We aren’t overplaying even if the conditions are like that. Ulster HAVE to play a different game with the small passes amongst the forwards because they can’t compete physically against the top sides esp without the likes of Hendy, DV and Moore on the pitch.Dharper wrote:So a few thoughts- any kind of comeback from 17 down in those conditions was a glass half full / empty situation. We appeared at times to overplay, and those pop passes etc must’ve been like a bar of soap. Lein pack squeezed us with their defence, and we were forcing it, unnecessarily. The big miss for me was DV at 8. Those excellent basics of tidying rucks, not knocking on, getting into mauls etc - his low error count was missed, and we turned over too much ball as a result, which was a killer in those conditions.
I’d be interested to know what’s going on with Jordie as sorry to say Mattie at 6 for me isn’t cutting it. Where’s Sheridan? Only seen very very little but for a pup he’s physical-hopefully they are conditioning him, and we see him get a few starts to see where he’s at.
So Mr Sexton: Poor error re try placement, poorer error re quick throw in to Stockdale who got turned over. Yep he has put the handbrake on (open space v scarlets he slowed for support rather than go full throttle against 2 unorganised defenders). Dreadful conditions, easy to drift in and out as a winger, and yes your basics are shown up. The lad will feel bad, I’m happy to back giving him more exposure It’s a gamble worth taking. Hopefully his confidence doesn’t take a knock-next time in open space feck looking for support put the afterburners on and show his point of difference.
Frustrating night without doubt, but a while ago, their wouldn’t have been a bp from UR. Would’ve been a tricky kick to get that draw by the way.
The amount of times against Leinster when we didn’t have the pop pass that we were stopped dead on the gainline or put back across the gainline was frightening. You can’t play the brand of rugby that Ulster want to play with slow ball, it’s just impossible.
Short, quick passes in small spaces with options is how Ulster play. Look how connected the forwards are from the touchline ruck now( you could nearly throw a blanket over 5-6 forwards now), tight shapes and being able to turn the corner in 2 line attack. Everyone an option, it’s so difficult to defend against.
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