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Sorry Leinster are dumped out yet again Leicester 25
- Leinster 9
Heineken Cup
IT’S the same old story of what could have been for Leinster as
they crashed out of this season’s Heineken Cup at Leicester last
Saturday.
The province travelled to the East Midlands not only needing to win themselves
but also requiring Edinburgh to pull off a shock win in Toulouse.
Unfortunately for Leinster neither happened and they remain in the shadow
of their provincial foes Munster.
The PA announcer at Welford Road even put the boot in, referring to the
visitors as ‘Munster’ throughout.
Leinster have no-one to blame but themselves for their early exit from
this season’s competition.
Despite winning all three of their home fixtures, they failed to pick
up a single bonus point and crashed to humiliating defeats in both Toulouse
and Edinburgh.
Michael Cheika was understandably downbeat with his side’s efforts
but still feels that there is much to build on.
“We didn’t manage the cup well, we blundered and dropped points
as a result, Toulouse managed it very well and that’s why they’re
through.
“We haven’t picked up enough points on the road and to assess
it, we needed to manage our situations better, especially in such a tight
pool. If you think you’re going to come away from home and win then
that’s wrong. We’ve got to be hungrier.
“Results-wise, it’s true we have gone backwards over the last
three seasons but we know, internally, the club is so much stronger than
when I came in and I’m not saying that to try and puff up my own
situation. I know it and the players know it, we’re a tougher outfit
and it’s the best team unity we’ve had for a long time.”
In this final group game, Leinster actually began the brighter and took
the lead through two penalties from Felipe Contepomi.
But the hosts were soon well on top and notched their first try when Brett
Deacon touched down in the corner.
Two minutes later and the Tigers breached the Leinster line again, Seru
Rabeni profiting from Marco Wentzel’s deft pass.
The home side were reduced to 13 men midway through the half when Julian
White and Andy Goode were sin-binned for punching and a high challenge
respectively.
But Leinster failed to capitalise and a miserable day and tournament was
complete when Ben Herring went over late on. |
