The post game comments of Connacht Rugby head coach Andy Friend summed up the performance from the hosts; they huffed and puffed but they never looked like blowing the Leinster Rugby down.
Andy Friend
“We tried a lot mate. We tried to go through them, we tried to go around them, we tried to sneak around rucks and go short side, but they seemed to have an answer for everything. Our kicking game last weekend was very good. Sometimes you have to understand when you’re getting beaten on defense when to turn them. That’s something we’ll talk with our game leaders about. We never stopped trying, but we’ve got to be smarter.”
A game that Leinster Rugby fielded their strongest team possible given the need to manage players ahead of the derby clash to Munster Rugby and European Cup action (six day turnaround) was a resounding success for Cullen and Lancaster. The side absorbed all that Connacht Rugby could throw in the opening period before then working the scoreboard with an emphatic second half display.
It was an arm wrestle in the opening period which spelled bad news for the hosts. Leinster Rugby were patient with ball in hand and forced Connacht Rugby to concede penalties; fifteen penalties during the eighty minutes is more evidence for Andy Friend and management that discipline is an issue in the side (without referring to the red card in the final quarter).
Sexton and Leinster Rugby’s ability to change tact was seen in the second quarter; took points instead of persisting with looking to score a try from the maul (that came after). The side have exceptional composure to survey the game conditions and make the right call. Sexton tacked on two penalties to cancel out Jack Carty’s opening period penalty to provide Leinster Rugby with the platform to build on in the second half.
Leinster Rugby snuffed out Connacht Rugby out as an attacking unit in the second half. Connacht Rugby looked to change the point of attack but were met with a Leinster Rugby welcoming committee starting with Josh van der Flier who was inspired again. Twenty-three tackles again for the back row and the Irish international is back in the groove quickly from his knee layoff.
Josh van der Flier was ably assisted in the tackle count by Scott Fardy (19). Jack Conan (17) and Devin Toner (14). The pack battle after a 50/50 opening period suddenly went Leinster Rugby’s favor as the maul worked a treat for Sean Cronin to crash over to secure the game win after Garry Ringrose swift foot work left Connacht Rugby defensive unit stone cold to score the opening try within a minute of the restart.
The second half saw Leinster Rugby play with authority and dominance. The ball carries of Lowe (102), Kearney (95) Larmour (78) meters gained was in comparison to O’Halloran (18). Adelokyun (15) and Farrell (54). Leinster Rugby negated the threat of Aki reducing the Irish center to only 20 meters gained on fifteen carries. Leinster’s fast defensive line was too much for Connacht Rugby on the day.
The red card for Connacht Rugby was a sour note to proceedings. The Robertson McCoy incident will be punished to the maximum by the league disciplinary committee and I think Connacht Rugby need to look at their prop squad depth options other than the substitute. The game was over as a contest but the actions exposed massive temperament issues from the player. Can Friend trust the player going forward? It is on shaky ground.
Connacht Rugby have had a massive home game stand. 1/3 games won was unfortunate but the home stand has yielded positives and negatives. The positives have being the competitiveness of the side in all three games and good passing play. The lack of restart assurance and high penalty count will need to be worked on but Leinster Rugby are at a different level to anyone else.
No disgrace to lose to Leinster Rugby. Friend and Connacht have seen what makes Leinster Rugby tick and the Western province now know the work that lies ahead to get to this level.
For Leinster Rugby, it has being a satisfying round five performance. Despite the media buildup, Leinster Rugby wanted to prove a point at the Sportsground. A strong lineup and strong second half performance with Sean O’Brien getting invaluable game minutes is what is required heading into Europe.
Team selection next weekend against Munster Rugby will be interesting but the squad are playing well and with a vulnerable Munster Rugby seen so far on the road, it is hard to argue that Leinster Rugby will not come out victorious in the Aviva Stadium next weekend.