David Wallace appreciation thread.

Laupelion

Whether you're a Munster, Leinster, Ulster or Connacht supporter there is no denying the class and dedication this man has brought to the 7 jersey for his province and Ireland over the last decade. Recently he has come under fire for what many saw to be a drop in form and possibly an indication that retirement was not far off, however, in his typical humble and hardworking approach Wally vindicated the faith of Kidney and his supporters with a terrific game against our Gallic opponents. So please show your appreciation for the man and give us your fondest memory of a so far glittering career.

buck65

You'd be barking mad to disagree David.

profitius

He's gotten better with age. I remember people were amazed EOS left him out of the 2003 world cup squad.

SomeFool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuOoR2tIp-U

thomond2006

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/8695.php

Great timing OP!

Wallace agrees a one year deal with Munster.

I don't know how to feel about this tbh, I was hoping for a changing of the guard after the World Cup where the likes of POM, TOD and Butler could challenge for backrow places.

Still, Wallace is a true Munster legend and he won't let us down.

Quint2010

Credit where its due-I was one who wrote Wallace off before the french game and he delivered. However one good match does not a season make. And its the only match he has delivered in so far. Needs to back it up now for the rest of the season.

Laupelion

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/8695.php

Great timing OP!

Wallace agrees a one year deal with Munster.

I don't know how to feel about this tbh, I was hoping for a changing of the guard after the World Cup where the likes of POM, TOD and Butler could challenge for backrow places.

Still, Wallace is a true Munster legend and he won't let us down.

It's great to see him get another year, I think it can only help the likes of O' Donnell and the rest of them as the battle for places in the backrow should be pretty intense.

mfceiling

Favourite player of all time for me.....and i'm an ulsterman!!

TheHighRoad

One of my all time favourite players tbh.

Tried in vain to find a youtube clip of him sprinting after a Welsh winger who had a 5m headstart, knocking him down, and dragging him into touch.

Thought it was amazing!

danthefan

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/8695.php

Great timing OP!

Wallace agrees a one year deal with Munster.

I don't know how to feel about this tbh, I was hoping for a changing of the guard after the World Cup where the likes of POM, TOD and Butler could challenge for backrow places.

Still, Wallace is a true Munster legend and he won't let us down.

Munster would be screwed beyond belief without Wallace next season, feel very pleased.

athtrasna

I'm a massive David Wallace fan too - for Munster, Ireland and the Lions. What a rugby family he came from, three amazing players but David the best of the lot IMO.

trackguy

My favourite player for a number of years. He's in decline but he still has plenty to offer, particularly for Munster.

I think he was ahead his time, certainly in terms of Irish forwards, and was under-utilised for much of his career by Ireland.

SomeFool

Deleted User wrote: »

Tried in vain to find a youtube clip of him sprinting after a Welsh winger who had a 5m headstart, knocking him down, and dragging him into touch.

Thought it was amazing!

This?

trackguy

SomeFool wrote: »

This?

That is ridiculous. Can't think of many other forwards playing the game at that time would have had near that pace. He makes Williams look slow in comparison.

profitius

He was Irelands second faster player over 100m behind Denis Hickie and the second faster over 10m behind BOD.

SomeFool

SomeFool wrote: »

This?

Boom, incredible. Not the greatest clip of it, but I remember seeing it at the time and just thinking it was insane that he made up the ground, took him down and turned the ball over all in the one go.

bamboozle

great player in the autumn of his career who if utilised properly over the next season or two will gain cult status...ie if used as an impact player...

some_dose

Whatever you can say about the mans rugby skills, he surely has been one of the greatest athletes ever produced here.

A back row of Wally, Ferris and Heaslip at their peaks would imo be one of the best back rows in the world.

Quint2010

I always thought Wallace had all the attributes to make a top class no 8. Should have been played there for Irleand prior to Heaslips emergence. Was a miles better player than Foley IMO

twinytwo

Quint2010 wrote: »

I always thought Wallace had all the attributes to make a top class no 8. Should have been played there for Irleand prior to Heaslips emergence. Was a miles better player than Foley IMO

He always was an 8.. got stuck at 7 though for most of his carrer. He himself says he prefer to play 8.

twinytwo

profitius wrote: »

He was Irelands second faster player over 100m behind Denis Hickie and the second faster over 10m behind BOD.

he used to play 7's back in the day

Risteard

I hope he's used correctly next season and we don't do a John Hayes on him.

He's got some big performances left I think but we should really be looking at giving someone like TOD gametime with Wallace instead of just playing Wallace all the time as we don't want to be in a situation where Wallace retires, 'oh no, none of our numerous back row academy players have a lot of experience, quick sign somebody.'

bamboozle

Risteard wrote: »

I hope he's used correctly next season and we don't do a John Hayes on him.

He's got some big performances left I think but we should really be looking at giving someone like TOD gametime with Wallace instead of just playing Wallace all the time as we don't want to be in a situation where Wallace retires, 'oh no, none of our numerous back row academy players have a lot of experience, quick sign somebody.'

+1 TOM is looking decent, give him game time and use wallace as impact sub or perhaps even move him to 8 for the twilight of his munster career.

stephen_n

Irish people are a funny lot, a player who is not playing well gets a bit of flack and suddenly we need an appreciation thread? Just because Wallace has been consistently one of the best players in the country over the last 10 years does not mean that he can't be cirticised for playing badly, same for Darcy BOD or anyone else. Same **** was said last year when people questioned Hayes and look what that lead to. Accepting a player is not playing well or might be coming to the end of their career is not disrespectful. Wallace has been a truely great servant to Irish rugby and that will never be forgotten but allowing that to stand in the way of progress is just narrow minded.

Monty Burnz

trackguy wrote: »

That is ridiculous. Can't think of many other forwards playing the game at that time would have had near that pace. He makes Williams look slow in comparison.

I read that he was the fastest player in the Munster squad, at least until Dougie Howlett joined.

Cpt_Blackbeard

Monty Burnz wrote: »

I read that he was the fastest player in the Munster squad, at least until Dougie Howlett joined.

Ya he was (What I've heard) the fastest Irish player in the Munster squad until Earls came on the scene.

[Jackass]

I've given Wallace a tough time in the past, and even called him past it at one point, but I must admit to being wrong.

There's life in the old dog yet, and he's found some great form again this season.

From an Irish point of view, I'm still not convinced that he would displace anyone of O'Brien, Heaslip & Ferris, but certainly as an impact sub at international level he still has a lot to offer. I'm not sure he's an 80 minute man any more (I just don't think he has AS significant impact over 80 as he used to or more than any of the above) but he has his moments of greatness, that's for sure, and a fresh Wallace with 20 to go is a very usefull tool to have.

In the interest of developing the squad I've always hoped for Leamy & McLoughlin as back up to the above guys, even with hopes for Ruddock and Dom Ryan to force their way into the Irish squad, but maybe I'm writing off some of the golden oldies too soon.

RO'G has come back strongly and deserves to be ahead of Sexton in an Irish jersey at the moment, Wallace has had a storming season, but as said, let's hope we don't flog the dead donkey. No one denies these guys still have a lot to offer, let's just hope they aren't overly relied on, like Hayes was, especially when there's plenty of young talent coming through.

Morf

[Jackass] wrote: »

There's life in the old dog yet, and he's found some great form again this season.

One game doesn't make a season.

[Jackass]

Ah in fairness, he's had a few very good cameos for Munster this season and admitedly, in a poor looking team by their standards, he's one of the few players who can still hold his head up high.

Morf

[Jackass] wrote: »

Ah in fairness, he's had a few very good cameos for Munster this season and admitedly, in a poor looking team by their standards, he's one of the few players who can still hold his head up high.

What the run against a Toulon B team that was being presented as David Wallace still having what's needed for international rugby?

I don't particularly watch Munster matches but this seemed to be the main argument of Munster and Wallace fans for his inclusion in the team against Italy.

Cpt_Blackbeard

Morf wrote: »

What the run against a Toulon B team that was being presented as David Wallace still having what's needed for international rugby?

I don't particularly watch Munster matches but this seemed to be the main argument of Munster and Wallace fans for his inclusion in the team against Italy.

Any arguement you had is lost after that statement. :eek:

eggchaser

David Wallace is the most under-rated player of his generation in Ireland.
As a Connacht fan, it is easy to see from a neutral's point of view that he doesn't get the appreciation that he would have got had he been wearing the blue of Leinster. It's mind boggling to hear suggestions that an average player like Shane Jennings or an inexperienced (although admittedly talented) player like Rhys Ruddock should replace him.

Morf

Morf wrote: »

What the run against a Toulon B team that was being presented as David Wallace still having what's needed for international rugby?

I don't particularly watch Munster matches but this seemed to be the main argument of Munster and Wallace fans for his inclusion in the team against Italy.

By Jesus he sure as **** proved his worth vs France though! You can't keep a good man down.

eggchaser wrote: »

David Wallace is the most under-rated player of his generation in Ireland.
As a Connacht fan, it is easy to see from a neutral's point of view that he doesn't get the appreciation that he would have got had he been wearing the blue of Leinster. It's mind boggling to hear suggestions that an average player like Shane Jennings or an inexperienced (although admittedly talented) player like Rhys Ruddock should replace him.

If "an average player like Shane Jennings" was in fact average, the average player would not be average.

Do you agree?

irishbucsfan

David Wallace was very poor by his own standards this season.

Saying that he was excellent against France and I'm delighted to have him in the team.

stephen_n

eggchaser wrote: »

David Wallace is the most under-rated player of his generation in Ireland.
As a Connacht fan, it is easy to see from a neutral's point of view that he doesn't get the appreciation that he would have got had he been wearing the blue of Leinster. It's mind boggling to hear suggestions that an average player like Shane Jennings or an inexperienced (although admittedly talented) player like Rhys Ruddock should replace him.

(a) what basis do you have for saying he is under appreciated? Go look up any post match commentaries on here and you will see plenty of 7 or 8 reviews of his play from most posters on here.

(b) So POC, Flannery, ROG, Stringer, and all the other Munster players got less appreciation than they should because they didn't play for Leinster? That is simply one of the most retarded comments I have ever seen posted on this forum, to say wallace was less appreciated because he played i'n red :rolleyes:

(c) Even most Munster fans admit that Wallace has been poor this season by his standards in a Munster jersey, he was non existent against Italy and yes was back to his old self against France and hopefully will be against Scotland but to suggest that makes him undropable for players who are playing better than him is ridiculous.

Suggestions that Rhys Ruddock should replace him though are also ridiculous the 6N is not the time to bring in young untested players unless it is absolutely nessecary but Jennings has been i'n great form and performed more than well enough in the HC to suggest he is good enough to warrant a place and would defenitely make more than 8 tackles i'n 80 minutes of international rugby as Wallace did against Italy!

TheHighRoad

stephen_n wrote: »

would defenitely make more than 8 tackles i'n 80 minutes of international rugby as Wallace did against Italy!

It was 5 tackles. I agree with the rest of your comment though. Wallace is definitely not under appreciated he is heavily praised and deservedly so.

eggchaser

stephen_n wrote: »

(a) what basis do you have for saying he is under appreciated? Go look up any post match commentaries on here and you will see plenty of 7 or 8 reviews of his play from most posters on here.

(b) So POC, Flannery, ROG, Stringer, and all the other Munster players got less appreciation than they should because they didn't play for Leinster? That is simply one of the most retarded comments I have ever seen posted on this forum, to say wallace was less appreciated because he played i'n red :rolleyes:

(c) Even most Munster fans admit that Wallace has been poor this season by his standards in a Munster jersey, he was non existent against Italy and yes was back to his old self against France and hopefully will be against Scotland but to suggest that makes him undropable for players who are playing better than him is ridiculous.

Suggestions that Rhys Ruddock should replace him though are also ridiculous the 6N is not the time to bring in young untested players unless it is absolutely nessecary but Jennings has been i'n great form and performed more than well enough in the HC to suggest he is good enough to warrant a place and would defenitely make more than 8 tackles i'n 80 minutes of international rugby as Wallace did against Italy!

Alright, quite a large reply. Regarding comment (a); he does not seen to command the column inches that reflect his work in the print media. Regarding (b); it seems to be that if a Leinster player runs into a good vein of form there is a clamber to have him starting in the Irish team immediately. As you mentioned ROG, it seems that some commentators think that picking him ahead of Sexton will affect the latter's development, but in reality it looks like favoritism because the player in form should be the one in possession, it's about the team not the development of one player. And thanks for the 'retarded' comment.
Regarding (C); Yes, Jennings is in decent form but I don't think he is a good enough to fit into the Ireland backrow, especially when Ferris and Muldoon come back to full fitness. Also, as regards the tackle count; what is he supposed to do, run out of position to tackle for the sake of increasing your tackle count? You can only tackle what's in front of you.

jolley123

eggchaser wrote: »

it seems to me that if a Leinster player runs into a good vein of form there is a clamber to have him starting in the Irish team immediately.

FTFY

stephen_n

eggchaser wrote: »

Alright, quite a large reply. Regarding comment (a); he does not seen to command the column inches that reflect his work in the print media. Regarding (b); it seems to be that if a Leinster player runs into a good vein of form there is a clamber to have him starting in the Irish team immediately. As you mentioned ROG, it seems that some commentators think that picking him ahead of Sexton will affect the latter's development, but in reality it looks like favoritism because the player in form should be the one in possession, it's about the team not the development of one player. And thanks for the 'retarded' comment.
Regarding (C); Yes, Jennings is in decent form but I don't think he is a good enough to fit into the Ireland backrow, especially when Ferris and Muldoon come back to full fitness. Also, as regards the tackle count; what is he supposed to do, run out of position to tackle for the sake of increasing your tackle count? You can only tackle what's in front of you.

What forward does command the column inches? I really fail to see any actual evidence for any sort of Bias. Leinster are the form team at the moment but for many years it was all about Munster so to suggest that their is some sort of Leinster bias in the media is a joke. There is little or no difference in form between ROG and Sexton at the moment so it is a very much horses for courses selection. If your an openside flanker and you only make 5 tackles in 80 minutes then yes it is a serious problem as anyone who knows antyhing about rugby would be able to see.

Sin a bhfuil

stephen_n wrote: »

What forward does command the column inches? I really fail to see any actual evidence for any sort of Bias. Leinster are the form team at the moment but for many years it was all about Munster so to suggest that their is some sort of Leinster bias in the media is a joke. There is little or no difference in form between ROG and Sexton at the moment so it is a very much horses for courses selection. If your an openside flanker and you only make 5 tackles in 80 minutes then yes it is a serious problem as anyone who knows antyhing about rugby would be able to see.

Jamie Heaslip.

http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/jamieheaslip/

stephen_n

Sin a bhfuil wrote: »

Jamie Heaslip.

http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/jamieheaslip/

Funny enough two years ago Wallace got a full article in the iris Times when he was on the Lions tour but yes you right only Leinster forwards get those sort of articles oh and how many articles have been written about POC?

Sin a bhfuil

stephen_n wrote: »

Funny enough two years ago Wallace got a full article in the iris Times when he was on the Lions tour but yes you right only Leinster forwards get those sort of articles oh and how many articles have been written about POC?

Heaslip is the author of a weekly blog for the Irish Times. That would be more high profile than an occasional profile/interview in a newspaper.

Good on Heaslip, he has taken the IT blogging spot over from a back Tommy Bowe!

David Wallace is a great player and will go down in rugby history as one of the great Irish backrowers like Slats. I do think he is under appreciated by the general public, but that might be his own making because he seems to keep a very low profile. (Unlike Donncha O'Callaghan who has a fairly high profile due to his work for Unicef).

One thing is for certain, the IRFU appreciate him by giving him another 1 year international contract extension. That says a lot, considering the number of excellent backrowers Ireland have, they still want him to play international rugby for another season.

Podge_irl

Sin a bhfuil wrote: »

One thing is for certain, the IRFU appreciate him by giving him another 1 year international contract extension. That says a lot, considering the number of excellent backrowers Ireland have, they still want him to play international rugby for another season.

Is it an IRFU contract or a Munster one?

eggchaser

stephen_n wrote: »

What forward does command the column inches? I really fail to see any actual evidence for any sort of Bias. Leinster are the form team at the moment but for many years it was all about Munster so to suggest that their is some sort of Leinster bias in the media is a joke. There is little or no difference in form between ROG and Sexton at the moment so it is a very much horses for courses selection. If your an openside flanker and you only make 5 tackles in 80 minutes then yes it is a serious problem as anyone who knows antyhing about rugby would be able to see.

I think it has to do with the low profile that Wallace keeps as is mentioned above.
As regards the Sexton/O'Gara debate; I agree that there is very little between them and that they are picked with the opposition in mind but I think that when O'Gara is picked there is an element which thinks that Sexton should start so as to further his game; in any case, this is an argument for another thread.
Get off your high horse, you can get your point across without talking down to people

Sin a bhfuil

Podge_irl wrote: »

Is it an IRFU contract or a Munster one?

Both.

It has been confirmed that David Wallace has agreed a contract extension with the IRFU and Munster Rugby until the end of 2011/12 season.
David Wallace, who made his debut for Munster in August 1997, will now vie with Ronan O'Gara to become the fourth Munster player to reach 200 caps. Wallace, 34, commented on his contract extension from the Ireland camp in Dublin earlier today.
He said: "I'm very happy that we've agreed terms for another season. I'm enjoying my rugby right now.I feel I've plenty to offer and look forward to helping Munster and Ireland achieve success."

tommy57

great player, think he's just over back injury so hopefully he pushes on from the form he's shown.