Showing posts with label LeinsterRugby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LeinsterRugby. Show all posts
Thursday, 19 January 2017
Wednesday, 21 September 2016
It's All About Schmidt
As yet Schmidt and the IRFU have not held discussions about extending the current contract which last until 2016. However as that date gets closer the rugby landscape may have changed little in terms of available jobs following Hansen’s decision. Not to mention Stuart Lancaster’s extended contract until 2020 agreed with the Rugby Football Union last month. Ruling out in principle Schmidt’s chance at the England job. On the other hand it does leave Schmidt available to emulate Graham Henry’s CV and take the British and Irish Lions to his homeland in 2017.
In addition it would offer the current Irish boss the chance to take on his home nation and indeed "interview himself" against Steve Hansen. The man who will remain in situ until the end of the 2017 season and be in charge when the Lions arrive on tour. Albeit Schmidt’s already highly regarded stock has risen further following Ireland’s victories over South Africa and Australia in Dublin last month. It pales in comparison to Hansen's tenure where he has overseen New Zealand win 38 of 42 Tests, with only just two defeats. Also lifting the Rugby Championship for the last three years as well. Making it no surprise New Zealand rugby want the winning continuity.
But like buses the managerial hot seats never come when you want them or feel ready. Nor indeed do they last their tenure if the match defeats start to add up. As the former Leinster coach Michael Cheika could vouch. Not imagining in October he would become the new Wallabies coach so quickly. Almost within days of Ewen McKenzie’s unavoidable resignation after only about a year after his appointment in the wake of the Wallabies defeat to the Lions in July 2013. A series that led to Robbie Deans reign being discontinued and the favourite in waiting McKenzie leaving the ACT Brumbies for the top post.
However events overtook his time with the Wallabies and so Cheika was the next obvious choice following his triumphs at Leinster, Stade Francais and NSW Waratahs.
A haste that is unlikely across the Tasman Sea where transitions have tended to be smoother in recent years for the All Blacks with Sir Graham Henry proving the longest serving coach for a while. Racking up almost seven years in the job. A chance earned after restoring Wales dismal run between 1998 and 2004.
On his arrival to All Blacks Henry finally secured the World Cup in 2011 and recovered a trophy that had eluded the rugby mad since they hosted the inaugural event in 1987. And in the intervening decades had seen John Hart lose his job after the semi-final defeat in Cardiff to France in 2011. A fate that eventually befell his predecessor Laurie Mains some months after the 1995 World Cup final loss in Johannesburg to South Africa. Henry finally righted those wrongs in 2011, after which he stepped down and saw his assistant Hansen step up. Proving a very natural progression.
Something which could not be said about the move by Vern Cotter to Scotland. Perhaps the only route left open to the former Bay of Plenty coach to get international experience in the Northern Hemisphere.
Unfortunately Scotland is a road well-travelled and one that cost Matt Williams his reputation to some degree by the time he finished in 2002. His two years rendering a poor string of results and a reversal of fortune after developing some renowned in Ireland with Leinster, and the Ireland A side. Leaving Williams looking destined for bigger things in either hemisphere. Albeit his two year stint at Ulster was cut short due to family reasons in 2009. But seeing him retreat into the land of Punditry and removed now from frontline coaching with his achievements lost in the ether.
Back in the autumn of 1999 Williams coached the Leinster backs in the European Cup campaign, a prelude to becoming the head coach a year later. He also undertook the role of defensive coach for Ireland in 2001. As the first Australian Super 12 Coach to move to Europe he took Leinster to the inaugural Celtic League Final as well reaching the semi-final of the European Heineken Cup. It remains to be seen whether Cotter can do more from his current Scottish base and build on his hard earned reputation at Clermont.
So far it looks promising so far given that for seventy minutes his team came close to ending the All Blacks streak of wins at Murrayfield. But the balance of statistics show the job has taken its toll on Andy Robinson and Scott Johnson as well. Bad precedent for Cotter who might now settle for an assistant role with Schmidt should he take over from Hansen in a few years time. Reflecting a role reversal as it was Joe who came to work for Cotter at Clermont Auvergne as backs coach in 2007.
On the surface it seems that Schmidt may have fast tracked himself following the move from Cotter when he took up Leinster's offer in 2010. Showing a clear ambition and fearlessness that has manifested itself in the achievements of Leinster during his time. A role that had just been vacated by Michael Cheika a coach who had brought Leinster the Holy Grail in 2009 with their Heineken Cup win. Breaking the stranglehold of Munster along the way, with the help of Rocky Elsom and a young Mr Sexton.
Into such a cauldron stepped Schmidt, who then went on to add two more Heineken Cups and a string of other titles. Proving his metal beyond doubt.
Amidst all these musical chairs there is one Kiwi who appears forgotten who only twelve months ago was a shoe in after the tour to Australia finally reversed the Lions continuous losing record down under. Warren Gatland becoming the coach to finally end that sixteen year drought and revive the Lions brand to former glories. And more importantly, its commercial strength with the 2-1 test win. The final test a devastating display of the Northern Hemisphere’s raw power, burgeoning talent and sheer skill. Done also against a negative backdrop after Gatland omitted the 2009 Lions captain, Brian O’Driscoll, from the final test.
Having retained his post with Wales throughout that two year Lions campaign Gatland was very much viewed as the odds on favourite to take the Lions to his home nation in 2017. In fact confirming his interest and availability very publicly after the triumph in Sydney. But as former Ireland coaches Eddie O’Sullivan and Declan Kidney now know rugby is a results business and allows for no slippage or sentimentality whatsoever.
O’Sullivan very tarnished following Ireland’s disastrous 2007 World Cup in France. Not unlike Gatland in the previous tournament in 20013, With Declan Kidney seeing his star fade within twelve months of winning a Grand Slam and eventually losing the confidence of the IRFU in 2013.
It was Kidney who replaced Gatland as Irish coach in 2009 and immediately secured a Grand Slam at the Millennium Stadium in 2009. Deservedly earning himself the IRB Coach of the Year honour in doing so. Then two years later Ireland reached the quarter finals of the rugby world cup only to be defeated 22–10 by Wales – a side coached by Warren Gatland. But Kidney’s fortunes declined further when Ireland fell to their worst IRB World Ranking of 9th by which time they had finished 5th in the 2013 Six Nations Championship. After which Kidney's contract was ended and all those heroics leading Munster to Heineken Cup trophies truly forgotten.
But Kidney was the last domestic coach at Munster until Anthony Foley was given the job this season. The vacancy unexpectedly arising when Kiwi Rob Penney opted not stay for the remaining third year of his contract and headed off to Japan. Not unlike his predecessor Tony McGahan, who in leaving Munster left without any real continuity plan on the coaching front. Losing as well that imaginative and creative spirit from the southern hemisphere that helped make them almost invincible at Thomond Park.
Something Foley has been unable to replicate as yet and now fighting for their sporting lives in the new Championship this season. Fortunate to see an Ian Keatley penalty earn a losing bonus point in the 26-19 defeat at the Stade Marcel Michelin last weekend. Leaving Foley's side with an uphill task to progress to the last eight with matches to come away to Saracens and then home to Sale. Lying now in third position in pool one, four points adrift of Clermont and three behind Saracens. But as captain Peter O'Mahony said after wards the losing bonus point will give the side renewed hope.
"We've got to fight for our lives," he said. "We have two huge games in the New Year and all we can do is fight for our lives."
In fairness Foley put his hand up and took the Munster job before he perhaps would have wanted in ideal circumstances. But like buses the job might never come when you want it. So you have to jump when it arrives – even unexpectedly - and enjoy the trip.
It seems to have worked very for Joe Schmidt - so far.
© OSMedia - All Rights reserved
© OSMedia - All Rights reserved
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
Saturday, 2 April 2016
Leinster v Munster - Preview
Jonathan Sexton returns in one of nine Leinster changes for the Pro12 derby against Munster.
Zane Kirchner, Dave Kearney, Eoin Reddan, Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Devin Toner, Jordi Murphy and Jamie Heaslip also come in for the hosts.
Second-placed Leinster are seven points clear of Irish rivals Munster, who make five changes.
Conor Murray, Francis Saili and Andrew Conway return, along with James Cronin and CJ Stander, who is named captain.
Murray partners Johnny Holland at half-back, with Saili overcoming a bang to the shoulder to resume his midfield partnership with Rory Scannell.
As a result, Keith Earls makes a positional switch to the wing and joins Conway and full-back Simon Zebo in the back three.
Munster are boosted by the return of Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray for the Aviva Stadium derby
Munster have Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray back for the Aviva Stadium derby
Cronin will start alongside Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer in the front row, with Stander coming in to join Dave O'Callaghan and Tommy O'Donnell in the back row.
With Kirchner returning at full-back, Leinster captain Isa Nacewa moves to the right wing with Kearney also back in the equation on the left wing.
There are two new half backs in Reddan and Sexton - back in the Leinster side for the first time since the defeat by Wasps in January - while five changes in the pack include two in the front row, with McGrath and Cronin starting alongside Tadhg Furlong.
Toner returns to partner Hayden Triggs in the second row, while in the back row Rhys Ruddock is again selected - but moves from number eight to blindside flanker.
Murphy comes in at open-side while Heaslip completes the pack at number eight.
Leinster
Zane Kirchner; Isa Nacewa (capt), Garry Ringrose, Ben Te'o, Dave Kearney; Johnny Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Hayden Triggs, Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Cian Healy, Mike Ross, Ross Molony, Josh van der Flier, Luke McGrath, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden.
Munster
Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Johnny Holland, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Donnacha Ryan, Billy Holland; Dave O'Callaghan, Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander (capt).
Replacements: Mike Sherry, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Robin Copeland, Jack O'Donoghue, Tomás O'Leary, Ian Keatley, Darren Sweetnam.
Saturday, 26 March 2016
Connacht v Leinster - Preview
Peter Robb will make his Pro12 debut for leaders Connacht while Luke Fitzgerald returns for Leinster for Saturday's top-of-the-table contest.
Connacht's two changes from the win over Edinburgh see Robb, 21, and Niyi Adeolokun replacing Craig Ronaldson and Danie Poolman in the backs.
Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw is named in the Connacht replacements.
Fitzgerald's inclusion after injury is one of eight Leinster changes from last Friday's defeat by Glasgow. The wing missed Ireland's entire Six Nations campaign because of a medial ligament injury.
Fitzgerald is joined in the backline by Ian Madigan and Fergus McFadden who both featured as replacements in Ireland's win over Scotland.
Richardt Strauss, Cian Healy and Rhys Ruddock will also start for Leinster in Galway after being introduced by Ireland last weekend while another of Joe Schmidt's Six Nations players Josh van der Flier is named in the back row.
A strong Leinster bench includes Ireland players Jamie Heaslip, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Sean Cronin and Eoin Reddan.
Henshaw is joined in the Connacht replacements by another Ireland squad member Finlay Bealham.
Nathan White, who featured in all five of Ireland's Six Nations games, will start in the Connacht front row while youngster Sean O'Brien is again named in the back row alongside Jake Heenan and skipper John Muldoon.
Connacht go into the Sportsground contest a point ahead of Leo Cullen's Leinster side.
Connacht
T O'Halloran; N Adeolokun, B Aki, P Robb, M Healy; AJ MacGinty, K Marmion; D Buckley, T McCartney, N White; Q Roux , A Muldowney; S O'Brien, J Heenan, J Muldoon (capt)
Replacements: D Heffernan, R Loughney, F Bealham, A Browne, E McKeon, C Blade, S O'Leary, R Henshaw.
Leinster
I Nacewa (capt); F McFadden, G Ringrose, B Te'o, L Fitzgerald; I Madigan, L McGrath; C Healy, R Strauss, T Furlong; R Molony, H Triggs; D Ryan, J van der Flier, R Ruddock
Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, M Ross, D Toner, J Heaslip, E Reddan, N Reid, Z Kirchner
Sunday, 10 January 2016
Madigan Leinster Depart Oficiel
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| Leinster Rugby |
Leinster have confirmed that Ian Madigan will leave the province at the end of the current season to join Bordeaux Bègles in the French Top 14.
Madigan has played 135 times for Leinster, scoring 765 points (24 tries) since his debut in May 2009 against the Newport Gwent Dragons and has won two Heineken Cups, a Challenge Cup and two Pro12 titles during his time with Leinster. He has also won 25 Irish caps and two Six Nations titles.
Commenting on the announcement Leinster Rugby Head Coach, Leo Cullen said, “Ian has been a tremendous servant to Leinster and Irish rugby and we wish him well with his move abroad. We fully understand his motivations for deciding to join Bordeaux. Ian has come through the Leinster Academy and age grade system and at 26 still has a huge future in the game and we may see him return to Leinster at some point.
“The key thing for us all now is that we are fully focused on a huge game on Friday against Connacht. After some really pleasing parts to our last performance it’s vital that we build on that and look to continually improve.”
Ian Madigan said “while this was a very difficult decision for me to make, leaving the club that I have represented my whole professional life, I feel that the timing is right and it is a challenge that I’m looking forward to.
“Bordeaux Bègles are a team that are making strides in the Top 14 and in Europe and I look forward to being part of that journey and to experiencing a new style of rugby and a new life in France.
“I’d like to thank everyone in Leinster Rugby for their support over the years. I’ve played with some brilliant players and have worked with some exceptional coaches and while I am reluctant to single one out I want to mention Richie Murphy who has been by my side from my days in the Sub-Academy and has been a huge influence on me. Also to Mick Dawson who has been very supportive throughout my career and it has not gone unnoticed.
“I also couldn’t have played as often as I have without the excellent work of the medical and S&C team in Leinster who go above and beyond for the players on a daily basis.
“Finally to the Leinster Rugby supporters, who have been hugely supportive of me in good times and in bad, thank you. There is a huge few weeks and months ahead with Leinster, and I look forward to playing my part and trying to finish the season out as strongly as possible for them.”
Saturday, 9 January 2016
Heaslip Not to Miss Wales Clash
Jamie Heaslip is not in danger of missing Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales on February 7 after he was forced to go off with suspected concussion against the Ospreys.
Heaslip was substituted after just six minutes with blood coming from his lip in last night's 22-9 win over the Ospreys - a win that saw the Blues return to the top of the Pro12 table.
The Ireland number eight will go through return to play protocols but Independent.ie understands that there is no danger of him missing Ireland's Six Nations opener next month and he should be back in action for next week's clash against Bath or the following week away to Wasps.
“Jamie took a pretty heavy knock at the start of the game,” said Leo Cullen after last night's match.
“He came through pretty quickly after we took him off.
“I talked to him at the end of the game and he is up an about.
“We will manage him over the course of the week and see how he is with the return to play protocols.
“He has not a head knock in four or five years so it’s been quite a while. We have had a chat there and we will see how he is in the early part of the week."
Leinster Singing in Rain at Liberty
Leinster made it seven straight Guinness PRO12 wins with a hard-fought 22-9 victory over Ospreys at a rain-drenched Liberty Stadium.
The win, Leinster's first in Swansea since 2009, saw the Irishmen go back to the top of the table as replacement Noel Reid also crossed to go with winger Dave Kearney's brace and Jonny Sexton kicked a penalty and two conversions.
There were concerns for both Leinster and Ireland, though, with Jamie Heaslip and Luke Fitzgerald going off with head and shoulder injuries respectively.
Ospreys, who had won their previous five PRO12 games, missed out on a losing bonus point with their scores coming from the boot of fly-half Dan Biggar thanks to two penalties and a drop goal.
Leinster just about edged the first half to lead 10-6 at the break, but it was far from comfortable and after going through 20 phases at the start of the match the visitors failed to get any change out of the home team's solid defence.
And it was Ospreys who broke the deadlock when Biggar fired over a drop goal from 30 metres.
Leinster's cause was not helped by the loss of Jamie Heaslip after a clash of heads but their kicking game was always a threat to Ospreys and it was a cross-kick from Sexton that led to the game's opening try.
Sexton picked out Kearney and he outsmarted Jeff Hassler and replacement Sam Davies to get over the line. Sexton converted to give his side a 7-3 lead after 18 minutes.
Bigger reduced the deficit to one point with a 24th-minute penalty after Rhys Ruddock was caught collapsing a maul following a fine break by Ospreys centre Owen Watkin, but Sexton restored his side's advantage three minutes later after Brendon Leonard had infringed at a ruck.
But despite increasingly wet conditions Leinster scored a fine try to put space between the two teams, created by centre Ben Te'o and finished off by Reid.
Sexton's conversion rebounded off an upright to keep Ospreys within losing bonus point range, but that was taken away from the hosts when Kearney slid in for his second try, converted by Sexton, three minutes from the end.
Friday, 1 January 2016
Lucky Thirteen for Leinster Flier
Josh van der Flier’s controversially-awarded try helped Leinster to grind out a 13-0 Guinness PRO12 win over Connacht at a wet and windy RDS Arena.
The young flanker’s converted score on the hour mark was awarded by referee George Clancy and TMO Marshall Kilgore, despite no clear grounding of the ball on the replays, with Connacht captain John Muldoon appearing to hold him up.
But Leinster deserved their sixth league victory on the trot, with man-of-the-match Eoin Reddan, Devin Toner and lively replacement Sean O’Brien, making his 100th provincial appearance, driving them to a hard-earned result.
Jonny Sexton’s penalty on the quarter hour mark was the only score of a bruising, rain-soaked first half, with Connacht digging deep to prevent wind-backed Leinster from crossing their line.
The westerners, second in the table before kick-off, struggled for accuracy in attack, though, and Van der Flier’s effort, coupled with a 74th-minute penalty from replacement Ian Madigan, sealed the points for Leo Cullen’s men.
With a strong wind behind them, Leinster forced a series of early penalties, but the white-shirted visitors doggedly defended three lineout mauls in quick succession.
The pressure had to tell eventually and following two further Connacht infringements, Sexton slotted a straightforward 14th-minute penalty from in front of the posts.
A threatening break from Garry Ringrose amounted to nothing as Craig Ronaldson brought him down and then gobbled up a loose ball, and Eoghan Masterson won a relieving ruck penalty after another Leinster maul was halted.
A turgid spell was broken up by a couple of sniping runs from Eoin Reddan, who started in place of Luke McGrath (foot infection), but Connacht’s excellent number eight Masterson poached a ruck ball to release the pressure.
It was Leinster’s turn to feel the heat close to half-time, Niyi Adeolokun racing up to almost score from a Tiernan O’Halloran grubber kick towards the right corner. Having initially failed to gather the greasy ball, Dave Kearney recovered well to tackle Adeolokun into touch.
Into the second period, Connacht survived a slick midfield surge from Ringrose, a knock-on spoiling Leinster’s latest attack, and O’Halloran hoovered up at the end of a Rob Kearney-initiated kick chase.
However, Kearney’s younger brother Dave soon sliced open the Connacht defence on the left, powering into the 22 to set up a prolonged attacking spell. After a series of pick and goes, Van der Flier was adjudged to have forced his way over, with Sexton converting.
Bundee Aki tried to inject some pace into the Connacht attack, but he lacked support and some questionable decisions by Clancy also thwarted their progress.
The influence of Toner and O’Brien up front kept Leinster on course and Madigan knocked over the clinching penalty with six minutes left, confirming the province’s rise to second place — just a point behind the table-topping Scarlets, with a game in hand.
Tuesday, 22 December 2015
Leinster Lose Te'o to Worcester
Worcester have signed the New Zealand-born centre Ben Te’o from Leinster for next season. The 28-year-old, who qualifies to play for England, left the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league team in June 2014 and has now agreed a lucrative move to the Premiership.
Worcester are understood to have fought off strong competition for Te’o, a statement of intent as they continue their battle for top-flight stability.
In rugby league Te’o enjoyed a fine career with the Australian sides Wests Tigers, Brisbane Broncos and the Rabbitohs – the latter with whom he won the National Rugby League title alongside Sam Burgess.
Auckland-born Te’o represented Samoa in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, scoring twice in his sole appearance against France, while he also featured seven times for Queensland in the Australian State of Origin series.
“Ben is a really exciting talent and has proved he is more than capable of transferring his skills from league to union,” the Worcester director of rugby, Dean Ryan, said. “His experience and power in the centre will add further depth to our midfield and we’re looking forward to him joining up with the side.”
Te’o said: “Worcester are in a very similar stage in their playing and cultural development that I found when I first joined the Rabbitohs. I look forward to making a similar contribution at Sixways.
“The investment in facilities and infrastructure is impressive and after speaking with Dean Ryan, it is clearly a club which is on the up. Everything is in place for Worcester to become a successful club competing in the top tier.”
Monday, 14 December 2015
Toulon Win Leaves Leinster Hoping
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| Getty Images |
Toulon, the champions, bounced back from their defeat by Wasps and all but ended Leinster’s hopes of qualifying with a 24-9 victory over the Irish province in Pool One at Stade Mayol day.
Toulon, who included their latest big signing, the All Black World Cup winner Ma’a Nonu, for the first time in a Champions Cup match, extended their unbeaten home run in the tournament to 16 games with a hard-fought victory.
Leinster, who, like Toulon, have won Europe’s premier club competition three times, arrived knowing that a third consecutive defeat would end any hopes they had of reaching the last eight and they did not help themselves by having three forwards sent to the sin-bin. The flanker Steffon Armitage scored both tries for the home side from driving lineouts.
The visitors were given the perfect start when the former Saracens and England prop Matt Stevens collapsed the first scrum and Jonny Sexton landed a penalty from near the halfway line after only three minutes.
Early indiscretions by Toulon allowed Leinster to build an advantage, with Sexton doubling the lead from his second penalty in the sixth minute after the home side had gone over the top at a ruck.
If the signs were encouraging for Leo Cullen’s side, they were given a reminder of Toulon’s power after 10 minutes.
Having ignored a penalty within kicking range and instead sent the ball into the right corner, they turned a line-out take by Samu Manoa into a driving maul which resulted in Armitage crossing for a try which the scrum-half Éric Escande improved.
Escande then kicked a penalty to make it 10-6, but Sexton replied to make it a one point game at the end of the first half.
Leinster survived for 10 minutes without the prop Cian Healy, who was sent to the sin-bin for a reckless challenge on Guilhem Guirado at a ruck. But it was a different story when Devin Toner was shown the yellow card six minutes into the second half.
This time Escande was able to add two more penalties to his tally and by the time the Ireland lock returned the home side had moved into a 16-9 lead.
There was one more penalty from the boot of the scrum-half in the 67th minute which ended the visitors hopes of salvaging a losing bonus point.
The replacement lock Tom Denton was the third Leinster forward to be sent to the sin-bin and no sooner had he gone off than Armitage went over again for Toulon.
There will be a 30,000-plus crowd at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin when the two teams meet again on Saturday but the prospects for Leinster, with only one point from three games, are extremely bleak.
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