Leinster v Munster URC Semi -Final match thread

Yeah, for all of the justifiable ref talk, Leinster should have still gone out and won it - it was there for the taking, even with a weakened side. That's completely on them and I'm sure it is how they're reflecting on it internally.

Ref having poor games happens, can hurts one week and favour the next. I won't be arguing one bit if some ref decisions help us on Saturday

It isn't tough to look at the clock when a try is scored and add 60 seconds to it - hardly rocket science.

There is a clear mistake made by the ref and it is just as clear why certain people are tying themselves in knots to make excuses about it.

If you're complaining about laws try and at least know the law you're complaining about.

Fair enough - don't think it is rocket science to add 90 seconds to a clock either

When they were checking for McGrath's deliberate knock on - I am not sure the stopped the clock in the stadium screen anyway.

You can nit pick until the cows get home. In general the game was exciting with several transitions and the ref let both teams play and winner was the team who were most skillful in the last 5 mins in a close game. That sounds reasonable.

Munster deserved their win. Well done.

I’m still amazed that Leinster side didn’t manage to defeat a Munster team severely depleted and battered from the Glasgow match .

ref made a few mistakes for both sides , the worst one being not carding McGrath for one of his 2 offences .

but I get it , he was trying to let the game flow as he has been criticised in the past about being whistle happy .

I really hope Leinster win on Saturday as the group therapy bill will be huge if they don’t . For both players and supporters

The final is going to be monumental.

Both sides have two weeks to prepare to throw everything they’ve got at each other.

It would be massive for that generation of players to finally win something alright. be good for Irish rugby in general too.

Jackman talking sense

As can be heard at the time, it was reset as Murphy explained that the scrum was not stable before the ball was put in. He then stated if they want a penalty they need to make sure the scrum is stable before the ball is put in.

Yes to this. Several posters have gone completely over the top on the ref after this game, it's unfortunately too common but embarrassing nevertheless. And Leinster's depth does come into question given yesterday. It's all good news for Ireland tough.

Most of the incidents that people are criticising the ref for are either 50/50 or common offences that are sometimes penalised but often aren't, like flying into rucks off your feet. If there was one incident in the match that I thought the TMO got wrong it's the Connors tackle. It looks to me like he got smacked on the chin in the tackle. He was dipping but that arm is high and makes contact with the head. Some people arguing that he was out before he hit the ground. That's a yellow that could easily be a red. It's subtle and could easily be missed (and I might be seeing things) but there were several minutes between the tackle and Connors going off so plenty of time for close review.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CBEh7V5F6Y

In this particularly case, the on-screen clock graphic did start right when Murphy said "shot called".

My feed then went to some highlights, while something went on in the background; Murphy had a conversation with someone, possibly a physio, but all I could hear was Donal Linehan moaning about Healy leaving for Scotland. When the live feed returned, Healy was running back from the direction of Murphy. I don't think Healy was actually talking to Murphy, but I can't be 100% sure. In either event Murphy may have stopped the 60-second clock during that conversation, which URC rules allow. Healy starts his run-up approximately 3-4 seconds after the clock hits 0.

Without knowing what the nature of the conversation was, or the parties involved, I can't say for sure if:

(a) Murphy slipped up keeping track of the clock, and should have received a support prompt from his team.

or

(b) Murphy paused the clock (even implicitly) while he sorted something out either with Healy or the physio.

In either case, can we please, please have a rule that if the referee speaks, all commentator and co-commentator mics get immediately muted?

I agree with everything Mr Edge said

Munster deservedly won.

As for the ref....totally different story. All the penalties the ref gave were all penalties, the problem with the ref, is what he does not give or see. He seems to see what he just wants to see.

There were tons of them. Probably should have given McGrath a yellow for the delibrate knock on. Chose not to ping Coombes for being off his feet at a crucial point of the game.

As a Leinster fan, all I can say is 'come on Munster' don't 'mess' it up now. We are all behind you, just some may not admit it😉.

If we can win the Heineken Cup, even more support will roll in behind ya....Irish teams winning both the URC and Heineken Cup.. roll on the world cup....so no pressure lads..😉