Van Graan backs Bath's final decision after heartbreaking Exeter defeat
REACTION: Johann van Graan refused to point fingers after Bath’s Premiership title defence ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday, backing his players despite a controversial final decision that saw them held up over the line instead of attempting a potentially match-winning drop goal.
Bath surrendered a 16-point halftime lead before falling 27-26 to Exeter Chiefs in a dramatic Premiership semi-final at The Rec. The decisive moment came in the dying seconds when Bath launched a 40-phase assault on the Exeter line, only to be denied at the death.
Many expected flyhalf Santiago Carreras to take a shot at goal, but Bath instead opted to keep the ball in hand.
“Look, we were set up for the drop goal and we were set to take it wide,” Van Graan explained afterwards.
“Ultimately, a decision was made to pick and go, and I’ll back the team in that. Obviously, there was so much space on the outside, but we win together and we lose together.
“From an effort and intent point of view, I can’t fault these players. It came down to the last play of the game and ultimately, if you lose by a point, you weren’t good enough on the day, so well done to Exeter.”
*Also read Burger the hero as Exeter stun champions Bath
The South African admitted Bath failed to capitalise on their first-half dominance after taking a commanding 26-10 lead into the break.
“I thought our intent was excellent in the first half. We didn’t put them away in the first half; we left a few chances out there,” he said.
“Minutes 40 to 60 hurt us in terms of we couldn’t get out of the kicking cycle, and then ultimately our discipline wasn’t good enough in the second half.”
Exeter’s comeback was completed by South African replacement Ethan Burger, whose 68th-minute try proved decisive as the visitors became the first team in five years to win an away Premiership semifinal.
“One point is the biggest and smallest margin in sport. It comes down to a held-up there but well done to Chiefs. Well-deserved and from my side, good luck to them against Northampton in the final.”
While visibly disappointed, Van Graan remained proud of what Bath achieved this season, having finished second on the Premiership table and reached a European semi-final for the first time in two decades.
“Absolutely proud of what we’ve done. In the moment, gutted and disappointed, but in terms of the overall season, to be second on the log and get a home semifinal, and get to a first European semifinal in 20 years, that’s sport. That’s the beauty of sport.”
“Amazing for Exeter to win it like this. Gutted to lose it like this, and ultimately we have got to be better, but that is gone now.
“We will get some quiet time together tonight as a group and reflect on the memories that we made. Some big players are leaving the club and the journey ends tonight.”
Relive the drama, intensity, and history — all the iconic British & Irish Lions documentaries from 2001-2021, available now on RugbyPass TV.
