Munster v Llanelli

komodosp

I always get a bit worried when I read things like this:
"Having beaten Llanelli well in Stradey Park last weekend, the re-match (Sunday, 1pm) is pretty much money in the bank for them,"

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2007/1213/heinekencupround4preview.html

It seems this mocking is always a prelude to an upset... and not just the world cup!

bugler

It's hard to see Munster losing to them, even though they remain a potentially dangerous side.

But getting a bonus point win could be tricky I think.

redmca

Munster have rarely if ever fallen short when they NEEDED a particular result.
The only reason Leicester beat them in January was that they had already guaranteed their qualification. (In fact the same thing happened Leinster that weekend against Gloucester)
This is not the case this weekend. I don't expect any complacency, but with the right mental attitude and a killer instinct, Munster should get the full 5 points

mike65

How fit is the squad?

Mike.

Erin Go Brath

Teams:

Munster: S Payne; B Carney, R Tipoki, L Mafi, I Dowling; R O’Gara capt, P Stringer; F Pucciariello, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll; D Leamy, D Wallace, A Foley. Replacements: F Sheahan, M Horan, D Ryan, N Ronan, G Hurley, P Warwick, K Lewis.

LLanelli Scarlets: M Stoddart; M Jones, R King, J Davies, N Brew; S Jones, D Peel; I Thomas, J Hayter, B Broster, V Cooper, A Eustace, S Easterby (capt), A Popham, J Bater. Replacements: D George, D Manu, S MacLeod, N Thomas, G Thomas, G Cattle, C Thomas.

Pucciariello in instead of Horan is the big call, should be interesting. It won't be easy to win with a BP, as the Scarlets are a good team. However they don't really have anything to play for in the group except pride. Munster need a bonus to maintain their advantage coming into the next few games. They may not get it, but I expect them to go all out with the intent anyway!

remus808

I think that considering Llaneli are already eliminated, they won't be entirely pushed on keeping out 4 tries.. Very doable for Munster with the right attitude.. Great to see Foley at 8 again and Leamy at 6.. Much better balance in the back-row..

toomevara

karmabass wrote: »

I think that considering Llaneli are already eliminated, they won't be entirely pushed on keeping out 4 tries.

If Munster approach the game with that attitude it'll be the rock they perish on.
Llanelli are an immensly proud rugby team with oodles of talent through the squad. They've had a poor season thus far and been cursed with injury but if they click on the night they can beat Munster. I reckon they've got at least one big performance in them and with the pressure off and nothing to lose, who knows....Munster will respect them though, they've learned the hard way not to....

toomevara

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

Pucciariello in instead of Horan is the big call, should be interesting.

About bloody time!

phog

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

Teams:



Pucciariello in instead of Horan is the big call, should be interesting.

Not really...Marcus's wife gave birth during the week so he obviously had some time off and therefore is named on the bench.

Congratulations to Marcus and family.

An Tarbh

komodosp wrote: »

I always get a bit worried when I read things like this:
"Having beaten Llanelli well in Stradey Park last weekend, the re-match (Sunday, 1pm) is pretty much money in the bank for them,"

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2007/1213/heinekencupround4preview.html

It seems this mocking is always a prelude to an upset... and not just the world cup!

You can't really read too much into what Brendan Cole writes, after last week's game he was saying that Kidney is basically a coaching genius for bringing Foley back into the side, he had no other choice with Quinlan out!!!

Henry Ford III

Bringing back Axle last week was a good call. Bad weather and heavy underfoot conditions suited him well.

As an aside Leamy moving to 6 enabled him play a much better game. He'd been struggling at 8 for a while.

DK is a shrewd man. He'll not let the team become arrogant or cocky going into this. Scarlets are a dangerous side.

I hope Munster win the game first and foremost. As DK says "4 points is the bonus".

komodosp

However they don't really have anything to play for in the group except pride.

But they are proud! They don't have any points in the group yet and I am sure they will be eager not to finish the group without a win or worse on 0 points... An away win against Munster could be a big consolation to them!

ivorygal

'Federico Pucciariello comes into the starting line-up at loosehead prop, taking over from Marcus Horan who drops to the replacements bench to the exclusion of Tony Buckley.Commenting on the squad changes, Kidney said: "Marcus played the entire game last week and given the circumstances of the week he had then, we think it prudent to make the change'

Marcus's wife had a baby during the week - so it sounds like that's why he's been excluded.

toomevara

Bit scrappy thus far. Stringer's passing back to where it was before last weeks game. i,e erratic/poor. Foley on fire again, and Tipoki, well what can you say, gonna be huge...Have their work cut out in the second half playing into that wind....

bleg

nice to see wallace breaking the gain line again

Stev_o

This game further highlights why Marcus should be dropped from both Munster and Ireland what a idiot giving away such silly penalty's and turnovers

toomevara

You'd have to say that was a pretty brainless performance form Munster despite some excellent individual displays. Lions share of the possession, played the game for 20 minutes against 14 men and helped massively by llanelli's horrendous indiscipline, yet never looked comfortable and couldn't turn the screw.

Scrum poor as soon as Horan (discipline rubbish too) came on, some of Flannery's throwing crap (good perf round the field though). Leamy/Hayes/ foley/ O'Driscoll all brilliant and Tipoki must be the best import to Irish rugby since Jim Williams.

And can someone tell Peter Stringer to stop box kicking unless he's in his own 22...sigh....

bleg

Stev_o wrote: »

This game further highlights why Marcus should be dropped from both Munster and Ireland what a idiot giving away such silly penalty's and turnovers

and who will we replace him with?

daveirl

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EdgarAllenPoo

What sort of incriminating photos must Marcus Horan have (and Buckley and Donnacha Ryan need to get some copies) to constantly get picked? He's rubbish and always taking the lazy option by sitting on the wing.

I didn't realise Tipoki was 32, is it not a bit odd that Munster would sign someone that age (he's been a very good signing though) rather than using some of the players they already have signed or in the Academy?

Where the hell has Sean Cronin disappeared to?

Sabre0001

GDM wrote: »

I didn't realise Tipoki was 32, is it not a bit odd that Munster would sign someone that age (he's been a very good signing though) rather than using some of the players they already have signed or in the Academy?

So far Tipoki hasn't shown his age! Other "old" players that have done well include Payne, "Seamus" Williams and Cullen could have been so much better if he had avoided injury // other players would support him...

Horan was very poor today and Flannerys throwing was really off! Some nice breaks and there could have been another few tries. Some poor passes by Stringer (and one in particular from O'Driscoll!)

Carney needs to be taught to stop jumping on people when they slide for the ball though; but put in a good performance, quite tricky and strong!

EdgarAllenPoo

Carney does seem to be getting better but I have a feeling he'll be included in the draft 6 Nations lineup and that's a bit too soon.

What are the chances that Flannery gets picked as the No.2 hooker over Rory Best? EOS seems to have lost faith in him but given how poorly Best and Ulster have been playing is he likely to be the No.1 or No.2 with Jackman?

razorblunt

Very impressed with Dowling as well, his upper body strength seems to have improved no end, dont think he was dropped once by the first up tackles today and took some crash ball as well.

Thought Donnacha Ryan did very well also.

Marcus Horan should count himself lucky to be on the bench for the next game.

Jackz

Well done Munster, lovely crashing forward by the forwards again and again.

Stev_o

razorblunt wrote: »

Very impressed with Dowling as well, his upper body strength seems to have improved no end, dont think he was dropped once by the first up tackles today and took some crash ball as well.

Thought Donnacha Ryan did very well also.

Marcus Horan should count himself lucky to be on the bench for the next game.

Something tells me that Carney took him under his wing as he is now using the same running and balance style as Carney and having the same effect

daveirl

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bleg

dowling for the 6 nations!!

daveirl

daveirl wrote: »

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Commentator said he was 29

phog

daveirl wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Programme gives his DOB as 11/8/75 which would make him 32.

bleg

anybody else disgusted by the calls of "OFF OFF OFF OFF" and "cheerio cheerio cheerio" during the match

bleg

http://munsterrugby.ie/97_7045.php


tipoki's profile, he's 32

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

EdgarAllenPoo

Not to keep harping on about this but the reffing here was shocking again. Llanelli put in three high tackles and nothing is done yet Munster get a man carded and possibly cited for near nothing. Horse mickies.

komodosp

anybody else disgusted by the calls of "OFF OFF OFF OFF" and "cheerio cheerio cheerio" during the match

Well I would say it's all part of the game...

there's a hint of soccer-type cheering in it tho... :rolleyes: (Dunno if that's a good or bad thing... always thought there's a bit more "honour" in rugby)

Not to keep harping on about this but the reffing here was shocking again

Is it just me or did he point the wrong way for several penalties?

Marshy

GDM wrote: »

Not to keep harping on about this but the reffing here was shocking again. Llanelli put in three high tackles and nothing is done yet Munster get a man carded and possibly cited for near nothing. Horse mickies.

Well they were penalised for several high tackles and Popham was sin-binned as well I think late on.

suppafly

I was at the match and as soon as i heard it was pearson, i was like ah ffs. He has to be be one of the worst refs. Today he was shockingly bad. The Llanlleli player had had at least 5 high tackles that the ref did nothing about and the try that Llanlleli scored there was 1 if not 2 player crossing. O'Gara was completely obstructed. U can clearly see in the tv replays.

suppafly

Marshy wrote: »

Well they were penalised for several high tackles and Popham was sin-binned as well I think late on.

He penalised about one or 2 of them. Popham was looking for a binning for a good while by the time he got binned. The worse high tackle of all was the double team one on Payne early in the first half. Pearson did nothing.

Sangre

toomevara wrote: »

Y Tipoki must be the best import to Irish rugby since Jim Williams.

Eh....Dr Phil?

EdgarAllenPoo

suppafly wrote: »

I was at the match and as soon as i heard it was pearson, i was like ah ffs. He has to be be one of the worst refs. Today he was shockingly bad.

I said the same thing. Any time I see that's he or one of those two Scottish twins is the ref I know the match is screwed from a discipline and continuity point of view.

Sangre wrote: »

Eh....Dr Phil?

I think he means Munster imports.

toomevara

GDM wrote: »

I think he means Munster imports.

Why thank you GDM, I do indeed, my bad ....

...but now that dear old Dr. Phil has been mentioned, pretty good behind a big go forward pack which gives him oodles of time i.e. Argentina...moments of absolute genius and brilliance no doubt, but definitely got the hint of a show pony/diva about him. Also appalling against Edinburgh the other night, despite virtually endless possession.....

bleg

when he's put under pressure he is absolutely shocking, look at munster vs leinster in HC semi final or the WC semi final vs SA


he was absolutely shocking in both

Erin Go Brath

I have to take my hat off to the Scarlets for that performance. They really put it up to us. They've lost all 4 now, but still don't give up without a good fight. Nice try to see out the win in the end.

Donnacha Ryan, Tipoki, and Dowling stood out for me in that performance. Dowling must be the most improved player in Ireland this year!

Zzippy

GDM wrote: »

I said the same thing. Any time I see that's he or one of those two Scottish twins is the ref I know the match is screwed from a discipline and continuity point of view.

Oh ****, you mean there's two of them! :eek:
Wasn't aware of that, but any time I see Changleng down to referee Connacht I just groan.
In fact, most Scottish referees are appalling - do they play by different rules over there or something? :rolleyes:

Timothy Bryce

Galwayguy99 wrote: »

Oh ****, you mean there's two of them! :eek:
Wasn't aware of that, but any time I see Changleng down to referee Connacht I just groan.
In fact, most Scottish referees are appalling - do they play by different rules over there or something? :rolleyes:

Didn't one of the Changlengs come out in the media last year saying that Munster/Irish were the most ill-disciplined pack of the northern Hemisphere? He said it around the time he was about to ref an Irish game in the 6 Nations....

Timothy Bryce

Timothy Bryce wrote: »

Didn't one of the Changlengs come out in the media last year saying that Munster/Irish were the most ill-disciplined pack of the northern Hemisphere? He said it around the time he was about to ref an Irish game in the 6 Nations....

This should say Munster/Irish pack

Podge_irl

GDM wrote: »

one of those two Scottish twins is the ref I know the match is screwed from a discipline and continuity point of view.

In fairness, while still not brilliant, Malcolm has improved immeasurably since he first began reffing the ML. He's by no means the worst (his brother is still useless however).

Sangre

Might have been Steve Walsh. He definitely said something about the Irish discipline after being the linesman in the previous 6N game but he was took it back after the flax he got in the media etc.,

phog

Timothy Bryce wrote: »

Didn't one of the Changlengs come out in the media last year saying that Munster/Irish were the most ill-disciplined pack of the northern Hemisphere? He said it around the time he was about to ref an Irish game in the 6 Nations....

That was Steve Walsh, he a TJ for one of our matches and he was listed as the ref for our next match, I think it might have been during the autumn internationals or it may have been as you say during the 6Ns.

Marshy

phog wrote: »

That was Steve Walsh, he a TJ for one of our matches and he was listed as the ref for our next match, I think it might have been during the autumn internationals or it may have been as you say during the 6Ns.

Yeah that was before the French game at croke park as far as I remember...

Shan75

Quote:
Originally Posted by toomevara
Y Tipoki must be the best import to Irish rugby since Jim Williams.



Eh....Dr Phil?

Trevor Halstead is the best import to Irish rugby bar none.Munster would never have won the Heineken Cup without him and you cannot say that about any of the others.It remains to be seen if Tipoki can be as effective but he has certainly started in the right direction.We will have to see against better class oponents if he is improving his suspect tackling.

Sangre

Depends on what you mean by best I suppose. Phil is certainly the better player but Halstead is, as you said, the better import in terms of what he did for the club.