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Bath player ratings vs Sale | 2023/24 Premiership semi-final
By Liam Heagney
Bath player ratings live from The Rec: This was it, the moment of truth for the two-season Bath transformation under Johann van Graan. On paper, a home semi-final gave the success-starved 1996 champions every chance of reaching a first Premiership final since 2015.
Sale, though, arrived in hot pursuit of qualifying for their second successive decider. They gave Saracens a very bloody nose the last day, beating them in London in round 18 which enabled Bath to climb to second and secure this knockout game in their riverside backyard.
A Twickenham showpiece versus Northampton, Friday night’s latest conquerors of the now-dethroned Saracens, was the glittering prize awaiting the winners and come the shrill of referee Luke Pearce’s full-time whistle, it was Bath who were deliriously celebrating a 31-23 win. Here are the Bath player ratings:
15. Matt Gallagher – 6.5
Safe as houses without the glitz of opposite number Joe Carpenter.
14. Joe Cokanasiga – 6
His blocked run earned Bath the opening penalty but some of his defensive work was loose.
13. Ollie Lawrence – 8
Excellent. Supreme offload in the lead-up to the Beno Obano try followed by a try-saving tackle on Tom O’Flaherty.
12. Cameron Redpath – 7.5
A bulwark in defence, keeping Sale at bay.
11. Will Muir – 7
His 50:22 secured the crucial territory for the Obano try. Rock solid in what he did throughout.
10. Finn Russell – 8
Exited to a 79th-minute ovation following a sparkling performance that tilted the result his team’s way.
9. Ben Spencer – 8
Another who opened up a box of tricks and who departed to a deserved last-minute ovation. His box-kicking was exceptional.
Beno Obano – 7.5
Has had his frustrations in recent years but showed he is on top form, even scoring a try and lasting 75 minutes. Did cost his team three points early in the second half with a scrum collapse.
2. Tom Dunn – 7.5
Put in the hard, hard yards that laid the foundation for his replacement Niall Annett to arrive in the 68th minute and seal the deal six minutes later.
3. Thomas du Toit – 6.5
Has been a wonderful asset all season but this wasn’t his finest display and he was gone on 61 to accommodate Will Stuart. The scrum penalty given up just before the break was an example of things not fully going his way.
4. Quinn Roux – 7.5
An impressive 66-minute shift from another of van Graan's canny recruits.
5. Charlie Ewels – 7.5
Ditto Roux. He played his heart out and was ultimately rewarded seeing his team close it out.
6. Ted Hill – 8
The glue of the Bath back row. His 12th-minute try set the tone, making a meaty break and then having the patience to stay wide and get a second touch. His interventions counted.
7. Sam Underhill – 7.5
Ran out of steam and departed on 58 minutes but aside from giving up the ruck penalty that allowed Sale to close to 18-15 at the break, his work was vital.
8. Alfie Barbeary – 6.5
The only starting line-up change from the win over Northampton, he was hooked on 51 after a limited enough effort where a high point was a carry in the Obano score.
Replacements:
Bath got it right with the bench. Miles Reid was a timely early introduction, while Annett came on and was the match sealer, not only with his try but also with his latching onto the loose ball in the play before the lineout. Elliot Stooke and Will Stuart were other excellent subs.
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Latest Comments
Ireland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
Go to commentsFair to say that NZ have come to respect Ireland, as have all teams. But it's a bit click-baitey to say that the game is the premier show-down for NZ.
SA has beaten NZ four times in a row, including in the RWC final.
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