Heineken Cup Semis

[Judge Jules]

Great game.

Barnes favoured Leinster far too much though.

Barnes is a total chameleon of a ref. Some days he's really excellent, others he's dire.

 

[doctor_mac]

I actually thought he reffed really well. the Clermont fans are excellent at baying in a mass expression of outrage, particularly at ruck time, in a way that can often influence the ref into thinking there must be foul play going on, and with such a mindset, will then see it. I've seen loads of refs getting swayed by Clermont's support (if ever there was a 16th man, it is they). Barnes resisted this magnificently. Perhaps Leinster did get the rub of the green here and there, but he impressed me as a bloody strong character.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

I thought he let Leinster get away with murder at the breakdown, at least 2-3 times he should of got his yellow card out.

So then, how do the Ulstermen win the final?

 

[Rosco]

by signing for Leinster in the next week somehow

 

[Jürgen4PM]

It's going to be very hard indeed isn't it?

On the positive side your lineout and scrum looked very dodgy at times on Sunday.

Any injury concerns?

 

[Rosco]

I didn't actually get to see Sundays game so I can't comment on what went wrong or right. But the final will be pretty close i'd imagine.

It'll be interesting to see the lineups but I would expect a slight edge in the front row for Leinster. Ross will chew up Court, the hookers are different but even - Best is tidier, Strauss a better ball carrier both have massive workrates. Healy is the best prop in the game for me but he wont have it easy against Afoa. I dont think theres a massive difference in the back five either. If Heaslip was on form it would tip the balance in Leinsters favour but hes usually outplayed by his opposite number this season.

Pienaar is better than anything we have at nine, Sexton better at 10. Centres and wings - a slight edge to Leinster, with full back a clear advantage for us. Depth wise Leinster have a significant advantage.

Ulster should be able to disrupt our line out ball and they'll need to because we can be lethal off clean possession even from set pieces. I think it will be tight, hard fought and filled with drama. Leinster by 5.

 

[doctor_mac]

Anyone see the sneaky c*nt getting Cullen back? And what excuse could you have for missing a Heineken semi?

 

[the count]

Anyone see the sneaky c*nt getting Cullen back? And what excuse could you have for missing a Heineken semi?
quote]

You don't need me to drag the picture of the "blonde" up again do you Doc?

 

[Rosco]

I wish I was joking because I realise how this is going to sound, but it's a brunette this time.

Keep your eye on facebook next week Doc

 

[Jürgen4PM]

You went out for dinner again didn't you?

 

[doctor_mac]

I wish I was joking because I realise how this is going to sound, but it's a brunette this time.

Keep your eye on facebook next week Doc

Intriguing....

 

[Jürgen4PM]

COME ON ULSTER!!

 

[Rosco]

Prediction - Tight, low scoring game.

Worry - Leinster are too beaten up from last week

 

[23carragold]

Anyone got a link?

Stand Up For The Ulster Men.

 

[doctor_mac]

http://www.globalsports1.co.nr/

 

[23carragold]

http://www.globalsports1.co.nr/

Cheers Doc.

 

[doctor_mac]

This one is a bit better:

http://worldkorati.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[doctor_mac]

Hammered. Now I'm going to get (see start of sentence)

 

[Rosco]

I'm almost there Doc, so I'll keep it short.

The score doesn't accurately reflect the game. Mistakes and capitilising on them was the key, Leinster were clinical

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Ulster didn't have any sort of cutting edge today.

BOD has beautiful hands.

 

[the count]

Ulster didn't have any sort of cutting edge today.

BOD has beautiful hands.

gay as fuck

 

[Athens]

Gutted we didn't make more of a go of it. I was the only Ulster supporter in the entire bar. Well there was one other guy who wanted Ulster to win but he was from Wales and now lives in South Africa.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

gay as fuck

There is nothing wrong with appreciating a living legend.

I'm convinced he's got some Welsh blood in him.

 

[Rosco]

I'm almost there Doc, so I'll keep it short.

The score doesn't accurately reflect the game. Mistakes and capitilising on them was the key, Leinster were clinical

2nd try - a poor scrum from Ulster gives Leinster the ball, and we score
3rd try - Jackson did't realise Ferris brought the ball back into the 22, cleared his lines - out on the full. Leinster get a lineout on the 22 and score.
The majority of the other scores came after Terblanche went in the bin.

On the scrum, a few times Best didn't hook the ball cleanly - he didn't on the 2nd try and for some reason Ulster were trying to wheel the scrum as well (in the opposite way to the way you'd normally wheel the scrum, if you watch Court's feet you can see him stepping sideways to bring the scrum around). Missing the hook is rare enough at the top level and it usually happens because the hooker can't see the ball or can't get his body into position correctly. And it looked like one or both was happening to him because Ross was managing to split the bind between Best and Court and realy exert pressure on Best.