He didn't play badly at all. He made roughly three errors, unfortunately they were very big errors that a more astute opponent would have punished more severely. His runs were purposeful. He showed good awareness, looked very alert. He was always looking for a turnover. Maybe there were times he should have assisted with a tackle, but his decision making was generally sharp. He did win a couple of good turnovers, one deep in Ulster's 22 which defused a period of intense pressure when the Kings were threatening to take hold of that game. His defence was mostly good. Speed around the field was good. I wouldn't say he was among the strongest players out there. He was officially awarded man of the match. I can't argue too much with that.
GENERAL NOTES
The Kings were horrendous in the first 20 minutes, they could have had a couple of yellows for repeated penalties. They used their lineout to apply pressure and get into the game, their maul was devastating. They improved markedly and some periods were they really looked dangerous. They are particularly lethal from broken play, or turnover ball. They have some muscle to throw around and good speed. They are clearly capable of playing significantly better than this. They counter rucked very hard at times.
Speight was a real menace every time he touched the ball. Very hard to bring down.
Deysel looked very strong in contact for the brief period he was on.
Ulster were by far the more organised team. Their superior structure left the Kings clutching at straws in the first 30 minutes. It was desperate. I think that repeated stoppages took them out of their game, and once the Kings had some territory their lineout drive was really telling. Ulster ended very strongly however, connecting with some great support and quick short passing.
Commentator: "Seriously illegal at the breakdown there, just flopping all over the ball off their feet, the Kings. Virtually zero discipline it would seem in the contact area at the moment. And the Cheetahs guilty of this last night as well against Glasgow, it appears to be an African virus right now".
LINEUPS
Ulster:
- Andrew Warwick
- Rob Herring
- Tom O'Toole
- Alan O'Connor
- Kieren Treadwell
- Marcell Coetzee
- Sean Reidy
- Nick Timoney
- John Cooney
- Billy Burns
- Henry Speight
- Stuart McCloskey
- Darren Dave
- Craig Gilroy
- Peter Nelson
- Adam McBurney
- Eric O'Sullivan
- Wiehahn Herbst
- Jean Deysel
- Matthew Rea
- David Shanahan
- Angus Curtis
- Angus Kernohan
- Schalk Ferrerira
- Michael Willemse
- Luvuyo Pumpuma
- John-Charles Astle
- Bobby de Wee
- Stephan de Wit
- Tienie Burger
- Andisa Ntsila
- Godlen Masimla
- Masixole Banda
- Bjorn Basson
- Berton Klaasen
- Harlon Klaasen
- Yaw Penxe
- Michael Botha
- Alandre van Rooyen
- Xandre Vos
- Justin Forwood
- Lubabalo Mtyanda
- Ruan Lerm
- Rudi van Rooyen
- Martin du Toit
- Ntabeni Dukisa
SOUTHERN KINGS (K) vs ULSTER (U)
HALF 1
00:16 - Kick-Off: Stands behind ruck after kick-off, eventually dives into ruck. The ref awards breakdown penalty to Ulster a few seconds after. Penalty not the result of U6.
01:53 - Run: Second phase after scrum. U9 to flat to U6 with U5 trailing. Hit low and goes to ground on contact.
03:20 - Run: U9 with flat POD to the left. U9 to U6, middle runner. Very strong carry into Kings 22. Quick, clean ball.
03:37 - Ruck: U6 ruck clean.
05:26 - Restart: U6 lifts U4 to field restart.
06:29 - Ruck: U6 is in midfield on lineout play. U12 crashball. U6 first to secure possession, ruck isn't contested by Kings. They load up on the fringes quickly.
07:29 - Run: U9 to U6. U6 bursts around K5, the fend is unsuccessful as K5 pulls him to ground. Good ground gained.
08:00 - Attack: U10.U6.U8 spread. U6 Screen runner for U13.
08:10 - Run: U9 to U6 coming onto ball at pace. U6 barrels into guard, K4. Gets over gainline. Quick, clean ball.
10:16 - Restart: U6 lifter for U4. Ball goes just behind to U8.
10:24 - Run: Kings up quickly, K1 hits U6 directly, goes to ground. Little gain as U6 falls laterally inward.
13:19 - Lineout: Ulster maul. U6 trailer. U6 disengages quickly, lateral run past K2. K9 low tackle which sweeps his legs, flipping his legs up. [ADV]
15:12 - Attack: Ulster working ball wide through several passes. U6 up quickly in middle of field as screen for U13. K12 reads the movement perfectly and ignores U6. K12 tracks U13 very well but gets beaten easily with an inside step.
15:32 - Ruck: U6 protects attacking ruck.
15:44 - Attack: U9 to U10. U10 cut ball to 12 in front of U6. K4 bites U6 read and is taken out of play rushing out of line.
15:57 - Run: Three man POD. U6 middle runner. U9 to U6. U6 cuts inside K7, but caught shortly thereafter by K3.
16:56 - Attack: Bird ball to U9, U9 to U11. U11 carries up strongly. U6 trails and cleans aside defender at ruck.
19:07 - Defence: Ulster overthrow lineout. K2 gathers, runs up very strongly. Beats U9, eventually dragged to ground by U7. U6 fails to grab him from behind. Minor issue.
20:18 - Attack: Ulster maul off lineout. Maul moving laterally inward before U9 darts off.
20:57 - Run: POD (U1.U6.U3) to the left. U9 to U6. Engages K3, dummies to U3 and runs inside K3. Caught by K1 immediately after, but advances strongly. Front foot ball for Ulster in Kings 22. Quick, clean ball.
21:18 - Run: POD (U1.U3.U6) to the right. U1 picks up as U9 tied in ruck, U1 to U6. U6 runs out and in, targetting space outside K6. Gets behind K6 and advances with K13 hanging off him. Very close to Kings 22. U9 picks and goes immediately after and scores a try. Kings leave sizeable gap between ruck and pillar defender. Line set too wide. U9 darts into gap. Try disallowed for U2's no arm hit entering ruck. Yellow card U2.
25:08 - Run: Ulster lineout. Bird ball to U9. U9 wide flat to U12. U12 fixes K6, short ball to U6. U6 burst between K12 and K9. Gets over gainline.
26:54 - Restart: U6 lifter for U5. K8 takes U5 out in the air. [PEN]
27:46 - Run: Ulster lineout. Bird ball to U9. U9 wide flat to U12. U12 dummies and punches into defence, dragging K6 and K9 back a good distance. U6 is shadowing his progress and grounds him for quick recycle.
28:38 - Attack: Kings breakout on turnover ball. Ulster caught on their own goal line with ball. U6 on fringe screening for U9 to make clearance.
29:38 - Defence: Kings lineout. Maul. U6 shadows seam, very alert. K9 flat to K5, being driven by K1. U6 is up very quickly, taking him high. Tackle force by K2 who twists round and buckles K5 and to ground, with U6 lending good support.
30:44 - Defence: Kings lineout. Maul in Ulster 22. U6 not in lineout, but in the line. As Kings threaten U6 rushes in and enters maul.
31:54 - Scrum (U): Ulster sloppy ball retreived. U6 removes to the openside ruck fringe, supports drive, ready for subsequent clean. Ulster win penalty. [PEN]
33:20 - Attack: Ulster are shutdown by a very strong outsie rush by Kings. Ulster scramble, U21 to U6 back inside. U6 runs over K7 giving Ulster good playform to secure possession and redirect play.
34:12 - Defence: Kings field box kick. They pass deep to K10, K10 to K12 who runs inside arcing laterally, dummies to K11, picks space between U8 and U6. U8 primary tackler, wraps him up. U6 swats, but fails to lend any influence. K5 clears U6 away from ruck.
35:39 - Lineout: Ulster maul. U7 fumbles ball shortly after maul set.
36:32 - Defence: Kings scrum. K7 off the ground pass to K9 as U6 shoots out and tackles him back.
37:35 - Defence: K2 peels off maul, barrels into U2, knocking him to ground, twists round. He is caught by U6 who pulls him to ground whilst on his feet, then attacks ball. Cleared away by K5. U6 is back on his feet quickly, takes up pillar defence.
38:00 - Run: POD (U2.U6.U1) to right of U21. U21 to U6. He bursts into K6 low, turns on the hit and drives himself forward.
38:39 - Run: U21 out to U6 between train tracks. He cuts inside in front of K2 and K7. K4 hits him mid-height and blunts his charges. Ball poorly presented, pops out of ruck and gathered by K8. Kings secure possession. K9 clears into Ulster 22. U11 gathers ball, is hit by a flying K11 and is knocked to ground. U11 gets up quickly, only to be hit low by K12. U11 offloads to U15 who clears into touch. Kings lineout in Ulster 22.
39:46 - Defence: Kings maul off lineout. They threaten the Ulster line. U6 was in defensive line, now enters maul. He is guarding the openside fringe of ruck. Nobody sees K7 emerge with a dart for the line through the ruck. Try reviewed and disallowed.
40:36 - Defence: Another maul off a lineout. S6 is very quick to enter maul. Very alert at the back, takes up position on left of maul, attempts to stand up carrier right on the line, pulling player back, away from line.
41:06 - Defence: K9 wide to K8. K8 looks up, runs between U1 and U6. both hold him up, blunting initial force of run. U1 takes him to ground. U6 is quickly over the top winning breakdown penalty. This defused very threatening period by Kings deep in Ulster 22. U10 clears to touch to end the half.
HALF 2
40:59 - Defence: Kings building pressure in Ulster 22. K9 to K5. U6 is up very quickly grabs him around the waist. K5 gets behind tackle and is brought down by K1. Kings quick recycle.
41:08 - Defence: POD (K5.K7.K6) short left. K9 to K7. U6 up quickly again, but K7 bursts inside past him. U6 cleared over ruck from Kings side.
42:12 - Defence: Kings maul off lineout. They break through Ulster and advance to tryline. U6 is up to stem tide, but cleared away. No possibility to prevent try.
43:52 - Defence: K9 wide to K7. K7 runs between U3 and U6. He goes to ground. U6 is up to attack ball, cleared away by K5.
44:10 - Run: U21 to POD to his right. U21 to U6. U6 knocks K5 out of the way as he is tackled low. Gains some ground.
45:40 - Defence: Kings lineout. U6 not part of lineout, in middle of field. Bird ball to K9. K9 to K10, K10 to K8. He runs between U6 and U10. K8 drives through U6 for very good gain.
46:00 - Defence: U6 attacks ruck. Unsuccessful, though almost disrupts possession.
46:17 - Defence: K9 to K14 on the blindside. U13 is up very quickly and knocks him back, ball and all. U13 wins turnover. U6 clears K2 away, who threatened to win it back.
47:50 - Run: Quick tap by U11, who bursts forward through Kings defence before going down. He loses ball back after being grounded. U21 gathers passes short to U6. U6 runs at space between K5 and K6. K5 dives on him from behind, bringing him to ground. Good gain by U6. Ball presented poorly, bobbles out ruck. Gathered by K8, who is grabbed by U21 immediately. Ulster fight to bring him down, but he stays up. U6 is back on his feet and retreats to grab K5 high, then attacks ball. He fails, then retreats to fringe defence. Kings secure breakdown with two players having gained good ground.
53:11 - Attack: U7 off the ground to U2. U2 tackled low by K7. huge ruck clean by U6 on K12 in Kings 22.
53:47 - Run: U21 short to U6 in by Kings posts. Steps right a couple of steps, is grabbed around the right leg by K12. U6 drags himself forward.
54:15 - Run: U21 wide to U6. Run angling in, passes two rushers is hit well by K18 who dislodges ball in tackle. K8 recovers in Kings 22. K21 to K1 who clears with a huge kick all the way to Ulster 22.
54:55 - Run: U21 to U6, K4 rushes out quickly, cutting him off. U6 cuts back in draging K4 with him. Doesn't gain much ground. Brought down near previous ruck.
55:20 - Defence: K5 runs between U17 and U6. U17 takes him low. U6 quickly over the top, almost wins turnover.
55:48 - Defence: Ulster ruck fringe exposed. U21 moves around ruck to the right. U4 enters ruck, which leaves fringe exposed. Gap of at least a meter. K7 picks and goes, running into gap. U21 and U6 converge upon K7, but he fixes and passes out to K18.
56:42 - Defence: Kings win ball from Ulster lineout. They go wide several passes. K12 runs between two Ulster defenders. U6 is in the vicinity, he is very quickly over the top and wins turnover. Kings are exposed now.
57:30 - Attack: U21 to U10 behind U6 screen.
59:29 - Scrum: Ulster going forward. U6 with ball at feet, keeps it tidy. Kings penalized.
60:17 - Scrum: Ulster going forward. U6 with ball at feet, tidy again. Picks up and darts for the line. K21 grabs him and fights to prevent U6 from grounding ball. U6 overpowers him. [TRY]
62:18 - Defence: Joins ruck, after clearing K20 away. Takes up position tight on ruck protecting U21 for box kick.
64:35 - Defence: K10 short ball to K2 for crashball into K4 and K17. U6 joins ruck, holds him down after, fishing for turnover.
70:20 - Defence: K20 from scrum to K21. K21 steps inside U21, offloads to K20. U21 and U6 bring him down from behind. Kings gain considerable ground down the blindside.
71:09 - Run: U21 to U6. U6 looks outside him for support, runs up into K7. He pushes through his inside shoulder, getting behind the tackle. Good ball presentation. Quick ball.
73:34 - Run: U21 to U6. He beats two defenders as he angles in towards and through ruck area. Attempts offload as K18 his him at chest height. Ball is loose. Gathered by U22
75:13 - Defence: K21 wide flat to K22. K22 short to K8 for crashball. U22 knocked out of the way, to ground on impact. U12 fights to bring him down as U6 shadows their movement, looking for a turnover opportunity. K8 goes to ground, U6 is immediately over the top. Very nearly wins turnover. Quick to avoid conceding penalty.
75:29 - Defence: Ulster defence is drifting. K22 cuts against the grain, across U17 and U6. U6 with diving tackle to bring him to ground.
77:05 - Attack: Ulster breakout from scrum play. They play the opposite direction now. U21 to U12, U12 to U6. U6 draws K19, turns passes short to U19.
78:41 - Attack: Deep in Kings 22. U21 to U6, gets behind tackle for no gain.
78:55 - Attack: Ulster secure possession on Kings 22 line. U21 to U4, U4 to U20. U20 drags K4 a good distance back as he advances into Kings 22. To ground. U21 to U16. U16 behind U17 to U12. U12 to U6 in some space. U6 fixes K13, sends a long acing ball to U23 along the touchline.
79:11 - Attack: Supports ruck.
