Never has a meaningless game felt so meaningful. In the grand scheme of things the result doesn't mean that much, both sides will qualify for the knockout stages. But that's the beauty of Leinster Munster games. What has gone on before and what will happen after doesn't have a huge impact on the result. Each game is a stand-alone affair and the "it's like a cup final cliché spouted by the pundits does have a degree of relevance.
The unpredictable outcome and predictable intensity were both present in this instalment. Leinster completely dominated the first half but didn't show up for the second. Munster sensed Leinster were playing loose and played the game in a way that maximised Leinster's ill discipline.
But beyond the result, there are so many subplots that make this fixture. Now that the Irish team is made up of more than Munster forwards and Leinster backs, these games turn into ferocious trial matches. Think back to even five years ago. The national team were challenged for positions by people on their own team. These games were actually far less interesting than we remember.
We never thought: It's going to be great to see if Donnacha Ryan or Kevin McLaughlin can get the inside track on the final World Cup squad place. It was usually a Munster forward vs Munster forward for a spot in the Irish pack.
(Please note that the last scenario is purely hypothetical. I loved that some papers were suggesting that as Ryan covers both second row and back row he could be in the squad. There is a HUGE difference between covering both positions and playing flanker but having the pace and skill set of a second row. Donnacha Ryan is more likely to be working at the World Cup than playing in it.)
Now back to the game. Leinster played great rugby in the first half. Isa Nacewa's great counter attacking made me sad because it makes his 5 minutes as a Fijian international the biggest mistake in recent years that doesn't involve Paddy Wallace in Cardiff.
His running line for the first try was a ringer for the one that helped break the deadlock in the semi-final two years ago but this time Shane Horgan was the benefactor. His bootlace pickup was a reminder of the days when he was one of the premier wings in Europe. A big moment before half time was when referee Andrew Small elected not to card Tony Buckley for a professional foul near his own line. Referees like Small sound like a guard or a teacher that loves lecturing people. His yellow card copout was along the lines of when the home team has one guy in the bin a player would have to jump the barrier and behave like Trevor Brennan to be carded aswell.
Munster was reprieved and their backs didn't even have to play very well to get back in the game. O'Gara's goal kicking was exceptional but they didn't make any telling breaks. They didn't half to. Leinster gave away 3 points whenever Munster was within forty metres of the line. This practice may be justifiable if Munster was stretching Leinster but they weren't, although the Munster pack carried really well. The Leinster defence was strong, stingy and aggressive. One decision the ref did get right was O'Driscoll's sin binning. Although he was passionately arguing his case the replay didn't indicate that he tried to roll away in the tackle.
Tony McGahan took a risk with keeping some internationals like Leamy on the bench but the punch he added to proceedings made a big difference. McGahan has gotten some stick for inheriting a Heineken cup winning side and taking them to the brink of the Amlin challenge cup semi-finals and when he doesn't select Keith Earls at fullback he deserves some of it.
Earl's counterattacking from that position against England was a springboard to victory but McGahan shunted him to the wing in favour of Felix Jones. Jones has improved a lot but if he were a better fullback than Earls he'd still play for Leinster. Earls was bright when in possession and Jones did quite well with a lot more ball. But they should have been Earl's touches and instead he was starving on the wing.
Small made one very questionable decision in the closing stages that affected the outcome. Howlett tackled Fitzgerald, who had gathered a high kick, held onto him and didn't roll away. Rather than give Leinster a penalty or at least a scrum, which would have been generous on Howlett, he gave Munster a scrum. It was the wrong decision but Munster still worked their way down field through their pack and O'Gara coolly slotted the winner.
Good game, some dodgy decisions, ref was a bit of a buffoon, we shouldn't crown Leinster yet, Munster aren't finished, Nacewa is in the form of his life and these teams will meet one more time this season.
