RUGBY HEINEKEN CUP QUARTER-FINAL, LEINSTER V CARDIFF:IT SEEMS understandable that Joe Schmidt should declare caution for the visit of Cardiff. One player sacked and another, one of their best, recently declared injured and Schmidt sees the danger of the wounded animal rather than a Welsh club back filling large holes.
For a coach who has never lost a match in a knockout competition except, as Leo Cullen helpfully corrected, against Munster in the Magners League final last season, Schmidt sees danger even without Sam Warburton, Jamie Roberts and the errant Gavin Henson. The latter’s dismissal may even have a reverse effect.
“I don’t perceive that to be any advantage at all,” says Schmidt. “I think sometimes that can kind of consolidate the group and get them to, I suppose, disregard the external problems and focus on their rugby.
“This is their one big chance to turn their season around. That will focus them. I don’t think they’ll be too distracted by any off-field attention that has been to the forefront of the media recently.”
Schmidt’s instincts in the face of a loaded Cardiff squad is that Leinster tread cautiously or foolishly. Experience tells him so and despite the whisperings of the captain reminding him of his veniality, Schmidt has been stung before when he worked in France at Clermont. Every coach has a similar story tucked away.
“There was one day in particular when Castres, who were right down at the bottom of the Top 14, came to Clermont,” says Schmidt. “We were runaway leaders in the Top 14. We had beaten Toulouse at home and away and it was towards the end of the season.
“We rested two or three guys but it was still a strong team and they scored four tries and got the bonus point. That’s why people love sport. They love the unknown.”
What was evident yesterday is that Leinster vigilance is not Leinster fear. On referee Dave Pearson, Schmidt says: “He is going to be very tough on anyone who is sealing off, guys who don’t roll out of the tackle quickly.”
The Aviva Stadium, more of a home for Leinster than Ireland? “It’s been a really, really enjoyable place. I think all and all it’s been really good. The way the fans bought into it has been pretty phenomenal,” says Cullen.
Brian O’Driscoll’s lack of match practice having been away from the game after a shoulder operation: “I was delighted what he gave last week [against Munster], a step up from the Ospreys,” says Schmidt.
“I think he’ll step up this weekend.”
The exercise of talking seems just that. Cullen acknowledges that Leinster hold the trophy and that imparts something meaningful too. Respect, and he has a lot for Cardiff, can be genuine but not adulatory.
“We know a lot of these players and the damage they have done to Irish teams over the years,” says Cullen.
“Places are hard to come by at the moment and that is a motivating factor as well and you have to focus on your own basics and that we are mentally in the right place.
“Sometimes what is happening with the other team is a lot of fuzz, what’s their team going to be, blah, blah, blah. It is important to keep an eye on it but we have to keep the majority of our focus on what we are doing.”
That thought holds true too. Whatever galvanising effect the trauma of Cardiff’s lost players will have on their performance tomorrow and whatever fear they may hold that their Welsh club system is crumbling and that this is a final roll of the dice, coaches Gareth Baber and Justin Burnell will put to good use.
They are entering a ground where Leinster have prospered and grown. Painting Cardiff team prospects in parables may not seem so far-fetched around Leckwith and Stadiwm Dinas Caerdydd. Schmidt is happy enough to go along with big head games and if that involves lionising Leinster, he will keep feeding the beast.
“They went to Toulon two years ago and no one gave them any sort of a chance,” he says. “I remember Xavier Rush was inspirational for them that day and being the new father he is he will be motivated to come here.
“He can inspire a group of other men to follow and if he gets up and running there are dangers. There are a lot of guys who can run off him, Bradley Davies and Gethin Jenkins. Lesser-known guys like (Ryan) Tyrrell have great sets of skills, his passing and carrying, and Chris Czekaj is a super stepper and very, very hard to put down in the first tackle. You have the guys like (Alex) Cuthbert who has been a sensation this season.”
Yes, he mentions Dan Parks’s ability to put the ball behind and how they contest the air with players like winger Alex Cuthbert.
Maybe not so wounded then; the last sting of a summer wasp.
Semi-final Venues
The winners of Sunday’s game between Munster and Ulster will play their semi-final at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, April 28th. They will face the winners of Edinburgh Rugby and Toulouse.
If Saracens, come through Sunday’s meeting with Clermont Auvergne, they meet the winners of the Leinster v Cardiff Blues game in the semi-final at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday, April 29th.
If Clermont defeat Saracens, they will play Leinster or Cardiff Blues in Bordeaux at Stade Chaban-Delmas.
HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINALS
Saturday, April 28th: Munster or Ulster v Edinburgh or Toulouse, Aviva Stadium.
Sunday, April 29th: Saracens or ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leinster or Cardiff Blues, Twickenham or Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux.
Saturday, May 19th: Heineken Cup final, Twickenham (5pm)
