Joe Marler hilariously fires back at Eben Etzebeth after iconic humiliation
Eben Etzebeth well and truly got one over England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler in the Heineken Champions Cup at the Stoop on Saturday, when he noticed that the loosehead lost his bind at a ruck and was therefore able to pick the ball up to run in for a try.
It was a moment that showed the Springbok lock’s rugby IQ, but did not flatter Marler either. Fortunately, the prop was able to make light of the situation after half time.
In a situation that was almost the exact same as the one in the first half that lead to Etzebeth’s try, Marler found himself in a ruck again in the second half, protecting the ball for his scrum-half Danny Care, with Etzebeth stalking at the edge of the ruck.
But Marler learned his lesson from the first half, and made sure his shoulder was bound to the ruck rather than his arm. The prop was seen from there pointing at Etzebeth, showing that he was bound to the ruck and instructing the Bok to stay back. Etzebeth just laughed at Marler’s antics, knowing he had the last laugh.
Despite this blunder from Marler, Quins came away 39-29 winners.
Take a look at the ruck:
Last laugh to Etzebeth. #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/bJnvMNP3Iu
— JustIs Sport (@JustIs_Sport) January 21, 2023
Harlequins Starting XV
1. Joe Marler
2. Jack Walker
3. Wilco Louw
4. Stephan Lewies
5. Irne Herbst
6. Dino Lamb
7. Will Evans
8. Alex Dombrandt ©
9. Danny Care
10. Marcus Smith
11. Josh Bassett
12. Andre Esterhuizen
13. Joe Marchant
14. Cadan Murley
15. Nick David
Impact Players
16. George Head
17. Fin Baxter
18. Simon Kerrod
19. Tom Lawday
20. Luke Wallace
21. Scott Steele
22. Tommy Allan
23. Oscar Beard
Cell C Sharks
1. Ox Nche
2. Kerron van Vuuren
3. Thomas du Toit
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Gerbrandt Grobler
6. Siya Kolisi (c)
7. Vincent Tshituka
8. Phepsi Buthelezi
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Thaakir Abrahams
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Lukhanyo Am
14. Marnus Potgieter
15. Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
16. Dan Jooste
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Carlu Sadie
19. Hyron Andrews
20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
21. Grant Williams
22. Lionel Cronje
23. Francois Venter
