Leinster vs Connacht

Final Score 17-0

First off, I fancied Connacht from the start. After 30 mins, I fancied them even more. I thought the Leinster team was one of the worst named I've seen in a long time; with both the backline and front five looking very dodgy.

Conway and Carr have become liabilities, Goodman does not live up to his name, Bent does unfortunately.

And Connacht have showed, this season in particular, that they are no mugs anymore.

In any case, after the try against the run of play, Connacht didn't look the same side.

Individual stand-outs, and there wasn't as many as Munster and Ulster were Dominic Ryan and Rhys Ruddock. Both showed they are ahead of the vast improving Jordi Murphy, who does not have enough control at the base of a scrum to be an 8. Kevin MacLaughlin and Shane Jennings will be wary as both of these lads are making strong cases for promotion and I think should be soon.

As for Connacht, Henshaw looked exciting, but like Luke Marshall, showed his youth at times by taking the wrong options, and making silly errors that experience teaches you not to do. He has some way to go yet.

Marmion however was immense, quick passing, some slick breaks and took control of the game at times. He had a lot of clever kicks over the top. I'd have him ahead of Murray in the Irish set up.

Although I'd have a lot of scrum halves ahead of Murray.

Munster vs Ulster Review

Final score 24-10.

Despite the score there was some good performances from both sides.

Paddy Butler and Tommy O'Donnell (man of the match) were everywhere, smashing into the breakdown, making big tackles. O'Donnell showed me that that one performance against Glasgow wasn't a once-off.

A lot of the young "tyros" from Ulster put in some great performances too. Chris Cochrane showed some promise from the start, but I was most impressed with Stuart Olding, Niall Annett, Ali Birch and Michael Heaney from the bench.

Annett was the under 20's captain for the last two years, hit every line-out jumper, and the scrum improved immeasurably when he cam on. That may be because of Tom Court's appearance too, but Annett showed me a lot more than I was expecting at this stage and he needs to be considered as the back up to Rory Best and getting more chances.

Stuart Olding came on and showed some good touches. He has a great pass off both hands, took his conversion well, and kicking out of hand was very impressive. I'd like to see more of him. He looked better than Niall O'Connor, but it's a bit soon to call for more.

Michael Heaney was awesome. He seems like a younger Paul Marshall. He was energetic, a livewire and upped the tempo. The consolation Ulster try was made by his break, step and awesome over the shoulder offload. I'd love to see more of him, but with Marshall and Pienaar ahead of him it may not happen.

First I'd seen of Ali Birch, a 24 year old Irish blindside flanker, but it was hard not to notice him. Made one great break after a brilliant dummy, showed strength and pace to get away and hold up and wait for support, He took the try really well too.

But one player who stood out for me in the end was Luke Marshall. Admittedly, in the beginning I saw a lot of errors, some inexperienced giving away of penalties, and he was caught out badly for a O'Mahony break when Marshall was sinbinned.

But, he redeemed himself with some huge hits, constantly tackling much bigger players and putting them backwards, I counted a number of turnovers from him too. He also stood up and took responsibility, with some great kicks to the corners, strong carrying and showed he has a bit of a step too.

Future doesn't look so bleak, but these lads need some chances.

2013 Wishlist

I thought I'd make a list of things I want to happen in the new year.

Ulster Rugby:

Jared Payne will declare for Ireland.
Luke Marshall to cement his place in the Ulster first XV.
Paul Marshall to get a chance for Ireland.
Craig Gilroy to continue to improve and take his chances.
Darren Cave to get more chances for Ireland.
Declan Fitzpatrick to get more games.
Stephen Ferris to not get injured.

Stuart Olding to get a few chances.
Niall Annett to start becoming second choice hooker.
Chris Cochrane to get more games.
Michael Heaney to get a few games

Connacht Rugby:
To qualify for the Heineken Cup again.
To start finishing at least 8th in the Pro12.

Denis Buckley to cement his place in the first XV
Eoin Griffen to start in the first XV
Mick Kearney to be first choice

Aaron Conneely get more games
Daniel Qualter to get more games
Conor Finn to get a chance
Shane Leydon to get a chance

Tiernan O'Hallorhan to get a go with Ireland
Kieran Marmion to get a chance with Ireland
Robbie Henshaw get a chance with Ireland

Munster Rugby:
Make the Rabo Pro12 playoffs
Make at least the Amlin Quarters 12/13

Stephen Archer to improve and get more games
Danny Barnes to get more opportunities
Paddy Butler to keep improving and make the first XV
Scott Deasy to get a chance
Ivan Dineen to get a chance
Sean Dougall to improve and get games
JJ Hanrahan to get a chance
Felix Jones to not get injured
David Kilcoyne to improve and challenge Healy
Conor Murray to improve his tempo and passing and kicking. Take less steps
Ian Nagle to show his potential
Dave O'Callaghan to keep improving
Paul O'Connell to not get injured
Luke O'Dea to show he is special
Tommy O'Donnell to prove that one performance wasn't a one-off
John Ryan to challenge Archer
Sean Scanlon to show something
Mike Sherry to improve his throwing
CJ Stander to not get injured
Simon Zebo to prove me wrong and he is something a little different

Leinster Rugby:

Win the Rabo
Qualify for the Heineken Quarters
Not be drawn against Clermont in the pool stages in 13/14

Michael Bent to show he can scrum
Andrew Conway to show his potential
Sean Cronin to improve scrummaging and throwing
Tom Denton to challenge for the first team
Luke Fitzgerald to not get injured and show his potential
Jamie Hagan to challenge for the first team
Fergus McFadden to find a position
Jack McGrath to challenge Healy
Brian O'Driscoll to not get injured and consider RWC
Eoin O'Malley to not get injured and challenge
Quinn Roux to show he is awesome and not get injured
Rhys Ruddock make the first XV
Dominic Ryan to show he is an openside of quality

Ben Marshall to start challenging for the first team
Luke McGrath to get a chance
Jordi Murphy to keep improving and start challenging full time for a first team jersey
Noel Reid to get contract and cut out the errors

Lions:

No Ashton, Armitage or Hartley
O'Driscoll and O'Connell

Sean Maitland has declared for Scotland and gets a call up.

Some young bolters.

An entertaining and exciting squad and style of play.

A victory.

Ireland.

Beat NZ.
Show promise.

Look like you can score at anytime.
Play smart rugby

The West's Awake

A Link to "The West's Awake", the documentary on Connacht's first season in the Heineken Cup.

http://vimeo.com/52031977

Irish rugby in 2012: All you need to know in 8 videos

From thescore.ie

2012 WAS A CURIOUS year for Irish rugby.

The Six Nations continued a worrying trend of Irish teams being unable to close out games when necessary but still featured a French draw that felt like a loss.

Leinster and Ulster then contested the Heineken Cup Final, with Joe Schmidt’s side capturing their third European title in four years.

Ireland were humbled in the first test against New Zealand before Declan Kidney chose 13 Leinster and Ulster players and pushed the All Blacks to bending point.

Breaking point came a week later, for the Irish, as the ABs ran in nine tries and delivered a 60-0 chastisement.

Another close game was lost to the Springboks before a glorious afternoon in brisk November surrounds sent the Argentineans packing and gave us all reason to believe in better times next year.

Here is Irish Rugby in 2012:

Feelgood story

On 14 January, Connacht lost their third away game against Toulouse and there was no wistful thoughts passed on the 24-3 loss.

Eric Elwood rallied his weary troops a week later to stun Harlequins 9-8 for the province’s first ever Heineken Cup win.

YouTube credit: irismedia

Best player

Rob Kearney won the ERC Player of the Year and a host of other personal accolades to go along with his third Heineken Cup medal. Personal highlights include a give and take duel with Israel Dagg, a collection of high ball claims in the Six Nations and a 40-metre drop goal against Clermont Auvergne in the Heineken Cup semi-final.

YouTube credit: David147v2

Best game

Tension held sway in most of the big matches of the year, apart from the Leinster’s 42-14 blowout in the Heineken Cup final. One week later they were Dan Biggar-ed as Ospreys pipped them in the Pro12 Final.

For sheer drama, however, Leinster’s 19-15 victory over Clermont in the Heineken Cup semi-final had it all.

YouTube credit: eurorugby2012

Best try

Back in April, Craig Gilroy was just a promising winger with high hopes and realistic expectations. Within 15 minutes of Ulster’s Heineken Cup semi-finals he had beaten six Munster players on his way to a stunning score.

YouTube credit: TheUAFC

Biggest heartbreak

Ireland tore into the world champion All Blacks from the opening minute at the AMI Stadium in Christchurch and set the platform for a real tilt at securing their first win in 26 matches.

Nigel Owens and Dan Carter then combined to shatter our dreams. The ABs stretched the winless streak to 27 a week later in Hamilton.

YouTube credit:  SuperRugbyBall

Best breakdown banter

When Clermont hosted Ulster back in January at Stade Marcel Michelin, Nathan Hines decided that it was time to take three Ulsterman out of the game during one hotly contested ruck.

YouTube credit: ddtblog1

Best newcomer

Craig Gilroy scored two tries against the Barbarians before he was left off the plane to New Zealand in the summer.

He got another chance in green for the Ireland Select team that blitzed Fiji at Thomond Park. Three more tries followed and a test debut was soon forthcoming.

YouTube credit: Tap Tackle

Gilroy followed that up a week later with another superb try against Argentina to confirm his arrival as a genuine wing star.

One to watch

Paddy Jackson is the undisputed kicking king at Ulster now but he showed enough in the Fiji game to suggest he can offer a genuine threat to Jonathan Sexton in the Irish team. He can also take nifty penalties from extremely acute angles.

YouTube credit: Beanyman62Sports

The Weight Of A Nation

New Zealand's documentary about winning the Rugby World Cup

Old Blog

I've finally sorted out the old blog.

If you want to see all the old Rugby posts, it's right here:

http://interenemesting.tumblr.com/tagged/Rugby