Leinster have suffered their third straight URC Semi-Final loss after losing 25-20 to the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria this afternoon. In a replay of the 2022 semi-final, in which The Bulls pulled off a 27-26 upset in the RDS, today's game was played in the altitude of the Loftus Versveld stadium and was a similarly disappointing result for the Irish province, who now finish their third season in a row without winning any silverware.
This afternoon's result is one which very few saw coming, as Leinster fielded a full-strength side that included Gary Ringrose and James Ryan, who have both been returning from injuries sustained earlier on in the year. The only significant absentee for Leinster was Hugo Keenan, who joined the Irish 7s set up after Leinster's Champions Cup defeat to Toulouse on May 25th. Meanwhile, the Bulls were without Springbok winger Kurt lee Arendse and Canan Moodie, and were many pundits' favourites to come up short.
Former Munster and Ireland Second-Row Donncha O'Callaghan compared this afternoon's shock result to that of Offaly vs Kerry in 1982, whereby the Faithful county stopped Kerry's five in a row campaign. O'Callaghan was joined by Jamie Heaslip and Fiona Coghlan on the RTE panel, who were equally damning of Leinster's performance and their season as a whole.
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Donncha O'Callaghan compares Leinster loss to Kerry's shock defeat to Offaly in 1982
As Leinster suffered their third URC semi-final loss in a row, after losing their last three finals of the Champions Cup, Donncha O'Callaghan lambasted the province for their failure to win any silverware in recent years, considering the financial resources at their disposal.
To their credit, the Bulls executed a perfect game-plan for tonight's game as they stretched the narrow Leinster blitz defence to its edges on numerous occasions. Their kicking game opened up the Leinster defence, whilst the Irish province's attack caused the South African side very few problem. When asked about how Leinster have found themselves on the end of another semi-final defeat, O'Callaghan was dumbfounded,
To be fair, that is the greatest upset since Offaly And Kerry like this, shouldn't have been a result that we're chatting about"
For me Leinster have been left off over the last few years. They are one of the best resourced teams, not only in club rugby, but in world rugby and they just have not delivered and people leave them off. Media leave them off. All this kind of narrative goes different ways. They need to be held accountable."
O'Callaghan continued and said that today's result is a bad omen for Ireland's upcoming summer tour to South Africa, with the first test due to get underway on July 6th. Considering every player in Leinster's starting lineup has played for Ireland on multiple occasions in recent years, O'Callaghan believes that today's result has shown how to beat Ireland. He argued "now the whole of South Africa has jumped up and said, Look what our Bulls team did against this national team."
He closed with a disappointed and shocked look written across his face, stating,
"From a Leinster point of view, absolutely terrible performance, terrible result, and one that should really rock the foundations."
'They got it wrong' - Donncha O'Callaghan reflects on a disappointing end to the campaign for Leinster #URC #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/igZUpNa4jb
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 15, 2024
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The Bulls produced an excellent performance tonight, and almost took the lead in the 19th minute, however Devon Williams' try was disallowed for foul play in the build-up. Leinster were on the scoreboard first thanks to a try from James Lowe, but their lead lasted just six minutes after Johan Goosen crossed the whitewash to draw the sides level. The Bulls held a three point lead at half time thanks to a penalty from Goosens.
James Lowe takes advantage after Sergeal Peterson enters the sin bin.
Ross Byrne adds the extras.
BULLS 0-7 LEIN
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📻 @satsportrte on @rteradio1 pic.twitter.com/tngPznnQCb— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 15, 2024
The Bulls got off to a brilliant start to the second half thanks to a well worked try, scored by Sergeal Peterson. Leinster reduced the deficit after Caelan Doris scored a try in the 50th minute. A string of penalties from both sides meant the game balanced on a knife-edge with just fifteen minutes to go. Peterson doubled his tally for the game after recovering an excellent box kick to beat Ciaran Frawley in the air and ran in for the game-defining score.
Magic take from Peterson before putting the Bulls back into the lead. Goosen's conversion goes wide.
BULLS 25-20 LEIN
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📻 @satsportrte on @rteradio1 pic.twitter.com/9AzdAtJrDV— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 15, 2024
