Monday, May 19, 2008
Gloucester vs Leicester Guinness Premiership Semi Final Highlights
Champions Leicester, who were four minutes away from missing out on the playoffs before their last-gasp win over Harlequins in their final league game, triumphed 26-25 in a closely fought classic encounter at Kingsholm.
With five minutes to go the hosts worked a position for Walker to nudge them back into a two-point lead and send the Gloucester hordes at a packed Kingsholm delirious, but Leicester were not going to be denied an historic victory.
drop-goals aside, two bits of play by Pacific Islanders stood out for their sheer brilliance. First was from Fijian Akapusi Qera's brilliant part in the James Simpson-Daniel try. And the second was the sensational try by big Samoan Alesana Tuilagi who bulldozed his way through numerous defenders.
In the end, it was heartbreak for Gloucester, who had led the table almost all season but, for the third time, earned nothing for ending the regular campaign top.
Leicester vs Wasps in the final then, and if these two semis are anything to go buy, we have a classic game in prospect.
Video Length: 07:34
Posted at 12:03 pm | 25 comments
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Viewing 25 comments
mick May 19, 2008 11:19 am
that was an amazing game. Geordan Murphy is a genius.
nesianrugby May 19, 2008 12:04 pm
tuilagi = samoan power!qera = fijian speed!nesianrugby hard!
goodNumber10 May 19, 2008 12:09 pm
well done Leicester, got to feel for Gloucester though, this is really becoming a monkey on their backs isn't it?Just like the Pilkington cup was for so many years.good side though, and a good game, hopefully next year wil be their year.
iceman! May 19, 2008 12:09 pm
It was an amazing half - first half was crap! Murphy, Mauger, Crane, Herring and Davies were awesome for Leicester
Rawling May 19, 2008 12:33 pm
Ah, excellent - I was watching this match online but my internet dropped in the second half so I could only listen on the radio.Well done Leicester, sneaking into the final when you nearly ended up in the Challenge Cup!(Also, after attending Wasps vs Gloucester a couple of weeks ago, I'm glad someone finally shut up those Glaaaaaaaaaaawster shouts. No offence.)
wasps May 19, 2008 1:25 pm
HAHAHA gutted gloucester! dont seem so loud and arrogant now...
Osprey Rich May 19, 2008 1:26 pm
Fatty Goode has to be the most inconsistent player ever, one minute genius the next hapless oaf. Fair play to him he slotted a pressure kick.Still cnt get my head around the fact that the team that finishes top arent the champions. Its ok I am Welsh and we like a simpler life;-)
Sea-Bass May 19, 2008 1:47 pm
Im really gonna get sattelite for next year's play-offs. Matches like these shouldnt be missed...
JakeTurner May 19, 2008 1:50 pm
I LOVE ANDY GOODE!Murphs isn't bad either ;) some of those catches! an that run!x
martin May 19, 2008 2:05 pm
lol, did u see vainikolo get mashed by Tuilagi. Vainikolo is 6ft 2in and 112kg and Tuilagi is 6ft 1in and 114 kg. what an impact
Third Centre May 19, 2008 2:20 pm
I know i'll get stick for this but I really feel for Gloucester. To come first in the League and then lose in a one-off game seems a bit unfair ! And I feel for them. Great game though and Tigers were fantastic.And yes of course every team knows what they're facing in the GP but it does seem a bit cruel. Anyone agree ?
Rugby writing team May 19, 2008 3:50 pm
Perhaps not as good as the previous semi final but a thooroughly absorbing game. Murphy's break was immense.And as a Welshman all I can say is thank GOD that Tuiliagi isn't Welsh, that power is just scary.
iceman! May 19, 2008 3:53 pm
totally agree mate, but like you said the teams know the deal before the season starts. and there is an argument to say perhaps the better team is the one that can pull it out in the big games!but i do feel for gloucester, they were fantastic all season. the interesting point is though, gloucester supported the introduction of the playoffs and the only people who wanted to keep the league 'pure' were...Leicester. They were only introduced because Leicester kept running away with the league. Now how the tables have turned.Also, can anyone help me as to where I can watch these matches online?
Brian May 19, 2008 4:36 pm
Goode for england?Rawling'Ah, excellent - I was watching this match online but my internet dropped in the second half so I could only listen on the radio.'How did you watch it online?Brian
Anonymous May 19, 2008 5:20 pm
Yes, please!!! where can you watch this matches on line???!!
Benson May 19, 2008 5:29 pm
Sky and I THINK BBC have a live player thing. I know for Sky you have to be a customer though and only in the UK. That's pretty much the only way to watch them live online from what I understand.
Eric May 19, 2008 5:59 pm
Tuilagis try is a great show of brute strength and determination!! Awesome
No.7 May 19, 2008 8:00 pm
Haha the little 9 going through murphy's legs!!!Awesome run by murphy.Balshaw giving that try away?!lol at goode running away aswell!!0_o that game was tooo tight! i hate playing games like this, one minute you bring it back, next you have your head down in the changing rooms cos of a last minute score!
sobered May 19, 2008 9:31 pm
what a cracker? any1 gg for the final?i'll be there and go tigers!
G-unit May 20, 2008 12:58 am
awesome game! personally, it sucks to play in the tight games, BUT they are great to watch!!! any team can win! at least they can do drop kicks...hurricanes blues game on friday, 3 shots at drop goals...missed them all! luckily the canes still made the top 4...
Third Centre May 20, 2008 10:15 am
Yeah man you're quite right but Gloucester were the most consistent team in the GP and it seems unfair that they aren't winners because they didn't win two cup-style games. But I guess it does make things a lot more interesting !
Dave Tiger May 20, 2008 11:42 am
I do feel for Gloucester, but they knew the rules at the start. I quite like the play-off system as it keeps it exciting until the end. Maybe a separate trophy for the top-of-the-table team?
bolger May 20, 2008 12:07 pm
no wonder balshaw and vainikolo were dropped from england they were awful
hackneygriffin May 20, 2008 12:18 pm
Quick answer to all the cries of unfair on here.Leicester and Wasps would argue that an old fashioned league system punishes teams for containing a large number of internationals. And with these sides contributing so many players to England and other nations, doesn't it seem unfair that they are punished? The fact that these two teams, and Wasps in particular with their late run, have made the final can only be a good thing for the games development in England, with sides knowing that it pays to have the best side regardless of the number of internationals.Don't get me wrong though - I was cheering for Gloucester and Bath. Would have been great to see some different sides fight it out for the title, and it's hard not to sympathise with Gloucester. Dean Ryan you just keep doing what you're doing, ask Munster...good things come....
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