It was a mixed European weekend for the provinces, writes Keego…
As we ease into the closing games in the rabo season, I am still not over last weekend’s games in the Amlin Challenge and Heineken cups...
We started on Friday with Leinster v Wasps in Adams Park in London. After a nervous opening few which resulted in Wasps scoring a soft try, Leinster scored their best try of the season in my opinion. All year we have been dependant on the Sexton loop pass follow the ball routine. It has worked more often than not, but we have not looked past it. Clérmont where fooled the first few times with it, but they caught on, we didn’t and we lost the games. This time was different. Madigan at the helm, he started the move a-la Sexton. He knew the Wasps defence where watching him, he knew it looked like the same old move. Instead of Madigan receiving the ball again, he was used as a dummy runner and Darcy (who played a blinder) jogged over the line untouched.
This showed that Leinster is evolving. They have to with Madigan running the show. He is a different player to Sexton. Captain Cullen looked strong after a couple of slow games. The team played so cohesively that Wasps really had no answer anywhere on the pitch. A great sign going forward. The only thing regarding Madigan is that he loves the ball so much he is not always quickest to pass it, but with time his game management will be at the very top level. Onwards to Thomond, more on that below.
Then game the game of Ulster v Saracens in Twickenham. This was sad to watch. I have enjoyed watching Ulster this year. They started with a bang, but it is turning into a whimper. They were just not at the races all game. Paddy Jackson appears to retreat at any sign of pressure. It was the same against Italy in the 6 Nations and it was the same again here. He went deeper and deeper (bad on a rugby pitch) when the Saracens pressure mounted. The lineout was non-existent, Rory Best needs to have a look at his game. But at the end of the day, whenever this Ulster team has been faced with any pressure they have crumbled. They were very unimpressive in the semi and final of the Heineken last year, they beat Leinster in the rds which was a bright point of the season. But against Saracens they were just horrible. With the injuries mounting and deck shuffling happening this weekend, it looks like they may snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the rabo this year.
Then we came to The Twickenham Stoop, Munster v Harlequins. After last week’s drubbing against Glasgow no one expected Munster to give ‘Quins any kind of challenge. I would suggest that even the most ardent Munster supporters wouldn’t have dreamt of a win in this game. Then it happened. Paul O’Connell turned up wearing his superman outfit. He bossed the pitch and Munster absolutely dominated Harlequins. It was great to see. Every area of the pitch they where miles ahead. It is great to see Paulie back to his best; I was cheering him on from the couch. A great man.
Their next stop is France against Clérmont. The French are putting a huge amount of pressure on themselves this year. Having been beaten in the semis by Leinster twice. They want this badly. I would suggest that they might be psyching themselves out this year. And never bet against Munster. That performance may be enough to rattle the French. Montpellier had the lead after 20 minutes against Clérmont, Munster are not Montpellier. They are tougher, maybe not bigger physically, but they are far tougher. Never underestimate the man in the number 5 jersey. Clérmont will be frightened of him…
The above paragraph was tough to write as a Leinster supporter ;). Speaking of which, if any of you where cheering on Harlequins just because they were playing Munster then shame on you. This is NOT football. We are not children. You should support Irish when Irish are playing. We are not in the Heineken Cup so we should have been cheering Ulster and Munster. I know the REAL supporters where doing that, and they sent congratulations/commiserations when needed on twitter. The ‘fans’ where cheering Quins. This needs to stop. The reasoning of ‘well they did it to us before’ holds no water with me. Grow up the lot of you!
Now, on to this week.
Leinster head to Thomond park to take on Munster. I will be watching from New York while explaining the rules of the game and that there are no timeouts in real sport ;). This is not an important game for Munster. Yes they always want to beat Leinster which is fair enough, but their eyes are on Clérmont. The coach is smart (if not a bit naïve) and he will pick the team accordingly. They have a tiny chance of making the rabo playoffs, no point in killing yourself to not make it. Leinster on the other hand needs this game. We need to finish in a position to get a home final. Ulster and Glasgow are finicky and can be beaten; I would expect Ulster to not make the final this year. My prediction is Leinster to win and Madigan to start. Whilst Sexton has been a fantastic servant to Leinster and wants to be on the plane to Australia. This is a business of winning, he has not been playing and Madigan has been playing amazingly well. Madigan MUST start, Sexton there for the last 30.
As usual, if you would like to comment/abuse/like/share please do so and you can find me on twitter @nkeegan
I will try and write next week about my attempts at bringing rugby to New York. Should be fairly comedic. Although given the standard, I may make the New York rugby team. I await my Adidas endorsement deal.
Until next week….
Keego (@nkeegan): Blogger, former professional wrestler, sometime attempted rugby player (@TheThirsty3rds), professional procrastinator and attempted musician with a fondness for long walks on the bar, tea and the couch. Opinionated Leinster fan and constant gardener.
