Pro12 Semi 1 - Glasgow Warriors v Ulster Rugby, 22 May

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Glasgow Warriors v Ulster Rugby
Friday 22 May 2015
KO: 19:45
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow

Live on Sky Sports / BBC ALBA / BBC NI / TG4

Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 73rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: John Lacey, Dudley Phillips (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU)

A. Head to Head - Aggregate

26 Played 26
12 Wins 13
13 Losses 12
1 Draws 1
44 Tries 47
31 Conversions 32
64 Penalties 66
6 Drop Goals 0
492 Points 497
25 Avg. Age 27

B. Head to Head - Recently

Sat 16 May 2015 - Glasgow 32 - 10 Ulster Rugby

Sat 11 Oct 2014 - Ulster Rugby 29 - 9 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 18 Apr 2014 - Glasgow Warriors 27 - 9 Ulster Rugby

Fri 13 Sep 2013 - Ulster Rugby 12 - 13 Glasgow Warriors

C. Run-In

Glasgow Warriors

16/05/15 Glasgow 32 - 10 Ulster

08/05/15 Ospreys 21 - 10 Glasgow

25/04/15 Connacht 13 - 31 Glasgow

Ulster Rugby

16/05/15 Glasgow 32 - 10 Ulster

09/05/15 Ulster 23 - 23 Munster

24/04/15 Ulster 26 - 10 Leinster

D. Teams

Glasgow Warriors

15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Richie Vernon
12. Peter Horne
11. Niko Matawalu
10. Finn Russell
09. Henry Pyrgos
 
01. Ryan Grant  
02. Fraser Brown
03. Rossouw de Klerk
04. Jonny Gray
05. Al Kellock (Captain)
06. Josh Strauss
07. Chris Fusaro
08. Adam Ashe
 
16. Pat MacArthur
17. Gordon Reid
18. Mike Cusack
19. Leone Nakarawa
20. Ryan Wilson
21. Duncan Weir
22. Sean Lamont
23. DTH van der Merwe

Ulster Rugby

15 L Ludik
14 T Bowe
13 J Payne
12 D Cave
11 C Gilroy
10 P Jackson
09 R Pienaar

01 C Black
02 R Best (C)
03 R Lutton
04 L Stevenson
05 D Tuohy
06 I Henderson
07 C Henry
08 R Wilson

16 R Herring
17 A Warwick
18 B Ross
19 R Diack
20 S Reidy
21P Marshall
22 S McCloskey
23 M Allen

Lutton's stupidity proves very costly for Ulster.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:The Ulster team are knackered, why isn't Doak using his subs?

Indeed.

Arrrrrggghhhh, Rory, please take it like a man, I know Matawalu is a bit of an actor, but do not give him the chance to act, the last one was a pen, no matter how you polish it.

Matawalu certainly made the most of it, but it was bloody stupid from your prop in the first place - the fault should be laid firmly with him.

wayne wrote:Come on you weegies, you can do this

Very pleased I got that one right, you've deserved that for the last few years

Finn Russell https://vine.co/v/eqOBAVZrBZt

That game was decided by Ruan Pienaar missing a touchline conversion and Finn Russell nailing one- everything else was pretty much even. It was close and both teams deserve to be congratulated on their performances, especially the winners Glasgow.

But for Ulster, it's now twice in a row we've gone away to the team that won the league stage of the season, dictated large portions of the game, and failed to make our chances count! A real championship team would have capitalised on the 5m scrum we had on the stroke of half time. There's no difference in quality between us and the very top sides; there's a difference in composure at the one or two crucial moments in each game. Thats why we have been perennial semi-finalists and runners-up, not winners. We are as good as anyone else in this league. We just haven't grabbed opportunities, which is the one thing you MUST do in big games. So frustrating.

It's hard to take, because for me Glasgow are in the same boat as Ulster based on that showing, we could have very easily won that game with just the slightest of shifts. Glasgow may win next week- for me I'd be very surprised, and I don't say that to be disrespectful (people know that I'm frank and forthright, but I try to be fair as well). Their decision making was very suspect re' kicking for posts, at times they tried to run a lot of balls they didn't need to and they struggled at times in the scrum where Munster are much better than Ulster sans Herbst. They shaded a 50/50 game, they deserve to celebrate, but I think Glasgow need to find an extra 10 or 20% to win this competition. I think there's a few things missing before they become a really top side, a dominant winning force. Of course, what's been interesting is there hasn't been a really top side in the Pro12 this year- any one of the four would be able to beat the others on the day- so it might be their year. But I just look at Munster, with the collective experience of playing in crunch games and I can't see them being stopped.

LordDowlais wrote:Arrrrrggghhhh, Rory, please take it like a man, I know Matawalu is a bit of an actor, but do not give him the chance to act, the last one was a pen, no matter how you polish it.

I said that what Lutton did was bad, it was a high tackle. I also said that Matawalu dived, which you are agreeing with. I also congratulated Glasgow for the win.

So yet again your complete lack of intelligence prevails. Please learn how to read (and write).

I would not begrudge Glasgow winning it this year, even if they have Ospreys in the final. They deserve it for their performances over the season.

Chunky Norwich wrote:Absolutely disgraceful refereeing from Clancy. especially in the run up to the Ulster try. Identical in the side to what Glasgow were penalised for but totally ignored 3 yards infront of him.

The 4 Irish officials won't let Ulster lose this one.

Rancid competition.

Talking boll!x as usual.

I bet you're disappointed now that Ulster lost. You're one of those negative people who love to complain about things.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Matawalu certainly made the most of it, but it was bloody stupid from your prop in the first place - the fault should be laid firmly with him.

Maybe it was stupid from the Lutton, but that still doesn't excuse Matawalu behaving like a complete naughty naughty boy, and not for the first time. Absolutely no respect for that type of character.

Edit: I didn't type 'naughty naughty boy' I called Matawalu a t o s s e r

LordDowlais wrote:Arrrrrggghhhh, Rory, please take it like a man, I know Matawalu is a bit of an actor, but do not give him the chance to act, the last one was a pen, no matter how you polish it.

Aw it was stupid, but it should have at least been a warning. I don't have a problem with the decision but if the officials have a word with Matawalu the first time he breaks out the acting- not to penalise him, just to warn him off doing it- I think it saves everyone a lot of nonsense.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Matawalu certainly made the most of it, but it was bloody stupid from your prop in the first place - the fault should be laid firmly with him.

Lutton has been sidelined all season and had Grant on toast. Glasgow weren't pinged for numerous similar incidents - no fault should be laid at Lutton's feet.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Arrrrrggghhhh, Rory, please take it like a man, I know Matawalu is a bit of an actor, but do not give him the chance to act, the last one was a pen, no matter how you polish it.

I said that what Lutton did was bad, it was a high tackle. I also said that Matawalu dived, which you are agreeing with. I also congratulated Glasgow for the win.

So yet again your complete lack of intelligence prevails. Please learn how to read (and write).

I was talking about Rory Bests interview.

LordDowlais wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Arrrrrggghhhh, Rory, please take it like a man, I know Matawalu is a bit of an actor, but do not give him the chance to act, the last one was a pen, no matter how you polish it.

I said that what Lutton did was bad, it was a high tackle. I also said that Matawalu dived, which you are agreeing with. I also congratulated Glasgow for the win.

So yet again your complete lack of intelligence prevails. Please learn how to read (and write).

I was talking about Rory Bests interview.

You have my sincere apologies, it seems my lack of intelligence prevails.

Gutted Gutted Gutted

I truely thought we had control of that game and had we used someone from the bench we absolutely would have. McCloskey sat it our just when a line breaker was needed. I had started to forgive Doak for a rubbish season but tonight is a step too far. Go away Doak.

Anyway, we couldn't have lost to a better side and better set of fans. You Weegies something in that team that needs bottling and selling. Your usual hero Niko was a liability for most of that game and we couldn't take advantage.

Lutton you mutton, you left us in the do-do. I know Niko acted like a soccer player but you did hand them the penalty when we were looking safe and into the final. That completely undermined all you did in the scrum.

Congrats to you Weegies.

profitius wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:Absolutely disgraceful refereeing from Clancy. especially in the run up to the Ulster try. Identical in the side to what Glasgow were penalised for but totally ignored 3 yards infront of him.

The 4 Irish officials won't let Ulster lose this one.

Rancid competition.

Talking boll!x as usual.

I bet you're disappointed now that Ulster lost. You're one of those negative people who love to complain about things.

Gutted

LordDowlais wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Arrrrrggghhhh, Rory, please take it like a man, I know Matawalu is a bit of an actor, but do not give him the chance to act, the last one was a pen, no matter how you polish it.

I said that what Lutton did was bad, it was a high tackle. I also said that Matawalu dived, which you are agreeing with. I also congratulated Glasgow for the win.

So yet again your complete lack of intelligence prevails. Please learn how to read (and write).

I was talking about Rory Bests interview.

Thought Rory gave a very good post match interview. What on earth are you whinging about now?

The Great Aukster wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Matawalu certainly made the most of it, but it was bloody stupid from your prop in the first place - the fault should be laid firmly with him.

Lutton has been sidelined all season and had Grant on toast. Glasgow weren't pinged for numerous similar incidents - no fault should be laid at Lutton's feet.

This is also true actually. There were many high tackles throughout the game that were not pinged.

Lutton still deserved pinged for it, it was daft. However, if Matawalu hadn't went down, I doubt a thing would have been said.

Notch wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Arrrrrggghhhh, Rory, please take it like a man, I know Matawalu is a bit of an actor, but do not give him the chance to act, the last one was a pen, no matter how you polish it.

Aw it was stupid, but it should have at least been a warning. I don't have a problem with the decision but if the officials have a word with Matawalu the first time he breaks out the acting- not to penalise him, just to warn him off doing it- I think it saves everyone a lot of nonsense.

Yes I agree, I would have overturned the pen for the theatrics, but the theatrics won the pen, don't worry, he will be in the Aviva next season.

The Great Aukster wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Matawalu certainly made the most of it, but it was bloody stupid from your prop in the first place - the fault should be laid firmly with him.

Lutton has been sidelined all season and had Grant on toast. Glasgow weren't pinged for numerous similar incidents - no fault should be laid at Lutton's feet.

For that it should be, but not using the bench to relieve him was stupid. Tired players don't just struggle to make it to rucks, they do stupid things to slow the game down. It's harder to think clearly under pressure when you're body is screaming at you and your lungs are bursting. Tired players do stupid stuff! And we could have and should have won with better use of the bench. We saved our subs until after Glasgow scored which was a complete panic move. Just when you don't want discontinuity, right after conceding, you change half the pack. What?

What were we waiting for anyway? Extra time? We just had to close the game out from 70 minutes.

I see that girl chunky is still trolling this forum, can that top-hat not be removed?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Arrrrrggghhhh, Rory, please take it like a man, I know Matawalu is a bit of an actor, but do not give him the chance to act, the last one was a pen, no matter how you polish it.

I said that what Lutton did was bad, it was a high tackle. I also said that Matawalu dived, which you are agreeing with. I also congratulated Glasgow for the win.

So yet again your complete lack of intelligence prevails. Please learn how to read (and write).

I was talking about Rory Bests interview.

You have my sincere apologies, it seems my lack of intelligence prevails.

Not a problem my good man, hope we can chat tomorrow after the second SF.

Good man Rory...a hard player who doesn't look for favours and doesn't expect to get any of a rugby kind.  But I guess he was surprised to see the football taking a bow in a semi

Sad for him that he keeps struggling to get something substantial with Ulster and it always just gets taken from him in the end.

Ulster simply faced a Glasgow that they knew was cranking up another gear in physicality - dragged by desire, adrenaline and the will not to lose their chance after the year they've had - and Ulster simply watched it happen and didn't or possibly couldn't meet the up-step in intensity that Glasgow brought in that last 20 minutes or so.  It all looked too methodical and defensive systems from Ulster... playing numbers when Glasgow were playing war.

Munchkin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Matawalu certainly made the most of it, but it was bloody stupid from your prop in the first place - the fault should be laid firmly with him.

Maybe it was stupid from the Lutton, but that still doesn't excuse Matawalu behaving like a complete naughty naughty boy, and not for the first time. Absolutely no respect for that type of character.

Edit: I didn't type 'naughty naughty boy' I called Matawalu a t o s s e r

Cheating implies it wouldn't have been a penalty if he hadn't reacted like that, which I don't think is the case - it was a penalty anyway, and stupid from the prop

Do they have a ticket section on Gumtree Belfast?

I just wonder what a difference a hungry Robbie Diack and Stuart McCloskey coming off the bench would have made. Both have proven themselves to be extremely good at closing out that last 20 minutes and making an impact.

It is just completely bizarre, what on earth was Doak thinking?

Chunky Norwich wrote:Do they have a ticket section on Gumtree Belfast?

I think you should stop now.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Matawalu certainly made the most of it, but it was bloody stupid from your prop in the first place - the fault should be laid firmly with him.

Maybe it was stupid from the Lutton, but that still doesn't excuse Matawalu behaving like a complete naughty naughty boy, and not for the first time. Absolutely no respect for that type of character.

Edit: I didn't type 'naughty naughty boy' I called Matawalu a t o s s e r

Cheating implies it wouldn't have been a penalty if he hadn't reacted like that, which I don't think is the case - it was a penalty anyway, and stupid from the prop

I would need to look at it again, but at the time didn't think there was much in it. If that t o s s e r hadn't went full drama queen nothing would have happened.

That's a different kind of cheating I guess.

Anyway, he will be at Ravenhill for the final. I'm sure the Ulster fans will give him a big cheer

Chunky Norwich wrote:Do they have a ticket section on Gumtree Belfast?

You really can't help yourself, can you?

Notch wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:Do they have a ticket section on Gumtree Belfast?

I think you should stop now.

Yup. That's enough from me. I'm going to have a few beers.

Munchkin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Matawalu certainly made the most of it, but it was bloody stupid from your prop in the first place - the fault should be laid firmly with him.

Maybe it was stupid from the Lutton, but that still doesn't excuse Matawalu behaving like a complete naughty naughty boy, and not for the first time. Absolutely no respect for that type of character.

Edit: I didn't type 'naughty naughty boy' I called Matawalu a t o s s e r

Cheating implies it wouldn't have been a penalty if he hadn't reacted like that, which I don't think is the case - it was a penalty anyway, and stupid from the prop

I would need to look at it again, but at the time didn't think there was much in it. If that t o s s e r hadn't went full drama queen nothing would have happened.

That's a different kind of cheating I guess.


Anyway, he will be at Ravenhill for the final. I'm sure the Ulster fans will give him a big cheer

I now it was theatrics, and we do not want theatrics in our game, but it was a pen, so although you are right in your discription of Matawalu, what is right, holding a player back and cheating or making it obvious that you are being fowled ?

At the end of the day, if Matawalu had dived to deceive the ref and con a pen, then perhaps we could all be up in arms, but he did not cheat, he did not con the ref, he over elaborated what happened to him to get the ref to review what had been done to him, easy way to beat it, do not give him the chance to act.

Massive congratulations to my soap dodging brethren. Great effort against a tough side. In the end I felt Glasgow had the legs, Ulster should probably have harvested more points earlier in the game.

On an individual note hats off to Finn Russell. The only question is what Duncan Weir plans to do with his life now??

funnyExiledScot wrote:Massive congratulations to my soap dodging brethren. Great effort against a tough side. In the end I felt Glasgow had the legs, Ulster should probably have harvested more points earlier in the game.

On an individual note hats off to Finn Russell. The only question is what Duncan Weir plans to do with his life now??

Edinburgh must be looking for a 10 who isn't much of a running threat and is happy to kick as default.

Probably worth saying as well that Clancy and the rest of the officials did not have a bad game at all. There were a couple of decisions I did not agree with, but what game can't you say that and I am sure the Ulster fans feel the same.

Nice when there is a game when the refs are not the story of the game.

highland_scot wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:Massive congratulations to my soap dodging brethren. Great effort against a tough side. In the end I felt Glasgow had the legs, Ulster should probably have harvested more points earlier in the game.

On an individual note hats off to Finn Russell. The only question is what Duncan Weir plans to do with his life now??

Edinburgh must be looking for a 10 who isn't much of a running threat and is happy to kick as default.  

And like to throw in the odd intercept pass? no thanks!

LordDowlais wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Matawalu certainly made the most of it, but it was bloody stupid from your prop in the first place - the fault should be laid firmly with him.

Maybe it was stupid from the Lutton, but that still doesn't excuse Matawalu behaving like a complete naughty naughty boy, and not for the first time. Absolutely no respect for that type of character.

Edit: I didn't type 'naughty naughty boy' I called Matawalu a t o s s e r

Cheating implies it wouldn't have been a penalty if he hadn't reacted like that, which I don't think is the case - it was a penalty anyway, and stupid from the prop

I would need to look at it again, but at the time didn't think there was much in it. If that t o s s e r hadn't went full drama queen nothing would have happened.

That's a different kind of cheating I guess.


Anyway, he will be at Ravenhill for the final. I'm sure the Ulster fans will give him a big cheer

I now it was theatrics, and we do not want theatrics in our game, but it was a pen, so although you are right in your discription of Matawalu, what is right, holding a player back and cheating or making it obvious that you are being fowled ?

At the end of the day, if Matawalu had dived to deceive the ref and con a pen, then perhaps we could all be up in arms, but he did not cheat, he did not con the ref, he over elaborated what happened to him to get the ref to review what had been done to him, easy way to beat it, do not give him the chance to act.

He did dive to deceive the ref. That's the point of diving. No penalty would have been awarded otherwise. I don't think there was anything in it, but admit that I would need to look at it again.

The use of the bench more than anything, or not using the bench, probably did more damage to us more than anything else though. No complaints about the Glasgow win.

BigGee wrote:Probably worth saying as well that Clancy and the rest of the officials did not have a bad game at all. There were a couple of decisions I did not agree with, but what game can't you say that and I am sure the Ulster fans feel the same.

Nice when there is a game when the refs are not the story of the game.

I thought the referees validated their selection and I don't think anyone can reasonably say they favoured either side. This forum being what it is, they've already been accused of bias (quelle surprise) but it would have been easy for Clancy to find a reason not to penalise the Ulster scrum at the end of the first half, or to reverse the penalty for Matawalus play acting (not a decision I would have agreed with), but they showed the integrity and neutrality we expect from all refs at this level- which to the vast majority is not a surprise in the slightest.

Ulster fans can now feel how Edinburgh fans have been feeling all season when Solomons barely used his bench!

Focussing on Glasgow, I thought they were poor tonight (other than the last 10 minutes) and will have to improve significantly for the final.

The set piece was awful, and once again caused Glasgow problems that shouldn't have happened.

Clancy actually had one of his better games and didn't try to be the star of the evening for once.

Munchkin wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Matawalu certainly made the most of it, but it was bloody stupid from your prop in the first place - the fault should be laid firmly with him.

Maybe it was stupid from the Lutton, but that still doesn't excuse Matawalu behaving like a complete naughty naughty boy, and not for the first time. Absolutely no respect for that type of character.

Edit: I didn't type 'naughty naughty boy' I called Matawalu a t o s s e r

Cheating implies it wouldn't have been a penalty if he hadn't reacted like that, which I don't think is the case - it was a penalty anyway, and stupid from the prop

I would need to look at it again, but at the time didn't think there was much in it. If that t o s s e r hadn't went full drama queen nothing would have happened.

That's a different kind of cheating I guess.


Anyway, he will be at Ravenhill for the final. I'm sure the Ulster fans will give him a big cheer

I now it was theatrics, and we do not want theatrics in our game, but it was a pen, so although you are right in your discription of Matawalu, what is right, holding a player back and cheating or making it obvious that you are being fowled ?

At the end of the day, if Matawalu had dived to deceive the ref and con a pen, then perhaps we could all be up in arms, but he did not cheat, he did not con the ref, he over elaborated what happened to him to get the ref to review what had been done to him, easy way to beat it, do not give him the chance to act.

He did dive to deceive the ref. That's the point of diving. No penalty would have been awarded otherwise. I don't think there was anything in it, but admit that I would need to look at it again.

The use of the bench more than anything, or not using the bench, probably did more damage to us more than anything else though. No complaints about the Glasgow win.

How do you know that no penalty would of been given?

VinceWLB wrote:Ulster fans can now feel how Edinburgh fans have been feeling all season when Solomons barely used his bench!

Well we have a new coach once the WC is finished. I'm sure Kiss knows when and how to use the bench, and hopefully he can lead us to the promised land.

nathan wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Matawalu certainly made the most of it, but it was bloody stupid from your prop in the first place - the fault should be laid firmly with him.

Maybe it was stupid from the Lutton, but that still doesn't excuse Matawalu behaving like a complete naughty naughty boy, and not for the first time. Absolutely no respect for that type of character.

Edit: I didn't type 'naughty naughty boy' I called Matawalu a t o s s e r

Cheating implies it wouldn't have been a penalty if he hadn't reacted like that, which I don't think is the case - it was a penalty anyway, and stupid from the prop

I would need to look at it again, but at the time didn't think there was much in it. If that t o s s e r hadn't went full drama queen nothing would have happened.

That's a different kind of cheating I guess.


Anyway, he will be at Ravenhill for the final. I'm sure the Ulster fans will give him a big cheer

I now it was theatrics, and we do not want theatrics in our game, but it was a pen, so although you are right in your discription of Matawalu, what is right, holding a player back and cheating or making it obvious that you are being fowled ?

At the end of the day, if Matawalu had dived to deceive the ref and con a pen, then perhaps we could all be up in arms, but he did not cheat, he did not con the ref, he over elaborated what happened to him to get the ref to review what had been done to him, easy way to beat it, do not give him the chance to act.

He did dive to deceive the ref. That's the point of diving. No penalty would have been awarded otherwise. I don't think there was anything in it, but admit that I would need to look at it again.

The use of the bench more than anything, or not using the bench, probably did more damage to us more than anything else though. No complaints about the Glasgow win.

How do you know that no penalty would of been given?

Because I'm a genius.

Tell you what Clancy is generally bad but i have never had the feeling of him being biased which i sometime get with other refs like Owens and Lacey.

VinceWLB wrote:Tell you what Clancy is generally bad but i have never had the feeling of him being biased which i sometime get with other refs like Owens and Lacey.

Who do Owens and Lacey favour in their bias?

Chunky Norwich wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:Tell you what Clancy is generally bad but i have never had the feeling of him being biased which i sometime get with other refs like Owens and Lacey.

Who do Owens and Lacey favour in their bias?

Lacey will often favour the "bigger" team going by the history. Same with Owens in a more lenient way when reffing the breakdown.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Focussing on Glasgow, I thought they were poor tonight (other than the last 10 minutes) and will have to improve significantly for the final.

The ser piecec was awful, and once again caused Glasgow problems that shouldn't have happened.

No once the euphoria wears off and the coaches dissect the game there will be a lot they are not happy with, the set piece in particular and perhaps this is why we need to move on from Shade Monroe as it is not the first time this season that it has failed under pressure.

The scrum improved with the two new props and they may well be in line to start next week, unless they decide to see if Murray has one last big game in him. Hooker is going to be a problem though, Brown looks like he may well be out and McArthur's throwing was all over the place again. I hope Dougie has not chucked the boots away yet.

There were a lot of battered players at the end and the physios will be busy during the week to try and patch them up.

I very much doubt we will see Niko starting on the wing again though, that was a gamble that almost cost us the game. He needs to start on the bench and come on for the last 20 mins at SH.

Team selection dictated by injury and different tactics are going to be crucial this time!

Munchkin wrote:

nathan wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Matawalu certainly made the most of it, but it was bloody stupid from your prop in the first place - the fault should be laid firmly with him.

Maybe it was stupid from the Lutton, but that still doesn't excuse Matawalu behaving like a complete naughty naughty boy, and not for the first time. Absolutely no respect for that type of character.

Edit: I didn't type 'naughty naughty boy' I called Matawalu a t o s s e r

Cheating implies it wouldn't have been a penalty if he hadn't reacted like that, which I don't think is the case - it was a penalty anyway, and stupid from the prop

I would need to look at it again, but at the time didn't think there was much in it. If that t o s s e r hadn't went full drama queen nothing would have happened.

That's a different kind of cheating I guess.


Anyway, he will be at Ravenhill for the final. I'm sure the Ulster fans will give him a big cheer

I now it was theatrics, and we do not want theatrics in our game, but it was a pen, so although you are right in your discription of Matawalu, what is right, holding a player back and cheating or making it obvious that you are being fowled ?

At the end of the day, if Matawalu had dived to deceive the ref and con a pen, then perhaps we could all be up in arms, but he did not cheat, he did not con the ref, he over elaborated what happened to him to get the ref to review what had been done to him, easy way to beat it, do not give him the chance to act.

He did dive to deceive the ref. That's the point of diving. No penalty would have been awarded otherwise. I don't think there was anything in it, but admit that I would need to look at it again.

The use of the bench more than anything, or not using the bench, probably did more damage to us more than anything else though. No complaints about the Glasgow win.

How do you know that no penalty would of been given?

Because I'm a genius.

Now we all know you are talking rubbish!

But of an extreme reaction on social media - a lot of Ulster fans putting the blame for defeat firmly on Matawalu.

Glad to see people on here are a bit more broad minded! There were a lot more contributing factors than that:

Ulster completely dominated the first half but were only 2 points ahead, spurning several chances

Pieenar's missed conversation

Pieener losing his radar from kicks in hand

Ulster ran out of steam at the end despite having a strong bench that wasn't used well

There was no reason whatsoever for the Ulster prop to grab Matawalu off the ball - he made a meal of it, but should never have happened in the first place

Glasgow had some X-factor players that turned it on even though the team wasn't playing well.


So yes the Matawalu incident wasn't great to see, but some people (not on this forum I might add) need to get a sense of perspective!

The Ulster fans on here have shown great sportsmanship though

BigGee wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Focussing on Glasgow, I thought they were poor tonight (other than the last 10 minutes) and will have to improve significantly for the final.

The ser piecec was awful, and once again caused Glasgow problems that shouldn't have happened.

No once the euphoria wears off and the coaches dissect the game there will be a lot they are not happy with, the set piece in particular and perhaps this is why we need to move on from Shade Monroe as it is not the first time this season that it has failed under pressure.

The scrum improved with the two new props and they may well be in line to start next week, unless they decide to see if Murray has one last big game in him. Hooker is going to be a problem though, Brown looks like he may well be out and McArthur's throwing was all over the place again. I hope Dougie has not chucked the boots away yet.

There were a lot of battered players at the end and the physios will be busy during the week to try and patch them up.

I very much doubt we will see Niko starting on the wing again though, that was a gamble that almost cost us the game. He needs to start on the bench and come on for the last 20 mins at SH.

Team selection dictated by injury and different tactics are going to be crucial this time!

I do think that with a decent set piece Glasgow would have been in the semi final of the champions cup, possibly even more..

I have never really seen what MacArthur bring to the party personally.. I would have Brown, Bryce and Dougie all ahead of him in the pecking order. The scrum did look a bit better with Cusack and Reid on but it was against tiring props as the Ulster coach thankfully pulled a Solomans! Not sure they are really better.

DTH looked the part when he came on so i'm hopefull he will start next week and save us from having Mad Niko once again on the wing!

Extra day of rest prior to the final will come in handy.