Building a Pack.
By fatlad76
February 18 2021
Fresh from last week's match report The Craic's very own wine-correspondent gives a vintners view of our visit to Sandy Park - home of the mighty Exeter.
Sitting back and letting my mind wonder this week I spent some time thinking about how you build a really, good pack. Now starting with the front row, you must have real strength and big bodies. For that I would go for a Tanat and on advice from HMRH a Sagrantino. For me, the middle of the front row is simple and there is only one a perfect Argentinian Malbec!
The second row is interesting. I know that most people would automatically plump for a big Saffa Pinotage, but we are London Irish. We like to be different. I would much rather go for something big and bold like a sun-soaked South Australian Shiraz and a Coorawarra Cabernet. Sounding good so far?
On the flanks you need something with a bit more bounce and a Pinot Noir fits perfectly. I especially like a New Zealand variety, since you can rely on them and they travel well. Even as far as Scotland.
Finally, the No 8. Also needs to be big and strong so a Petite Syrah would be my choice here. Let us hope they last the 80 minutes!
So on to the game. After two “great” wins, was this a defining moment for us? A win against Exeter would make a massive statement about where we are and that we are real contenders for a top 4 spot or better! But then again are we ready? Sandy Park is a very difficult place to go to and win but then again hold on haven’t we just done it? Some may argue that they were resting players at that time for the end of season semi’s, but are they not in the same situation this week with many first choices away of international duty? Add all this together for me the jury is out. Win and we are top four contenders or lose and we are still top six contenders and hopefully no damage done. Still think however while sitting behind the sofa we could pinch this one though!
First thoughts were that it looked very windy and the pitch looked like a cabbage patch. Exeter had much more of the ball in the opening salvo and we seemed unable to stop them making a few yards with each push and it looked inevitable that they would score, and they did after 3 minutes. We were tackling but going backwards every time. Our first breather came in the 7th minute when we got to their 22 but their defence looked much stronger than ours and they had more energy about them. I thought this was supposed to be a weakened team. No sign of that and perhaps that is the difference from being a top 4 contender? It does not matter who you put in, the process and confidence of the well-oiled machine comes through. We are not there yet. There were hints of last week and we needed the game to settle which it looked like it would do after a great Mafi turn over, but we were finding it very hard to make yards.
After a midfield break, we were back in the corner and a poorly defended maul resulted in their second try. The writing was now on the wall and this could be a very long day. Good job I am teetotal!!!
Silly mistakes and what appeared to be an overzealous judge and jury kept pinning us back. Exeter are making all the yards. Creevy’s arrows are wayward again but I would say theirs were not perfect in the wind either. A stint of injuries and we lose Rona, Simmons, and Stokes for HIA meaning Phipps is now on the wing. The subs split in hindsight might not have been ideal. So, at half time it is 14-3 and we are second best by a long way, but we are not out of it and we will have the wind in the second half.
The second half starts with an exchange of kicks before we stand aside and wave Cuthbert through for their 3rd. Come on where was the defence? Theirs on the other hand was phenomenal! With 7 minutes to go a chest tackle by Matu was examined and adjudged to be leading with the head and a red card offence. It probably was but on watching other games over the last few weeks I can cite other cases that looked identical or worse that were put down as just rugby incidents.
Exeter eventually kick to the corner and walk over for the bonus point. Time to start the bus, I think.
Not a good day at the office, but they did not run away with it. Let us just put it down to being a learning experience and continue building the pack and some solid foundations.
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Quote:franciscorrigan
Egri Bikaver (Bull's Blood) makes more sense for a front row red
Good call I didnt consider a Hungarian wine