It was a tough day at Murrayfield in the URC semi-final as Glasgow threw away an 18-point lead to lose to the Bulls. Here’s what some of the pundits had to say…
Former Warriors flanker John Barclay: Glasgow ripped the Bulls to shreds in the first 30 minutes. They were scrambling. In the second half, Glasgow threw the same pictures at them, but they defended so much better. It’s problem-solving.
Huge credit to the Bulls, for problem solving on the hoof. But Franco Smith will be desperately disappointed.
At 21-3 up, they shouldn’t lose that game.
Ex-Scotland back-row Johnnie Beattie: I’m struggling to figure out if it was a vastly-improved second-half by the Bulls, which it probably was, or whether Glasgow just fell away entirely.
When Glasgow were on their game, they shredded them. In the second period, when they dropped off by 10-15%, the Bulls were easily allowed back into the game.
They didn’t have to do much. Handre Pollard missed nine points from the tee.
Lots of questions for Glasgow, and their season comes to an end with a damp squib. They had the game in their hands and they’ve let it slip.
Former Glasgow scrum-half Colin Gregor: You’ve got to credit the Bulls. They were ripped to pieces in the opening 25 minuts but they didn’t panic, they backed themselves.
They showed the quality they have, the physicality their game brings. The scrum creaked, the Bulls showed more dominance.
The pressure was too great and the Bulls had enough to get through. The Warriors couldn’t get in position to fire the final shot.
Ex-Springbok Jean de Villiers: We always knew the Bulls would be good enough to win this game and second-half they got it right. Strategically, really good.
Glasgow didn’t score a single point in the second half. Defensively, the Bulls were much better. It was a well deserved win, although they made it difficult for themselves at times.
Former South Africa legend Schalk Burger: What a turnaround. The Bulls were in real trouble, but all of a sudden Glasgow get Cummings sent off, and what a difference that made.
Glasgow had pretty much no 22-metre entries in that second half. The Bulls got width on the ball, had such nice rhythm, kept it simple.
It was heads-up rugby. The Glasgow defence couldn’t set. The physicality of the Bulls was so dominant.
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