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[2013 Pro12] Round 1
- Thread starter TRF_Ezequiel
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Far better second half, cards are a worry though. Hopefully we don't do the opposite to our usual thing and go and have a **** season...
Some very nice performances from some guys. Delighted to see Macken showing some nice hands as well on a few occasions.
Some very nice performances from some guys. Delighted to see Macken showing some nice hands as well on a few occasions.
It finishes 15-8 to the Dragons. Fair play to them - sharp at the breakdown, turned around their scrum problems, did nothing stupid and got 4 points.
I have to say, as objectively as possible, the scrum was a farce in the second half with a number of resets. Not as bad as the worst of the old days, but still a poor show. I would like to see the great number of scrums that ended with Ulster going forwards and getting penalised again - I'm not saying we weren't cheating, but there was a smell of six of one and half a dozen of the other, and the ref lottery going against us. So be it.
Ultimately we weren't good enough to win. Paddy having a kicking mare was unfortunate - more than - and what's what will probably be remembered most, but it shouldn't be. After all, even given a good kicking game from him, we'd still probably have lost. Herring made a number of duff throws, our carriers never got going, Farrell got stripped in contact twice and went for the crossfield kick on what looked like an overlap, ball security was abysmal and we very stupid. We didn't go the close in driving stuff until right at the end - at which point we were on their line, and had backs staring at tons of space and screaming at the scrum-half. About the one thing Ian Porter did wrong in his cameo. Its quite incredible how little the idea of going tight to set the platform and then spinning it out seems to have percolated the average Ulster player's head. As for James McKinney coming on and throwing the worst pass in the world straight after a big break - oh dear - the NOC comparisons will mount up.
Worrying times. I wonder if Ian Porter still remembers how to be a 90pc kicker...
p.s. Well done again to the Dragons. My irritations should not detract from a solid performance.
I have to say, as objectively as possible, the scrum was a farce in the second half with a number of resets. Not as bad as the worst of the old days, but still a poor show. I would like to see the great number of scrums that ended with Ulster going forwards and getting penalised again - I'm not saying we weren't cheating, but there was a smell of six of one and half a dozen of the other, and the ref lottery going against us. So be it.
Ultimately we weren't good enough to win. Paddy having a kicking mare was unfortunate - more than - and what's what will probably be remembered most, but it shouldn't be. After all, even given a good kicking game from him, we'd still probably have lost. Herring made a number of duff throws, our carriers never got going, Farrell got stripped in contact twice and went for the crossfield kick on what looked like an overlap, ball security was abysmal and we very stupid. We didn't go the close in driving stuff until right at the end - at which point we were on their line, and had backs staring at tons of space and screaming at the scrum-half. About the one thing Ian Porter did wrong in his cameo. Its quite incredible how little the idea of going tight to set the platform and then spinning it out seems to have percolated the average Ulster player's head. As for James McKinney coming on and throwing the worst pass in the world straight after a big break - oh dear - the NOC comparisons will mount up.
Worrying times. I wonder if Ian Porter still remembers how to be a 90pc kicker...
p.s. Well done again to the Dragons. My irritations should not detract from a solid performance.
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The scrums in the Scarlets Leinster game went very well compared to what we're used to. I don't think we had any collapses!
Regarding the match it looked to me like the Scarlets put everything into the first 50 min but just ran out of steam then. Anyone see their first try? It would have been (and probably still is) one for the bloopers section on youtube. The Scarlets player had a clear run in to the line but managed to dive early and knock it on before the line. Luckily his blushes were spared by the TMO not spotting it!!
Regarding the match it looked to me like the Scarlets put everything into the first 50 min but just ran out of steam then. Anyone see their first try? It would have been (and probably still is) one for the bloopers section on youtube. The Scarlets player had a clear run in to the line but managed to dive early and knock it on before the line. Luckily his blushes were spared by the TMO not spotting it!!
SelimNiai
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Would be better if the 9's, Redden especially, decided to comply with the straight feeding laws
Whole match should be on iPlayer in time. Not really a highlights match tbh, although someone might do some. Young Screech did a good job.
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I could be wrong but I don't think the TMO is at fault here. He can only look at what he's been asked. Lacey asked him if the pass was forward. It wasn't. Lacey's mistake not asking about the grounding.
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Yup but at least they were getting punished for that. The scrums are light years better than last seasons... so far.
I turned over to the Dragons Ulster match near the end of it and and there was a collapse of the scrum. It went down before the ball was put in. Overall scrums are cleaner and easier to ref.
It probably was. I wouldn't blame anyone for not spotting it because 99.9% of people would presume he would have scored the try from that position.
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Much better performance from Leinster in the second half, very clinical. The Scarlets just continued from the second half of last season, not putting enough points on the board when in the ascendancy, giving away two easy try's, and no continuity to their attack due to unforced errors. They just seem unable to hold their concentration.
From a Scarlets perspective I thought Samson Lee scrummaged really well, as did Rob Evans when he came on. Snyman got through a decent amount of work. Aaron Shingler had a great first half but couldn't get into the match much in the second. Priestland and Shingler could be a good combo at 10 and 12, and with Davies at 13 it could be quite a potent midfield.
Turnbull and McCusker were poor, both are brain dead donkeys really, which you might be able to get away with on the blindside at this level if they just do the graft work, but not at openside and at 8. Turnbull gave away far too many penalties. I thought Gareth Davies had a shocker at 9, so many knock ons which killed the Scarlets momentum. Rhodri Williams unfortunately came on and gave a shocking pass as well. Gareth Owen was also a calamity at fullback, fumbling the ball, forward passes, missed tackle that lead to a try, and a yellow card! Phillips and Liam Williams were a bit meh, although at least Williams got stuck in.
Basic skills are altogether very poor, which is unforgivable when their main tactic is to run with the ball. There was once a time when the Scarlets could boast some of the best handling and attacking play in Europe, that's long gone imo.
Still, congrats to Leinster, fully deserved victory and bonus point.
Great start to the Dragons season beating Ulster. It was an embarrassment in the same fixture last season. They should take a lot of confidence from that, and will hopefully build.
From a Scarlets perspective I thought Samson Lee scrummaged really well, as did Rob Evans when he came on. Snyman got through a decent amount of work. Aaron Shingler had a great first half but couldn't get into the match much in the second. Priestland and Shingler could be a good combo at 10 and 12, and with Davies at 13 it could be quite a potent midfield.
Turnbull and McCusker were poor, both are brain dead donkeys really, which you might be able to get away with on the blindside at this level if they just do the graft work, but not at openside and at 8. Turnbull gave away far too many penalties. I thought Gareth Davies had a shocker at 9, so many knock ons which killed the Scarlets momentum. Rhodri Williams unfortunately came on and gave a shocking pass as well. Gareth Owen was also a calamity at fullback, fumbling the ball, forward passes, missed tackle that lead to a try, and a yellow card! Phillips and Liam Williams were a bit meh, although at least Williams got stuck in.
Basic skills are altogether very poor, which is unforgivable when their main tactic is to run with the ball. There was once a time when the Scarlets could boast some of the best handling and attacking play in Europe, that's long gone imo.
Still, congrats to Leinster, fully deserved victory and bonus point.
Great start to the Dragons season beating Ulster. It was an embarrassment in the same fixture last season. They should take a lot of confidence from that, and will hopefully build.
lynam1104
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Decent first game for Leinster slow to get going but looked very nice in the 2nd half. Most worrying thing for me is it looks Like Fitzy has picked up another bloody injury I hope hes ok. Goppert had some issues but in the last 20 was good at opening it up some more.
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Its looking bad for Luke Fitz. He looks as brittle as Felix Jones now. The scrum should also be a worry. Scarlets dominated all night. I suspect Toner is a big problem, being so tall in the scrums he is a liability.
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Finished watching the Leinster game. Lots of work to be done, particularly at the scrum and our defense was very porous in the first half - how many times did Aaron Shingler find a gap?
Impressed with Brendan Macken and Dave Kearney throughout, while Darren Hudson looked good coming on and yer man Fanning certainly didn't look out of his depth. Apparently the Rebels were having a bit of a look at him when he was down south and on the basis of today you can see why. Should be a solid league player if nothing else. Gopperth did well and Murphy looked good in the second half.
A bonus point win away to last year's 4th place side and lots of areas to improve upon, can't really ask for much more.
Impressed with Brendan Macken and Dave Kearney throughout, while Darren Hudson looked good coming on and yer man Fanning certainly didn't look out of his depth. Apparently the Rebels were having a bit of a look at him when he was down south and on the basis of today you can see why. Should be a solid league player if nothing else. Gopperth did well and Murphy looked good in the second half.
A bonus point win away to last year's 4th place side and lots of areas to improve upon, can't really ask for much more.
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Did Musgrave get a new stand? I don't remember it being that size.
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Going up to the TMO for Denis Hurley in the corner. Must say that Munster have been playing some very pleasing rugby thus far. If Johne Murphy had held the ball instead of going for an offload that wasn't really on they could already have one on the board.
Given.
Given.
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Coughlan goes over after a lovely grubber from Murphy. Munster looking comfortable everywhere save the scrum. Edinburgh useless as ever.
