Things are not going well for Brian Smith in the second decade of the 21st century. From the frying pan of the England team into the fire of London Irish. Who would be a coach?
This is London Irish's sixth consecutive defeat and their 12th this season. When you stumble from defeat to defeat, try as you might, it is hard not to bemoan your luck. Smith could not resist here. His voice is deadpan, and his countenance never less than angelic, but the words are those of a tortured man. He pointed out – he is always careful not to complain – grievances with the referee, Luke Pearce, during this humbling 31-9 home defeat to Leicester, which leaves Irish looking over their shoulder at Sale at the bottom of the Premiership.
"Leicester were lucky to have Tom Youngs play that whole contest," he said. "There was one incident in the first half where there were no arms involved. He's come from a long way to shoulder charge into the side of the ruck. If it was another player in the league, perhaps that bloke would have been red-carded. Dec Danaher nearly lost his head."
Emotions on this matter are high at Irish. Chris Hala'ufia saw red three weeks ago for a tackle that was later pardoned by the powers that be. But when things are going against you …
Smith was also upset by the crucial turning point of the match, seven minutes from time. Having shipped 14 points to nil after half an hour, Irish had worked their way back into the contest at 14-9 with nearly half an hour to go and were looking the more likely to score next. But a long-range (and contestable) penalty from Toby Flood moved Leicester back out to eight points ahead in the 68th minute.
Then Marland Yarde broke clear from his own 22 and Irish were on the attack again. "We gave ourselves a chance to strike," said Smith. "We were well in behind them. It was quite clear that there were hands in the ruck. And all of a sudden there's a penalty try against us at the other end. And that was game, set and match. It's tough times at the moment."
Those devious Leicester hands turned the ball over, it bounced free, and, while Irish players remonstrated, Niall Morris – an Irishman in the Midlands – scampered clear, chipped the last man and was hit with a tackle as he went to touch the ball down. You could understand if Smith felt there were a curse hanging over him just now. And we have not even mentioned the wicked bounce of the ball and dubious grounding that featured in Leicester's opening try, the first of a brace for Morris.
But Irish must take the blame too. Leicester played the wet weather far better in the first half, with Flood masterful on his return from injury. Even if the torrent of 17 points in the last 13 minutes was harsh, to concede four tries on your own patch, in soaking conditions, in front of a hearty home crowd just before Christmas, is not the mark of a self-respecting Premiership side.
Leicester, though, were delighted to emerge from a difficult assignment in between the Heineken Cup and Christmas with the full five points, particularly when it did look, with an hour on the clock, as if they might even lose.
As it is they keep their place among the leaders, same as usual. Some people make their own luck.
London Irish Homer; Ojo, Joseph, Tagicakibau, Yarde; Humphreys, Allinson; Lahiff (Yanuyanutawa 72), Paice (Lawson 72), Aulika (Halavatau 72), Evans, Garvey, Danaher (capt), Sinclair (Gibson 59), Hala'ufia (Low 75)
Pens Humphreys 3
Leicester Murphy; Morris, Tuilagi, Allen, Thompstone; Flood, B Youngs; Ayerza (Mulipola 74), T Youngs (Hawkins 75), Cole, L Deacon (capt), Kitchener (Parling 57), B Deacon, Salvi, Crane
Tries Morris 2, penalty; Cons Flood 4; Pen Flood
Referee Luke Pearce Att 10,958
No comments:
Post a Comment