Donncha O’Callaghan has criticised Leinster’s methods, and its ramifications for the July Assessments in South Africa, after the Irish membership’s URC semi-final defeat to the Vodacom Bulls.
Jake White’s costs claimed a 25-20 victory over a star-studded Leinster outfit at Loftus Versfeld final week, and can host a ultimate for the primary time within the URC once they face the Glasgow Warriors in Pretoria on Saturday.
The world champions Springboks will cross swords with Six Nations title-holders Eire in back-to-back Assessments subsequent month, and talking on RTE, O’Callaghan argued that Leinster’s loss highlighted deeper points inside Irish rugby.
The previous Eire lock identified that Leo Cullen’s technique of rotating 50 gamers and shielding stars from journey has backfired. He additionally criticised Leinster’s blunt assault, blaming the administration for not fostering a cohesive and decisive play fashion.
“They’ve received it unsuitable; they’ve received it unsuitable once more,” the 98-Check O’Callaghan mentioned.
“It’s good utilizing 50 gamers however in the case of cup ultimate rugby, you have to win it – and you have to have a group.
“And we noticed this group, star-studded with internationals, and so they have been misplaced on the highway as a result of they’re not used to doing it.
“So, that could be a flaw from administration. I wouldn’t fault these gamers; they’ll at all times exit and provides it their all – to be truthful to them – however they haven’t had any expertise in that [away games].
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“With the Irish mannequin, we wish to defend them however generally it’s almost an excessive amount of.”
He warned that this lack of accountability and publicity to powerful circumstances would harm Irish rugby.
“Leinster have been let off over the previous few years. They’re one of many best-resourced groups, not solely in membership rugby however in world rugby, and so they simply haven’t delivered,” O’Callaghan mentioned.
“Individuals depart them off. Media depart them off. They should be held accountable, not only for this efficiency, however for his or her performances over the past whereas.
“That will probably be damaging for Irish rugby. The entire of South Africa goes to leap up and say, ‘Look what our Bulls group did to this nationwide group’. We’re going to pay the worth on the summer season [July] tour.
“From a Leinster viewpoint, a fully horrible efficiency, horrible consequence and one that ought to actually shake the foundations.”
Picture: Gordon Arons/Gallo Pictures
