ULSTER HOOKER RORY Best has pointed out areas for improvement despite his side cruising into the RaboDirect Pro12 Grand Final at the expense of Llanelli Scarlets last night.
Best delivered a man-of-the-match display as the northern province produced an impressively professional performance in the first half of their 28-17 win over the Welsh club.
However, having led 18-3 at half time, the final 30 minutes amounted to an anti-climax as Ulster were out-scored 3-14 in Ravenhill’s final match of the season.
“We talked on the pitch about being ruthless, putting them to the sword. I think that’s a little disappointing, put a bad tint on it.”
However, with his son Ben in his arms, the battle-scarred hooker was able to take stock of his side’s achievement of following up last year’s Heineken Cup final place with a berth in this year’s domestic final.
“Ultimately, we played 50-60 minutes of great rugby and we’re into the final.” He said.
“We knew they came here with a very exciting back-line, we had to try and exert a little bit of dominance up front. I think we did that in large parts.”
‘This is our thing’
Best added: “At the end of a long hard season, we put ourselves in the position to get a home semi-final – this is where we want to be. We want to win silverware this year and this is our last crack at it.
“In two weeks’ time, we go to the RDS and we want to win.
“This team, we felt at the start of the season were good enough to win something. Obviously we wanted to win everything, but this is our thing now. We’re delighted to be in the final.”
Pro12: Battle-scarred Best calls for Ulster improvement
ULSTER HOOKER RORY Best has pointed out areas for improvement despite his side cruising into the RaboDirect Pro12 Grand Final at the expense of Llanelli Scarlets last night.
Best delivered a man-of-the-match display as the northern province produced an impressively professional performance in the first half of their 28-17 win over the Welsh club.
However, having led 18-3 at half time, the final 30 minutes amounted to an anti-climax as Ulster were out-scored 3-14 in Ravenhill’s final match of the season.
“We’d probably be disappointed with the last 20 minutes – half an hour.” Best told BBC Sport after the final whistle. “We kind of went to sleep a little bit.
“We talked on the pitch about being ruthless, putting them to the sword. I think that’s a little disappointing, put a bad tint on it.”
However, with his son Ben in his arms, the battle-scarred hooker was able to take stock of his side’s achievement of following up last year’s Heineken Cup final place with a berth in this year’s domestic final.
“Ultimately, we played 50-60 minutes of great rugby and we’re into the final.” He said.
“We knew they came here with a very exciting back-line, we had to try and exert a little bit of dominance up front. I think we did that in large parts.”
‘This is our thing’
Best added: “At the end of a long hard season, we put ourselves in the position to get a home semi-final – this is where we want to be. We want to win silverware this year and this is our last crack at it.
“In two weeks’ time, we go to the RDS and we want to win.
“This team, we felt at the start of the season were good enough to win something. Obviously we wanted to win everything, but this is our thing now. We’re delighted to be in the final.”
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