Hogg 'went beserk' at training - Rennie
Dave Rennie has urged his Glasgow players to put on a show for Exeter-bound Stuart Hogg as he prepares to bring the curtain down on his Warriors career.
The Scotland star will call time on his nine-year Scotstoun stint after Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 grand final at Celtic Park.
The British and Irish Lion is hoping to depart with a second league winners’ medal tucked away in his bags but Irish giants Leinster stand in the way as Glasgow look to repeat their 2015 triumph.
Rennie admits he had been forced to tell the “excitable” 26-year-old to calm down at times during the build up to the Parkhead showdown.
But now he wants the rest of his squad to ramp up their effort levels and make sure Hogg goes out on a high.
“We tried to put the brakes on Stuart today,” said Rennie after getting his first look round Celtic’s 60,000-seater home. “He went berserk yesterday at training, putting in some massive high-speed numbers.
“He’s seen that the field is a little bit shorter (at Celtic Park) so he was lining up some kicks from the opposition 22m line type of thing.
“He’s an excitement machine. He’s desperate to go out on a big note and all we need him to do is to play as well as he has in the last few weeks and hopefully it’s enough.
“It would be brilliant for him to end with a trophy. It’s as much about the environment, the occasion, and the quality of the opposition too.
“Leinster are a massive powerhouse in European rugby, they won the title last year and they’re going to be tough to roll.
“It’s nice that we’re at home and we’ve got plenty to play for as well as Hoggy leaving. I expect to see the boys front up.”
Hogg may be the only member of Rennie’s squad who has to fend off autograph hunters any time he ventures into the centre of Glasgow given the city’s famous preference for its two big football clubs.
But the fact more than 43,000 tickets for Saturday’s final have already been sold has impressed the head coach.
Now he hopes Celtic Park’s famous roar can inspire his team to victory.
He said: “The field is immaculate and the stadium has a bit of a South African feel to it with the massive stadium, high walls and the crowd being really close.
“It will be pretty special when it’s full.
“There’s a lot of excitement clearly. We’re where we want to be. We’ve talked about trying to put ourselves in a final at home so it’s clear that there’s excitement.
“We’re ready to go and have plenty in the tank.
“What are we on, 43,000 tickets sold? It would be awesome if we got a few more walk-ins, that would be great.
“But having 40-odd thousand here, 50-odd down the road (at Hampden for the Scottish Cup final), that’s a hell of an effort from the Glasgow community.
“Maybe it can be a bit of a blessing being in Glasgow with such a football focus that we can walk around with no-one having a clue who we are.
“So to be able to stage a massive game here is special and we’re racked that we can be a part of it.”
Rennie has stuck with the same XV that stormed past semi-final opponents Ulster last week with a 50-20 triumph.
⚔️🛡️ Here is your Glasgow Warriors team to play @leinsterrugby in the Guinness PRO14 Final at Celtic Park tomorrow evening, brought to you by @MackenzieConstr.
🎟️ BUY ONLINE HERE 👉 https://t.co/eVQ8FXod9G pic.twitter.com/CgBe7qUGX9
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) May 24, 2019
But he admits his team will have to up their game if they are to get the better of Leo Cullen’s Dublin powerhouse.
He said: “It’s hard to accurately say what more we need but we know we can play a lot better than last week.
“We think we can defend better but we were really clinical. That’s important in big games.
“I don’t imagine we’ll get the number of openings we did last week but if we get two or three we need to nail them and that’s an area we’ve been really good at over the last month.”
PA
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Comments on RugbyPass
After missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
10 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.
14 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.
10 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.
1 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 commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
10 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
10 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
10 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to comments