by A Furious Michael Cheika declared the decision to send Dan Cole to the Bac Sin as “embarrassing the game” after Leicester Tigers suffered a final rugby defeat in Bath.
Bath put an end to a 29-year expectation for a high-flying title with a 23-21 victory at the Allianz stadium, Twickenham, stopping after Emeka Ilione’s test had advanced Leicester to a late strike distance.
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The ilione score, however, would have given Cheika Tigers the advance without the three points scored by Finn Russell after Cole was penalized following a collision with half of the Scottish fly.
After sending a high hoist, Russell was shaken by the jump jump, which ended his last match before retirement in the bac of Sin in an ignominious end of an exceptional career.
And Cheika, who will leave Leicester this summer after a single season in charge, was not better satisfied with the decision to have seen Captain Julian Montoya hide for a high tackle too.
“I thought we have shown so much grain and determination,” the Australian told TNT Sports. “I thought we had nothing behind the referee and we continued to come back and introduce ourselves. We have marked three tests for two, that tells you something. I am super proud of the players.
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“Two men in the bac, the second for nothing, really. It’s annoying for the game that someone takes place for that. I felt that it was the way. I am allowed to be angry, but I am happy and happy to accept the result now and continue the next thing.”
Dan Cole has endured a difficult end to his career (Adam Davy / Pa Wire)
It was a sad end for Cole and his retired colleague Ben Youngs, the couple bowing as two internationals in the best cut male after almost two decades of service each to Welford Road.
Cheika held her language, largely, at her post-match press conference, although she expressed her disappointment in the face of the scrum officer of referee Karl Dickson.
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“I’m not angry at the season, I thought about it today. All year round, we had the expression to try to kiss the heat, when it becomes difficult to try to revel in this scenario. At the start of the season, we still don’t understand how to get around this situation. We have done today. Two dashboards.
“I think it was quite clear to see what was going on in the scrums. I have never seen it before in my life, dominating like that and getting nothing, zero. In fact, being penalized! Obviously, it was a strategic point for us to try and dominate there and in Maul too. It was completely nuns, it cost us a position on the field. I think that with three minutes to follow. Think, and I will always have a slightly biased lens, we were much more than them.
Michael Cheika was not satisfied with the arbitration in the final (David Davies / Pa Wire)
“For me personally, if the game sends players to the sin of sin for that, or even penalizes … What am I saying guy?” If I say something, I will put myself in conflict and I will withdraw from the other team. I just have to fight inside and try to keep as much as I can. [head of refereeing] Paul Hull as a last one… joke, let’s say. »»
