Leinster Rugby 2008/9

juvenal

Leinster kicked off their preseason this evening in Italy. The beat Padova 38-5, with an early try from new boy Isa Nacewa.

Padova hit back with a try four minutes later, and went into the break trailing by two points. A Gary Brown try early in the second half was followed by a break on halfway from Nacewa, where the Fiji star beat several defenders, before offloading to prop Jamie Hagantries to score. Further tries from Simon Keogh, lock Conor McInerney and Luke Fitzgerald saw Leinster running out easy winners.

Leinster face Treviso at 8.30pm (local time) on Saturday.

Sounds like it was a very experimental team that lined out, and good to see Nacewa get on the scoresheet. Apparently Sexton kicked the early conversion before coming off - not sure if it was a tactical or enforced substitution.

LEINSTER POINTS: I. Nacewa (1 try, 2 conversions), G. Brown / J. Hagan / Simon Keogh / C. McInerney / L. Fitzgerald (1 try each), J. Sexton (1 conversion), K. Tonetti (1 conversion)
LEINSTER: Isa Nacewa (Brian O’Driscoll, 62); Gary Brown (Girvan Dempsey, 62), Eoin O'Malley (Luke Fitzgerald, half-time), Fergus McFadden (Kyle Tonetti, half-time), Simon Keogh (Fergus McFadden, 62) (Eoin O’Malley, 72); Jonathan Sexton (Felix Jones, 30), Chris Keane (Paul O’Donohoe, 51); Cian Healy (Ronan McCormack, half-time), Brian Blaney (John Fogarty, half-time), Stephen Knoop (Jamie Hagan, half-time) (Stan Wright, 62); Trevor Hogan CAPTAIN (Malcolm O’Kelly, 55), Cameron Jowitt (Devin Toner, half-time); Kevin McLaughlin (Conor McInerney, half-time), Seán O'Brien, Stephen Keogh (Kevin McLaughlin, 62)

[Jackass]

Nacewa sounds like he has been really impressing. Can't wait to see this guy in the coming season.

ktulu123

Is the next game on tv at all?

gcgirl

ktulu123 wrote: »

Is the next game on tv at all?

Only the Magners League But They will be on Setanta

zAbbo

gcgirl wrote: »

Only the Magners League But They will be on Setanta

Next game is Queenesland Reds in Donnybrook

juvenal

The second pre-season match in Italy was on tonight in Treviso.

Jonathan Sexton touched down after two minutes after good work by the pack, although he missed the subsequent conversion. Felix Jones scored a second try on 16mins which Sexton converted, and Leinster went into the break 12-0 up.

Treviso bounced back with two tries in the first ten minutes of the second half, before Rob Kearney finished off a kick-and-chase with Felipe Contempomi adding the extras.

Final score Treviso 14 Leinster 19.

LEINSTER: 15: Isa Nacewa (Girvan Dempsey, 22) (Rob Kearney, 60); 14: Shane Horgan (Simon Keogh, half-time); 13: Brian O'Driscoll (Eoin O'Malley, half-time); 12: Fergus McFadden (Felipe Contepomi, half-time); 11: Felix Jones (Gary Brown, 30); 10: Jonathan Sexton (Isa Nacewa, 51); 9: Chris Keane (Paul O'Donohoe, half-time) (Chris Whitaker, 62); 1: Cian Healy (Stan Wright, half-time) (Ronan McCormack, 62); 2: John Fogarty (Bernard Jackman, 60); 3: Stan Wright (Stephen Knoop, half-time); 4: Trevor Hogan (Malcolm O'Kelly, 51); 5: Devin Toner (Cameron Jowitt, 60); 6: Cameron Jowitt (Kevin McLaughlin, half-time); 7: Shane Jennings (Sean O'Brien, half-time); 8: Stephen Keogh (Jamie Heaslip, 62)

Hansel

That's not a good result for Leinster. Sounds like a pretty poor game.

[Jackass]

Stan Wright picked up an injury.

Also CJ Van Der Linde will more than likely be suspended for 4 to 8 weeks for his "flying Head-butt" in RSA's defeat to OZ over the weekend.

Rocky has also been sited for pulling down a player in the lineout, but I'd be surprised if he got any ban for it.

So coming into the season, could be minus our 2 props and 2 of our 3 "big signings".

The curse continues.

Maybe the coach will go over a speed bump on the way back from this game, knocking a bowling ball out of the over head department, falling on Isa, fracturing his skull...in an attempt to save him Dr. Contepomi comes rushing to his aid, tripping and breaking his arm in 17 places, BOD is so shocked by what he seems, his ham string instantly snaps, while D'Arcys forearm just bursts into flames and Sexton, Horgan, Kearney & Fitzgerald are so traumatised by it all they retire from Rugby.

You might say the above is impossible...but is it?

Hansel

I'm not sure a curse is powerful enough to influence somebody to be stupid enough to do a flying headbutt in an international fixture.

[Jackass]

It's nasty. Minimum 8 weeks. Could be 14. Max is 40 odd weeks....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI6xzO1UjFg

Hansel

That's just malicious. He deserves any ban he gets. It could be quite lengthy.

zAbbo

Wreckless, completely wreckless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI6xzO1UjFg

juvenal

That's madness!

He was very lucky not to get a yellow or even a red. He's looking at a suspension for definite.

Heroditas

Hansel wrote: »

That's not a good result for Leinster. Sounds like a pretty poor game.

It was a pre-season kickaround and their second game in three days. The team was mixed and matched throughout the 80mins. They won and nobody get injured, while managing to try out a multitude of combinatiosn yet it was "not a good result"? :rolleyes:

Hansel

Heroditas wrote: »

It was a pre-season kickaround and their second game in three days. The team was mixed and matched throughout the 80mins. They won and nobody get injured, while managing to try out a multitude of combinatiosn yet it was "not a good result"? :rolleyes:

Stan Wright was injured.
No matter what way you look at it, pre season kick around or not, Leinster should have beaten them by a lot more. Leinster A would be several scores better than Treviso. Granted the result is meaningless, but do you think that Cheika went into the changing rooms afterwards and said "no harm lads, it's only a preseason kick around". He did in his hoop.

Heroditas

I know someone who went over to Italy to the two games. Leinster were all over them for the first while but then they completely lost impetus as soon as the first rash of substitutions was made.
Substitutions always affect a performance, particularly when so many are made at once. Also, the players had been undergoing double training sessions for several days last week, coupled with the previous match THREE DAYS EARLIER and I'm sure Cheika won't have been overly concerned about a pre-season kickaround.

[Jackass]

pfft, I wouldn't read anything into a pre-season tour to Italy. Trips like that are as more about a team building exercise and a chance to train and manage players better in a controlled enviornment in preperation for the new season. Nothing more than a training match that you'd have on a Sunday night, completely meaningless. I would read nothing into it at all. You said yourself, Leinster A would hammer these guys, an off form Leinster team would absolutely destroy them, so I wouldn't read too much into the score line either.

juvenal

I wouldn't worry too much about either of the Italian results, as the lads said; pre-season camps are about building up fitness, camaraderie, and letting lads gently stretch their legs.

It's just to get them out of Dublin for a week or so and allow them to get away from the distractions of everyday life so they can be ready when the season kicks off. The matches are just something to break the monotony of training and improve their match sharpness.

I'm not sure what to expect from the Reds this weekend considering they were well and truly spanked by Ulster. I think most people are probably looking forward to the fact that it's the first home game of the season, and perhaps the green jerseys!

P_1

What time's the kickoff on Saturday? I'm stuck in work till 5.

juvenal

pithater1 wrote: »

What time's the kickoff on Saturday? I'm stuck in work till 5.

6:00pm

themont85

I'm not much worried about that result. Its pre-season, much better to be now than later in the season. Much of Leinster's 'failures' in recent years have come on the back of lavish praise from the press, who revel in the 'failures' after this. Better we come in with outsiders and the press down playing our chances in my opinion. I'm optimistic about this year with such great talent coming into the squad. The number of quality additions is exciting though the CJ citing is worrying.

Hansel

I see leinster are hosting a farmers market before the game.
feckin boggers.;)

[Jackass]

Sure we have to sell all the turnips we grow around D4 somewhere don't we??

[Jackass]

http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_4051230,00.html

Van der Linde gets four weeks
Tuesday 26th August 2008

Rugby Union

South African prop CJ van der Linde has been suspended for four weeks after being found guilty of dangerous play at a ruck during South Africa's 15-27 Tri-Nations loss against Australia in Durban on Saturday.

Australian flanker Rocky Elsom was also suspended for one week for unlawfully interfering with Springbok captain Victor Matfield in a line-out.

Both players will miss this weekend's rematch at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg.

Van der Linde faced a SANZAR Disciplinary Committee hearing after he was cited by citing commissioner Steve Hinds of New Zealand for striking Wallaby scrum-half Sam Cordingley with his head in the eighth minute of the match.

The SANZAR Disciplinary Officer Mr Nick Davidson QC of New Zealand accepted Van der Linde's guilty plea to contravening Law 10.4(i) for dangerous play at a ruck. Van der Linde was cleared of contravening Law 10.4(a) relating to deliberately striking an opponent with the head.

Van der Linde has been suspended from all rugby until Monday, September 22.

In his findings, Davidson said that the offence was cited as a deliberate striking with the head to the head. After hearing evidence and reviewing video coverage he decided that the offence was on the cusp of a striking but, applying the standard of proof, was assessable as dangerous play in a ruck under law 10.4(i). Davidson found that this was an attempt to clear out with no legitimacy, Van der Linde driving forward unbound, off his feet, with his head as a leading edge.

Van der Linde denied targeting the head but acknowledged it was an illegal attempt to clear out, carrying a risk to Cordingley, who was fortunately not injured.

As a deliberate strike this would have warranted a top-end entry. Without injury and in the context of an illegal attempt to clear out a mid-range entry of four weeks applied.

Van der Linde has an excellent disciplinary record on which to draw in mitigation. However, the International Rugby Board has recently expressed its concern about the danger of unlawful and dangerous clearing out on the fringes of tackles, rucks and mauls and the need for deterrence is clear and is a counter-weight to any mitigation, said Davidson.

Meanwhile, Elsom faced a SANZAR Disciplinary Committee hearing after he was cited for tackling Matfield in the air in the second half of the match.

Davidson said that the Judicial Officer is entitled to review the reasons for a decision taken by match officials when they observe and address an incident on the field of play.

Davidson emphasised the referee's position as sole judge of fact and law during the match. However, a Judicial Officer may later review the reasons for the decision but shall not make a finding contrary to the referee's decision unless satisfied that his reasons are wrong.

In this case assistant referee Mr Bryce Lawrence had a clear view of the incident and while recognising the admitted illegal interference with Matfield by Elsom, he quite distinctly assessed it as carrying insufficient risk to merit more than a penalty, as he reported to referee Lyndon Bray. Lawrence's evidence was cogent in this regard.

A review of extensive video coverage showed Elsom in fact using two hands to pull down Matfield, rotating him sideways and off-balance. He landed on his feet and fell awkwardly across Elsom. The incident was contributed to when Elsom lost the support of his lifter, but any interference of this kind carries real danger and a sanction is required, said Davidson.

Elsom has been suspended from all rugby until Monday, September 1.

Matfield gave telephonic evidence that he suffered an injury in the incident but completed the game without impediment. Any injury appeared minor and did not influence the decision.

In an extended first class career, Elsom has a previous breach for a quite different offence. In all of the circumstances and because of the inherent danger in this type of breach, a sanction of one week was applied.

This means CJ will make his debut against Munster in the ML and will be available for the begining of the HEC. Great result. (although maybe unjust, I wont complain).

Rocky getting a week is a complete joke, but again, I wont complain, he will be available for the whole season.

[Jackass]

Cullen Named As Captain

Leinster Rugby are delighted to announce the appointment of Leo Cullen as captain of the province for the coming year.

Leo will replace Brian O’Driscoll who has decided to step down having captained Leinster for three years culminating in the Magners League title success last season.

Cullen led the province on seven occasions last year since his return from the Leicester Tigers in the summer of 2007.

The Newtownmountkennedy man has made 102 appearances in two spells for the province (17 in total as captain) between 2003 and 2008.

Having been a part of last year’s leadership team, this appointment ensures continuity and Cullen will be joined by Shane Jennings and Chris Whitaker who have been named as vice captains.

Very interesting. I'm happy at this decision as I think Cullen has been an excellent captain over the past season and a born leader.

I think we all agree that this will be a good thing for BO'D. Also seems to end the debate about whether or not he will continue as Ireland captain. It seems certain now that he wont.

Well done Brian, you've been a fantastic captain for both club and country.

Also interesting that Jennings has been named as vice captain. I think he would make a very good captain of the future.

zAbbo

Great news, should allow BOD to concentrate on his own game - I hope we see him back to his best this year.

Leo is the natural candicate, and it's pleasing to see 3 of the influential positions part of the captaincy.

Hansel

That decision about VDL is a complete disgrace. He's deserves much longer. SANZAR strikes again.

Good news re captaincy though, Cullen is the ideal man for the job and O'Driscoll could flourish once again without the extra duties.

[Jackass]

Hansel wrote: »

That decision about VDL is a complete disgrace. He's deserves much longer. SANZAR strikes again.

Couldn't agree more, needless to say I'm delighted, but if he played for any other team I'd be calling for his head. (parden the pun).

juvenal

Hansel wrote: »

That decision about VDL is a complete disgrace. He's deserves much longer. SANZAR strikes again.

Yes; there's no place in the game for that sort of thing. He made no attempt to use his hands or arms, it was a clear diving heatbutt.:eek:

Four weeks is very soft

Hansel wrote: »

Good news re captaincy though, Cullen is the ideal man for the job and O'Driscoll could flourish once again without the extra duties.

I agree. Cullen was outstanding last season, and comes across as a natural leader. O'Driscoll has done a fantastic job for both Leinster and Ireland (and the Lions!), and deserves a lot of plaudits. Hopefully he'll be free to play the way we know he's capable of without the added pressure of the captaincy.

I imagine this will also pre-empt his stepping down as captain of the Irish team also.

juvenal

Scrumhalf Chris Whitaker will captain Leinster against the Queensland Reds tomorrow evening as Brian O'Driscoll begins life without the armband but in the familiar position of outside centre.

O'Driscoll, who stood down as captain this week, will be partnered by Argentinean Felipe Contepomi in the centre of a strong looking backline. New recruit Isa Nacewa starts at fullback, with Shane Horgan and Rob Kearney on either wing and Jonathan Sexton forming a halfback partnership with Whitaker.

The latter will lead the team out in the absence of the newly-appointed skipper Leo Cullen, who is not even among the 15 replacements named for the Donnybrook game.

Locks Malcolm O'Kelly and Devin Toner will start instead, with Ronan McCormack and Stephen Knoop on either side of Bernard Jackman in the frontrow. Cameron Jowitt and Shane Jennings are named as flankers by Michael Cheika and Jamie Heaslip is number eight.

With a strong bench Cheika is likely to make plenty of changes throughout the evening.

Pretty strong team; AFAIK Cullen isn't due to return until mid-September after his shoulder operation. It will be interesting to see how they start, and how it develops with the likely slew of subs.

If anyone's going can they try and get some snaps of the new Green Jersey?

LEINSTER: Isa Nacewa; Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll, Felipe Contepomi, Rob Kearney; Jonathan Sexton, Chris Whitaker (capt); Ronan McCormack, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Knoop; Malcolm O'Kelly, Devin Toner; Cameron Jowitt, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip
REPLACEMENTS FROM: Cian Healy, John Fogarty, Brian Blaney, Trevor Hogan, Sean O'Brien, Stephen Keogh, Kevin McLaughlin, Chris Keane, Paul O'Donohoe, Fergus McFadden, Luke Fitzgerald, Eoin O'Malley, Gary Brown, Simon Keogh, Girvan Dempsey

[Jackass]

juvenal wrote: »

If anyone's going can they try and get some snaps of the new Green Jersey?

I'll be there, do my best to get a few for ya Juvenal. I haven't bought a ticket yet, and they say they will take money at the gate, so I presume if I show up 10 mins before kick off I'll be ok to get in?

Haven't been to Kileys in quite a while, so it'll be nice to have a few there before hand

[Jackass]

juvenal wrote: »

If anyone's going can they try and get some snaps of the new Green Jersey?

Here ya go. It's more or less just the Irish jersey with a Leinster crest on it.

Stev_o

Anyone else agree that Canterbury really really fail at making rugby jerseys now?

Jello

Jeez didn't recognise Dr. Phil at all with the tight hair!

[Jackass]

Stev_o wrote: »

Anyone else agree that Canterbury really really fail at making rugby jerseys now?

Yeah, the design just isn't the best. Although I saw lots of people wearing the new Leinster training jersey, it seems really popular amongst the fans. Saw in person for the first time too in the Leinster shop and really like it so I'll get that.

But for Jersey design I have to say the minnows such as Rugbytech and Koogai are putting out the nicest jerseys at the moment.

juvenal

Magners League campaign kicks off this weekend with a visit to the Arms Park. Kick-off is Saturday at 6.30pm, and will be televised live on Setanta Ireland.

Last years results were:

Cardiff Blues 19 Leinster 30
Leinster 24 Cardiff Blues 17

Cheika has named the following squad;

Backs: Chris Whitaker, Chris Keane, Paul O'Donohoe, Jonathan Sexton, Felipe Contepomi, Brian O'Driscoll, Gary Brown, Shane Horgan, Luke Fitzgerald, Isa Nacewa, Fergus McFadden, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Eoin O'Malley, Girvan Dempsey

Forwards: Cian Healy, Stephen Knoop, Ronan McCormack, Bernard Jackman, Brian Blaney, John Fogarty, Cameron Jowitt, Malcolm O'Kelly, Devin Toner, Trevor Hogan, Stephen Keogh, Shane Jennings, Sean O'Brien, Kevin McLaughlin, Jamie Heaslip

Hope to see a strong performance to start the season. It will be interesting to see the starting XV.

zAbbo

No Stan Wright? we look a little light with props, but have 3 hookers.

Strong enough forwards, and will be pretty strong when CJ VDL and Rocky join up.

Backs looks very attacking, good to see O'Donohoe in there and O'Malley, plenty of homegrown talent, but the 3 non Irish will be starters though.

juvenal

zAbbo wrote: »

No Stan Wright? we look a little light with props, but have 3 hookers.

AFAIK he was injured (not seriously) at the pre-season camp in Italy

[Jackass]

Yeah I never heard news about that from the Leinster camp, but it doesn't seem great that he's not even making the squad. 4 of the 8 for this season will be missing for this game Stan & Leo (injury) and Rocky & CJ (arrival), but I still think we'll put out a strong team. Really hope that Stan injury isn't too serious though. (on the plus side good to see Jackman in there as he came off injured vs Queesland)

My starting team:
1. Healy
2. Jackman
3. McCormack
4. Mal
5. Hogan
6. Jennings
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip

9. Whitaker
10. Sexton
11. Fitzgerald
12. Contepomi
13. BO'D
14. Naewca
15. Kearney

16. Knoop 17. Fogarty 18. Jowitt 19. Keogh 20. Keane 21. Horgan 22. Dempsey

juvenal

15. I Nacewa
14. S Horgan
13. B O'Driscoll
12. F Contepomi
11. R Kearney
10. J Sexton
9. C Whitaker (capt)
1. C Healy
2. B Jackman
3. R McCormack
4. D Toner
5. M O'Kelly
6. C Jowitt
7. S Jennings
8. J Heaslip

Replacements: J Fogarty; S Knoop; T Hogan; S O'Brien; C Keane; L Fitzgerald; G Dempsey

[Jackass]

Toner is a surprise inclusion for me. Good to see him getting game time though and hope he steps up. Same for Healy, although he should expect to be fighting for a first team place this season and try and nail down the bench spot at least.

Would have liked to see O'Brien in ahead of Jowitt, but in fairness Jowitt had and excellt pre-season and offers another line-out option. Fitzgerald is unlucky to lose out to Horgan, but it's tough to pick that backline. Dempsey is even looking really sharp.

Would also prefer to see Kearney at FB & Isa on the wing.

OTHER THAN THAT THOUGH strong enough team, although 4 of the 8 pack aren't first choice.

RuggieBear

jaysus...just saw an advert for Leinster on the telly!!!

juvenal

Any highlights of the Cardiff game online yet?

Inquitus

juvenal wrote: »

Any highlights of the Cardiff game online yet?

Expect a "Highlights" package to be very short.....

juvenal

Squad for Friday's home opener against Scottish rivals Edinburgh has been announced.

Backs: Chris Whitaker, Chris Keane, Paul O'Donohoe, Jonathan Sexton, Felipe Contepomi, Brian O'Driscoll, Gary Brown, Shane Horgan, Luke Fitzgerald, Isa Nacewa, Fergus McFadden, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Eoin O'Malley, Girvan Dempsey

Forwards: Cian Healy, Stephen Knoop, Ronan McCormack, Bernard Jackman, Brian Blaney, John Fogarty, Cameron Jowitt, Malcolm O'Kelly, Devin Toner, Trevor Hogan, Stephen Keogh, Shane Jennings, Sean O'Brien, Kevin McLaughlin, Jamie Heaslip

Starting XV will be announced on Thursday at lunchtime. Game is live on Setanta Sports 2.

Pshan

juvenal wrote: »

Squad for Friday's home opener against Scottish rivals Edinburgh has been announced.

Backs: Chris Whitaker, Chris Keane, Paul O'Donohoe, Jonathan Sexton, Felipe Contepomi, Brian O'Driscoll, Gary Brown, Shane Horgan, Luke Fitzgerald, Isa Nacewa, Fergus McFadden, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Eoin O'Malley, Girvan Dempsey

Forwards: Cian Healy, Stephen Knoop, Ronan McCormack, Bernard Jackman, Brian Blaney, John Fogarty, Cameron Jowitt, Malcolm O'Kelly, Devin Toner, Trevor Hogan, Stephen Keogh, Shane Jennings, Sean O'Brien, Kevin McLaughlin, Jamie Heaslip

Starting XV will be announced on Thursday at lunchtime. Game is live on Setanta Sports 2.

Did he get away without a citing?

[Jackass]

I believe he did. Proper order. Shouldn't put your head in the way of his boot anyway.

juvenal

No word of one, and I assume the time has elapsed.

juvenal

Leinster Rugby ticket triple packs are on sale for the following home fixtures;

v Edinburgh, RDS 12th September
v Ospreys, RDS 19th September
v Munster, RDS 28th September

(Prices subject to availability)

Anglesea Stand Block B & €130
Anglesea Stand Block A & E: €110
Grandstand Block J & K: €130
Grandstand All Other Blocks: €100
Grandstand All Other Blocks: €50 (Junior ticket - limited availability)
BOI North/South Stand: €70
BOI North/South Stand: €30 (Junior ticket - limited availability)

There are also packages available for the away HEC fixtures against Edinburgh and Castres. More information here.

juvenal

15 Girvan Dempsey
14 Luke Fitzgerald
13 Brian O'Driscoll
12 Felipe Contepomi
11 Rob Kearney
10 Jonathan Sexton
9 Chris Whitaker (Capt)

1 Ronan McCormack
2 Bernard Jackman
3 Stan Wright
4 Trevor Hogan
5 Malcolm O'Kelly
6 Cameron Jowitt
7 Shane Jennings
8 Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: 16 Cian Healy, 17 John Fogarty, 18 Devin Toner, 19 Sean O'Brien, 20 Chris Keane, 21 Shane Horgan, 22 Isa Nacewa

Good to see Wright back after his injury. Fitzgerald and Girv are in, with Nacewa and Shaggy on the bench. So many options! It will be interesting to see how they start tomorrow evening.

wixfjord

Cant see why simon keogh isnt being used as replacement scrum half. Dont rate keane much personally. Would be happy with a win from this and a good performance. Great options in the backs. Not sure about jowitt tho, wouldnt fance him up against an international in the hc. Edinburgh have good strong forwards, bit worried about this. Cant wait tho. Anyone else going? Ticket sales around 12500 mark,good going.