Heino Cup Pool 5, Round 6: Exeter Chiefs vs Leinster

First topic message reminder :

Well here we are at the last of the pool games, with lowly Exe (and one or two other results) standing between the current European champions and qualification for the knock-out phase of this year's tournament. Leinster overcame the challenge of the Chiefs back in October at the RDS with a 9-6 victory. Thoughts?

Come on Exeter, Munster need a little help

final prediction

exeter 7 Leinster 140 (20 converted trys)

l

dave

still wont be enough

munster to win 150-0 tomorrow versus the Racing u11's in a ga..me of touch rugby

There was a thing in the paper today saying that if a team absolutely needs tries, they should decline to take any kicks at goal, even conversions (apparently it's not mandatory to take a conversion after a try).

Because by declining kicks you can keep the ball in play for longer and give you more of a chance to score tries.

However just saw Schmidts interview before match. Seems resigned to Amlin to be honest.

Joe wants this hcup again, will never go easy

I really do see Leinster getting a TBP win today and that Munster will be hoping that Embra get their first win tomorrow to be honest...

Mind you, Munster will still have to beat Racing

Schmidt seemed fairly content with a Rabo / Amlin cup

Question, if Leinster fail to progress in the HC, then fail in the Amlin/Rabo (despite how far they get) is pressure on Schmidt to go? Only heard good things about him but winning nothing...

Jaysus, Poite had a rough night by the looks of things.

Decent first scrum for Leinster

get in great start.

Oh Bollix, D'Arcy scores

That's one.

Next please.

First try down 3 more to go

Exeter may get a few here with Leinster on the hunt for four try's...

Cian Healy, what a monster

Strauss not throwing straight in the lineout but it is being completely ignored. I HATE the fact that assistant refs don't call this, you're looking straight down the line ffs.

Cian Healy, now he's put the muscle behind the dynamism he is a prop to be reckoned with, can't wait to see him and Cole pack down together for the Lions, maybe with Ford in between!!!!!!

Has the truck and trailor rule been abolished? Ive seen it go unpunished for a few weeks now (although not in this game, it happened in the Scarlets game).

thebluesmancometh wrote:Cian Healy, now he's put the muscle behind the dynamism he is a prop to be reckoned with, can't wait to see him and Cole pack down together for the Lions, maybe with Ford in between!!!!!!

No Best?? Think Ford has been very poor this season.

WAHOOOOOOOOO

good score. braindead from kearney though, that was never on

Try Exeter, so glad I decided to skip the Scarlets game!!!!

Come on Leinxeter, 2 down 13 to go!!!

thebluesmancometh wrote:Cian Healy, now he's put the muscle behind the dynamism he is a prop to be reckoned with, can't wait to see him and Cole pack down together for the Lions, maybe with Ford in between!!!!!!

Ford? Seriously, he's not accurate enough in the lineout and Best is so far ahead off him not to mention others.

Good try, poor by Leinster.

Well this could be interesting, ive given up on the Sca vs Clermont game - the Scarlets have let in 2 very soft tries already.

COME ON LEINSTER!

Tryfest time

Morgannwg wrote:Has the truck and trailor rule been abolished? Ive seen it go unpunished for a few weeks now (although not in this game, it happened in the Scarlets game).

No, its just poor reffing.

Golden

Best has been better (except today) but he just doesn't seem to fit in to a front row to intimidate, Ford and Hibbard def would!!

Some lovely passing here

thebluesmancometh wrote:Golden

Best has been better (except today) but he just doesn't seem to fit in to a front row to intimidate, Ford and Hibbard def would!!

Yeah he was very poor in the line out today but that was very much the exception over the last two years. Hes probably been Irelands best player in that time and is comfortably the best hooker in the NH in my eyes, plus hes beaten Australia recently.

Leinster being monstered in 2 rolling mauls now.

Leinster seem to rely on speed and agility now, what happened to the Leinster team that could standup physically to the biggest French and English teams.

They still have powerful players like SOB and Heaslip, but the whole team seems to lack some physicality in contact - that's what cost them the 2 games against Clermont.

When the flair doesn't come off and the big ball carriers are stopped, Leinster are very vulnerable this season.

O'Brien looks back to his best.

Come on Exe..

I agree with every word mate, he just doesn't intimidate, he is very dogged and very effective, but if I was Stephen Moore / Nau I would def prefer to see him over Ford or Rees!

When the flair doesn't come off and the big ball carriers are stopped, Everyone is very vulnerable this season.

Think thats what you meant wales?

wales606 wrote:Leinster being monstered in 2 rolling mauls now.

Leinster seem to rely on speed and agility now, what happened to the Leinster team that could standup physically to the biggest French and English teams.

They still have powerful players like SOB and Heaslip, but the whole team seems to lack some physicality in contact - that's what cost them the 2 games against Clermont.

When the flair doesn't come off and the big ball carriers are stopped, Leinster are very vulnerable this season.

Are you serious? They've won 3 penalties and a scrum against the heads in the scrum.

Exeter are certainly giving Leinster a run here. Just keep Leinster under 4 try's please Exeter, Munster need you

thebluesmancometh wrote:When the flair doesn't come off and the big ball carriers are stopped, Everyone is very vulnerable this season.

Think thats what you meant wales?

True, but the Leinster pack seem to be physically outmatched a lot more this season than last. Losing Thorn and before that, Hines hasn't helped but there is something else lacking.

thebluesmancometh wrote:I agree with every word mate, he just doesn't intimidate, he is very dogged and very effective, but if I was Stephen Moore / Nau I would def prefer to see him over Ford or Rees!

Why? Best is an excellent scrummager, more solid from touch, excellent in the loose and better at the breakdown. Picking a player because he is intimidating is so stupid. Australia are used to playing Bismarck du Plessis. They are not going to be intimidated by a hooker who can't do his basic job.

thebluesmancometh wrote:I agree with every word mate, he just doesn't intimidate, he is very dogged and very effective, but if I was Stephen Moore / Nau I would def prefer to see him over Ford or Rees!

If you want intimidating, pick Hartley, if you want the best possible player Best is your man.

Lovely Stuff!!!!

I agree that this season they lack a monster lock, Cullen and Toner just don't do it, but I wouldn't say they were outmuscled, I think it's just that they have been massacred by injuries so far this year!

Superb passing from BOD and Sexton

Artful_Dodger wrote:

wales606 wrote:Leinster being monstered in 2 rolling mauls now.

Leinster seem to rely on speed and agility now, what happened to the Leinster team that could standup physically to the biggest French and English teams.

They still have powerful players like SOB and Heaslip, but the whole team seems to lack some physicality in contact - that's what cost them the 2 games against Clermont.

When the flair doesn't come off and the big ball carriers are stopped, Leinster are very vulnerable this season.

Are you serious? They've won 3 penalties and a scrum against the heads in the scrum.

I'm not saying they are getting outmuscled in this match, they are though in certain areas though, but against he BIG French and English teams they won't get the domination they had. Ulster have won a lot this season while playing badly, Leinster have not been as good at doing that.

Beautiful hands for that try.

That was just beautiful from Sexton and BOD

Hartley is as nasty as Best but far softer, he couldn't intimidate his nan!!!

My point is valjester that until recently Ford was standout, and IMHO has the potential to be a far superior player to Best, as does the likes of Hibbard, and possibly Owens. I'm not slating Best but he really is the only prob around who isn't showing a massive flaw to his game, there are more dynamic, more destructive, better defencive and better scrummagers around!

prob the only around, I am not calling him a prob/prop hahaha

Penalty try?