Dan McFarland hails John Cooney masterclass as Ulster claim Quins scalp
Ulster head coach Dan McFarland was left amazed by another John Cooney masterclass in their 34-10 triumph over Harlequins – but assured the scrum-half’s “head won’t get too big” .
One week after Cooney held his nerve to slot a late penalty that snatched victory away from Quins in Belfast, he put in another man-of-the-match display to frustrate the Londoners.
Crossing for two tries, making a try-saving tackle and adding nine points from the tee, it was vintage Cooney once more – with McFarland understandably ecstatic with the Heineken Champions Cup’s most in-form number nine.
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“It’s one week after another with John,” said McFarland. “There was a great moment – we spent about five minutes trying to work out how he grubbered the ball through off that ruck [for his second try].
“We can’t work out how he did it and I asked him afterwards and he didn’t know how he did it either!
“The bit that I loved was him chasing back to tackle Ross Chisholm – that was a pretty crucial stage in the game.
“For John to show the pace and energy to do that is fantastic. He’s playing well, definitely. Don’t worry, his head won’t get too big!”
Cooney’s try just before the break gave Ulster a 10-3 half-time lead before they pulled away in the second period – Cooney again, Luke Marshall, Matt Faddes and Tom O’Toole crossing in a bonus-point win.
The result means they are top of Pool Three ahead of a potentially-decisive trip to Clermont Auvergne in round five.
“Our destiny is definitively in our own hands,” added McFarland. “You top your group and you’ve got a good chance of a home quarter-final but to do that we’ve got to get past a certain Clermont away from home.”
Meanwhile, Quins director of rugby Paul Gustard bristled at the suggestion after the game that he may have regretted not considering the likes of Danny Care, Joe Marler and Chris Robshaw for selection.
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Dear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
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