Munster V Toulouse. HC Final 2008.

toomevara

...so It's getting to that time. Already the mind games and psychological warfare has started... So far we've had a kerfuffle over Jersey Colours and dark rumblings about perfidious toulouse's back room machiavellian machinations.

Toulouse's Asst. Coach saying they hope Munster go with TO'L at scrum-half, rumours about the new Munster coach prior to the game and all set against a background of Nutty-Knox's well documented ramblings and the bookies installing Munster as favourites..all we need now is a debate over the roof, open or shut?

So what do ye reckon..Can Munster beat the 'aristocrats of Europe'? Are they genuine favourites? will not playing in red somehow hand Toulouse an advantage?..Will/should TOL get the nod over stringer? Can Munster's centre pairing match the Toulouse unit. Can we match 'em at set piece?

However it pans out, one thing's for sure, going to be an interesting afternoon's rugby....

marco_polo

Michael Corcoran has confirmed on RTÉ that the roof will be shut for the game. Advantage for munster in the athmosphere, I don't think the weather would be a factor in any case (Not that I have seen a forcast mind ).

toomevara

marco_polo wrote: »

Michael Corcoran has confirmed on RTÉ that the roof will be shut for the game.

Interesting, was huge controversy recently when they closed the roof for the rugby league 'Millennium Magic' weekend. Players were slipping and sliding all over the shop due to 'false moisture' caused by humidity...don't know who that'd favor...

Steffano2002

Munster to beat Toulouse (easily). That's my opinion. It will be like playing in Thomond Park. Already dreading this game...

zAbbo

Are Toulouse still missing a glut of players?

Podge_irl

I think Toulouse will clinch it, but I expect it to be close and would not be surprised with either outcome. Munster's run-in has been less then impressive, but then that's rarely stopped them before. Looking forward to a good game, shame its in the middle of my bloody exams.

toomevara

zAbbo wrote: »

Are Toulouse still missing a glut of players?

I dunno, but its hard to find a weakness in the squad as it stands...

Forwards - Hasan, Human, Perugini, Servat, Vernet-Basualdo, Albacete, Millo-Chlusky, Pelous, Bouilhou, Dusautoir, Lamboley, Nyanga, Maka, Sowerby.

Backs - Courrent, Elissalde, Kelleher, Ahotaeiloa, DOnguy, Heymans, Médard, Fritz, Jauzion, Kunavore.

Surely a match for most club teams and a fair few international ones on their day!

Podge_irl

Backrow battle will be awesome. Couple of those backs aren't overly match fit at the moment - Nyanga has ended up on the wing once or twice in the last few games for Toulouse.

marco_polo

toomevara wrote: »

I dunno, but its hard to find a weakness in the squad as it stands...

Forwards - Hasan, Human, Perugini, Servat, Vernet-Basualdo, Albacete, Millo-Chlusky, Pelous, Bouilhou, Dusautoir, Lamboley, Nyanga, Maka, Sowerby.

Backs - Courrent, Elissalde, Kelleher, Ahotaeiloa, DOnguy, Heymans, Médard, Fritz, Jauzion, Kunavore.

Surely a match for most club teams and a fair few international ones on their day!

No doubting that they can assemble a very formidable team from that squad.

On another "front" (boom boom!) possibility of rain for saturday so maybe that is why the roof is going to be closed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=1424

Peter B

I'm very surprised Munster are favourites. Maybe they're just favourites in Ireland because most people here will be putting money on them.

I think on recent form Munster have been quite poor, even with a nearly full strength side. I know Toulouse were not the strongest in the semi but if they play to their full potential and we play to ours I think Toulouse should win reasonably easily.

They have a very good kicker in Elissalde and Kelleher is a very strong scrum half. If Jauzion picks up some form their centres could punish Mafi and Tipoki's rush defence.

Really worried about Leamy and Quinlan's penalty count. Over the last few matches they have given away stupid penalties. (Leamy could have cost us Sarries match). Their gonna have to be on their best behaviour!

I feel the only way Munster can win this is playing what some people here say is negative rugby. We will need to control possession and frustrate Toulouse.

Anyway, I'm very nervous about Saturday!!!! I think we can win but we'll have to be very smart and be at the top of our game.

phog

I hate to say it but I cant see us win it, I think of all the teams to have to meet in a final Toulouse are the best. We can't afford any of the stupid mistakes that we made against Saracens. We need to tighten our game and hope for a few errors on their behalf.

Anyway, I'll be there screaming my head off and hoping for one more miracle.

DannyMach

Le XV de départ toulousain.- Heymans ; Médard, Kunavore, Jauzion, Donguy ; (o) Elissalde, (m) Kelleher ; Dusautoir, Sowerby, Bouilhou ; Albacete, Pelous (cap) ; Perugini, Servat, Human.

Remplaçants (à choisir parmi) : Vernet-Basualdo, Lacombe, Poux, Hasan, Millo-Chlusky, Lamboley, Nynaga, Courrent, Ahotaeiloa, Fritz.


Only real surprise is Nyanga. Fritz just back from injury.

Crash

As said above, on form from past few matches I'm worried for munster, unless they raise their game a LOT (which they're always known to do) they'll be in serious trouble.

IMO whats gonna be crucial is scrumhalf - I think starting Tomas and subbing him off in the first 15 if he's not doing well is the only option. I will be taking a break from study to cheer yee on anyhow.

Sangre

Toulouse have been fairly tame in the HC this year, a pretty poor pool and haven't been exactly amazing in the knock out stages. Probably a factor in Munster being favourites.

DannyMach

Sangre wrote: »

Toulouse have been fairly tame in the HC this year, a pretty poor pool and haven't been exactly amazing in the knock out stages. Probably a factor in Munster being favourites.

ST's form varied. Won some games convincingly(mainly at home) but were underwhelming in others. Ripped Cardiff apart in the QF and beat LI while playing badly.

There pool was arguably the hardest of the tournament so I don't know where you're going with ''a pretty poor pool''.

We're favourites with the bookies because most of the money is already on Munster and after all, you're average Paddy is far more likely to have a flutter on his team.

toomevara

crash_000 wrote: »

IMO whats gonna be crucial is scrumhalf - I think starting Tomas and subbing him off in the first 15 if he's not doing well is the only option. I will be taking a break from study to cheer yee on anyhow.

Spot on, just hope stringer can get in the game and up to speed if needed..he is a big match player I spose..

suppafly

Also i'm wondering will he keep denis hurley on instead of Shaun Payne. Hurley had a good game against glouscter but i didn't think he played so great against Saracens. He is a really good prospect but i dunno about him for the final. S Payne is as solid as a rock in defence. what do others think?

marco_polo

suppafly wrote: »

Also i'm wondering will he keep denis hurley on instead of Shaun Payne. Hurley had a good game against glouscter but i didn't think he played so great against Saracens. He is a really good prospect but i dunno about him for the final. S Payne is as solid as a rock in defence. what do others think?

I don't think Hurley did any thing wrong against Saracens, granted that he did have a quiet game but it was fairly solid nonetheless, and no major errors that I can remember.

Besides Payne has only played probably 2-3 games at the very most since the QF, he can't be 100% fit and as team manager probably doesn't want to start in any case. So i don't think there is much doubt DK will stick with Hurley.

toomevara

marco_polo wrote: »

I don't think Hurley did any thing wrong against Saracens, granted that he did have a quiet game but it was fairly solid nonetheless, and no major errors that I can remember.

I'd have no problems with Hurley in the starting XV, as you say he's been more than solid this season...

Steffano2002

toomevara wrote: »

I dunno, but its hard to find a weakness in the squad as it stands...

Pelous - there's one right there...

toomevara

Steffano2002 wrote: »

Pelous - there's one right there...

Hehe..true, I'll give you that...

castie

DannyMach wrote: »

There pool was arguably the hardest of the tournament so I don't know where you're going with ''a pretty poor pool''.

I wouldnt go as far as saying it was the hardest.

Munsters of
Wasps,Clermont,Scarlets
i think would be a greater challenge
than
Leicster,leinster,Edinburgh

Also if you look at all of Toulose's Wins, The more impressive ones are all at home.

With 2 away defeats in the group stages and a narrow win away at edinburgh by 4 points.
Also beating London Irish away from home by 6.

They dont seem to travel well.

Where as Munster's 5 trips away this season saw them lose by a point to Wasps in a game that they played very well.
Lost by 7 to Clermont who beat the other two teams in the group by 10 or more.
A great defensive display away to Glocester saw them win by 13.
And a stumbling performance against Saracens saw them win by 2.

Overall i think Munster's away from home form is better, and with the roof closed and Munster's 16th man atmosphere, its going to seem like a long way from toulouse for Toulouse. This is why i think they have been made favourites also.

Steffano2002

It's "Toulouse" castie...

I agree with your post anyway... 50,000 Munster Fans expected vs. 5,000 Toulouse Fans... We ain't got a hope...

And you forgot to mention that Munster plays less than Toulouse and that a good part of our players have had little rest over the past year because of the RWC and VI Nations...

Anyway, Munster by 13 is my prediction.

LostinBlanch

Steffano,

I think you're being too hard on your team. It's going to be closer than that.

I hope it's a good game anyway, whatever team wins.

But this Leinster fan is cheering for Munster though.

phog

There's no point in comparing the teams on how they performed during the pool stages and qualifiers this is the final and both teams are experienced enough to know they need to up their game, the question is which team will peak above the other. As I've already said in an earlier post Toulouse are probably the best team in Europe and if perform to their peak then I can't see Munster beating them.

That said C'mon Munster.

MikeHoncho

Just wanted to say good luck to Munster. Me and all the other capucino swilling Leinster fairys will be cheering you on. I think they have a real chance again but its going to be a tough game. Agree with above posts RE starting O'Leary but being prepared for a quick substitution if needs be.

escobar

I think Munster have a good chance. Toulouse don't travel well..... i'd see the game as a home game for Munster as they'll have the most support. :)I'd give them a 25-19 win. Can't wait for the match!!!!

Crash

Steffano havent really been following Toulouse's form much - whats the Top 14 form been like lately? I could see that being an important issue, if Toulouse are coming off the back of a few decent wins, while Munster haven't really recaptured the quarter final form against gloucester.

barnesd

crash_000 wrote: »

Steffano havent really been following Toulouse's form much - whats the Top 14 form been like lately? I could see that being an important issue, if Toulouse are coming off the back of a few decent wins, while Munster haven't really recaptured the quarter final form against gloucester.

Their form has been only ok, though they had a really congested fixture list and rarely fielded a first choice side. Beat Castres away, lost to Montpellier away and I can't remember their game last weekend but it was a handy win at home. Those 3 games were played in the space of 8 days I think.

Peter B

Munster Team announced

Munster: D Hurley; D Howlett, L Mafi, R Tipoki, I Dowling; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell (capt), A Quinlan, D Wallace, D Leamy. Replacements: F Sheahan, T Buckley, M O'Driscoll, D Ryan, P Stringer, P Warwick, K Earls

[Jackass]

LeinsterRugby.ie wrote:

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/members/index.asp?docID=2245

GOOD LUCK MUNSTER...

Leinster Rugby would like to wish Munster the best of luck in this weekend's Heineken Cup final against Toulouse.

Munster have been the benchmark in European rugby in recent years and we would like to wish our former coach Declan Kidney and all the players, coaches and management the very best as they bid to secure their second Heineken Cup title.

Here's to a Magners League and Heineken Cup double for the Irish provinces...

Best of luck lads, I think it's going to be a tight game, maybe Munster to shade it, really depends a lot on Toulouse as well. If Munster can get a healthy lead early on they wont be caught.

dc69

Well now that he has picked O'Leary over Stringer,for me its time to back Toulouse.I really dont reate O'Leary and if he box kicks the way he did against saracens,then Toulouse will punish him again and again.

I hope im wrong but for me you have such an excellent passer and organiser in stringer and its unforgivable not to play him.

Stev_o

Toulouse to win now with TOL starting up against the arguebably the best backrow in Europe ( any team that has Maka on the bench has some f**king depth in the forwards). Think Toulouse are just going to run Munster pack silly until exhaustion.

toomevara

Stev_o wrote: »

Toulouse to win now with TOL starting

Kidney has to be ready to make a change if TOL screws the pooch in the same manner as the Sarries game....must,must,must make his touchfinders if they opt for a tactical kicking game...

toomevara

Slightly out of the loop here in Engerland, has Hooky picked Toulouse to win yet? please, please say its so....Thats all I need to hear and I'll be happy that we'll do it!

Inquitus

toomevara wrote: »

Slightly out of the loop here in Engerland, has Hooky picked Toulouse to win yet? please, please say its so....Thats all I need to hear and I'll be happy that we'll do it!

No, the fecker picked us :eek:

DaveyGem

Sorry lads, but what time is kick off today??

toomevara

DaveyGem wrote: »

Sorry lads, but what time is kick off today??

17:00

DaveyGem

toomevara wrote: »

17:00

Cracking

toomevara

DaveyGem wrote: »

Cracking

It bloody better Be! oh lordy I can hardly wait....*runs in circles on floor a la one H.Simpson*....

Psychedelic

why isn't the game being shown live on rte??? there are only showing coverage at 9pm.

i checked the other channels too and none of them seem to be showing the game live.

RuggieBear

sky have bought the rights

Heisenberg.

This post has been deleted.

Ginger

Getting nervous now boys and girls.. just over 3 hours till coverage starts.. thank the lord for the god channel and telling you how to position the satelite dish here in Norway!!!!

Gary Numan

The hour is nearly upon us. This is going to be epic.

Allez Toulouse. Heymans to tear munster a new one.

castie

Last time i saw Toulouse in a Heineken Cup Final was against Wasps.

Poitrenaud and Howley in the corner . Come on repeat!

Ginger

Tis on RugbyDump that clip.. remember watching it and thinking oh man he is gonna hate to watch the replay of that...

Caoimhín

Hey lads, im sure this has been asked and answered before but,
Is the only TV coverage of the match on Sky sports 3?

castie

i was in the South Stand for that .

Ginger

caoibhin wrote: »

Hey lads, im sure this has been asked and answered before but,
Is the only TV coverage of the match on Sky sports 3?

Yeah they bought the TV rights

Caoimhín

Ginger wrote: »

Yeah they bought the TV rights

Thats a load of bollix, i have Sky Sports 1, im not paying the cu*ts for a years subscription just for one match.

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