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'They got away with it' - Ackerman makes accusation of 'illegal' scrummaging
Gloucester head coach Johan Ackerman accused Montpellier of illegal scrummaging after his team were beaten 30-27 in a thrilling European Champions Cup clash at Altrad Stadium.
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The Cherry and Whites played the last 24 minutes with a man advantage after Montpellier lock Jacques du Plessis was sent off for a swinging arm on Gerbrandt Grobler.
It allowed Gloucester to come right back into the equation with second-half tries from Matt Banahan and Joe Simpson – but it was not enough for victory.
Ackermann felt Montpellier’s scrum – which was dominant throughout – was based around illegal technique used by tighthead prop Levan Chilachava.
“In the scrums there was a grey area and I felt there was a lot of illegal stuff from Montpellier which was obviously missed. They got away with it,” he said.
“I felt their tighthead was angling in. From where we sat he was never straight. If he’s always angling in, then obviously the scrum is going to look dominant there and it’s a pity it wasn’t taken in by the officials.
“We tried to fix it and it got better in the second half, but the reality is they got away with things in the first half. It’s not going to change the result.”
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Montpellier won 10 of their 11 scrums and their giant pack ultimately laid the platform for a narrow win.
Round 2 @ChampionsCup XV
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First-half tries from Jan Serfontein, Caleb Timu and Nemani Nadolo put the hosts 24-10 up at the break with Callum Braley responsible for Gloucester’s effort.
Du Plessis’ red card gave Gloucester priceless momentum and Banahan and Simpson crossed as Billy Twelvetrees kicked two conversions and two penalties.
Ultimately it was still not enough for a win and Ackermann said he had no regrets about fielding a weakened side despite his team coming so close to victory.
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“The changes were thoroughly thought through. We selected a team we thought would be enough to win,” Ackermann said.
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“We let ourselves down on execution, but it definitely wasn’t down to a lack of effort. The players are disappointed, but the one thing I saw was unity on the field.”
Back-to-back defeats mean Gloucester are bottom of Pool Five and Ackermann said: “It will be tough to qualify.
“We’ll probably have to win all four games now and that’s without looking at the other results. The club is proud to be part of this world-class competition and we’re not happy we’ve lost.”
Du Plessis’ dismissal almost cost Montpellier the game but 15 points from the boot of Benoit Paillaugue ultimately proved crucial.
Wing Nadolo said: “It was a tough game. Gloucester bring that English style of play and they’re a very structured side.
“They ran us off our feet at the end and I was fortunate to get a try and probably a bit unlucky not to get another one. We stuck in there and came away with the win.
“The red card could have been a turning point had we not worked a bit harder. It was disappointing obviously, but I thought we held our own. It was pretty tough out there.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
19 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
19 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
19 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
19 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
12 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to comments