Munster: Can they win HCup again?

Diamondmaker

I am very curious about this as I have seen a few things that concern me about Munster. I have put it out there a few times in other threads but to no reply. Id love to hear some opionions on this topic:

Leinster Munster, Muster lose as they " experimented ( unsuccesfully) with an expansive game". This is commonly cited by Munster fans.

Leicester Munster, Muster edge out Leicester who were unlucky to lose but did absolutely bully Munster around the field in the way Munster are not used too.

Cardiff double header, Cardiff very much up for it pysically, just lacked the killer inmstinct to close it out and maybe get a win in one of the games.

Munster Leisnter, Munster look silly throwing shapes out wide and running up blind alleys only to change tact for 2nd half and win via the usual bread and butter.

Can Munster really win another HCup with such limited options?

There are teams out there that will more than match thenm up front as Leicester did, win the battle out wide and sufficiently get in ROGs face.

I dont believe Munster managed to upgrade their arsenal to the required level to win again with the same tricks! Their game plan is very well known and will be succesfully countered this season I think.

I know this will get some Munster boys going!;)

mikedragon32

While I'm loathed to say it, I can't see where the defeat will come from.

As you say, there are teams out there who can match them, but don't have the killer touch. Cardiff and Leicester games have indeed shown this. I haven't seen any teams in the other groups who might be able to do it, with the exception of Stade Francais who would make it a close game.

Munster have been grinding out hard wins for years and there is a belief that if the game is close, it's Munster's.

Sangre

Yes, they can win it again. Any 'expansive' game they've tried have been in not 'crucial' games, no doubt in the KO they'll resort to route one to squeeze their opposition into submission. They could lose of course but I can't see any team they should fear. Munster are well capable of beating any team in the competition on their day and therefore can win it.

Not to mention ROG is on the form of his life and can seemingly control any game at his whim.

Jilm

I'm less worried about our HEC chances than I was this time last year.

I'm not particularly worried abour our backs. Munster has been trying to add another string to their bow with playing it wide in recent games - similar to what Leinster having been doing with their forward play. It's more important for Leinster to have an improved game in the forwards than it is for Munster to improve in the backs.

With Flannery, Foley & Horan coming back from injury probably in time for the last couple of rounds, our squad will be in good shape. The Munster players are experienced and still hungry for success. The standard of HEC opposition is poorer than it has been in recent years, so I'm feeling confident about our chances of winning it again.

Crash

Whens flannery due back in?

Hippo

There's no one to touch them at the moment; there's no other outstanding team around, and if they keep up the current level of ruthlessness it's hard to see anyone standing in their way.

buck65

To be honest I have been very impressed with Munster's attitude this year. They have shown amazing confidence and resilience when up against it and the hunger seems to be still there. The match with Leicester will be big in Thomond and could potentially be a tough win for the lads , with home advantage in the quarters you would have to fancy them.
Do not write off the English teams yet as I feel the likes of Sale or indeed Leicester would love a crack at Munster in a final.
But to answer the question I think Munster can win again If everyone survives the 6 Nations as an injury to O Gara Stringer Hayes Wallace or O Connell would be a setback.
Also I think Leinster are in with a shout this year.

still

to the brave and faithful nothing is impossible.

of course we CAN win, whether we will or not i think will depend on each individual game from now on.

Ok we will beat cardiff
Leicester are probably 1 of the few teams that can beat us in THomond therefore im very scared about that one.

Otherwise Stade and Birattz seem the only likely opposition, maybe Leinster at a stretch.

Also even if the opposition teams do know our game plan, it is still fairly flawless, if the opposition cant get the ball or breadth when they have it they cant score/win.

Kidney is always good for a few surprise moves in any game anyway so they wont know out entire game plan.

it will be a very good team that will take the trophy from us this year.

buck65

surely you mean Bourgoin ? we've already beaten Cardiff twice!

Jilm

&#231 wrote: »

Whens flannery due back in?

He was due to get a run in the Leinster game but picked up a hamstring injury, should be back in a week or two.

Amazotheamazing

Of course Munster can win it, but I wouldn't make them favourites to win it. A lot depends on how the next 2 rounds go for everybody, and in a knock-out game anything can happen. Same is true of any of the teams who have a chance of making the quarters.

Erin Go Brath

Amazotheamazing wrote:

Of course Munster can win it, but I wouldn't make them favourites to win it. A lot depends on how the next 2 rounds go for everybody, and in a knock-out game anything can happen. Same is true of any of the teams who have a chance of making the quarters.

I'd make Munster favourites, and Paddy Power agrees with me:

Munster 5/2
Biarritz 3/1
Stade Francais 5/1
Leinster 7/1
Scarlets 9/1
Leicester and Wasps 20/1

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

davyjose

Of course they can win it. I would say there are four teams that can win it, and on any given day beat one of the other three: Leinster Munster, Biarritz and Stade. Personally, I'm going for Biarritz - 20/20 speaks for itself.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

davyjose

That is true dave, but they still seem quite formidable (as do Munster). They came very close to winning it last year as well. But I can't anyone from outside the four i just mentioned doing it - they would have to beat at least two of these teams. Not going to happen.

Peter B

I think Munster can win the H-Cup this year but obvious opponents will be Biarritz, Stade and maybe even Leinster.

The Leicester match in Thomond will be vital because if Leicester manage to win it we may (I think) be drawn against them in the quarter-final. If we lost to them in Thomond that match would be near 50:50.

Even though I say Leinster could be opponents to HEC victory, I still think they would be out muscled by a Munster pack and forced to give away penalties which, unless Rog has a very bad game, would slot away.

People say Munster are one-dimensional but if you look at key matches such as Leinster in April, Sale in January, Bourgoin at home this season, Munster can use their backs to good effect. Also Munster's backs are very good at defending against good backs, such as Biarritz final and Leinster in April.

Still my main fear is still Biarritz. They are on a winning role in Heineken Cup and will be seeking revenge. With their strong forwards and backs such as Yachvili, Traille, and Bobo they will be dangerous all round the park and would push Munster close if not win.

bugler

They can win it, without doubt. I think a lot of early scepticism was based on the premise that teams will find it very hard to win them back to back, but looking at it rationally there's no one for them to be afraid of.

Leinster could do it too. I don't think this is as likely, but it's definitely a possibility. Biarritz have hardly changed since last year for me. Still cruising along, albeit in probably the easiest group.

I put €30 on Stade Francais @ 7/1 before the HC got underway. I'm wary of it now, to be honest. They don't have a top kicker and while they play some thrilling stuff I know who I'd back if they had to face Munster in a big game.

Barring a big/freak surprise loss it's going to take a team with real bottle to knock Munster out of this competition. I'm not convinced the French sides have it. I don't think Wasps have it. And Leicester are carrying a potential terminal weakness at out-half. All of which means Leinster are probably best equipped to be the team to do it. If they do, let's hope they can go the rest of the way.

davyjose

bugler wrote:

Leinster are probably best equipped to be the team to do it. If they do, let's hope they can go the rest of the way.

Here here, and same for Munster!

Erin Go Brath

I definitely think the Heineken will be won by one of Munster, Leinster, Biarritz, and Stade. The English teams certainly aren't what they use to be.

As a Munster fan I think Biarritz are the team I'd fear the most. If we do get knocked out, I'd love the HC to stay in Ireland. While Leinster have improved since last year, they're still a bit short to go all the way imo, but definitely a good outside bet. They probably need another year or two, but with Jennings coming back, and if they make another few forward acquistions who knows?? They could be favourites for the 2008 HC.

scaramanga

think twill take a major disaster/collapse on munsters part to not reach the final again
the leicester game will be the one, presuming we win in geneva , then leicester will be coming to thomond needing a win on the last day- anew situation with it usaually being the other way round.that being said have seen interviews with some players saying "how they dont want to be on the teams that loses the record in thomond" and the likes. this will def spur them on rather than a hindrence

Nice0ne

Munster all the way ... although Cardiff have shown other teams how to defend aggressively against Munster's line-out, committing most of their forwards and sending the Munster maul backwards.

Even Leinster adopted the same tactic when playing in Thomond on the 27th Dec, however this leaves fewer defenders out wide so hopefully Kidney will be looking to exploit this.

Who else has their tickets for twickers?

Enright

yes, tickets ready, but no flights yet, ryanair want about 200 yoyos for each flight (return), anyone know a cheaper way of getting there?
Hoping to go out on the 19th early and back on the 20th late

Nice0ne

We're flying into Heathrow on the morning of the match and back the next day through City of London airport, can't remember the price but it was the best available and about half the price of Ryanair flights.

zAbbo

Are the only selling the north and south stand tickets ?

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Nice0ne

All the cheaps tickets seem to be gone and whats on sale at the moment only seems to be in the corners