It was billed as the top of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship table clash, but it turned out to be a damp squib as Leinster won an error-ridden match against the Emirates Lions 24-6 in a wet Dublin on Saturday night.
While the Lions had spoken the whole week about “firing some shots” against an unbeaten Leinster side that rarely loses in Dublin, they were brave on defence, but had almost no attack all game.
Still they managed to keep the scoreline down in a match where they were soundly outplayed.
It may be harsh on the Lions but at times it felt as if they had concentrated so much on ensuring that Leinster didn't get a fast start and run away with the game, that they totally ignored their own strengths.
In fact, during the entire game the Lions had only four entries into Leinster’s 22 metre area and came away with zero points from it.
Every single time there was either a handling error, or on two occasions their lineout malfunctioned.
Leinster end the Emirates Lions' unbeaten start with an emphatic victory at the Aviva Stadium 🔵🔝#VURC pic.twitter.com/7GjvMSBwcw
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) October 26, 2024
LEINSTER HAD OVERWHELMING TERRITORY AND POSSESSION
Leinster had 62 per cent possession and territory and were by their own standards pretty poor on the night.
But they were miles better than a Lions side that wants to compete with the big boys.
Well, on this evidence, they may be able to hold a team like Leinster but unless - like they professed all week - they fire some shots, the scoreline will always look lopsided.
As a team that prides itself so much on its attack, and scoring some exceptional tries from counter attacks, the fact that they basically never fired a shot will not sit well with the team as they head back to South Africa.
It may not have changed the outcome, but it would have given them confidence. Instead, it was a “brave performance” that never really threatened Leinster’s record at home.
For almost 60 minutes, the Lions were within a score, but if any Lions fan is honest with themselves, for 80 minutes they never looked like scoring.
CAN'T JUST BE ABOUT DAMAGE CONTROL
Developing as a team has to be more than damage control. And while coach Ivan van Rooyen will feel happy with four wins from their opening five games, if the Lions have any real ambition other than being “ballers on a budget”, they will need to address this.
Because as brave as they were on defence, the Lions could have won this game.
They upset Leinster’s rhythm, they defended like demons and they kept the scoreline close.
For a while it seemed they could get a breakaway try and sneak home, but it quickly became apparent that Leinster’s pressure game was just too much.
On defence though, the Lions deserve massive plaudits.
Their ability to disrupt Leinster and keep them to two tries (the final try, a penalty try, was scored in the final minute) is something that they should feel proud of.
Leinster did start well and almost looked as if they were going to run away with the game. But the gritty Lions hung in there.
Ruben Schoeman was a monster on defence, making 17 tackles and disrupting the Leinster pack.
Morne van den Berg was easily the man of the match for the Lions, making 13 tackles and was everywhere on the field.
COMMITMENT ON DEFENCE
In fact, no less than seven Lions made 10 tackles or more, showing just how much the commitment was there on defence.
🦁 Van Wyk doing everything he can to keep out Lowe and Leinster 👏@lionsrugbyco@vodacom #URC | #LEIvLIO pic.twitter.com/zvZdmmkiNs
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) October 26, 2024
But while that side of the equation was good, the other side was sorely lacking.
The Lions actually led after two penalties by Kade Wolhuter got them in front, and they held out until the 31st minute, where a mistake at the back from Edwill van der Merwe gave Leinster their best chance and Josh van der Flier went over from close range.
Despite Leinster’s dominance, they couldn’t increase their lead.
That is, until just before the hour mark when Caelan Doris - Leinster’s best player on the day and no surprise that he has been named Irish captain for the November tests - also went over from close range.
The final try - given by referee Craig Evans after a lineout maul - was the final nail in the coffin, but it didn’t matter.
The Lions had lost the game a long time ago and will hope the next time they meet Leinster it will be on the highveld.
They have much to think about in the month they now have off, and the fact they weren’t able to fire their shots will be top of the agenda.
Scorers
Leinster - tries: Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Penalty try. Conversions: Sam Prendergast (2). Penalty: Prendergast.
Emirates Lions - penalties: Kade Wolhuter.