DOC appreciation thread

donfers

the guy has been questioned all season, even when i thought he performered well - people were having a go and screaming for Cullen, along with SOB and Mike Ross this guy has been the star performer for us in the pack this season, his stats for every game are sky-high, tackle count each game is unreal, clearing out at rucks is unreal, the unseen non-glamourous donkey work he does is unreal.......he's the type of player that rugby players really rate, dallaglio today in the sunday times really highlighted how vital DOC was to yesterday's victory and I have to say it was a pleasure to read as it's rare to see this man praised in the media...even when people wanted him dropped after the Welsh game, i honestly couldn't believe what I was reading on here, I thought he was one of our few solid performers against Wales and the statistics again went along with that viewpoint...our second row absolutely pulverised the English boys yesterday and with POC back to his magnificent best it was nice to see them prove they are still a combination to be feared (let's not forget these two were Lions starters). I know Cullen is a great option to have and a fine player but at the moment DOC is playing at the top of the game and rather than being questioned in certain circles it's time to appreciate the unbelievable work this underrated player has put in for his country this season, he deserves all the praise he gets and then some

johnnysmack

DOC ROCKS!!

Distinctly average and below for more than 60% of the season in a red Jersey.

Was outrageously good in the 6N compared to rest of his games. Hopefully keeps playing as he did yesterday for the rest of the season!

PhatPiggins

Of all the Kidney favourites who didn't deserve to start the first game against Italy DOC was the worst. Has been pretty much excellent since that point on. Has a seriously high work rate that allows us to get away with 5 out and out ball carriers in the pack.

Fair play to him

freyners

you'd feel very sorry for cullen on the bench but of all the marginal calls kidneys made in 6 nations..Doc ended up repaying the favour the most.. huge workrate and hardly put a foot wrong all tournament

Amazotheamazing

Did BOD single him out specifically for all his work? Great player, not really appreciated, imo. England would kill to have a player of his calibre, imo.

Fight_Night

Not a fan of him but he played his heart out yesterday.

durkadurka

yesterday was his best day in green from my memory. Slight issue. His return to form coincides with POCs return.

jolley123

I agree with DOC playing outstandingly, but I think a few comments regarding Cullen might have been taken out of context. It is a WC year and it isn't outrageous to want different players given opportunities.A lot of people thought Sexton shouldn't have started but then he played great. Similarly if Kidney gave ROG the same amount of game-time as he's given Cullen, then he wouldn't have been able to show what he can still offer. I think people just wanted to give Cullen a start to see what he can add to the squad. The bench is something to be used, not something to resort to.

I didn't want to go off topic, because I think DOC deserves all the plaudits. But I felt like you could have 'appreciated him' without discussing Cullen.

PhatPiggins

durkadurka wrote: »

yesterday was his best day in green from my memory. Slight issue. His return to form coincides with POCs return.

Coincidence, he played extremely well for Munster when O'Connell first got injured and continued to do so up until November.

People who say he never plays well without POC, and I'm not suggesting you are one of them, don't fully appreciate what DOC brings to the table.

flutered

aside from what he does well he is an enforcer who looks after the rookies, assault one of them you assault him.

tommy57

he's played well 6 nations deserves his place. Him and wallace have proved themselves no bothar.

duckysauce

welcome to ireland

duckysauce

skinin Ashton Klass

He has a wonderful all year round tan.

duckysauce

Deleted User wrote: »

He has a wonderful all year round tan.

that picture doesn't do him/or his tan justice:D

[Jackass]

DO'C had his best game in an Irish jersey for years against England. People can get carried away, but there's no doubt that he, along with many, were a breath of fresh air when given a break fromthe usual crap we try to play when in Irish jersey's. This was exciting and high tempo and high risk, and high on allowing for improvisation and imagination, and my god did it suit the players a hell of a lot more than the monotnuss overly thought, scripted tactical crap we can't play but keep trying to play.

bamboozle

fair play to him, he's stepped up and is outshining POC by a considerable distance this season, POC seems more intersted in hanging out in the backs than doing grunt work this season. I'd still like to have seen Cullen play some decent game time during the 6N if only to ensure we had 3 locks with good exposure to the national team and its tactics.

lets not forget that DOC has over 70 caps and 2 lions tours to his name, we should expect to see this experience being consistently reflected on the park.

phog

bamboozle wrote: »

fair play to him, he's stepped up and is outshining POC by a considerable distance this season, POC seems more intersted in hanging out in the backs than doing grunt work this season. I'd still like to have seen Cullen play some decent game time during the 6N if only to ensure we had 3 locks with good exposure to the national team and its tactics.

lets not forget that DOC has over 70 caps and 2 lions tours to his name, we should expect to see this experience being consistently reflected on the park.

Where do you dream this up :eek:

Quint2010

Well done DOC. He played very well on sat.

bamboozle

phog wrote: »

Where do you dream this up :eek:

have u watched any of the games? the amount of times POC has taken the ball in the 10 channel must be over 20 over the duration of the 6N, 12 carries alone against Wales. POC should be focussed on hitting rucks and leave the carrying to our backrow.

phog

bamboozle wrote: »

have u watched any of the games? the amount of times POC has taken the ball in the 10 channel must be over 20 over the duration of the 6N, 12 carries alone against Wales. POC should be focussed on hitting rucks and leave the carrying to our backrow.

When will people be happy, he's being hammered for not carrying and now for carrying, I suppose when you want to knock a player you'll always find something to complain about.

bamboozle

phog wrote: »

When will people be happy, he's being hammered for not carrying and now for carrying, I suppose when you want to knock a player you'll always find something to complain about.

who ever hammered POC for not carrying, I would have thought the only issue with POC's play was how poorly he carries the ball in relation to all other aspects of his game.

phog

bamboozle wrote: »

who ever hammered POC for not carrying, I would have thought the only issue with POC's play was how poorly he carries the ball in relation to all other aspects of his game.

The only issue, then why this post?

bamboozle

phog wrote: »

The only issue, then why this post?

eh yes, my original post was that he was hangin out in the backs too much...i'm not sure what point your trying to make here? POC kept hanging around in the 10 channel looking to carry the ball, the 10 channel is out in the backs. The team would be better served if POC (and all the front 5) hit every ruck to ensure quick ruck ball was being presented to our backline.

either way this is going off topic, my original point was DOC has outshone POC, fair play to DOC.

andrewdcs

I'd been DOC and Wally bashing (along/among others) here and there, yeah I'll say it they came in poor / cold, but on Saturday they had an intensity to rival the sun. Awesome.

Such a shame Munster are out of the HC, hopefully players can take the fire back to the provinces and collect some euro silver, get connaght the exposure their fans deserve (and a considerable wodge of cash).