A deflated O’Gara acknowledged that Leinster have been deserving of their spot within the final 4, as La Rochelle have been compelled to lick their wounds earlier than refocusing their consideration on the membership’s quest to win a primary Prime 14 title.
Leo Cullen’s males have been completely dominant of their complete 40-13 win at a sold-out Aviva Stadium, with O’Gara having no complaints in regards to the method during which his sluggish facet got here up brief.
“I mentioned earlier than the sport in an interview that I feel we might put a rating on these or else we might take a rating as a result of that’s the fascinating factor about teaching my boys,” O’Gara mentioned.
“They’re a particular bunch and they’re able to enjoying unbelievable rugby, however at present, we didn’t hit our stride.
“There are in all probability quite a lot of causes for that however 40-13 seems like a hammering, and it’s a hammering, however on the similar time, it’s solely three tries in opposition to a Leinster staff the place you look what number of alternatives we butchered as comfort scores, not as actual scores, in the direction of the tip.
“I feel, when it was within the 10-point zone, the sport was at all times doubtful, however as soon as it handed that, it’s too far-fetched to assume you’re going to be successful the sport in opposition to a top quality outfit.”
O’Gara was requested if final week’s journey to South Africa had taken it out of his gamers, however the Cork man refused to make use of that as an excuse, as an alternative insisting that, as head coach, he must look internally at why his staff have been second finest in each side of the sport.
“That might be utilizing an excuse,” O’Gara maintained.
“Possibly with hindsight it might have been an element, however the higher staff received. The higher staff received. And that’s what sport is about.
“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to be right here as a victorious coach, so when it doesn’t be just right for you, you possibly can’t blame the ref, you possibly can’t blame your individual gamers, generally you simply need to go ‘Properly performed to Leinster, that they had a superb plan, they executed it properly they usually stored us at arms size fairly comfortably all through the 80 minutes.’
“It’s simpler to maneuver on. If it’s an in depth one, you at all times have much more regrets however when you’ve got a small little bit of cop on, you may see that the dominant staff was in blue.
“They have been shaper to every thing they usually made it tough for us and their rush defence labored properly and within the first 70, I don’t assume we received a breakdown penalty bar the kick-off that we took.”
O’Gara recognized Ryan Baird’s attempt simply after half-time as the important thing second which broke his facet’s resistance, as Leinster ran excessive of La Rochelle and powered to victory.
“Clearly we have been fairly joyful getting into simply 10 factors down at half-time contemplating the best way the sport unfolded,” O’Gara mirrored.
“However to provide them a smooth rating, clearly they executed properly, but it surely was fairly smooth for them to exit to 17 once more. It killed our momentum and we have been chasing the sport from that.
“After which the final 30, we have been inaccurate in a number of our fundamentals. There isn’t a place for that in quarter-finals, so we should get higher.
“The great thing about France is that the Prime 14 is such a monster. There’ll in all probability be disappointment tonight however flip the web page tomorrow as a result of the membership have by no means received a Bouclier (Prime 14 title). It’s a objective of all of ours however we have to make a plan first and ensure the urge for food is there.
“The boys are shattered inside within the altering room. They’ve been away, on the street, for 13 days, by alternative, however you possibly can see we couldn’t actually change velocity at present so I’ve to seek out out why that’s and ensure that the subsequent time we play, which is Saturday in opposition to Castres at 3pm, that we’re higher than we have been at present.”
Fortunately, O’Gara reported that Kiwi scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow was recovering after he was stretchered off with what appeared like a nasty damage within the second-half.
“I don’t assume he misplaced consciousness however he put his head on the fallacious facet and was clearly worn out. However he’s up standing within the dressing room.
“If I recall, I feel it may very well be his second severe belt in a brief area of time, so his wellness is of giant significance.
“The primary indicators are that he didn’t lose consciousness. He rang his spouse and I feel he had a superb dialog, however he isn’t match to play rugby clearly.”
La Rochelle’s mighty reign as back-to-back European champions is over, and as Leinster look to lastly get their arms on a fifth title, O’Gara added that whereas Cullen’s facet will now be favourites to go all the best way subsequent month, there’s nonetheless work to be performed.
“There’ll at all times be a problem I feel for whoever got here out of this recreation as a result of, unexpectedly now, they’ll be scorching favourites however the air will get thinner as you go semi-final, ultimate,” the previous Munster and Eire out-half added.
“Toulouse are high quality. Leinster have at all times had their measure on this competitors however the best way they play the sport will pose challenges. I see Harlequins had an enormous win as properly.
“For me, it’s two groups with huge custom left, so it’s not a ultimate for Leinster at present, I wouldn’t assume. There’s nonetheless 160 minutes of rugby for them. We’d have appreciated to have had that.”
