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Watch - Freddie Burns' paradoxical reaction to Prem final winning dropgoal
All the pre-game talk was about George Ford and Owen Farrell, but it was an England flyhalf of an older vintage that stole show in the Gallagher Premiership Final in Twickenham this afternoon.
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Freddie Burns held his nerve to slot a 79th minute dropgoal, edging Leicester Tigers clear of Saracens, setting up a tense restart reception for the Welford Road men to secure a first Gallagher Premiership in nine years.
The 32-year-old, who replaced Ford after just 20 minutes, proved he was more than capable of sealing the deal for Tigers.
His reaction to successfully scoring the 3 pointer – a kick he described as looking like a ‘dead duck’ to ITV television – was maybe the most entertaining element of the denouement.
There’s was no celebration, just blind panic from Burns, knowing that Tigers had to successfully secure the ball with Saracens desperate to win it back and give themselves a chance of snatching glory.
UN-BEL-IEV-ABLE 🔥🔥
Standing up when it matters @FreddieBurns to make @LeicesterTigers #GallagherPrem champions 🙌#GallagherPremFinal | #LEIvSARpic.twitter.com/mwRfnefCpB
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) June 18, 2022
Tigers duly retain posession and in doing so, their first title since 2013 with a 15-12 victory over the Londoners, their ninth Premiership title in their history.
“I’m all cried out, I need to top up on my fluids with some champagne and cider,” he told BT Sport. “I thought moments like this weren’t made for me… To do it for this crowd and club means the world.”
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"I'm all cried out, I need to top up on my fluids with some champagne and cider"
"I thought moments like this weren't made for me…"
"To do it for this crowd and club means the world"
Your match winner, Freddie Burns 🥇
🎙 @Sarraelgan #GallagherPremFinal pic.twitter.com/RMD5HkhjFZ
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) June 18, 2022
Burns returned to Leicester in 2021, having first joined the side in 2014. In his first stint he scored 603 points for Tigers in three seasons and 75 appearances, before moving to Bath ahead of the 2017/18 campaign and then to Japan for the 2020/21 season.
Burns began his professional career with Gloucester in 2007 and made his Test debut in 2012 after representing England Under-20s and Saxons.
He played for Toyota Jido Shokki in Japan for a season, before returning to Premiership, a move that has certainly paid off, with Burns now adding a Premiership title to his storied career.
Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
23 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
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13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
23 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments