Champions: Leinster
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Leinster became only the second team to win successive Heineken Cup titles as they dominated Ulster 42-14 in the 2012 Final at Twickenham on Saturday.
Flanker Sean O'Brien, props Cian Healy and Heinke Van der Merwe, and hooker Sean Cronin scored the tries as the champions won again.
A record European Cup Final crowd of 81,774 watched another outstanding showing from Leinster, who were too strong for their rivals.
Leinster started this private Irish knees up in London as favourites but it was their rivals who drew first blood with early points on the board.
Ulster applied plenty of pressure from the kick off, forcing Leinster back on their heels and eventually conceded a penalty to the kicking Ruan Pienaar.
But it did not take very long for the reigning champions to switch up a gear or two and a strong forward surge in the thirteenth minute resulted in O'Brien just managing to touch the ball down on the white line as he was tackled.
Welsh referee Nigel Owens asked for official confirmation from upstairs and television replays showed the forward had scored a try which Jonathan Sexton converted.
Sexton missed a penalty moments later as the game opened up for a spell of thrilling, flowing running rugby with both sides anxious to run the ball at every opportunity.
Sexton went close but was tackled before he reached the line and the Ulster defence had to fly to the other side of the field to stop another attack as the pressure was turned up.
A superb Brian O'Driscoll inside pass after a mini-break in midfield opened up the Ulster defence, and the ball was finally switched to Healy who was tackled on the line but his momentum enabled him to ground the ball for a second. Sexton converted for a 14-3 lead.
Ulster failed to make their heavy pressure tell when youngster Paddy Jackson hooked a drop-goal attempt to the left. But a stunning 50-metre penalty from scrum-half Pienaar gave them hope on the stroke of half-time as they went into the break eight points adrift.
Leinster piled on the pressure at the start of the second half with another forward-dominated move ending with referee Owens awarding a penalty try as Ulster deliberately collapsed a maul inches from their line. Sexton converted for a convincing 21-6 lead.
Ulster withdrew fly-half Jackson from the front line and replaced him with experienced Ian Humphreys. But one sensed that the trophy had already slipped through their fingers.
Pienaar and Sexton exchanged further penalties before Ulster finally broke through the thick blue line of defence. Constant pressure from one side of the field to the other eventually saw the ball floated from Paddy Wallace to Tuohy and the big lock dived in for a try on the hour.
Sexton's second penalty of the game stretched Leinster's lead to 13 points with 10 minutes remaining. Humphreys had to be replaced himself by Paul Marshall when he was injured.
Ulster had full-back Stefan Terblanche sent to the sin-bin for a bad off-the-ball tackle and Sexton kicked a third penalty before a fifth try in the final minute - after Van der Merwe had scored on the right - from replacement Cronin on the other touchline finished the job.
The scorers:
For Leinster:
Tries: O'Brien, Healy, Penalty, Van der Merwe, Cronin
Con: Sexton 3, McFadden
Pen: Sexton 3
For Ulster:
Try: Tuohy
Pen: Pienaar 3
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Isa Nacewa, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 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 John Cooney, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 David Kearney.
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 Chris Henry, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Johann Muller (capt), 3 John Afoa, 2 Rory Best, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 Declan Fitzpatrick, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Willie Faloon, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Ian Humphreys, 23 Adam D'Arcy.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Jérôme Garces (France)
Comments
makemehappy says...
@DrDeath - thank you for your far from enlightened comments. All normal people actually realise that the best teams don't always win.
The anaglogy is fit for purpose thank-you. It confirmed that the best doesn't always win - which is entirely my point. Are you saying that I don't actually know what the point is that I'm trying to make? It appears so, which is rather presumptuous!
Interesting comments regarding a disability. I suggest you familiarise yourself with equalities legislation and libel laws. No need to say anymore I think, unless you wish me to take the matter further.
You may have two relatives with Asperger's. If you had any medical background you would know that it cannot be diagnosed via a blog. So don't embarass yourself further please.
No doubt you are the troll. I was speaking my mind. Have you ever heard of freedom of speech?
As per usual you supply no argument against my comments. That isn't classified as a disability, just stupidity. Happy to elaborate if you need help! Indeed, I'm always happy to help you, as you appear to need it.
No idea what your last sentence is on about - your usual twaddle.
Posted 20:29 23rd May 2012
DrDeath says...
@makemehappy
As usual you choose to ignore all logic and stick to your own fixed ideation while offending those all around!
All right minded people generally accept that over an ENTIRE SEASON dodgy ref decisions, unlucky ball bounces and injuries tend to even themselves out so it is accepted wisdom that the champions are usually acknowledged as the best team.
You analogy regarding Roy Jones Jnr does not really apply as this was a widely acknowledged (not just by yourself) one-off, injustice which led to a change in the scoring system in amateur boxing.
Please don't take this as an insult or name calling because it is not intended to be, but I mentioned before that some of your remarks may fit an Autistic spectrum disorder given your ability to upset and offend so many people (note how many arguments you have had on this thread alone)
As a medical man with two close relatives with Asperger's Syndrome I recognize your fixed thought processes and your inability to see the point others are politely trying to make.
Relax man,it's just a chat about rugby!
Of course the other explanation is that you are actually trying to be an annoying troll!
The British press are full f remarks that Chelsea are the best girl-ball team in Europe. Leinster didn't even have to go to penalties!
Posted 11:54 23rd May 2012
makemehappy says...
@papachinzo - you seem to be missing the point. It is biased and not bias by the way. Very loaded word 'champions' isn't it. You need to change it and then we can discuss, though you've been given enough information already. Loser might be a word you want to look up though.
Posted 20:09 22nd May 2012
papachinzo says...
@lacroix - I think your lost. Perhaps your talking about the all French Final between Biarritz Toulon? that was the Amlin Cup... and yes, it was of a very poor standard.
I think the '3 from 4' statistic alone, debunks your ludicrous comment.
@makemehappy - Your opinion is that Barnes was bias. My opinion is he was too afraid to give a Yellow card (both teams deserved them, but neither got one).
Both Ulster and Clermont had their chance, and they failed. Champions don't fail.
In my opinion, Leinster are the teachers and the world is their student. People may not realise it now, but the way they play is how Rugby should be played.
Not like those headless baboons down under, who think an all out running game with no pressure or defence is the way forward... This is Union, not League.
Posted 11:37 22nd May 2012
makemehappy says...
@griffi60 - Roy Jones Jr didn't win gold at the Olympics - if you saw the fight or know the story then my point is clear. To stop any arguments, let's just well done to Leinster!
Posted 17:48 21st May 2012
Norm says...
APV1
Think Thorn might just be able to pull it off too!
Posted 14:35 21st May 2012
APV1 says...
What a great game of rugby and, by the looks of things, a fantastic set of supporters too.
Congratulations, Leinster, on a well-deserved win. No one, and I mean NO ONE, was a good as them this season. I couldn't give a monkey's whatsit who else *might have* or *almost* or *should have* won, Leinster beat everyone they needed to on their way to the final and then won the final. That, very simply, makes them the best rugby club in Europe at the moment.
(And, yes, using the same logic make Chesea the best girl-ball club in Europe too)
Just check the history books for confirmation.
I have been mightily impressed with Ulster too. Just think back to where they were only a couple of seasons ago and here they were competing in the HC Final! Congratulations to Ulster as well.
And I heard that Brad Thorn is off to take part in the 10m Platform Diving Event at the Olypics, to see if he can wrestle Tom Daley's gold away from him.
Posted 11:17 21st May 2012
Norm says...
Well done Leinster. Enjoy it you fans! Not playing your best and you still did that to us.
Such terrible decision making on and off the field. Humphreys for Jackson wrong call and the call was too late. Marshall had an impact when he came on but it was far too late to be a meaningful one. In truth would have been academic. We can play better than that but I dont know what the gameplan they were trying to implement was about. Too isolated time and time again, made it too easy.
Nonetheless great day for Irish rugby and have to say been a few years since in twickenham, great ground. Misfortune of going with a fractured ankle and the assistance from the staff amazing!
Sextons on fire: With the BOOM again? are you 14 or something, even at that age makes you sound like a fool! Is it a south central Tallaght thing innit?!
Posted 10:55 21st May 2012
blametheref says...
At the beginning of the season I reckoned leinster wouldn't do the double after having so many key players at the World Cup, but they spaced out the match time for these players and it payed off...Brilliant outcome!
Posted 10:05 21st May 2012
griffi60 says...
@makemehappy, the evidence is Saturday, simple as that. As I stated before your post of "Congratulations to Clermont for being the true champions" is ridiculous. I know you will come back with bad ref etc. etc. but the simple fact is that Clermont are not champions, in fact they did not even make the final. Even if they had there is nothing to say that they would have beaten Ulster seeing as we beat them at Ravenhill and ran them extremely close in France.
I do agree that sport is a funny thing and odd things happen however the true champions is the team that wins, fact.
Posted 09:43 21st May 2012
makemehappy says...
@carpelone - I certainly agree that in practice (I'm not so sure about the theory) that the penalty try was a ridiculous call! Penalty and yellow card maybe, but certain to score a try???
Posted 09:23 21st May 2012
makemehappy says...
@trelawney - I thought they were the better team in the semi and deserved to win. Quite simple. I've done the bit about sport being a funny thing bla bla bla, so don't be critical if you can't add anything, and don't be rude either please. I repeat that Leinster are a very good team. Most teams couldn't live with Clermont. On another day I would have thought Leinster would have been better than Clermont. That didn't happen, and I thought they were very lucky. Nothing wrong with people having opinions is there - or are you a dictatorial fool?
Posted 09:21 21st May 2012
trelawney says...
@makemehappy - why are Claremont the true champions, they lost! The past is in the past, live up to it sunshine.
To any body in the SH can you give an exaple of when you have have had a cup final which has an attendance of over 81,000 fans of RUGBY?
Posted 23:35 20th May 2012
damo says...
Great win for Leinster, ref was terrible, Penalty try in second half ended the contest to an extent, look at the line out Leinster had 3 blockers before the maul and it was let go, resulting in a dubious penalty try 30 seconds later, that would have been 17-14 with 10 minutes later, and of course Pienar would have kicked penaltys rather than kicking for touch. Don't get me wrong Leinster were the better team and deserved the win. Ulster will learn from the loss and have a lot of talent, Payne was a great signing and i hope he recovers soon. Ulster amassed numerous phases in attacking positions and only needed one bit of class to convert but Leinster on defence is off the hook, Leinster defence coach should be with Ireland, Declan Kidney needs to go also, too many good Irish players for his poor International record
Posted 23:04 20th May 2012
carpelone says...
A good performance from Nigel Owens.
The penalty try he gave was interesting. As far as the Laws are concerned, that was a correct call. As far as common practices are involved, that was quite extraordinary.
I am in favour of Owens' interpretation, it means starting 14 points ahead every game for the Boks (two penalty tries, one in the first half, one in the second).
Posted 17:26 20th May 2012
makemehappy says...
@marko72 - no - do you?
Posted 17:20 20th May 2012
makemehappy says...
@sextons_on_fire, ciaran1792, griffi60, lostprofit - given how close the game with Clermont was, are you saying it isn't reasonable for me to think they were the better team? Given the performance of tri-nations teams, isn't it reasonable to say they wouldn't finish in the top half of the Super Rugby?
Nice to sea that Rosbif understood my comments.
@sextons_on_fire and griffi60 - produce evidence please - presumably you can't as you didn't.
@griffi60 - don't be so rude - please stop posting!
@ciaran1792 - you are not far off agreeing with me with your comments.
@lostprofit - what are you talking about? Why does someone have to support a team to comment?
Too all - I think Leinster are an excellent team (some of you are probably rather quite by now) and thoroughly deserved to win the final. I thought they were out-muscled in the semi and would have lost with consistent and better refereeing. Nothing unreasoble in that. Just to say "Look who won" is such a naive statement. No doubt you'd argue Chelsea are the best team in Europe, after having seen them comprehensively outplayed in the last two rounds. Sport is a funny thing. There are odd results. That's life.
Posted 17:19 20th May 2012
carpelone says...
Congratulations to Leinster, one of the most entertaining side in rugby. A deserved victory.
Ulster played well, they just miss one or two more South Africans to win the title.
Would like to see Leinster taking on some of the Super Rugby sides, but the schedule will not favour this.
MOM: BOD.
Posted 17:11 20th May 2012
pierredelot1 says...
Leinster won, because at the end of the day, there are not too many BODs, Thorns or Kearneys about. That said Ulster gave it everything and I do feel lost out a bit on 50/50 balls where I felt the referee gave Leinster the edge. Had to watch it on French TV and even their commentators although in awe of the level of commitment, found some of the decisions a little baffling. The final result flattered Leinster and they have the Ospreys next which could be a real tight one. This Leinster front row isn't the greatest in the tight and got away with a couple of dodgy ones, Adam Jones and Co might just expose that. But BOd was really standout for me in the backs. One of the few (very few)centre three quarters in the world who keeps his opposite number thinking every minute of the game not just in attack but also in defence. Whatever will Leinster and Ireland do to replace him ?
If he can still play like that then another Lions Tour beckons. Total class
Posted 13:37 20th May 2012
Headhunter99 says...
What a fantastic final, I was there as a neutral and the atmosphere was amazing, Great Rugby, seriously unless you were there you don't appreciate how good it was. The intensity and commitment were just awesome Ulster never laid down whatever the score suggests.
Finally the Ulster/Leinster fans were majestic and so appreciative of each others side. This was Rugby the way it was intended to be, Super Rugby may have many good things but it just cannot compare with this.
Posted 13:09 20th May 2012