Heineken Cup Final: Ulster vs. Leinster - 19/05/2012

[munstermuffin]

TBH, Barnsey was very good for us in the first half, but seemed to go walk about when he really needed to front up for us. The Northampton phenomenon I call it.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I'm getting quite worried about our midfield situation now. Drico is apparently 50/50 and both O'Malley and D'arcy went off with injuries last night. I'd be shocked if Drico didn't pull through, but it's possible that we could have to go with Sexton at 12 and McFadden at 13. Hardly ideal.

 

[Peat]

Can't imagine BOD not playing if physically possible... what's wrong with him and the others?

 

[osullie6]

According to this O'Driscoll, Darcy, Kearney and Healy should all be fit, but O'Malley's after doing his cruciate and looks like being out for six months. That's very disappointing for him.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2012/0514/1224316098420.html

 

[Peat]

According to this O'Driscoll, Darcy, Kearney and Healy should all be fit, but O'Malley's after doing his cruciate and looks like being out for six months. That's very disappointing for him.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2012/0514/1224316098420.html

A big shame for him, but can't imagine he'd have played a part.

 

[lucky number 7]

I'm actually getting pretty worried about this game now.

Someone try tell Feriss what He's doing with his legs is impossible ...

 

[Feicarsinn]

Meh, who needs Ferris when you have Brad Thorn?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Meh, who needs Ferris when you have Brad Thorn?

....Ulster?

 

[Feicarsinn]

....Ulster?

Nah, Ulster need Ferris because we have Brad Thorn.

Thinking about the game itself, it'd certainly be in Ulster's interests to keep it as tight as possible. Their pack is a match for ours in a close & confrontational forwards game, but if it gets expansive they'll struggle. They simply don't have as many good open field ball carriers as we do.

 

[osullie6]

Any chance of a VBookie for this?

 

[TRF_heineken]

the Springboks in the Ulster team will be the difference, they know how to win finals...

 

[Gavin]

the Springboks in the Ulster team will be the difference, they know how to win finals...

Only perhaps Wannenburg. Don't count the Currie Cup as it isn't at the level of the Heineken Cup.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

the Springboks in the Ulster team will be the difference, they know how to win finals...

I might be bringing this out of context. Sorry if I am.

Are you saying Ulsters Saffas will be the difference in the match because they know how to win matches? Because most of Leinsters team have 2 heinekin cups, some have a Grand slam and one has a world cup so they know how to win finals too.

 

[TRF_heineken]

It was meant to be tongue in cheek attempt at humour... Sorry, I guess it was a bad attempt

 

[Peat]

Nah, Ulster need Ferris because we have Brad Thorn.

Thinking about the game itself, it'd certainly be in Ulster's interests to keep it as tight as possible. Their pack is a match for ours in a close & confrontational forwards game, but if it gets expansive they'll struggle. They simply don't have as many good open field ball carriers as we do.

I agreed with all of it except the last sentence. I'm happy to match our open field ball carriers to yours, by and large, but I don't think we have the hands you do (yet) and some of our support play is pretty poor, unlike Leinster who are excellent.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

It was meant to be tongue in cheek attempt at humour... Sorry, I guess it was a bad attempt

Ha, it was probably my fault, I'd just come in from a gym session and I get stupid when I'm tired.

 

[munstermuffin]

If we are honest teams are balanced on a player vs player -

Healy > Court
Best > Strauss/Cronin
Afoa > Ross
Thorn > Muller
Tuohy > Cullen
Ferris > McLaughlin
O'Brien > Henry
Heaslip = Wannenburg
Piennar > Reddan/Boss
Sexton > Jackson/Humphs
Trimble > McFadden
D'Arcy > Wallace
BOD > Cave
Nacewa > Gilroy
Kearney > Terblanche

6 Ulster, 8 Leinster and 1 draw.

The area Leinster will really edge is the strength of the bench and impact.

 

[Peat]

Seems about right, although I'd probably put Wallace ahead of D'Arcy, an in-form Heaslip ahead of Wannenberg, and am not sure O'Brien is ahead of Henry as a 7...

The coaching is the real key area to me.

 

[lucky number 7]

Seems about right, although I'd probably put Wallace ahead of D'Arcy, an in-form Heaslip ahead of Wannenberg, and am not sure O'Brien is ahead of Henry as a 7...

The coaching is the real key area to me.

Henry is a good 7 but I really think people underestimate SoBs prowess there , he might not have the same physical impact from there as he does from 6 but he comes up trumps with plenty of turnover s (ie the match saver in Bordeaux)and usually topping the games tacklecount despite being on the side that plays with more possession usually.

 

[munstermuffin]

Well I had bbattle of 8's a draw based on form and well D'Arcy ahead of Wallace was a tight call but just feel he shades it marginally.
Peat agree coachingis key and gameplan employed but Schmidt has developed a superb 23 while Ulster have got 15 but not a powerful 23 and just think fact Leinster can use a Plan A, B or C and change it up with a powerful bench is where the difference is. I am thinking Leinster by 4-8 points but by no way a walk in the park, they'll have to earn it.