LEINSTER HEAD COACH Matt O’Connor again expressed his disappointment with the collective display that led to his second defeat to Munster this season.
However, after putting the match under the scrutiny of video analysis, the Australian believes his players are close to hitting the right notes, but must increase focus and intensity to push their way in to the Pro12 playoff places with a win over Ulster on Saturday.
“We prepared pretty well in a tough week with a lot of distractions,” O’Connor said in reference to the IRFU player management restrictions.
“We went down there with a side capable of winning. Individually and collectively I don’t think we did ourselves justice
“In the review process lots of little things stand out and a lot of them can be adjusted with attitude. That was discussed this week and that was pretty much player-driven in relation to making sure we’re better and make sure that at the RDS on Saturday against Ulster, we’ll rectify a lot of those attitudinal issues and some of the technical issues.”
While O’Connor remains protective of his side’s achievements to date this season he speaks of a number of issues that feed in to why Leinster’s performances have drawn so much criticism.
“Confidence is one of the things, a lack of combinations is another. And it just takes one of those opportunities to stick. In the review process, there were a couple of opportunities where the pass didn’t get thrown, we didn’t talk, we didn’t work early enough…”
Matters of the mind are difficult to pin-point and correct, but the Australian feels that when when one combination clicks or a move runs a course as planned, then the rest of the building blocks may fall into place.
“One of those opportunities comes off, it’s different, it changes the nature of the contest. That’s been the focus over the last couple of weeks.
“We haven’t been as disappointed as some of the people outside the environment in relation to how far off we are.
Walk in tries
“We’ve played some good defensive sides – Munster down there, Quins, Connacht, Ospreys before that – they’re good sides. You’re not going to walk in tries against them, you’re going to have to work really hard to get any sort of momentum going and the emphasis this week has been making sure that we work harder to execute on those opportunities.”
With 14 tries conceded in the Pro12 this season, Ulster are another side O’Connor can add to his list of resolute defences. And although the northern province have also struggled for fluidity with a raft of injuries this term, the home side will need that attitude adjustment get 2015 off to a winning start.
He’s not as disappointed as some on relation to how far off they are? They are miles off. No offence to Munster but they are an average,though very gutsy and committed side,and they have hammers Leinster twice in a row now. I do agree that they haven’t had any continuity with combinations,especially from 9-13,and hopefully when the likes of OBrien, Healy, Moore, Teo, McFadden etc come back then there will be a big improvement.
I must take the opportunity to praise Matt O’Connor for the huge improvement in Guinness Pro12 teams. Ever since he arrived at Leinster, every other team has greatly improved. Teams, that two years ago were almost brushed aside by Leinster, have now reached the heights that Leinster once inhabited alone.
Treviso have improved, Munster have improved, Edinburgh have improved, Scarlets have improved, Dragons have improved, Zebra have improved, Connacht (brilliant tonight, by the way) have improved..
In fact, they have all improved so much that Leinster has great difficulty taking on any of them.
By extension, Wasps and Harlequins have shown just how brilliant they are too due to you Matt.
I can hardly wait to see how much Castres get better when they arrive at the RDS soon. They will build statues in your image all over the town.
Matt, you have done European rugby a great service. They have all reached and surpassed Leinster this season thanks to your input at Leinster and everywhere else.
Thank you Matt and Happy New year!.
(and also to Mr Caputo, the news paper seller. Your influence on all other teams has been exceptional)