Leinster returned to Dublin off the back of a disastrous tour of South Africa when they lost the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls, but boosted by returning British and Irish Lions stars, saw off a determined Hollywoodbets Sharks effort in Saturday evening’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship third round clash.
The match closed out the three-week tour to Europe for the Durban side who now return to South Africa with everything to prove at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
Acknowledging the challenge his side faced, head coach John Plumtree expressed his disappointment over the result.
“It was a tough night for us,” he admitted afterwards.
“We knew the start was going to be massively important,” he added, understanding that giving Leinster any charity in the early stages of the game would play into their hands, having a point to prove as they returned home sitting near the bottom of the log after the opening fortnight.
“They came out fast and we just didn’t get the contestable kicks in terms of regaining ball in the air.
“We also had a few soft moments defensively that allowed them to build that scoreboard pressure early.”
Leinster didn’t have it all their way though, a concerted fight-back from the Hollywoodbets Sharks side threatened, but by then much of the damage had been done, and Leinster held out grimly on defence to keep the Durban side out.
“In the last 10 to 15 minutes of the first half we got back into the game, but it was just a case of playing catch-up rugby.
“In the second half we did our best, but their defence was just too good,” Plumtree conceded. “Once we gave them that lead, that gave them the confidence to defend really well and we didn’t fire enough shots.”
The team now shift focus back to Fortress Hollywoodbets Kings Park and playing in front of their home fans.
“We are really disappointed that we weren’t able to do the job, but we return home for games against Ulster and then the Scarlets at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, knowing what we have to do and what’s at stake, given the log as it stands.
“The team is disappointed and collectively we must take responsibility to be better over the next two weeks and that’s what we will do.
“That’s our message to everyone, we’ll keep working hard and make sure we get it right over the next fortnight.”