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

The loss cannot be attributed to the dives of Matawalu, but I do think it was a disgraceful act. I do wonder, had he stayed on his feet when Lutton grabbed him, which I think he absolutely could have done, would the incident have even been looked at? I doubt it.

It was clumsy of Lutton, but the more I look at the incident, the more I think there was very little in it. Like I said before as well, there were a few high tackles throughout the game at full pace which were ignored (probably because nobody dived).

I would ignore Chunky's thread though.. he seems to be claiming that the Matawalu incident is what won Glasgow the game.

RDW_Scotland wrote: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

Absolutely spot on, there are a lot of eejeits (this wasn't my first choice name for them but it will do) on social media but any true fan will see what you did.
I am just left wondering why with 10-20 mins left the likes of diack, mccloskey etc were not on for a clearly tiring team, a real oversight by Doak.

There are more than a few Warriors supporters who won't be too sad to see Nico leave. It often seems that he needs to be the centre of attention, and if he can't do it with ball in hand...

But Nico didn't cost Ulster the final. The coach did. Bear in mind that Glasgow had to use almost all their replacements due to injuries. The Ulster coach could have freshener things up against a team who didn't have that option. Yes, if it isn't broke don't fix it is fine, but waiting till it was broke was too late.

And congratulations to all the Ulster fans at the game. Very sporting and fair. A credit to your club. Not like a few Glasgow fans - chants of 'cheat, cheat' have no place in rugby.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:The loss cannot be attributed to the dives of Matawalu, but I do think it was a disgraceful act. I do wonder, had he stayed on his feet when Lutton grabbed him, which I think he absolutely could have done, would the incident have even been looked at? I doubt it.

It was clumsy of Lutton, but the more I look at the incident, the more I think there was very little in it. Like I said before as well, there were a few high tackles throughout the game at full pace which were ignored (probably because nobody dived).

I have to call you on this Rory. Clumsy is not correct. Clumsy suggests a lack of paying attention. This was a chosen action.

If I ran a rugby club, I would be handing out fines to my players who do these idiotic things. Whatever about Matawalu - Lutton cheated. On purpose. Intentionally and unnecessarily. Fact.

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.

No, it's nice when the losing fans choose not to point out all the bad calls that Clancy made. I've met George and he is a decent guy (for a tax inspector) but is undoubtedly a homer 90% of the time.

I'll just say that I couldn't be prouder of that result.

It's the sign of a championship side that you can be dominated for such long periods of the game and still figure out a way to win the game.

George Carlin wrote:I'll just say that I couldn't be prouder of that result.

It's the sign of a championship side that you can be dominated for such long periods of the game and still figure out a way to win the game.

Gregor Townsend surely has to be given the credit for that. The SRU will no doubt be 'in contact' with him after the RWC.

Completely agreed regarding the Ulster fans on this forum and as shown on the TV coverage. Good honest rugby folk. Balanced view and humble. Good luck for next season.
As for Glasgow, I'd suggest the following:
Finn, fabulous. You have shown over the last two games the full array of what we need for both Glasgow and Scotland in the 10 shirt. Take a bow young fella.
JG, grafted again,but I disagree with Jedi on his commentary, I think that JG will perform better as a lead player, bossing the line-out. Doesn't need the pressure of captainsy.
Strauss, conversely, I think should be made captain for Scotland. for Glasgow, it should be a player that will be there for the season.... need to think of that one for a while.....
Naka needs to get some self control, but is a potential genius match (final) winner.
Ashe was not at his best tonight. But, everyone has a bad game every now and again.
Ryan Wilson was fabulous when he came on. All round, wonderful. He too can take a bow.
Our props need a boost before next weekend. I hope we have the Ospreys in the Final for this. (WE'RE IN THE FINAL   ) We need a big quality scrummager for next season. Fingers crossed.
Centres and wingers did very well. I hope Hornee is OK for next week. He looked battered when he came off. SO proud of him he gives his all every game, and deserves to be there next week. As a winner.
Hogg was combative, but nt necessarily at his best. Hopefully saving that for next week.....
Finally, DTH, wow. clip at the end where he was hugging Stauss. I've convinced myself he was saying "Why have I signed for the Scarlets?????????????????" Top fella, and his heart on sleeve is exemplory.   Thank you DTH.

I only saw the first fifteen minutes so I can't comment on much of the game, my parents chose tonight for an impromptu family dinner, and when I informed my mother on the phone I'd rather not come due to the rugby and she replied that I "didn't have to" it was clear she meant otherwise. Nevertheless from what I've seen and what I have read Ulster dominated the game, and firstly I think it's appropriate to say that the Ulster fans and players are very rarely anything other than the epitome of what rugby people should be as well as a quality team, and over the last two weeks on the forum it has been a pleasure. I haven't seen the incident involving Matawalu that's been mentioned several times, if anyone could tell me what happened I'd be very grateful by the way, but I hope to god it wasn't the reason we went through because quite frankly a game involving these two teams is worth far more than that.

As for Glasgow, to reach the final two years in a row is an exemplary feat especially given the state of Scottish rugby over the last few years and the injuries we've suffered. It seems fitting that Van Der Merwe scored the last try as he's been fantastic for his entire time at the club. As for Matawalu, on his day I think he's unique in world rugby for what he can do but I feel in many ways he and Glasgow have grown apart and perhaps it is time for a change for both parties, he's been brilliant but I think for the level Glasgow aspire to the few moments of brilliance are no longer worth the general inconsistency that comes with him. Having said that I do believe he'll be back at Glasgow before too long because I really cannot see him succeeding in the Premiership, the attritional nature of the packs may prove too much for him.

And finally if that's the last we see of Al Kellock then I hope the team gives him the goodbye he deserves next week by getting his hands on the trophy. I've expressed my views on his playing ability these days but you cannot question his heart and the effort he puts in for Glasgow. His injury may be a blessing in disguise for the team but that doesn't diminish how deserving he is of a chance to win.

Congrats soap Dodgers. Played t he rugby in the 2nd half

I've seen the Matawalu-Lutton incident. Lutton is an idiot pure and simple and he'll have nightmares about the grin he pulled afterwards tonight, if I saw the right tackle that is, Ulster had an attacking platform from which they could have killed the game. That's not to say that Matawalu is innocent, however I don't think his actions influenced the decision making. If it was football I suppose it would be one of those occasions where alan shearer points out that there was illegal contact and therefore he "had a right to go down", however this isn't football and Matawalu let himself down. It supposed to be a mans game for goodness sake. Definite pentalty but Matawalu's reaction was unacceptable.

I don't believe what Lutton did was enough to warrant overturning a scrum adv to ulster. That said if we are going to address soccerisation behaviour in the game lets not just hang Niko matawalu and lets actually go after it in all its aspects because he certainly isn't alone

I get what you're saying but figures like Matawalu are an incredibly important aspect of it. The way he plays is such that he's a hero figure to young Glasgow fans and if he's seen to do it it sets a precedent. In rugby all things good and bad seem to trickle from top down. Of course it's not just him, Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar, Stuart Hogg are just as culpable. But at the same time people who watch and play rugby have a healthy regard for the so called "dark arts", and like it or not the Irish players and teams have become synonymous with "streetwise" rugby so it was somewhat ironic when Stephen Ferris ripped into Matawalu having said that I suppose the difference is that when you enter into the "dark arts" you take a risk and hope the referee doesn't see it whereas what Matawalu did was deliberately to dupe the referee. I can't get my head around it but mainly because I always feel that the second an opponent is affected physically or mentally they're there for the taking Matawalu writhing around in pain for a fairly innocuous offence seems unfathomable. The fact is he took him high after the whistle so it was a penalty but maybe it's time for a simulation rule in rugby or at the very least Al Kellock or Strauss pulls him to one side and reads the riot act to him. In all honesty it seems from the brief bits I've watched in the last 40 minutes or so that Ulster should have had the game wrapped up regardless so pinning it on one point seems futile but for the game more generally it sets a precedent. It is always worth remembering though that Matawalu comes from a different rugby culture than most of us, now that is not to say that Fijians are cheats or dishonourable in any way but whilst we all like to believe that rugby is the "gentleman's alternative" to football Matawalu grew up in Fiji where rugby was the sport and the win at all costs attitude may stem from that.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:The loss cannot be attributed to the dives of Matawalu, but I do think it was a disgraceful act. I do wonder, had he stayed on his feet when Lutton grabbed him, which I think he absolutely could have done, would the incident have even been looked at? I doubt it.

It was clumsy of Lutton, but the more I look at the incident, the more I think there was very little in it. Like I said before as well, there were a few high tackles throughout the game at full pace which were ignored (probably because nobody dived).

Definitely a foul. Neither the commentators, the ref or the video ref had any issue with that. So if you want my personal opinion send them both off for 10 mins !

Still was a foul and still wouldnt have made any difference to the score. Matawalu was a for playing football and Lutton was a bigger one for comitting a needless foul.

Had no bearing on the result. Glasgow dominated the 2nd half, Ulster were shipping penalties all over the place and Glasgow better fitness and x factor players won it.

123456789

Without taking the matawalu thing in isolation I agree with you. How used are we over here to the likes of O'Callaghan or Heaslip throwing their arms in the air, screaming at refs for penalties, or seeing pienaar stand back from a ruck with his hands in the air trying to milk penalties.  I watch Isaac Boss flap about like a dead fish if there is an opposition player anywhere near the base of a ruck trying to buy penalties. Aaron Smith in NZ does it too, to the extent that refs have warned him for milking it. 

If we want to tackle all these kind of issues then great but let's not do it in an overreaction to a couple of instances in one game. Let's see world rugby or whoever show a collective will to tidy up the sport. Anyway I won't comment on it anymore because it's doing Glasgow a disservice.

What a game. Glasgow played quite poorly apart from the last 10 minutes. Crowd was fantastic, and I really felt sorry for the 2 Ulster fans I was was sitting beside. They were looking so dejected at the end.

The 2 Ulster fans I don't feel sorry for were the ones who started to talk to me in the queue for the toilet. Frankly an arrogant pair of tossers, who were telling me Scottish rugby was pish, Glasgow were pish!, and Ulster were going to destroy them in the 2nd half. I did agree with their first point though. I can only assume where 21stC Irish cousins.

Not sure what all the moaning is about regarding the Matawalu incident, it was a penalty even if he didnt Hollywood it so in the end it made no difference to the out come of the game

nathan wrote:Not sure what all the moaning is about regarding the Matawalu incident, it was a penalty even if he didnt Hollywood it so in the end it made no difference to the out come of the game

Of course it did.

Clancy wouldn't have noticed it was a penalty if he hadn't have brought his attention to it.

North Stand tj completely ignored the incident and turned his back and walked away - a total coward. Clownshoes had to be nagged by Strauss to review helped by 9965 baying Warriors.

DTH - what can you say - a Warriors legend

Chunky Norwich wrote:

nathan wrote:Not sure what all the moaning is about regarding the Matawalu incident, it was a penalty even if he didnt Hollywood it so in the end it made no difference to the out come of the game

Of course it did.

Clancy wouldn't have noticed it was a penalty if he hadn't have brought his attention to it.

Wonderful. Youre complaining the rules were enforced !
By your logic you should cheat wherever possible. Which makes matawalus conduct quite permissable .

alive555 wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

nathan wrote:Not sure what all the moaning is about regarding the Matawalu incident, it was a penalty even if he didnt Hollywood it so in the end it made no difference to the out come of the game

Of course it did.

Clancy wouldn't have noticed it was a penalty if he hadn't have brought his attention to it.

Wonderful.  Youre complaining the rules were enforced !
By your logic you should cheat wherever possible. Which makes matawalus conduct quite permissable .

This is what happens when the players have to take things into their own hands. It's chaos. Because the officials are so incompetent.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

alive555 wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

nathan wrote:Not sure what all the moaning is about regarding the Matawalu incident, it was a penalty even if he didnt Hollywood it so in the end it made no difference to the out come of the game

Of course it did.

Clancy wouldn't have noticed it was a penalty if he hadn't have brought his attention to it.

Wonderful.  Youre complaining the rules were enforced !
By your logic you should cheat wherever possible. Which makes matawalus conduct quite permissable .

This is what happens when the players have to take things into their own hands. It's chaos. Because the officials are so incompetent.

Oh you mean by blocking, or shirt pulling, or holding in rucks, or dishing out you own justice in the bottom of the rucks? You are calling for an end to all cheating aren't you?

clivemcl wrote:


Oh you mean by blocking, or shirt pulling, or holding in rucks, or dishing out you own justice in the bottom of the rucks? You are calling for an end to all cheating aren't you?

It's more about the standard of refereeing. I don't condone what Matawalu did. It wasn't pretty. But he did it because it seemed to be the only way to get the officials to penalise Ulster. And it worked.

Chunky, you've made your opinions on this well known now, time to move on I think because we're going round in circles.

Chunky, I made comments regarding this kind of crackdown the other day and got very little support. It appears we are in agreement, but I didn't see your support on the matter until an incident arose involving Ulster...  

But yes, a few hard difficult months of refs showing a zero tolerance approach to blocking/holding/tugging, would ultimately result in a purer form of the game where players arent tempted to over-act, and the focus is on rugby skill, not 'dark arts' skill.


So... I wait to hear the cries of support....


Oh thats right, rugby fans are ok with some types of cheating, but apparently theres a hierarchy where over-acting is some sort of greater evil.

Cheating is cheating. Black and white. Laws need enforced. Unseen foul play needs to be reduced for the sake of the sport.

Great to see Glasgow make another final! Hope they can go one further this year and claim some silverware.

Moving on, here's where I think the game was won and lost:

Front row - Ulster

Glasgow's scrum struggled - even losing one against the head - albeit stabilising as the sub props came on and the Ulster coach 'did a Solomons' by not using his bench well. Worrying for Glasgow as they go into the final against what will be a strong scrummaging team

2nd row - draw

Neither pairing overly stood out, with both having lineout troubles. Glasgows lineout was worse, but Gray had a strong game otherwise.

Back row - Ulster

Clear winner here. Henderson was a rampaging beast and Henry was a pain in the hoop. Strauss and Ashe had quiet games, growing into the game went on though. Ryan Wilson was superb off the bench - he took out his frustration of the last few months and was one of Glasgows top players.

Half back - Glasgow

Pieenar controlled the game very well first half but made mistakes in the 2nd. Jackson had some superb touches in the first half but faded into the background in the 2nd. Finn Russell stole the show though with some clever kicking, not to mention THAT pass and conversion!

Centre - draw

Both sets seemed to negate each other really. I can't help but think Mclosky should have been brought on for Cave and told to target Horne and Russell - not the biggest men.

Back 3 - draw

Again no real standouts. Gilroy looked dangerous, Bowe showed some nice touches, Matawalu was his usual mental self and DTH got the all important try.


So to Ulster to me were the better team definitely, they just didn't find a way to win!

Chunky Norwich wrote:

clivemcl wrote:


Oh you mean by blocking, or shirt pulling, or holding in rucks, or dishing out you own justice in the bottom of the rucks? You are calling for an end to all cheating aren't you?

It's more about the standard of refereeing. I don't condone what Matawalu did. It wasn't pretty. But he did it because it seemed to be the only way to get the officials to penalise Ulster. And it worked.

You have made that up, absolutely not true. You can hear on the linesmans mic he called for the ref to investigate a possible block of a player. white on blue. he didnat make it up he saw it !!!!!

- and guess what it was the right call. so lets not call that anything other than the right decision !

I'm in two minds on the soccerisation, it goes against everything we are supposed to stand for but if a player feels the referee isn't fair it seems unrealistic that frustration won't boil over. Also is it not indicative of rugby spreading. If football fans are coming on mass to rugby and behaving like "football fans" I'd rather that than have the not come at all.

Very lame excuses for Matawalu's cheating dive. 123. There is no excuse for it. None whatsoever. It is not acceptable and hopefully never will be.

How do you explain Matawalu trying to get Gilroy sent off? He is a play acting cheat.

These Fijians are crazy this is what happened last week, another wendyball influence:

http://www.rugbydump.com/2015/05/4313/friday-funnies-henry-senilolis-premature-showboating-costs-treviso-a-try

Heh. What a numpty. It would have been a great team try for Treviso.

Munchkin wrote:Heh. What a numpty. It would have been a great team try for Treviso.

In the grand scheme of things it probably cost Treviso the win as well as Scarlets weren't coming back from 20-3 down and Scarlets got fired up after that..

Yes, it was close enough. I though Treviso might turn Scarlets over. They can be a difficult team to play against when they really go for it, and although scarlets have been great at home their away form has been poor. A bit like Ulster's

Munchkin wrote:Very lame excuses for Matawalu's cheating dive. 123. There is no excuse for it. None whatsoever. It is not acceptable and hopefully never will be.

How do you explain Matawalu trying to get Gilroy sent off? He is a play acting cheat.

I'm not excusing the dive look at the last few comments I was discussing the general influence of football in rugby. I haven't seen him trying to get Gilroy get sent off as I only saw the last 20. Roughly when in the match did it happen?

I was referring too this comment, 123: " but if a player feels the referee isn't fair it seems unrealistic that frustration won't boil over.."

It comes across as if you're saying that in some circumstances it's ok to dive. Matawalu doesn't have the excuse of the ref not being fair either.  

Don't know the time of Matawalu trying to get Gilroy carded, but BALLS.ie has this little clip of the incident. Even if they posted the wrong play acting  

PlayactingMatawaluDive

clivemcl wrote:Chunky, I made comments regarding this kind of crackdown the other day and got very little support. It appears we are in agreement, but I didn't see your support on the matter until an incident arose involving Ulster...  

But yes, a few hard difficult months of refs showing a zero tolerance approach to blocking/holding/tugging, would ultimately result in a purer form of the game where players arent tempted to over-act, and the focus is on rugby skill, not 'dark arts' skill.


So... I wait to hear the cries of support....


Oh thats right, rugby fans are ok with some types of cheating, but apparently theres a hierarchy where over-acting is some sort of greater evil.

Cheating is cheating. Black and white. Laws need enforced. Unseen foul play needs to be reduced for the sake of the sport.

Yes I agree. A few weeks ago, Connacht's Muldoon did this and got a yellow. He then said to the referee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQJ05_3CXBw#t=0m47s

And said to the referee "I am taking the game in to my own hands because you are not refereeing it properly."

Personally I would then have given him a 2nd yellow for being a disrespectful idiot. But the point is - players get frustrated because the officials are so bad. No excuse for it, but it happens. And the Matawalu incident is no different.

Munchkin wrote:I was referring too this comment, 123: " but if a player feels the referee isn't fair it seems unrealistic that frustration won't boil over.."

It comes across as if you're saying that in some circumstances it's ok to dive. Matawalu doesn't have the excuse of the ref not being fair either.  

Don't know the time of Matawalu trying to get Gilroy carded, but BALLS.ie has this little clip of the incident. Even if they posted the wrong play acting  

PlayactingMatawaluDive

Is there a better video than that one? It stops before you can even see if he 'dives'. There's certainly some contact from the Ulster player but you can't tell what happens afterwards. I didn't see the incident in the game.

Well done Glasgow. I only watched the first half and didn't think that they were going to come back into it.

Munchkin wrote:I was referring too this comment, 123: " but if a player feels the referee isn't fair it seems unrealistic that frustration won't boil over.."

It comes across as if you're saying that in some circumstances it's ok to dive. Matawalu doesn't have the excuse of the ref not being fair either.  

Don't know the time of Matawalu trying to get Gilroy carded, but BALLS.ie has this little clip of the incident. Even if they posted the wrong play acting  

PlayactingMatawaluDive

I was answering another comment earlier about players shouting and screaming at referees

Cyril wrote:

Munchkin wrote:I was referring too this comment, 123: " but if a player feels the referee isn't fair it seems unrealistic that frustration won't boil over.."

It comes across as if you're saying that in some circumstances it's ok to dive. Matawalu doesn't have the excuse of the ref not being fair either.  

Don't know the time of Matawalu trying to get Gilroy carded, but BALLS.ie has this little clip of the incident. Even if they posted the wrong play acting  

PlayactingMatawaluDive

Is there a better video than that one? It stops before you can even see if he 'dives'. There's certainly some contact from the Ulster player but you can't tell what happens afterwards. I didn't see the incident in the game.

Well done Glasgow. I only watched the first half and didn't think that they were going to come back into it.

funny gilroy was looking at the player and not the ball , takes out matawalu in the air = straight red card
matawalu took his eye right off the ball collided with gilroy and should get a red for play acting

everyone happy now

Robbie Diack is taking it well:

Cyril wrote:

Munchkin wrote:I was referring too this comment, 123: " but if a player feels the referee isn't fair it seems unrealistic that frustration won't boil over.."

It comes across as if you're saying that in some circumstances it's ok to dive. Matawalu doesn't have the excuse of the ref not being fair either.  

Don't know the time of Matawalu trying to get Gilroy carded, but BALLS.ie has this little clip of the incident. Even if they posted the wrong play acting  

PlayactingMatawaluDive

Is there a better video than that one? It stops before you can even see if he 'dives'. There's certainly some contact from the Ulster player but you can't tell what happens afterwards. I didn't see the incident in the game.

Well done Glasgow. I only watched the first half and didn't think that they were going to come back into it.

It is stopped a tad short, but even in that clip you can see Matawalu begin to fold his legs for the touch of drama. I'm sure there is better clips, but don't have one.

123456789 wrote:

Munchkin wrote:I was referring too this comment, 123: " but if a player feels the referee isn't fair it seems unrealistic that frustration won't boil over.."

It comes across as if you're saying that in some circumstances it's ok to dive. Matawalu doesn't have the excuse of the ref not being fair either.  

Don't know the time of Matawalu trying to get Gilroy carded, but BALLS.ie has this little clip of the incident. Even if they posted the wrong play acting  

PlayactingMatawaluDive

I was answering another comment earlier about players shouting and screaming at referees

Fair enough, 123. Apologies for reading it wrong.

At least Matawalu has provided a nice diversion from what we should be discussing...........which is Ulster trying to shape the semi finals by playing a weakened team last week. Thankfully it didn't work.

alive555 wrote:

Cyril wrote:

Munchkin wrote:I was referring too this comment, 123: " but if a player feels the referee isn't fair it seems unrealistic that frustration won't boil over.."

It comes across as if you're saying that in some circumstances it's ok to dive. Matawalu doesn't have the excuse of the ref not being fair either.  

Don't know the time of Matawalu trying to get Gilroy carded, but BALLS.ie has this little clip of the incident. Even if they posted the wrong play acting  

PlayactingMatawaluDive

Is there a better video than that one? It stops before you can even see if he 'dives'. There's certainly some contact from the Ulster player but you can't tell what happens afterwards. I didn't see the incident in the game.

Well done Glasgow. I only watched the first half and didn't think that they were going to come back into it.

funny gilroy was looking at the player and not the ball , takes out matawalu in the air = straight red card
matawalu took his eye right off the ball collided with gilroy and should get a red for play acting

everyone happy now

Are you saying he wasn't play acting?

Chunky Norwich wrote:Robbie Diack is taking it well:

What's Diack's beef? Is he referring to Matawalu-gate or something else? What post match behaviour is he talking about?

Whatever it is he's since deleted it.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Whatever it is he's since deleted it.

latest in a long line of sportsmen to open keyboard before engaging brain!

A comment like that is always going to come across as sour grapes and is never going to reflect well upon you or your team!

It was probably something done in the heat of the moment. No less true for all that.

I would think Diack's comment as a reflection on the team is small change compared to Matawalu's cheating dive.