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The Cheetahs v Ulster match was called off just before kick-off, with the result directly impacting Cardiff
Cardiff Rugby have been forced to wait to find out if they have qualified for the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup after Ulster’s match against the Cheetahs was called off in the Netherlands amid farcical scenes.
The game was postponed just 40 minutes ahead of the scheduled kick-off on Sunday after an initial pitch inspection saw the referee deem the pitch playable. It’s reported the teams were unhappy with the conditions at the Duke Rugby Club pitch after snowfall and freezing conditions and the initial call was reversed.
The match had already been moved from Amsterdam’s NRCA Stadium 24 hours before kick-off, with fans in the country told not to make the hour-long journey to Den Bosch, where the new venue is. Many ignored that instruction, though, despite the game being “behind closed doors”, with the ground effectively a school’s pitch which is visible from the surrounding streets.
The development has a knock-on effect for Cardiff, who are second in the European Pool after Saturday’s impressive home win of Racing 92. They were waiting on a result in the game to confirm their qualification for the knockout stages with a match to spare ahead of next weekend’s game against Exeter.
Only a bonus-point win for the Cheetahs would have stopped the Welsh side progressing, but it now remains to be seen what happens. The game could potentially be played tomorrow morning in Amsterdam, although it is unclear if that is logistically possible. Another option could see the match declared a draw, with both sides awarded two points. That second scenario would see Cardiff go through.
The EPCR said the game was “postponed until further notice” and it will “convene its Board Crisis Management Group to consider next steps”.
Ulster said in a statement: “Following a pitch inspection by the Toyota Cheetahs v Ulster Rugby match day referee Kevin Bralley, his decision is that the pitch is unplayable. His recommendation to EPCR, Toyota Cheetahs and Ulster Rugby is that the pitch at Dukes Rugby is not safe for today’s fixture to take place as scheduled at 1400 local time. The match is thus postponed until further notice. EPCR will convene its Board Crisis Management Group to consider next steps.”
Former Ulster fly-half Ian Humphreys, who was set to commentate on the match, revealed players had told him the pitch was “rock hard”.
“They said they had went out to warm up an hour before kick-off and they said it was pretty obvious the game couldn’t be played, and that it was rock-hard,” Humphreys said on Radio Ulster.
“It’s frustrating for them and you can sense that off the messages from them. It feels a bit of a shambles.
“It’s very frustrating. It’s one of those ones where they moved it and brought it forward to try and prevent any problems but, unfortunately, it’s one of those things.
“It’s out of everyone’s control, so as frustrating as it is there’s not much they can do.”
Amsterdam was selected as the venue by the Cheetahs, who were the home team for the match, in a bid to cut down on cost and travel for teams, with South African sides now competing in Europe.
If the match is declared void and points are shared it could harm Ulster, who currently occupy the final qualification spot. They may now need to beat Stade Francais with a bonus point next week to go through.
