Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

buck65

Let's not forget Peter Stringer here, someone mentioned that Murray is already better! Nonsense.
Stringer is Munster's best ever SH, he is a hero for the province for what he has achieved. I would still have had him 1st choice this season for us even with a fit TOL. Yes Murray is a Godsend for the future (fingers crossed) but Stringer is the epitome of Munster rugby - plucky, cranky, better than the sum of his parts. I still see him on the plane to NZ.

profitius

buck65 wrote: »

Let's not forget Peter Stringer here, someone mentioned that Murray is already better! Nonsense.
Stringer is Munster's best ever SH, he is a hero for the province for what he has achieved. I would still have had him 1st choice this season for us even with a fit TOL. Yes Murray is a Godsend for the future (fingers crossed) but Stringer is the epitome of Munster rugby - plucky, cranky, better than the sum of his parts. I still see him on the plane to NZ.

I said Murray is better. I don't think too many people were demanding Stringer start ahead of Murray. Stringer has his good points but he can't kick, can't carry the ball and is very lightweight for making tackles.

PhatPiggins

profitius wrote: »

People were excited before they realised TOL had many weaknesses to his game. Murray is a much better player already than TOL and Stringer and he'll get better.

TOL got picked for a Lions tour and would have pushed hard for a starting spot, well untill Phillips found his form again anyway. Murray has all the goods but is still very inexperienced to be expecting miracles from him. Thats probably the over hype statement of the month though.

Cpt_Blackbeard

profitius wrote: »

I said Murray is better. I don't think too many people were demanding Stringer start ahead of Murray. Stringer has his good points but he can't kick, can't carry the ball and is very lightweight for making tackles.

And his passing has been uncharacteristically erratic for the last few months. He is still a great impact sub but, I don't think that he is any more than that anymore.

buck65

buck65 wrote: »

Let's not forget Peter Stringer here, someone mentioned that Murray is already better! Nonsense.
Stringer is Munster's best ever SH, he is a hero for the province for what he has achieved. I would still have had him 1st choice this season for us even with a fit TOL. Yes Murray is a Godsend for the future (fingers crossed) but Stringer is the epitome of Munster rugby - plucky, cranky, better than the sum of his parts. I still see him on the plane to NZ.

I think Stringer goes to NZ simply for what he can do in the last 15 minutes of a game. We don't have any other #9s (though Boss did put in some serious sub performances, but in a different style) that can come onto the pitch for the last 15 and fire missile after missile at the out half.

However, though he has done "the main job" of a scrum half better than any other, he has had patchy appearances this season. He wouldn't be happy with a lot of his performances. He is extraordinary limited in the other aspects of his game, and that is the main reason why TO'L managed to get ahead of him for the starting role.

Still, Stringer will have an essential bench role for Munster and Ireland yet.

PhatPiggins

Deleted User wrote: »

I think Stringer goes to NZ simply for what he can do in the last 15 minutes of a game. We don't have any other #9s (though Boss did put in some serious sub performances, but in a different style) that can come onto the pitch for the last 15 and fire missile after missile at the out half.

However, though he has done "the main job" of a scrum half better than any other, he has had patchy appearances this season. He wouldn't be happy with a lot of his performances. He is extraordinary limited in the other aspects of his game, and that is the main reason why TO'L managed to get ahead of him for the starting role.

Still, Stringer will have an essential bench role for Munster and Ireland yet.

I wouldn't bring either of Stringer or O'Leary to the WC. Reddan,Boss and Murray for me. Though Boss seems to be completely out of favour despite playing better for Leinster then he ever did for Ulster.

wixfjord

buck65 wrote: »

Let's not forget Peter Stringer here, someone mentioned that Murray is already better! Nonsense.
Stringer is Munster's best ever SH, he is a hero for the province for what he has achieved. I would still have had him 1st choice this season for us even with a fit TOL. Yes Murray is a Godsend for the future (fingers crossed) but Stringer is the epitome of Munster rugby - plucky, cranky, better than the sum of his parts. I still see him on the plane to NZ.

I love Stringer, and he does a job, but I've seen nothing in him in the past two years to say that he's still international class tbh. Can't run, poor kick, small, slow, and a pass which is, in my mind overhyped.
Now I may be going OTT, but I just think it's a Hayes like situation, where many think Stringer to be better than he actually is.
Sure he gives a great option off the bench, but I'd actually still have TOL, Reddan, Murray or Boss in front of him to start a game, even if my mates will tell you that I've a serious vendetta against Redders!

Genia for example (the best SH in the world, and a WC opponent) up against Stringer would be a serious mismatch, even more so than any of our other scrum halfs.

PhatPiggins

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I wouldn't bring either of Stringer or O'Leary to the WC. Reddan,Boss and Murray for me. Though Boss seems to be completely out of favour despite playing better for Leinster then he ever did for Ulster.

I actually agree, but I'm thinking more in a "who will travel" not "who should travel".

I'm worried it's going to be Reddan O'Leary Stringer tbh

yupyup7up

Deleted User wrote: »

Because he's (alongside a full back) seen as a last line of defence.

Simply because if there is turnover ball, you want a scrum half there to organise a pack to control it, and give a good pass to the first receiver to take it on from there.

If your #9 is making all the back rows tackles, he's neglecting work that is needed elsewhere. His first and most important job is to get good ball to first receiver. Everything else is ancillary.

Of course its nice to see a scrum half making a big tackle, or a big break, but their primary objective is to put speed into the backline.

I know that, I'm talking in terms of defence when you obviously don't have the ball. The SH should be in the defensive line.

We could be getting wires crossed here by our definition of a sweeper.
Any time I've played(regardless of club) it's the back three rotating to cover the area behind the gain line and whoever was there would cover.. i suppose at the end of the day its all down to the team and the SH

profitius

PhatPiggins wrote: »

TOL got picked for a Lions tour and would have pushed hard for a starting spot, well untill Phillips found his form again anyway. Murray has all the goods but is still very inexperienced to be expecting miracles from him. Thats probably the over hype statement of the month though.

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I wouldn't bring either of Stringer or O'Leary to the WC. Reddan,Boss and Murray for me. Though Boss seems to be completely out of favour despite playing better for Leinster then he ever did for Ulster.

So you are saying that Murray is not better than TOL or Stringer but you'd take him to the world cup?

buck65

Lads Stringer has to travel for the impact sub position alone. I have watched Stringer closely over the years and what he brings from the bench is similar to what O Gara brings from the bench.
He has the ability to speed up the game and often change the point of attack.
If Ireland are chasing a game he is the man. If Ireland are in control he can marshall his troops too, how many times have you seen him urging the maul on etc. he's well able to wind down the clock too.
There may be superior SHs around but Stringer usually holds his own. For me it's Reddan, Stringer and Boss. If O Leary's form improves drastically I would look at him instead of Boss , maybe. Murray needs another season.

buck65

wixfjord wrote: »

I love Stringer, and he does a job, but I've seen nothing in him in the past two years to say that he's still international class tbh. Can't run, poor kick, small, slow, and a pass which is, in my mind overhyped.Now I may be going OTT, but I just think it's a Hayes like situation, where many think Stringer to be better than he actually is.
Sure he gives a great option off the bench, but I'd actually still have TOL, Reddan, Murray or Boss in front of him to start a game, even if my mates will tell you that I've a serious vendetta against Redders!

Genia for example (the best SH in the world, and a WC opponent) up against Stringer would be a serious mismatch, even more so than any of our other scrum halfs.

I understand the sentiment of the statement but this part is totally incorrect. His pass always was his strength.

buck65

buck65 wrote: »

I understand the sentiment of the statement but this part is totally incorrect. His pass always was his strength.

This is the problem, he's had some patchy games this year. Uncharacteristic bad passing. Hopefully it was a phase, and if it was, then what you've said about him being an impact sub at #9 is then validated.

But if his once flawless passing has left him, then he's a very weak option unfortunately.

buck65

Emmet I don't agree that Stringer's form has dropped, for me he has had a decent season and played alot of games for Munster behind a pack that struggled all season. I think Murray got the nod as he is a bigger man than Stringer thus giving more cover to the 10 channel which is always targetted.
I wouldn't start Stringer but to get the backs moving when we are behind he is a massive option.
Of course if O Leary sped up his delivery he is more of an option but I doubt he can.

PhatPiggins

profitius wrote: »

So you are saying that Murray is not better than TOL or Stringer but you'd take him to the world cup?

I didn't say that and if I have to explain why I picked those 3 for the WC its because you're either dull or just looking for a row and I don't think you're either of those.

Podge_irl

Stringer's passing is still as fast, but it seems to be less accurate then it used to be. I like him on the bench though.

sweetie

apologies for the intrusion! - I'm djing a wedding on friday and the groom has requested the song Stand up and fight as the final song. He says its the munster anthem and there are tons about on 7digital and itunes. Does it matter which or who sings the definitive version? cheers

Brian P

Here you go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49M_RclmA10&feature=related

The original and best.

redved

Brian P wrote: »

Here you go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49M_RclmA10&feature=related

The original and best.

Are you sure? I've never heard that version before. Sounds pretty different than the version they play at Munster games
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSgXSzGPMBI&feature=related

Brian P

redved wrote: »

Are you sure? I've never heard that version before. Sounds pretty different than the version they play at Munster games
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSgXSzGPMBI&feature=related

I wouldn't worry about it if it's the last song at a wedding reception.At that stage of the night, if it's a half decent wedding, most guests won't even know if it's a wedding or a rugby match they're at.:D

JustinDee

Bizet murdered. I hate to see music I like, butchered like that.

Judgement Day

JustinDee wrote: »

Bizet murdered. I hate to see music I like, butchered like that.

Still bitter about two in a row? Don't worry it will be even worse the third time.

Amazotheamazing

JustinDee wrote: »

Bizet murdered. I hate to see music I like, butchered like that.

You must hate hearing it too.

ormond lad

Munster Draw The Champions
17 June 2011, 11:55 am
By Pat Geraghty

Munster have been drawn with title holders Bristol Rugby in Pool 2 of this season's British & Irish Cup that's due to commence on September 21st.

However, that means they won't play the champions in the Pool Stages as the new format pitches Pool 2 sides against those in a Pool 1 grouping that includes Cornish Pirates who defeated Munster in the inaugural final.
The other sides that Munster will play are Moseley, Neath and Ayr.
Munster open their campaign with a home tie against the Pirates on Saturday 12th of Novemeber at a venue yet to be decided.
Munster Fixtures:
12th November: Munster v Cornish Pirates.
19th November: Neath v Munster.
10th December: Munster v Ayr.
17th December: Moseley v Munster.
Leinster will be up against Esher, Melrose, Llanelli & London Welsh while Ulster are pitted against Doncaster Knights, Currie, Pontypridd and Rotherhamd Titans.
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9130.php

thomond2006

ormond lad wrote: »

Munster Draw The Champions
17 June 2011, 11:55 am
By Pat Geraghty

Munster have been drawn with title holders Bristol Rugby in Pool 2 of this season's British & Irish Cup that's due to commence on September 21st.

However, that means they won't play the champions in the Pool Stages as the new format pitches Pool 2 sides against those in a Pool 1 grouping that includes Cornish Pirates who defeated Munster in the inaugural final.
The other sides that Munster will play are Moseley, Neath and Ayr.
Munster open their campaign with a home tie against the Pirates on Saturday 12th of Novemeber at a venue yet to be decided.
Munster Fixtures:
12th November: Munster v Cornish Pirates.
19th November: Neath v Munster.
10th December: Munster v Ayr.
17th December: Moseley v Munster.
Leinster will be up against Esher, Melrose, Llanelli & London Welsh while Ulster are pitted against Doncaster Knights, Currie, Pontypridd and Rotherhamd Titans.
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9130.php

They're going for a LV Cup kind of format then.

Amazotheamazing

Interesting group, good they running the games off over a short space of time too, even if it'll mean squads get stretched. Allows the comp be properly marketed, imo.

TheJims

i hope they hold another one in waterford this year! were kinda lost to munster rugby this far east..

durkadurka

They appear to be HEC weekends, which means that any of your first 23 will defintely not play.

Amazotheamazing

durkadurka wrote: »

They appear to be HEC weekends, which means that any of your first 23 will defintely not play.

That's no bad thing, imo.

From a Munster perspective, guys like Sherry, Nagle, Murray, Barnes and Zebo got a lot of A time for Munster this year and all went on to get decent enough ML time.

Amazotheamazing

TheJims wrote: »

i hope they hold another one in waterford this year! were kinda lost to munster rugby this far east..

I imagine they will, they seem to have gotten decent crowds to A games there before.