Leinster head coach Leo Cullen praised his side’s “exceptional” performance after they dismantled the Vodacom Bulls at Croke Park on Friday night.
The Irish giants produced a clinical display to triumph 36-7 and retain their URC crown.
For the Bulls, it was a fourth URC final defeat in five seasons.
“I thought that was an exceptional day out there today. It was a great way to finish the season,” Cullen said.
“I thought there were so many good things in the performance today. That’s really pleasing.
“The staff, everybody’s worked their asses off, which is good. There’s so much good out there.”
ACKERS: We never gave ourselves a chance
Leinster’s victory was particularly impressive given the challenges they faced throughout the campaign, including a poor start to the URC season and a lengthy injury list.
“If you think, when we sat here after round four, losing to Munster, having lost three of our first four games … there’s been so much great things this season,” Cullen said. “There have been lots of positives.
“The group have been incredibly tight together. It’s been a really enjoyable year. It’s amazing to be here.
“It was just a great day for the province, which is what we want.”
Cullen reserved special praise for loosehead prop Jerry Cahir, who started the final after beginning the season playing All-Ireland League club rugby.
“We know that the Bulls have a lot of threat around their set-piece, so to have Jerry Cahir, who we talked about pre-game – persistence and perseverance, I think, would sum him up,” Cullen said.
“I thought he was immense, really. To see his progression through the season has been amazing.”
ALSO: Ackers rues costly early turning point
Leinster captain Caelan Doris, who left the field with a foot injury early in the match, was equally delighted with the performance.
“Unbelievably proud, obviously very disappointed going off,” he said. “It was class watching on.
“Not how I would have hoped the game went for me personally, but I absolutely loved sitting on the side watching the lads front up physically. It was class to watch.”
Doris also paid tribute to his coach.
“Delighted for the group, the lads leaving, but also for the coach himself.
“The effort that they’ve put in, Leo in particular is Leinster through and through.
“He wants the best for the group and has desired this more than anyone. Not for himself, but for the group and the collective.”
ALSO: Bok greats blast URC final officials’ ‘fiction’
Cullen believes the title-winning display showed that lessons had been learned from Leinster’s Investec Champions Cup final defeat to Bordeaux Bègles in Bilbao.
“There’s so much to love about the performance today because there’s definitely learnings that are being put into place performance-wise,” he said.
“Whatever the perception is on the outside, we’ve really enjoyed this season. We’ve had a lot of fun in the last while. It’s a great group to be a part of.
“It’s always trying to make these magic days, isn’t it?
“I thought it was amazing out there. Amazing atmosphere with the crowd and just people that really want to get behind the team.”
Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Gallo Images
The post Cullen: So much to love about Leinster appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen praised his side’s “exceptional” performance after they dismantled the Vodacom Bulls at Croke Park on Friday night.
The post Cullen: So much to love about Leinster appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
