Saturday, May 15, 2010
Ospreys beat Glasgow to reach Magners League final
There was a pretty disappointing turn up of only 7079 spectators who watched their side progress to the final, where they will meet the winner of the Munster and Leinster all Irish semi final.
It might have been a tighter match if Dan Parks had got his kicks, but he missed eight in total which cost them dearly. The try to Shane Williams could have gone either way too, as it looked as though his foot may have brushed the touchline.
"The try was given, I know I was pretty close to the line but I'll take the five points, said Williams afterwards.
There was no disputing Hooks try though, as he created a moment of magic with a sublime chip and chase down the left wing before gathering to score.
The experience of Ospreys, packed with Welsh internationals, came through in the end, despite the loss of flanker Jerry Collins to what was a nasty (and accidental) knee to the head.
Ospreys coach Sean Holley was ecstatic about the win, and making the final.
"It feels great, I thought we deserved it - fair play to the boys, they dug in and got the win, he said.
Glasgow coach Sean Lineen was understandably upset, and had a slight dig at the players and officials.
"We didn't get the rub of the green anywhere, which was very frustrating. The number of players they take off the ball - they should be playing American Football. It's unbelievable but they get away with it, so good on them."
Highlights of the other semi will be up on here tomorrow sometime if all goes well. The Top 14 semis will also, as well as the best of the Super 14 and Guinness Premiership. If youd like to speed up the process by contributing with highlights or clips, please get in touch.
Time: 05:59
Posted at 9:03 pm | 34 comments
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Viewing 34 comments
Abs7 May 15, 2010 9:55 pm
Was at this game last night, and hook's hands were awesome..
If you can get them, Jerry Collins made some good hits.. and good carries.. Put them on.
If you can get them, Jerry Collins made some good hits.. and good carries.. Put them on.
Anonymous May 15, 2010 10:59 pm
It was a semi and they still couldn't fill a 20,000 capacity stadium. Thats got to be upsetting.
Conor May 15, 2010 11:20 pm
Don't think I've ever seen Jerry Collins in that sort of shape! Hard Lad tho fair play to him trying to run it off! Shane Williams and James Hook are pure class! Did he have a shoelace in touch? Ahh we'll let him have it! 51 tries in 110 odd games is sume tally
Anonymous May 16, 2010 12:24 am
'Anonymous said...
It was a semi and they still couldn't fill a 20,000 capacity stadium. Thats got to be upsetting.'
Nobody really cares about Union in Wales, unless it's an international (excuse for a piss up).
It was a semi and they still couldn't fill a 20,000 capacity stadium. Thats got to be upsetting.'
Nobody really cares about Union in Wales, unless it's an international (excuse for a piss up).
Murphy May 16, 2010 1:39 am
why are players binding their biceps these days?!?
Hook's game is getting better and better!!!
Hook's game is getting better and better!!!
Anonymous May 16, 2010 1:40 am
lol at 3:13 ....'who is the coon?' .....i dont think its james hook....
John F May 16, 2010 2:05 am
"Nobody really cares about Union in Wales, unless it's an international (excuse for a piss up)."
Not sure that's quite true but the regions are struggling for big crowds because a) three of them are playing in plastic modern stadiums which will take time to get used to, Ospreys have an advantage as they should be used to it more than Cf and Ll.
Besides, it's only Glasgow. Not a huge draw, semi-final or no semi-final. No offence to Glasgow...
Not sure that's quite true but the regions are struggling for big crowds because a) three of them are playing in plastic modern stadiums which will take time to get used to, Ospreys have an advantage as they should be used to it more than Cf and Ll.
Besides, it's only Glasgow. Not a huge draw, semi-final or no semi-final. No offence to Glasgow...
Anonymous May 16, 2010 2:24 am
williams clearly out of bounds. hook champagne rugby
marcus May 16, 2010 2:38 am
Well, hey, at least the Ospreys ended up with SOMETHING this season, eh?
Anonymous May 16, 2010 7:18 am
John F > The football teams play in the same stadiums and fill them every week no problem. Truth is that rugby is a dying game, kids prefer football. The money aspect means that more youngsters aspire to be footballers also, look at Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, both are below 21 years of age and earning more money playing football than any rugby player could dream of (and both played football and rugby at junior levels).
A) play in empty stadiums for peanuts and loom for a post rugby career?
B) play in front of 60,000 people weekly for more money than you can spend?
Hard choice.
A) play in empty stadiums for peanuts and loom for a post rugby career?
B) play in front of 60,000 people weekly for more money than you can spend?
Hard choice.
mn May 16, 2010 7:33 am
"John F > The football teams play in the same stadiums and fill them every week no problem. Truth is that rugby is a dying game, kids prefer football. The money aspect means that more youngsters aspire to be footballers also, look at Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, both are below 21 years of age and earning more money playing football than any rugby player could dream of (and both played football and rugby at junior levels).
A) play in empty stadiums for peanuts and loom for a post rugby career?
B) play in front of 60,000 people weekly for more money than you can spend?
Hard choice."
If you dont live here how the fuck do you know? Just having a quick stab at welsh rugby? You must feel awesome.
A) play in empty stadiums for peanuts and loom for a post rugby career?
B) play in front of 60,000 people weekly for more money than you can spend?
Hard choice."
If you dont live here how the fuck do you know? Just having a quick stab at welsh rugby? You must feel awesome.
Anonymous May 16, 2010 8:08 am
mn > Are you retarded? I am Welsh, I'm pointing out the game as a whole, not just in Wales you spastic. Crowds are poor in England, New Zealand and Australia (for Union) also.
Anonymous May 16, 2010 11:15 am
Reasons for poor attendances = Friday night fixture. (7.05pm kick off was it?) How can people get to the game in time from work?
In Wales, all Magners games are live on either BBC Wales or S4C (both free), so many can follow their teams while just coming back from work.
Also, i heard a rumour that many Season Ticket holders refused to pay, saying that they should have had the game as part of their ST. This seems ridiculous to me, and it's just a rumour as far as i know.
The Leinster v Ospreys final is going to be epic. My head says Leinster at the RDS, but i know that the Ospreys can do it - especially after beating Munster at Thomond just the other day.
In Wales, all Magners games are live on either BBC Wales or S4C (both free), so many can follow their teams while just coming back from work.
Also, i heard a rumour that many Season Ticket holders refused to pay, saying that they should have had the game as part of their ST. This seems ridiculous to me, and it's just a rumour as far as i know.
The Leinster v Ospreys final is going to be epic. My head says Leinster at the RDS, but i know that the Ospreys can do it - especially after beating Munster at Thomond just the other day.
Anonymous May 16, 2010 12:44 pm
Rugby Union is actually blasting League out for popularity, the crowds in new zealand are fine, 20,000 + for each team (40,000 - 50,000 if its crusaders), Hurricanes get about 18,000 but it still stands you plonka who said different.
Bulls and Stormers are 60,000 crowds most games... I think someone is looking too inward, plus with the Olympic inclusion of the 7 a side game, it's drawing more and more eyes to the game worldwide... Come on Rugby!!! :)
Bulls and Stormers are 60,000 crowds most games... I think someone is looking too inward, plus with the Olympic inclusion of the 7 a side game, it's drawing more and more eyes to the game worldwide... Come on Rugby!!! :)
Anonymous May 16, 2010 1:26 pm
In New Zealand crowd attendances beyond 20,000 are hailed as good, with season ticket holders in Wellington no longer arriving for the games - despite having paid up front for their seats.
New Zealand 2009/2010 figures:
Hurricanes average attendance to date: 13,500
National Super 14 average attendance to date: 12,000
This for the national sport of New Zealand?
Just 18,888 turned out for the game against the Crusaders. That was well below what was expected to be the biggest crowd of the year.
How many rugby clubs AVERAGE 75,000 fans a week for 20 HOME games per season WITH premium price tickets?
New Zealand 2009/2010 figures:
Hurricanes average attendance to date: 13,500
National Super 14 average attendance to date: 12,000
This for the national sport of New Zealand?
Just 18,888 turned out for the game against the Crusaders. That was well below what was expected to be the biggest crowd of the year.
How many rugby clubs AVERAGE 75,000 fans a week for 20 HOME games per season WITH premium price tickets?
Scotsdale May 16, 2010 3:37 pm
Yeah, so you all have your reasons for small crowds in Wales, and they sound valid. But when you see a cpl of Super 14 games with small crowds, you write off the comp and make derogatory comments. There's reasons behind small crowds there too. Ever thought about that?? No.
48 000 sell out between the Bulls & Stormers dead rubber. 7000 at a Magners League semi final. Can the Super 14 naysayers now STFU please? Thanks.
Now, lets all enjoy the rugby. :)
James Hook is a class player btw.
48 000 sell out between the Bulls & Stormers dead rubber. 7000 at a Magners League semi final. Can the Super 14 naysayers now STFU please? Thanks.
Now, lets all enjoy the rugby. :)
James Hook is a class player btw.
Abs7 May 16, 2010 4:04 pm
I think the one reason flying round the stadium on the day was season ticket holders were expected to pay, it was proclaimed that in this rather shoddy marketing up to a third of osprey fans (season ticket holders) were not attending.
Which for the record I don't blame them, we are going through economic crisis.
With regards to regional rugby attendancies i honestly believe with regards to the dragons (awesome atmostphere btw) the stadium location ain't brilliant but saying that i wouldnt want to lose their atmosphere.. Another reason I know with myself and the lads most of the time region matches are on the same day as we are playing and we are normally to drunk to travel. This maybe the case elsewhere..
Which for the record I don't blame them, we are going through economic crisis.
With regards to regional rugby attendancies i honestly believe with regards to the dragons (awesome atmostphere btw) the stadium location ain't brilliant but saying that i wouldnt want to lose their atmosphere.. Another reason I know with myself and the lads most of the time region matches are on the same day as we are playing and we are normally to drunk to travel. This maybe the case elsewhere..
Anonymous May 16, 2010 4:24 pm
Scotsdale > South Africa has a population of 48,000,000. Wales has a population of 2,900,000. It would be fairer to compare the country to England and its national sport.
Manchester United average 76,500 fans every home game for 4 times as many home games than what are played in the Super 14 (not to mention the cost of a ticket being 5 times that of the Super 14).
On top of that there's the huge number of other teams based in and around Manchester (Manchester City average 46,000, Bolton 23,000 etc etc) and all of a sudden 48,000 isn't that great.
Manchester United average 76,500 fans every home game for 4 times as many home games than what are played in the Super 14 (not to mention the cost of a ticket being 5 times that of the Super 14).
On top of that there's the huge number of other teams based in and around Manchester (Manchester City average 46,000, Bolton 23,000 etc etc) and all of a sudden 48,000 isn't that great.
Scotsdale May 16, 2010 6:20 pm
You tell me not to compare to Wales, and then you make football comparisons? There's only 4 mil or so whites in South Africa. Football is the national sport in terms of numbers. And btw, you're saying Rugby is England's national sport?? I beg to differ.
48 000 is capacity, so it is pretty good, considering it was sold out eight weeks ago.
You totally missed the point anyway. The point is that it's not exactly fair to bitch and attempt to bring down a tournament (Super 14), when all is not well in your own backyard.
And if you must attempt to compare Manchester United with, the Lions for example - Ellis Park is in a dangerous part of Johannesburg, people have other priorities when it comes to spending their hard earned money, and most importantly, the Lions are useless this season. The Stormers & Bulls have had record crowds this year.
48 000 is capacity, so it is pretty good, considering it was sold out eight weeks ago.
You totally missed the point anyway. The point is that it's not exactly fair to bitch and attempt to bring down a tournament (Super 14), when all is not well in your own backyard.
And if you must attempt to compare Manchester United with, the Lions for example - Ellis Park is in a dangerous part of Johannesburg, people have other priorities when it comes to spending their hard earned money, and most importantly, the Lions are useless this season. The Stormers & Bulls have had record crowds this year.
David May 16, 2010 7:12 pm
i know hook needs surgery but Wales are going to miss him hugely when he eventually has it done. He's on fire at the moment, hope he doesn't lose too much form as he recovers as its right before the world cup!
Anonymous May 16, 2010 7:20 pm
I didn't start the comparison you dumb fuck, my initial post stated "rugby is a dying game", referring to how most kids in the UK are not generally interested in rugby.
Before turning to football, Aaron Ramsey was a keen rugby player and as a schoolboy he played as a winger for Caerphilly R.F.C.s youth development programme, where he was approached by scouts from Rugby league side St Helens.
He's nows 19 years old and earns double what Dan Carter is paid.
Before turning to football, Aaron Ramsey was a keen rugby player and as a schoolboy he played as a winger for Caerphilly R.F.C.s youth development programme, where he was approached by scouts from Rugby league side St Helens.
He's nows 19 years old and earns double what Dan Carter is paid.
Scotsdale May 16, 2010 8:51 pm
'You' dont exist mr Anonymous. Use a name and maybe you can have a proper debate and have your views respected and listened to?
Or, sit there and confuse yourself and everyone around you, then call me a dumb f*ck when you can't come up with a decent rebuttal. Your choice.
And btw, the majority of SA & Aus kids aren't interested in Rugby union either, fyi.
Or, sit there and confuse yourself and everyone around you, then call me a dumb f*ck when you can't come up with a decent rebuttal. Your choice.
And btw, the majority of SA & Aus kids aren't interested in Rugby union either, fyi.
mise May 16, 2010 11:10 pm
names prevent the conversation from becoming too confusing too early. Its that simple.
Interested to hear about the union league balance in Wales, if anyone can elaborate.
Interested to hear about the union league balance in Wales, if anyone can elaborate.
(u-p)rick May 17, 2010 12:24 am
In all fairness, i dont approve of his attitude, but that anonymous has a point....I went to school with a fantastic rugby player....and now he is a semi professional football player....
I wouldnt say its dying as much, but with world cup fever, rugby will be pushed aside......
.....well that is until england get blown out of the water in the tables....
does anyone else think that a team should suffer a pay cut when they lose? i mean, im not saying they 'should win' but look at it...
England football, the most overpaid bunch of wimpy tw*ts, who couldnt win a world cup if the opposition didnt turn up! yet they still get paid shit loads and treated like saints....
sigh, rant over...
I wouldnt say its dying as much, but with world cup fever, rugby will be pushed aside......
.....well that is until england get blown out of the water in the tables....
does anyone else think that a team should suffer a pay cut when they lose? i mean, im not saying they 'should win' but look at it...
England football, the most overpaid bunch of wimpy tw*ts, who couldnt win a world cup if the opposition didnt turn up! yet they still get paid shit loads and treated like saints....
sigh, rant over...
Tim May 17, 2010 12:39 am
It's just funny how Europeans critisize S14 crowds, and then get 7,000 people to a semi-final of one of their comps.
Pot. Kettle. Black.
Pot. Kettle. Black.
ChrisB May 17, 2010 9:40 am
Scotsdale said... Football crwods blow any Aus/NZ and SA sport out of the water.
Rugby will never be as big as football and the southern hemisphere will never have the crowds or atmosphere that exist in European club football.
So what? There will always be a lot of people like myself and most of those on this site who will prefer Rugby and love watching and playing it.
And don't get too smug about European crowds, I lived in Melbourne for a few years and they regularly get 50,000 or more to club AFL games and the finals get around 100,000.
All types of football offer something to fans and they will all thrive for a while yet. The main problem facing football clubs of all codes is the shaky financial structures they're built on and this is even true for many of the top European football clubs, and one day a lot of chicken are going to come home to roost. Until then let's all enjoy whatever type of football we like best.
Rugby will never be as big as football and the southern hemisphere will never have the crowds or atmosphere that exist in European club football.
So what? There will always be a lot of people like myself and most of those on this site who will prefer Rugby and love watching and playing it.
And don't get too smug about European crowds, I lived in Melbourne for a few years and they regularly get 50,000 or more to club AFL games and the finals get around 100,000.
All types of football offer something to fans and they will all thrive for a while yet. The main problem facing football clubs of all codes is the shaky financial structures they're built on and this is even true for many of the top European football clubs, and one day a lot of chicken are going to come home to roost. Until then let's all enjoy whatever type of football we like best.
Matthew May 17, 2010 10:25 am
To get back on topic, same old Ospreys always cheating.
I really hope Leinster absolutely stuff them.
I really hope Leinster absolutely stuff them.
Scotsdale May 17, 2010 12:15 pm
Those comments about football were not made by me, but have now been removed upon my request.
That anonymous troll really needs to get a life. I have no idea what point the argument about football has. Fact of the matter is, 7000 for a semi final is poor, so quit moaning about the super 14 crowds and look closer to home before you criticise.
That anonymous troll really needs to get a life. I have no idea what point the argument about football has. Fact of the matter is, 7000 for a semi final is poor, so quit moaning about the super 14 crowds and look closer to home before you criticise.
Anonymous May 17, 2010 1:44 pm
I dont see anyone moaning about a super 14 crowd here? and the fact it is a shock here that there was a small crowd says something doesnt it!
i.e that perhaps a better turn out was expected?!?
i.e that perhaps a better turn out was expected?!?
Juggernauter May 17, 2010 8:57 pm
Dan Parks is officially the most boring player in the planet! only kicks and affords to kick bad sometimes.
Shane willimas & James Hook are class.
P.S: Why the hell is every stadium in Wales empty except from the Millenium??
Shane willimas & James Hook are class.
P.S: Why the hell is every stadium in Wales empty except from the Millenium??
Dave May 18, 2010 10:35 am
"P.S: Why the hell is every stadium in Wales empty except from the Millenium??"
Because most people have either lost interest in rugby or have no interest in regional rugby (preferring to support their local club sides).
Non-rugby fans help fill up the Millennium stadium for internationals just as a day out and an excuse to get drunk.
Cardiff population: 300,000
-----------------------------------
Cardiff Blues Rugby
Average attendance: 8500
Cardiff City Football Club
Average attendance: 22,000
Swansea population: 220,000
-------------------------------------
Ospreys Rugby (Swansea region)
Average attendance: 9000
Swansea City Football Club
Average attendance: 19,000
Because most people have either lost interest in rugby or have no interest in regional rugby (preferring to support their local club sides).
Non-rugby fans help fill up the Millennium stadium for internationals just as a day out and an excuse to get drunk.
Cardiff population: 300,000
-----------------------------------
Cardiff Blues Rugby
Average attendance: 8500
Cardiff City Football Club
Average attendance: 22,000
Swansea population: 220,000
-------------------------------------
Ospreys Rugby (Swansea region)
Average attendance: 9000
Swansea City Football Club
Average attendance: 19,000
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