Pro 12 Semi-final vs Scarlets

[joooooe]

Gordon D'Arcy once again produces a much more interesting article than anything else written so far, IMO.
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/g ... -1.3093907

Atrociously written article, especially at the outset, but I think he's right (and echoing DC here) that some of these players need to learn to win when things aren't going their way.

It is one of the most badly-written articles I've seen in a while. Irish Times need to run these by a sub-editor before throwing them online.

[matt]

I don't think its a matter of blaming coaches or blaming players - its not a binary thing. Certainly the coaching team need to review what they are doing, this is the second year running where the team has been sent out for the final, knockout, game of the season with the wrong tactical approach - an approach that did not change in line with the changing circumstances.

Whether the approach was right or wrong, the players certainly didn't come close to executing it, making error after error. They also didn't 'think on their feet' and react themselves to changing vista in front of them.

A lot of praise has gone to Leo and Stuart this season - much of it deserved - but if you're going to take the plaudits when things are going well, then you also have to take the brickbats when things go wrong.

On the other hand, we keep hearing about how this is a 'player-led group' and how they have taken leadership and responsibility for the club - so when the team finishes the season looking directionless and devoid of leadership, well they can take some of those brickbats too.

Good post.

Leo & Stuart have done a great job overall this season & injected new enthusiasm & energy but defensively we still look vulnerable & the 3 Scarlet trys conceded are horror stories particularly the first 2 with AB & then JC needing to stay wide & trust inside defence for first & questions why Shingler can run centrally from nearly halfway swop a pass & nobody lays a hand on him (JGP worst tackle attempt I have seen in last 50 years).

Injuries may have affected things and in another game we would have scored in 69th min and gone 22-21 up but even if we did in a team that prides itself on attacking in an unstructured manner we still can't pick & drive when needed (James Ryan & Scott Fardy important next season) or throw straight into a lineout no matter who is hooker & defensively we have a lot to learn. The loss of the 2 McGrath's, Cronin missing as last man out to provide another attacking threat & even defensively to keep our width, Seanie and/or Jamie to enforce our gameplan on the pitch, Dev not deemed fit to start, Robbie good but maybe not 100% and at his rampaging best and Jonnie either injured or rattled just shovelling poor ball to centres & kicking poorly were all factors.

I do have a worry that our Lions in particular may end up injured for at least part of next season but we do have a conveyor belt of talent but to lose somebody like Furlong to injury would be a massive blow for the team even if Bent has emerged in last year as an excellent replacement. If Porter not yet ready need another no 3 for a season.

Very disappointing but still overall a lot of progress. Have a good summer everyone & hope to be back in optimistic mood in September.

[simonokeeffe]

Steff Evans has had his red card rescinded, disciplinary committee said it was Samson Lee's fault, seriously

[jimbobjoe]

Steff Evans has had his red card rescinded, disciplinary committee said it was Samson Lee's fault, seriously

Comedy from the disciplinary committee. If it was Lee's fault why isn't he banned then?

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Steff Evans has had his red card rescinded, disciplinary committee said it was Samson Lee's fault, seriously

Complete joke. Evans very clearly flips him at one point. Don't think it was bad enough to warrant much of a ban, but a definite red for him.

[Raydollard]

I wonder what the good Dean would have made of the shenanigans of that worthless Disciplinary Committee? Since there is no penalty for such a serious example of foul play, other than being dismissed in the original match, then the lesson is keep being reckless. One of these days someone will get seriously hurt and rugby wil pay the cost.

[simonokeeffe]

Steff Evans has had his red card rescinded, disciplinary committee said it was Samson Lee's fault, seriously

Comedy from the disciplinary committee. If it was Lee's fault why isn't he banned then?

They said Lee getting in the way/being knocked into/his efforts to assist the tackle but its like they were looking for reasons not to ban him

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Sets a very dangerous precedent too.

[Dave Cahill]

Ain't that a kick in the head

[simonokeeffe]

Sets a very dangerous precedent too.

Yeah goes against the rules which specify the onus is on the tackler to bring the player to the ground safely

[fourthirtythree]

Sets a very dangerous precedent too.

Yeah goes against the rules which specify the onus is on the tackler to bring the player to the ground safely

Which was what Bary Daly's red card against Scarlet's was for. Why didn't we get that overturned?

Ludicrous and dangerous decision. Very disappointing, it was a clear and uncontroversial red.

[Morf]

It's on result not intention.

The only upshot should have been if Samson Lee cited too - not his actions as a mitigating factor for Evans.

[FLIP]

Referees and disciplinary panels in being objectively wrong and biased non shocker.

What will also be a non shocker will be the mealy mouthed articles about it in the Irish rugby media. Can't upset the gravy train now can we?

[ronk]

Funny thing is that if they had said no ban because of the mitigating circumstances of the double tackle I'd have been happy with that even though the result is the same.

But this is a seriously wrong application of the law, it's saying that referees cannot sanction non-individual acts of wrongdoing and that the match day officials made a mistake.

Scarlet's have officially been the victim of a refereeing mistake that could have wrecked their season, but this is patently untrue.

[leinsterforever]

Funny thing is that if they had said no ban because of the mitigating circumstances of the double tackle I'd have been happy with that even though the result is the same.

But this is a seriously wrong application of the law, it's saying that referees cannot sanction non-individual acts of wrongdoing and that the match day officials made a mistake.

Scarlet's have officially been the victim of a refereeing mistake that could have wrecked their season, but this is patently untrue.

Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu spring to mind...

[the spoofer]

So now its ok for a player to lift a player and then get his team mate to pull him over and drop him on his head.

Glad that has been cleared up. We will need to incorporate this into our coaching.

[the spoofer]

I re watched bits of the game. Jesus but was our defence dumb.

Adam Byrne has rightly been highlighted for his defence of the first try but Ruddock was awful for the second.

[EarthGorilla]

Heard a few rumours about quite a few players going on the lash on the weekend off and Lancaster running the arse off them as punishment earlier in the week. I heard that from someone who knows quite a few of the players but obviously it is only a rumour and to be taken with a pinch of salt.

If it were true it's a sad lesson for the younger players to have to learn.

[neiliog93]

So stupid if that's true. They're paid well, they're living a life thousands of young guys dream of but aren't good enough, and they go out on the bin shortly before a big semi-final. Would add a (small) amount of credence to Franno's claims about living the high life.

[simonokeeffe]

So stupid if that's true. They're paid well, they're living a life thousands of young guys dream of but aren't good enough, and they go out on the bin shortly before a big semi-final. Would add a (small) amount of credence to Franno's claims about living the high life.

Lets not go that far