bounce of the ball here. Cracking match.
— David Paxton (@DavidDPaxton) January 11, 2020
Coach Dave Rennie, who likely won’t have another shot at the Champions Cup due to taking up a role with the Wallabies at the end of the season, lamented his side’s bad luck after the match.
“We just couldn’t get the ball to sit up,” Rennie told BBC Scotland.
“I think we had four clear opportunities if it had sat up. We created a lot of opportunities. We’re proud of the effort, frustrated as well.
The Warriors will play their final match of the tournament against Sale next weekend. If the stars align perfectly then there’s a minute chance that Glasgow could still find themselves in the playoffs, but chances are that their Champions Cup will come to an end in a week, regardless of the result.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments