Leinster V Ulster; Rabo Semi final build up thread

justsomebloke

So a rehash of last years final and hopefully a better game then 2 weeks ago.

Leinster have played some very dire rugby this season but their match fitness levels have seen them grind out result after result and this again could be crucial facing a Ulster team missing some big name missing especially in the front row.

2 weeks ago Leinster failed to capitalise on their front row advantage in the scrum, will they be able to do it this time?

Podge_irl

More worryingly, 2 weeks ago Leinster failed to capitalise on a man advantage for 60 minutes...

.ak

Anyone know who's reffing this?

mfceiling

.ak wrote: »

Anyone know who's reffing this?

* don't be lacey, don't be lacey, don't be lacey*

thomond2006

Peter Allan

:pac:

former legend

Podge_irl wrote: »

More worryingly, 2 weeks ago Leinster failed to capitalise on a man advantage for 60 minutes...

I'm not worried by that at all.

Firstly, while Ulster were down to 14, Leinster had two men binned and they were actually a man down for a short while.

Secondly, and more importantly IMO, Leinster played their best rugby when it was 15 on 15, they were all over Ulster but when Court got sent off, Ulster got their tails up and came back into it, aided massively by Madigan's error for the try and his meltdown from the tee.

I think Leinster will win.

Riskymove

mfceiling wrote: »

* don't be lacey, don't be lacey, don't be lacey*

it's Lacey*








*may not be true

Podge_irl

former legend wrote: »

I'm not worried by that at all.

Firstly, while Ulster were down to 14, Leinster had two men binned and they were actually a man down for a short while.

Secondly, and more importantly IMO, Leinster played their best rugby when it was 15 on 15, they were all over Ulster but when Court got sent off, Ulster got their tails up and came back into it, aided massively by Madigan's error for the try and his meltdown from the tee.

I think Leinster will win.

I actually thought Court was red carded earlier. 50 minutes with an extra man so.

I agree Leinster were well on top when it was 15 v 15. But I don't really care how much Ulster's dander was up, any team worth their salt should be able to engineer situations where they can take advantage of the extra man at some point and Leinster just didn't do that.

I do think Leinster will probably sneak this but I'm not ferociously confident.

thomond2006

It's a hard one to call. I fancy Ulster but then there's BOD...

postitnote

thomond2006 wrote: »

It's a hard one to call. I fancy Ulster but then there's BOD...

...playing his last game.

vienne86

I would say Ulster will be HIGHLY motivated for this one - they must feel that they have been hard done by by refs, injuries etc this season. The loss to Sarries must have devastated them and the recent loss to Leinster will have hurt too. I know they are missing some vital players, but look at what they did last weekend in Thomond. Leinster were truly awful last weekend, and this was one of a number of bad performances this season. I hope I'm wrong, but I rather fancy Ulster for this one. It'll be close though.

bilston

Depends on who we manage to get back from injury and then how fit they are.

We need Wilson to be fit otherwise our back row will be all over the place. It would be nice to have Pienaar and Best back as well.

prospect

vienne86 wrote: »

I know they are missing some vital players, but look at what they did last weekend in Thomond. Leinster were truly awful last weekend, and this was one of a number of bad performances this season. I hope I'm wrong, but I rather fancy Ulster for this one. It'll be close though.

The flip side to that is that an Awful Leinster still won their game, and Ulsters victory was over a pretty awful (probably worse than Leinster) Munster team.

Too hard to call this one I think.
One trip to the Sin Bin for either side could determine the outcome of this game.

ssaye2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCBd6yPDDmE

former legend

Podge_irl wrote: »

I actually thought Court was red carded earlier. 50 minutes with an extra man so.

I agree Leinster were well on top when it was 15 v 15. But I don't really care how much Ulster's dander was up, any team worth their salt should be able to engineer situations where they can take advantage of the extra man at some point and Leinster just didn't do that.

I do think Leinster will probably sneak this but I'm not ferociously confident.

Leinster did engineer the situations to take advantage. On another day we could have won by 20.

former legend

vienne86 wrote: »

I would say Ulster will be HIGHLY motivated for this one - they must feel that they have been hard done by by refs, injuries etc this season. The loss to Sarries must have devastated them and the recent loss to Leinster will have hurt too. I know they are missing some vital players, but look at what they did last weekend in Thomond. Leinster were truly awful last weekend, and this was one of a number of bad performances this season. I hope I'm wrong, but I rather fancy Ulster for this one. It'll be close though.

But the game in Thomond has no bearing on the SF because none of those players will be involved against Leinster, except maybe the front rowers and Tuohy.

awec

former legend wrote: »

Leinster did engineer the situations to take advantage. On another day we could have won by 20.

On another day you could have lost pretty handily too.

molloyjh

former legend wrote: »

Leinster did engineer the situations to take advantage. On another day we could have won by 20.

But on that day we didn't.

thomond2006

Any chance some of the fringe Ulster players that were involved against Munster could get 'promoted' to the team for this weekend?

awec

I suspect Ulster will be:

Payne
Trimble
Cave
Marshall
Bowe
Jackson
Pienaar
Black
Best
Warwick
Tuohy
Muller
Henderson
Henry
Wilson

Or something close to that.

Pienaar back is vital if we are to get the result we want.

former legend

molloyjh wrote: »

But on that day we didn't.

But we did engineer the positions to do it, which was the question.

Utah_Saint

thomond2006 wrote: »

Any chance some of the fringe Ulster players that were involved against Munster could get 'promoted' to the team for this weekend?

we might not have a choice as a fit ulster player is a rare sight

irishbucsfan

Podge_irl wrote: »

I actually thought Court was red carded earlier. 50 minutes with an extra man so.

I agree Leinster were well on top when it was 15 v 15. But I don't really care how much Ulster's dander was up, any team worth their salt should be able to engineer situations where they can take advantage of the extra man at some point and Leinster just didn't do that.

I do think Leinster will probably sneak this but I'm not ferociously confident.

Saracens crucified for not taking advantage in Ravenhill. Leinster crucified for not taking advantage in Ravenhill.

Maybe neither team are worth their salt. Maybe it's easier said than done.

ssaye2

Both teams will be missing a few key players but it took an near full strength Ulster against a Leinster team with Macken starting to be the difference beating us once since 1999 in the RDS. This time of the year Leinster just seem to have that winning mentality that often eludes Ulster especially AWAY.

Can't see it being more than a score game again and if our set piece and scrum is as poor as last week forgetting about the basic skills well good night.

I just think we have another big game in us. I am not so sure if we can do it twice though if we get to the final.

Cant wait.

Podge_irl

former legend wrote: »

But we did engineer the positions to do it, which was the question.

My memory of the game is not fully formed so fair enough.

Missing a fullback is obviously worse, but Saracens were able to get into positions were Ulster were clearly a man short (sweeper missing, kick to the corner not covered) and I don't feel like Leinster managed that. Largely because their execution was incredibly sloppy (and, to be fair, cause Ulster were infringing a lot).

Podge_irl

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Saracens crucified for not taking advantage in Ravenhill. Leinster crucified for not taking advantage in Ravenhill.

Maybe neither team are worth their salt. Maybe it's easier said than done.

I actually thought Saracens exploited the man advantage quite well.

They just let Ulster back into the game.

Eponymous

postitnote wrote: »

...playing his last game.

...again.

Larbre34

Been saying it for months, Leinster played sporadic champagne rugby for years and never put themselves in contention. Its awful stuff now, but the league results have been ground out and I still reckon we'll win ugly all the way to a retained Pro12 title.

Very glad there is talk of Lansdowne Road for the final if Leinster go through.

awec

When are the refs announced?

Eponymous

Eponymous wrote: »

...again.

There could be a lot of this game seen from between fingers! Not sure I can watch...

In any event, ticket for the Terrace secured.

We seem to have the superiority up front, but I still think that Pienaar starting will make a huge difference. Unless Leinster cut out the errors and find some cohesion fast, this could be it for us.

As ever, it'll be a great occasion. Ulster Fans are always up for a bit of craic!

Riskymove

awec wrote: »

When are the refs announced?

by tomorrow I'd say

keep an eye on Nigel Owens Twitter!

GiftofGab

So whats the story with Ferris? When is he back? Would he feature for Ireland in the Argentina tour?

ssaye2

GiftofGab wrote: »

So whats the story with Ferris? When is he back? Would he feature for Ireland in the Argentina tour?

Another injury I heard, probably not

Not sure?

.ak

ssaye2 wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCBd6yPDDmE

That's a great promo it has to be said.

shuffol

mfceiling wrote: »

* don't be lacey, don't be lacey, don't be lacey*

Whats wrong with Lacey? I think he's a good ref, excellent communicator.

Tox56

shuffol wrote: »

Whats wrong with Lacey? I think he's a good ref, excellent communicator.

No, no, dear god no, not in a thread with Ulster fans

Utah_Saint

shuffol wrote: »

Whats wrong with Lacey? I think he's a good ref, excellent communicator.

*/@~##;:!!!!!!! :mad::mad::mad:

shuffol

I dont understand, what did he do to Ulster??? He's up there with Jerome Garces as my favourite refs anyway.

George Hook

ssaye2 wrote: »

Another injury I heard, probably not

Not sure?

He injured his ankle... No not that one, his other one.. the good one. Don't know when he'll be fit but he was always going to pick up 1 or 2 knocks after having been out so long.

ulster_Beef

.ak wrote: »

Anyone know who's reffing this?

George Hook

Utah_Saint

ulster_Beef wrote: »

George Hook

i'd take him over Lacey!

sydthebeat

shuffol wrote: »

I dont understand, what did he do to Ulster??? He's up there with Jerome Garces as my favourite refs anyway.

ulster fans still hold a gripe about last years final

ssaye2

http://t.co/NM2CjbFkYE

ref Hodges

sydthebeat

ssaye2 wrote: »

http://t.co/NM2CjbFkYE

ref Hodges

OH FOR F$%£ SAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Riskymove

ssaye2 wrote: »

http://t.co/NM2CjbFkYE

ref Hodges

Mitrea for the other

very strange appointments

vienne86

ssaye2 wrote: »

http://t.co/NM2CjbFkYE

ref Hodges

Ah crap! Don't like him at all.

awec

Thankfully not Lacey.

Tox56

vienne86 wrote: »

Ah crap! Don't like him at all.

Agreed, honestly would consider Lacey better than him

.ak

That's a load of crap. We just had him. He was awful.

ssaye2

SOB angry

I pity da fool who plays against him :pac:


http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/straighttalking-sean-obrien-demands-big-improvement-30267922.html

bilston

I'd have preferred Pearce again to be honest. Yes I was annoyed with some of his decisions at the game the other week but watching them back he got them spot on apart from binning Ruddock instead of Kirchner. I guess having an English ref wouldn't look so good on the Celtic referees.