2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup

[salanya]

VDF has for for that sort of shit. Disgraceful.

Are you originally from Tenby? You seem to be fishing, shame you have shite bait.

[JM2K6]

Anyway, for those who are adamant that red cards ruin matches, all decisions can ruin matches. Barnes not letting Toulouse have a sniff at the breakdown in the first half, plus a couple of bizarre calls, plus missing that Porter spear ruined this because a good game required both teams to be getting roughly the same rub of the green. There's not been a red but it's been hugely frustrating and the contest has badly suffered. I'm sure Leinster and their fans rightly won't give a shit but I've not particularly enjoyed watching this despite the quality of both teams.

[Stranger]

I was as surprised as anyone that the Porter tackle wasn't reviewed.
But the salty tears on here are getting a bit silly now. Torq has the excuse of being French, not sure about others.

Are you realytrying to justify VDF
there?

[Blackmac]

I was as surprised as anyone that the Porter tackle wasn't reviewed.
But the salty tears on here are getting a bit silly now. Torq has the excuse of being French, not sure about others.

I don't think it's salty tears for neutrals to comment on some really bad decisions.

[JM2K6]

Surely in that incident VdF initiated the contact so is essentially the tackler and was always hitting the guy too high and deliberately high.

French guy butted forward tbh.

[Torquemada 1420]

Yeah I'm fine with the initial duck but he then barges forward using his head as the weapon and then up, making head contact. It's stupid and illegal. Would not argue too much if it was just a penalty.

VdF has risen from the dead here - incredible impact after being face down and motionless on the floor only a few minutes ago. Remarkable recovery.

Leinster will likely get 50 here. Best side in Europe and they absolutely do not need all the gifts they've been given today by the officials and Toulouse.

3 card decisions here that are questionable
1) I can't get back to that early clear out on Willis but it was definitely a lift, off the ball and my first impression was there was shoulder to head.

2) The tip on Mallia which is right in front of Barnes.

3) The VDF farce.

On top off that, it's a blatant pen (1m in front of Barnes) for a neck tackle (quite a nasty one) on Aldegheri whereas he was happy to give a pretty soft one against Mauvaka early doors.

Now, I don't think Barnes is a cheat (unlike Brace) but he's not made any friends in the South of France after this one. Will be interested to see what Mola says after this one.

[Tichtheid]

I was as surprised as anyone that the Porter tackle wasn't reviewed.
But the salty tears on here are getting a bit silly now. Torq has the excuse of being French, not sure about others.

I don't think it's salty tears for neutrals to comment on some really bad decisions.

Thing is for me is that Leinster are a brilliant team who are capable of playing the best tactical and/or flowing rugby, depending on what is in front of them, but shite like today makes it difficult to applaud.

[Blackmac]

Surely in that incident VdF initiated the contact so is essentially the tackler and was always hitting the guy too high and deliberately high.

French guy butted forward tbh.

He was getting the head contact regardless though, not once but twice, and over reacted in an effort to protect himself. Not saying he shouldn't have got a card but VdF definitely should have followed him.

[JM2K6]

I was as surprised as anyone that the Porter tackle wasn't reviewed.
But the salty tears on here are getting a bit silly now. Torq has the excuse of being French, not sure about others.

I don't think it's salty tears for neutrals to comment on some really bad decisions.

Thing is for me is that Leinster are a brilliant team who are capable of playing the best tactical and/or flowing rugby, depending on what is in front of them, but shite like today makes it difficult to applaud.

They've also been so good for so long that it counts against them for some. I used to love watching them but there's certainly a bit of fatigue at watching them outclass teams and I'm not going to sit here and post about how good they are all the time, it's kinda taken as read. What I'd much rather do at this stage is watch them in a proper contest.

For me it's a huge shame that Toulouse suffered the early injury that has badly damaged them, and an even bigger shame that the decisions swung so heavily in the direction of the team already likely to outclass their opposition.

[JM2K6]

Surely in that incident VdF initiated the contact so is essentially the tackler and was always hitting the guy too high and deliberately high.

French guy butted forward tbh.

He was getting the head contact regardless though, not once but twice, and over reacted in an effort to protect himself. Not saying he shouldn't have got a card but VdF definitely should have followed him.

Yeah I get that. And the combo of VdF's reckless initiation plus the dramatics should've been punished.

[Blackmac]

I was as surprised as anyone that the Porter tackle wasn't reviewed.
But the salty tears on here are getting a bit silly now. Torq has the excuse of being French, not sure about others.

I don't think it's salty tears for neutrals to comment on some really bad decisions.

Thing is for me is that Leinster are a brilliant team who are capable of playing the best tactical and/or flowing rugby, depending on what is in front of them, but shite like today makes it difficult to applaud.

That's how I feel. Went into the game rooting for them but then you start wishing them ill because of all the shite that comes with them. Barnes performance is not their fault but it does sour the outcome.

[Torquemada 1420]

On top off Barnes, Mola really killed his own chances with his selection here. Utter insanity to move the world's best player away from his position and your country's FH too to accommodate a dreadful SH like Graou (when Retire can play SH or wing anyway).

Lebel is a poor man's Thomas. Blistering in open space but somehow only has half that speed if he has to chase and defend and no kicking game. Also does nothing else around the park unlike, say Villiere.

Willis has possibly had his best game to ST and with a half decent ref would have seem reward for all his efforts.

[Sandstorm]

VDF is a klarse player and usually a good egg, but today’s theatrics are a disgrace.

[JM2K6]

Congrats Leinster. La Rochelle's sheer bulk could present some problems in the final maybe, but Exeter wouldn't be a difficult match.

[Blackmac]

VDF is a klarse player and usually a good egg, but today’s theatrics are a disgrace.

He always reminds me of a Warlord comic hero. Not sure if it's Union Jack Jackson or Lord Peter Flint.

[Torquemada 1420]

For me it's a huge shame that Toulouse suffered the early injury that has badly damaged them,

Yeah, but as per earlier post, that was self inflicted. You go 6-2, you'd better have the right cover on the bench.

[CM11]

What idiot decided one injury in the outside backs meant Dupont had to move?

[JM2K6]

For me it's a huge shame that Toulouse suffered the early injury that has badly damaged them,

Yeah, but as per earlier post, that was self inflicted. You go 6-2, you'd better have the right cover on the bench.

Yeah, going by what you've said even the decision to bring him on was mad. Surely you'd want to keep Dupont in such a crucial role at all costs.

[OomStruisbaai]

Leinster had to much class.

[Torquemada 1420]

Congrats Leinster. La Rochelle's sheer bulk could present some problems in the final maybe,

Nahh. They've been awarded home ties all the way to ensure every advantage. Barnes was just the double icing today. I'll probably pass on the final.

[CM11]

Congrats Leinster. La Rochelle's sheer bulk could present some problems in the final maybe,

Nahh. They've been awarded home ties all the way to ensure every advantage. Barnes was just the double icing today. I'll probably pass on the final.

[Blackmac]

Congrats Leinster. La Rochelle's sheer bulk could present some problems in the final maybe,

Nahh. They've been awarded home ties all the way to ensure every advantage. Barnes was just the double icing today. I'll probably pass on the final.

I assumed they had earned the home ties. No??

[Torquemada 1420]

For me it's a huge shame that Toulouse suffered the early injury that has badly damaged them,

Yeah, but as per earlier post, that was self inflicted. You go 6-2, you'd better have the right cover on the bench.

Yeah, going by what you've said even the decision to bring him on was mad. Surely you'd want to keep Dupont in such a crucial role at all costs.

There were other options too. Could have put Retiere at FB, moved Ramos to 12 (or 10 and Ntamack to 12) and shifted Akhi to 13. Personally, I've always preferred a 2nd 5/8th anyway rather than your trucker at 12.

I really don't understand the thought process either for the bench or the plan of action for an injury in the backline.

[Torquemada 1420]

Congrats Leinster. La Rochelle's sheer bulk could present some problems in the final maybe,

Nahh. They've been awarded home ties all the way to ensure every advantage. Barnes was just the double icing today. I'll probably pass on the final.

I assumed they had earned the home ties. No??

No. Bordeaux is not the home ground for LaR for example. I know it will be argued that the Aviva is not Leinster's home ground but it really is other than a technicality. Home country v home ground.

[CM11]

It's a ground we play in once a year outside knockout games.

RDS is our home ground.

But you can't underestimate home country advantage. The team traveling abroad are still at much more of a disadvantage than the home country team.

[Tichtheid]

Richie Gray out of the semi final, that's a blow.

[Slick]

Jaysus lads, I thought this was the reasonable forum but 90% of the posts on the game are ref complaints. Meanwhile everyone else is enjoying two positive sides giving us a great game.

I am travelling so missed it. Heard it was a cracker from all and Dundry mates: Saffer, English, Welsh, Irish.

Then here

Maybe watch it firs then?

Actually, what’s the point

[GogLais]

Congrats Leinster. La Rochelle's sheer bulk could present some problems in the final maybe,

Nahh. They've been awarded home ties all the way to ensure every advantage. Barnes was just the double icing today. I'll probably pass on the final.

I assumed they had earned the home ties. No??

I get it, them’s the rules but it becomes a beneficial cycle doesn’t it? Does any other competition do this?

[Tichtheid]

Looks like Scarlets are going to lose a second player to injury after only 7 minutes

[Blackmac]

Anyway, another game on and Scarlett's players going down like flies.

[C69]

Looks like Scarlets are going to lose a second player to injury after only 7 minutes

Piss poor the ref didn't stop the game just prior to the first try as the player and the medic were very close to play

[Tichtheid]

Looks like Scarlets are going to lose a second player to injury after only 7 minutes

Piss poor the ref didn't stop the game just prior to the first try as the player and the medic were very close to play

You usually see that stopped right enough

[Blackmac]

Dempsey really is a top class player.

[C69]

Dempsey really is a top class player.

Looks bloody good atm

[C69]

Lol S4C have highlighted about 5 wrong calls from the ref in the last minute

[Blackmac]

Lol S4C have highlighted about 5 wrong calls from the ref in the last minute

My TV seems to have a constant "booooooo" sound coming from it.

[C69]

Lol S4C have highlighted about 5 wrong calls from the ref in the last minute

My TV seems to have a constant "booooooo" sound coming from it.

They are booing the poor officiating as they see it and shouting "cheat"

[fishfoodie]

Where are all these Scarlets fans the rest of the year ?

[Tichtheid]

Glasgow have imploded, they have lost their heads

[C69]

Where are all these Scarlets fans the rest of the year ?

Dancing naked with livestock and gazing at the moon