If Leinster/Munster were in the S14

ironingbored

I've just seen the Waratahs thrash the Lions 73-12 in the Super 14 and wondered how would Leinster or Munster fare if somehow invited to play in the southern hemisphere premier competition for a season.

I'd like to think both could have a shout at getting to the play-offs. At the moment the Crusaders and the Bulls are head and shoulders above the rest. Any opinions?

Savage Cabbage

Hey ironingbored great post.

I reckon both sets of backs would be up to the task but reckon the forwards would get mangled though!

With introduction of Italian teams into Celtic league though I reckon a Champions League style tournament of Northern and Southern Hemispheres best is inevitable at some stage in next 5 or 10 years... cant wait personally

danthefan

ironingbored wrote: »

I've just seen the Waratahs thrash the Lions 73-12 in the Super 14 and wondered how would Leinster or Munster fare if somehow invited to play in the southern hemisphere premier competition for a season.

I'd like to think both could have a shout at getting to the play-offs. At the moment the Crusaders and the Bulls are head and shoulders above the rest. Any opinions?

Way too early to say that imo, Stormers, Hurricanes, Brumbies have all had strong starts to the season, Bulls are yet to play outside of SA. Crusaders especially aren't looking head and shoulders above some of the other sides. They were trounced by the QLD Reds a week or two back for example.

ironingbored

danthefan wrote: »

Way too early to say that imo, Stormers, Hurricanes, Brumbies have all had strong starts to the season, Bulls are yet to play outside of SA. Crusaders especially aren't looking head and shoulders above some of the other sides. They were trounced by the QLD Reds a week or two back for example.

I still think the Crusaders and Bulls are the benchmark. Having said that potential and strengthening of the Aussie teams along with the Stormers and the Chiefs should make this S14 a great one to watch.

However, are the recent thrashings down to sublime rugby or suspect defence?

Teferi

It would be a lot more exciting. The few games of S14 I have seen have been so much more exciting than our leagues. Unfortunately.

buck65

The jet lag would kill them.

Podge_irl

Well Leinster have the best defence in Europe so chances are they would actually make some tackles.

The S14 wouldn't know what hit em.

outwest

they would be mid table at best. s14 standard is huge, attacking is key, would munster or leinter have a squad that could player games week in week out at that level.

thomond2006

Savage Cabbage wrote: »

With introduction of Italian teams into Celtic league though I reckon a Champions League style tournament of Northern and Southern Hemispheres best is inevitable at some stage in next 5 or 10 years... cant wait personally

Could see it happening although it would be a logistics nightmare.

pappyodaniel

I'd like to see the winners of the HEC play the winners of the S14 once a year alternating the venue between North and South. Anything other than that would prove to be impossible.

outwest

rl has is, its called the world club challlenge.

winnner of super league v nfl challenge

danthefan

outwest wrote: »

they would be mid table at best. s14 standard is huge, attacking is key, would munster or leinter have a squad that could player games week in week out at that level.

It's not really week-in-week-out though, it's 13 games with a week of in there somewhere, plus two more playoffs if you make it. Leinster and Munster play twice that many games in a season.

There's no way Leinster would be conceding 50 or 60 or 70 points in any game against anyone though, I know that much.

andrewdcs

Seen a lot of the "highlights" of the S14 this season (i.e I've not watched a single game start to finish) and tbh the T14 looks more like a rugby union contest, S14 is akin to watching 7s. Obv. cos I'm watching highlights, but the scorelines would also reflect the lack of defensive focus.

I do think it'd be fascinating watching Leinster/Munster/Toulouse/ etc. play off in a small series though. contrast of styles etc.

siltirocker

S14 has **** all defense, it's all just running the lines. And plays a simple brand of rugby that we all learned at 9/10. In tackling, scrums, line-out, etc i could see Leinster or Munster doing sublimely down there. Maybe not win it but defo in the play-offs.

On a side note i think Toulouse, Perpingnan and possible Clermont would do superbly in the S14.

PhatPiggins

Podge_irl wrote: »

Well Leinster have the best defence in Europe so chances are they would actually make some tackles.

The S14 wouldn't know what hit em.

Two thirds of the Leinster/Munster pack would be yellow carded every game for holding and not releasing. Their defence wouldn't be so hot then.

On the plus side BOD and Earls would score 148 tries between them :P

I prefer watching Munster and Leinster play Rugby Union.

Wouldn't be into the glorified tag rugby of the S14

anonymous_joe

A younger BOD would have shredded S14 defences. He'd still score rakeloads of tries.

I'd love to see the likes of Fitzgerald, Shaggy, Earls, Bowe and so on so forth having a cut at the S14 defences.

twinytwo

tbh id take a munster leinster game over any s14 game... they are slowly destroying rugby union in an attempt to make it "better"

PhatPiggins

twinytwo wrote: »

tbh id take a munster leinster game over any s14 game... they are slowly destroying rugby union in an attempt to make it "better"

As always it seems to be the Ozzies pushing for the changes, John O Neil is a pillock but the game is struggling in Australia.

The tail is well and truely wagging the dog in the SH.