Coach Kidney has reasons to be cheerful
With France, Scotland, Wales and England all succumbing to southern hemisphere opposition, the most content of all the Six Nations coaches has to be Ireland's Declan Kidney.
Not because he was presented, somewhat to the embarrassment of this essentially modest man, with the IRB Coach of the Year award, but because Ireland earned a draw with the Wallabies, disposed of Fiji and tiurned over World Champions South Africa in one of the most physical games ever played at Croke Park.
Despite the cold and the freezing fog, not a single spectator was going anywhere until the final whistle, as Ireland held off a late surge by an exhausted Springbok outfit who, thanks to the outstanding scrummaging of Ulster's BJ Botha, had been the better outfit in the first half.
But as Rob Kearney fielded kick after kick and Paul O'Connell, one of many Irishmen with a point to prove following last summer's Lions tour, galvanised the Irish forward effort, the game swung Ireland's way, and if Johnny Sexton (pictured above) missed with two penalty attempts, he was forgiven, as the youngster kicked the goals that mattered.
In the end, it was Brian O'Driscoll who secured the win. His tackle on Zane Kirchner not only saved the game but was good enough, on its own, to have earned him the IRB Player of the Year award, and I do not think even the excellent Richie McCaw would have begrudged him the accolade. Would you have given O'Drscoll the gong?
It was not just as cold at Ravenhill last Friday, but the sight of hordes of Ulster fans leaving with 10 minutes of the game against Glasgow to spare was pretty unedifying and hugely disappointing, as was Ulster's display on a weekend which saw all four Irish sides lose.
Having beaten Glasgow home and away last year, there was not unreasonable expectation that Ulster would win.
If they had, Brian McLaughlin's side would now be sitting on top of the table. What a boost that would have been ahead of the Heineken Cup.
But from 13-3 up, Ulster blew it, conceding penalties galore to Dan Parks who banged them over from all angles.
What on earth happened to Ulster's line-out? Wobbly at best against Munster last time out, it was awful, as was the second half discipline.
As a frustrated McLaughlin stated afterwards, it was "totally unacceptable".
MInd you, I am not convinced as to the logic of replacing Timosci Nagusa with Paul Marshall prompting, not just one, but three positional changes when the Fijian winger went off before half time!
Knowing Ulster, they will improve this weekend against Stade Francais as the Heineken Cup resumes. Always a tad flaky at Ravenhill, the Parisians have been upset and outplayed in the past, but, hand on heart, I am not so sure about this one.
Still, you can always get a decent bet down on just what colour the Stade team will emerge in at half past one this Saturday!
Hello, I'm Jim Neilly and I have been covering Ulster and Irish rugby for the BBC for 30 years. I also cover boxing for BBC Television.
© 2012~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~14~RS~)
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What a joke the awards are. BOD was this years, best player, despite the repressive and boring was that Kidney coaches, and McCaw gets that. Then, JOKE OF ALL JOKES, he wins the coaching award for playing dull rugby and ruining a good team. What about Lievremont? Or Andy Robinson?
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And i'm not new.
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Repressive and boaring???? In comparison to who? Scotland, England an ineffectual Wales or a Jekyll and Hyde France?
You might not be new but this doesn’t stop you talking nonsense
Sounds like jealousy
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Hi - reading the detail - yes I agree on BOD - his Lions performances would have won it outright ? - he led the way by example and made it into an epic set of matches.
I think he also had something to do with Irelands 6N win and Leinster's HC win - not sure what else he could have done?
Ulster - as I think you predicted they duly beat Stade Francais - but they need to get more consistent if more of their players are to get their deserved Irish recognition.
Munster probably are in decline - key players like Howlett and some others getting a bit long in the tooth now but Leinster seem to consolidating in strength - so maybe there is a place to fill as the competition to Leinster if Ulster can just focus and come up with a good run going forward.
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A fantastic year for Irish Rugby. The National team goes unbeaten. A great turnout for the Lions from the Irish (Tommy Bowe and Stephen Ferris before injury especially). Leinster Heineken Cup Winners, Munster Magners League Winners. Need i go on.
Even my own team of Ulster seem to be pulling a decent team together all we need is a bit more consistancy, away from home especially. I watched the game against Stade yesterday and although no faultless was great to watch and with some great players like Faloon, Best and Wallace on the side lines thigs are looking good. Next stop Brussels.
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