RaboDirect Pro12 - Williams joy as he bows out on high
There was much delight in the Ospreys camp as they snatched their second RaboDirect PRO12 title in three years thanks to Shane Williams' late converted try in a 31-30 victory over Leinster.
Williams was thrilled to be retiring on a winning note after his 15-year professional career ended with a two-try haul which inspired the Ospreys to a record fourth league success.
"I enjoy success of course like anybody else. The one you remember is the latest one and this for me is a great way for me to finish," admitted the 35-year-old winger.
"I am very proud of the fact that I am associated with the Ospreys. We have worked very hard this season, we have had our ups and downs and there has been a lot of change in the ranks, with a lot of players leaving the region. For us to stick at it the way we have this season it's a compliment to the guys. I will never forget this day."
The victory seemed to be getting away from the Ospreys when Heineken Cup champions Leinster took a 17-9 half-time lead and Isa Nacewa's second try then pushed them 30-21 in front.
But the Welsh outfit, who finished second in the table, bounced back superbly to stun the RDS crowd with a 10-point spurt in the final 10 minutes. It was young out-half Dan Biggar who took on the mantle of match winner as having already kicked 14 points, he coolly converted Williams' 78th-minute try to edge the Ospreys home.
Their head coach Steve Tandy praised his players' character and fighting spirit to hold out until the final whistle despite Leinster threatening to hit back in injury-time.
Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt was understandably disappointed by the manner of the defeat which comes just eight days after they retained the Heineken Cup.
"I am pretty gutted obviously. We knew that it was going to be tough and we had to be in front in the back half of the game," said Schmidt.
"I thought it was a superb kick by Dan Biggar from the edge and it was pretty much the same thing he did to us last time to get a one-point win (here back in March)."
Comment 1 - 12 of 12
Respect to a genuine bloke and great rugby servant, ,All the best (Glasgow Warriors Fan)
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought this post was all about the legend that is Shane Williams???? He was truly one of the greats, and why we are discussing one of the WORST referees of all time I really don't know???
Ok Kickass, I am not a Leinster supporter by the way, the second yellow card they got was a joke as the two front rows went down at the same time..Poite is quite famous for having an impact on a game for the wrong reasons..its a bad sign when you comment equally on the refs performance as the 2 teams..its over now..Ospreys are the champs..but with a poor referee...Toulouse objected to him taking charge of a number of their games two seasons ago..because of his irrational decision making...I have watched him ref in France a lot and he really gets the crowd going..When you are assessing a refs performance you are better off leaving it to neutrals and nor aggrieved or victorious fans...Enjoy your victory and the new season..I will go and watch them if they end up in the south of France playing Toulose.
Both sides got away with offences, that is the nature of the game, the referee can not whistle for every offence , they have to use their judgement as to whether it influences the outcome of a particular phase of play. As to Jiffy being unbiased, thats impossible, he is from Trimsaron, he cant say nice things about anything to do with Swansea ;-)hell would freeze over first . I thought it was a terrific match and Leinster were out on their feet after giving everything.
I don't think Leinster fans can feel too aggrieved about the referee. He got them out of jail at scrum time, and then missed an obvious offside for a Leinster try. Frankly, the referee made mistakes both ways but Leinster got more out of him than the Ospreys did. For the Ospreys, a change of coach seems to have been huge. They have played far more rugby since Steve Tandy's arrival, and having got rid of the star names there is a stronger team culture. Most of their players have come through the academy and the togetherness is starting to show.
Were you watching the same match..I am talking about the game yesterday..even your 'objective commentator 'Jonathon Davies admitted that the Ospreys got a way with a lot at the breakdown..in off their feet etc..but thats the way French officials play it..Also a lot of offsides from the Ospreys..Shane Williams is a legend..cant understand why he is retiring now.. he still has it. Osprey are a much better team since they changed coach and offloaded the prima donnas..There was'nt a fake tan in sight!
Shane Williams, simply a legend.
Comment 4, Brian, the referee did everything he could to help Leinster. With a better ref the Ospreys pack would have been allowed to use their superior scrummaging to effect. The ref got them out of jail and along with Ospreys mistakes, kept it close. Leinster scored a 7 point try from an offside position right under the ref's nose. He was awful but that did not hinder Leinster, it helped them.
OK they won...leinster looked out on their feet..and that referee again...what a muppet..(with all due respect to muppets).
A superb ambassador for wales and world rugby, Good luck shane.
You couldnt have written the script any better, Good luck shane you have been a wonderfull ambassador for wales.
great game and send off for shane
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account