HEC SF: Clermont Auvergne vs Leinster; Sunday 29 April, KO 1600(CET); Live Sky Sports

ambid

durkadurka wrote: »

The line out has defo not been right since thorn arrived.

Agree. Strauss has had some criticism here and he and Cronin both threw crooked darts, but the problems seem more than only the throws (but I'm not an expert). I've been hoping the underperforming lineouts have been just an off day, then another off day...

It's getting a little worrying now. Muller & Tuohy will certainly try to target it.

irishbucsfan

lologram wrote: »

durkadurka wrote: »

The line out has defo not been right since thorn arrived.

The biggest proportion of lost lineouts seem to be for not straight. That's on Strauss or Cronin, not Thorn.

3 not straight today. Iirc

1 was Cronin.

1 was straight but the jump was awful and it bent away. It was straight over the 5 though so shouldnt have been given as not straight.

The other was poor. But I do think that when the jumping is sorted the throwing will be better, a lot of these little errors come down to confidence in each other.

Since Thorn came in the lineout has really deteriorated. Thankfully its not a major part of our approach to games though.

lologram

durkadurka wrote: »

Agreed- is it coincidence that it happened since thorns arrival?

Well I'm not sure what's gone wrong with Strauss's throwing, but I don't think it really can be said to be Thorn's fault. For that matter, I don't think any of Leinster's other jumpers would have much to do with it. Thorn's arrival is an obvious difference but I don't think it follows that he's causing the problem.

Whether it's Thorn or it was Hines, they're standing in the same place. If the darts are more likely to be crooked now, then there must be something wrong with Strauss's mechanics and I'm sure Gibbes is working on it.

Tox56

irishbucsfan wrote: »

lologram wrote: »

durkadurka wrote: »

The line out has defo not been right since thorn arrived.

The biggest proportion of lost lineouts seem to be for not straight. That's on Strauss or Cronin, not Thorn.

3 not straight today. Iirc

1 was Cronin.

1 was straight but the jump was awful and it bent away. It was straight over the 5 though so shouldnt have been given as not straight.

The other was poor. But I do think that when the jumping is sorted the throwing will be better, a lot of these little errors come down to confidence in each other.

Since Thorn came in the lineout has really deteriorated. Thankfully its not a major part of our approach to games though.

I partially disagree on the last sentence, good lineout ball off the top in the opposition half is the perfect platform for one of those excellent set-piece moves.

Without that we are not as dangerous an attacking force.

irishbucsfan

Tox56 wrote: »

I partially disagree on the last sentence, good lineout ball off the top in the opposition half is the perfect platform for one of those excellent set-piece moves.

Without that we are not as dangerous an attacking force.

Yes it has been a great platform for us in the past, no doubt. And I suppose it was today and against Cardiff so maybe things aren't that bad.

spank_inferno

If anyone is watching the highlights, at 81m 10s Leo Cullen is head-charged by a long haired Cleremont forward who then grapples with Cullens head.

Leo is clearly stunned by the charge.

It was a cheap shot I thought because the ASM player was not helping the ball be recycled.

Poor form I thought.

Neil3030

I'd say it's just a case that with Thorn they need to shoot for a narrower window, which could be forcing some crooked throws. With Dev you can lob it pretty much anywhere you like and his condor like catchment area will take the ball.

Just one theory.

CIARAN_BOYLE

We've been throwing a lot to the tail recently. Maybe its just that there is more room for the things to go wrong (wind catch the ball ect) when throwing the to the tail.

Larbre34

How well the Leinster fans represented their province today. Despite being outnumbered 7-1 they made enough noise and colour to be heard all day. I watched the game in deepest West Cork and because i was wearing the colours many munster men stopped to congratulate the team and specifically the fan.

I personally was shaking like a leaf by the final whistle in what must be one of the most dramatic and incredible finishes to a game ive ever seen. Leinster have had some big days, been champions twice, once with an awesome comeback, but the gravity of what they acheived today, to go to the lions den and beat the Top 14 holders and leaders in their own back yard on the way to hopefully a third title in club Rugbys greatest test surely marks them out as the greatest side in the world club game at the moment and among the best ever. Days to savour, how fortunate we are

Big Nelly

First point, watching game again! we are killing SOB at the moment. He is an animal ready to go but getting killed and losing confidence. My thought are fcuk Kidney and his second rate management and keep SOB at 6. Time someone told Kidney SOB will never be a 7 and stop wrecking his game!

Kidney is a joke, Ireland are a joke! if IRFU want to stick with Kidney let them off!

Benny Cake

Big Nelly wrote: »

First point, watching game again! we are killing SOB at the moment. He is an animal ready to go but getting killed and losing confidence. My thought are fcuk Kidney and his second rate management and keep SOB at 6. Time someone told Kidney SOB will never be a 7 and stop wrecking his game!

Kidney is a joke, Ireland are a joke! if IRFU want to stick with Kidney let them off!

Would you honestly drop him for Fez?

NoelJ

Big Nelly wrote: »

First point, watching game again! we are killing SOB at the moment. He is an animal ready to go but getting killed and losing confidence. My thought are fcuk Kidney and his second rate management and keep SOB at 6. Time someone told Kidney SOB will never be a 7 and stop wrecking his game!

Kidney is a joke, Ireland are a joke! if IRFU want to stick with Kidney let them off!

Ferris is better I think and I'm a Leinster fan.. If you want Sob in the side he has to play 7.

Fishooks12

Big Nelly wrote: »

First point, watching game again! we are killing SOB at the moment. He is an animal ready to go but getting killed and losing confidence. My thought are fcuk Kidney and his second rate management and keep SOB at 6. Time someone told Kidney SOB will never be a 7 and stop wrecking his game!

Kidney is a joke, Ireland are a joke! if IRFU want to stick with Kidney let them off!

He was playing just as much at 7 for Leinster lately too

Plus he was fantastic at 7 during the 2nd half, culminating in the match winning steal

irishbucsfan

Cannot understand these constant claims that SOB is not a 7! He is a world class 7.

Big Nelly

Benny Cake wrote: »

Would you honestly drop him for Fez?

No I wouldnt, Fez is pure class! I watched him yesterday trying to kill himself for Ulster! but I would stop fcuking with SOB game. He is pure class at 6 and the only reason Leinster are thinking about him at 7 is because of Ireland. Kidney has shown he hasnt a clue so Leinster should tell him to take a walk

tolosenc

Larbre34 wrote: »

How well the Leinster fans represented their province today. Despite being outnumbered 7-1 they made enough noise and colour to be heard all day. I watched the game in deepest West Cork and because i was wearing the colours many munster men stopped to congratulate the team and specifically the fan.

I personally was shaking like a leaf by the final whistle in what must be one of the most dramatic and incredible finishes to a game ive ever seen. Leinster have had some big days, been champions twice, once with an awesome comeback, but the gravity of what they acheived today, to go to the lions den and beat the Top 14 holders and leaders in their own back yard on the way to hopefully a third title in club Rugbys greatest test surely marks them out as the greatest side in the world club game at the moment and among the best ever. Days to savour, how fortunate we are

Not to take away from your point, but we played Clermont today, not Toulouse.

Fishooks12

Big Nelly wrote: »

No I wouldnt, Fez is pure class! I watched him yesterday trying to kill himself for Ulster! but I would stop fcuking with SOB game. He is pure class at 6 and the only reason Leinster are thinking about him at 7 is because of Ireland. Kidney has shown he hasnt a clue so Leinster so tell him to take a walk

He's playing 7 for Leinster much longer than he has been for Ireland

BarackPyjama

In Dublin's Fair City
Where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheel'd her wheel barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Alive, alive o!, alive, alive o!
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

She was a fishmonger
But sure 'twas no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they each wheel'd their barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Alive, alive o!, alive, alive o!
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

She died of a fever
And no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
But her ghost wheels her barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Alive, alive o!, alive, alive o!
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

niallon

spank_inferno wrote: »

If anyone is watching the highlights, at 81m 10s Leo Cullen is head-charged by a long haired Cleremont forward who then grapples with Cullens head.

Leo is clearly stunned by the charge.

It was a cheap shot I thought because the ASM player was not helping the ball be recycled.

Poor form I thought.

Saw that too, as far as I can see too it was one of the main contributors to the amount of blood on Leo's face at the end too, looked sinister. Has to be a citing in there.

tolosenc

Of all the selections and decisions that Kidney makes that are evidence of him not having a clue, SOB at 7 is not one of them.

tolosenc

niallon wrote: »

Saw that too, as far as I can see too it was one of the main contributors to the amount of blood on Leo's face at the end too, looked sinister. Has to be a citing in there.

I was screaming at the TV about that. Should have been the match ending penalty. I'd have been furious if they had scored after that.

Big Nelly

Fishooks12 wrote: »

He's playing 7 for Leinster much longer than he has been for Ireland

When?

Hippo

niallon wrote: »

Saw that too, as far as I can see too it was one of the main contributors to the amount of blood on Leo's face at the end too, looked sinister. Has to be a citing in there.

Cudmore stuck a shoulder into Boss's face in the buildup to the try long after he'd put Kearney through the gap. Left him flat out. Could do with a citing as well, he usually has one coming anyway.

irishbucsfan

Big Nelly wrote: »

When?

Sean O'Brien has played 7 consistently his whole career. Had a good long streak there in early 2010 when he was playing only 7 right up to his broken leg. He started every game there in the Heineken cup knockouts last season and was voted European player of the year.

Fishooks12

Big Nelly wrote: »

When?

Every game of last years HC after the group stages for a start

Played 7 in the rabo before christmas in 2010 too

Fishooks12

Plus he played at 6 in last years six nations (2011)

errlloyd

Anyone who thinks Sob should be playing 6 isn't a real rugby fan,

real rugby fans would have watched Toulon v Stade and realised SOB should be playing 12...

mhtc

Congrats to Leinster! An away win in France in a HC semi-final is no small achievement.
Be sure to buy Wayne Barnes a pint the next time you see him


The last line is a just a joke by the way! Although the general consensus is that he let Leinster get away with a huge amount.


Quins fans
Tigers fans
Saracens fans
boards.ie
Saints fans
Sharks fans

Tox56

mhtc wrote: »

Congrats to Leinster! An away win in France in a HC semi-final is no small achievement.
Be sure to buy Wayne Barnes a pint the next time you see him


[SIZE="1"]The last line is a just a joke by the way! Although the general consensus is that he let Leinster get away with a huge amount. [/SIZE]


Quins fans
Tigers fans
Saracens fans
boards.ie
Saints fans
Sharks fans

Read through the pages of this thread, we accept that but you need luck to win in France against such a great team, and Leinster have earned their place in the final.

3 times in 4 years takes luck, we've been through all this already several pages back.

Tim Robbins

mhtc wrote: »

The last line is a just a joke by the way! Although the general consensus is that he let Leinster get away with a huge amount.

The last few phases of play he let CA go off their feet regulary.
He also, pinged Leinster for numbers in the lineout which lead to them getting in the red zone. Previously, he gave CA a chance to get their lineout numbers right and another chance, he let CA come to lineout with 5 and then drop to 4 which technically you are not supposed to allow.

Overall, I think Barnes had a good game. You can be pedantic and pick holes where he let both teams away with things. Cullen could have being carded but so could have the CA player who was rucking on a Leinster player ankle joints i the first half.

Tim Robbins

ambid wrote: »

Agree. Strauss has had some criticism here and he and Cronin both threw crooked darts, but the problems seem more than only the throws (but I'm not an expert). I've been hoping the underperforming lineouts have been just an off day, then another off day...

It's getting a little worrying now. Muller & Tuohy will certainly try to target it.

Problem seemed to more with the lifters.

Fishooks12

Saints fans deliciously bitter!

Teferi

mhtc wrote: »

Quins fans
Tigers fans
Saracens fans
boards.ie
Saints fans
Sharks fans

This is how I imagine all the posters in those threads look...

Neil3030

SOB is a 7 all day long for me. I don't know whether people think moving him to 6 will free him up for more bull-dozing runs, or what the story is, but it's not quite that simple.

The main reason he's no longer as barnstorming with ball in hand is because he gets taken at the ankles too easily; ever since Wales in the WC every team does it to him. He made one impressive run today, where he got to use his shoulder fend and forearm to dispense with 2 or 3 tacklers. Most other occasions he's timbered from the ankles.

Getting him to pump his legs a bit more in contact would have far more impact on his ball carrying than moving him to 6, imo.

RachaelVO

I have no problem admitting I got very tetchy during the game, in fact I'm only just home from a friends (an Ulster supporter). Nor do I mind admitting that at times I thought clermont were gonna over power leinster and that would be it for the HC, but I'm DELIGHTED it's an all Ireland final and two of the most deserving teams.

MungBean

mhtc wrote: »

Congrats to Leinster! An away win in France in a HC semi-final is no small achievement.
Be sure to buy Wayne Barnes a pint the next time you see him


The last line is a just a joke by the way! Although the general consensus is that he let Leinster get away with a huge amount.


Quins fans
Tigers fans
Saracens fans
boards.ie
Saints fans
Sharks fans

God bless em but all they have is their bitterness. That and the Premiership, so yeah pretty much all they have worth talking about is bitterness.

irishbucsfan

Pretty amazing that a team with a player who intentionally snapped a players arm can give out about Leinster getting away with foul play!

thomond2006

Tbf the Cullen incident being missed was ridiculous.

MungBean

RachaelVO wrote: »

I have no problem admitting I got very tetchy during the game, in fact I'm only just home from a friends (an Ulster supporter). Nor do I mind admitting that at times I thought clermont were gonna over power leinster and that would be it for the HC, but I'm DELIGHTED it's an all Ireland final and two of the most deserving teams.

(4294967295) thanks from:

??? Weird.

Fishooks12

thomond2006 wrote: »

Tbf the Cullen incident being missed was ridiculous.

So was the incident on Cullen at the end though

Fishooks12

MungBean wrote: »

(4294967295) thanks from:

??? Weird.

Saw that too wtf!

NoelJ

Fishooks12 wrote: »

So was the incident on Cullen at the end though

I don't think it was missed. Didn't Barnes tell him to not do that again straight after? It wasn't that bad at all.

thomond2006

Fishooks12 wrote: »

So was the incident on Cullen at the end though

What happened? Didn't see it.

connundrum

MungBean wrote: »

RachaelVO wrote: »

I have no problem admitting I got very tetchy during the game, in fact I'm only just home from a friends (an Ulster supporter). Nor do I mind admitting that at times I thought clermont were gonna over power leinster and that would be it for the HC, but I'm DELIGHTED it's an all Ireland final and two of the most deserving teams.

(4294967295) thanks from:

??? Weird.

Saw that too. Clearly a lot of people are happy with the honesty here.

irishbucsfan

NoelJ wrote: »

I don't think it was missed. Didn't Barnes tell him to not do that again straight after? It wasn't that bad at all.

A flying headbutt?

Fishooks12

I wouldn't read into those boards too much judging by the fact that they're freely allowed use slurs like "Mick" and "paddies", plus the actually idiotic level of discussion, I reckon that the mods are so bad that any worthwhile rugby thinker doesn't bother with the site

MungBean

thomond2006 wrote: »

What happened? Didn't see it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld2SorgVK9c

Cullen nearly lost his head...literally.

ktulu123

Don't know what's been going on in the thread but I'm just home from Bordeaux and have to say I fcuking love Leinster!! What a weekend.

thebaz

MungBean wrote: »

Watching the end again and the Clermont 20 clearly head butts Leo and then proceeds to try and twist his head off. Wonder if he'll be cited for it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld2SorgVK9c

cheap, nasty and dangerous - warranting a lengthy ban

ps how leo didn't retaliate , just shows his discipline

Fishooks12

thomond2006 wrote: »

What happened? Didn't see it.

French replacement flanker headbutted/charge into him while he was stood up in a ruck. Then proceeded to grab him in a headlock and claw at his face