As we wrap up the first weekend of this year’s Heineken Cup here is a few quick thoughts on the action so far:
The more I see Leinster and particular Johnny Sexton run the loop play the more it reminds me of the option pass Quarterbacks in College Football in America use. The option pass is a play where the Quarterback can either run with the ball himself or pitch it out to his running back that is in close support. The option pass only works with a quarterback who can read opposing defences quickly and recognise whether he has the space to run or if his running back has a better chance to make a gain. To me it looks like Sexton has been giving by the Leinster Coaches the same options as a college Quarterback and speaks volumes of Joe Schmidt and Co confidence in their Fly Half’s ability to decipher defences and make the right decisions. Despite living in age were teams often study countless hours of tape the Leinster loop remains a very effective attacking weapon and much of the credit for that belongs to Sexton.
It is staggering the difference between Sexton the Leinster Kicker and Sexton the Ireland Kicker. It is almost like Johnny Sexton’s less talented twin brother was actually in New Zealand as not only are the results different but also the change in confidence is noticeable. There was never a doubt in my mind that as Sexton was lining up a shot goal to save the Leinster’s bacon in the dying embers of Yesterdays match against Montpellier that he was going to make it. Yet if he had been faced with the same kick during the world cup I would have been hiding behind the sofa unable to take the sight of another kick sailing wide right of the posts.
I wonder what type of World Cup Johnny Sexton would have had if Leinster Kicking Coach Richie Murphy was in New Zealand? Murphy a prolific Kicker in his playing days is a highly articulate and intelligent rugby thinker who seems to bring out the best of Sexton.
A lot was made of the match ball in the World Cup and to some extent that is a valid point as Sexton was not alone in the Kicker brotherhood guilty of profligacy in front of the posts. However as some media commentators pointed out it looked like Sexton’s pre kick routine and run up had changed from the one he had used with Leinster. As the old saying goes if it ain't broke don’t fix it and serious questions have to be raised about Ireland kicking coach Mart Tainton role. It was either Tainton’s choice to alter Sexton’s routine or he failed as a coach to stop the fly half from tinker with it. Sexton’s kicking woes clearly and undeniable sucked the confidence out of the Fly Half and Declan Kidney was left with no choice but to drop him. If Murphy was there would Sexton suffered such a torrid time with the boot I for one highly doubt it.
While the absence of Brian O ‘Driscoll rightfully dominants all the headlines for the Leinster I think the loss of Cian Healy was far more damaging to the reigning champions Yesterday. Montpellier has a huge pack and put Leinster under serious pressure at scrum time particularly targeting Healy’s replacement Heinke van der Merwe.
van der Merwe struggled mightily causing Leinster to struggle with getting a platform for much of the game. Not only at scrum time was Healy a loss but also in running play. Healy is the best attacking prop in the world wit ball in hand almost like a fourth back rower at times for Leinister. Leinster's tactics at in the game was to try and power their way through Montpelier and meet the French Sides huge monstrous players head on this resulted in a lot of ball going to Mike Ross and Leo Cullen not noted ball carries, and it showed as time and time again Leinster were driven backwards. Indeed the value of what Healy could have meant to Leinster’s charge yesterday was puncuated by Sean Cronin’s the dynamic hooker had a Healy like run that tore open the Montpelier defence for Leinster’s only try.
Wow that’s all you can say about Munster’s win over Northampton yesterday. It was impossible, imaginable, and improbable and yet once again a magical Thomond park moment was born. Forty one phases in which Munster where driven back from the Northampton twenty-two to midfield and marched their way back again in a feat that can only be matched by Moses parting of the red sea. A remarkable display of patience and a basic refusal to lose on their home patch from a group of players still hurting from last year’s early exit from the Heineken Cup. Stunning
For all of Northampton’s cutting edge in attack and bulldozers up front last year’s runner ups have now displayed twice in their last two Heineken Cup games they lack the know how or the basic cuteness to close out a big game. They should never have lost last Year’s Final to Leinster and how they conspired to lose the game against Munster only they will know.
Speaking of Irish fortress and fragile Teams Ulster put themselves in the driven seat to repeat last year’s achievement of getting out of the Group. Yesterdays win over Clermont combined with Leisters’ inability to cross the line for a fourth time and a bonus point against Aironi means the Ulsterman are sitting pretty. Ravenhill has now become one of the toughest places in European rugby to win for opposing teams. If Ulster can see of Leister at home and are able to secure a bonus point against Aironi home and away then the Ulstermen will top their group and put themselves in contention for that all important home draw in the quarter finals and a real chance to go one better than last year.
Clermont have yet to win on Irish soil and the wait will have to go on they looked in good position to break that duck yesterday but some curious substitution and Brock James once again crumbling in the face of pressure means the French go home still in search of the win and the courage and spine they will require if they want to achieve any European success.
Welsh Rugby is clearly riding a crest of a wave with all three Welsh club sides winning their games yesterday. No welsh side has reached the Final of the completion since Cardiff Blues way back in 1995. Could this be the year where a Welsh side wins the Heineken Cup?
We have only seen the first weekend of the Heineken Cup but already we have been treated to two last gasp wins by Munster and Glasgow, Leinster the Champions pushed to the brink and hugely entertaining rugby. I for one am so happy it is back in my life.
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