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Cardiff Blues edged Gloucester Rugby 31-30 in a Challenge Cup final thriller at San Mames Stadium on Friday thanks a last minute kick from Gareth Anscombe.
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The New Zealander had missed a conversion just minutes earlier to bring the match level after Blaine Scully’s 74th minute try in the corner.
Gloucester appeared to be in control of proceedings holding a 20-6 half-time lead thanks to tries for Henry Trinder and Mark Atkinson along with 10 points from the boot of Billy Twelvetrees.
But that advantage could have been bigger, a try from Lewis Ludlow was disallowed on the half hour due to a perceived forward pass by Josh Hohneck, however it wasn’t referred to the TMO, something which Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann criticised heavily in the aftermath.
“If there is technology, use it and then at least if you got it right even in your gut feeling on the field then you’ll know, you’ve that confirmation and then on the Monday or on the following day or hour after the game you’ve got a clean slate. And again that’s why I say it still flabbergasts me that we’ve got the technology but we don’t want to use it” the South African said.
Cardiff burst into life immediately after the break and used kicks behind Gloucester’s rush defence to good effect gaining territory and a foothold into the game.
Tomos Williams, who was a recent call-up to Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for their summer tour showed good tenacity and footballing skills to reach and control the ball, benefiting from a ricochet off the posts padding and into his grateful arms as he slid in within a minute of the restart.
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Jarrod Evans reduced arrears to 20-16 with another successful kick.
Garyn Smith, one of two first half subs alongside Josh Navidi, crossed for Cardiff’s second try in the 54th minute to turn the match on its head as they led 23-20.
Gloucester weren’t to be cowed and duly retook the lead with a catch-and-drive from a lineout, which resulted in hooker James Hanson dotting down.
Billy Twelvetrees added the conversion, along with a 63rd minute penalty and the Premiership side appeared to have assumed control of this match once again.
That moment… @Cardiff_Blues lifting the Challenge Cup! 🏆#ChallengeCupRugby #Bilbao2018 pic.twitter.com/Fo0gCqAkYM
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) May 11, 2018
But the Blues refused to fold, they pressed for an equalising try. Their caused was helped by a yellow card for Gloucester flanker Lewis Ludlow in the 74th minute, meaning the English club would finish with 14 men.
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Next came Blaine Scully’s try and Gareth Anscombe’s chance of a reprieve for his earlier conversion miss to hand Cardiff Blues their second Champions Cup title and first since 2010.
It is the second season in a row that Gloucester have lost in the Challlenge Cup final.
“I am not going to sleep well tonight and I am probably not going to sleep well for the next seven or eight nights because this is my third final in a row that I am losing” Ackermann said.
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 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,
11 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.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments