Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
It’s Fardy party for boss Leo
LEINSTER coach Leo Cullen praised veteran Wallaby Scott Fardy for steering his young side to victory at Thomond Park.
The 35-year old provided great leadership for a second-string Leinster side but they never trailed as they extended their winning run to 13 matches.
“There’s nothing he’s not an expert on and he’s great value to the group,” said Cullen. “It was his perfect type of game because it’s in the trenches and he’s that quasi second row/back row.
“It’s more in the way he leads the team as well. He’s good in terms of how he communicates with the group – he’s a good mentor.”
Cullen said it was a strange encounter but he praised his men for the way they closed out the victory.
“It was a funny game, it really was. The conditions made it very difficult. It was almost like having two extra defenders, with the wind. Defence was on top for most the game, so it was hard breaking both defences down.
“Lots of endeavour from both teams but lacked a bit of cutting-edge quality.
“But to get a win down here is very pleasing, fantastic. Lot of young guys out there.”
He said the manner in which they maintained their composure and did not panic in the hectic closing minutes was very encouraging.
“The dig-in at the end – that’s the most pleasing part.
“It’s wave after wave, pick-and-go, close quarter stuff but at least we’re getting bodies in the way to stop the ballcarrier with latches and all the other bits and that’s traditionally the strength of Munster’s game so the fight there was great, with a mixture of some young guys and old guys.”