Leinster vs Exeter Sat 16-12-17@3.15PM - BT Sport

[Laighin Break]

Saw an interview with Baxter after the game and he really is very impressive. ...

Agree wholeheartedy. Compared to Baxter's interview MO'C's whinging over Munster/Conway does him no credit at all. Matt's media appearances as Leinster coach turned me against him. I remember during his first season in charge, when Connacht gave us a good run in the RDS before Xmas and he moaned about Lam's team's negative tactics, instead of giving them a bit of credit. But maybe it's just me. Darce in the IT was singing MO'C's praise, claiming his press conference in Thomond to be a masterpiece in agenda setting, distracting from Leicester's failings on the pitch and "taking one for the team". Does anybody believe this bolloxology? Is this what we are to be reduced to? Eddie Jones' type sledging before, during and after every match? Perhaps eventually pitchside scuffles between rival coaches and their staff? Please God, don't let this happen!!!! Someone send Matt O'Connor off to a communications course with Terry Prone, while the RFU tell Jones to put a sock in it!!!

I originally thought Matt was being a whinger etc, but then could see Darce's point when I read him yesterday. However if that was the case, Matt should have just left it at that - attention deflected now move on to next week.
But he's still going on about it, which brings me back to the belief that he's just a whinger.

[mildlyinterested]

Saw an interview with Baxter after the game and he really is very impressive. ...

Agree wholeheartedy. Compared to Baxter's interview MO'C's whinging over Munster/Conway does him no credit at all. Matt's media appearances as Leinster coach turned me against him. I remember during his first season in charge, when Connacht gave us a good run in the RDS before Xmas and he moaned about Lam's team's negative tactics, instead of giving them a bit of credit. But maybe it's just me. Darce in the IT was singing MO'C's praise, claiming his press conference in Thomond to be a masterpiece in agenda setting, distracting from Leicester's failings on the pitch and "taking one for the team". Does anybody believe this bolloxology? Is this what we are to be reduced to? Eddie Jones' type sledging before, during and after every match? Perhaps eventually pitchside scuffles between rival coaches and their staff? Please God, don't let this happen!!!! Someone send Matt O'Connor off to a communications course with Terry Prone, while the RFU tell Jones to put a sock in it!!!

I originally thought Matt was being a whinger etc, but then could see Darce's point when I read him yesterday. However if that was the case, Matt should have just left it at that - attention deflected now move on to next week.
But he's still going on about it, which brings me back to the belief that he's just a whinger.

He is a whinger, have people forgot to whinging he did about leinster squad not being good enough and not being allowed to sign more NIQ's.

[wixfjord]

Aye I thought it unlikely Lowe would come in. Only reason he's in the squad is because of Ruddock's injury imo.

[riocard911]

He's a serial whinger - see my original reference to his moaning that time in the RDS about Connacht's successful defensive tactics being negative rugby.

[jimbobjoe]

Don't forget his whinging about IRFU player management

[desperado]

does Des Berry read this forum or contribute? https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 08525.html

[mildlyinterested]

does Des Berry read this forum or contribute? https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 08525.html

wouldn't be hard for Des to make the same conclusions tbf.

good to see he says no concerns about Fardy.

[Peg Leg]

And FMcF has a 0% rate for the season from 0 attempts.
I'd definitely rather have RB kicking

Strictly, dividing by 0 is impossible, even if the numerator is 0.

I guess McFadden's success rate is undetermined this season so

Id say its definitive! You could make the case that he hasn't missed a single kick in all of his 7 appearances this season.

[Oldschool]

Saw an interview with Baxter after the game and he really is very impressive. ...

Agree wholeheartedy. Compared to Baxter's interview MO'C's whinging over Munster/Conway does him no credit at all. Matt's media appearances as Leinster coach turned me against him. I remember during his first season in charge, when Connacht gave us a good run in the RDS before Xmas and he moaned about Lam's team's negative tactics, instead of giving them a bit of credit. But maybe it's just me. Darce in the IT was singing MO'C's praise, claiming his press conference in Thomond to be a masterpiece in agenda setting, distracting from Leicester's failings on the pitch and "taking one for the team". Does anybody believe this bolloxology? Is this what we are to be reduced to? Eddie Jones' type sledging before, during and after every match? Perhaps eventually pitchside scuffles between rival coaches and their staff? Please God, don't let this happen!!!! Someone send Matt O'Connor off to a communications course with Terry Prone, while the RFU tell Jones to put a sock in it!!!

TBF to Matt most Aussies are like them.
They rarely praise the opposition, it's always down something they themselves did or didn't do.
I think it's a sports phycology thing - don't build the opposition up.
As for Terry Prone wouldn't be impressed tbh. We don't need her kind of approach to communications.

[Oldschool]

Saw an interview with Baxter after the game and he really is very impressive. ...

Someone send Matt O'Connor off to a communications course with Terry Prone, while the RFU tell Jones to put a sock in it!!!

A fate worse than death.

That's a better description.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I can see Darce's point about MOC's mind games but I've seen far more comments about how sh!t Leicester were and to zero in on the Conway thing just makes him look like a complete idiot. I know he gave out about refereeing decisions and that would be fair enough in terms of distractions and agenda setting, but it's been lost in the stupidity of the other stuff.

Speaking of agenda setting, I would hope that we try and do something about Exeter being offside this week. If we get in the ref's ear about it and they come out firing but are scuppered by a couple of penalties against them for being too eager then that could really deflate them.

[Oldschool]

Id say its definitive! You could make the case that he hasn't missed a single kick in all of his 7 appearances this season.

I think you just did.

[desperado]

I can see Darce's point about MOC's mind games but I've seen far more comments about how sh!t Leicester were and to zero in on the Conway thing just makes him look like a complete idiot. I know he gave out about refereeing decisions and that would be fair enough in terms of distractions and agenda setting, but it's been lost in the stupidity of the other stuff.

Speaking of agenda setting, I would hope that we try and do something about Exeter being offside this week. If we get in the ref's ear about it and they come out firing but are scuppered by a couple of penalties against them for being too eager then that could really deflate them.

They were continually; was at the game (East Central terrace) and it was so obvious on numerous occasions. Although you can't know what passed between Poite and his touchies, my perception was they weren't too forthcoming with 'helping him out'.

[Oldschool]

Oh yeah me too. My stats were to highlight Byrnes very impressive kicking so far this season. He will push that to 80% as his confidence improves.

75% is a damn impressive record for a young kicker. Everyone compliments Cooney on his ability but he'es only 69% off the tee this year

You've, quite rightly imho, explained why Byrne's 75% is so low.
That's only being fair to a player who has improved most aspects of his game this season and is still improving.
(TBH, better than I personally expected)
However that success rate is not at the level (yet) that a team needs in tight games.
Cooney's success with kicks is neither here nor there.
It's not what he's in the team for
Why he's Ulster's first choice kicker, I've no idea but I'm sure some of our northern brethren would have the inside story.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

They were continually; was at the game (East Central terrace) and it was so obvious on numerous occasions. Although you can't know what passed between Poite and his touchies, my perception was they weren't too forthcoming with 'helping him out'.

Ringrose and Johnny were definitely giving out about it to the TJ at one stage in the first half but it didn't change anything.

[arsebiscuits1]

They were continually; was at the game (East Central terrace) and it was so obvious on numerous occasions. Although you can't know what passed between Poite and his touchies, my perception was they weren't too forthcoming with 'helping him out'.

Ringrose and Johnny were definitely giving out about it to the TJ at one stage in the first half but it didn't change anything.

It was complete madness, I get that a rush D is going to push the limit, Ireland under Farrell do it a lot. But there wasn't a single offside call made the entire game! Even in a game where both sides have a passive defense, there is always one or 2 calls.

But Exeter shot up early easily more than 15 times and it was never called. It got to the stage they knew it wasn't going to get called and started taking the complete piss with it, and the officials let it go every single time

[cormac]

I can see Darce's point about MOC's mind games but I've seen far more comments about how sh!t Leicester were and to zero in on the Conway thing just makes him look like a complete idiot. I know he gave out about refereeing decisions and that would be fair enough in terms of distractions and agenda setting, but it's been lost in the stupidity of the other stuff.

Speaking of agenda setting, I would hope that we try and do something about Exeter being offside this week. If we get in the ref's ear about it and they come out firing but are scuppered by a couple of penalties against them for being too eager then that could really deflate them.

They were continually; was at the game (East Central terrace) and it was so obvious on numerous occasions. Although you can't know what passed between Poite and his touchies, my perception was they weren't too forthcoming with 'helping him out'.

Their offside was at its most blatant during the scrums that led to the yellow card.

[Laighin Break]

They were continually; was at the game (East Central terrace) and it was so obvious on numerous occasions. Although you can't know what passed between Poite and his touchies, my perception was they weren't too forthcoming with 'helping him out'.

Ringrose and Johnny were definitely giving out about it to the TJ at one stage in the first half but it didn't change anything.

It was complete madness, I get that a rush D is going to push the limit, Ireland under Farrell do it a lot. But there wasn't a single offside call made the entire game! Even in a game where both sides have a passive defense, there is always one or 2 calls.

But Exeter shot up early easily more than 15 times and it was never called. It got to the stage they knew it wasn't going to get called and started taking the complete piss with it, and the officials let it go every single time

At least this weekend, having 30K fans shouting "OFFSIDE" when it happens, will probably influence the ref and touchjudges to at least keep an eye on it.

[curates_egg]

Could any kind Mod update the title to the usual format: with time and channels? So helpful to have on here...particularly when the Ultimate Rugby app has crashed.

[offshorerules]

From a quick check online it appears this match is not being televised. Is that correct can anyone tell me?