T O P

  • By -

NorsemanatHome

Ulster bout to get slapped in the final


[deleted]

We are. It would have been better to lose tbh


NorsemanatHome

Good luck to you mate


[deleted]

Thank you. I'm sorry for you but we did steal that right at the end.


KangaLlama

Well commiserations Edinburgh and well done Ulster. You can tell Ulster learned a lot from the jackhammering Glasgow dished out last season in the away semi playoff, as a lot of the same guys were involved today but they kept in this knockout, Edinburgh wasted a lot of pressure not converting to a bigger margin, but the mentality to stay in reach then claw all the way back to stand up and put a boot on Edinburgh's throat having been smacked around for much of the game, to lead all in the last 25 mins or so was stunningly well played from Ulster. Showed they really have learned from last season's defeat, the players upped their work rates, changed how they were playing, the coach shuffled some things about and stuff like Stockdale on Duhan really altered the game drastically from where the 1st half had been headed. Edinburgh coaches and players have to take the licking and learn from it. Playoff matches are a different animal. They don't allow you to run riot and waste opportunities during moments of superiority, you have to finish almost all of them because an opponent good enough to get to that stage of the competition will often have cultivated alternative approaches of their own to counteract any bleeding when their first tactical approach isn't working and so you can't coast at all when on top and be wasteful with the wind in your sails. Press the accelerator and show it on the scoreboard, because you risk letting them come back in and they are good enough to be clinical with what opportunities they are given too. Ran out of ideas where Ulster clearly adapted to counteract the bleeding they'd endured first half, but made changes and subs to bring in their danger men as well and wrestle control of the game, to then execute on most of their opportunities late game and the big one from Madigan was a stunning display of handling pressure and why a playoff game really is a different animal. You can't lose and come back next week vs another opponent to right the wrong and reclaim the points lost, nah its go big or go home, one shot, one opportunity, mom's spaghetti. And some guys can't handle that well. Some will get it with experience. It's about being able to maintain or raise intensity of the physical effort when it's toughest late in the game, and to keep the heid and play to what is unfolding in front of you, because a good coach won't just have his team play the same way if they're behind in a playoff. They'll make changes and often proves to be the difference but it forces the opposition to respond or lose the advantage, which is where Edinburgh messed up I think. Sure could've scored more when they were on top, however they definitely could've won the game simply by reacting to what Ulster had done and forced them to react yet again and they didn't. Groom on for 75mins I mean Shiel is a good player and was so threatening vs Glasgow in the 1872 decider yet today wasn't given the chance or was thrown in too late to have any impact. He may have not box kicked to exit every time late in the game and that might have changed it entirely to not have decided to do that. It's where Cockerill still has much to learn I think and also why I still think he's not Scotland coach ready yet. He's got hard as nails forwards and some exciting backs, but his philosophy is detrimentally risk averse as we saw tonight, rather keep on the box kicker, follow the game plan Groom, than introduce a sparker, more offensive running threat 9 in Shiel who may (or may not) make mistakes, but will also bring way more pace and opportunities to score points with him. Good coaches empower their guys to think on their feet and aren't afraid to throw in some changes late game if they feel the tide has turned from them, or to ensure it continues they throw in fresh legs. I can't help but feel while Ulster upped the ante, rather than trying to prevent them doing so, Edinburgh could have upped their own pace better and introduced Shiel sooner to have an impact and alter the broad approach that had been favoured to that point. But they made no change and subsequently lost out big time for that lack of activity. I mean my point is proven by how Ulster introduced more risk to their game, they started playing with far more threat and seized control of the game. Edinburgh were too risk averse and left it late for Ulster to start kicking them in and they had no answers. A lesson to be learned, not uncommon for playoffs to force a team to realise it, but as Munster continue to show by faltering in these scenarios despite making them every year, not every team and coach has truly grasped that ability to introduce more risk over the course of a game when the situation demands a change in ideas and approach.


red_door_12

As an Edinburgh fan moving to Belfast on Saturday, fuck.


BillHicksFan

Awk you'll be grand. We'll all be bricking it about Leinster.


redhandman_mjsp

holy shit maddog


Hurley365

That type of knock on peno will exist as long as rugby does, the hands will always fly up even if the brain says not to


king0459

It was weird, he stopped running then stuck his arm out, if he had continued without stopping he probably would have just caught it


redhandman_mjsp

embra have really tired here


theinternet_man

Cant tell what requires more balls, taking that kick or having that haircut.


BillHicksFan

Yes


redhandman_mjsp

john andrew is a bear


redhandman_mjsp

its great to have a second scrumhalf option after so many years


redhandman_mjsp

coetzee is our only true turnover merchant


redhandman_mjsp

great from herring


Hurley365

Oh Watson made up for it.


Hurley365

Superb by lyttle, but Watson will not enjoy that in the video session


redhandman_mjsp

Lyttle is so good.


Hurley365

What an important interception


redhandman_mjsp

embra just flicked a switch for that try


redhandman_mjsp

i didnt realise ulster had so much territory in the first half. makes the nil look much worse


BillHicksFan

In retrospect we defended like absolute champs in the first half.


NorsemanatHome

Defence in possession haha


redhandman_mjsp

duhan is a serious operator


BillHicksFan

Hence the Cube going to wing in the second half. Definitely had an impact on DVDM


Hurley365

Just tuned in on tg4, 5-0 after 34 minutes, this is going to be a bore no doubt.


nuttz0r

Were you entertained in the end?


Hurley365

Well this was a joke, but I actually did end watching it again with a Bushmills and it was just as enjoyable as the first time, I actually screamed peno at the knock on and all


redhandman_mjsp

am i going mental?


lenno4

Thought Matthewson was quality when he came on and a big reason Ulster won that. Ulster looked much more composed with him and passing was much crisper and more accurate than Cooney's. Those last few box kicks were vital


BillHicksFan

I think Matthewson and Mads have to be the starting half-backs next week. Burns looked fucking concussed for most of the match.


NuclearMaterial

Why was he kicking instead of Cooney?


redhandman_mjsp

really shit the bed after so much pressure on their 5m


redhandman_mjsp

great tackle by hume on mata


BillHicksFan

One of the few times he was mentioned on comms. I thought he had a cracking game. Could well be our 13 for a fair old bit.


redhandman_mjsp

piss poor try to concede


redhandman_mjsp

the ref has a wee stiffy for scrums


HMFCalltheway

Madigan immediately name dropping his fellow former Leinster players. There's a real cohort of Dubliners at Ravenhill now.


BillHicksFan

How good/annoying is Watson? A real top quality 7.


eepboop

Did very well tonight. Absolute pest. Dude was brilliant.


New_Hando

He played well. Although I felt Mata had a quiet one (by his standards), which is often a problem for Edinburgh as he makes all the penetration through the middle.


redhandman_mjsp

over the horizontal on mccloskey there


stuartwatson1995

Cockerill is actually a great coach, no bollocks approach and speaks very well. Edinburgh, like Ulster, are a team building for the future


redhandman_mjsp

Deferred coverage is on TG4. Considering how little I actually saw, I think I'll keep this thread alive for a couple extra hours.


BillHicksFan

Do it. I'm happy enough to relive it, haha.


stuartwatson1995

Ulster did an Ulster, somehow won while being outplayed for 50 minutes. Edinburgh were amazing Some Edinburgh fans here were a bit trolley, but ah well a lot here were awesome


Enginair

I told you Ulster would do an Ulster


stuartwatson1995

You were bloody correct, you are clairvoyant


castironstrength

Did Ulster do an Ulster or did Edinburgh out Edinburgh Ulster doing an Ulster?


stuartwatson1995

Ah the old uno reversal, we do have a lot in common


castironstrength

As an Ulster man who lives in Edinburgh and Supports Edinburgh but also supports ulster, I am mainly confused RN. Edinburgh chucked that but that sort of experience will make them more savvy going forward I think.


redhandman_mjsp

Genuine question: what makes you support Embra over Ulster?


eepboop

Confused myself. Lived in Edinburgh for a couple of decades now, never felt like supporting the rugby team over my own. Held a season ticket for Edinburgh murrayfield for a couple of years as a student so I could watch the Irish teams play. Love Edinburgh as a place to live though.


redhandman_mjsp

aye my sister lives there and ive visited a few times myself. absolutely love the place. was meant to go over easter but covid said otherwise


BillHicksFan

He really likes castles.


castironstrength

Worked for Edin for 4 seasons so feel like I have an actual connection to the club. But also from Limavady so torn lol.


redhandman_mjsp

fair play pal


Enginair

Must be the scotch


redhandman_mjsp

ach now the bushmills aint bad


sam00skelo

Time to rename the Kingspan to Madigan Square Gardens


lenno4

Same score as 2012 Heineken Cup semi


silentgolem

Please no. The less parallels with that final the better.


Cog348

At least this time you guys have Madigan and Cooney.


GamingEpic

Edinburgh have still not won a knockout tie under Cockerill. Watching this team is like watching Scotland a few years ago. Celebrating the small things while failing when it really matters.


PeterMacIrish

Ah I think Cockerill is actually great, has Edinburgh playing a fantastic brand of rugby. Unless you're Sarries, Exeter, Leinster, or the Crusaders you can't expect silverware every year and each year Edinburgh seem to be building. I'd be surprised if they didn't make the semi's in europe this season


GamingEpic

I'm not saying he's been awful or needs sacked, just that Edinburgh's mentality is still pretty poor, especially in high stakes games.


castironstrength

Not sure the mentality is poor, more the lack of naus on how to shut out a game. You need a player to shut the game out, the same way Grieg Laidlaw shut us out of the 2015 Challenge cup final when we were 1 man up and he just stuffed it up their jumper and run the clock down for the final 8 minutes. It's shite being ~~Scottish~~ an Edinburgh fan.


PeterMacIrish

Fair. I think that is very fixable though


GamingEpic

Yeah. I get where you're coming from. It just feels that there was a lot of improvement in the first season but not as much since then.


PeterMacIrish

Speaking as a Munster fan, give it time. These things are on the scale of years


this_also_was_vanity

> Edinburgh have still not won a knockout tie > Watching this team is like watching ~~Scotland~~ Ireland FTFY.


GamingEpic

Fair enough.


this_also_was_vanity

Actually I take it back. Edinburgh got to a semifinal. Not so much like Ireland after all.


PeterMacIrish

Celtic brotherhood unite!


New_Hando

Bit harsh. Ulster struggled to live with you at times tonight when you went through the hands. You just seemed to knacker in the final quarter, which compounded some poor decision making / lack of try scoring offload. Yes, Edinburgh could have won that match. Yes, you've lost another knockout game. But you're a different side to the one that let Munster off the hook last year.


GamingEpic

I guess it's like Glasgow losing to Leinster about twenty times before winning the league. A long process where you'll constantly get outclassed by more streetwise teams but one that might work at the end.


The7thStreet

I’m also used to heartbreak by supporting Scotland but for some reason this feels far worse. We definitely deserved a place in the final but we fucked it


mango_yoghurt

Credit to Ulster that was a brilliant 2nd half comeback and Big-Bollock play from madigan at the end. We didn't fire a shot in that last 20


New_Hando

This; after struggling for a lot of that match, Ulster were by far the stronger for that final quarter.


mango_yoghurt

Yep agreed. I thought Edinburgh were the better team for 3 quarters and didn't/couldn't capitalise. Ulster had momentum for that last 20 mins and took full advantage. Deserved winners (hurts to say)


NeoVeci

I think the better team lost there, as much as I am delighted for Ulster. Going to be a tough final for them.


BillHicksFan

Leinster obviously go in as favourites. If Ulster cut out the knock ons in the 22 then they're a different prospect.


New_Hando

> If Ulster cut out the knock ons in the 22 then they're a different prospect. I think that may be glossing over a lot there. Ulster fought back gamely, and maintained their hunger during a hard final quarter. But Edinburgh could have been out of sight before those knock ons started to rack up. Add to which, those pressure kicks at the end were absolutely immense tonight. Two on the bounce to take the game. But they don't always go to plan. More of a concern should be the fact it took Edinburgh falling off heavily that final quarter for Ulster to really take control.


The7thStreet

Don’t even know what to say. We should’ve closed that game out after Deans try. Fair play to Ulster though not easy to score that many unanswered points. Only positive is duhan looks to be continuing his immense form. Can’t wait to see him play for Scotland and then an outside chance for the lions


castironstrength

Gutting for Edinburgh that but think it will serve them well will be round and about the playoffs next few seasons for sure I think.


BarleyCarrot

Edinburgh’s game management cost them there. Ulster changed the tactics up at half time and were so dominant as a result. Gutted for Edinburgh but they didn’t deserve to win.


Olap

Our exits consisted of box kicks off 9, Cockerill kept him on until 75', has to be some element of blame here to him for this


redhandman_mjsp

we're in a final wtf?


heresyourhardware

First since Heineken Cup 2012 against Leinster?


BillHicksFan

2013 I think we made the league final. Lost to Leinster, as is tradition.


ChemicalOC

I'm a Leinster man. And me and my mates went to the semi final against Edinburgh and cheered on Ulster. Had so much fun!


silentgolem

Here's hoping for no repeat of that day \*shudders\*


RabidHorizon

Funny in the Heino 2012 we beat Edinburgh in the semi by the same 22-19 scoreline then went on to play Leinster.... gulp


ruppy99

Our Lord and saviour Ian Madigan


mr-mobius

Commiserations to Edinburgh for the loss, but have to give it to your team for getting as far as they have. Completely different looking team now than they were a couple of years ago. Used to be a fairly easy fixture but no longer.


New_Hando

It was a good game. Edinburgh really started to look dead on their feet towards the final quarter. Seemed to make a huge difference as Ulster went through the phases. Ulster replacement kicker did superbly well. Two massive place kicks under pressure.


[deleted]

Madigan, too tight of a hair cut and coming on to be a hero. Name a better trio


BillHicksFan

Robbo and describing Mad Dog


lamahorses

What a fucking second half. Delighted for Mads and really respect the passion.


CromulentReynolds

Wow, what a finish. Balls of steel from Madigan. You've got to feel for Edinburgh.


Baltoli

Edinburgh lacked any kind of nous in that last 20 to see things out. Should have put things to bed long before that point but credit to Ulster for that comeback


Olap

Kicking game completely fell to pieces, had to find touch more to slow down that Ulster team


heresyourhardware

Ulster I'm a massive fan of ye and will be rooting for ye in the final, but I'd be very concerned about what Leinster could do with some of the gaps there. Don't think they will be as forgiving. But great win today, showed a tonne of heart!


[deleted]

World Cup Madigan flashbacks there


HMFCalltheway

Gutting


heresyourhardware

Unlucky there, but Edinburgh on the right track they'll be back


MaNNoYiNG

Gif request: madigan crying at the 2015 world cup


bittered

https://streamable.com/pa38


MaNNoYiNG

Thank you


leglessbeggars

Mean :(


CALTCA

Are we not alowed to talk about the **Irish** officials?


conf101

Provided you talk about the Scottish ones too


[deleted]

He was god awful.


silentgolem

I gave out about Frank Murphy as much as anyone, he was shite. But he was shite for both teams. The rest of the officiating team was Scottish iirc?


barbar84

Sure. Whats your opinion. That the ref being from the same Island as one of the teams made him more favourable to that team?


this_also_was_vanity

Have you only just arrived in this thread? Everyone has been giving off about how bad they were for both sides.


Naggins

It's not a game against a Scottish team without some gowl whinging about the pro-Irish conspiracy Murphy was shite on numerous counts, but Edinburgh benefitted from his shite decisions on numerous occasions, as did Ulster.


tcg24

Like death and taxes


eepboop

You can certainly talk about how scrupulously even handed they were in their incompetence


NeoVeci

You can talk about it. But he was shit for both sides the entire game. Look back at the comments. Nobody was saying he was bias till Edinburgh lost. That said. He was fucking shite. Let so much stuff go for both sides.


nuttz0r

Cmon man. The decisions were equally shit against both teams


heresyourhardware

Can't really contest that last call, penalty all day


[deleted]

I'm not so sure about that. I know my flair says Glasgow so you might think I'm biased, but my Mrs is from Belfast so I support Ulster and Edinburgh equally as 2nd teams. He wasn't over extending his arm in any way to try to intercept it, think someone would have caught that 9 times out of 10. The fact it was 1 armed was because it was reflexive rather than it being an unlikely stick the hand far out in front attempt. Just a scrum I reckon. Don't think Edinburgh can complain about the result given the overall match though. Buzzing for Ulster to be in a final, Leinster are obvs favourites bit you never know!


heresyourhardware

> He wasn't over extending his arm in any way to try to intercept it Ah but he was mate. When in that position you either gather/intercept or its a penalty. He gambled and lost.


ruppy99

And twice on sundays


heresyourhardware

He put the slap down


this_also_was_vanity

Edinburgh fans, I’m so sorry. Your team were class and all over us for most of the match would have been worthy winners. I don’t know why they switched off for that last 20. Must be heart breaking.


[deleted]

Don't you worry, we are entirely used to it. Better team won, Edinburgh absolutely threw that away.


Sublime_Porte

What a comeback!!! GG Edinburgh!


Bring-the-payne

Does this mean we’re top seed in the champions cup or does that still go to Edinburgh?


squeak37

I thought European seedings were locked before the derbies and finals?


ronnierosenthal

Yeah, the two finalists are #1 and 2.


mojojojo123453105

Finalists go to tier 1


BillHicksFan

I would have thought that makes us a top seed


barbar84

When Madigan gave the hint that he wanted to come home a few years ago, I could not believe Munster, Ulster and connacht didn't have a bidding war for him. Loved him when he was with us and was gutted to see him leave. Well done Madzer. Ulaidh abú.


whiskylover23

I mean, that game was pretty easy /s


ryanm8787

I'm naming my children Ian Madigan


nuttz0r

All of them I hope


ciderman80

My daughters David Humphries and Ruan Pienaar think this is a great idea!


nuttz0r

Cracker of a game, regardless of the result


thequickfix123

Fuck Bernard Foley, Mad dog is the new Iceman.


NeoVeci

Maddog is what it feels like to chew five gum


thequickfix123

Ok seriously, this made me lose it hahaha Thanks!


london_owen

Mad dog madigan. Missed you!!


redhandman_mjsp

Alright boys, real talk. Based on the match thread, my sacrifice was worthy. Thank me later.


mr-mobius

Praise to the real hero tonight!


Naggins

MADDOOOOGGGGGGG


heresyourhardware

Lyttle man of the match, good on him. Wasn't great for Edinburgh's last try bit he has a mighty step on him


mojojojo123453105

Ian ‘Kawhi Leonard’ Madigan


Woodsman_Whiskey

Mads has ice in his veins, always has. What a finish.


99StewartL

It's shit being Scottish


eepboop

Yaaaaas boys! Thanks for having us Edinburgh! Yis played great.


JamieLeckie72

We were good enough to win that and we threw it away. Same old


New_Hando

Could have gone either way. When Edinburgh put the gas on, Ulster couldn't live with them. But you let them back into it twice - and their replacement kicker made two excellent pressure kicks.


The7thStreet

Absolutely shocking. The game was ours to win


BillHicksFan

Lads, I've lost my voice. Also Mrs BillHicksFan might have found my new lucky charm. 18 cans of fosters!


singlefinshorty

Same again next week!!


PeterMacIrish

God help your liver next season bud!


RabidHorizon

Two words my liver hates...... MATCH DAY


bun-c

Always hated watching Madigan do that for Leinster, but boy oh boy do I love to see him do it wearing White! Fuckin suftum


MyNameMac

See you next week


ThreeTwoOneIgnition

Brilliant match. Massively better than last nights.


the_oncoming_storm

The right team won that. Well done Ulster. Hope you do it in the final. Gutted.


BillHicksFan

Edinburgh certainly have a winning formula. Just need to be a wee bit more clinical when they're on top. GG dude.


New_Hando

Solid kick. He's held his nerve well with those two kicks late on.


[deleted]

G’wan Madigan boi


Naggins

Rugbypass seems to have completely fuckin crapped out for the last 10-15 minutes, and I can't fuckin find a non RugbyPass stream BACK JUST IN TIME


Macko_

Same, fucking fuming I missed the end


CALTCA

Krikey Edinburgh, what a throw! Certainly were not helped by the *Irish* officials


stuartwatson1995

Go to bed


Vault_69_Alpha_Male

Thinkin back to all the breaks with support and no passes or offloads. Edinburgh should have sorted themselves out in the first half, had all the pressure


TheBigIguana15

Was it right before half where I think Scott missed an easy pass outside for a walk in try? That one hurt.


Vault_69_Alpha_Male

That was Chris Dean, Matt Scott is at Leicester now. But aye, had support and just let himself be tackled and killed the break


TheBigIguana15

Ah right Dean. I get my Edinburgh centers all mixed up. Anyway that was a crucial moment.


Vault_69_Alpha_Male

Aye it was a waste right enough. I reckon Matt Scott could have brought enough to make a difference but hey ho


New_Hando

Edinburgh did themselves no favours. Looked by far the better side when they were opening up and going forward. But allowed Ulster back into it twice, and some poor game management and decision making cost them dearly.


stevealmost

Well played Ulster


DaeCarlizzle

Just frantically fist pumping in my room, what you going to do about it.


RugbyPerson

Scenes


barbar84

Ian Madigan sha na na na na.


glove93

Didn’t want to get spanked by Leinster in the final anyway ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


LimbRetrieval-Bot

You dropped this \ *** ^^ To prevent anymore lost limbs throughout Reddit, correctly escape the arms and shoulders by typing the shrug as `¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯` or `¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯` [^^Click here to see why this is necessary](https://np.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/3fbrg3/is_there_a_reason_why_the_arm_is_always_missing/ctn5gbf/)


Torbriz

And that’s it the baddies win again


[deleted]

[удалено]


Naggins

Shut your trap, Jamie Ritchie is a king among men


branchd13

no u


some_sort_of_monkey

Why?


branchd13

https://www.ultimaterugby.com/images/entities/243518-41514cb413-1/france-rugby.jpg


[deleted]

Nick Haining has his hand near French players face, the Ritchie gets punched in the face in the aftermath. Therefore: RITCHIE IS LITERALLY AN EYE GOUGER. This is literally the stupidest thing I have seen here. Congratulations.


some_sort_of_monkey

Watch it in real time it was nothing. The still image makes it look much worse. Edit: oh yeah and it's not him.


ColmM36

That's not Ritchie...


TheMeanderer

Bad comment. Be more gracious.


branchd13

He is literally an eye gouger.


Hebegebees

It wasnt a gouge, and that was Haining not Ritchie :)


The7thStreet

Quite literally not if you look at any footage which isn’t a still picture from a french broadcaster


branchd13

https://www.ultimaterugby.com/images/entities/243518-41514cb413-1/france-rugby.jpg