RUGBY Sub Saili hits Glasgow with a late killer blow
GLASGOW 12 MUNSTER 14 GLASGOW’S Euro dream was hanging by a thread after their revenge mission was cruelly wrecked by streetwise Munster.
Warriors had been in front for the bulk of the war of attrition at sold-out Scotstoun.
But the former holders capitalised with the only try-chance they created all night.
The decisive moment came eight minutes from time when sub Francis Saili crashed over – seconds after Stuart Hogg was controversially yellow carded.
It meant that Munster go through to the Champions Cup quarter-finals as pool winners.
But Glasgow can still sneak through by beating Leicester Tigers next weekend.
Warriors had made an urgent start with a great charge into enemy territory by Alex Dunbar and a teasing ground-kick from Finn Russell.
But the immediate momentum was halted when Zander Fagerson was guilty of lineout obstruction in the danger zone.
Josh Strauss then tested the Munster defence with a trademark gallop – and Russell was inches from gathering his own chip five metres from the line.
There was a scare for the Warriors as skipper Jonny Gray suffered a leg injury, but he was able to resume after treatment.
Two tame turnovers allowed the visitors to regroup, but Glasgow were still intent on attacking from anywhere on the pitch.
They were, however, up against some of the best markers in world rugby.
Warriors kept plugging away and a scrum offence prompted Russell to tee up his first pot at goal – and he made no mistake from 30 metres.
Ref Luke Pearce then accused the hosts of committing an identical indiscretion, but Tyler Bleyendaal was off target with his long-range effort.
A wayward clearance by Stuart Hogg paved the way for Munster’s first potent raid.
And a high challenge from Lee Jones presented Bleyendaal with a simple task to level the contest midway through the half.
Glasgow earned another spell of pressure at the other end, but without looking likely to make the big breakthrough.
The Limerick men cashed in with a series of brutal charges, however Glasgow dug deep and won a penalty on their own line to snuff out the peril.
Hogg then grabbed back the limelight for positive reasons as he brilliantly banged over a monster penalty to edge his side back in front seven minutes before the interval.
Bleyendaal responded instantly from close quarters following obstruction by Josh Strauss on Conor Murray.
The penalty ping-pong continued – but Hogg pushed his next strike past the post.
Warriors began the second half at full tilt with Hogg almost sneaking in for a try.
Then muscle-man Tim Swinson was blocked just short – his run setting up an easy penalty for Russell.
But yet again Bleyendaal wasted no time in equalising.
Russell also took his tally to three on the hour-mark as the tension-level heightened.
Then came a pivotal moment as Hogg was sent to the sin-bin for a foul challenge in his own 22-zone.
And within seconds, Saili cashed in for the clincher.