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.

Comments




Related Articles

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Just Jonny Wilkinson smashing people

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Brilliant footage shows old school...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck in the mud

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    The fan reaction to Georgia calling out Wales this Autumn

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down at the HSBC SVNS

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

View All

Amateur

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 21 HOURS AGO

    Danny Care to return to Twickenham for Barbarians match this summer

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Northampton Saints brothers retire a day apart

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Tributes paid as World Cup referee looks to hang up boots

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Statement: Danny Care calls time on international career

View All