Ulster, this was just not good enough

Rugby

David Humphreys' children Katie and James pose with their Dad before his final game for Ulster against Cardiff Blues at Ravenhill

Monday, May 12, 2008

By Gavin Mairs

When you strip away the emotions of David Humphreys' farewell at Ravenhill on Friday night, the cold light of day does little for Ulster's performance in the 26-17 defeat to Cardiff.

A second successive reverse in Belfast was a hugely disappointing finish to a campaign and a season that reached new depths of despair. The end could not come quickly enough.

For the record, Ulster won just six games in the Magners League, with a draw against Leinster, and suffered 11 defeats - a win ratio of just 33 per cent. Ulster also conceded more points than any other team £ 407 (a staggering average of 22.6 points per game) and secured a paltry three bonus points.

Bottom-placed Connacht's victory over the Neath/Swansea Ospreys on Friday night ensured that the western province finished just five points behind Ulster.

Put it another way - Ulster were just a bonus-point victory away from losing their place in the Heineken Cup next season.

As for Europe, it was Ulster's worst campaign since 1999/2000, with just one win, against Bourgoin at Ravenhill, in six pool ma tches. The points conceded were even higher than the Magners League average at just under 29 per game.

That's just not good enough and everyone involved in the set-up - from top to bottom - should be asking themselves some soul-searching questions this morning.

The biggest casualty of the season was former coach Mark McCall, who resigned in November by which time the wheels had well and truly come off and it was left to Matt Williams to belatedly pick up the pieces when he started at Ravenhill in February.

If his minimum and absolute target of securing Ulster's place in the Heineken Cup next season was met, the Australian knows a summer of hard work lies ahead if he is to turn the ship around.

For, while Ulster once again showed glimpses of thrilling rugby on Friday night, the season-long traits of defensive lapses, poor discipline and failure to finish off gilt-edged chances once again combined to allow another match-winning opportunity to slip away in the final quarter.

The only major plus point was Simon Danielli who, on his current form, is one of the most dangerous, line-breaking runners in Europe and should at least make up in some way for the huge loss of Tommy Bowe's departure to the Ospreys.

Andrew Trimble, who is due a groin operation and a summer of rehabilitation also had a superb game, revelling in a Brian O'Driscoll-type role as a third flanker.

Williams, who can now properly roll up his sleeves and get to the root of the problems during the pre-season, will welcome the arrival of new signings BJ Botha, Clinton Schifcofske, Robbie Diack, Cillian Willis and Ed O'Donoghue, whose signings will be officially announced in the next couple of weeks once the Super 14 draws to a conclusion.

And while his search for a big-name wing to replace Bowe continues, his first priority will be to tighten up Ulster's defence.

"We lost the game to Cardiff, they didn't win it," said Williams, who may fill the vacancy left by former defence coach Neil Kelly, who has been appointed the new head coach of rugby league side Leigh.

"That is two games in a row now that we have just leaked soft, soft tries and guys have got to take personal responsibility and be accountable that when they come up in a line, they have to make the tackle.

"You can miss the odd tackle but we are doing it time and time again and it is a cancer. Until we fix that we won't win. That is the number one problem with the team. International players should be able to make a one-on-one tackle.

"We have the worst defensive record in the league and it is an area of absolute major concern.

"The hard work starts on Monday. We have a full week's work before the players go on holiday. It will be about assessment - getting some honest evaluation about themselves and from the coaches.

Williams added: "This is the real chance to draw a line in the sand. We are not a million miles away but if we keep missing tackles and losing the penalty count, we will be in trouble.

"It is more a mental issue rather than a technical issue and when we get our ball in hand we look pretty good.

"The shape of our attack has been much better and I also think the new law variations will suit us as well."