'What answer do you want? Okay, yeah, it's the biggest. There you go'
While most of the attention in the United Rugby Championship this weekend was on the ongoing drama to get the four sides out of South Africa, elsewhere Ulster rocked the competition with their win over top side Leinster in Dublin.
James Hume’s late intercept gave the Northern Irish side their first win in Dublin since 2013 and ended Leinster’s unbeaten run in the competition this year.
And now they will get another boost as big Springbok No.8 Duane Vermeulen is expected in Belfast in the next week as well.
Ulster coach Dan McFarland was overjoyed and termed the win the biggest of his time at the Irish province.
“It’s pretty big,” the Ulster head coach said. “There are not many teams that come to Dublin and win. It’s pretty big. What answer do you want? An order? Okay, yeah, it’s the biggest. There you go; everybody happy?”
The eight year drought in Dublin also coincided with a seven game losing streak and was a rare sight in a derby that has seen Leinster win 43 of the previous 58 games between the two sides.
“We don’t have monkeys on our backs,” McFarland added when asked about the significance of the win.
“It’s a big result. On its own, it’s four points like any other four points but it’s the ultimate test in our league to come here and the guys did a good job.
“I’ve only been here since 2018 so 2013 to 2018 is not relevant. We’re focused on what we’re doing. There’s no negative to that but I’m just happy that we won. Even the players, they’re enjoying the moment, they’re living in the moment.
“I get that, definitely, that the supporters may feel the history but I can’t afford to do that. This is the sharp end; you have to focus on the here and now.”
By contrast Leinster coach Leo Cullen lamented a younger side bereft of some stars had not lived up to their potential.
“We will look to ourselves first. I won’t look to blame anyone else bar ourselves,” he said.
Leinster were without several Irish stars, including Cian Healy, Ronan Kelleher, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson Park, Johnny Sexton, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe or Hugo Keenan.
'I didn’t have any choice, I wasn’t an academy player'@SaleSharksRugby fullback @Simon_Hammers is enjoying life under Alex Sanderson, having come to rugby via an alternative route.
Just don't ask him to bench press – writes @heagneyl ??? #SARvSAL https://t.co/8ZkkmqGU8r
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 28, 2021
“When you chop and change the team, you run the risk around the cohesion piece,” he said. “But it does create competition amongst the group as well, which is positive. So, obviously when a group doesn’t deliver, then in many ways, sometimes that’s their chance gone. That’s the harsh reality that some guys need to face, for sure.
“We will have a good chunk of players who will return this week. We will see what sort of shape those guys are in.”
Leinster will face Connacht this week and will likely field a stronger side against the Galway team that swept past the Ospreys on Friday night.
In other news Leonardo Marin kicked another last-gasp drop goal to claim a 19-18 win over Glasgow Warriors on Saturday. The 19-year old did a similar kick to snatch a win against Edinburgh last month.
Edinburgh meanwhile had Ramiro Moyano to thank as his brace of tries surged them to a bonus-point 30-14 win over the Dragons at Rodney Parade.
– URC SA
Comments on RugbyPass
Joe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
9 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
9 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
9 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
9 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
9 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
9 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
9 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
9 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to comments