ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Saturday Oct 13, 2018

Freddie Burns 'ultimate low' as double blooper horror show lets Toulouse off the hook

Bath fullback Freddie Burns had an absolute nightmare ending to today’s Heineken Champions Cup clash against Toulouse. In the final minutes and with two clearcut opportunities to win the match for his team, everything went horribly wrong. 

ADVERTISEMENT

After Toulouse came back into the game, the scene was set for a great win when Bath were awarded a penalty ‘smack bang in front’ with less than 8 minutes left in the game. Burns had an easy chance to take the lead and perhaps keep it. All he needed to do was slot the kick.

He definitely got the kiss of the death from commentator Miles Harrison, who painted a picture that included Burns first falling in love with the game, and Bath, and a young age.

The kick bounced back in field off the post. But it wasn’t over yet.

Burns then broke the line shortly afterwards, for what was a classic redemption story and his moment to give his team seven points as he strolled under the uprights, smiling with a huge look of relief on his face.

Up stepped Maxime Medard, the ultimate party pooper. His part in the story should not be overlooked, as he brilliantly never gave up and put in that extra effort late in the contest to slap Burns’ hand, spilling the ball that he so casually held.

Burns didn’t get a third chance, as he was then substituted, having to leave the field with his head in his hands and resign himself to a seat on the floor on the sidelines.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder later said that he pulled Burns from the park because he could see that he was all over the place mentally.

“It’s just an honest mistake, and he will never do it again. You just can’t [celebrate early] at any level. But it’s a genuine, honest mistake,” said Blackadder.

Former England back Jeremy Guscott was less forgiving, sharing his thoughts on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I don’t feel sorry for him. Somewhere in my soul there is a minuscule bit of empathy for him.. The kick in front of the posts was easy enough for a man of his talents, and getting the ball knocked out of the hand is unforgivable.

ADVERTISEMENT

“As a fly-half [fullback vs Toulouse] you should have sense of everything around you. Rather than thinking it’s done and dusted, he’s been made a little bit of a fool of.”

Burns had scored a try earlier in the match but it’s this missed opportunity that Baths fans, in particular, will never forget.

Related Articles

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    Rugby X - The fastest ever variation of Rugby...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Just Jonny Wilkinson smashing people

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Brilliant footage shows old school...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Chiefs Score The “Best Team Try” In Super Rugby History

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    La Rochelle centre Seuteni produces other worldly offload in dominant victory

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson comes within seconds of a Tuilagi haymaker

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    South African Panel Debate Apparent ‘Clean Cut’ Red Card In Interesting Debate

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Sevens magic as 'headed' try brings stadium to its feet

View All

Funnies

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: Stade Rochelais Coaches With All-Time Coaches Box Celebration

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Stephen Jones’s deleted rugby 7s article leads to hilarious wikipedia update

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: DHL Stormers Celebrate Munster Victory In Style

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Referee brands players 'clowns' in hilarious grassroots clip

View All

Amateur

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Harry Potter to ‘disapparate’ to Australia

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Steve Hansen makes statement following Folau selection

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    O'Gara gives honest response on Ireland job in passionate interview

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

View All