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Rennie 'angry' despite Glasgow Warriors' battering of Ulster
By Online Editors
Glasgow Warriors chalked up 50 points as they stormed to a place in the Guinness PRO14 Grand Final at Celtic Park but it still was not enough to please coach Dave Rennie.
Warriors ran in seven tries against Ulster at Scotstoun, with Tommy Seymour grabbing a double along with scores from Ali Price, Rob Harley, Kyle Steyn and both Horne brothers Peter and George.
But Rennie was frustrated as his side’s focus slipped towards the end, allowing Dan McFarland’s men to cross over for three late consolation efforts as they lost 50-20.
It was not enough to prevent Glasgow from booking a date against either Leinster or Munster across the city on May 25.
But the Warriors coach hopes it serves as a wake-up call for their Parkhead date.
He said: “We got off to a flyer as we often do, so we got a bit of scoreboard pressure on them early, and with a bit of breeze behind us we were able to play at the right end of the field and turn pressure into points.
“I thought for 70 minutes wee defended really well. The last 10 was not flash. It’s funny because we were looking at the scoreboard and we’ve got 50 points on the board and we’re angry because of the way we finished the game.
“But for a big chunk of the game, we were excellent – really clinical – turning defence into attack and scoring points from it.
“It’s perfect prep for next week. If we had won 50-3 or something like that then that wouldn’t be ideal preparation.
“It is a reminder that we’ve got to keep going to the last whistle.”
Ulster were hoping to take another step towards their first trophy since their 2006 Celtic League success.
But it turned out to be a sorry farewell for retiring skipper Rory Best, who know only has duty with Ireland at this year’s World Cup to look forward to before hanging up his boots.
McFarland – whose side got their three late tries through Marcell Coetzee, Rob Herring and Mike Lowry – admitted his side were blown away by the hosts.
He said: “We’re very disappointed in our performance but at the same time I think having watched that Glasgow performance I’m not sure even our best display would have won here.
“That’s the best I’ve seen them play this year. They were really good value for their win.
“Clearly Rory would have preferred to go out on a win. He probably wanted to play in a game where we played our best rugby.
“We didn’t do that and that’s the most disappointing thing.”
PA
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Latest Comments
But he chose rightly or wrongly to play for Tonga. If he wanted to play for the ABs why didn’t he hold off?
Go to comments“A succession of recent ex-players going straight back into the game as coaches in their early 40’s would prob be enough to kill it stone-dead. Innovation would die a death.”
Would it? I do think one of the major differences between rugby and most other sports - which we’ve been overlooking - is the degree to which players are expected to lead team meetings & analysis sessions and the like. Someone like Owen Farrell has basically been an assistant coach already for ten years - and he’s been so under a variety of different head coaches with different expectations and playing styles.
“The most interesting ppl I have met in the game have all coached well into their sixties and they value the time and opportunity they have had to reflect and therefore innovate in the game. That’s based on their ability to compare and contrast between multiple eras.”
I don’t doubt that that’s true. But having interesting insights doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be the best able to inspire a team, or the best at managing the backroom staff.
“Wayne Smith winning the WWC in his mid sixties three years ago prob means nothing to you but it meant a lot to him. It took him back to the roots of is own coaching journey.”
I don’t doubt that! But I don’t think coaches should be hired on the basis that it means a lot to them.
“The likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Wayne Bennett and Andy Reid all have a tale to tell. You should open your ears and listen to it!”
I agree! Never have I ever suggested otherwise!
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