Ulster: Play-off hopes hit hard
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Leinster secured a 16-8 victory over Ulster at Ravenhill to deny the hosts a chance of moving into the top-four of the Pro12.
A converted Kevin McLaughlin try to go alongside two Jonathan Sexton penalties saw the visitors take a 13-8 half-time lead. A Johann Muller touchdown and a Ruan Pienaar three-pointer was the home side's response.
The second half was a scrappy affair and a Sexton drop-goal was all either team had to show for their efforts. Despite having a Heineken Cup semi-final next week, the Dublin-based province surprisingly chose to go with a strong team.
They were initially rewarded for their selections when McLaughlin powered over after concerted pressure in the hosts' 22. Sexton converted to give them an early 7-0 lead.
However, the Northern Irish province, who started the evening one point outside the play-offs, hit back in the 25th minute as lock Muller touched down. Pienaar, having missed an earlier opportunity, was again off target with the conversion attempt.
The visiting fly-half then extended their advantage before the home side's South African half-back scored one of his own. But another Sexton penalty meant Leinster led 13-8 at the interval.
Ulster themselves fielded a strong outfit despite their European semi-final against Edinburgh and suffered three injuries to key players Chris Henry, Paddy Wallace and Pedrie Wannenburg.
It disrupted the flow of the match with the second period remaining scoreless until Sexton kicked a drop-goal, which prevented the hosts from garnering a bonus-point and going into fourth place.
The scorers:
For Ulster:
Try: Muller
Pen: Pienaar
For Leinster:
Try: McLaughlin
Con: Sexton
Pens: Sexton 2
Drop: Sexton
Ulster: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Chris Henry, 5 Lewis Stevenson, 4 Johann Muller (capt), 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 2 Nigel Brady, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Andi Kyriacou, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Neil McComb, 20 Robbie Diack, 21 Ian Porter, 22 Ian Humphreys, 23 Adam D'Arcy.
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 David Kearney, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Fergus McFadden, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Sean O'Brien, 7 Dominic Ryan, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Nathan White, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Shane Jennings, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Fionn Carr.
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland
Comments
blametheref says...
@Ciaran1792
Fully agree with you about the temperment of Cudmore and James's ability to implode at times (if Skrela's not in the frame??), against Saracens away James scored 17 points, but no doubt he can be got to and facing Sexton he won't have an easy ride as JS is a 10 who plays his opposite defensively better than most 10's around...Hopefully Thorn can get inside Cudmore's head in the tight exchanges and frustrate him. As regards Fitzgerald I'm not saying he's crap or anything, and can produce a turn of magic on occasion, but he is not of the quality of say a Shane Horgan and there's no doubt he is just too inconsistant in the company of this Leinster backline's style of play...Rather than targeting players like Siviveatu I'd prefer Leinster to play and trust their own game 100%, because if there's parity in the line out, with JS landing 70% of penalties/conversions, and they can contain Clermont's big attacking platform, the scrum/maul, Leinster can, with even 45% possession win this game. Mainly because as a unit the Leinster backs are more cohesive and if not by gulie will wear down the opposition defence with their high tempo style with the help of the pack....One question remains, is Buttin, Clermont's top try scorer playing? Most would rightfully fear Fofana but Buttin has to be watched like a hawk as a lot of French observers rate him even higher than Fofana....Lastly, I just hope we don't hear any pre match nonsense from the Leinster camp which will motivate Clermont even more, I doubt we will....Hopefully!
Posted 09:43 23rd April 2012
ciaran1792 says...
I have a feeling that Brock James is going to be tested Leinster know he is flaky and when comes under pressure and loose his head. They also know is well as Jamie Cudmore with his notoriously short temper and lashes out if you can get under his skin he will lash out and get carded. Sivivatu can have problems dealing with the high ball so Leinster should use Kearney to get under his skin with a few well placed up and under's. You forget that against the blues in the quarter Fitzgerald ran that beautiful line off Sextons non look pass and put BOD through give the fella some credit.
Posted 17:06 22nd April 2012
blametheref says...
@Leinster_Goy
Interesting point about Thorn v Hines, yes every team needs one of these players, don't understand why Hines (who is no Spring Chicken himself)was let go in the first place, but Thorn, old as he is, has been here before, done that, and should be a great asset for this particular match...As regards Fitzgerald he just doesn't fit Leinster's style and always seems to be trying to make things happen a little too hard...I'd see no problem with Fionn Carr or McFadden playing this game instead. In the case of Carr he probably just hasn't had enough top game time with Leinster, but he knows where the line is and that's what a winger needs, but I'd go for McFadden because he's fairly solid, doesn't make stupid mistakes and good definsively and not a bad all round player as well, my only problem with McFadden as being touted as a top player is that he simply does not score enough tries, which is curious as he's very very fast....If Fitzgerald does play, lets just hope he has one of those days where everything clicks for him, but in this cauldron next Sunday I feel he will be tested severely by James, so we can only hope he's practiced for that....Leinster also have to be very careful of kicking ball back to Clermont, not just for their counter attack but for Brock James's ability to kick huge drop goals, even from inside his own half!
Posted 10:48 22nd April 2012
leinster_goy says...
@blametheref
good points and i agree about Fitzy, he's dipped disappointingly since christmas when it seemed he was getting back to his 2009 form. however, who would you put in his place? i recall you saying before that you're not a fan of McFadden (a bit harsh, i would say)...but the only real option apart from Fitzy and Fadders is young Carr, and surely you wouldn't throw him in at the deep end against the likes of sivivatu or malzieu? in any case, i'm a bit more concerned about the 12 channel and a below-par Darce coming up against fofana
regarding Thorn, i agree that he flies close to the wind at times with his tackling but along with Drico and Sexto, he will our most important player next week. one of the attributes Thorn will bring against clermont is the much needed "C U Next Tuesday" element in the pack (don't censor this Ed, i'm making an important point). we had that element last year in hines, and it often proved to be the difference in tight matches. skilful players are all well and good but the best teams also have a player who can get under the opponent's skin and who will bend the rules at crucial moments, unseen by any official ...remember hines taking out chris henry for ti'i paulo's try against ulster this year? classic example. as a kiwi, Thorn will be no stranger to this type of thing. his battle with hines will be fascinating - the "Battle of the C U Next Tuesdays". i reckon it will determine the semi-final
Posted 19:02 21st April 2012
blametheref says...
...I meant Brock not Butch James
Posted 18:09 21st April 2012
staph_glorious says...
Paddy Jackson has performed better in Ulster's last two matches than iHumph has done all season. With Pienaar at halfback bossing the game, what odds on the twenty year-old slotting in at outhalf against Edinburgh?
Posted 17:33 21st April 2012
blametheref says...
Leinster just coming to the boil nicely for the Clermont game because this was a difficult game for both sides and Leinster handled it very well playing more a containing game, notching up a win they didn't really need and not picking up injuries it seems. Good to see Kevin McLoughlin back in good form along with Dominic Ryan who improves with every game, but Luke Fitzgerald just doesn't seem up to the pitch of his Leinster co players and always seems to be 2 seconds ahead or behind what's on and what's not. If I've a worry for the Clermont game it's Fitzgerald (if he plays) because if most teams realized it they would probably find Leinster's weak link if they put huge pressure on his channel all day, I just hope next Sunday is not the day that it happens, as Clermont have the players and Butch James's boot to attack Fitzgerald and expose him. From watching his last few games I don't think LF should even be picked. Leinster need to work on their line out yet again, especially on long throws as they seem to constantly be getting these wrong of late. Another matter is Brad Thorn, who all Leinster fans hope will prove on the day why he has been regarded as one of the best forwards of the last decade in world rugby, if I've one worry about Thorn it's his habit of putting in high tackles and borderline high tackles thereon risking a yellow or even red card. Against Clermont a yellow card could be the deciding factor of winning or losing this difficult game and Thorn has been lucky in his few games so far in this respect...All said, I feel Leinster have the resources and the game style to shade this semi final mainly because their scrum should hold up well but they are going to have to be firing on all cylinders
Posted 10:57 21st April 2012
papachinzo says...
It was largely a defensive effort from Leinster with one or two moments from Sexton and O'Driscoll. It looked as if Leinster didn't want to give the Clermont 'video analysis team' anything to work with. Ulster substituted their players willy nilly, made a few bad captaining decisions and failed to step up their game in the dying stages...
The Heineken Cup Semi-Final basically ruined this game.
Posted 09:31 21st April 2012
ciaran1792 says...
was very well refed for once consistancy.
Posted 23:42 20th April 2012