What's wrong with Reddan?

Tim Robbins

I don't watch much professional Rugby as I am usually out reffing so I haven't seen much of Reddan this year. I am wondering what has happened to him? As I thought O'Leary wasn't much good in the Autumn. He was over kicking the ball and usually doing so aimlessly.

From what I have seen (ok it's very little) Reddan looked better.

So why is he out of favour?

bleg

o leary is playing better than him. o leary also did well in the autumn internationals and was the only good thing to come out of the all blacks match

Pshan

It's just that we're not awash with scrumhalves, Stringer seems to have taken a step back, Reddan two steps back and Boss a full yard backwards this leaves TOL with the jersey and the rest hoping at best to get the slot on the bench.

Maybe Reddan has a better chance to showcase himslef while playing for Ireland A but it plays poorly the blame will be put on a poor pack and not supplying decent ball - look at Wasps close to being the one of worst teams in GP at the moment.

Maybe the IRFU should insist the scrumhalf and the outhalf in each of the provinces are Irish qualified, we might then reach a point where there is competition for places.

buck65

Pshan wrote: »

Maybe the IRFU should insist the scrumhalf and the outhalf in each of the provinces are Irish qualified, we might then reach a point where there is competition for places.

Are you serious?
Are you ****ing serious?

toomevara

The more pertinent question might be what's wrong with Wasps and more particularly the wasps pack. The guys been playing in reverse all year, hard to look good scrambling on your arse....

Podge_irl

None of Ireland's scrum half options are great. TOL has been playing the best of them and maybe it was felt that Stringer offers something different from the bench that Reddan does not. Where TOL to get injured it is not inconceivable that Reddan would return to the starting XV.

Maybe the IRFU should insist the scrumhalf and the outhalf in each of the provinces are Irish qualified, we might then reach a point where there is competition for places.

That would be illegal.

anonymous_joe

Pshan wrote: »

It's just that we're not awash with scrumhalves, Stringer seems to have taken a step back, Reddan two steps back and Boss a full yard backwards this leaves TOL with the jersey and the rest hoping at best to get the slot on the bench.

That seems a bit unfair on Boss and Reddan actually.

I don't think O'Leary's been that good really. I always read about him being on form, but whenever I see him play I just see the ball being kicked away aimlessly, and little threat from him running hte ball (which I'd have assumed he was great at, being reputed to be a nippy bugger.). Maybe it happens when I'm not watching. ^^

Maybe Reddan has a better chance to showcase himslef while playing for Ireland A but it plays poorly the blame will be put on a poor pack and not supplying decent ball - look at Wasps close to being the one of worst teams in GP at the moment.

Wasps have imploded. The Leinster game (recent one) was one of their only decent performances this season. They've really crumbled, despite having the strongest team in England on paper (well... one of them.). I don't think it's easy for any one player to impress in those circumstances.

Maybe the IRFU should insist the scrumhalf and the outhalf in each of the provinces are Irish qualified, we might then reach a point where there is competition for places.

Why would they ever do that?

sock puppet

Pshan wrote: »

Maybe the IRFU should insist the scrumhalf and the outhalf in each of the provinces are Irish qualified, we might then reach a point where there is competition for places.

There is competition. 3 of the provinces have an Irish qualified scrumhalf starting and Reddan is starting abroad. The problem is none of them are that good.

Serenity Now!

Tim Robbins wrote: »

I don't watch much professional Rugby as I am usually out reffing so I haven't seen much of Reddan this year. I am wondering what has happened to him? As I thought O'Leary wasn't much good in the Autumn. He was over kicking the ball and usually doing so aimlessly.

From what I have seen (ok it's very little) Reddan looked better.

So why is he out of favour?

O'Leary and Stringer are both different types of halfbacks and both are playing extremely well at the moment.
Correct choice by the Irish coach and his staff.

sm.org

Serenity Now! wrote: »

O'Leary and Stringer are both different types of halfbacks and both are playing extremely well at the moment.
Correct choice by the Irish coach and his staff.

+1

I can see O leary playing 65 minutes or so with Stringer coming off the bench to add something completely different

Stev_o

Serenity Now! wrote: »

O'Leary and Stringer are both different types of halfbacks and both are playing extremely well at the moment.
Correct choice by the Irish coach and his staff.

Wait hold up here, TOL yes playing out of skin but Stringer?? No way! He's constantly been Munsters worst player when he has started this year. His passing has gone to sh1te and more importantly WTF does he offer coming off the bench?? Nothing! At least Reddan or Boss would add a sniping game!

Serenity Now!

Stev_o wrote: »

Wait hold up here, TOL yes playing out of skin but Stringer?? No way! He's constantly been Munsters worst player when he has started this year. His passing has gone to sh1te and more importantly WTF does he offer coming off the bench?? Nothing! At least Reddan or Boss would add a sniping game!

Take the previous ERC games that Stringer has come on to play. What examples have you of sh*te play from the fella? As for his pass, it most definitely has not "gone to sh*te".
Have you ever thought that a bench player might actually come onfield to suit a positive situation?

thehighground

Stev_o wrote: »

Wait hold up here, TOL yes playing out of skin but Stringer?? No way! He's constantly been Munsters worst player when he has started this year. His passing has gone to sh1te and more importantly WTF does he offer coming off the bench?? Nothing! At least Reddan or Boss would add a sniping game!

You didn't watch the Munster v CA game then. Stringer made a huge impact. As soon as he came on, the pace of the game picked up and Munster scored 2 trys in 6 minutes!

If that is not making an impact, what is?

He looked pretty good for the Os v Munster as well. Not to mention the ABs game ...

Stev_o

Serenity Now! wrote: »

Take the previous ERC games that Stringer has come on to play. What examples have you of sh*te play from the fella? As for his pass, it most definitely has not "gone to sh*te".
Have you ever thought that a bench player might actually come onfield to suit a positive situation?

Now you gotta ask yourself why Stringer is benching for Musnter and why he got there in the first place. Against Connacht and Ulster he repeatedly threw daft passes to no one in particular most posters on MF acknowledge that he's gone off form completely.

What exactly does he offer coming off the bench? Beside being out of form and taking away a excellent cover tackler in the form of TOL?

thehighground

anonymous_joe wrote: »

I don't think O'Leary's been that good really. I always read about him being on form, but whenever I see him play I just see the ball being kicked away aimlessly, and little threat from him running hte ball (which I'd have assumed he was great at, being reputed to be a nippy bugger.). Maybe it happens when I'm not watching. ^^

You should watch Munster a bit more O'Leary is playing out of his skin (and with great confidence). His defensive work is just outstanding and he is very pacy as well as being as hard as nails.

Watch these two covering tackles. Very useful to have around with a youngish/inexperienced back 3.

O'Leary's tackle on Benoit Baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VUgWHDSjYI&feature=related

O'Leary v. Ospreys (also took over outhalf duties and kicked a penalty as well as scoring a try).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM5c77ENMzw

toomevara

Podge_irl wrote: »

That would be illegal.

...and utterly mad....

Serenity Now!

Stev_o wrote: »

Now you gotta ask yourself why Stringer is benching for Musnter and why he got there in the first place. Against Connacht and Ulster he repeatedly threw daft passes to no one in particular most posters on MF acknowledge that he's gone off form completely

He's benching because O'Leary is playing so well.
Munster pack were well under the cosh in those two games you mention. Why do you ignore the games he played well in? He was immense in his ERC appearances, not forgetting last year's appearance against the Kiwis in Thomond Pk.

Stev_o wrote: »

What exactly does he offer coming off the bench?

Experience, presence and a deft pass (obviously in games you're ignoring for some weird reason).
He's plainly gelling well in training too hence his selection.

Suit yourself. You don't rate him now. I do. Life's a bitch, eh?

Podge_irl

toomevara wrote: »

...and utterly mad....

Well that too. But I thought I'd get the more troublesome problem out of the way first.


Stringer, from what I've seen, has been decent enough coming off the bench for Munster. Like I said, I imagine Reddan would be next in line for a start, but he's quite a similar scrum-half to TOL so it makes sense in some way to have Stringer there.

Diom

Both of Connachts starters are IQ, both of Ulsters, and both of Munsters. There is only one province that bucks the trend. Would be overkill to insist that they do the same.

re: Reddan, he is as competent now as always I think (whether that's good or bad I'll let you decide), but TOL is playing really well. That's why he's starting. Still not sure about Stringer.

Podge_irl

Diom wrote: »

Both of Connachts starters are IQ, both of Ulsters, and both of Munsters. There is only one province that bucks the trend. Would be overkill to insist that they do the same.

You're right. Its the fact that we don't have a fourth set of half-backs to pick from that is causing the other available scrum-halves to all be distinctly average. If only Chris Keane was getting valuable game time....

oh yeah, and its illegal.

padser

thehighground wrote: »

Watch these two covering tackles. Very useful to have around with a youngish/inexperienced back 3.

O'Leary's tackle on Benoit Baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VUgWHDSjYI&feature=related

O'Leary v. Ospreys (also took over outhalf duties and kicked a penalty as well as scoring a try).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM5c77ENMzw

I could argue that this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4PGZfloohQ&feature=PlayList&p=E769F427A1C1E049&playnext=1&index=12

would also be useful to have around (although its a bit old now...).

But to be honest I agree - TOL is playing much better.

Actually glad to see stringer on the bench though - I think stringer offers something to different to both Redden and TOL - one of them needs to start but I think the option to bring Stringer on to change the game on 60 is one you want to have.

thehighground

padser wrote: »

I could argue that this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4PGZfloohQ&feature=PlayList&p=E769F427A1C1E049&playnext=1&index=12

would also be useful to have around (although its a bit old now...).

But to be honest I agree - TOL is playing much better.

Actually glad to see stringer on the bench though - I think stringer offers something to different to both Redden and TOL - one of them needs to start but I think the option to bring Stringer on to change the game on 60 is one you want to have.

I'm very happy seeing Stringer on the bench - if he was anywhere else he would be first choice SH. Both would be fairly confident at the moment as well having been involved in winning games against French teams (the CA game was very tight, so good experience), unlike Wasps v Castres & Ulster v. SF.

bleg

thehighground wrote: »

You should watch Munster a bit more O'Leary is playing out of his skin (and with great confidence). His defensive work is just outstanding and he is very pacy as well as being as hard as nails.

Watch these two covering tackles. Very useful to have around with a youngish/inexperienced back 3.

O'Leary's tackle on Benoit Baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VUgWHDSjYI&feature=related

O'Leary v. Ospreys (also took over outhalf duties and kicked a penalty as well as scoring a try).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM5c77ENMzw

not forgetting his little snipes off the back of the scrum

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=l1QsfaU2EHI

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=SuPfRWi1JDU

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZJadUMHg6w&feature=related

sock puppet

thehighground wrote: »

I'm very happy seeing Stringer on the bench - if he was anywhere else he would be first choice SH.

You must be joking! You'd honestly have Stringer ahead of Blair or Cooper or even Care?

edit: Oh sorry did you mean at any other province?

thehighground

sock puppet wrote: »

You must be joking! You'd honestly have Stringer ahead of Blair or Cooper or even Care?

edit: Oh sorry did you mean at any other province?

Yep, meant in the provinces (though there are a fair few clubs where he would end up first choice). He is a great big game player as well (which you would expect with the number of caps he has).

phog

It's clearly a case of loss of form but even on form with TOL having impressed in the run up the 6Ns then maybe he would have the No9 shirt anyway leaving ir to a toss up between Stringer and Reddan for the bench.

Actually, looking at players that seem to have lost form since the AIs Heaslip is very lucky to have held the No8 jersey,Leinster's last game against Edinburgh must have done enough for him.

[Jackass]

Reddan is having a terrible season but was by far the best Irish scrum-half for about 2 years imo. Difficult to look good in that Wasps team though. I think Leinster should try again for him this summer. Very good player playing badly at the moment.

bleg

"kidney just doesn't like him" in fairness that's absolute bollox. how can 8 people know whether kidney likes him or not?

maybe kidney didn't give him a chance because stringer was playing far better than him?

Pshan

Pshan wrote: »

It's just that we're not awash with scrumhalves, Stringer seems to have taken a step back, Reddan two steps back and Boss a full yard backwards this leaves TOL with the jersey and the rest hoping at best to get the slot on the bench.

Maybe Reddan has a better chance to showcase himslef while playing for Ireland A but it plays poorly the blame will be put on a poor pack and not supplying decent ball - look at Wasps close to being the one of worst teams in GP at the moment.

Maybe the IRFU should insist the scrumhalf and the outhalf in each of the provinces are Irish qualified, we might then reach a point where there is competition for places.

Boss has been in great form and easily deserves that bench spot ahead of stringer.