Friday, September 16, 2016

Crossfield kick by Chris McDonnell–Week 3

Chris McDonnell avatar

I honestly thought we would win last weekend and up until the interception I was looking good with my prediction.

Plenty of positives and massive improvement on the week before.

3 tries v Glasgow away is a very good days attacking work.

Defence let us down I hate to harp on the old days but shaggy, hickey and Isa would not have allowed any one man to score 4 against us.

The only thing I will mention about the collapse of a 10 point lead was Cadbury's running of the ball that led to the interception was the correct thing to do.

We had a massive amount of space, quick ball and numbers out wide.  The problem was rob Kearney drifted outside Seymour allowing the interception. Mr Henry's main point in his time with us was we need to run straight, if rob had listened the Henry we would have had 5 points in the bag rather than nothing. He got paid a lot of money to point out the simple things and we didn't do as he said.

If Rob had ran a straight line he would have ghosted past Seymour and had himself and Zane in open space with a defender 35 yards back ( who was waiting on a Cadbury clearance kick)

It was then a simple 2v1 for the bonus point try and the win.

Rob did exactly what Ben Teo did in the European semi final and ran outside as Madigan threw the interception.

People are spouting on about game management, game management is putting games beyond reach of the opposition, Cadbury's game management was correct, rob's line was not. If we are to get back to the top table we need to 1.  be able to spot these opportunities and 2. Finish them off.

I really hope we continue to be adventurous as I believe this is our best chance to progress and not only win but win playing attacking rugby.

As for this weeks team, good to see some players back and hopefully we kick on. Not sure about molony and JVDF on the bench, if it's to rest them they should have had the week off, i can't think of any other reason as both are playing really well and should be now considered first choice.

Maybe Healy should have started and bring on McGrath but no biggie there.

It is great to see Cian getting some form back.

I am predicting a bonus point win tonight and onwards and upwards for the boys in blue.

Chris McDonnell - 47 years old, 32 years of playing rugby union and 12 playing rugby league, I have started a rugby match in every position apart from 9. Find myself as a tighthead prop these days. Leinster fan first and foremost but will watch Munster if they’re on the telly.

*****

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D4tress

D4tress
Taken by JLP from RDS press box on Nov 16, 2019