If there is ever a moment that sums up the latter years of Nathan Hines’ career, this is it.
Clermont trailing 12-9 going into the final 20 minutes of a crucial Heineken Cup pool game with Ulster. The winner would top their pool while the loser would face Munster at Thomond Park.
The French side were on the attack and seeking a try to tip the contest in their favour. With Morgan Parra about to spread the ball wide, Hines took matters into his own, giant hands.
The Scottish international, who won a Heineken Cup the season before with Leinster, pinned three Ulster forwards – Stephen Ferris, Pedrie Wannenberg and Dan Tuohy – down and held them there for 10 seconds.
He got greedy, clung on too long, conceded a penalty and sparked an almighty dust-up.
Hines, who is now on Scotland’s coaching roster, tells SportsJOE about the infamous scene:
“I knew exactly what I was doing.
“I didn’t make a goal of holding three guys in there; it just happened that way.
“I should have let go earlier but I was having fun with it and seeing how long I could hold on for.
“There was also the fear that, if I did let go, I was going to get a punch. As it turned out, I got a punch anyway.”
