On Friday night, Ulster went about their task with sheer dominance and
efficiency, and tactically Neil Doak got it spot on – the result? A third
consecutive play-off appearance and the condemnation of Leinster to their first
season without knockout rugby in May. For Ulster to defeat their “bogey” team
with such ease and with such a professional performance marks what a change has
occurred this season and how the tables have turned.
Barring the first eight minutes, which are astounding given how the
remaining 72 panned out, Ulster did exactly what they had to do to a tired team
who only had five days to prepare for this game – keep the ball and make them
run. Iain Henderson, who was monumental in his better position of blindside
flanker, battered their forwards black and blue with some brutal charges into
the defensive line before the backs took to work at carving through the
inevitable holes that appeared.
Indeed, I could make a separate blog on praising each individual
player because everyone stood up and played their part in one of Ulster’s most
complete performances of the season so far. Even tired, Leinster were always
going to pose a considerable threat, so to shut them down and beat them by 16
points is no mean feat, none at all. It is a credit for all those in a white
shirt that they made a tricky task look surprisingly comfortable.
Still, the best moment of the match had to be that last stand at the
end.
The game was won. Leinster, had they scored, weren’t even getting a
losing bonus point out of the affair. There was a case for just stepping aside
and allowing our visitors a final score to at least preserve some of their
dignity before bowing out of domestic affairs and to save our own bodies before
we take on Munster in two weeks’ time.
Ulster says no.
In a very similar scenario to that of the infamous win at the RDS in
March 2013, fourteen-man Ulster somehow managed to repel wave after wave after
wave of blue shirts metres from the line, and as time went on not only was the
home defence stopping the drives, it was knocking them backwards too. On the
face of it, that defence meant nothing. Mentally, it is an immense boost for
Ulster – it was astounding.
In a way, that defence summed up the two sides’ seasons. Ulster were
strong enough to keep out their opponents even with their backs against the
wall. Leinster had no answer and in the end, when you watch it back, they were
never even that close to scoring.
Ulster can now go ahead with confidence. They are in the play-offs,
that much is guaranteed, but now the aim will most assuredly be to bring that
semi-final back to the Kingspan Stadium to give them the best chance of
reaching the league showpiece at the same venue on Saturday 30th
May. And based on current form, you’d be a brave man to bet against the
Ulstermen having to travel for their semi – seven wins from their last eight
games is a remarkable run, and one that no side in the league can match or
better.
Friday’s performance will simply have furthered this team’s belief
that nothing can stand in between them and their first Pro12 title since the
play-off system was introduced. A home win over Munster would ensure a 100%
record at the Kingspan (an achievement in itself) before a likely
winner-takes-all clash against Glasgow at Scotstoun on the final day of the
regular season. What a game that will be as the two form sides in the league
lock horns.
With a squad filled to the brim with both talent and confidence,
Ulster have the mettle to go all the way. We now have a top quality squad that
is nearly at full strength, is on song, and ready to finally finish off this
season with four straight wins that would take us to the title. Munster will
not be looking forward to their visit north, and Glasgow will be looking
nervously over their shoulder too.
As for Leinster, they go back to the drawing board ahead of next
season with issues to sort out that leaves them with no part to play in the
Pro12 play-offs. They will come back fighting, what with Jonathan Sexton and
Isa Nacewa returning to the fold, and next season they will be a force to be
reckoned with once more. But on Friday night they were thoroughly bested by a
side with more hunger, more potency and a desire for honours they’re long
overdue.
Ulster are on the charge.
No comments:
Post a Comment