Memory Lane – Zebre 2016
7 Feb 2020Ten tries, a record points tally and a hat-trick from a certain Fijian second-rower - 2016's victory over Zebre at Scotstoun remains a firm fixture in the collective memory of the Warrior Nation.
Ahead of the club’s return to Guinness PRO14 action on Friday 14 February, stats supremo Kevin Millar (@topofthemoongw) takes a walk down memory lane…
For the full article, be sure to pick up your copy of Issue Four of Warrior!
“Some evenings at Scotstoun have a kind of festival or party feel to them – especially when the end of the campaign is looming and some fan favourites are moving on. So it was in April 2016, when the Warriors tackled Zebre in their final home match of the regular season. There was still the hope that the club might be back for a playoff semi-final in Glasgow three weeks later, but there was also an acceptance that this was a chance to say goodbye and celebrate.
“The Warriors team that night didn’t lack for departees. Leone Nakarawa, Duncan Weir and Jerry Yanuyanutawa had all featured in the PRO12 Grand Final victory 11 months earlier, whilst Glenn Bryce and Taqele Naiyaravoro were also moving on after regular game time for the club during 2015/16.
“Just to ensure emotions were running high, club legend, centurion and all-round good guy James Eddie presented the match ball having announced his retirement earlier that week. As a counterpoint to all the farewells, this fixture also featured the first ever appearance at Scotstoun for D’arcy Rae!
“In a nice bit of synchronicity, having finished up at Scotstoun against Zebre, Leone could play the first home game of his second spell with Glasgow against the same opponents. The Flying Fijian is just the latest in a long line of players who have rejoined the club, a trend that will continue next season with the return of Richie Gray.”
