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Rugby's most prominent figures call for calm over Billy Burns' mistake as Irish flyhalf is swamped on social media
Ireland’s replacement flyhalf Billy Burns came on with his side chasing the lead in the final quarter of their Six Nations clash in Cardiff, as Wales snatched all the momentum when a 14-man Irish side began to wilt.
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The tide had turned after a Louis Rees-Zammit try in the 58th minute put Wales ahead for the first time in the half, with Ireland needing to arrest a 21-16 deficit in the final minutes.
Wales looked to have the match sealed with 10 seconds left before halfback Gareth Davies kicked the ball back to Ireland instead of holding the ball until time expired. Deep into injury time, Ireland continued their possession before receiving a penalty.
Looking to kick to the corner for a line out maul, Burns made the mistake of kicking it dead searching for the five metre line, ending the game in the process. The Ulster flyhalf was visibly distraught at his error, with a teammate close by consoling a kneeling Burns.
Unfortunately Burns became the scapegoat for furious fans afterward, who piled on social media to heap blame as they believed he cost Ireland the game. The responses were, in some cases, appalling, leading to some of rugby’s most prominent figures to publicly denounce such abuse.
England’s Ugo Monye asked for fans to ‘not show their worst side’ whilst dealing with the deep frustration and disappointment, while former Irish international Simon Zebo said he admired the courage shown by Burns to go for the five, adding that no one has died.
Former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll called it a ‘very very tough pill to swallow’ but Burns’ response to the incident will show his character.
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Irish fans will be deeply frustrated/disappointed… Twitter please don’t show your worst side. Seen some awful comments already #WALvIRE
— ugo monye (@ugomonye) February 7, 2021
I admire the ? on billy burns to go for the actual 5m
Not shy away and hit the 22 like many others
Nobody died
Allez les verts ??????— Simon Zebo (@SimonZebo) February 7, 2021
Very very tough pill for Billy Burns to swallow. International rugby can be brutal as there’s no hiding place but big test of character now as to what response is given….
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) February 7, 2021
Journalists also made calls to fans asking them to stop tagging players in negative tweets, while Ulster teammate John Cooney had some sage advice for those berating others online.
“If you’re the type of person who has to berate another individual in order to feel better about yourself, I feel sorry for you,” he wrote.
“Think before you write stuff online & look internally first. We are all fallible. It’s the man in the arena!”
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It's 2021 and people are still tagging players in critical tweets. Seriously, how does anyone think that's the right thing to do?
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) February 7, 2021
If you tag a player in a mean Tweet you are gross. Nobody will be giving them a harder time than themselves. It’s never ok to abuse someone online.
— Jessica Hayden (@_JessHayden) February 7, 2021
Be kind. pic.twitter.com/PRCRmeFXvn
— RugbyPlayersIreland (@RugbyPlayersIRE) February 7, 2021
If you’re the type of person who has to berate another individual in order to feel better about yourself, I feel sorry for you. Think before you write stuff online & look internally first. We are all fallible. It’s the man in the arena! pic.twitter.com/aE9nEPVq6K
— John Cooney (@JCooney09) February 7, 2021
Stop tagging players to criticise them.
It’s shitty. Very shitty. Be better. pic.twitter.com/PZHfbOb3LS
— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) February 7, 2021
Billy Burns my god
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) February 7, 2021
A single decision doesn’t lose a game, nor does a single player. Yet I’m horrified so many people seem to have that opinion.
Remind me, how many international minutes do you have under your belt?
— Christina Mahon (@ChristinaMahonx) February 7, 2021
Only one man cost Ireland the match and it wasn't the luckless Billy Burns. Peter O'Mahony lost it when he lost his head in the 14th minute: indefensible. Had the @Munsterrugby flanker been in action instead of sitting behind a mask, North probably wouldn't have scored his try. https://t.co/eE2y1zbqYh
— Peter Jackson (@JackoRugby) February 8, 2021
Important to remember Billy Burns was there on merit as he has been excellent for Ulster and impressed when given the Test chance last year
He'll have to wear this one, but he's made of strong stuff pic.twitter.com/kMUl6INRT9
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 7, 2021
Head coach Andy Farrell wasn’t blaming Burns after the game, saying ‘we have all missed touch before’ and that he will learn from the experience.
“It’s not the reason we lost the game. We have all missed touch before,’’ Farrell said.
“I suppose he will be gutted, obviously, because of the magnitude of the last minute and whether we’ve got a chance to win the game at the death there, but he’ll learn from this.”
Captain Johnny Sexton echo’d his coach’s sentiment, explaining that he’d told Burns to go for maximum distance earlier.
“Billy is upset. Billy puts a huge amount on his own shoulders a lot of the time and he has definitely – almost always – carried Ulster in the past. And he will do for Ireland in the future as well.
“Obviously, he realises, with that kick to the corner there, he is trying to get every single last inch out of that ball. He slightly overcooked it.
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 the @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