Filed under: Rugby Union, Premiership, Heineken Cup, England Rugby
Amid the joy at which Leinster and Northampton demolished France's designs on keeping the Heineken Cup within their shores, Harlequins' win over Munster to get into the Challenge Cup final was, to a certain extent, overlooked.Yes, it was in the 'also-rans' European competition. But, as Fulham or Birmingham football fans will no doubt know, whatever the level of competition, to even get to a final is reason enough to celebrate.
And the fact they did it with 14 men for the last 10 minutes after captain Nick Easter was sin-binned - and withstood a late fightback as ex-All Black Doug Howlett scored a last-gasp try to give the Irish side hope - is even more reason to praise the London side.
But apart from the result on the day, the victory came just over two years after Quins narrowly lost 6-5 in the Heineken Cup quarter final against Leinster.
Why is that significant? Because that game, on 12 April 2009, was the game that was to plunge the club and then-coach Dean Richards into disrepute. It was the one where Tom Williams bit into a fake blood capsule in order to engineer Nick Evans' replacement to kick a late penalty.
Quins did their best to move on from that sordid episode long ago - apart from Richards being handed a three-year ban and chairman Charles Jillings resigning, the players looked resolutely forward, rather than backward, in the way only professional sportsmen can do with any success,
Even a year ago if you dared to mention 'Bloodgate' to any of the players, they would roll their eyes before giving you a glare that signifies they are doing all they can to refrain from knocking your block off.
But for all the club's attempts to move on, by first admitting guilt then making sure nothing of the sort ever happened again, you got the feeling among outsiders that they had to something special to put the shadow of cheating behind them for good. And you know what? They have.
They are now in a European final, on May 20 against Stade Francais at the Millennium Stadium. And the fact they got there by fair means is the best reason of all to celebrate for any rugby fan.
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Sergio Ramos Shunsuke Nakamura Simao Sabrosa Stanislas Wawrinka Steve Stricker
No comments:
Post a Comment