'It takes a bit to get used to new norm of playing rugby in June'
Leo Cullen has played down the significance of Leinster hammering Glasgow in the URC quarter-finals at the RDS, the Irish province scoring a dozen tries in 76-14 rout of the Scots in an embarrassingly one-sided knockout stage game to draw a line under last weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup final loss to La Rochelle. The defending PRO14/URC champions, who are seeking a fifth successive title, bludgeoned Glasgow after initially falling seven points behind just five minutes in.
They bounced back to lead 26-7 at the break and the floodgates opened in the second half, Leinster adding eight more tries in a sumptuous performance where the impact of Jordan Larmour would have left fans wondering what might have been if he was included in last weekend’s matchday 23 in Marseille.
Larmour scored twice and was a constant menace to Glasgow, who never recovered from the 21 points leaked when Richie Gray picked up a first-half sin-binning. That numerical disparity was repeated in the second half as well, the Warriors leaking a further three tries to overall ‘lose’ their 20-minute period a man down by a criminal 40 points to nil.
“Everyone had moments in the game which was pleasing,” enthused Cullen about the Leinster bounceback following their agonising cup final loss to La Rochelle. “It was nice to see Jordan to get man of the match. He was unlucky to miss out on selection last week, so it was great to see him go well because he was excellent in that Munster game and it was a hard call for him to miss out on selection last week.
“Lots of guys went well and now it is just trying to keep it going, enjoy the week, enjoy working hard and preparing well for each other and we will see how everyone has come through the game. There are going to be a lot of very close calls again which is what you want.
“It’s unfortunate for some guys that they will miss out and they will be disappointed, but for the guys that do get the chance to represent the team, they will hopefully go well because is a little unusual playing rugby in June – for players, support staff but supporters as well. Whatever about the team digging deep, supporters have to dig deep again so we hopefully get a big crowd here again next Friday.
“The games are coming around very, very quickly now but we are very grateful for the support that we get [9,346 against Glasgow] because it is bank holiday weekend with so much going on. Lots of people are creatures of habit and it takes a bit to get used to this new norm of playing rugby in June.”
Asked about the relevance of the winning quarter-final margin for Leinster, Cullen added: “It was just getting back to what we do well… It’s really just getting through to the next round, there are no extra points for scoring more tries in these games. It’s on to the next challenge which is the Bulls and it will be significant.
“The Bulls (quarter-final) game was a very, very tight, tense affair. They were prepared for that drop goal late in the game. I thought they did well. The Sharks had their moments just before that the bit I saw.
“The Bulls came up with a big turnover, went down the other end of the field and showed some good composure to win. Ideally, we don’t get ourselves in that situation next weekend if it is tight at the end. We did a good bit of work this week on the Bulls, it’s a long time since we played them, week one in the Aviva.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
24 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments