'Embarrassing for the game': Cheika fuming after controversial decision
Rugby NewsSunday, 15 June 2025 at 08:09
Michael Cheika’s hopes of capping his time at Leicester with silverware were crushed at Twickenham, as Bath edged the Tigers 23-21 in a fiercely contested Premiership final.
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The passionate Australian, who famously led the Wallabies to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final at the same venue, was left frustrated as his last match in charge ended in heartbreak—and controversy.
Cheika was left fuming at the officiating after two key sin bins proved costly. England veteran Dan Cole, playing his final professional match, was yellow-carded late on, while Tigers skipper Julian Montoya had already been sent to the bin for a high tackle.
“I thought we got nothing back from the referee at all and we kept on coming back and turning up,” said Cheika.
“We scored three tries to two, that tells you something. I’m super proud of the players.
“Two men in the bin – the second one for nothing, really. It is embarrassing for the game that someone goes off for that. I’m allowed to be angry, but I’m over it and happy to accept the result now and get on with the next thing.”
The defeat didn’t just mark the end for Cheika—it also closed the chapter on the storied careers of Dan Cole and Ben Youngs, England’s most-capped player, who both played their final game in Tigers colours.
In the post-match press conference, Cheika made it clear he was biting his tongue when asked about referee Karl Dickson’s performance.
“For me personally, if the game is sending players to the sin bin for that, or even penalising…what do I say mate?
“If I say something, I’ll get myself in strife and take away from the other team. I just have to beat myself up inside and try and keep as much as I can inside.
“I’ve got my feelings on the referee’s performance but I’ll take that up with [head of refereeing] Paul Hull as one last final…banter, let’s say.”
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2/10: 5 Big-Name Underperformers from the Premiership Final
Bath finally broke their 29-year title drought with a nervy 23-21 win over Leicester Tigers, wrapping up a historic 2024/25 treble. But while the blue, black, and white were partying, some big names had a day to forget...
Honourable Mention: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
? A brief cameo turned sour as the veteran prop bowed out of professional rugby with a cl. Rugby Pass called it
"a tragic way to finish his career."
Rating: 2/10
Rating: 2/10
#1. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath)
? Big Joe's big slip-up
He found himself in good positions but couldn’t make them count. Handling errors crept in, undermining his usual wrecking-ball threat.
"Unusually mistake-filled… unable to hold the ball," noted RUCK.
Rating: 5/10 (Planet Rugby), 6/10 (RUCK)
He found himself in good positions but couldn’t make them count. Handling errors crept in, undermining his usual wrecking-ball threat.
"Unusually mistake-filled… unable to hold the ball," noted RUCK.
Rating: 5/10 (Planet Rugby), 6/10 (RUCK)
#2. Adam Radwan (Leicester Tigers)
? Nowhere to run
Radwan had flashes of pace, but spent much of the match marooned in heavy traffic. His defensive work didn’t help either.
"Bath dominated in the air and Radwan also missed quite a few tackles," Planet Rugby observed.
Rating: 5/10
Radwan had flashes of pace, but spent much of the match marooned in heavy traffic. His defensive work didn’t help either.
"Bath dominated in the air and Radwan also missed quite a few tackles," Planet Rugby observed.
Rating: 5/10
#3. Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
? The pass that broke the Tigers
Started brightly, directing play with authority, but his second-half unravelled. A stray pass to Russell led to a decisive Bath try, and he missed a crucial kick at goal.
"Blew white hot and ice cold," summed up Planet Rugby.
Rating: 5/10 (Planet Rugby & Rugby Pass)
Started brightly, directing play with authority, but his second-half unravelled. A stray pass to Russell led to a decisive Bath try, and he missed a crucial kick at goal.
"Blew white hot and ice cold," summed up Planet Rugby.
Rating: 5/10 (Planet Rugby & Rugby Pass)
#4. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
? Grounded under pressure
The safest hands in England were tested—and cracked. Bath’s tactical kicking drew him out of position, and a few spilled catches followed.
"Not his imperious best under the high ball," said Rugby Pass.
Rating: 4/10
The safest hands in England were tested—and cracked. Bath’s tactical kicking drew him out of position, and a few spilled catches followed.
"Not his imperious best under the high ball," said Rugby Pass.
Rating: 4/10
#5. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers)
? Breakdown? Break-gone.
Normally a menace at the ruck, Reffell struggled to assert himself and racked up penalties instead. Bath kept him largely out of the contest.
"Found himself on the wrong side of Dickson’s whistle… not Leicester’s afternoon at the breakdown."
Normally a menace at the ruck, Reffell struggled to assert himself and racked up penalties instead. Bath kept him largely out of the contest.
"Found himself on the wrong side of Dickson’s whistle… not Leicester’s afternoon at the breakdown."
Quiz! Can you name every club that has played in the Premiership?
London Welsh were the last new team to play in the Gallagher Premiership back in 2011 – can you name the others?
You have five minutes to name every club to have played in the Gallagher Premiership, all 28 of them, since the division was established back in 1987.
Good luck, and let us know how you do
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