Firstly, this is me as a Munster fan fully aware that Leinster are a better outfit than Munster, and is in no way me putting the boot in.Blueberry wrote: ↑June 11th, 2022, 11:16 amAgreed the SA teams have definitely stopped the procession like nature of the Pro 14 and provides a new challenge now going forward for all the Irish provinces and can only improve standards. That is very clear !!munster#1 wrote: ↑June 11th, 2022, 10:50 am Hi all.
I won’t go into details with my opinion on the game because it won’t be welcomed by some, and will ruin the thread.
However I will commiserate with you all.
Unfortunately I know all too well what you are going through, but that is the joy of sport.
The last few seasons have shown where Leinster have deficiencies. The list of deficiencies is a lot smaller than other teams and very fixable imo.
With the introduction of the SA teams to the URC and the HC, and the fact that they are strengthening their teams for next season, means that other teams must up their games.
Failure to perform a complete evaluation will mean that the gap will only increase next season.
Trophies are definitely going to be harder to come by.
By all means do post your views on the game, don't imagine it is anything too 'controversial' and jeepers we are all probably thinking the same thing !! In the cold light of day my own feeling is the camp assumed this would be a win, the Glasgow match was a total farce which was the worst possible prep and a level of arrogance in not starting Sexton was a major mistake. Why we made so many mistakes is harder to put the finger on but that can often happen when things don't immediately go the way you want and you have to chase a game. Leinster's season has very few examples of adversity or chasing games (so many including qtr and semi finals in the HEC were blown away in the first half) that the mindset needed to 'dog out' a game isn't always something you can turn on if it isn't regularly practiced. It is a hard balance. But we have young players the likes of Sheehan McCarthy etc who will learn so much from this we have a bright future.
We could do with a couple of key players coming through in the pack or imports , we are close but just need a sprinkling of bulk and nouse. We I feel were one Hines or Thorn away from two trophies this year.....
You have basically said most of what I would have said.
I think the non selection of Sexton in the starting team shows that mentally Leinster like most others must have thought that the game was a formality, and with the benefit of hindsight, this was a big error.
Leinster have failed to develop FB backup, and rely heavily on Keenan, who I’m assuming was injured?
Some have already said it, but I don’t think it was necessarily just that the Bulls had more power than Leinster, but they, like Munster, tried to match the Bulls in an area where they couldn’t, rather than trying to play the Leinster way.
Leinster have many strengths, but they have shown time and again that when they play big powerful teams that they try to match the power rather than looking to negate it by playing a faster and wider game.
I think Leinster were unfortunate, or poorly coached in terms of timing of peaking.
Dorris, Conan and Ryan are great players, but they seem to have really went off the boil over the last 2 months, with Ryan and Conan looking like shadows of themselves.
When you play a team like LaR and Bulls, if 3 of you back 5 forwards are misfiring, then the result is almost inevitable.
From a very amateurish point of view, from the outside looking in, Leinster need to look at the mental side of the game, and try to establish why they keep falling at the last hurdle.
They need to either look to sign bigger players, or imo they should look to play to their strengths.
Evaluate their largely international standard squad and come up with a game plan that suits the team.
Positions where I believe Leinster need to strengthen:
Reserve LH
Reserve TH (Alalatoa is a good player but you are Furlong injury away from disaster)
Blindside - I would love to see Baird put on a few KG and play there for Leinster and Ireland as a 5.5.
8 - Dorris needs to be given the 8 shirt, imo he is wasted at 6.
Looking past next season Leinster could be in trouble at 10 unless Harry fulfills his promise.