( picture http://bit.ly/1XYHIhl )
Connacht’s fairy tale season ended in the best possible way with victory in the final. And it wasn’t a flukey pipping of Leinster, they beat us good and proper. It was all Connacht for most of the first half, Leinster unable to find the answers to their running rugby. It evened up somewhat in the second half, as they ran out of steam a bit, and Leinster started to play in fits and starts. Hats off to Pat Lam for what he’s done – it just shows the value of a good coach – and yes Leinster and Munster, I’m looking at you. They totally put Leinster off their game, and there were mistakes all over the place – Rob Kearney had a shocker, and Ben Te’O forgot how to tackle. They also dominated Leinster physically. It’s just brilliant for a province that has always sucked the hind teat.
For Leinster, it seems like they only bring the physicality when they have a grudge – like last week against Ulster. I’d say it’ll biblically physical when Leinster next play Connacht, but wrong time, wrong place. And they’re also sorely lacking in leadership – we should have put a lot more structure on the game, lots of scrums and line outs, and as little broken play as possible. We’re half the team without Ica Nacewa these days.
Let’s just hope this sort of form with three out four provinces in the semis translates into the national team.
Guinness PRO12
Leinster 10 – 20 Connacht
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