Heineken Semi Finals

[fourthirtythree]

Toulon butchered a couple of very good chances in the first half for us. They should have been well ahead and instead we were in it until the second half.

I agree that the tired, lazy, circle jerk narrative is just that though.

[Flash Gordon]

Around this time of year usually delivers some favourite headlines

Leinster lose 29 - 14 in fortress Mayol

One article of note in national papers: "Champions Toulon too strong for sloppy Leinster"

Munster lose 24 - 16 in a neutral venue to a decidedly more edgy and less accurate looking Toulon who butchered a couple of tries but took all their chances against Leinster...

"Courageous Munster pay ultimate price for error-prone performance" (Munster were courageous but error prone, Leinster were sloppy)
"Toulon end battling Munster's Heineken Cup dreams"
"Munster’s bravery not enough as Toulon march on"
"Toulon march on after Munster’s brave effort comes up short"

Also, someone needs to buy these guys a Thesaurus.

Wouldn't take issue with any of those headlines to be honest, think they're a fair reflection of reality!

[enby]

Around this time of year usually delivers some favourite headlines

Leinster lose 29 - 14 in fortress Mayol

One article of note in national papers: "Champions Toulon too strong for sloppy Leinster"

Munster lose 24 - 16 in a neutral venue to a decidedly more edgy and less accurate looking Toulon who butchered a couple of tries but took all their chances against Leinster...

"Courageous Munster pay ultimate price for error-prone performance" (Munster were courageous but error prone, Leinster were sloppy)
"Toulon end battling Munster's Heineken Cup dreams"
"Munster’s bravery not enough as Toulon march on"
"Toulon march on after Munster’s brave effort comes up short"





.

Truth is they got a lot closer to them than we did. Mightn't be a pleasant truth but there you have it

[The Doc]

Around this time of year usually delivers some favourite headlines

Leinster lose 29 - 14 in fortress Mayol

One article of note in national papers: "Champions Toulon too strong for sloppy Leinster"

Munster lose 24 - 16 in a neutral venue to a decidedly more edgy and less accurate looking Toulon who butchered a couple of tries but took all their chances against Leinster...

"Courageous Munster pay ultimate price for error-prone performance" (Munster were courageous but error prone, Leinster were sloppy)
"Toulon end battling Munster's Heineken Cup dreams"
"Munster’s bravery not enough as Toulon march on"
"Toulon march on after Munster’s brave effort comes up short"

Reality is that Munster were still within a score with a couple of mins to go and pushing hard in last 10 - maybe should have taken the 3 points with 10 to go - result slightly skewed by last minute penalty.

Leinster game was done pretty much with 15 / 20 to go. Scoreline flattered us if anything.

[Hornet]

Around this time of year usually delivers some favourite headlines

Leinster lose 29 - 14 in fortress Mayol

One article of note in national papers: "Champions Toulon too strong for sloppy Leinster"

Munster lose 24 - 16 in a neutral venue to a decidedly more edgy and less accurate looking Toulon who butchered a couple of tries but took all their chances against Leinster...

"Courageous Munster pay ultimate price for error-prone performance" (Munster were courageous but error prone, Leinster were sloppy)
"Toulon end battling Munster's Heineken Cup dreams"
"Munster’s bravery not enough as Toulon march on"
"Toulon march on after Munster’s brave effort comes up short"

Reality is that Munster were still within a score with a couple of mins to go and pushing hard in last 10 - maybe should have taken the 3 points with 10 to go - result slightly skewed by last minute penalty.

Leinster game was done pretty much with 15 / 20 to go. Scoreline flattered us if anything.

Doesn't concern me what the press said. Munster lost. End of.

[Peg Leg]

Around this time of year usually delivers some favourite headlines

Leinster lose 29 - 14 in fortress Mayol

One article of note in national papers: "Champions Toulon too strong for sloppy Leinster"

Munster lose 24 - 16 in a neutral venue to a decidedly more edgy and less accurate looking Toulon who butchered a couple of tries but took all their chances against Leinster...

"Courageous Munster pay ultimate price for error-prone performance" (Munster were courageous but error prone, Leinster were sloppy)
"Toulon end battling Munster's Heineken Cup dreams"
"Munster’s bravery not enough as Toulon march on"
"Toulon march on after Munster’s brave effort comes up short"

Reality is that Munster were still within a score with a couple of mins to go and pushing hard in last 10 - maybe should have taken the 3 points with 10 to go - result slightly skewed by last minute penalty.

Leinster game was done pretty much with 15 / 20 to go. Scoreline flattered us if anything.

"Ladyboy's Left Flattered by Mercenary Advances"

[Peg Leg]

Around this time of year usually delivers some favourite headlines

Leinster lose 29 - 14 in fortress Mayol

One article of note in national papers: "Champions Toulon too strong for sloppy Leinster"

Munster lose 24 - 16 in a neutral venue to a decidedly more edgy and less accurate looking Toulon who butchered a couple of tries but took all their chances against Leinster...

"Courageous Munster pay ultimate price for error-prone performance" (Munster were courageous but error prone, Leinster were sloppy)
"Toulon end battling Munster's Heineken Cup dreams"
"Munster’s bravery not enough as Toulon march on"
"Toulon march on after Munster’s brave effort comes up short"

Reality is that Munster were still within a score with a couple of mins to go and pushing hard in last 10 - maybe should have taken the 3 points with 10 to go - result slightly skewed by last minute penalty.

Leinster game was done pretty much with 15 / 20 to go. Scoreline flattered us if anything.

Doesn't concern me what the press said. Munster lost. End of.

"One-Eyed Fans Revel in Neighbours Defeat"

[suisse]

I agree with everyone posting here in response to Jackass, especially 433. We could have been out of the tie after 15 mins and were after an hour but Munster were within a penalty with a few mins to go.

I still haven't seen Murphy's try. The game was on too late for me and I switched off Mitchell's tie ender. Tried to watch highlights but gave up.

I also wouldn't worry about the media. Munster fans last night claiming bias on the part of the SKY but SKY were probably their biggest fans for a decade. Don't get too hyped up Jackass. Just enjoy whatever they say and laugh about it.

[Peg Leg]

I agree with everyone posting here in response to Jackass, especially 433. We could have been out of the tie after 15 mins and were after an hour but Munster were within a penalty with a few mins to go.

I still haven't seen Murphy's try. The game was on too late for me and I switched off Mitchell's tie ender. Tried to watch highlights but gave up.

I also wouldn't worry about the media. Munster fans last night claiming bias on the part of the SKY but SKY were probably their biggest fans for a decade. Don't get too hyped up Jackass. Just enjoy whatever they say and laugh about it.

"Drunken Irish Expat Slams Counterpart with Reason, Balance and Logic"

I could do this all day!!

[suisse]

I agree with everyone posting here in response to Jackass, especially 433. We could have been out of the tie after 15 mins and were after an hour but Munster were within a penalty with a few mins to go.

I still haven't seen Murphy's try. The game was on too late for me and I switched off Mitchell's tie ender. Tried to watch highlights but gave up.

I also wouldn't worry about the media. Munster fans last night claiming bias on the part of the SKY but SKY were probably their biggest fans for a decade. Don't get too hyped up Jackass. Just enjoy whatever they say and laugh about it.

"Drunken Irish Expat Slams Counterpart with Reason, Balance and Logic"

I could do this all day!!

But you have to add a really sh!t pun, or it won't make the Irish newspapers.

"Peg has no leg to stand on in headline writing claim"

[johng]

Some Leinster fans and Some Munster fans could read the same article in the paper and both sets would claim it was "outrageously biased" against them.

It's called looking to be offended.

Waste of energy imho.

Like the way there is always some kn0b at every game screaming at the Ref the whole way through about their own side and how hard done by they are.

Ironic thing is many of them accuse the ref of bias.

[Peg Leg]

I'm trying to lead by example here Suisse!

[Donny B.]

Borthwick on BBC Radio 4 news this morning at 7.30. Usual guff on tough task ahead in final, etc. Then the interviewer asks for his view for the reason for the relatively poor attendance at their Semi. His reply is a beauty of 'on message' Wray briefing. Paraphrase here 'Can't say really why the attendance was poor; but this was an ERC controlled match. When we (Saracens) had control over the matches in Wembley, we filled the stadium, etc...'

Breathless at the cheek. Ye can fill a ground with €5 tickets when your are prepared to throw away your own money- but when you are participating as part of the major revenue raising of the shared competition and you fail to take advantage- at least have the grace to admit your discomfort. The Semis are a major part of the revenue raising base of the competitions. Don't try and blame the organisation for your failures- or imply that you could do better. Papering the ground may work in small scale competitions such as the AP or LV Cups- but not in Europe where the rest of us have to dip our bread.

According to this, the RFU opted for Twickers and Saracens agreed with them. The ERC had reservations, the could obviously remember last season but were over-ruled.

http://www.espn.co.uk/heineken-cup-2013 ... 23247.html

[suisse]

I'm trying to lead by example here Suisse!

"Peg Leg facing expulsion after controversially removing Gran Torino signature"

[rooster]

Borthwick on BBC Radio 4 news this morning at 7.30. Usual guff on tough task ahead in final, etc. Then the interviewer asks for his view for the reason for the relatively poor attendance at their Semi. His reply is a beauty of 'on message' Wray briefing. Paraphrase here 'Can't say really why the attendance was poor; but this was an ERC controlled match. When we (Saracens) had control over the matches in Wembley, we filled the stadium, etc...'

Breathless at the cheek. Ye can fill a ground with €5 tickets when your are prepared to throw away your own money- but when you are participating as part of the major revenue raising of the shared competition and you fail to take advantage- at least have the grace to admit your discomfort. The Semis are a major part of the revenue raising base of the competitions. Don't try and blame the organisation for your failures- or imply that you could do better. Papering the ground may work in small scale competitions such as the AP or LV Cups- but not in Europe where the rest of us have to dip our bread.

According to this, the RFU opted for Twickers and Saracens agreed with them. The ERC had reservations, the could obviously remember last season but were over-ruled.

http://www.espn.co.uk/heineken-cup-2013 ... 23247.html

Quite a few of the tickets were sold at £15 and they had tickets on Groupon last week at £10 so the prices were way below the cost of pool matches. Sarries were even offering free food and drink in the West carpark before the match to try and draw a crowd.

[Flash Gordon]

Borthwick on BBC Radio 4 news this morning at 7.30. Usual guff on tough task ahead in final, etc. Then the interviewer asks for his view for the reason for the relatively poor attendance at their Semi. His reply is a beauty of 'on message' Wray briefing. Paraphrase here 'Can't say really why the attendance was poor; but this was an ERC controlled match. When we (Saracens) had control over the matches in Wembley, we filled the stadium, etc...'

Breathless at the cheek. Ye can fill a ground with €5 tickets when your are prepared to throw away your own money- but when you are participating as part of the major revenue raising of the shared competition and you fail to take advantage- at least have the grace to admit your discomfort. The Semis are a major part of the revenue raising base of the competitions. Don't try and blame the organisation for your failures- or imply that you could do better. Papering the ground may work in small scale competitions such as the AP or LV Cups- but not in Europe where the rest of us have to dip our bread.

According to this, the RFU opted for Twickers and Saracens agreed with them. The ERC had reservations, the could obviously remember last season but were over-ruled.

http://www.espn.co.uk/heineken-cup-2013 ... 23247.html

In fairness, Borthwick is a rugby player not the Saracens marketing director. Very disappointing attendance for them though. I wonder if only opening the bottom tier had an impact? I've sat there and the views are dire and fans know they're dire.

[Lar]

In fairness, Borthwick is a rugby player not the Saracens marketing director. Very disappointing attendance for them though. I wonder if only opening the bottom tier had an impact? I've sat there and the views are dire and fans know they're dire.

Bit chicken and egg isn't it. If you aren't going to sell more than 25,000 tickets then there is no point in opening the top tiers.

[simonno6]

In fairness, Borthwick is a rugby player not the Saracens marketing director. Very disappointing attendance for them though. I wonder if only opening the bottom tier had an impact? I've sat there and the views are dire and fans know they're dire.

Bit chicken and egg isn't it. If you aren't going to sell more than 25,000 tickets then there is no point in opening the top tiers.

Close the bottom and open the top!!

[Donny B.]

Borthwick on BBC Radio 4 news this morning at 7.30. Usual guff on tough task ahead in final, etc. Then the interviewer asks for his view for the reason for the relatively poor attendance at their Semi. His reply is a beauty of 'on message' Wray briefing. Paraphrase here 'Can't say really why the attendance was poor; but this was an ERC controlled match. When we (Saracens) had control over the matches in Wembley, we filled the stadium, etc...'

Breathless at the cheek. Ye can fill a ground with €5 tickets when your are prepared to throw away your own money- but when you are participating as part of the major revenue raising of the shared competition and you fail to take advantage- at least have the grace to admit your discomfort. The Semis are a major part of the revenue raising base of the competitions. Don't try and blame the organisation for your failures- or imply that you could do better. Papering the ground may work in small scale competitions such as the AP or LV Cups- but not in Europe where the rest of us have to dip our bread.

According to this, the RFU opted for Twickers and Saracens agreed with them. The ERC had reservations, the could obviously remember last season but were over-ruled.

http://www.espn.co.uk/heineken-cup-2013 ... 23247.html

In fairness, Borthwick is a rugby player not the Saracens marketing director. Very disappointing attendance for them though. I wonder if only opening the bottom tier had an impact? I've sat there and the views are dire and fans know they're dire.

Well I wonder who'll they'll blame when they don't have the ERC to kick around for next season when they still can't attract a crowd.

[Hornet]

http://www.saracens.com/100-refund-for- ... n-tickets/