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According to the URC’s Stats Page, this team ranks:
5th in Attack (Points scored, offloads, defenders beaten, tries scored, metres gained & clean breaks)
7th in Defence ( Tackles made, tackles missed, turnovers won, tackle success & turnovers lost)
5th in Kicking ( Penalties scored/missed, dropgoals, conversions,tries from kicks, kick metres & kicks from hand)
12th in Discipline (Yellow cards, penalties conceded, lineout defences, red cards & scrum offences)
7th in Lineouts ( Lineouts, won, lost & stolen)
8th in Scrums (Scrums won, winning % and penalties won)
So with all these middling stats, how the hell did this team just record their first loss of the season. Yes, I’m talking about Leinster. It’s the end of March, there have been 13 games in the domestic season, the European Pool Stages have concluded and Leo Cullen’s side lost their first game in 2024/25. It took Jake White and his big blue Bulls, his big blue Vodacom Bulls 84 minutes to win the game. It took 1350 metres above sea level. It took a full strength side, it took Springboks, it took a second come third string Leinster side. And after 84 minutes, the South African franchise came out ahead by one point.
Leo Cullen will be disappointed, but by no means is this Leinster train stopping. One defeat does not a bad team make. This Leinster team is entering another realm. A realm currently inhabited by Tom Brady’s Patriots, Pep Guardiola’s Man City, the All Blacks, every English national side. The success of these teams isn’t just measured in silverware, but in how fans revel in their losses. People grow weary of success year on year. Look at Patrick Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs. The AFC Quarterback is arguably the greatest player of all time and yet, fans are fed up of his serial winning.
Leinster are entering this sphere. The only thing holding them back is their dusty, albeit partially filled, trophy cabinet. The stars over their crest have bought them time, but serial final losses brings them closer and closer to developing Ireland’s Quarter Final hoodoo. Leo Cullen and his team need to win trophies this year. The fate of where fans direct their hate depends on it.
It’s not often a loss inspires a piece like this, but the way this Leinster team performed, even in defeat just emphasises their class. And yes, the stats page would lead you to believe this team isn’t of relevance, but its clear as day to the naked eye when you see this outfit perform on the field. Their directness, their skillset, their ability to develop players who plug gaps in international windows. This team has lost its talisman Johnny Sexton and returned to the peak of European action the following season. They’ve experienced turnover in their coaching ticket and have evolved with the times, embracing new styles and IP from different parts of the world.
Welcoming in Jordie Barrett, RG Snyman and the rejuvenated Rabah Slimani doesn’t hurt either. Leinster have one test left in South Africa versus the Sharks but the first choice team is already back home game planning for their first postseason game of the season versus Harlequins. The Irish international contingent will be looking to squeeze out as much as they can in the two week preparation window. The Leinster train may have notched its first loss of the season but shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.