Why? Why do we do it to ourselves? Why do we let ourselves dream, to imagine, to hope? We’re fans of Scottish Rugby. We should know better. It’s the hope that kills you. We all know that.
“Thou shalt not hope” must’ve been close to making the list of the Ten Commandments. If only that one had been on there, it would have saved us all from the hurt!
Saturday was a stark reminder of where we are and how far we still have to go. Yes, we have a home quarter-final and yes, we can still finish fairly high up that table.
But it could have been so much more comfortable going into the last game. Now we have to rely on other results and hope for the best.
Glasgow looked like they were in control and then the maddest 10 minutes of rugby extinguished any chance of the Warriors coming away with anything from Johannesburg.
READ MORE: Glasgow's top two hopes take hammer blow with defeat to Lions
It was infuriating to watch, and somewhat disheartening to be honest. I could spend pages and pages analysing the game and where we went wrong on the pitch but frankly, I’m not sure it’s really necessary. We were awful in the second half, it’s as simple as that.
Glasgow looked out on their feet as the Lions ripped them apart time and time again. The players had absolutely nothing left in the tank, and it showed.
But there was a somewhat kamikaze style to their play as they pushed and pushed to play their brand of rugby and were continually picked off and watched, knackered, as their hosts ran in score after score.
When Glasgow are winning and playing well, their style of play is without doubt beautiful to watch. They’ve had some stunning success with it. But on Saturday, the apparent lack of a Plan B became glaringly obvious.
A more pragmatic approach and some calm heads might have helped, and it could have seen Glasgow regroup and go again, but they just kept trying to do the same thing.
While staying true to their way was commendable, it seemed like madness in the heat and altitude of Johannesburg. It’s something that can be an issue with Warriors fans and something I wish Franco Smith would add to our game.
We just don’t seem to know what to do when Plan A doesn’t work. I’d love to see us winning ugly once or twice a season. I’d have no objection to it!
So now it’s Zebre and Glasgow have the chance to atone for their defeat. Against the bottom club in the league, they have to go out and put on a show for the fans. Victory is a must and a bonus point is essential.
READ MORE: Smith insists Glasgow Warriors beat themselves against Lions
With Leinster playing Connacht at the same time, at the RDS, you have to assume they will pick up the victory, and with all the two sides above Glasgow on the same number of wins, racking up a bonus point and then going for as many points as possible could prove crucial. Glasgow finishing third in that case is a definite possibility.
First and second seem unlikely now, with the Bulls likely to beat the Sharks and Munster facing Ulster at Thomond.
There’s no guarantees as to who we will play but it’s likely to be either the Stormers or Ulster, although the prospect of an all-Scottish clash is not beyond the realms of possibility. That one would be blockbuster.
Of course, with home advantage, you would have to expect Glasgow would fancy their chances but there are no easy games in the play-offs. We’ve beaten all three of the teams I’ve mentioned above but play-offs do more to galvanise players than any other fixtures and momentum in these games can count massively.
Look at Glasgow a couple of years ago who went on a horrible run of games before the end of the season and then Danny Wilson took his side to the RDS. By Sunday night he was looking for a new employer!
Momentum is key and a win against Zebre, a convincing one at that, can bring that momentum.
I’m sure Glasgow will atone for the Lions game and go into the play-offs on the back of a strong win.
If we can do that then it will be all systems go and there’s no atmosphere quite like knock out rugby. Lets get Scotstoun rocking!
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