Cheerio, Chris Whitaker?

remus808

Leinster have Paul O'Donoghue making his debut at 9 this weekend with Keogh covering from the bench in the no.20 jersey. Have the 6N made Cheika realise what his backline needs is a decent scrumhalf? Also relieved to see the experiment of POD at 10 for Leinster A seems to be over... The guy is a scrum half, and a bloody good one.

louthandproud

karmabass wrote: »

Leinster have Paul O'Donoghue making his debut at 9 this weekend with Keogh covering from the bench in the no.20 jersey. Have the 6N made Cheika realise what his backline needs is a decent scrumhalf? Also relieved to see the experiment of POD at 10 for Leinster A seems to be over... The guy is a scrum half, and a bloody good one.

"Scrumhalf" and outhalf too!

thomond2006

karmabass wrote: »

Leinster have Paul O'Donoghue making his debut at 9 this weekend with Keogh covering from the bench in the no.20 jersey. Have the 6N made Cheika realise what his backline needs is a decent scrumhalf? Also relieved to see the experiment of POD at 10 for Leinster A seems to be over... The guy is a scrum half, and a bloody good one.

As a munster fan, I'll be sad to see Whitaker go. :D:D

bamboozle

POD has been running amok for clontarf in the AIL, i said it months ago POD and Keatley will be the irish half backs in a few years, they've been playing together all thru school, for irish u20's, great set of players together

Blured

Not sure if it does spell the end for Whitaker. POD isnt in the HC squad (I think) so Whits will be back in for the Quins game.

Fingers crossed POD plays well this weekend. He has mostly been playing 10 for Leinster A this season so looking forward to seeing him play 9

TarfHead

I assumed that CW was back home in AUS for a mid-season break ? Don't have anything to back that up - few Leinster games and schools on mid-term - maybe I'm adding 1+1 to get 3

[Jackass]

I think Cheika is exploring a few options. This is all made possible by the return of D'Arcy which could well turn our season around.

It's free's up Contepomi from the 12 Jersey without having to lose Fitzgerald from the wing and then have someone fill in there, so this allows him to get time at 10 (and he is our best 10).

Nacewa gets his shot on the wing which would facilitate the cream in your pants back 3 of Kearney, Fitzgerald and Nacewa. And as a result the dream team of D'Arcy & O'Drisoll back together in centre. Which means our best 10, Contepomi, at 10. In other words, our strongest backline.

It also allows for experiment at 9, as we have no established cover for Whits (sorry Chris) so it is vital O'Donoghue gets time at 9 and don't be surprised if Keogh gets time there too.

It is the most vital position to sort out personnell wise, and Cheika is thinking of either signing this summer or finding a replacement in house, I'm only amazed it's taken so long to try different options at 9. Everything is crossed for O'Donoghue to have a brilliant game at 9. He has been an amazing player all through schools, to winning the grand slam with Ireland to AIL where he has been taking the p!ss with Clontarf, to A where he was slammed into the 10 jersey for some reason.

I think we're stuck with Whitaker as first choice for the rest of the season (:() but this could bode well for the future and all though Whitaker at 9 is playing your backline with one hand tied behind its back, at least if we get 10 - 15 selection right now we have a fighting chance again.

The pack more or less picks its self when all are fit, with one or two 50 / 50 calls, but leave them to it to pick up their own game, they've done very well this season, and Leinster could be back in business.

But Whitaker is the main concern in any starting 15, if Keogh or O'Donoghue could displace him then I couldn't be happier.

thomond2006

With Wasps in freefall, Cheika could sign Eoin Reddan.

He must be disillusioned at Wasps, who are set to lose their status as a top GP club.

Wasps have been bad this season and of course have lost players to France.

barnesd

[Jackass] wrote: »

I think Cheika is exploring a few options. This is all made possible by the return of D'Arcy which could well turn our season around.

It's free's up Contepomi from the 12 Jersey without having to lose Fitzgerald from the wing and then have someone fill in there, so this allows him to get time at 10 (and he is our best 10).

Nacewa gets his shot on the wing which would facilitate the cream in your pants back 3 of Kearney, Fitzgerald and Nacewa. And as a result the dream team of D'Arcy & O'Drisoll back together in centre. Which means our best 10, Contepomi, at 10. In other words, our strongest backline.

It also allows for experiment at 9, as we have no established cover for Whits (sorry Chris) so it is vital O'Donoghue gets time at 9 and don't be surprised if Keogh gets time there too.

It is the most vital position to sort out personnell wise, and Cheika is thinking of either signing this summer or finding a replacement in house, I'm only amazed it's taken so long to try different options at 9. Everything is crossed for O'Donoghue to have a brilliant game at 9. He has been an amazing player all through schools, to winning the grand slam with Ireland to AIL where he has been taking the p!ss with Clontarf, to A where he was slammed into the 10 jersey for some reason.

I think we're stuck with Whitaker as first choice for the rest of the season (:() but this could bode well for the future and all though Whitaker at 9 is playing your backline with one hand tied behind its back, at least if we get 10 - 15 selection right now we have a fighting chance again.

The pack more or less picks its self when all are fit, with one or two 50 / 50 calls, but leave them to it to pick up their own game, they've done very well this season, and Leinster could be back in business.

But Whitaker is the main concern in any starting 15, if Keogh or O'Donoghue could displace him then I couldn't be happier.

Very good post, good man youself.

I think Cheika is a man who likes to put systems in place, and doesn't like changing hugely from week to week. We had a glut of important games just before the 6N so what I think is, in his mind Whitaker had done all the training, knew all the calls, and with Cullen out provided the leadership on the pitch. Unfortunately his form hasn't been stellar, but he was there and that was that. Same with Nacewa at 10. Now that there's been a significant break since the last game, there's been a month to bring POD into his little system and there's been time to get himself and Contepomi acquainted as a halfback pairing. Cheika talked of a 'reset' happening over this break, so I'm hoping he's just wiped the slate clean and to an extent we're seeing that with this selection. I mean, how many players have you seen be picked at 10 for one game and wing for the next?

As you said, the back 3 of Nacewa, Fitz, Kearney could really be lethal. Nacewa has to be given a bit of a license to roam though, pop up in the line, make half breaks and offload.

ALH-06

Blured wrote: »

Not sure if it does spell the end for Whitaker

Apparently, both Whitaker and Keane are out with knee injuries. Which means Cheika isn't experimenting unfortunately - He didn't plan this, he's been forced to play O'Donoghue. But I really hope he has a great game and takes this chance. It's pivotal that Leinster has a quality SH to unleash that backline!

Is there any way O'Donoghue could be registered for the HC?

Crash

ERC rules wrote:

(iii) after the completion of the Pool stages, clubs involved in the knock-out stages
may nominate three additional players. One of these players must be qualified
to play in a front row position and the other two players can play in any position.
These additional players must be fully and properly registered by 26 March, 2009.
Clubs must ensure that these players have not been nominated in a match squad
with another club for the Heineken Cup or European Challenge Cup tournaments
during the current season.

Depends then on what Cheikas done about that.

edit: oh, and O'Donoghues in the 38 man named squad for the HC.

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/13_5544.php?section=2

bleg

i hate the phrase cheerio

Zzippy

First time I've seen him in action tonight, and well impressed. Quick pass, some good box kicks, and great defence. Think its one position where Leinster have been really weak, so good to see some talent coming through there.

crisco10

Zzippy wrote: »

First time I've seen him in action tonight, and well impressed. Quick pass, some good box kicks, and great defence. Think its one position where Leinster have been really weak, so good to see some talent coming through there.

here's hoping he gets more chances than Willis did.

Podge_irl

Willis got plenty of chances til the shoulder reconstruction surgery that destroyed his pass and made him a far worse player. You'll notice he's not exactly first choice at Ulster either. It's unfortunate cause he had the makings of a fine player, but these things happen.

ALH-06

Podge_irl wrote: »

Willis got plenty of chances til the shoulder reconstruction surgery that destroyed his pass and made him a far worse player. You'll notice he's not exactly first choice at Ulster either. It's unfortunate cause he had the makings of a fine player, but these things happen.

In fact he was first choice at Ulster before he got injured before Christmas some time. He was keeping Boss on the bench and had pushed Marshall out of the 22. It's a pity he's been plagued by injury so much, could have been a great prospect to play for Ireland.

ALH-06

By the way, I couldn't see the match last night...

What's the verdict on O'Donoghue?

Did well enough that I wuld have no problem in him being number 1.

Although when Keogh went to 9 he was noticably quicker,so keogh and O'Donahoe should be the contenders.

Crash

Good looking debut, looked very confident throughout for a player getting their first cap. Every now and then he'd do something ropey, like a few poor passes, unnecessary pausing and confusion over decision making, but seemed to have the confidence and skill to keep his game up. Some nice box kicks as well.

Keogh equally looked sharp coming in aat scrumhalf in the second half - especially for a player who hasn't played scrumhalf in a while now.

ALH-06

Galilea Better Baton wrote: »

Did well enough that I wuld have no problem in him being number 1.

Although when Keogh went to 9 he was noticably quicker,so keogh and O'Donahoe should be the contenders.

That's great news for Leinster. Hopefully Cheika can be persuaded to call it a day with Whitaker and Keane and invest some game time into these guys.

barnesd

ALH-06 wrote: »

That's great news for Leinster. Hopefully Cheika can be persuaded to call it a day with Whitaker and Keane and invest some game time into these guys.

I'm guessing Whitaker will start every game he's fit for for the rest of the season.

bamboozle

hard to compare Keogh & POD, keogh is a nippy scrum half, POD is more of a physical player, he made a huge amount of tackles, looked confident to take the ball on, good box kicking, pass wasnt the fastest but still an improvement of Whittaker.

thought the best performance on the night was by referee!!!!! what was he on??? some of the most comical decisions i've ever seen in a match

Eoin

thomond2006 wrote: »

With Wasps in freefall, Cheika could sign Eoin Reddan.

He must be disillusioned at Wasps, who are set to lose their status as a top GP club.

Wasps have been bad this season and of course have lost players to France.

I think he has just extended his contract at Wasps? Not 100% sure though.

flyswatter

Was impressed with POD in the Scarlets game. Seemed like a good, mobile player.

ALH-06

ALH-06 wrote: »

That's great news for Leinster. Hopefully Cheika can be persuaded to call it a day with Whitaker and Keane and invest some game time into these guys.

Im pretty sure Cheika never included Pod in his Heineken squad and im not sure he can add him.So keogh will probably get the nod this year with Pod to break through next season.

Pod seems to be in the same mould as Byron Kelleher and Tillous Borde,when he fills out a bit we could get a physical scrumhalf with a good presence.He steps when he passes but thats not the end of the world,Philips for Wales does alright.

Crash

Galilea Better Baton wrote: »

Im pretty sure Cheika never included Pod in his Heineken squad and im not sure he can add him.So keogh will probably get the nod this year with Pod to break through next season.

Pod seems to be in the same mould as Byron Kelleher and Tillous Borde,when he fills out a bit we could get a physical scrumhalf with a good presence.He steps when he passes but thats not the end of the world,Philips for Wales does alright.

Galilea Better Baton, see my post above in the thread, POD's in the HC squad. In fact, most players in a club/provincial team who are even within a shout of the firsts will end up on the HC squad, seeing as its for up to 38 players.

Issues only arise with mid-season signing, where ERC limit the clubs to 1 extra player during pool stages, and 3 before the knockout stages.

Going Waterforward wrote: »

Depends then on what Cheikas done about that.

edit: oh, and O'Donoghues in the 38 man named squad for the HC.

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/13_5544.php?section=2

myflipflops

Should O'Donohue start at 9 against Quins if he retains form? Yes.

Will he? No. Cheika won't drop his mate.

sm.org

Have it on good authority that Peter Stringer has been offered a two year contract by Leinster starting in july.

I've heard stupider rumours, he's playing very well at the mo, will probably be still involved with Ireland next season giving plenty of game tome to O Donoghue. There's been plenty of player traffic between Leinster/Munster the past few years.

How would you Leinster lads feel about Stringer in Blue?

bamboozle

sm.org wrote: »

Have it on good authority that Peter Stringer has been offered a two year contract by Leinster starting in july.

I've heard stupider rumours, he's playing very well at the mo, will probably be still involved with Ireland next season giving plenty of game tome to O Donoghue. There's been plenty of player traffic between Leinster/Munster the past few years.

How would you Leinster lads feel about Stringer in Blue?

well he'd be very silly finishing his career abroad as he would lose out hugely from a tax perspective, so for him it would make sense, starting place in Leinster so he could still push for international recognition, and with much regret i say this....we could do with his fast service....

irishbucsfan

sm.org wrote: »

Have it on good authority that Peter Stringer has been offered a two year contract by Leinster starting in july.

I've heard stupider rumours, he's playing very well at the mo, will probably be still involved with Ireland next season giving plenty of game tome to O Donoghue. There's been plenty of player traffic between Leinster/Munster the past few years.

How would you Leinster lads feel about Stringer in Blue?

With greatest respect... Ill believe it when I see it. That poor chap has a rumour mill all to himself!

I thought he had fallen out with certain Leinster players, no?

ALH-06

sm.org wrote: »

Have it on good authority that Peter Stringer has been offered a two year contract by Leinster starting in july.

No way! I can't imagine Stringer ever playing for Leinster! How good is your 'good authority'?

sm.org wrote: »

How would you Leinster lads feel about Stringer in Blue?

The fast service would be really beneficial for the Leinster backline. Whitaker's a real weak point - completely suffocates the pace off phases. But Stringer offers no attacking threat like Reddan or similar SHs. Wouldn't be my first choice, but Leinster could do far worse (as they currently are with Whitaker).

There's plenty of Irish scrum halves being under-utilised. Stringer for one, then Willis up at Ulster (if he doesn't claim his first team place back off Boss), Marshall looks handy too (just been selected for Irish 7s) and then there's Campbell at Connacht. Frank Murphy could be another option for Leinster, and I'd imagine Reddan's outlook at Wasps has changed since last summer...