Final game between the Warriors and Bulls is scheduled for Loftus Versfeld.
When Glasgow Warriors play the Vodacom Bulls in the United Rugby Championship final this Saturday in South Africa, the odds will be stacked against them, but head coach Franco Smith has already stated that they will not be using heat, altitude, or a demanding travel schedule as excuses for their attempt to make some Scottish sporting history.
In their own backyard, Glasgow defeated Munster 17–10 in the semi-final in Limeri, displaying such bravery over a weekend when the nation’s mood received a severe beating in Munich.
Allan Massie described Thomond Park as “a forbidding citadel” in The Scotsman on Saturday and Glasgow are only the second team to win a URC match there this season, emulating Leinster. It was noisy and hostile at times but Smith’s side stayed admirably cool to oust the champions. Their ‘reward’ is a trip to the Highveld, a final showdown with the Bulls and the chance to become the first Scottish club to win the URC. The match will kick off at 6pm local time, 5pm in the UK, when the temperature will be around 20 degrees. More pertinent is the fact that Loftus Versfeld is situated 1350 metres above sea level and the thin air could be just as difficult an opponent as Jake White’s team who overcame Leinster at home in the other semi-final on Saturday.
The more immediate problem for Glasgow is sourcing flights to Pretoria. The format and scheduling of the URC is not exactly conducive to long-term planning, with teams in the play-offs being given less than a week’s notice to make transcontinental travel plans. For Smith, it’s one more challenge to overcome, like the heat and altitude.
“For one, it’s not going to be an excuse,” he said when asked about the logistical difficulties. “It’s part of the game, like injuries and refereeing decisions, and we have to embrace it if we want to make this competition work across the borders. The first thing is for us to get on a flight as soon as possible. There are some that will leave on Sunday, so we do that and recover. That is going to be the main ingredient this week – they’ll be mentally prepped but physically recovered.”
Glasgow had a wild first half at Thomond, with two yellow cards each for Richie Grey and Matt Fagerson. The Warriors’ defence was outstanding, and Kyle Steyn scored an opportunistic try halfway through the half to give them a 7-3 lead at the break. The visitors gave up five penalties in the first ten minutes as Munster attempted to run over them.
Despite having Matt Fagerson in the sin bin after hitting Peter O’Mahony with a swinging arm, Glasgow started the second 40 with a seemingly bolder lineup. After a spectacular break by Huw Jones, they scored a brilliant second try, which was finished by Sebastian Cancelliere. Munster responded with a try through Antoine Frisch, but the visitors finished the game with the same tenacity they had displayed the entire time. After Alex Nankivell’s reckless shove after which the Munster centre was sent out, George Horne added a late penalty to his two conversions. Glasgow managed to stave off one last onslaught to secure their spot in the Pretoria final, making the score 17–10.
For Sione Tuipulotu, a worthy recipient of the player of the match award, it’s an occasion to be savoured, regardless of the travel and conditions. “Since the Glasgow summer hasn’t arrived yet, I’m looking forward to getting back to South Africa and some sunshine,” he laughed. Scorers: Munster: Try: Frisch. Con: Crowley. Pen: Crowley. Glasgow Warriors: Tries: Steyn, Canelliere. Cons: Horne 2. Pen: Horne.
