Sunday, January 19, 2020

Online comments after Benetton v Leinster

A selection of the “keyboard warrior” reactions after the full-time whistle of our featured matches of the weekend.

If you’d like to contribute stay tuned to our Facebook page for our “Feel free to leave your thoughts…” posts which show up around full time after Leinster & Ireland matches.

Paul Smith Professional rather than flashy. The conditions were awful and playing free flowing rugby was always a tough task against a pretty decent Treviso team. Keeping them scoreless during their early period of dominance was key and going in at half time ahead on the scoreboard was a big psychological boost. 2nd half was a lot better, still a game for the forwards who did their job superbly well. I though McGrath did really well and made some really nice breaks and our bench also played a big part. All in all, keeping any team to 0 in their own ground is as good as you can ask and Leinster can be very happy today with a job well done.
Joe Sheppard Poor 1st half. 7 pens and a yellow card in 24 mins. VERY Un-Leinster performance that initial 40 with lack of discipline leadership and cohesion overall. Benetton should really have gotton scores in that 40 mins. We massively improved once our bench came on. Ruddock really is a top leader! We can't always have champagne rugby & a fab job done. 6 from 6 and a home 1/4 final. Well done the entire organisation at Leinster Rugby.
Conor Cronin Weather played a part, ref played an occasionally unnecessary part. Benetton 0 is a big result there. The penalty count was very concerning, lots to be discussed on the video before lads go to Portugal.
But I think the big thing here is home quarter, and if we go past that home semi.
Gav Heg We did what was needed, not the most exciting game I've ever seen from them but a result. I enjoyed how annoyed Ryan was at himself when he was penalised at ruck time, it's like he was thinking to what leo and Lancaster are going to do to him at video session time!
Richard Mifsud Defence, defence, defence! Not sure Benetton deserved to be nilled but hey 🤷🏻‍♂️. It kept us in the match and provided the platform for what was a very good win against a very good side. I really believe that was our sternest examination yet this season and we found a way. I’m really pleased we didn’t swan that because otherwise we could’ve believed our own hype and that is dangerous come the quarters and hopefully beyond. I had a snipe at Ross last week so I’ll say he had a far better day today, which was very pleasing. Standouts for me Deegan, Doris, Ringrose, JVDF, Healy and DK. Teams are getting wise to slowing our ruck ball down and that is something we need to work at going forward because we can’t rely on refs policing it properly. I still remember Leo prefacing the 13 match block and never in my dreams did I think we’d be 13-0. Now we park that and go to the next block and let’s hope it’s equally as successful so #COYBIB 😊
Sean Michaels Given our recent history with Benetton, combined with their last few performances this was never going to be a free flowing game. I thought our defence was excellent and was given the kind of workout we needed heading towards the business end of the Heineken Cup. Thought perhaps the players were a bit nervous about the prospect of losing the 100% record which reflected upon the way we approached the game. A lot of positives to be taken from the game and preventing Benetton from getting on the scoreboard an added bonus
Greg Kelly Given the weather and competition conditions not a bad result really.

Why do WR, ERC etc persist with project referees. Very much out of his depth and was made look foolish a few times by both teams....problem is more talented referees in the lower ranks are getting blocked out by these ex pro project refs. He couldn't even keep the gap at the lineout open today and both yellow cards were reminiscent of a referee who recent got his cards and wanted to try them out
David Topping Referee's don't get good overnight, and there'll be plenty of shockers in between. The ref had a shocker and he will learn.

They have to be given opportunities to develop.

...and I suspect that it won't be long until those talented refs get their chance. Politics in rugby refereeing here is as dirty as the politics when an Irish squad is announced.

I had the same problem in football, was a decent ref but my face didn't fit, so I ended up giving up. Ex-pros look good and get the bosses a gold star, at the expense of others. And they won't give a flying flamingo.
Kevin Kelehan 28 points - 1 clear of anyone else - home semi final path if we get through the six nations with a full squad and win the QF.
Lorcán Murphy Methodical and patient
Adam Kenny Are we likely to get saracheats now?

Sebastian Brennan (reply) they have to beat Racing first. And it won't be easy as Racing wants home quarter final.
Gerald Williamson So with 28pts, Leinster have a home quarter final.
DeeDee O'Malley Not great but good to get win. CONGRATULATIONS Leinster
Many thanks to all who offered opinions.

Look out Monday for our match writeup JLP
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Taken by JLP from RDS press box on Nov 16, 2019