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Not just a defeat - more a humiliation
By Cherry Picker
April 19 2009
Outplayed, hammered, trounced, battered … just some of the words used by commentators to describe Gloucester’s experience at the hands of a rampant Cardiff Blues in the EDF final at Twickenham. Well, we’ve got one or two to add ourselves: humiliated and embarrassed. It really was that bad ... in fact, for those who witnessed it, it was a lot worse.

Let’s get the praise for the Blues out of the way first – they clearly wanted this win and they were just as clearly up for the game. They played well and they fully deserved their win.
That’s the pleasantries out of the way – now for a few unpleasant facts of rugby life.
Glaws v Blues

Gloucester were without key injured players and were always second favourites anyway, but this wasn’t just a defeat. It was a mauling, a disaster of a day that hardly bodes well for the two remaining Guinness Premiership matches and their chances of taking party in the play-offs.
There were few bright spots as Glaws lost their fourth consecutive final at Twickenham, and on this form there will be more than few supporters hoping they don’t make it back there again for a play-off final – at least that will mean they’ll avoid another humiliation.
The questions have already started, of course – they’d started before this game.
How do we take that vital next step to turn promise into achievement, which players do we keep and which need to go, and – the biggest question of them all – who is the man to take Glaws forward?
Coach Dean Ryan’s future is probably in the balance now, and after this latest disappointment he said: “This journey is coming to an end and I don't mind taking a step back to start another journey.
"We've been successful in reaching finals, we just haven't won trophies. We must start the journey again with another group of players.
"Today we were significantly second best and we can't hide from that.
"Previous encounters have been about learning, today was about reality. We deserve credit for reaching finals year-in, year-out but I don't want to keep losing them.
"This group isn't good enough to compete at this level. We have to accept that and it will be part of our review over the summer.
"You have got to recognise when the learning process is over and I think everyone at this club is at that point.
"We will look at taking the club in a different direction with a different group of people in the next year. We must address the problem with recruitment.
"It's no accident that some of this squad haven't gone on to become internationals and it's no accident we don't have five or six Lions contenders."
So that’s pretty clear then – a new team is needed.
But what about the coach? He added: "We were sat at the top of the Premiership for two years but when it comes to finals my side is second best.
"I need to accept that and come up with plans to take us forward. I also need to see if Tom (Walkinshaw) wants me to do that.
"If there's something I've done wrong in the past it's keeping faith with individuals hoping they'd improve when there were opportunities to change.
"That's not a mistake - I like to see players get better - but that process doesn't always end in a bed of roses. If there's a failing then it's probably because I kept faith with them for a year too long."
But did Ryan keep faith because of a misguided sense of loyalty, or because he misjudge the players in question?
Did he believe they could make it, or just hope they could? There is a big difference.
Glaws now have until Tuesday night to rescue their season as they play Worcester at Kingsholm in their second last match.
It’s too soon for the wounds to be healed, but they need to play for their pride if nothing else.    

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19 Apr, 2009 09:43 Report
Shedloads (IP Logged)
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Not just a defeat - more a humiliation
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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19 Apr, 2009 11:52 Report
cheerycherry (IP Logged)
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Re: Not just a defeat - more a humiliation
Who picked the players who are not good enough?
Who signed the players who are not good enough?
Who provides the gameplan for the players who are not good enough?
Who fails to accept his major role in performances that are no where near good enough?

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19 Apr, 2009 13:06 Report
Sheep Dipper (IP Logged)
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Re: Not just a defeat - more a humiliation
What has Andy Hazel done wrong this year once he came back from injury? Oh the value of a genuine specialist openside!

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19 Apr, 2009 13:52 Report
cheerycherry (IP Logged)
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Re: Not just a defeat - more a humiliation
He is considered too small and "lacks physicality" especially against giants such as Williams, Rees, Lipman.... There is no doubt Hazell is in the twilight of his career but he is still a highly effective 7 hence the Blues scrumhalf stamping on his ribs as soon as he got an opportunity.

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