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Embarrassed Harlequins' fans not sold on Gustard's promise after 'too many soft losses'
By Online Editors
With just one win from their opening four Premiership starts, Harlequins opened their European campaign with a 53-21 humbling at the hands of French superpower Clermont. The two sides met last year in the Challenge Cup semi-final, with Clermont prevailing 32-27.
As Harlequins dropped to their third consecutive loss this season, Director of Rugby Paul Gustard vowed to 'get things right' as their season drifts towards the precipice.
"We have to look at how we can rejuvenate the team, how we can maybe affect it through selection, how we train, how we look after the players, how we recover and the environment we create," he said following the match.
“I’ve never been in this position before as a coach and it’s hurting, but I’ll get it right.
His confidence wasn't backed up by fans however, who were 'embarrassed' at another 'soft loss' in a 'gutless performance'.
Fans on social media questioned the effort and commitment of the side, claiming that serious change is required to save the season. With patience running thin, many called for the resignation of head coach Gustard.
Gustard took over Harlequins in 2018 and after a slow start took the side to the brink of the Premiership playoffs, with the side placing 5th and just missing out after a last-minute penalty in the final round denied a playoff-birth.
The result was their best since the 2013/14 season while turning around a leaky defence that gave up the third most tries in 2017/18 to the fourth-least while the side managed a semi-final performance in the Challenge Cup.
Eddie Jones' interview with the Barbarians:
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Latest Comments
33, unlikely?
It’s actually an interesting question, how does his RL career impact you perception of his ‘rugby age’?
I’d imagine he’s fresher than a 26 yo rugby player, he’s fitting and done more k’s, but had less impacts (unsure of his injuries).
Anyway, your conclusion doesn’t really hit the mark. What you’ve not asked yourself is would he be better at 33, with 6 years under his belt, than 28/9, and only 2 years experience. If he really is considering it a major goal of course, he may just want an Olympic medal and leave etc.
Still, in relation to your topic, what I suspected would be his thinking is the ever increasing value in playing in Japan. Perhaps he’d try and give this first WC a go, trying to make it in the All Blacks, obviously playing Super Rugby, then he’d take a much bigger contract in Japan? Learn how to run around people with better accuracy and consistency (rofl), and then return to NZ as an improved player to Australia 2027, with the hope to fine tune further and make the most of his marketability in the bonanza that America 2031 is going to leave behind. 33 is still prime earning age and who knows what the MLR market is going to be like them, if teams have started to have major backers etc.
It’s all about the money afterall (yes, I wasn’t referring to his ability re USA31’)!
Go to commentsNo, just an overly zealous fan who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
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